the northerner

The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep. lord james kerr of roxburghshire father. widower. marquess.

[lordkerr]

@margaretmulgrave​

James paused for a moment before lowering his right eye to the edge of the eyepiece. There, miraculously in his line of sight, lay the universe. It wasn’t the first time James had gazed upon the stars, but it was an experience that never failed to inspire awe. Looking upon the vast depth above, his own troubles and worries were dwarfed. When considering the mysteries and glory of the heavens above, terrestrial matters melted away into a corner of his mind where they dare not disturb him until his feet were firmly back on the ground. For a moment, James couldn’t conceive the social pressures and responsibilities of the London season. He felt light and wonderful. Though the present view was all-consuming, James pulled himself back, not daring to linger and risk disturbing the universe.

“It’s beautiful,” James uttered, now standing tall, his voice raised just above a whisper. However, given the solitude of the library, it wasn’t difficult for Margaret to hear him. “As it was the last time and as I’m sure it will be forever.”

After brief pause from the lingering awe, James caught himself and quickly took a step back. It was going to be impossible for Margaret to look herself if he didn’t get out of the way. “Here, please-” James gestured to the telescope. “It’s a sight no one should miss.”

While the events of the regatta had provided enough excitement and surprise to last quite a while, James still had some room left to for more when the crinkled piece of paper with a time and invitation to return was slipped into his hand by the kind librarian. Returning to the street to continue enjoying Margate, reflections on the recent days swirled together and brought to him the pleasant idea of inviting Margaret to come with him. Aside it being another opportunity for enjoyable company, James thought it also fit as a way to congratulate her on her recent success.

[lordkerr]

dianabartlett​:

Diana had been staring off the bow of the boat, having already made a turn around the deck. She knew that this trip would not have much peace in it soon enough, and was thoroughly enjoying the brief moment of solitude. However, she did not want to squander such a glorious opportunity to get to know some of the people on board, or make conversation with those she was already acquanited with.

She was grateful that her had never been one to become seasick- she had seen some poor servant heaving off the side a while ago, and she felt extremely bad for those with a weaker stomach. She rejoined the hum of the crowd, and kept a placid smile pasted on her face as she made casual conversation. 

However, her smile grew warmer as a tall gentleman appeared. “Lord Kerr, how wonderful!” she greeted him, accepting the proffered lemonade. “I was going to get a glass soon, so you have spared me a trip, and for that I am most grateful.” She took a sip and grinned up at him. 

“Tell me, are you enjoying the Regatta thus far? I take it you do not suffer from seasickness, which is a good start at the least.”

“Glad to be of service,“ he replied as he handed her the glass.

James smiled at knowing his company was welcome. Starring off the deck, Diana could have been deep in thought and not wanting to have been disturbed. He knew that sometimes that was his motivation for breaking away from the crowd. He also knew that some who didn’t want company would never reveal it out of politeness or obligation. However, he felt, like she always had been in that past, that she was genuine that bright afternoon.

“I am,” James lied. It wasn’t that anything in particular had happened. It was simply that nothing wonderful had happened yet. Hopefully that would change. “And thankfully I do not. Is that unfortunately a concern for you? I sincerely hope no one on our boat has to deal with that affliction.”

[lordkerr]

(@open - the clementine boat)

With the wind, James was thankful he hadn’t chosen to wear a hat. Different styles were recommended to him by his sister-in-law and fashionable friends, even as a way to keep his hair out of his face when unruly, but James preferred to leave his hair alone and push it back himself if need be.

He strolled over to the side of the boat and peered over the railing. There was something moving underneath the water, but he doubted it was anything as interesting was the ordeal with Jeremiah Ackerly. Perhaps a runaway hat or another lost belonging? He leaned over the edge slightly, glad for the first time that Kit wasn’t on the same boat as him so that his friend couldn’t given him an friendly scare. With closer inspection, it became clear it was a school of fish swimming near the surface, as the first figure that James spotted was soon accompanied by others.

“It’s amazing - there’s a whole world below that we know barely anything of,” he mused, mostly to himself although out of the corner of his eye he saw another passenger beside him. “There could be any number of discoveries just waiting for us. Do you ever wonder what could be down there?”

[lordkerr]

harry-cadogan​:

dianabartlett​:

jeremiahtheyankee​:

domesticrage​:​

Delilah was thoroughly enjoying herself so far –– the champagne was freely flowing, she’d managed to convince a small group to play cards with her, and she was not at all expected to do any work whatsoever. There was a child running about, mind you, but not one she was responsible for, and anyway, Owen (as she had quickly learned the lad was called) was shockingly well behaved compared to her own charges. The high pitched chatter of his voice combined with the softer tones of his mother, and further harmonized with some of the more inane chatter of the group on her boat, and while some might have been overstimulated, the sound resembled that of a party just enough that Delilah found it oddly soothing. The round of cards had ended, and she excused herself to swipe another glass of champagne. Internally, she told herself rather sternly that this would be the last glass of spirits she would have until they reached their destination, lest she float past ‘pleasantly lightweight’ and straight into ‘downright sloppy’. 

Then there was a shout, a splash, and more shouting. Swearing under her breath, Delilah set the glass back down, hiked her skirts up enough to move quickly, and took off towards the opposite side of the boat. Careful not to slide in the water that had slopped up onto the deck, she reached the railing nearly at the same time as a lovely brunette and the handsome Harry, albeit a few paces down from them. It took her a moment to get her bearings of the situation; one of the men from the group –– Jerry, Harry had shouted –– was in the water, yes, and the brunette was right, he was swimming in the opposite direction from the boat, because… Delilah looked up, the wide brim of her hat shielding her eyes, and saw it –– a woman, little more than an orange and white blur at this distance, was drowning. And the man who had jumped was swimming straight for her. “Good lad,” she murmured, one hand on the railing, the other reaching down to rap a knuckle twice against the wooden sideboard, wishing him luck. Then she turned, eyes seeking out the man at the helm. “Can you turn us around?!” She called, gesturing at the situation behind them. “Or at least –” Delilah hesitated, looking from her side of the railing towards the other, trying to orient herself. “Portside?” She asked, gesturing as she did. If they turned left, she reasoned, they might be able to create enough of a shelter from the current to aid the man in his return journey. 

@marjorieseymour @lordkerr @eliza-bates @jeremiahtheyankee @harry-cadogan @dianabartlett

-

He’d done it.

The details of the ordeal did not become apparent to him until he was alone, swimming against the current back toward his boat. Lady Fitzroy was safe, and that was all that mattered.

But he lost his knife.

And she kissed him.

The warmth in his chest guarded a bit against the chill he felt as his muscles tired and his mind began to slip. He threw his arms one after the other, tried to breathe as much air (and not water) as he could, but every stroke was a struggle. He kicked harder, reluctantly wishing he could get rid of his boots.

Suddenly the water seemed less keen at pummeling him, his arms and legs shot him forward in the water much easier than before. The boat, his destination, took a turn, and thus the brunt of the current splashed agains it. Thank god.

“A rope!” he tried to yell. “Please! I’m–tired!”

@marjorieseymour @lordkerr @eliza-bates @domesticrage​ @harry-cadogan​ @dianabartlett

She wished she’d kept her mouth shut. Perhaps she had cursed him, mentioning the current before he’d made it onto the boat. Now she was only cursing herself, watching him fight against the water back towards the boat. Luckily, the boat began to turn, and it looked as though it was easier for Jeremiah to push against the waves.

But then she heard it- the words that sent fear straight into her heart.

I’m tired.

Oh, no. No, he certainly would not get too tired to make it back to the boat. Not after such a daring rescue, and- had she seen her head dip towards his, meet his? She could not allow him to do anything but make it back to the boat after that.

She looked around in a frenzy, spotting a length of rope not far from her, and ran to snatch it up. However, something occurred to her. “I am not- I do not believe I would be strong enough to cast the rope out far enough for him to grab it,” she admitted, an apology threaded through her tone. “I could assist in pulling him aboard, but… is anyone more confident in getting the rope to him?” she asked, her eyes wide with more than a small amount of fear within them.

@marjorieseymour​ @harry-cadogan​ @lordkerr​ @eliza-bates​ @domesticrage​ @jeremiahtheyankee​

It happened in slow motion, the sun splattering on the surface. Jerry was far away and then back, the brown water choppy against his neck. Harry should have noticed, more. Found his attention fixated on a hand, gripping his arm.

Diana.

“Please!” Jerry’s voice came over the water, strangled. The brunette twisted away. At once, Harry was all action. 

“Step back, step back,” he ushered them back, reached for the rope and tied it, fast, to one of the poles in the railing. Another loop, his hands moving over the rough-hewn hemp with practiced ease, as though he were tying a saddlebag. He checked it once, for fastness. It held.

“Jerry, wrap this around you!” Harry’s voice projected in a baritone arc, and he knelt against the water-soaked deck and braced a leg against the railing. The rope landed in the water, close enough to grasp, though the waves coming off of the boat made that tricky. Jerry looked lightweight. Harry swallowed and nodded, sharp and decisive. “On your call!”

@jeremiahtheyankee @marjorieseymour @lordkerr @eliza-bates @domesticrage @dianabartlett​​

James hadn’t been on deck when the commotion started. Initially he hadn’t thought much of it, events easily heightened spectacles beyond their inherent excitement and even if it was something singularly wonderful, James didn’t have a fear of missing out. But, when the ship fell silent soon after, then came the worrisome feeling that something was wrong.

James set his drink down and raced to the deck to see what was going on. As he neared the top of the stairs he saw Harry anchoring himself against the railing. Without thinking, James raced over to help, grabbing the rope behind Harry and steadying himself to help pull. James anticipated some lovely comments to follow, potentially rejecting his help or denying the need for it, but that could be debated after they had rescued whoever had fallen in.

@jeremiahtheyankee @marjorieseymour @harry-cadogan​ @eliza-bates @domesticrage @dianabartlett​​

[lordkerr]

@dianabartlett​

James meandered around the deck, looking for someone who wasn’t there. Sometimes he saw a glimpse of her face in the crowd or the swish of her dress out of the corner of his eye, but he knew they were just illusions, cruel tricks his mind played.

Unlike some other quiet guests, James didn’t feel uncomfortable. His skin didn’t crawl and his stomach wasn’t filled with butterflies, snakes, or any other animal metaphor. He was simply waiting for the right opportunity, the right moment to strike up conversation with the right person. His view was why waste good words on bad conversation, but with each passing second he could hear his sister-in-law’s voice pushing him to be frivolous with his words, to waste them without hesitation. Tony’s and Kit’s voices followed closely behind, practically taking control of his limbs and ushering him forward.

Weaving slowly through the crowd, James made his way over to the refreshment table and grabbed two glasses of lemonade. Then, a saving grace, he spotted a smiling brunette and changed course to meet her in the midst of the crowd. A compromise, James and the voices of his friends were satisfied.

“Lady Bartlett,” James nodded, keeping the introduction short. He extended the glass to Diana. “Feel free to turn it down if you have no need, but I saw you were empty handed and thought you could use one.”

[lordkerr]

Regatta Arrival

The sun broke through the open space between the curtain of James’s carriage. As the door open, the light became blinding and James braced for the sunny day and all of the sociable people.

After he stepped out, he turned to help his sister-in-law out of the carriage. The two began to walk together, arm in arm, down towards the docks but barely made it five feet before they were approached by a two Bennettons whose dispositions matched the weather. The four greeted each other briefly before Imogen playfully joked that she needed to steal James’s companion away for a moment. James noticed the different coloured ribbons in hand, sure that they had something to do with the separation.

Arthur smiled and wasted no time launching into explaining the colour coordinated organization of the event, proving James right. Upon arrival each person received a ribbon and those with the same colour ribbon were to all meet at their respective barges and set sail together! James tried to match the enthusiasm Arthur displayed at the end of his spiel to be polite, but knew that his best attempt still fell short of the energy that Arthur gave off. Somewhere in the middle of the nonstop stream of words Arthur had pinned a deep, true orange ribbon to James’s lapel. He looked down and fiddled with the ribbon to get it in a position he liked expecting to be able to ask directions to his barge when he looked up, but by the time he did Arthur was gone. James scanned the nearby crowds for Imogen or his sister-in-law, but neither of them were to be found either. The world saw a brief flash of the whites of James’s eyes before he reset his composure and made his way into the thick of the crowded venue.

He hoped Kit or Tony would be on the same barge as him, or maybe Margaret or Emmeline, but he knew that wishes wouldn’t do much good now, so he cleared the thoughts from his mind to avoid expectations. Besides, even if he knew no one, things could still turn out brilliantly, right? There was always a chance.

[lordkerr]

mmthorne​:

- 

Emmeline had seen ghosts before. But those ghosts had never stood in a doorway in the daylight and spoken to her as James did not, they had never seemed as real as James did now, and they had certainly never transformed from a teen into a man as James had since she had last seen him. 

So perhaps not a ghost then. 

She could not help the broad smile that broke out on her face at the sight of him in front of her. “I must say” she told him, feeling rather confident now she had the familiarity of his face, “It is rather strange to see you without my brother. I half expect him to appear behind you, and to see the two of you running off ready to play!” 

The letter addressed to him was produced from her pockets as she took a seat, and placed between them. “It seems there was a mistake at the post office. Your mail ended up in my pile, and then in my hands. I was half way through it before I realised it was not mine, and had finished it before I realised I knew the intended receiver.” She blushed slightly as she admitted this last bit. “You know I have always been terribly curious about these things.”  

James smiled at the remark about Kit, nostalgia accompanying her words as simpler times came to mind.

“And if he did, that would be another great surprise.”

The idea that Kit would be jumping out from behind him was contrary to what James remembered. Typically, and James thought most bystanders would surely agree, it was James following Kit’s lead. Not that James didn’t supply his fair share of ideas for their fun, including some of the ones that risked getting them into trouble. It was just more common for James to be one stride behind and a bit quieter, chiming in at just the right time.

As Emmeline explained the reason for her visit, James sat still and listened intently. His mind ran through recent correspondences and interactions as of late that could have warranted a letter, but nothing outstanding came to mind.

“I would have been curious myself.” His brows furrowed slightly as he reached forward and picked up the letter. “It seems there have been a few mistakes at the post office lately-” He looked up at Emmeline briefly. “Thank you for bringing this by.”

James’s eyes then went back to the letter, skimming rather than reading it thoroughly as his curiosity got the better of him. The faster he knew the contents, the faster his imagination would be put to rest. A widow in Glastonbury? As a mother for his son? Inquiry about how his own mother was doing? Several names came to mind before he even reached the end of the page, but it didn’t matter. Regardless of who exactly it was, the letter, like those similar that had come before it, was well-intended, albeit a bit of an annoyance, and ultimately harmless.

He folded the page along its original creases and set it down, fully returning his attention to Emmeline. “I hope it was at least a source of some entertainment,” James smiled. “And if you’re looking for a new matchmaker, it seems my cousin fancies herself as one.”

[lordkerr]

mmthorne​:

Where: James Kerr’s London Home

Who: @lordkerr​

When: Mid June 1800

Emmeline waited outside the man’s home, the footman had knocked out of some strange belief that it would make their presence outside a man’s home more appropriate. She had considered simply forwarding the letter on, but with the seal so obviously broken that had not seemed wise.

She had not even glanced at the address on the front of the letter when she opened it - if the servants had put it in a pile for her, and not a pile for Kit, she saw no reason to further verify the intended receiver. She had been nearly halfway through the letter before she picked up on something being wrong. Who was the youngest Kerr and why was she being consulted on the potential mother’s that could exist for the child? 

Once she had realised the mistake there had really been only one option available to her. She had picked up her pen and a piece of paper and made thorough notes about it’s contents, and the man who it was intended for. Slowly trying to piece together what she could from the words within. What a read it had been! 

She had two options, she had reasoned, either she kept the letter, pretended never to have seen it, and let the sender and receiver assume it was another piece of post lost forever in a chaotic system or she could return it, and see if she could learn even more about this story. 

Finally the door opened and Emmeline stepped forwards, speaking from beneath her veil. “Hello, I believe I have something belonging to Lord Kerr.” 

At the mention of Lord Kerr, the young man opened the door further to invite the lady in. As she entered, he nodded respectfully, a few blonde strands falling in front of his face. He quickly swept them back into place and asked Miss Thorne to wait a moment as he located Lord Kerr.

The young footman made his way up the flight of stairs and down the hardwood hallway to Lord Kerr’s study, hoping he’d still be there. Out of formality he was checking to see if Lord Kerr was ready to host visitors, but from history he already knew the answer. From James’s bond with Kit, any Thorne was welcome in the Kerr residence.

James put away the work he was doing upon hearing of Emmeline’s arrival and followed the footman back to the entrance way.

“Miss Thorne, always a lovely surprise. Please, come in,” James said as he lead the way to the parlour.

He took a seat on the bergère and continued, “To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”

[lordkerr]

jacqueline-mallory​:

–

Jacqueline had woken up looking forward to seeing her adorable nephew and, damning all propriety that says she should be more distant and cordial, leaned down so she could get a kiss on both of Phillip’s cheeks. Recharged her from her doting affection for her baby nephew, she sat down just as the servants began bringing in food for Susan and Jacqueline, the last to rise of the family.

“Good morning! Lovely words to introduce to him. He’ll be a poet for sure,” said Jacqueline, as she spread butter and jam on her bread. “Charm all of the ladies of the ton just as he’s charmed his aunts and grandparents.” Even Delilah was fond of Phillip, which was saying a lot as she disliked most everything. 

She began prepping her tea before asking. “Are you going out today or are you staying in?” She understood and appreciated that her brother-in-law focusing on his son and her nephew, but she had a feeling his tendency towards staying at the Mallory home had less to do with his son and more avoiding socializing. 

That simply wouldn’t do. Her brother-in-law didn’t need to be a recluse for the rest of his life. She may have not made a good first impression to him when they met and she stole the necklace he’d gotten for Elizabeth, but she could make that up to him by helping him find a suitable wife to be a stepmother to her nephew. 

Someone she trusted, preferably, but that was neither here nor there.

James smirked at the suggestion of Phillip charming the young ladies of the ton. Two branches of thought entered his mind at Jacqueline’s statement. The first was that Phillip being of age to do such things seemed oceans away, though if the words of other parents were true, then that time would come faster than James could ever anticipate. The second was Phillip in his current state and his prospective, appropriately aged, companions in theirs, set up in a stereotypical social event. Miniature men in outlandishly formal jackets and hats looking to fill their dance cards with the names of tiny ladies in oversized, ultra-extravagant ballgowns. The image was ridiculous!

“Are you going out today or are you staying in?”

James appreciated Jacqueline’s candour. He’d take candour over subtle interrogation any day. “I was planning on going out. Though just to Hatchard’s and to the Modiste for an alteration - I doubt there will be anything exciting to report on at the end of the day.”

He knew it most likely wasn’t Jacqueline’s ideal answer, but at least he was venturing out somewhat. Even if it was just to do an errand and light book browsing.

[lordkerr]

dianabartlett​:

After a particularly good breakfast at Fortnum and Mason, Diana was feeling rather restless. She did not want to go home, exactly, but neither did she feel like promenading at the park- she was much too full for such activities. No, she wanted to go to Hatchard’s, as ever.

It took much cajoling to get Margaret to agree to join her, but after promising that this would be the last time she forced her godmother to go to the bookstore with her for at least a fortnight, Diana was successful. As the door opened, she looked up, and made eye contact with a familiar face, though one she had not seen in a while.

“Lord Kerr, good morning to you,” she smiled gently but warmly, bobbing in an approximation of a curtsy. “How are you this morning? Have you found anything suitable to read?”

James wished he had a better answer to give, but unfortunately he hadn’t found anything of interest to report on. All of the titles he had pulled so far he had either already read or didn’t seem interesting enough to catch his eye. Since arriving in London with his son, he’d found there was less time than in the past for books that weren’t quality. Especially with Jacqueline and Susan pressuring him to be more sociable.

“Unfortunately not yet, but that may be my own fault for being a bit of a voracious reader when I was younger. Being familiar with many of the texts makes finding something new more difficult.”

Diana’s dress reached the floor, as would be expected, the edges of the amethyst fabric gliding over the solid wooden floor of the bookstore. As she curtsied, there was a bounce to the material that James remembered Jacqueline praising in a gown of her own. It seemed absolutely necessary at the time to show Susan, and subsequently James, how the fabric moved. It was a detail James could notice, but from the ladies’ reactions clearly couldn’t appreciate as much as one should.

“Is there anything in particular you’re looking for today?” James inquired. “Or are you browsing, hoping to happen upon a great find like I am?”

[lordkerr]

margaretmulgrave​:

༻✦༺༻✧༺༻✦༺

The invitation had arrived unexpectedly with very little fanfare, but Margaret didn’t think there was anyone better to observe the displays at Somerset House with than Lord Kerr. It had been several years since she’d seen him last, and just like she remembered, he was practically brimming with knowledge.

Margaret tilted her head slightly a few different directions to look close at pair of elaborate portraits - not exactly sure what to make of them through her own summations. “The painting is exquisite, but the woman herself, when dressed, is rather plain.” She mused, glancing over at James before quickly adding, “What I mean is – it is plain dress. On one hand, surely Goya has ample admiration for…whoever this model is based off of, but I’m left to wonder if someone so esteemed as the Spanish painter would incline himself towards the affections of a commoner.”

She paused, lifting a finger to her chin, brow furrowing in deeper thought, “Unless of course, presenting her so was his exact plan. He may get questions about la maja, but they are hardly serious accusations. He isn’t putting a noble lady on display.” Margaret motioned towards the portrait, “The way he displays her seems to speak towards how he sees her with noble character, however. And that is an entirely different thing.”

“I’m left to wonder if someone so esteemed as the Spanish painter would incline himself towards the affections of a commoner.”

Prior to his marriage, James had seen men of similar or higher esteem go for woman just as common as la maja pictured. It was, however, a truth that had no place in the conversation.

“Hmm,” James nodded in agreement at Margaret’s suggestion. “If the subject had been a proper lady, I think gossip and outcry would have ripped across the continent.”

James’s mind sat in thought for a moment. To be on display so plainly. To present another in such a manner - although he doubted the subject objected. The bounds of art truly did one to delve into expression not welcomed in other areas of high culture.

“Following the thread that he sees nobility in her, then perhaps the second painting was a belated, albeit most likely unsuccessful, attempt to protect, or rather salvage, her honour.” Talk, especially if uninvited, could weigh on a man.

[enchantedengland]

Foggy morning in the Peak District (@tom.w.green IG)

[lordkerr]

governessward​:

   xx

   Though Agatha knew admitting it would be very shameful, at least out loud, she’d almost forgotten in the heat of things that winning a basket came with a man. She’d gotten so caught up in the game of it, silly as it was, and so earnest in the defense of her honor, that the whole point of bidding at all had gotten swept away in the excitement. It wasn’t until her own name was announced that reality set in; and she realized, now, there would be a picnic to follow. Her face flushed as she looked around curiously, eyes falling on various men trying to guage who she may be spending her afternoon with. Anyone but Lord Effingham, please. Please please, she repeatedly silently, crossing her fingers behind her back, and couldn’t help but allow her features to brighten in a relieved grin when she spotted none other than James Kerr headed directly her way. 

   A beautiful man to accompany a beautiful basket - she wasn’t surprised in the least. “Lord Kerr!” She exclaimed, the delight very much present in her tone. Curling her own arm around his, she nodded agreeably to his suggestion. “A luncheon by the water sounds delightful, I do so hope it is all ours for the taking. What luck I have, truly,” She added, a demure smile playing on her lips as she looked up at him. “Your basket reminded me of Christmas, with the ribbons. So festive, I simply could not resist.” 

   Best not let him know that her main motivator had been the sheer victory of a win; better to use this afternoon to her advantage. After all, if given the choice, Agatha would have likely picked James to share the day with, anyway - there was much to like about him, but she’d never been good at flirting. 

James smiled at the ribbon remark as he led Agatha to the secluded spot near the river. He was glad his choice to go with individual red and green ribbons had successfully kept his ownership of the basket a secret.

“Originally I thought of placing a bow made from the red and green Kerr tartan on the basket, but after a moment of consideration realized it may defeat the purpose of an anonymous picnic basket auction.”

The small grove was empty when they arrived, so as the pair entered James slowed and gently detached himself from Agatha to set up the picnic. There weren’t many clouds in the sky, making the shade and accompanying breeze a welcome escape from the warm June afternoon.

Once the blanket and basket were arranged, James waited for Agatha to sit down before joining her on the ground. Everything was still exactly where it was supposed to be inside the basket, save for some of the plates which were slightly out of place from when the auctioneer had displayed them to the crowd. James began taking out the linen napkins, porcelain plates, and silver flatware, followed by the tea set.

Without thinking, he began to pour himself and Agatha each a cup.

“I hope everything prepared is to your liking - you couldn’t see what was inside as you were bidding. To start there’s some cherries, grapes, and raspberries, as well as some bread and jams.”

[lordkerr]

governessward​:

   xx

    Maintaining the vision of cordial interest, Agatha made a small murmur of a sound, something endearing, at his proclamation filled with pride when speaking of his young one. Though Agatha could, of course, not relate on any real sense of it - she did understand how the heart could swell upon others taking notice of children within your care. Agreeably, she gave an adamant nod, fully on the side of enjoying being out of doors as frequently as possible. 

   “Ah, well, unfortunately not today, I have come on my own,” Agatha answered breezily, hands clasping behind her hand to hide the nervous fidgeting that her fingers always did against her will. She supposed she would need to get used to being caught without a chaperone, when typically, there would be one - arriving only with a widower, and with a job at hand she took seriously, it was do her best to quickly learn how to side-step the somewhat unseemly nature of her trips within town lacking a supervising eye. 

   It was a silly rule, anyhow. She was well of the age to be without a chaperone, with many like herself already wed with children of their own to hire a governess for. Ah, well, no matter to Agatha - she preferred taking paths least traveled. “Well, not entirely on my own,” She rescinded only a moment after. “I have only just recently arrived, accompanying my cousin, Lord Gagneux of Cornwall-” Easier this way, too, relying on the status of her cousin to make up for her own short-fallings. “I agreed to assist in governing his children while enjoying the benefits of London for the season. Unfortunately, there is a disheartening lack of women in the home as of late, so I took upon myself to ensure the children get to enjoy the sight of the sun, at least for today. I sincerely hope I was not disturbing you, sir…?” Agatha turned, a look of concern and almost bashful withstraint painted expertly across her features. A smile, she had learned quickly, worked wonders to soften her words, often coming out in too many bursts. There always too much to say, Agatha realized. 

James listened as the woman told what almost felt like a story. She was related to Lord Gagneux, she was acting in the role of governess to help her family, and she was new in town. As she mentioned the lack of women in the family, James felt for Lord Gagneux’s children. It seemed they and Philip were in the same boat, though given Elizabeth’s many sisters and Philip’s two doting grandmothers, he couldn’t say there was a lack of women in his son’s life.

“They’re fortunate to have you then,” James replied. “Being in nature, seeing the world - it’s important children are educated in more ways than just books.” Though James valued books highly too, it seemed few people forgot about the value of books in regards to education. People, more often in his experience, seemed to forget about the learning that could happen simply by returning to nature and listening.

“Kerr,” James filled in the pause she created, before continuing on to fully introduce himself. “Lord Kerr of Lothian. And pardon me for not asking your name sooner miss...” James trailed off, returning the ball to her court.

[lordkerr]

@governessward​

James had sat quietly throughout most of the auction, occasionally responding to other men’s remarks about the women’s bids and behaviours, doing his best not to show any opinion. A quick “Of course.” here and an agreeing nod there and he made it through the entire bidding process without giving away anything at all.

When it came time for his basket, James only gave half his attention. He listened enough to know who bid and when it was over, but the process itself felt so strange and foreign. He preferred to observe in the background rather than to be the centre of attention and, even though it was anonymous, when his basket was held up it felt like there were gazes he couldn’t shake.

As the words, “Sold to Miss Agatha Ward”, rang out James took note, thankful it was a name he recognized so he didn’t have to reveal himself in the moment by looking around to see who the winner was.

After the auction was over and the crowd started to disperse, James made his way over to Agatha, indigo picnic blanket draped over his right arm and basket in hand.

“It’s nice to see you again Miss Ward,” James smiled. He offered her his left arm. “I spotted a pleasantly shaded area over by the river if no one’s beaten us to it yet.”

[theseasonhq]

Welcome to Meme Friday at The Season! 🧣  Each Friday, we’ll post one or two memes for characters to reblog on their accounts. Reblogging the meme indicates that you are accepting asks from it, and that you’re also sending asks out to others. Feel free to reblog and answer memes until end of day Sunday. After that, save what’s left over in your inbox for the next Meme Friday. Enjoy!

Send me a symbol. Please note that some answers may be NSFW.

🌟 What is my muse’s sexual/romantic orientation? 💦 At what age did my muse lose their virginity? 😘 Would my muse have sex on the first date? 😊 Would my muse ever ask someone on a date? 👍 Does my muse prefer to be asked on a date, or would they rather do the asking? 😉 What are my muse’s kinks? 💬 When did my muse go on their first date? 💯 What is my muse’s ideal date? 💗 Has my muse ever been in love? 👠 What was my muse’s last serious relationship like? 👰 Would my muse ever get married? 🌼 Would my muse prefer a big wedding or a small wedding? 🍬 Is my muse a sub, dom, or switch? 🏩 What was my muse’s first time like? 🎆 Is my muse into monogamy? 💕 Would my muse ever be in a polyamorous relationship? 🔥 Would my muse ever be up for a threesome? 👮 Has my muse ever had sex in public? 💔 What was my muse’s first heartbreak? 💑 What are my muse’s requirements for a potential partner? 💋 How many people has my muse slept with? 👀 Is my muse the type to sleep around? 👎 Would my muse ever cheat on their partner? 😳 What was my muse’s worst romantic/sexual relationship? 💲Would my muse ever date/marry/sleep with someone because they were rich? 👓 Would my muse ever lie for sex? 🎀 Who would my muse sleep with if nobody ever had to know? 💍 Has my muse ever had a one-night stand? 💝 Does my muse like Valentine’s Day? 💘 What are the ways my muse says ‘I love you’ without actually saying it?

[theseasonhq]

Welcome to Meme Friday at The Season! 🧣  Each Friday, we’ll post one or two memes for characters to reblog on their accounts. Reblogging the meme indicates that you are accepting asks from it, and that you’re also sending asks out to others. Feel free to reblog and answer memes until end of day Sunday. After that, save what’s left over in your inbox for the next Meme Friday. Enjoy!

Send a symbol for a ship you could see with my character!

💛 a platonic ship

💕 a family type relationship

💞 a mentor/protégé relationship

💙 a queerplatonic partnership

💚 a friends with benefits ship

💘 an unconfessed crush ship (specify who’s crushing on who)

💖 a slow burn romance

❤️ a romantic ship

💓 a casual sex relationship

💔  a past romance

💜 a love/hate relationship (frenemies)

🖤 a toxic ship

☢️ an antagonistic relationship (enemies)

💟 other relationship (specify what you have in mind)