[bloodcoatbrock]

There was little doubt that this promenade was going to an exercise in restraint, control, and picking the right moments for unfiltered honesty. There was much about the situation that was better than what they'd had to deal with the night previous, particularly since the only prying ears were those of someone who had no desire to see either one of them ruined; at least, Arthur hoped that was the case. But on the other hand, with how distracted everyone was at the ball, it had made stealing moments that were just for the two of them an easier task than he expected it was going to be here today, with one person's attention on them entirely.

Her question already had Arthur hesitating a moment, having to bite back his real answer in favor of a more measured and proper one. "It...yes. It was rather uneventful, but...but in a way that was most welcome after an evening filled with excitement and intrigue." He answered, not altogether untruthfully. By most measures, the rest of his night had been uneventful, though by his own measure, he could never remember a night before when he had spent so much of it thinking of the dawn that was to follow. As they began to walk, and he heard Adelaide's words in the lowered tone, he couldn't help it; the grin he had thus far been successful in suppressing was flashed in her direction, whilst his cheeks were dusted with a tinge of red. "Yes I...to tell you the truth, I had a very restless night. I couldn't seem to sleep from excitement of seeing you again." He replied in the same whispered tone for only her to hear.

[ofgracee]

Rogue dusting her cheeks had become common place quite quickly whenever Arthur was around, Adelaide liked to think that she was composed; yet, even on something as simple as a promenade, her stomach was insistent on doing flips. Unfamiliar and peculiar, but not entirely unwelcomed. She prayed that her brother was still out of earshot as the conversation continued. Last night at the ball, had been the time to be bold and brazen. Today had to be as covert as possible, for the sake of both their reputations. "I'm glad that the bug of excitement seems to have bitten you too," her words continued in a hushed tone. "If I am to be completely truthful, I have not felt this much excitement for a season since I debuted."

[scnsibilitics]

A weight felt like it had lifted off of Mercy's shoulders. The woman before her did not owe her anything, and yet she complied, offering her a means of escape. The palpable tension bled from her muscles before she quickly nodded in the beginning of her response. There was no time to falter now; they would need to leave no room for Mr. Talbot to stick his nose into her business for a second time. "What a clever woman you are. I am sure he would love to hear it." Mused in an exuberant tune. "Let us go to him now, shall we ? "

[ofgracee]

A wave of relief washed over Adelaide. There was the briefest of moments where she was unsure about the other woman's reaction. Thankfully, she was able to continue the white lie that Addie had started. "He shall be positively beside himself to hear it," a bright smile crossed the redheads features. She offered an arm out to her to keep her close; a protective measure so that Mr. Talbot would not think to approach either of them. After all, there was safety in numbers.

[bloodcoatbrock]

When Arthur had awoken that morning, he had rolled over and reached for the letter that had been sent by Adelaide the night previous confirming they were to promenade, rereading it several times over with a smile that grew with each subsequent reading. He had half expected to awaken and find that his excitement might have leveled out some, that some of his giddiness at the thought of Miss Winslow might have calmed down. However, instead he found that it was very much the opposite that had happened, and that in his sleep, his excitement and giddiness had only grown. He could not wait to see her again!

He was not typically the type of person who put too much thought into what he wore, but on this day, he must have tried every shirt and jacket combination that he had. When he finally settled on the one he liked the best, he looked around at the chaos of his chambers with a bemused expression upon his features; he had not been the least bit conscious of what he'd been doing in the doing of it. His usually very tidy room looked as though it had been ransacked, but he didn't have the time to clean it just then.

A quick glance at his pocket watch as he arrived told him quite plainly that he was early. This didn't exactly come as a surprise to him; he had known upon leaving the house that he more than likely would be. But he could not have waited around there any longer. True, he had to wait here now, but at least he was in the place where he knew he would be seeing her, though not soon enough for his liking.

When his eyes finally saw her coming along with her brother, he had to try very hard to suppress the grin that was begging to find it's way to his features. As it was he still beamed at them as he walked to meet them, and greeted them with the customary bow. After sparing a quick moment to greet her brother with a handshake and a smile, for he was to be the chaperone, and it was important to Arthur that he show him his gratitude for doing such a thing, he was finally able to turn his attention to where it was screaming to be directed. "Good afternoon, Miss Winslow." He said with an easy smile, though in truth, it was still a smile he was holding back from letting show the true extent of his joy at being in her company again. "Yes I...I am most glad to see you again as well." He told her, and though he couldn't say all that he wanted to say with words, he hoped that she could see in his eyes just how much he meant it.

[ofgracee]

There was already so much that she wanted to say, needed to say. But with her brother being the chaperone, there was far too much risk. The night prior though, had etched itself so securely in her memory... that for her, at least, it was almost as if words unspoken clung to them like the sweetest of perfumes. "How was the rest of your night?" A perfectly innocuous question, she decided. One that she could get away with, regardless of chaperone. "I hope that it was well." Adelaide had spent the rest of her night thinking about seeing him again. Her dreams filled with the prospects of how today would go. Until, she was awakened by the smell of breakfast lingering at the entrance of her bedroom. The maid standing, with a bright smile against the wooden door. The mixture of nerves and excitement hadn't allowed the redhead to eat much; a slice of buttered toast and a few sips of tea. "My thoughts were consumed about what were to happen today." Her voice lowered, the comment meant for only their ears.

[comfyymoon]

I'm the eldest daughter, of course, I was treated as the third parent even though I was a child myself

[scnsibilitics]

the ruby of the season.

the queen had designated mercy as such that morn and what a peculiar position it had thrust her into. she had gone from practically being snubbed only to be drowned in attention in a mere moment's notice. it did not help that mercy was not in search of a match. now she could not get the men to leave her be !

such as now. promenading beside a mr. talbot. an older man who evidently was in search of his fourth wife mercy did not dare inquire as to what happened to the other three. all he prattled on about was his achievements ( if one could call them that ) and how cold and empty his house was without a woman's touch. with perfect timing, mercy slipped from the conversation. gravel crunched between her heels as she made her swift escape. but the moment she believed herself to be safe, she caught sight of mr. talbot conveniently popping back up, marching his way over to her. her solution? she approached the first person she saw, slightly breathless as she conjured a faux smile onto her lips as if they had been engaged for more than a mere millisecond. "oh, stop ! you are too much, truly." then she forged a laugh, not sparing a glance back in fear the older man would not take the bait. | @londonhigh-societystart

[ofgracee]

As unfortunate as it was, Adelaide could recognise a creep when she saw one. Throughout her years of being out in polite society, she had come across plenty gentlemen; though she hesitated to even associate that word with them, who tried their luck. Most of the time, if she excused herself they left her alone. Other times, she'd had to resort to tactics just like the young woman in front of her was using now. Adelaide briefly nodded, with what she hoped was understanding in her eyes; before she too broke out into laughter. "Why sometimes I even surprise myself," she began, continuing the antics by dabbing at her eyes with her handkerchief. "I believe I hear my brother calling me, you must tell him that story about the squirrel." While it wasn't the cleverest rouse, it provided a means for both women to get out of the situation. A rouse that Addie just hoped that she would be able to play along with.

[ofgracee]

closed starter for @regentreveries

As soon as the promenade was mentioned, Adelaide knew that she would attend. While she had only known Arthur for a little under twenty-four hours, what she did know was that she enjoyed being in his company. A sentiment that she'd never experienced with any other gentleman. Spring in Mayfair, was arguably Adelaide's favourite time of year. The blossoms of new flowers, the greenery. It almost felt like something out of one of her novels; yet instead of it being in her imagination, these were all things she could experience. Adelaide had begun the walk with her brother Albert. As the siblings weren't particularly close, awkward conversation was the only thing that they could talk about. That, or, the fact that he'd been noticed by the Queen. Typical. Still, nothing could dull the excitement that she felt at the prospect of seeing the man that had captured the majority of her thoughts since they had bid farewell on the ballroom floor, the evening prior. It was his eyes that she had noticed first, how familiar they'd become to her in the matter of hours. Despite the bubbling excitement that she felt to actually see him, Adelaide used all of her restraint to continue walking at a normal pace. This was civilised society, after all. "Lord Barnes," she greeted, with a curtsey. Though she'd been given permission to address him by his forename, she did not want her brother to think that she was being overly familiar with him. "It is so good to see you again."

[bloodcoatbrock]

Her words truly sounded to Arthur as though they were pulled straight from a fairy tale, but he found himself believing every single one of them as being genuine. Even as the dance finally ended, he found himself standing there looking down into her eyes, an incredulous laugh escaping him as he shook his head. "How...how has this happened? How is it that we...we have only just met and it feels like this?" He asked, though he was quite sure she was no more aware of the answer to it than he was. "Were I to wake up in this moment and find that all of this was a dream, it would be the sweetest dream that I've ever had, and yet I know...I know that it is not a dream, and that makes it all the sweeter."

He realized only then that the time had come for them to clear the dance floor, and he led her off of it and sighed. "I...I know that it's time now...for...for us to part ways again." He acknowledged with a nod. "I...I do not wish it, but the ball will be ending very shortly, and I must find my sister, and you yours. But...but please, write me to let me know whether you will be at promenade tomorrow." With a final bow and a smile, he took a deep breath to summon the willpower, before he turned away from Adelaide Winslow to seek out his sister, his thoughts already dwelling in tomorrow.

[ofgracee]

Less than twenty-four hours until they'd be able to see each other again, the ball was winding down - there would be no more dances for anyone; yet Addie found herself yearning to stay on the ballroom floor with Arthur. No matter how desperately she really did need to find Matilda. "I shall be counting down the hours," she returned his bow with a curtsey. As difficult as it was to part from Arthur's company, there was no more time, for tonight at least that they could spend together. "I shall bid you goodnight, Lord Barnes." As soon as Adelaide arrived home, she sat at her bedroom window, her best parchment and ink in hand. She took her time to write each word as precisely as she possibly could, penmanship was important. More important than her penmanship, though, was the need to use the right words. She had never felt the pressure of using exactly the right words, until this communication with Arthur. Dear Lord Barnes, I hope it is not too forward to remind you that I had the most wonderful evening. I shall be at the promenade tomorrow afternoon, accompanied by Albert. I thank you for making tonight not only easy, but rather enjoyable. -A

[ccquettish]

" lady barnes was my mother and my mother i am not, " the sparkle in her dark hues were one of slight amusement as she observed the woman in front of her. allison was an excellent judge of character, something she prided herself on and she could already make the correct assumption that adelaide was quite lovely. " i would not believe all that my dear brother tells you about me. after all, is it not a brother's job to embarrass their sister ? " a soft laugh left her lips. " it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, addie. if you do not mind me being so straightforward but i have the feeling that there will be. "

[ofgracee]

Adelaide could feel her cheeks turning into a familiar shade of red, in her quest to impress; she'd messed up entirely. Before tonight, she had considered herself sophisticated, knowledgeable on the ton and it's residents. But within one night she had messed up the titles for two completely different people. Ironically, both of which from the same family. "My sincerest apologies, Miss Barnes." Adelaide found herself shaking her head in protest. "Arthur has told me nothing but pleasantries... why the way he talks about you makes you sound positively angelic." As nervous as she found herself, it was nice being in Allison's company. Almost as nice as being in Arthur's. "I would hate to presume, but, might this mean that you approve of there being more dances?"

[bloodcoatbrock]

If Arthur had believed that the sound of her saying his name was the sweetest sound he had ever heard, that opinion had not held up for very long at all, because now the sweetest sound he'd ever heard was most certainly hearing her say that everything he had just expressed, she reciprocated. He had been wary of bringing up the word love, knowing it was entirely too soon, and almost certainly unreasonable. And yet, once he actually said it, he had never felt more secure in expressing a sentiment in the whole of his life. No, he was not in love with Adelaide; he knew that. But he was enraptured and enchanted by her, and could see the path to falling in love clearly illuminated in front of them, and he wanted to take her hand and walk down that path together. "Neither do I. Adelaide...I..I want to embrace this, with...with every fiber of my being." He told her with an earnest nod, his eyes alight with a passionate excitement over the situation they found themselves in; how incredibly lucky they were to feel this way and have it be mutual. "I need you to know that...when I leave here tonight, I will be thinking of nothing else but seeing you tomorrow. I will be counting down the minutes until I get to see you again." It sounded like romantic embellishment, but Arthur meant it to the deepest depths of himself. He knew that he had thought of nothing else after they had parted ways earlier in the night, and things had taken significant leaps forward between the two of them in the time since then, which could only mean that he would be thinking of her even more now.

[ofgracee]

All it had been was one evening and it felt as though her entire life was on a new trajectory. It had taken years of tedious events and balls to even get to the starting point of where Adelaide wanted to be; but giving up was not in her vocabulary. The Winslow’s were notorious for having bad luck. Hers had manifested for the last few years in not finding a single gentlemen that caught her eye; despite the many dances that they had her spinning on the ballroom floor. “I think that in every moment where I can not be with you is a torture that I would not wish for anyone to experience.” Her words too, seemed embellished. Yet she meant every single one with earnest vigour. “A simple hour felt empty, lifeless without you. I anticipate as we grow more attached that it will only enhance how much of an impact our separation truly has.” She paused for a brief moment in order to catch her breath, blue eyes sparkled in wonder at just how connected she felt to Arthur in a matter of hours. “My thoughts will be completely consumed by you until we may see each other again.”

[archivist-goldfish]

[bloodcoatbrock]

It could not have been any clearer that whatever this was that Arthur was feeling for Adelaide, (and he had a very good idea of what he thought that feeling was, though he was hesitant to so quickly give it such a name, however much he might want to) Adelaide was also feeling for him. So why, then, did he continuously find himself second guessing, or worrying that she might have changed her mind about it, when he knew that he himself could not have been compelled to change his mind by the Queen herself at this point? Her words of reassurance, beginning with the sweet sound of his name leaving her lips once again, had him grinning from ear to ear by the time she was finished speaking. More than ever did he want to take her in his arms and kiss her, but instead he took her gloved hang in his own and led her out onto the dance floor.

As the string quartet began to play the music, Arthur was surprised by just how little anxiety he felt over what they were doing. The worry had been there in the moments leading up, but now that he was here with her, it had either disappeared, or else was being overpowered by the wealth of much more enjoyable feelings that were welling up inside of him. He looked her over as they moved to sound, and she was the most beautiful girl he had ever laid eyes on in that moment. "I...I want to know you." He told her with a small breathless laugh. And he did want to know her, most earnestly. He wanted to know her in a way he had never known any other person, and wanted her to know him to the deepest depths of his very soul. "I want to know... everything that there is to know about you, because...because if even half of what there is to learn of you captivates and..and enchants me in the way that you have captivated and enchanted me here tonight. then I...I think that I shall end up loving you very much indeed, Adelaide Winslow."

[ofgracee]

Dancing with Arthur was quickly becoming one of her favorite pastimes, granted, it had only been one ball… and they’d only met each other tonight, but it seemed like fates had aligned to bring them here. A force much more powerful than either of them realized. Adelaide was not going to complain, she had rather enjoyed tonight. The spectacle of it all. Allowing herself to really indulge in what the season had to offer, or, rather, who the season had to offer – and the season was only just beginning. Her thoughts were stopped immediately as soon as Arthur uttered a singular word; love. The redhead did not have much experience when it came to the matter, only what she had read in her books; her parents were not even a love match. A marriage of convenience. If this were to be a love match, then luck was truly on their side; not just for tonight, but for the rest of their lives. “Arthur,” her voice was softer now, full of admiration for a man she had only known a single night. Yet, it felt like so much more. “I want… no, I need for you to know that I reciprocate your sentiments,” a familiar shade of pink that went along with her admissions to him tinted her cheeks once more. “If this is what it feels like to start to fall in love I do not wish for it to stop.”

[bloodcoatbrock]

Arthur considered Adelaide's question for a long moment, searching his mind for an excuse they could use to justify why they had shared more dances than was generally acceptable. "We could...no." He shook his head as he questioned his own idea, and his brows furrowed deeper to continue pondering. And yet, it was really the only idea he had and so he sighed, and said. "Well...well we could say that...that your sister asked you to dance with me at first. That... that because her dance card was so full, she was unsure of if she would have the time to get to dancing with me, and so she asked you to step in and dance in her stead and that...in that sense...the first dance we shared was not truly ours." He really wasn't sure that it would be an acceptable excuse if anyone were to demand an explanation, but it was all that he had. "I...it may not be the best explanation but...but I struggle to think of anything else that can be said that would be acceptable."

There was a moment as Arthur watched her go that he wanted to grab her hand and pull her back, to pull her close, place a gentle hand beneath her chin, and press a soft kiss upon her lips. This vision played behind his eyes with crystal clarity, and he sighed with longing as he wished he could be so bold as to make it a reality. Instead, he watched her until she was out of sight, before turning his eyes back to the garden again. It really was a rather beautiful garden, now that Adelaide's beauty was not around to put it to shame, but he still could not commit himself to enjoying it when he knew that she was waiting for him in the ballroom below. He lingered on that balcony only for as long as was needed to prevent anyone from having any ideas about himself and Adelaide having stolen a moment for themselves, before he headed back down into the ballroom. The current dance was still winding towards its ending when he arrived, and so he took the moment to seek out his sister with his gaze, and was glad to see her still enjoying herself, and found himself laughing at the thought that he could relate. When he could resist no longer, he found his way to Adelaide's side and found himself smiling without thought, just from being in her presence once again. "You can still back out of this if you're feeling unsure." He told her with a nod. "It will change nothing of how I will be thinking of you when I leave here tonight."

[ofgracee]

As much as Adelaide did not want to involve her sister in scandal; if she were really to go ahead with a third dance with Arthur, it was the only way. Tilly would understand, besides, Adelaide had already done her a great favor... hadn't she? Without even thinking she had traded their dance cards to allow her the biggest chance at finding her own match at this ball. If it meant getting to dance more with Arthur, she would trade any and all of her dance cards for the foreseeable future. There was every possibility that they wouldn't be noticed. That their third dance of the evening would go without a hitch. It was a naive hope, but she hoped all the same. “Arthur,” Adelaide smiled, in an attempt to soothe any doubt that he had. Her decision was a simple one; as much as she should have considered the reaction to her direct action… her thoughts were preoccupied with just how much she wanted to dance with the man in front of her. “I do not think I have ever wanted to dance with anyone as much as I want to dance with you in this very moment.” Her words were earnest. Anything that may come her way as a result of her decision, she would take with pleasure. “In fact, I believe that if I have to wait until the next ball to dance with you again… I shall turn myself mad.” Laughter clung onto her words; but in a small way it were true. He was unlike anyone she had ever met, and, she could not get enough of him.

[bloodcoatbrock]

It was utterly remarkable how so faint and fleeting a brush of their hands sent a jolt of electricity coursing through Arthur. He was overcome by the desire to seize her hand within his own and keep it there for as long as she would allow him, but he refrained from giving into this ill advised impulse, knowing the risk of great harm that it could cause. At her confession that she would have accepted a third dance from him though, he felt the full weight of regret that he had not been bold enough to do such a thing at the time, as well as the overwhelming desire to make right of it now.

Adelaide. It was not as though he was hearing her name for the first time, but in being given permission to address her by it, the name took on an entirely new sound within his mind; amongst the sweetest of sounds he had ever heard made. "Adelaide..." He repeated, his voice soft, as though he was whispering a secret that not even the spirits of the wind were allowed to hear, his lips curving up into a smile at how it sounded coming from his lips. "Well, Adelaide...if we...if we are settled on the matter of the promenade tomorrow, and...and your brother accompanying us, then I...I would very much like to return to the ballroom and...and have one last dance with you before the evening is done. If you are still willing." It wasn't that he wanted to put an end to this stolen moment of quiet between them, but that he wanted to ensure that it could be preserved as something they could look back on and treasure; the longer that they let it go on, the more risk there was that someone should stumble upon them and taint what had been a moment like from a fairy tale. "We should...we should arrive in the room separately, I think. So as to not draw suspicious glances. You go ahead and...and I shall be with you again in a moment's time."

[ofgracee]

Adelaide knew that she was going to accept his invitation, should he have asked, the moment the statement left her lips. There would be certain risk to it, that she was sure of. Allowing oneself to dance with the same gentleman multiple times on the same night, made a statement. However, the only gentleman she wanted to dance with was Arthur. For as long as he'd have her as a dance partner. "I am more than willing," her words carried the smile that she was more than certain adorned her face. "What are we to say if we are noticed?" A perfectly valid question, all eyes were on them for their first two dances. There was little doubt in her mind, that some preying eyes would be on them for their first dance; eyes that were quick to put two and two together. As much as it pained her to leave his side for even the briefest of moments, Adelaide found the strength to do so and head back inside. The redhead had participated in enough scandal for her reputation to be ruined... switching dance cards, meeting Arthur outside without a chaperone, a third dance. Yet, none of it truly mattered to her. Her thoughts consumed by the man that she was about to have this third dance with. A deep yearning that she had never felt before. Even the way that he said her name was new, if she had any choice in the matter, he would be the only person to ever utter it again. Adelaide stood on the sidelines, watching the dance that was currently happening; playing every bit the wallflower. Mere moments, she reminded herself, he would be here.

[gcddcsscs-deactivated20250829]

devi looked at adelaide and smiled. "it is, quite different." she confirmed before looking back at the woman. the more it was, the more she felt that she could become good friends with adelaide. devi rarely trusted people, but adelaide gave her the same feeling than albert. both wislows were quite friendly and made her feel included in this whole place full of unknown faces. as adelaide stated that devi missed india, the young woman looked down. she had learned how to keep emotions, not show any sign of weakness. people would describe her as a cold person while in fact, devi was simply protecting herself.

"i actually do." devi answered simply, looking back at adelaide. alas, it seemed that india was an old chapter of her life. she was now going to stay in england until her brother finds her a suitor. "i shall not live in my past, i do not wish to become my own ghost." she chuckled lightly before hearing adelaide's words. a smile came across her face as devi nodded. "i thank you for your kind offer, miss winslow. i shall accept this, i certainly will need friends around. i am quite nervous to be assigned to a stranger, this is certainly not what i want." she paused, looking back at her friend. "are you looking forward to meeting men?"

[ofgracee]

Adelaide could only offer her a sympathetic smile. While the redhead knew nothing of missing everything she once knew; she could appreciate the pain that came with that. While the Winslow's were not particularly close, she knew that one day she would have to move out of the family home; into something new with a husband. She supposed she would grieve the life she once had, even if she was happy in her choice. Change was always hard. Of course, it was nothing compared to the scale that Devi had experienced. But it was something. "I agree, becoming a ghost of oneself is not particularly helpful," Adelaide offered a small laugh with her words. "It is my pleasure Miss Patel, since we are now officially friends, you are welcome to call me Adelaide. Or, even Addie if you would prefer." The question caught her off guard, perhaps she was too used to the ladies of the ton. Most, if not all of them were here to meet men. Looking forward to meeting them? That was an entirely different story dependent on who you were asking. "I would not say I am excited, this is my fifth season. Though, I carry hope. Perhaps I shall be surprised this season. Has there been anyone who has caught your eye thus far?"

[ccquettish]

𝒸𝓁𝑜𝓈𝑒𝒹 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓇𝓉𝑒𝓇 // @ofgracee

" i was beginning to wonder when the two of us would have the chance to converse. after all, it is not every day that i find my brother enjoying himself on the dance floor in the company of a lady, " allison mused with a small grin as she observed the young lady standing before her. call her nosy but it was her birthright to be such. " allison barnes at your service but you are welcome to call me alli, "

[ofgracee]

Adelaide had wondered when she'd have the pleasure of meeting Arthur's sister. He had done such a wonderful job at painting her in a positive light that as presumptuous as it might've been... she was hoping they could be friends. "Lady Barnes," Adelaide started, with a smile. Only to be taken aback when she suggested to call her by her forename instead. "Allison, it's a pleasure to meet you. Your brother has been singing your praises all evening." She had to be mindful of seeming too familiar with the other woman, sharing multiple dances with her brother had already put her reputation at risk. The last thing she wanted to do, was burn it down completely. "Please call me Adelaide, or, Addie," a brief pause lingered while she figured out how to phrase what she wanted to say. "I have had the privilege of sharing a dance or two with your brother, may I say, that I hope there are more in the future."

[bloodcoatbrock]

The sound of his name coming from her lips brought a very easy and soft smile to his features, whilst he found himself hoping very much that it was a sound he would hear again and again in the future. Her words eased any lingering worry that remained surrounding her interest in other potential suitors, and told him, rather plainly, that these feelings he'd been experiencing for the whole of the evening were felt by her as well. He felt a compulsion unfamiliar to him to step closer to her, to place and hand upon her cheek, and kiss her, but of these things he only did the first, taking a small step to be a bit closer to her than he was before.

"I came here to look upon the gardens, as you well know, but I am....entirely unsurprised to find myself only wanting to look at you." He admitted, chuckling a sheepish little chukle as the words left his lips. "Another thing that is...it's too forward of me to say, much too forward. But...but when I'm in your company I...I lose all desire to censor myself, even though I know I should be diligent in it." Pausing to sigh, a sound motivated by the wish that they could just speak openly with one another, he then cleared his throat before continuing on. "I...I was hoping that, if given permission to do so, you might join me tomorrow morning for...for a promenade?" He asked hopefully. "I...It fills me with...with absolute dread to think that I should have to wait until the next ball before I shall be able to enjoy your company again, Miss Winslow. I...in fact I...I don't believe that is a possibility that I can accept. I do believe it very likely that I shall go mad."

[ofgracee]

The blush that found itself so easily upon her cheeks in Arthur's company only deepened. His compliments always landed so perfectly; enriching what seemed to be her very soul. The efficiency of a compliment she'd realized, was not the contents, but rather, who was giving the compliment. Adelaide knew that protocol said that they were not able to do much more than to stand and talk. Yet, at his confession... her gloved pinky finger grazed the side of his hand, before she quickly repositioned it. Too much of a risk. "I too share little desire to censor myself around you," she concurred. "I know more of what we are not to do, yet I find myself wanting to break the rules. I would have accepted a third dance if you had asked me," A promenade sounded lovely. She would have to ask Albert to chaperone, there were some rules; despite how desperately she wanted to break them, simply could not be broken. If she were to secure an engagement this season, she wanted it to be one of choice... not forced. "I shall have to ask Albert to accompany us," she took a breath, before continuing. "I too think I would miss being in your company, the briefest of hours without you... it was an exquisite pain." Another pause, as she considered what she was about to say. "Arthur, I would rather like it if you were to call me Adelaide. I believe we are comfortable enough with each other."

[bloodcoatbrock]

There was a span of several minutes where Arthur began to question if Miss Winslow was going to accept his invitation and show up. A number of terrible possibilities occurred to him as he stood there waiting, his own mind torturing him by pouring water upon the seed of doubt that had formed. But then he heard her voice speaking to him and he turned quickly to face her, and he breathed out a sigh of relief whilst his eyes, beaming, took in the sight of her standing across from him. Her words brought a red hue to his own cheeks and he shook his head.

"Please...please, call me Arthur. I...I would very much like it if you would." He told her with a nod and a soft smile, whilst gesturing for her to stand beside him and look out onto the gardens. " I...I must confess that I feared for a moment there that you had perhaps gotten a more appealing offer, and were not going to come..." He admitted, glancing over to look upon her features in what was intended as quick glance, though his eyes lingered far longer than he meant them too. "It would have been perfectly understandable if you hadn't, of course. But...but I'm very glad that you did. No, more than glad. I'm....elated? No, that still does not do justice to how very happy I am that you are here. I'm....hmm...I'm afraid that the word to properly express the feeling I am experiencing just now may not exist."

[ofgracee]

While Adelaide was popular when it came to dancing, most everything fizzled out before the time for informality came. Addressing anyone by forename besides her siblings and very close friends was alien to her. "Arthur," it was strange, just how natural calling him by his forename was. As if she had known him her entire life, beyond her entire life. "I would not have dreamt of leaving you here waiting," a truth that she had no trouble confessing. In truth, if she were to dream the perfect man, the perfect meeting... Adelaide wasn't sure if her imagination could do justice how enchanting this evening had been. "There have been no offers more appealing than yours," She did not know where this confidence to speak so freely had come from... but she was happy to continue. "I could not... would not, entertain any other gentleman for my thoughts were consumed with you."