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Post by Valerie on Nov 12, 2008 13:10:15 GMT -5
*Valerie had become a little ill of the indoors, so one fine day found her taking her book out with her for a walk. She supposed she'd find a cafe or a park somewhere to sit and read.
Normally, she'd been used to having the one dress, and so not really worrying about what she was to wear. Now...she had options.
She had done her reading and, not being a fussy person by nature when it came to her dress, she soon managed to choose a relatively simple walking suit in dark green velvet and muslin.
With a parasol dangling uselessly by her side (evidently, a man's mistress was not permitted to freckle or tan,) along with her handbag, she set out.*
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Post by Valmont on Nov 12, 2008 13:16:18 GMT -5
He almost didn't recognize her. And then, for a moment, he thought it was the other one, and something within him quailed. Then he realized it was her, and something else did.
"Mademoiselle Lambert?" His voice denoted only pleasant surprise, tinged with the ironic detachment that seemed to color everything he did. Inside, however, he was firmly telling himself he'd had what he wanted and was well rid of her.
He'd been taking a last look about the place, to make sure all that was his had been retrieved from his rooms. It was Gawain's job, really, but the man hadn't been with him all that long and could not necessarily be expected to know which pieces had been his and which the hotel's.
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Post by Valerie on Nov 12, 2008 13:19:25 GMT -5
((Lambert! That's her name! Frick, I couldn't even remember her surname...))
"Mmm?" *she looked up, having heard her name. Her eyes registered something of vague shock and more evident distaste.* "Oh." *She'd half-expected a bellboy with a note from Andrew or something.* "How do you do?" *she said, recovering the breeding that Andrew had been drilling her on, lately.*
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Post by Valmont on Nov 12, 2008 13:35:01 GMT -5
Valmont did not blink, though his lips twitched slightly in his surprise at her polite--and utterly insincere--address. She'd come up in the world, in more ways than one. The effect, so far, was less than appealing, Valmont was perversely glad to see. He let his eyes scan her from head to toe, not even trying to be subtle.
"Considerably less well than you, clearly," he murmured. "Congratulations. Who's the lucky fellow?"
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Post by Valerie on Nov 12, 2008 14:29:58 GMT -5
"Andrew Blakeney," *she said, her head held high.*
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Post by Valmont on Nov 12, 2008 14:38:48 GMT -5
She hadn't corrected his use of her name, however, so he had to assume this was not a legal connection. Curious. And most certainly not jealousy-inducing. He could have the little baggage.
"Ah. The Blakeneys. A good family." His tone made it clear just what he thought of good families. "Wasn't he just recently married? And to a fetching little thing, even if she is American. Perhaps I'll have to reconsider my opinion of him."
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Post by Valerie on Nov 12, 2008 17:08:00 GMT -5
"Indeed. He felt obliged to wed a woman of good fortune and social standing...I understand her family has a good deal of land in Georgia."
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Post by Valmont on Nov 12, 2008 18:12:22 GMT -5
"Of course," Valmont agreed courteously. "And you fell quite naturally into the position of kept mistress. What a fortunate young man, and how clever of you to hold out for a man already wedded to another." He raised an eyebrow and made as if to depart. "I hope you aren't holding back anything you've learned. Dreadful shame, to let that go to waste."
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Post by Valerie on Nov 13, 2008 3:06:48 GMT -5
"I might have expected you would entirely discount the possibility of our being in love," *she pointed out mildly, her disdain for him unfaltering.*
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Post by Valmont on Nov 13, 2008 12:15:36 GMT -5
"When love comes so hard on the heels of riches and new frocks, I find it quite discountable," he replied. "But forgive me, and allow me to express my condolences that you two lovebirds did not meet before the unfortunate wedding. It must be very hard for you, compromising your principles. Or does 'love' ease all such pangs of conscience?"
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Post by Valerie on Nov 13, 2008 16:14:40 GMT -5
"It does," *she said, her tone defiant, though soft.* "And you may do well to recall that for all your own wealth, I never liked you the better for it."
*She turned and began down the staircase.*
"I've never feared poverty."
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Post by Valmont on Nov 13, 2008 17:11:51 GMT -5
Valmont's mouth curled into a knowing smile.
"I never asked you to like me," he said. "And you'll be glad to know I'm moving out. Good luck in your new profession, mademoiselle."
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Post by Valerie on Nov 14, 2008 2:09:02 GMT -5
"The same to you in yours, m'sieur, whatever it may be," *she said with flippant mockery, knowing perfectly well that Valmont would never stoop nor be required to stoop to any kind of work.*
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Post by Valmont on Nov 14, 2008 2:37:33 GMT -5
Not watching as she went, Valmont was nonetheless struck quite unaccountably hard with the desire she she like him. Quite a bit. It was absurd, and out of the question, and besides which entirely undesirable.
His current course was the proper one. Hopefully, he would not have to see her at all.
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Post by Valerie on Nov 14, 2008 7:35:24 GMT -5
*Valerie swept out onto the sidewalk as the doorman tipped his had and held the door for her. She smiled at him and extended her parasol with a jaunty little pop, setting off for the park with a light heart.*
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