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Post by Adrien Wolff on Apr 22, 2009 23:29:47 GMT -5
Adrien always arrived scrupulously on time, it was one of his habits. The man being very meticulous in nature desired every little thing to be just so. It was very conceivable that if he had to live with himself he'd drive even himself insane, let alone someone like Gwen.
She was a trophy to him, a very valuable piece to attach to his arm and be seen in his home like any other possession. He was after her good name and breeding nothing else mattered. If he had known what a willful chit she was he might not have even bothered, although it had been a long time since he had to tame one of his women.
He knocked waiting to be let into the manor so he could "court" the illustrious Miss Scott.
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Post by Justin Scotts on Apr 22, 2009 23:36:53 GMT -5
(I don't know if this was intended for me to reply to or not, but I simply couldn't resist.)
It was Justin who answered the door. Sure, he could have let one of the house elves get it, but he happened to be walking by and heard the knock on the door. He didn't even bother to check the peephole, he just opened the door wide. As soon as he recognized Adrian Wolff, however, he frowned, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Can I help you with something?" he asked in a crisp, unfriendly sort of voice.
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Post by Adrien Wolff on Apr 22, 2009 23:42:39 GMT -5
Adrien was mildly surprised that the young master of the household answered the door but the shock wore down to a nearly friendly smile unaware or simply not acknowledging the distaste that radiated from the man.
"Ah, Justin, it's good to see you." he said jovially enough. "Yes I'm here for Miss Scotts."
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Post by Justin Scotts on Apr 23, 2009 0:07:02 GMT -5
Justin's frown deepened. Was Gwen expecting Adrien? He wasn't aware of any social engagement that she was supposed to attend with Mr. Wolff or anyone else. Technically, the family was still in mourning for Aunt Tanya.
"Is she expecting you?" he asked, still not inviting him in. "I don't know if she's accepting visitors... we've had a death in the family."
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Post by Adrien Wolff on Apr 23, 2009 0:38:30 GMT -5
Adrien showed the proper ammount of surprise, he was in fact surprised. Who had died? He shuddered a bit disliking death and all it entailed, he was in fact at the mention of death ready to simply turn around and leave.
However, he and Thatcher had arranged this outing, which to him was how it was supposed to be, Gwen's consent really wasn't needed, and therefore was determined to please his future father in law. Besides when did a man require permission to go out with his affianced they were as good as betrothed and Gwen belonged to him.
"I'm terribly sorry for your loss." he said politely, "Please convey my condolences to your family." now this put him in something of a bind, " I was almost certain your father had arranged something for today. Is he at home by any chance?"
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Post by Justin Scotts on Apr 23, 2009 1:06:29 GMT -5
Adrien Wolff certainly lived up to his name, Justin thought to himself. Just like the patient wolf, he turned on a silky voice and pretended to be harmless and charming and likeable. Justin was not fooled.
"My father is not at home, I am afraid," Justin replied, matching Adrien's cool politeness. "He was called away on business unexpectedly. In his absence, I am the master of the house. Therefore, anything that needs to be discussed should go through me."
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Post by Adrien Wolff on Apr 23, 2009 1:09:43 GMT -5
He smiled, grinned rather, and like his name the grin was wolfish, he liked a man who stood up to him, although for the life of him he couldn't really understand what the bluster was about. The man was a mite protective that was true enough, but Adrien came from a good family, and he was what he considered a catch, so why should the pup be worried about him for?
"Fair enough. Your father arranged our outing today and I had not recieved word that it was canceled."
He didn't think twice about it being strange that a man who had lost a family member could so quickly go on business, perhaps because he had no close ties himself that it seemed perfectly normal.
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Post by Guinevere Scotts on Apr 23, 2009 1:21:06 GMT -5
Thatcher had mentioned it to Gwen... and then promptly left. Which to Gwen, meant she was off the hook. No one in the house had bothered her about getting ready, so she figured she was safe.
It was her unfortunate luck that she was walking by the foyer, and heard her brother's voice. Though she had her questions for him, and still felt like he was hiding something from her, she utterly adored him. So she paused.
"Who is it, Justin?"
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Post by Adrien Wolff on Apr 23, 2009 1:27:38 GMT -5
Adrien heard her voice and smiled, then smiled at her brother as if to ask if the man intended to force him to stand outside all day which was intolerably rude one might add in polite society. Adrien had allowed this up until now because there had been a death in the family and Justin might have simply been remiss in his polite duties, but it would have been considered an insult to keep a man waiting this long.
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Post by Justin Scotts on Apr 23, 2009 21:19:24 GMT -5
Justin frowned. Now that Wolff had heard Gwen's voice, there was no justifiable reason he could turn the man away. He had been weighing the options of either sending Adrien away or inviting him in for a chat in his father's study. But now... well, he was going to have to allow him inside to visit with Gwen.
"Well, Mr. Wolff," Justin said coolly. "It seems luck is on your side after all. Guinevere is available, so of course I cannot keep you from her. Please come in. She will entertain you in the parlor."
He stepped aside to allow the man to pass, shooting an apologetic look at Gwen as he did so.
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Post by Guinevere Scotts on Apr 23, 2009 23:20:41 GMT -5
Gwen's face fell instantly, and she didn't bother to hide it. She heard the 'she'll entertain you in the parlour,' and shot Justin a desperate look. It was a look that said simply, 'Don't leave me.'
Merlin, she hated Adrien. She hated him even before she was promised to him, so how was she supposed to like him any better now? She really wished she hadn't asked who was at the door. Or she wished she wasn't home. She wished a thousand things that would all take her away from this situation.
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Post by Justin Scotts on Apr 24, 2009 0:03:32 GMT -5
Justin caught her desperate expression and released a slow breath. Unfortunately, Wolff was well within his rights to visit with Gwen. He was officially betrothed to her, whether she liked it or not. Their father had made the arrangements and, until further notice, that decision stood. But he couldn't blame Gwen for not wanting to be alone with him.
"Actually, why don't we all retire to the parlor?" he suggested. "I'll have the elves bring in some tea. After all, in my father's absence, I wouldn't want Gwen to be unchaperoned. It wouldn't be proper."
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Post by Adrien Wolff on May 3, 2009 3:52:03 GMT -5
Adrien glanced from one Scott to the other, bemused at the sibling affection. During the rare times that he happened to take in what happened around him he was often impassive to his findings. Much of the world around him didn't seem to matter, nothing really mattered other than his own self importance. He didn't think that Justin should join them, but he would put that as an invisible mark against the man and wait for the time to show his displeasure, he was after all a gentleman, and gentlemen rarely made their disagreements publically known.
Nodding he indicated he would follow them.
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Post by Justin Scotts on May 6, 2009 11:05:43 GMT -5
Justin led them into the parlor and signalled toward the sofa for the two of them. Because they were betrothed, he had no choice but to allow Adrien to sit on the couch with Gwen, while he sat off to the side. He would have liked nothing better than to plant himself between the two as protection for Gwen, but he felt certain that Wolff would object.
Justin summoned one of the house elves and instructed the tiny creature to bring them tea and cakes for three. He also added that they should not be disturbed by any of their siblings, but that if either of their parents were to arrive, they should be advised to come in right away.
Once this was done, Justin settled into the large armchair, which was typically his father's. "As I was saying earlier, Mr. Wolff," Justin said in a cool tone, "there has been a death in the family. Our aunt, Tanya, was recently killed."
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Post by Adrien Wolff on May 17, 2009 13:09:48 GMT -5
Adrien adopted the proper mournful expression that had been practiced. No matter how sad he was, or wasn't, the expression wouldn't have been different. He, from a very early age adapted to the social environment he was born into and soon learned the proper facade they all knew so well, the only difference between him and most other people was the lack of anything underneath that image.
"I'm sorry for your loss."
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Post by Justin Scotts on May 22, 2009 1:23:20 GMT -5
Justin didn't believe him sincere for one minute. Oh, he was good at playing the part. But he also gave off an air that plainly said he didn't give a smurf. He wanted what he wanted, and would not put up with anyone standing in his way. And unfortunately for her, what he wanted right now was Gwen.
Bowing his head graciously, Justin replied, "Thank you. It has obviously been very hard on us all. It's a sad reminder of the dangerous times we live in. So tell us about your interests, Adrien."
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Post by Adrien Wolff on May 24, 2009 14:28:47 GMT -5
He nodded, with something akin to a sigh that expressed even more solemnity but he was inwardly wondering what his mistress was doing, and that sigh might have more been for the fact that he had to leave her so quickly in order to make this appointment.
His interests? He didn't have many really, though he was seeing Justin in a bit of a different light. Justin wasn't a boy anymore not really, soon he'd be man of the house and with that he'd have power, yes the light was changing quickly, his attention diverted to the man in the room naturally, " Nothing out of the ordinary." he chuckled slightly, " I'm afraid I'm quite boring."
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Post by Guinevere Scotts on May 24, 2009 14:45:46 GMT -5
Gwen had been exceptionally quiet, not really wanting to attract Adrien's attention. Frankly, she wasn't mourning Tanya's death, but she would pretend she was if it kept Justin in the room.
And Merlin, she owed Justin for staying with her. She would show him how much she appreciated it. Somehow.
When Adrien commented that he was boring, Gwen let out a small laugh, unable to help herself.
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Post by Adrien Wolff on May 24, 2009 15:01:02 GMT -5
Adrien frowned but shrugged afterward, "Even Gwen agrees." he said dryly. He wasn't hurt by her chuckle, but perhaps a bit insulted all the same. He did have a lot of vanity and her disapproval of him was a blow to that.
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Post by Justin Scotts on Jun 10, 2009 22:58:10 GMT -5
Justin raised an eyebrow at Adrien. Merlin, this was awkward. Adrien apparently had nothing to recommend himself other than his wealth and family connections. And Gwen couldn't stand the guy. Justin didn't like him much, either, when it came to that.
"I trust your family is all well?" he asked, trying to keep some sort of semblance of conversation going.
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