Annabelle Hennessy
Ravenclaw`
Prefect 7th Year
Hate me if you want to, Love me if you can.
Posts: 2,512
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Post by Annabelle Hennessy on Jun 11, 2011 10:35:31 GMT -5
Annabelle hated the meaningless exchange as well and would much rather move onto the pressing issues, regardless of how nervous she was about the upcoming conversation. Every second that ticked by made the anticipation that much greater. When the tea arrived, she did her best to expedite the service and sent the maid on her way. Anna frowned at the door, left slightly ajar as customary, but decided it would cause more speculation from the staff if she closed it. She doubted any of her staff would listen in.
Staring through the tea tray, Annabelle was trying to pull her thoughts together to address why they were meeting, and forgot to offer Alasdair a cup. She glanced up at him, unable to hide the longing she felt. "I am so glad you agreed to meet me. I know how highly improper it is for me to suggest such things, but I didn't want to let the opportunity pass if you were also interested."
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Jun 11, 2011 11:31:34 GMT -5
Again, Alasdair was struck by her boldness. Without preamble she'd turned the conversation to the business of things, eliminating the need to skirt the subject any longer than necessary. It was surprising, but it was also a relief. He gathered himself to speak.
"The children are excited at the prospect," he said, glad that he could speak freely. "Especially Cara, of course, though I believe young Adair needs it more. If you're amenable, I would like to plan a group outing, to ready the children to the situation." What a blessed relief it was to speak so openly to another adult after the years of solitude!
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Annabelle Hennessy
Ravenclaw`
Prefect 7th Year
Hate me if you want to, Love me if you can.
Posts: 2,512
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Post by Annabelle Hennessy on Jun 11, 2011 13:24:22 GMT -5
Children? What?? A confused look formed on Annabelle's face as her mind raced to try and understand the words that made absolutely no sense. Before she could stop herself, her thoughts were verbalized. "What on earth would children have to do with such affairs?"
She knew she was missing something, that a piece of the puzzle was just out of reach and she couldn't put her finger on just what was amiss. Marriage was a concept that she should have taken into account; she was focused on it for her younger sister, yet she didn't even consider it in this equation.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Jun 11, 2011 13:38:14 GMT -5
"Pardon my frankness," Alasdair said, sure that he had only misspoken in some way. "Perhaps it is too soon for you. I feel strongly, however, that the children should be involved, to make the transition smoother. I was hoping to have things settled before the Season ends." He didn't want to stay in London any longer than necessary, and if they married before the end of the season, they could retire to Hardt Manor and have done with it. "Of course, I understand your attachment to your sister, and would be delighted if she were able to join us."
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Annabelle Hennessy
Ravenclaw`
Prefect 7th Year
Hate me if you want to, Love me if you can.
Posts: 2,512
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Post by Annabelle Hennessy on Jun 11, 2011 14:41:30 GMT -5
A frown formed on Annabelle's lips, not understanding how he could even consider having their affair flaunted in front of their families. She knew things weren't always conventional at the Hardt manor and might overlook such things, but her family should not be dragged into the mud because of her. "It is my understanding that while it is common knowledge that these things occur, lack of discretion is frowned upon. My comings and goings are my own business and I have every intention to keep our liaison from my sister, no matter how hard that might be. I must admit that I hadn't thought beyond the season or how such a connection might work, but I assumed we would address those obstacles if and when they arose."
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Jun 11, 2011 15:00:27 GMT -5
Alasdair was silent for some brief moments after Annabelle had finished speaking, trying to fit her hesitance into the topic he believed they were discussing. Liason. Surely she didn't think he'd offered her a position as his mistress? He cleared his throat, tea forgotten in its entirety.
"If I have spoken unclearly, Miss Hennessy, please let me clarify," he said earnestly. "I have made an offer for you, and your father has given his permission for our courting, provided that you are agreeable. I do hope I have not offended you, I certainly did not wish to imply... That is..." Heat streaked up the back of his neck, and his gaze dropped to his own hands. "Well, I had hoped that you might consent to marry me." He looked up at her, sincerity in his gaze.
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Annabelle Hennessy
Ravenclaw`
Prefect 7th Year
Hate me if you want to, Love me if you can.
Posts: 2,512
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Post by Annabelle Hennessy on Jun 11, 2011 15:18:14 GMT -5
The color drained from her face at the realization that they were considering two very different sides of a coin. She was grateful for the support of the couch below her, as she would have been unable to support herself with such an embarrassment. Lady Osbaldestone's comments, which had faded from her mind as soon as the idea of a Mistress formed, resurfaced and Annabelle couldn't believe she'd completely discounted such an idea.
"My f-father? How?" Of all the thoughts whirling through her head, for some reason this one managed to take root enough to be spoken. Perhaps because it was the one that didn't admit that she was prepared to, unladylike, offer herself up to Alasdair while he was playing the role of a gentleman.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Jun 11, 2011 15:26:11 GMT -5
Alasdair looked sheepishly downward, watching his fingers as they attempted to release this tension with slight movements. "I had requested an audience with him this morning," he admitted, "and he agreed to hear me out. If you do not wish it, then I shall have no other option but to drop my suit and leave you be. I did feel that we were compatible, however..." And she had seemed perfectly willing before this terrible misunderstanding!
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Annabelle Hennessy
Ravenclaw`
Prefect 7th Year
Hate me if you want to, Love me if you can.
Posts: 2,512
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Post by Annabelle Hennessy on Jun 11, 2011 16:01:42 GMT -5
"Oh my! My father is here?! In this house? He must have just returned to town...." Annabelle stood abruptly and started pacing across the floor, refusing to look at Alasdair in her embarrassment. She hadn't been specific in her request last night, and could see some things fall into place that should have alerted her to his intentions. He wouldn't have invited her to Hardt Manor for a small dinner gathering, gentlemen didn't do such things with mistresses. He wouldn't have taken her for a ride in the park, or on a picnic, or planned for her to meet his wards.
She hadn't been prepared for such an offer, that he would even be willing to make such concessions to have her in his life. Oh, what he must think of me now! She was so frustrated, mostly with herself for being so blind. She didn't even process the idea of possibly being his wife at the moment, so caught up with the misunderstanding. "I had no idea of his return, or of your honourable intentions I assure you. I certainly wouldn't have asked you to come here to consider taking me as your chère-amie if I had known either. I don't know how I might ever redeem myself for my oversights. It is not usual for me to be such a chit."
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Jun 11, 2011 16:12:34 GMT -5
Alasdair moved to his feet, blinking his confusion. She had intended a liaison? And she hadn't a thought that he might have been testing to see if a courtship between them might be desirable? It was embarrassing at the least, and he was forced to reevaluate her as a suitable mother to the children. Surely Michael would not approve of his sister being raised without the ability to censor her words, and without a thought toward a proper marriage. Oh, but he liked that about her, however she shocked him.
He had already decided, he reminded himself, that his own desires were not to be taken into account. This was for the children. He was marrying to give Cara the female role model that her own mother could not be, to give Adair a mother and a chance at a normal life. He forced himself to speak.
"My deepest apologies," he began. "I was aware of your... distaste for marriage and persisted all the same. I am sorry that I wasn't more open with my intentions from the start." And yet, he believed he had made himself clear.
I had no idea of your honourable intentions I assure you.
"Terribly sorry. Please, excuse me." He headed for the door. He needed to leave and salvage some of his pride.
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Annabelle Hennessy
Ravenclaw`
Prefect 7th Year
Hate me if you want to, Love me if you can.
Posts: 2,512
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Post by Annabelle Hennessy on Jun 11, 2011 16:25:08 GMT -5
Annabelle rushed toward him, getting between Alasdair and the doorway and placed a hand on his arm, as if that might hold him in place. She had seriously made a mess of things and couldn't allow him to leave with the impression that she thought so little of him. Ironically her actions had stemmed from quite the opposite. "No, Wait, please don't go. Please, just give me a chance to explain myself?"
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Jun 11, 2011 16:30:22 GMT -5
"To explain what, precisely?" Alasdair asked. "Whatever the cause for this, my first thought is for my wards, for an impressionable young lady and boy who needs a feminine influence he has lacked. I should not have meddled in places I do not belong. I wish you all the best in finding what you seek." You will not find it here. He didn't want a lover, and perhaps he'd do better to simply hire Cara a companion.
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Annabelle Hennessy
Ravenclaw`
Prefect 7th Year
Hate me if you want to, Love me if you can.
Posts: 2,512
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Post by Annabelle Hennessy on Jun 11, 2011 16:55:37 GMT -5
Alasdair's icy words hit Annabelle like a brick and she took an involuntary step back. Her face fell as she searched his eyes for the man she had thought he was, but found no trace of him at all. Was I imagining it? No, this can't be. Annabelle remembered perfectly well the feeling stirring between them and that they hadn't been one-sided. She wasn't sure if she wanted more to run and cry or yell in anger. His accusations couldn't be ignored however and she found herself on the defensive. "Perhaps my recent actions were misguided, but they were not taken lightly or without cause. I have never before, nor do I ever again plan to seek any such things with any other man. I am sorry if your impression of me is so poor."
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Jun 11, 2011 17:02:22 GMT -5
Somehow Alasdair doubted that Annabelle was so chaste. He recalled now the condition he'd woken in after the accident, the way she'd looked at him, and the unbridled desire in her kiss. She was no innocent miss, and he was no fool. He stepped around her, pausing only once he'd stepped outside the parlor. "Good day, Miss Hennessy." With that, he took his hat and coat from the butler and left at a clip.
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Annabelle Hennessy
Ravenclaw`
Prefect 7th Year
Hate me if you want to, Love me if you can.
Posts: 2,512
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Post by Annabelle Hennessy on Jun 11, 2011 19:03:26 GMT -5
Annabelle stood in disbelief as Mr. Blackwood so harshly left her. She had been so foolish to think that he was any different than the other gentlemen she had encountered years ago. A small portion of her wanted to defend Alasdair, to point out that the circumstances were completely different, and to blame herself for his actions. Majority won out though, and she could not make excuses for his behavior.
My first thought is for my wards. He made it sound like his only interest in her was for her to play governess, a position which he could easily hire a servant. She didn't understand how the passion she'd felt between them could so easily be cast off in favor of a ridiculous notion that she should play wet-nurse.
Annabelle went up to her room, wanting to avoid everyone. Perhaps if she crawled in bed and closed her eyes, she would wake up and have the morning turn out to be some twisted nightmare.
Annabelle didn't really fall back asleep, no matter how much she tried. She did however feign sleep when her maid came in and later claimed to have a headache, putting off the inevitable conversation with her father until later.
Later came at supper, when she was asked to attend the family. It was not out of the ordinary for their father to catch up on the girls lives during meals, so Annabelle was not surprised when he began to inquire as to the events about town. After hearing lists of events and potential suitors that had set their sights at this early stage of the season on Elizabeth, Mr. Hennessy managed to turn the conversation to the topic Annabelle wished to forget.
"I had a visitor this morning. He seemed quite earnest in his suit." Mr. Hennessy subtly dropped, to test his daughters reactions.
"Really father? From whom? I can't imagine that I could accept any offer so soon, how did they even find out you were in town?" Elizabeth's answers showed that she was innocently unaware of the meetings that had occurred while she was still abed.
"I account the chance meeting to luck of timing, but it was not a suitor for you." Mr. Hennessy stated purposefully, and both pair of eyes moved to Annabelle, concentrating on her peas as if they were the only thing in the room. "Do you care to know about the meeting?"
Elizabeth was about to reply, but was stopped with her father's raised hand. Silence filled the room until Annabelle finally gave in and lacking emotion answered her father. "It is not relevant father. I do not believe he will be pursuing any requests for my hand."
Mr. Hennessy studied his daughter and asked with a skeptical look, "How can you be so certain? He seemed quite intent during our meeting and dealt well with my inquiries when a man less inclined would have backed down."
The girls were familiar with the protectiveness, however hidden, that their father possessed. This news didn't sit well with Annabelle and she shifted in her chair before shrugging and confessing a partial truth that would eventually surface anyway. "I happened upon Mr. Blackwood this morning and it became obvious that we do not see eye to eye. He has had a change of opinion and wishes us well." It was close enough to the truth.
"Why did you chase him away? I was truly hoping to become sisters with Lady Cara!" Elizabeth pouted as their father merely glanced between the two. Annabelle shrugged with a frown, giving in too easily to be believed by her family. When Elizabeth opened her mouth to pursue the topic, Mr. Hennessy gave her a look that had her immediately drop the conversation. Fine, if Annabelle won't divulge anything, I will just have to find out from another source.
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