le sang et la fidélité

Henry de Clare, 35, Duke d'Olbreuse.

[henrydeclare]

liddyswoodthorpe:

Liddy gasped, ever dramatic, as Harry tugged her back toward him and her back brushed against the cobblestone walls flanking the corridor, her body shadowed by Harry’s looming figure. Their quibbles were numerous – genuine arguments rare, albeit, and they instilled both fear and agony in her heart. As his breath fanned hotly against her skin, she felt tears prick at the back of her irises, but, blinking rapidly, she urged them astray in a futile attempt to harden her features. She found her efforts to be in vain; Henry could unearth her deepest sentiments, just as he could rouse, inspire, and trample upon them with the heel of his hessians, and a wayward tear escaped. Her voice was angered as she responded, “Flee from you? You are hardly here, Henry, how could I flee from an apparition?” 

“Distracted?” She reiterated innocently, her head tilted to the side. A moment of fear gripped her fleetingly. She was his wife before God and under the jurisdiction of the law, but she had never given him a child, and so from time to time she wondered if his distraction had ever led him to another; someone better suited to his will. She knew it could not be true, his duty was never far from his breast but – still. Worries remained. But they were irrational, as with most earthly anxieties. “I did not think a foreign marriage would come between our own. I know there are arrangements to be made, both abroad and in court, but I have missed you.” Her blue eyes searched the depths of his, hand lifting to rest on the fabric of his doublet, feeling his heart beat wildly beneath. “I–I love you, Harry. Please don’t mistake my ill-behavior for anything other than longing for you.”

“An apparition?” Harry repeated dumbly. He felt -- if not blind-sided by his wife’s anger and upset (he wasn’t stupid, and the conflict had been building for weeks), at least hurt and surprised that it had hit him so suddenly. In front of her like this, with tears threatening to spill down her cheeks, he felt entirely helpless. He had never had her gift with words, and at times like this he sometimes felt the urge to simply not talk at all, for fear of saying the wrong thing and increasing her pain - and his; he knew full well she was not innocent in this equation. But it had been a long time since he had gone silent in response to her anger. It did no good, and oftentimes only made them both feel worse; they had been together long enough to know that.

“There is nothing between us,” he swore, fervently, and then he realised what he had said, and how it could come across, and felt himself grow hot and flushed. “No - that’s not what I meant. I meant that nothing can come between us; least of all politics. I might care about this match, Liddy, but not half so much as I care about you. Do you doubt that? I never thought this had gone so far as to have you thinking I would rather be away from you.”

Harry cursed himself and his clumsiness, and abruptly dropping his papers, he took her firmly by the shoulders. “Listen to me,” he said, quietly. “Once this is all over, when we have been to the wedding and the couple are settled, we will leave court for a while. We can go back to Caerphily and figure this out, but for now, I have to be at court.” He searched her face, hoping she would understand what he meant, what he was trying to say, though he could hardly articulate it.

[henrydeclare]

clarrences:

Henry and John were kindred in their support of the Danish engagement, that much was true. They both likely viewed it as a political opportunity as well as an advantage for England herself, John rationalized with a soupçon of interest. “Assuredly – you may count upon my presence, your grace. What reason have I to abstain, other than that which you have previously mentioned? I assume the Duchess d’Olbreuse will be wielding her social prowess?”

Harry hesitated. It would be easy to brush past the comment, but honestly, Liddy’s name snagged on him like a caught thread and derailed any thought of neutral conversation he had had. For a second, his emotions showed on his face; a terrible trait for a politician, and then he attempted to smother them. “I’m sure she will be,” he said, with slightly forced cheer. “She always manages to protect me -- my sworn sword of the ballroom, if you will.”

[henrydeclare]

evangelincs:

evangeline would have been quick to help gather the duke’s papers, but her stays and corsets kept her constricted upright. “you needn’t apologize, your grace, for it is not your fault that all of court is in a constant state of frenzy, all surrounding my brother.”

the duke was one of few at court that evangeline genuinely liked, for they were quite similar in character. he, unlike many, did not indulge himself in the excess that the english court was so famous for. also, in spite of her father’s hedonistic tendencies, he still served him dutifully and loyally. “if it should be your next task, do it with care. for foreign palaces are known to have corners more treacherous than our english ones,” she couldn’t help but say it with a laugh. “but your grace, i must ask: has my brother’s engagement given you joy because of its foreign implications or because my brother is finally settling down?”

Harry couldn’t help but smile at the Princess’s description of the court. A “frenzy” was correct - no one seemed to agree on anything anymore, and there was nothing more detrimental to the peace of a court than factional politics. Slowly everyone was forming down lines: France or Denmark, and such divisions were even making their way into Harry’s peaceful domestic life, something he intensely resented. A political man he may be, but for him, family (or at least, his wife) came first. “You may be right about a frenzy, your Highness,” he said, and glanced around in false-caution, as if afraid to be overheard, and leant in closer to her, “but I imagine your brother rather enjoys the attention.”

He shifted his papers under his arm and relaxed a little, pleased to find he had not offended the Princess. “I must say,” he said, a little gravely, “I recall the French Palaces having rather more twists-and-turns than those here, in more than one manner of speaking -- hopefully our new Queen will be slightly more straightforward. In my opinion, our Prince needs a woman like that.”

[henrydeclare]

prinxessleonora:

It was supposed to be me, she said to herself yet once again. A blur of memories was passing through her head, overwhelming her so much, that she didn’t know where she was heading : smile of swedish prince, waves of Baltic sea, long journey to home… her new home… satin, black sheets covering a body of her future husband… and another, few years later. It was supposed to be me, in her place; she almost screamed to herself. But maybe, prince James would have die too? Like the rest of them ?

She was in such a hurry to run away from  thoughts that she almost bumped into someone. 

“ No, excuse me. I should be more careful. “she said and cleared her throat. “ I was looking for my future brother in law, actually. Prince James. “

Harry scrambled for his papers, embarrassed to have been so clumsy -- especially in the presence of royalty, the sister of his future Queen. He wasn’t insensible of his own rank, but still, he always tried to show the utmost respect, and half knocking the Danish Princess off her feet hardly fulfilled that quota...

“Please,” he said, managing to shuffle the parchment into a managable pile, “accept my apologies, your Highness.” He bowed as best he could with the papers in his arms, and smiled at her, then his expression turned to a slight frown. He attempted to place the young woman. “I apologise -- once more!” He smiled, a little self-deprecatingly, “but have we met before?”

[henrydeclare]

liddyswoodthorpe:

         Elizabeth toyed with her fingertips as Harry spoke, his tone well-modulated and as diplomatic as ever. She glanced about to ensure that the corridor was vacated before clearing her throat and mustering up a response. Their marriage had found itself on the edge of a knife; he, although less-vocally, in complete support of Denmark, and she a product of France. Not only that, but Liddy had been preoccupied with revels celebrating the match, whereas Harry was held up by his duty and an otherwise distaste for socializing. She was not meant to dissent with his jurisdiction, as a woman and as a wife, but that was poppycock. She could simply not abide by the decision! 

“You cannot simply order me to forgive you?” She queried with a furrowed brow, her words far harsher than she intended them to be. Still, her hands ached to take his, and within a moment her features had warmed to a pleasant, demure exterior. “Yes. It was not your fault. I, truthfully, wasn’t paying attention to where I was going. My mind has been… elsewhere of late.” To say the least. She lowered to a brief courtesy before nearly turning on her heel and scuttling away like a mouse escaping the broom. The awkwardness between them was palpable and it seared at her heart. “I will not occupy your time, Your Grace. Excuse me.”

“Order you?” Harry frowned. The thought was absurd. Certainly, many men of his aquaintance treated their wives (and daughters) as simply servants, extensions of their households, but Harry had never been such a man, and besides, Liddy would never stand for it even if he had the inclination. A crease appeared between his brows. He was never good at the sort of arguing that Liddy did, caustic and sharp, and often found himself retreating at such comments, a method that didn’t do much for their faltering relationship. It was far easier for him to simply move away from her temper that so confused him, but that only led to a build up of resentment that even he was not unaware of, and eventually an explosion of temper on his end that could be unpleasant and ultimately harmful. He had tried many times over the course of their marriage to avoid such a pattern, but he found that he usually fell into it by mistake. “I would never do such a thing, and -” he swallowed. It hurt him that she would say so. He shook his head.

“I have also been distracted - Elizabeth.” Surprised at her abrupt departure, he hastened after her, his papers tucked under his arm, and managed to catch at her wrist before she could disappear around the corner. He tugged her to the side, out of the middle of the corridor, though there was little privacy against the stark stone walls. “There is no need for you to leave. What, do I frighten you?” Harry shook his head, his face a little flushed in anger. “I didn’t think things had gone so far as to have you fleeing from me.”

[henrydeclare]

evangelincs:

her mother’s letter read very clearly: you must put yourself out more. if not to try to make friends and perhaps stumble upon another love, but to give the impression that england is a warm and welcoming country. with your charm, dear daughter, they will become putty in our hands. her mother, like james’ betrothed, was no englishwoman by blood, but she did everything she could to advance the english agenda. caroline would have to do the same. she may be of danish blood, and her marriage may serve as an peace treaty between england and denmark, but her sons would not only be english, but also stuarts. evangeline would one day marry into another family, and her duty would be the same. but for now, as long as she was unmarried, she was a pawn of the english throne. 

walking back from her walk in the gardens with her ladies, she narrowly missed a flurry of fine fabrics and papers. “your grace,” she began with a forced smile on her face, “why are you in such a rush? with my brother’s engagement secured, surely there is some time for celebration, or perhaps in your case, relaxation?”

“your highness,” Harry said, looking even more flustered as he attempted to gather up the papers from around the hem of the Princess’s gown. He was flushed as he finally stood, and his bow was untidy. “My apologies -- I wasn’t paying attention. Perhaps you are right that some relaxation would do me good.”

Regathering his dignity, he calmed his breathing and shuffled his papers into some semblance of order. He liked the young Princess, whose calm demeanour suited his own more than that of the Prince, so his expression was genuinely warm when he expanded: “the Prince’s engagement has given me much happiness, but I am afraid that a politician’s work is never done. I should certainly attempt to improve my ability to turn corners without almost causing a collision, however; perhaps that will be my next diplomatic task!”

[henrydeclare]

clarrences:

                 The discussion of politics left room for both err and controversy, especially where the recent engagement was concerned. John, for his part, supported the match; he viewed it in a light that seemed to suggest that England could have chosen far worse than Denmark, that was for certain. “I have yet to meet the princess Caroline,” he remarked simply, drawing a China dish to his mouth, “though I have met her namesake. The queen is as fluent in English as she is witticism, I must admit. Will you attend the banquet in honor of the match, or have you chosen to abstain?”

“I will attend,” Harry said, regarding his fellow Duke with some interest. The question had been loaded, but Harry was not adverse to declaring his support for the crown -- and the match. “Though,” he admitted, “I would rather not, for personal preference rather than political. Long nights of socialisation to not entirely agree with me. And you? Will you partake of such Danish entertainments?”

[henrydeclare]

liddyswoodthorpe

              Liddy, and many other subjects of the crown, felt the sudden change in air acutely. The English court stood on a precipice, one that would soon be fused by Danish embassies, politicians, and royalty. As duchess, Liddy was intended to be above politics; she was exempt from sharing her views publicly, and the few instances in which a lord or lady sought out her opinions she was intended to keep mum. Still, true to her nature, Liddy had a great many opinions. She astringently supported the French, considering Paris to be something of a sanctuary given the length of time her family had spent in exile upon its soil, but to voice such could augur destruction for herself and her reputation. And, partly, a blemish upon Harry’s career. 

So she bore a bright countenance and congratulated the news of Prince James’ engagement with banquets and balls, and since Harry had no taste for such extravagant social occasions she felt a swift disentanglement from him for the past week. So it was merely by fate that Liddy’s short stature should nearly walk squarely into her husband’s broad chest, and with a gasp be thudded several feet backward. 

She brushed a wayward lock of hair behind her ear as blue eyes narrowed. “Henry?” 

Harry recognised his wife’s bright hair first; it rarely filled his field of vision, her being so much shorter than he was, but as soon as he spotted it, he was filled with the odd mixture of emotions he had felt for her for the last week -- love, as always, sometimes verging on adoration, but also confusion, irritation, and guilt. That they differed on matters of policy was rare, and though they had not outright rowed about the Danish alliance, their conversations had been tense and not entirely pleasant. Liddy was perfectly capable of showing her temper without outright explaining her meaning, and Harry was as stubborn as a mule, and so breakfast in the Olbreuses’ suit had not been entirely comfortable as of late.

It wasn’t that he disliked the French -- okay, that was a lie, he disliked the French. He had always felt tied to them in a way he found distasteful - his title was French, after-all, even if he had inherited it from his marriage rather than through birth, and that did not endear him to the country. He had substantial landholdings in England, but always felt somewhat disconnected from his title because they weren’t, well, conjoined to it. With a wince, he turned his gaze on her apologetically. “Liddy -- my dear. I’m sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.” He swept her a bow and looked up at her. “Forgive me?”

[henrydeclare]

the news of the prince’s upcoming engagement had hardly been surprising to Harry -- a great follower of politics, and a committed member of the House of Lords, he had been intricately involved in the process -- but he still felt the change in the air as he made his way through the Palace. The basic thrust of the policy was the rejection of France as an ally, something that didn’t bother Harry in the least (he, who hardly had a high opinion of the French) but which to him did feel somewhat...rash, though he understood the necessity of such a decision. The choice of Prince James’s bride, and therefore the future Queen of England, was inevitably one that would offend one faction or another, and he was only pleased that King Charles hadn’t dragged the process out further.

Tucking a sheaf of papers under his arm, he ducked around the corner and narrowly avoided bumping into someone. “Oh -- excuse me.”

[henrydeclare]

{ ooc }

hello! I’m back after a semi-extended hiatus also called “Eliza got kinda depressed!” If you wanna drop any of our threads to start new ones like this post and I’ll throw up a starter for you, love y’all xox (and this goes for rick too)

[henrydeclare]

princess-abigail-stuart:

Abigail offered Harry a smile and a curtsy, bowing low before straightening and smiling once more. “No need for apologies, My Lord. In the dark of a castle after a night of festivities, one can’t be blamed for being a bit distracted.” Her mind had been wandering as much as her body was, so she couldn’t fault him for that. “Although I’ll take the compliment that I’m interesting.” She smirked and let out a light laugh. “It seems to me that you’re going at finding hiding places. That’s a feat I admire.”

Harry smiled back at her. She was as engaging as her brother - he could only count their blessings that the future of the monarchy looked as secure as it did, what with the possibility of political disturbance that haunted all of Europe at the moment. “One could say it’s my only talent,” he joked, “one long-refined after almost forty years of avoiding people.” He gestured to the seat before him, not sitting himself until she did. “You are welcome to join me, I promise that I will actually make conversation.” Unlike my reputation came unsaid.

[henrydeclare]

alicefrss:

With her head bowed, the duchess dipped down to return the gesture of a gracious bow before the duke. Apparently more nobles had made an effort in studying the intricate social ladder of the court and finding out who wandered within the walls, for she was quite sure they never had the pleasure of truly getting acquainted. “I must admit, until I arrived at this court I had no clue that one could throw a ball every other night and not get tired.” Alice replied with a friendly smile. Her eyes briefly following his gesture to find the closed door to the ballroom, though which brightlight peeked through, before her gaze returned to him. “Well, if that is your wish, your grace. I put my dear children to bed and decided I was in need of a stroll. Just a small one, I thought, but as it appears these halls are much like a maze when one accidentally makes a wrong turn. So here I am, finding my way to your grace by complete accident. - I hope my presence is no disturbance to your lovely evening. ”

Harry couldn’t help but smile. “I also don’t understand,” he said, with a faint shrug. “Sometimes I don’t think they sleep, for I see them all during the day too, playing at cards or walking in the gardens - I can’t wrap my mind around it. But then, I have always been one more for quiet activity than for dancing and parties; it’s just how I was made.” He raised his book to her, to show its velvet-bound cover, as if to say, you see?

At the mention of her children, Harry smiled once more. It was pleasant to find a woman at court who was so directly involved - most weren’t. Some didn’t have the time; others, like Harry’s own mother, lacked the inclination. “A maze is correct,” he said, coming round the side of the desk to offer her a seat, pulling out the chair. “I only know the palace so well because I also like to wander. Speaking to a fellow walker is no disturbance at all. Tell me, how old are your children?”

[henrydeclare]

dcvcrcaux:

She had grown fond of the duchess–truly she had–and was glad to see that the duke himself was truly smitten with his wife. Yet, it was all she could do to keep the curious frown from forming on her face. Marriage had always been more of a means to an end to Hattie, a way to establish herself at court or to rise in status. In addition, she had seldom experienced anything contradicting that assumption, for if her own parents had ever been more than fond of each other, they had done well to conceal such feelings from their children. 

Her eyes searched his face for any trace of falsehood but there was none to be found. How queer, this one. “She certainly seems to enjoy these things more than you do. It is…gallant of you to tolerate them for her sake. Few men of your stature would endure something they so despise for their wives.”

“Gallant?” Harry repeated, frowning as he considered the point. He had never thought of himself as such. It was natural to him to bow to Liddy when it came to the social sphere - she understood it far more than he did, and besides, he had had almost ten years of political life before the married. He knew how the court functioned, and you had to remain in the king’s eye to keep any sort of relevance. However much he hated it, attending functions was necessary, and if it made Liddy happy into the bargain, well, more’s the better. “I think you flatter me, my lady - I would have to attend even if the Duchess did not wish me to.” He shook his head. “But I admit, her enjoyment does factor in to it - who wouldn’t wish to keep their wives happy?”

[henrydeclare]

liddyswoodthorpe:

           “Our tenants have never complained of your governance, and your political acumen is unfailing. So yes, all aspects. I am altogether highly envious.” Liddy winked, smirking toward Harry as his mouth formed words in time with each step, and she could only imagine that he was counting each movement… and each moment until the dance concluded. She was sated, however, and Harry’s, albeit brief, attempt at a dance had warmed her heart. They would part ways before joining again at the end of the evening, and her smile faltered slightly at the thought. Unless, of course, she herself feigned headache and they made an escape. 

Far from the glare of the epicenter, Liddy swayed with Harry on the peripheral of the ballroom, listening to his words with an intent furrow of her brows. Russet arches drew upward, but she did not linger on the thought of Harry being his brother’s second for long. She could not allow herself to – she would be fraught with worry, which was insensible, for Harry only seldom experienced lapses in his good judgement. “Nor would I allow you to,” she murmured half-heartedly before pausing momentarily. “May we leave early? I’m not feeling quite myself.” Truth be told, Harry was not expected in parliament nor was he called to attend in the King’s council, so she was fully intent on spending the evening with him. Her bottom lip protruded slightly as glanced up at him through her sooty lashes. 

“Our tenants?” Harry said, amused. “I suppose I am rather popular, but I have to admit that it was not them I was thinking of - as shocking as that may be.” He brushed his thumb over the inside of her palm, an easy gesture born of long association. It was strange, really, that he couldn’t think of a time when Liddy had not been in his life - there were the years before they had met, when she had been in France, but those seemed dim and out of focus to him. Of course, she had only been a little girl in those early days, someone he had always pretended to be disinterested in running wild over the grounds when he, ten years older, had been trying to act the adult, much to his father’s amusement; but as she grew, and as he matured, there had always been something between them; affection for her as a sister, first of all; then the confusion and complexity of it when they married, and now -- well, now this. At least there could be no surprises in their pasts, he considered, with a faint smile, considering they had lived through them together.

He knew perfectly well that Liddy would step in if George ever asked him to be his second again - that was precisely why he hadn’t told her until after the first duel. Deep down, in fact, he also knew he would likely stand by his brother’s shoulder again. That was what the de Clares did for one another, and if George refused to set an example of duty and honour, Harry would have to do it for him. However, tonight was not the time for thinking of such things, and he was immediately distracted as Liddy changed the subject. “Not feeling yourself?” he asked, brows creasing in concern. His thoughts immediately jumped to - well, to the child she had once almost-born, but that was stupid, and his expression cleared as he realised she was trying to get them out of the crowd, and felt rather an idiot. “Oh.” He smiled down at her, still hand-clasped; he reached up and brushed a thumb over her bottom lip, very briefly. “I suppose I could drag myself away. You know how I adore company,” he said, sarcastically.

[henrydeclare]

You make me feel like the French. I just want to surrender to you.

and like the French, I suppose you’re no respecter of matrimony?

[henrydeclare]

alicefrss:

The duchess’ pace slowed and come to a halt close to the man who spoke up. A man whom she recognized as one of the dukes at court, although to her own furstration she couldn’t quite recall where from. A crime, truly, but it did not make her smile falter for a single moment. “Well it depends, your grace. Would you like the more dramatic version of this story or the plain and simple truth? Because if I may say so, you will probably find that the latter is not the most exciting thing to hear.”

Harry stood to make his bow. The Duchess of Ross was a familiar figure to him only in that he made it his business to know most people at court’s names, rather than through personal acquaintance, and he was rather surprised that she had recognised him; he was hardly someone who was in the social circles, more the political ones. “I think I have had enough excitement for one evening,” he said, gesturing to the direction of the ballroom, through which music and voices still filtered. “The latter would suit me just fine.”

[henrydeclare]

ladyxisabel:.

She bit her lip as she showed him the torn dress. “I tore it climbing a tree and I wanted to fix it before Liddy saw. You won’t tell her, will you?” As the youngest child, Isabel had mastered puppy dog eyes at an early age. She used her puppy dog face on him now. “I promise I will fix it. If she finds out I tore another dress I won’t ever hear the end of it.” She normally wouldn’t ask him to keep anything from her sister, but with the increasing pressure to find a husband, Liddy had been on her more than ever to look presentable. 

Isabel’s answer was pretty much exactly as Harry had expected, and he grinned at the sight of the torn fabric in her hands. “I don’t know how you get into these scrapes,” he commented mildly. “You’d think you’d have learned by now that trees and long skirts don’t mix too well.” But there was nothing to be done about it - and he was powerless when it came to pleading eyes. He shook his head and sighed. “If she asks, I won’t lie,” he warned her, but that meant he wouldn’t tell, and he couldn’t help but smile at her.