#osbornegeorge

[hergrace-theduchess]

Responses/Starters I have completed:

desideriumdolorque-starter lestatthevampireprince-response drowninherblood-response osbornegeorge-response blindinglybeautifulsociopath-Celebrations At Apsley

I have starters that I must make, that I know. I haven't forgotten you, Marius & Georgiana. If anyone wishes to plot, feel free to pop me a message! 

[elizabethwellesley]

On the eve of Battle II Mr. George Osborne and Lady Wellesley

osbornegeorge started following you

It was a cool spanish evening, the relief given after an extraordinarily hot day spent beneath the relentless sun. The soldiers who were not on duty, gathered about their fires swapping tales, mending clothes, and singing when they were not eating and drinking. While the men were at ease after a day of slow day of waiting to see what their general will do about the matter of engaging the French. They were drawing up outside the town of Almeida in the field of Fuentes de Onoro and all felt that a battle was imminent, though none knew quite when the General would see fit to spring his plans.

The general was tucked up inside his tent with his general cabinet of officers, along with a guest or two and to his right at the dinner table was a most unusual sight...a woman. A woman in off white trimmed with gold, her hair done up in ringlets and her smile warm. Though there was much business to attend to that would normally have left the General utterly without thought for anything else, tonight he seemed quite contented, laughing and joking with the other officers and constantly glancing over to her and smiling. 

It was the 30th of April, 1811 and in three days a battle would be held, but no one knew that yet. Not even his most senior officers, for it all depended on Massena's actions. Would he come to relieve Almeida? without an adequate garrison and food, the soldiers would not survive. With it, the French could hold out for at least a few extra months and Wellington would be ruined. If his lost this gambit at stopping Massena, he'd be ruined. England would not give him another army. He had to succeed. All were aware of the powers at play, but no one knew if there'd be a battle (though they trusted it was more then likely) or when. 

It was after the first course that Wellington stood up, not needing to tap his glass to garner silence from those at his table.  "Good evening gentleman, I do hope you have enjoyed my table thus far."

There were murmurs of appreciation and the Viscount nodded his assent before moving forward, "as you can see, we have a few guests at our table. Mr. George Osborne-" he looked to the officer at another point of the table, and the other men followed his gaze, so did the woman. She bestowed on him a polite smile, intrigued by his dashing good looks, but more importantly...what had he done to deserve a place at this table? looking pretty and being wealthy was never sufficient for the General.

"Mr. John Nash," attention moved to an American loyalist who had returned to England after the British were defeated in North America. He was an heir to some plantation or another in the southern states. 

"and of course, my most beloved and beautiful wife, the viscountess Elizabeth Wellesley." 

All eyes turned on her then and the men stood up to bow, she laughed and rolled her eyes up to the peer, "there is such a thing as a little too much flattery, Arthur. But thank you, it is an honor to join you tonight, to see the men who are keeping England safe from the might of that terrible little man." 

after the introductions, conversation moved much more smoothly again with the second course and Liz looked out over the table again, meeting that officers eye again, Mr. George Osborne.