|
|
Post by Lyra Newbury on Oct 13, 2016 1:51:49 GMT -5
She pouted at him as he made himself presentable, liking the slightly rumpled way he looked. And then he turned the charm to her and she frowned. She could sense the passionate, throw caution to the wind Julian had gone. What stood before her now was the sensible Julian. He was a real asshat.
"Well, now that that's out of the way I think I should be getting back to the party." Her tone was more annoyed than hurt, though they both knew this wasn't fair to either of them. How could she not feel hurt?
|
|
|
|
Post by Julian Faust on Oct 13, 2016 1:55:06 GMT -5
He stopped her grabbing her wrist and pulling her back to him, "Lyra."
He wished for the right words, but he didn't have them. He couldn't apologize to her, he wasn't even sure he was sorry about what had happened. He had wanted her so badly.
Finally he let her go, "You look beautiful." he told her sincerely, though there was pain behind his words.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lyra Newbury on Oct 13, 2016 2:45:07 GMT -5
"I know," she said coldly. "Plenty of men have been telling me so all night." She pulled away from him and walked toward the crowd of people who were ignorant to the fiery performance they'd just missed.
She stopped at the precipice of the party and turned toward him slightly, without meeting his eye. "Thank you," she said gently. Then she headed out into the crowd to find Sam, snatching a glass of champagne off a passing server's tray.
|
|
|
|
Post by Julian Faust on Oct 13, 2016 12:57:29 GMT -5
Her aim was on point, he felt something cold go through him as she purposefully tried to hurt him. What was he doing to them? Their relationship would never survive their lust, but their lust was so strong.
He let her go then, and made his way out of the ballroom. He had the childish urge to flirt with the women in the ballroom to get back at her for the comment she had made, but he had listened to his urges enough for one evening.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lyra Newbury on Oct 13, 2016 14:56:35 GMT -5
Lyra found Samantha near the center of the room and walked up behind her. "There you are," she said, as if she had spent this entire time looking for her. Lyra looked around at the small crowd of people that Samantha had been talking to before she appeared. Just beyond them she saw Julian walking in the opposite direction. Lyra bit her lip, then smiled at the attractive faces.
|
|
Samantha Montgomery
 
Sixth Year[M:10]
We do not choose love. It claims each man as it will.
Posts: 1,542
|
Post by Samantha Montgomery on Oct 13, 2016 19:01:33 GMT -5
Sam had wanted to look for Lyra, but had been pulled aside by the usual society matrons, as well as some possible suitors for Lyra. It was disconcerting that, in eyeing the ballroom she didn't see Lyra or Julian, and worried that Lyra was off getting her heart broken again.
She was only mildly satisfied when Lyra showed up.
"This is the girl I was talking about Marianne. She's positively indispensable at Enchanted, you'll see in next month's spread."
|
|
|
|
Post by Lyra Newbury on Oct 13, 2016 23:36:55 GMT -5
Of course Samantha had been busy while Lyra was gone. She was in her element here, networking with the elite and the wealthy. She was so polished at such a young age, Lyra knew better than to be envious of Sam's social skills as this had been Sam's wretched mother's doing, but she hoped to one day be as confident and successful as Samantha.
Lyra smiled proudly as Samantha mentioned Lyra's work at the magazine. "Lovely to meet you," she said as she shook Marianne's hand. "How is it you two know each other?" This was the polite way of asking just who this woman was, and gauging whether she should spend much time conversing or move on to better prospects. The fact that Sam was speaking with her though was a good sign that Lyra had reentered the festivities at just the right moment.
|
|
Samantha Montgomery
Sixth Year[M:10]
We do not choose love. It claims each man as it will.
Posts: 1,542
|
Post by Samantha Montgomery on Oct 14, 2016 0:58:20 GMT -5
Sam smiled at Lyra and made introductions, "Marianne is Lord Wilfred's daughter. We attended Beauxbatons together." she explained.
"Indeed." Marianne said stiffly, "Before you abandoned us to attend that other school." she whined. She turned her attention on Lyra, "And you...work at Sam's little magazine?" she asked snidely.
Sam had to keep from rolling her eyes.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lyra Newbury on Oct 14, 2016 1:52:56 GMT -5
Lyra pursed her lips at the woman's dismissive attitude toward Samantha. If they hadn't been smack in the middle of one of the most elegant events Lyra had ever attended, Lyra would have had a few choice words for this woman.
"Yes," she answered sweetly. "Executive Editor." She liked saying her title, it made her feel important. It was the same sensation she got whenever a man looked approvingly at her.
|
|
Samantha Montgomery
Sixth Year[M:10]
We do not choose love. It claims each man as it will.
Posts: 1,542
|
Post by Samantha Montgomery on Oct 14, 2016 2:06:59 GMT -5
Sam grinned. Marianne had horrible taste, evidenced by the pink confection the girl was wearing. She had requested, or rather begged, to go to Enchanted and meet the designers. She then insulted one of Sam's lead designers and the deal had fallen through. Needless to say Marianne hadn't been back.
As for men looking at Lyra approvingly, that wasn't difficult. Lyra was stunning, and easily showed up many of the women there.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lyra Newbury on Oct 14, 2016 2:39:49 GMT -5
Lyra's thoughts mirrored Sam's as she looked Marianne over. She would think Enchanted was a "little magazine," judging by her tastes... "I suppose you attend these sorts of events fairly regularly. What do you think of tonight's festivities?"
|
|
Samantha Montgomery
Sixth Year[M:10]
We do not choose love. It claims each man as it will.
Posts: 1,542
|
Post by Samantha Montgomery on Oct 14, 2016 2:48:55 GMT -5
Sam's mother had taught Sam the fine art of smiling while you wanted to drill a hole in your head, but it was still hard to get through Marianne's diatribe over the Southerland's inadequacies.
Sam wanted to shake her friend for asking the question, but Lyra didn't know any better, and really it was Marianne who Sam wanted to shove in a closet somewhere. Still she nodded politely and "hmmed" and so forth appropriately, when her eye caught someone entering the ballroom.
Mason Marlowe. Now he was exactly who Lyra needed to be talking to.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lyra Newbury on Oct 14, 2016 3:10:12 GMT -5
Lyra was sincerely sorry that she had asked for Marianne's opinion on the ball. Apparently, the Southerlands had done nothing right, because Marianne had no problem rattling off a laundry list of uncouth mistakes and shortcomings. Lyra wasn't as skilled at feigning smiles for prolonged periods as Samantha was. Her sweet look was faltering, giving way to a bored, almost vacant expression. Still Marianne continued. Lyra had retreated into her own mind to escape, and did not notice the excited look that had appeared on Sam's face.
|
|
Samantha Montgomery
Sixth Year[M:10]
We do not choose love. It claims each man as it will.
Posts: 1,542
|
Post by Samantha Montgomery on Oct 14, 2016 3:24:18 GMT -5
While it would have seemed impossible for Marianne to stop talking, she as well as part of the ballroom fell silent, then whispers began to circulate.
Sam leaned over to Lyra and explained, "That's Mason, he's been in the states for the past year, no one knew he was back or that he'd be coming to the ball tonight."
Marianne excused herself with some twittering story. She, along with a few other young ladies, were moving toward the bathroom to reapply make up and charms.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lyra Newbury on Oct 14, 2016 13:07:23 GMT -5
Lyra had retreated so far into her own head that initially she hadn't noticed Marianne had gone quiet. When the silence became apparent, she shook her head slightly and blinked as she looked around to the cause of the sudden peace. Then Samantha explained, and Lyra had no problem easily spotting the gorgeous man who had claimed the room's attention. He was tall, dark, and so utterly handsome that even the married women in the room were fanning themselves. "Oh my," she gasped softly.
Lyra, unlike Marianne, didn't need to freshen up; Julian having taken care of that task for her not 15 minutes ago. Her skin still glowed from their encounter, though Marianne had effectively removed the blissful look on her face.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mason Marlowe on Oct 14, 2016 20:37:14 GMT -5
Mason entered the room much in the same way Sam had, with a natural regal elegance that seemed instinctual rather than put on. It was said that even if Mason were a poor man, he would still possess a regal bearing, but it helped that he was also loaded.
He briefly scanned the room, ignoring or unaware of the fuss he caused. His mother had admonished him for taking off to the states just before the "season", and he had no desire to tell her that was the particular reason he had left. It was the 70s for Merlin's sake, not the 1770s, and yet it was usually around this time of year that matchmaking mamas hauled their offspring to all the social events in hopes of snagging a rich man and richer alliance. Mason was in no mood to be meat for the slaughter, but after a few months of wheedling and plain old nagging, Mason came home.
That night he was actually intending to meet an acquaintance of his, but he didn't see the man anywhere. Finally his eyes landed on Sam, she was holding court as usual, though there was another face he didn't quite recognize, but no doubt very lovely. Casually he strode to where they were standing, "Miss Montgomery." he said formally taking her hand and kissing the back of it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lyra Newbury on Oct 14, 2016 23:14:01 GMT -5
Mason approached Samantha, as Lyra looked on. He was even more attractive up close. His voice was deep and made something stir in Lyra.
"Do you know everyone here?" she teased Samantha. She gave a smile in Mason's direction, awaiting Sam's introduction.
|
|
Samantha Montgomery
Sixth Year[M:10]
We do not choose love. It claims each man as it will.
Posts: 1,542
|
Post by Samantha Montgomery on Oct 15, 2016 0:32:06 GMT -5
"Yes." Samantha said with her eyes still on Mason, "But I only let the handsome ones kiss my hand this long." she said in a teasing way.
Fine, Mason was a doll and Sam enjoyed flirting sometimes too.
"Mason," she drew out his name in a purr, "This is my very good friend Miss Lyra Newbury."
|
|
|
|
Post by Lyra Newbury on Oct 15, 2016 0:47:40 GMT -5
"Pleasure," she said as he turned toward her. "Mason...?" Clearly Samantha was quite comfortable with this man, she normally had a theatrical way of performing her introductions. Full names. Relationships. The works. But this man was just "Mason." Lyra was beginning to think he didn't have a surname.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mason Marlowe on Oct 15, 2016 1:14:33 GMT -5
"Marlowe." Mason provided turning his attention toward Lyra and bowing slightly, "And the pleasure is mine." he said congenially.
Sam seemed to be a bit lost in thought which was unusual for her unless she was scheming, already Mason was both intrigued and terrified. The girl had a knack for trouble.
"I know that look Sam." he said, his rich voice carrying a warning, " And whatever you're up to, you could at least wait until I settle back in."
|
|
