dearest gentle reader

[glxvedhandsx]

marvin barker || 30 || future earl of pembroke || he/him; bisexual || stats

hari bennett || 26 || ward to the lytton family || she/her; pansexual || stats

[namenotyourown]

THE UNCERTAINTY AS TO WHY SHE WAS NAMED THE DIAMOND WAS A SHARED THOUGHT HELD IN HIS OWN MIND FOR THE TITLE HE WAS BESTOWED. If it were one person not of noble birth instead of two, something could be said about variety being added into the season but two defied all reason that crept in his mind. “You are not the only wandering why. I have my theory on it, but I am afraid it does not hold much and is simply speculation.”

The attention was a lot. Piet was no stranger to it but this context was different, and a lot of adjustment was to be made. “My advice is to think of all the possible steps. I know it is rather simple to say but it has given me the upper hand in many situations.”

[glxvedhandsx]

"i'm sure the entire ton is buzzing with possible theories about us. i heard just this morning that we had paid off her majesty for the titles, as if the queen needs money from us, of all people." she laughs at the idea, a kind of cold, bitter sound in her chest, hollow of any humor or warmth as she shrugs a shoulder and lets her eyes wander around them, taking in the quick looks in their direction, the stares, wondering what the next piece of gossip will be.

she hums, a soft sound, and considers his words. "i might be too stupid to do that. my parents always say i was blessed with looks, my brothers were blessed with business sense and minds to think for themselves." it's a cruel way to think, and it isn't lost on hari that, while she might not actually be stupid, playing it had gotten her farther in life, unfortunately. "but it's good advice, i'll certainly keep it in mind."

[prinxesssophia]

Others had fawned over this new diamond, albeit from a far but even so Sophia thought this new jewel needed further inspection. Pressure was key in a diamond’s formation but like anything, too much and it could crack. “You are influential because her majesty deems you so but what she gives she can take away. You need to find a match that is worthy of who you are and who her majesty deems you to be, but that should not come at a cost at who you are and surely you have some help within your own household?" There had been talk of the Lytton’s having their own guide for the season, one to teach them the English ways and that would be more useful now then when they first set foot upon English soil, but for one to be named above the daughters of their host family would certainly cause problems. “I would love to and then you can do something you love and others can observe you in such a natural state.” Painting was not among Sophia’s talents but if the diamond needed a closer inspection, what better way than this?

[glxvedhandsx]

hari wants to question her majesty's sanity, but knows better than that, at least. it's not something she would normally hold her tongue about, this idea that the queen had picked her, when so many had been a better choice. aera, for example, even dovey. hari would never call herself a slouch, of course, she has plenty to offer, but the added pressure of being in the queens favor, and expected to make a great match makes that feel worse, somehow.

she offers a small nod, and her smile feels a little more at ease at the suggestion. "i've never had an audience for painting before. my parents used to let me paint in a studio in their manor, but it was never a public display. one of my pieces is in an art show back home, though."

[wonderxrings]

Tim may not have had any blood siblings, but he had Hari, and Dovey and Aera. As far as he was concerned they were the family that mattered. He was so proud of her. She didn't look very happy about all of this but he was still so proud of her. It likely wasn't something she wanted to hear but he couldn't help it.

"Considering that you're probably trying to avoid everyone, it's me who ought to apologize." He said, making sure to give her space. They were both wards of the same house but he would hate for things to seem improper. "And you definitely don't have to curtsy to me, Hari."

[glxvedhandsx]

there's a small relief when it's not a stranger, but a friend that appears, and hari lets out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, giving the faintest smile to tim. "i think my new title means i have to curtsy to everyone, tim. how on earth could i be a proper diamond if i don't go out of my way to curtsy and smile politely and nod along to boring stories?"

eyes dart around them, and though her smile is genuine, it falls a little as that pressure starts to press once more into her. "i dunno if this was the right call. i mean, i am certainly not a prize."

[flosprati-a]

She smiled at her, mostly to ensure that she didn't feel pressured or as if she was ambushing her. When she finally responded to her question, she nodded, it made sense for it to feel like it was a lot of pressure. All eyes would be on her to ensure that she made the most ideal of matches, and of course the queen would likely throw her own contenders in the mix, at least that's what Catherine had been told by the Murray's when they'd told her about what the title of diamond meant within the Ton. "I do believe as long as you make a good match, her majesty will think of you as a success" again something else that the Murray's had told her, "Titles aren't always important, sometimes it's more about ensuring that you make the right match, and I do believe that it will happen for you. You seem lovely" and she did, she was beautiful, and obviously polite, those were already two traits that were positive in Catherine's mind.

[glxvedhandsx]

"to be honest, it feels a bit like putting on an ill fitting dress that someone loaned you." like she doesn't belong, almost like it's all a joke to make the point that she doesn't belong. she wants to ask the queen to reconsider, but knows a little too well that that would reflect poorly, not just on the bennett family but on the lytton family, and she can't allow her friends to be mocked because she's weak. "i suppose as long as i get married, things will be fine. i can only hope that i meet someone.... someone who wants to get to know me."

[lovelyfxxl]

S E L E N A FINCH

the change in cadence of the jaded man's voice resonated in the very pit of her stomach. nell narrowed her gaze and responded barely above a whisper. "that's really not how courtesy is conducted." briefly, she wondered if this little display often worked to his advantage. did it make others wither and scurry away? "and you do not scare me." eyes cut like broken glass to the barman who did have the good sense to look unnerved as he delivered the new drink. the glare read distinctly as a challenge. "then prove yourself perfectly capable without it, as I've not seen proof yet."

"what are you waiting to... interest you? friendship? I half hoped siena would never settle." although considering nell's brother-in-law, it was hardly settling of any variety. her jaw muscle clenched and unclenched before she finally relented a sigh. "she is happy." however, friendship and marriage really could not exist as a cohesive concept before, as all her mother's marriages were unrecognizable to that. "I wouldn't know." nell pointedly refused to meet his direct eyesight, though it could certainly be felt upon her. she set the bottle on the table beside them with an eerie calmness, yet enough force that a sliver of the neck splintered and a shard punctured through her glove. selena winced, quickly pushing air through her teeth, and pulled the injured hand away.

[glxvedhandsx]

"maybe i'm not trying to scare you." whatever's hidden in his tone is playful and dangerous all at once. that kind of bleeding seduction that works on lower class girls and women clambering desperately for titles. he knows it won't work on nell, but he doesn't much care as a wolfish grin appears on his face, just before that new drink that appears disappears again right down his throat.

and behind it, a laugh barks out. "a challenge, perhaps. friendship, perhaps. an interesting combination of a woman who fights back and one who wants to enjoy my company. quite the tall order, i know." eyes roll, almost at himself, as he considers her, and starts to say something more when she seemingly has a moment and he blinks, a hand reaching out toward her. "let me see. take the glove off before it's soaked through with blood."

[ofcaeriw]

Rhys was in a similar situation to the man, minus a pretty barmaid. He’d flirted with them, of course, but nothing went beyond that, but of course no one would take notice. He was a stable hand, someone of little consequence to those above him. “I take it you’re titled, then?” He asked, truly looking at the man. The face was familiar enough, but Rhys couldn’t place him in any of his London-known faces, and then there was the accent. Faintly familiar but not as common-sounding as his own. “Sorry if I stare; it’s been too long since I’ve heard anyone remotely Welsh; it almost sounds odd to my ears.” He said, laughing into his cup. There was a bit of an ache with that realisation. Of being so far from home that the things that had helped shape him seemed so far away. 

“I have to ask; I don’t understand this hatred of the Americans.” Rhys was feeling the false confidence brought on by his ale. “Is it because they are outsiders that you all hate them?” The staff at the Royal Ascot had said it was all down to envy at their wealth, but it seemed like such an overreaction. Peter Drake was a man not to be crossed, but somehow Rhys had managed to do just that. “I never understood the whole pomp and circumstance to this. If you love someone, shouldn’t you marry them instead of seeing the value of their social class?” Maybe the queen was proving a point in naming two rich commoners as her favourites. If it all ended with them both titled, would that make her season a success?

[glxvedhandsx]

"will be, one day. so long as i dance the dance my father wants me to, anyway." while marvin feels he has a right to his title, he knows what his father's doing, trying to ensure it's legacy, though he thinks it fair to point out that his sister is just as capable of that legacy, if she gets married and has a child, once he's ready to pass it on, he can hand it to her if he never has children of his own. "it's rare to find another welshman in the ton, certainly. before the americans, i had the funniest accent here."

he chuckles, and lifts his drink again, eyes darting around the pub with mild interest before turning to glance back at rhys again. "i don't hate the americans, personally, i think the disdain of them stems more from the fact that they like to flash their wealth, and proper folk aren't supposed to do that." he shrugs, though, uncaring about it. "might be a point, might be a mind game. the queen has her reasons, but i'm not sure if we'll find out what they are until the season is done and we know if the experiment was a success."

[parasolsandreticules-deactivate]

Aera gave him a small smile and shook her head. "Well, I assure you that you do not seem too bitter to me. How many sisters do you have?" Marvin seemed like an interesting man, if a bit rough around the edges. She couldn't blame him, if he grew up around here then she was sure that the mere stress from it all probably got to him.

She considered his question, didn't want to be too blatant in talking about her friend's distress from being named the diamond. There were eyes and ears everywhere. "She is dealing with it well." Aera decided to say with a nod. "We are all looking out for her, and I hope that the Ton is not too harsh on her. And thank you, I don't consider myself overly zealous on..." Aera gestured vaguely around her. "This competition, I suppose."

[glxvedhandsx]

"you're new to the ton. i can promise you that you'll start to see everyone's true colors eventually." it's not a threat, but a subtle warning, eyes moving around them with the kind of carefully masked disdain that doesn't linger and doesn't impose on people simply trying to enjoy their day. marvin doesn't care for the pomp and circumstance, but he knows how to live in it.

a small hum leaves him, and he nods, noticing the careful wording and letting it linger somewhere in the back of his mind. this is a good friend. someone unwilling to throw the poor girl under the bus to get ahead of her. it's a breath of fresh air in this stale place. "i have one sister. i suppose the wards of your house are like sisters to you, too, is that right?" from what he understands, miss lytton is an only child. "it's not a healthy mindset to get wrapped up in, the competition of it all. it's how people end up in boring marriages they regret, because they wanted to be first."

[thorneheir]

“I think so too, I only hope I’m kept out of it unless I can make use of it.” It could have been a good idea had it not been for his father and the Queen being on talking terms to the point where they had each others ear in some way. That irritated Tobias more than he cared to admit. If she were playing mind games then it had the right effect with everyone running around and at a loss of how to navigate, especially those too stuck to structure and tradition.

“You’re handsome and you have a title. I’m told that kind of thing makes someone even with the worst of reputation desirable.” He chuckles, a playful nudge about what was mentioned about Marvin in the gossip paper. “Well, we both have money so would have little use of it and winning that wouldn’t be fun. What would you wager with?”

[glxvedhandsx]

marvin considers this thought for a moment, lets it linger in his mind before his shoulders rise and fall in the kind of useless shrug that makes him probably quite annoying to deal with. he simply doesn't care enough. it's always been his flaw, that imperfection in the perfectly cut barker. his father has found him exhausting to be around on several occasions for his simple refusal to claw towards caring about anything.

it's a wonder he hasn't recused his title and handed it to his cousin by now. but that, perhaps, is more of his own pride shining through than anything. "how about a break of family tradition? if you win, i'll name my first born son after you. gone will be the tradition of carrying on a strong family name. seems like a fair enough bet. what are you willing to lose?"

[prinxesssophia]

Freedom was a misconception in London and those with titles and expectations had no real sense of freedom. Sophia knew that everyone was weighed down with the expectations of legacy and bettering themselves and family but at the cost of their own peace. “Surely such exploration is not off the table, you now have access to everything you want simply because you are the diamond. It is a power that you must learn to yield.” A diamond was expected to shine the brightest and when Hari Bennett was named as one, it made everyone in the London high society truly look at the American’s and see a value in them that they had all possibly overlooked including Sophia. It wasn’t without a hefty cost, the expectations of being her majesty’s favourite, her chosen, meant that a successful match must be made by season’s end or else it was considered a failure and oh how her majesty hated to be considered as such. A person in want of status and a spouse was not unheard, more so when they did not consider the person beneath it all but to most it did not matter to some. “I think the pond is quite a lovely area to paint, is it not? I think that we should set up to easels and see what we both can conjure up.” Sophia’s eyes had a twinkle of mischief, hoping that the diamond could pick up her hint. If the people of London did not care to look deeper into the diamond, then the only reasonable course of action would be to simply show them all what made her sparkle so.

[glxvedhandsx]

it feels like a bear trap, one that will slowly close on her if she doesn't figure out how to jam it. her brother had been an excellent hunter, and he was always going on about different traps and how quickly they can surprise any unsuspecting animal. "i suppose 'learning to yield a power i never thought i would have' was not in my crash course before i came here. brushing up on such lessons would certainly be prudent now."

eyes lift, a sudden excitement in them that had been absent only a moment before and she offers a small nod of her head. "i have not yet had a chance to try painting at the pond, but i would certainly love the opportunity, if your highness isn't too busy to accompany me for a bit. it would be my great honor to paint with you."

[hanovr-deactivated20250717]

prince arthur was rather taken aback by her unfiltered commentary. it seemed no one had informed the foreigner that the purpose of the season was not personal diversion or comfort. the ton was far from a society of honesty, and the prince had long understood that the marriage mart was a vicious game, one in which careful words and calculated charm were essential. he could almost pity for her, but then he recalls the great favour his mother had done on her behalf.

“ that is correct. it would be improper, were i not a married man, ” he said, his chuckle sharp and mocking, bordering on cruel. his interest in her was purely one of morbid curiosity, a desire to understand the queen’s puzzling choice and to pevent any shame she might bring upon his family. and even if he were a bachelor, he would never be foolish enough to court an untitled american. “ so i assure you, i’m not here to pursue you. if anything, i’m here to act as a chaperone, since you are my mother’s diamond. and had you allowed me to introduce myself, i would have explained as much. ”

[glxvedhandsx]

"and how well is that marriage going for you? according to the gossip writer, it might not be very well." perhaps it's a dangerous game to play, to allow her more unfiltered thoughts to slip out, but if the man finds it fitting to mock her, she finds it rather fitting to mock him back. her own smile is sharp, the kind of cunning that she's sure the prince assumes of her, being some uncultured american. if he sees fit to be so judgemental without allowing any kind of grace for her suddenly very strange predicament, she'll allow him his nasty thoughts.

"oh, how kind of you. i have chaperones, though. not far away, actually. i only stepped away from them for a moment." eyes scan him, take in his frame, examine exactly what she's dealing with. "and it seems rather clear that you don't find me favorable, your highness, even if your mother does, so perhaps wasting your time is a foolish endeavor."

[namenotyourown]

ALL THE RESEARCH AND INFORMATION GATHERED HAD GIVEN PIET THE IMPRESSION THAT A QUEENS FAVOUR AND THE TITLE OF BEING HER DIAMOND OFFERED EVERY ADVANTAGE A LADY COULD WANT. That was not the impression he had looking at the holder of the title and noted her bitter tone. “You do not want to be in the Queen’s favour? The assumption is that all the Americans want a title to accompany their new money wealth and I would have thought the Queen lifting you up would give you that access. Every suitor is yours if you want that.” The reasons for the Americans being there aligned close with his own but for a stark differing in reason.

“It sounds as if you seek a love match rather than one of arrangement or business. I don’t think that is the place for that but your new title gives you a power others don’t. It may not be exacrly what you want with the pressures but you could always use it for your own gain. It’s what I plan on doing.”

[glxvedhandsx]

the term 'new money' has always rubbed hari the wrong way. her family's wealth is acquired from excellent planning and business that her grandfather's grandfather had set in motion, it didn't feel very new to her, but she could suppose, with titles and land passing down for as long as it has here, it seemed new my comparison. "it's a great honor. i'm just not sure what it is i did to acquire it that differed from anyone else that was there."

of course, she isn't sure a love match is in the cards, either, isn't sure anything is really in the cards besides a bunch of men panting over her title as diamond, but she offers a small shrug of her shoulders. "i'm sure i can figure something out as i go. i think i just need time to adjust to all of the newfound attention."

[flosprati-a]

She notes how beautiful she was, a part of her sorting through all of the faces she had seen at the Diamond ball but she couldn't readily assign hers to anyone she'd seen. It was to be expected considering the vast amount of people present, not just the people who had been presented this year, but those who were already returning to the social season yet again. When she spoke her name, there was this feeling like she should know it, that she'd heard it before. It took a moment for her to make the connection, the young lady who had been named the diamond of the season, "Lady Catherine Braye" she said as she offered her a curtsy. "Has it been difficult? Dealing with all of the attention you've received because of her majesty?" she asked quietly, after all she knew the relief she'd felt when she hadn't been named, she was already in a precarious enough position she definitely hadn't wanted to add that to it all. But if it wasn't a title she had been hoping to have, well it had to be cumbersome, and likely heavy in a way. "I apologize if that sounds gossipy, I just know how I'd feel in your position"

[glxvedhandsx]

"it's a pleasure, my lady." she offers another small curtsy, because practice makes perfect and hari knows that her curtsy is certainly not the best. a lady, a proper one at that, and hari wonders if she'd read her name in that gossipy paper that morning, though none of the information had really remained in her mind. she isn't the kind to care for idle gossip that doesn't relate to her or the people she loves. the bit about herself and dovey, the bit about aera, it had stuck. everything else? just noise.

a breath releases from hari before she can stop it, a heavy one. "it's a lot of pressure." she admits, though she tries to keep her tone light and neutral. "i'm not sure what i could have done to gain her majesty's favor like i did, but i suppose it's nice to have happened. i simply hope i don't embarrass her, as i'm not exactly the most graceful. nor am i titled or very aware of all of the customs."

[lovelyfxxl]

S E L E N A FINCH

no, much like herself, marvin did have the tendency to avoid the common, mundane crowd and showed an outright disregard for anything resembling a status quo. "it would appear you are far too with the grain." nell indicated the bottle in her hand despite knowing that he had not yet torn his eyes from the glass. "who will you intend to set your sights upon courting this season if not the queen's chosen diamond?"

selena did not flinch as he moved except to tighten her grip on the neck of the bottle so that it could not easily be worked out of her grasp. "I do mind." while he might be used to her sister's charming nature and loose association with the rules, there was a lot more bite than bark about nell. she continued to stare him down. "we are having a conversation, and you would do well to remember your propriety, my lord."

[glxvedhandsx]

"give me back my drink, my lady, and perhaps i'll remember my manners." his voice is low, the kind of dangerous low in his chest that makes his point, but he doesn't linger. if nelly's plan is to be a right pain in the ass, she's accomplishing it greatly, but marvin, marvin has a good relationship with the barman, and a wave of his finger brings another bottle over to him. his falls heavy into his stool once again, and pops the lid on the new one without much care.

"i can have a perfectly good conversation and drink at the same time. i've been doing it for years." eyes linger on her for a moment, and though he doesn't say it out loud, he wonders if she's looking out for his well being, if she's doing it because her sister likes him, if it's because she doesn't want to look bad in public. but then, sitting with him is a surefire way to look bad in public anyway. "i haven't found anyone that tickles my interest quite yet. i would have probably just married your sister if she hadn't gone all soft and fallen in love. don't they say friendship is the best base for a marriage?"

[ofcaeriw]

Every year, Rhys had noticed how others fretted about with an anonymous scandal sheet. So many, including the staff at the Royal Ascot, had hung on the writer’s every word while others dreamed of getting a single mention. It was fascinating, if not a little pathetic. “I think Peter got all that he wanted in one night,” Rhys said as he nursed his own drink. “He became the one to watch while possibly getting a baroness? Not bad for a dock man.” It was the dream that the maids had dreamed of. Being noticed by the queen and possibly moving up in the world. It was a dream that Rhys thought would become a nightmare sooner than later.

For the first time, Rhys took the man in. His clothes were the clear giveaway that he was at least wealthy, possibly titled and the possibility of another mention in Lady Whistledown could only mean he was important enough to notice. “Well, at least they can’t say you’ll drink alone.” Rhys raised his up in a silent cheers before taking a swig. “I thought the prince and princess would be an easy choice but apparently not. What about you, do you think the queen chose well?”

[glxvedhandsx]

"i've never drank alone, though usually my company is a pretty young barmaid. i'm surprised whistledown didn't bring that up in her little scandal sheet." he's done a lot over the years, things that make people balk and scoff, and this is the first year he's actually tried to fit back into the society that had shunned his family for so long. he takes note of his companion, of the accent, picks up immediately that they're both welshmen. that's good. marvin likes to spend time with other welshmen, makes his accent stick out less.

"i think the queen did it to make a point, not picking the prince and princess, choosing two untitled, one of them an american of all things. i think the peter fellow is fine. we chatted a bit, he seems... he knows what he wants." his shoulders lift in a kind of shrug that lingers for a moment before it falls. "the girl, i didn't chat with. i hope she can handle the pressure."

[thorneheir]

“Is it not odd that her majesty picked an untitled, American? Whistledown wrote that she was an invited friend of a visiting family and one that hadn’t even received the Queen’s invite. It’s just so strange.” He’s thinking of possible reasons why that could happen when he knows he should be relieved that his own name wasn’t on the list, but it feels like something to be discovered. “What of you? I was beyond happy my own name wasn’t called out but you actually intend to marry this season, and the other title could’ve given you more choice.”

“Most exciting one yet. I highly doubt it but if you like a game, you might like bets. Care to wager on it?”

[glxvedhandsx]

"i think her majesty is playing mind games, nothing more." marvin finds it amusing, actually, to watch the people scramble about like fools, surprised and startled by the strange happenings of the diamond ball and the selections. it's a clever ploy, he thinks, something to throw the gossip writer and the ton off, to make a point to the ladies that they need to step up their game. of course, marvin would never dare to question her majesty where just anyone could hear. but he thinks it's a fun move.

"i think i'll be just fine, personally, without having to wade through the packs of mama's desperate to earn the queens favor with a title like that one. i think my earldom will be enough of a title." an eyebrow rose, and he offers a sly little smirk behind the rim of his glass as he glances over at the other. "what kind of wager?"

[prinxesssophia]

London was still in shock over an American being named as the diamond and a glorified merchant being named the most eligible bachelor, but maybe this was a sign of the times and how little the titles would soon mean. Not that Sophia would ever voice such a concern but being a princess, her title was all that she had. And then on the morning walk, there was the illustrious diamond of the season on her own without anyone courting her, it seemed, or maybe the young woman was fortunate enough to have made her escape. “No apologies are needed; I simply came over to thank you. My mother chose you and cast every eye in your direction, taking in every movement of yours. Her majesty’s selection has granted me freedom in a sense, but perhaps deprived you of yours?” Pressure truly did form a diamond but it could also break one and Sophia simply assumed that Hari Bennett had not had such training for these sorts of things and an expectation of a marriage now rested firmly on Hari’s shoulders. “I assume your house has seen no end to suitors but surely there must be one who has caught your eye?”

[glxvedhandsx]

"yes, it would seem that freedom is no longer a luxury i can afford in this place. a shame, as i thought it would be quite the fun season, exploring a culture so new to me with no expectation and no real thought cast toward me." she still isn't sure why, what had it been about her, of all people. if the queen had been looking for an american to name as her diamond all along, aera or even dovey would have made a better choice, or someone from the other house. hari is not a diamond, she's barely a stone.

but now, she carries the title and the responsibility of it, and still doesn't fully understand what that means. "i'm afraid i've nothing to report on that front, your grace. i've never found interest in men who are only interested in a status symbol. not a single one of them seems to care that i have a passion for painting or that i like to read about wars i wasn't alive for."