closed starter @promisedhexvens (edith)
location: a salon
The salon was abuzz with conversations, the air thick with the scent of fine perfumes and the sounds of soft laughter. Domingo stood near a window, his gaze out toward the sprawling gardens, but his mind was far from the idyllic scene. The invitation had been extended with the kind of intent he had come to expect. They all wanted him here—wanted to parley with the Queen’s favored diplomat, to weigh his worth as a potential match for their daughters. It was a distraction from his work, from the things that truly mattered, but it was a task he had not the luxury to avoid. Duty, as always, was a demanding companion.
"Sir Domingo!" The hostess's voice was bright, cutting through his reverie. She was already at his side, her hand warm on his arm as she gently tugged him toward the gathering. "You must meet someone. A charming young lady, so lovely, and I do believe you might find her most agreeable." Domingo’s eyes flickered to the lady she had mentioned, and for a moment, a soft pang of discomfort tugged at his chest. His mother's voice echoed in his mind: Marry for duty. Not for passion, not for love—your heart is not for the taking. She was beautiful, he supposed, though the air about her was one of quiet sorrow—a kind of fragility wrapped in poise. Yet, Domingo knew better than to judge at a glance. With a practiced smile, he allowed himself to be led. His thoughts remained carefully guarded, and his words even more so. "Miss," he greeted her, his voice polite but distant. "I am Sir Domingo Alvarado. It is an honor to make your acquaintance." He bowed slightly, his movements fluid, yet his heart never fully left the reservations he had carried with him since the moment he first stepped into the world of London's high society.