Elegant View

- Mary was down in London with Evelyn. It had been some time and the pair had just announced their engagement t each other. It was a surprise for many as Evelyn had waited 10 years for her. Truth be told, he’d of waited a life time for her to be his. Mary however, was needing to visit her Doctor in Harley street. For there was a slight worry that the family would have to deal with yet another scandal on their hands. It always seemed to involve Evelyn in some way also… As Mary parted from Evelyn to head toward the Doctors, She noticed the male in the distance. Was it that of Crowborough? The hearty Duke who’d created a stir when he’d visited Downton. Mary smiled graciously and jogged over to the male. “Crowborough!” Her angelic voice called out as she came up behind him. “How lovely it is to see you! How have you been?”

#justliketimelessporcelain

♔ As if he'd know about the struggles and scandals of Downton. A place in Yorkshire was set so far away from his realm of reality that he could care less what happened outside of it. He was an aging man, without a partner and most importantly, heir-less. It was tragic story of any aristocrat, and in truth he was mostly bitter over himself more than anything.

But what did that matter?

"Greetings Lady Mary! I can only express the same. Oh, pray tell, how're you?" Exclaiming as if he genuinely felt the ecstasy he was clueless as to the loss of Matthew, the death of Sybil and anything else.

♔ Hm, what was this-- people? What a queer surprise. The Duke hadn't suspected to run into anyone of importance on the West side of the city, but who knew when rustling about the lower end. He supposed they could question the same of his nature being among the likes of the filthy. Offering a mere glance in his acknowledgement, his eyes slightly scrutinizing.

#[ hello hello! ]#[ pls come plot if you want to do smth ]#[ and I do see a Cora and Phil is v happy ]

Terribly sorry I am so inactive. School is consuming as well as life. Ah, c’est la vie.

#[ OOC ]#[ I need more lovelies to follow ]

- dies

#[ OOC ]#I promise I will be active #when hw isn't such a prominent thing

————— {❧} The little lady pouted in concentration as she wondered where she could take the Duke: as she wanted to delve into rooms that even she didn’t often wander into without the permission of her father or the butler. It was then that a most fortunate idea came to mind, but as she peeked back at the Duke, she wondered if it would be too bold of her. It was true that ladies were not often permitted in the men’s room (as her father called it) but she had taken a little sneak around now and then. It was custom that the men would remain in the dining room after dinner, to smoke and drink port, but her father had a specific room installed into the back of the house for such an occasion and Sybil could remember watching the men play cards and jest about things that she didn’t often understand from a crack in the doorway.

“Come, I shall take you to my forbidden room,” she said confidently, showing the Duke down the hall, past both the dining room and drawing room, to the billiards room. “I should often like to think that men’s entertainment is far better than ours – sitting and listening to granny in the drawing room does become tiring.”

#lambwithaloudvoice #[ it's okay shh ]#[ and I will get to you Mary i'm just so busy asffghf ]

Such mindless things of trivial chatter and drunken shots of card games were really acrid. The only thing that'd be bold was if she showed him a fire breathing dragon that could play dead like a dog, hark. Nodding with slightness and adding to it a bolstered up expression. Go, little one, into the darkness with nothing but chutzpah.

Taking in the small surroundings, steps slowing to a still as eyes wandered, the room didn't really take him as much as one would hope. However, he supposed that someone else might find men's bidding entertaining.

"Oh love, if only you heard what passed between our lips." Their shared insufflation was so hoarse with whispy smoke and riddled with heavy wine scented breaths that it was almost a comical. Last acts as a knight who jousted with the knowledge of the fact he'd die.

Sparing to look sideways, he shifted a few steps closer. "Might I inquire what bestirs your interest specifically? I could submit answers and maybe reenact something, if you'd like."

▬ She was as quick as a fox on the servant’s stairs so that she would not be discovered, for she knew that Anna and Gwen would never turn her in to mama but she was sure that Carson would look at her like a cantankerous owl and ask endless amount of questions about her presence in the downstairs quarters. Sybil let out a breath of relief when she reached the main hall and turned around to look at the Duke with smile from ear to ear as her braid swung around her back in her excitement. “Downton is at your disposal, sir, where should you like to explore?” she asked him.

#lambwithaloudvoice #[ sobs ]

Quickly following right in stride with the young lady, puerile desires and snorts brewed at the back of his throat. And if they were to get caught by a servant, by chance, all this man had to do was assert his arrogant mannerism of the Duke that he was and they should shrink away with their heads bowed like the insignificant filth that they were. Harsh.

Joining in with his own balmy breath, he stole the moment to take in the ornateness of the hall. Nearly discarding the madame and her query it took him a moment to remember he was actually with someone. In part, despite his decision in joining the other, he wished to stealth around the manor on his own.

"Anywhere, really. I'm not too familiar with the estate, perhaps you could share some of your favorite places." His own conviction could be pressed upon the damsel later.

"Okay Phillip." Mary spoke, the slight shock within her voice as she did. She did not expect him to be on first terms with her just yet, but then again why not.? Mary smiled softly before that essence of mischief appeared back in her eyes. "Why don’t we go exploring?" Mary then suggested. Perhaps he’d like an exploration of the house.

#justliketimelessporcelain #[ Finally good god I'm so sorry this took forever ]

It was only being cordial and in some twisted way to help him look more mature and better. Liking her better with a hint of deviousness lingering behind her shaded pupils, it gave the Duke delight. Left in the dark as to how sneaky and dark she was, he'd merely let her edge that fact on.

Whatever it was, he nodded to her suggestion, perking at the idea of wondering. Plenty of havoc could be caused. Time to start taking notes.

"My, that sounds rather nice. I'm in agreement."

I am terribly sorry I have neglected to do my responses, but I am so very busy-- especially with classes starting this week. I swear to you patient lot I will eventually come around with replies.

Sincerest thanks to those who wait.

#[ OOC ]

▬ The youngest daughter of the Earl did not know what it was that attracted her to the mischievous Duke and his adventures – it could have been the fact that he did not dismiss her due to the fact that she was the youngest or it could be that tomfoolery and fun seemed to radiate from him and that was something different that Sybil admired. The little bird turned on her heel and continued her journey of flitting through the servant’s quarters and to the staircase that would lead to the hall and the drawing room. “You are not at all what I expected,” Sybil told him in a hushed tone as she turned her head to look at him with her usual innocent expression – it was a deceitful mask, for she did like to be disobedient a lot of the time.

Following the little maiden with a spring to his step, piqued as to why he himself took such an interest. Maybe it was the fact he loved the child for her own sense of adventure, or she didn't tend to him like a King ( while being lavished and treated like a noble was nice, it did get irritating ). More or less is was his lack of use of his own waywardness and being able to produce it openly. Taking delight, he shrugged playfully.

"Looks can be deceiving."

#lambwithaloudvoice

▬ The little lady, as sweet as she could be most of the time, was a mischievous thing and she found it hard to turn her back on certain little adventures and explorations. She shuffled her feet from side to side as she wondered over whether or not it would seem decorous if she were to spend such time with whom her father hoped would be her eldest sister’s intended after the sudden death of her last betrothal. Sybil, however, was satisfied that at least she was not dismissed as she often was with her sisters. “Well, I don’t think anyone shall miss me for some time,” she said with a raised brow: a clear indication to the Duke that she was game for such plans, whatever they may be.

Decorous, who honestly cared? Philip certainty didn't as his mind was already fixated on the clear answer of no. He'd met the eldest before at some long ago party and already made the decision of just being acquaintances. "There's the spirit." Winking playfully, it was then inclined to begin his idea for them. Excitement bubbled within his chest as he gestured for her to lead the way, a crooked smirk plastered on his face.

#lambwithaloudvoice

▬ It satisfied her that their new guest did somehow share her opinions, and it was a delightful refreshment from the usual ridicule that she received at the hands of her sisters – who would not want to walk around wearing trousers? Sybil raised an eyebrow at the Duke’s sudden question. “I do believe that it is rather quiet, with father away on business in town and luncheon not for a few hours at least,” she told him in her usual innocent manner as she finally finished her delicious little finger sandwich. “Why do you ask?”

People could only retain manners for so long and admittedly so the Duke got very sick and tired of all the formalities. Probably was part of the reason why he ventured off into his own little games. That aside, a small giggle followed her wondering. Shrugging, he let his eyes roll to the side. "No reason, really. I thought maybe we could have some fun. That's all." Fun as in trying on men's clothes.

#lambwithaloudvoice

"Please, call me Mary.." Mary spoke up. Madame was so her Grandmother’s time. It was far too formal - even for Mary’s liking. Mary however was still confused as to why he’d been invited up to Downton. However, she guessed she’d find out why. Perhaps her mother saw Crowborough as a possible suitor for Mary. Imagine that, Mary as a Duchess. Perhaps it would suit her. Mary simply just smiled to herself as she looked toward him. "So.. what would you like to do?" She then asked in wonderment.

#justliketimelessporcelain

"Very well then, Mary. Please call me Philip." Miming her habitually, the man simply smiled inwardly at her bewilderment. If he could, he'd clap and laugh like a jester. Letting his shoulders shrug nonchalantly with a droning hum as he pondered the the silly question, Philip even drew his hand to his chin, letting it fall back down only to conjoin his hands like some choir boy. "I'm not in the mood for anything particular, perhaps you could choose something for us?" Ladies first.

▬ Sybil had to admit that although she found the Duke to be quite an unusual fellow, she believed him to be rather amusing and decided that she would much rather converse with him than return to the drawing room and wait for Granny to come and bore her with how she should sit and how she should place her hands. “Ah, I do believe that if men were to be thrown into corsets then they would realise the reason behind the irritable nature of women,” she commented with a chuckle. “Do you not think I would look rather dashing in men’s wear? And how much more comfortable it would be!”

#lambwithaloudvoice #[ let the mischief begin ]#[ and drunken ones ]

Cheeks flushing in a merry manner, her shook his head at the though. "The closet you dears get is riding wear, no? It's the only time I've seen women dashing." Though he could be wrong, he never took the time to tamper with strings and tightly fitted clothes. He would beg to differ with some of the things men were chocked into wearing, but he supposed he couldn't complain. But this did give him an idea, a very wild one. "If I may ask, Lady Sybil, how quiet is it upstairs?" That common misplaced smirk found its way curling at his lips.

An ounce of shock overcame the Upper class brunette’s porcelain features. Her mother? Really? What did the woman have planned this time? she wondered.It seemed awfully odd that her mother was the one to invite the male. Mary now needed to get more information. There was no one else around so she’d have to get it from the male himself. “My Mother? But why? What on earth has she planned? I wonder” Mary spoke rather hushed this time. She did not wish people to overhear her questioning of the matter.