#ll.closed starter

[eiraeth]

Flashback- Tuesday October 2nd, 1810

When he had left and the two ladies were finally alone, Eira bit her lower lip nervously, her hands clutched together in front of her. It had been years since she had had to behave properly, and she knew it would be a challenge. “Lady Westhorpe, do you really think it’s possible to fool everyone, all of society into thinking that I am a proper young miss? I know he is convinced that this is the best option, and you are incredibly gracious, but could it truly work? What is your plan?” 

Truthfully, she wanted to run from the room, out the door and to follow his carriage, on foot if necessary. It made her heart ache to be away from him even for an hour. The idea of trying to find a husband other than him was un​fathomable. She was unable to hide how bereft she felt, but as she turned her glance from the doorway back to Lady Westhorpe, she tried to fake a smile even as a tear fell down her cheek. 

@stedfastasthou​​

[eiraeth]

Bouncing on her toes, Eira could barely remain standing there in the foyer as she waited for the butler to answer the door. It was still quite early, well before the fashionable hour, and the only one who would have come so early was her closest friend, Bella, especially as it was the morning of Eira’s twenty-first birthday. “Let her in, do! She does not need to provide her card, as you well know!”, Eira chastised the man with a friendly smile. 

When she saw her friend in the doorway, she enveloped her in a warm hug, politely ignoring the servant standing awkwardly behind his mistress, holding a few oddly-shapped objects wrapped in paper. “Is it quite cold outside this morning? Are you hungry? Please, do come in!”, she welcomed her, ushering Bella and the man into the comfortable morning room decorated in greens and browns. 

@isabella-aldwyn

[eiraeth]

@benjaminayles

Watching the man in front of her struggle to explain what had happened to his invitation and just why he was not on the guest list, Eira’s heart went out to him and she simply could not stand there without helping. While she may not have been the best judge of character at one point, her time on the streets had certainly helped, and he didn’t seem like a bad sort. Perhaps he really had lost his invitation through some mix up, or maybe it was just of great importance to him to be allowed in for the musicale Lady Westhorpe was hosting. 

Walking just past him, the butler’s bushy eyebrows rose in surprise when he saw Eira approach, and she said, “This gentleman is my guest for the evening. Let him in, please.” Without argument, he nodded and stepped out of the way to welcome the man into the grand home. Smiling at them both, she took Benjamin’s arm and strode in as if she owned the place. “There, see? That wasn’t so hard.”, she murmured for his ears only, a mirthful smile curling her lips as they neared the music room.