May 18th, 1888 - Generic Garden Party, Wellingtonshire
Livia Crabbe

Phoebe had decided against even mentioning the garden party to Gregory and had simply said she'd be out for the afternoon and probably evening. It had seemed to suffice, that she'd decided to take her life into her own hands and saw little need of informing her husband where she was even bothering to go. She knew he wouldn't go with her and he certainly didn't have the temperament to even stand up to her and demand to know things so she saw little reason to wilt away at home. She was young and, quite frankly, gorgeous. The world deserved to see her.

She'd dressed with precision, as she always did, with a gown that once again toed the line of respectability quite dangerously but she still managed to remain just barely on that good side. At least, she did for now. She imagine it wouldn't be too long before her lower cut dresses were taken note of but until that moment, she'd continue to push the bounds. Life was just more fun that way.

Unfortunately, the party was the exact opposite. Straight laced and boring. So boring that she almost felt herself wishing she were actually back at home and spending time with Gregory. The very thought of that caused her to smirk even if she was standing alone in that moment and didn't have a reason to be smirking. Until she noticed her sister in law, Gregory's older sister. Well, that was better than nothing. At least she could taunt the older woman.

"Such a lovely day, isn't it, Liv?" she all but purred to the woman as she sauntered up to her, all bright eyed and with a brilliant smile. All of it fake, clearly, but only Livia would be any the wiser on the matter.

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Garden parties were the worst when there were debutantes around, but it seemed even parties where she found herself in the company of married women — specifically of the younger variety — were not safe from the childish gossip. Ladies felt the need to prove themselves the best, even when there was no competition and no gentlemen to try and woo (or at least gentleman they should be trying to woo).

Livia found herself in the company of Phoebe Yaxley, her own sisiter-in-law, who — unfortunately — was wanting to play games today. Hufflepuffs prided themselves on their patience, and as such Livia would try and hold the most pleasant conversation possible.

For her, at least.

"Oh yes, spring is upon us," she responded plainly, glancing towards the younger wife. "I suppose baby fever should be setting in soon enough. I'm sure you've waited long enough to become a mother," she continued, her brows raised in almost a challenge-like manner.

  

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— I've been blessed once more by MJ —

☙ Post Log ❧

Livia was baiting her. Phoebe was sure of that. And, she'd likely get the reaction she wanted as Phoebe wrinkled up her nose in obvious disgust. Having a child was the last thing Phoebe ever wanted to do, especially with her husband. Gregory was weak and she didn't dare risk bringing a child of his into the world. She'd probably drown it if it ended up with the same impediment as her husband.

"I've never understood the whole baby fever bit," she answered with honesty, "Surely only a woman with no self control would be susceptible to such an imaginary aspect."

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Livia cocked a judgmental brow and stared blankly at her sister-in-law for the moment. It was almost an insult — no, it was an insult — to Livia, the woman who had done everything possible to have as many children as she could get out of her husband (and one that wasn't from her husband, but they didn't talk about that anymore).

"I don't think anyone in society would blame you," she offered, her tone laced with fake sweetness. "It's been, what? Three years since your marriage? I'm sure Gregory—" And by Gregory she meant the entirety of the Yaxley family, bar Kenton who would likely love to see the estate passed to his name. "—would love to see an heir."

  

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— I've been blessed once more by MJ —

☙ Post Log ❧

Phoebe looked at her sister in law with a brow raised of her own in response. She could care less what society thought on the matter of her feminine loins. Quite frankly, society liked to have too much of an opinion on such things. Though she was smart enough to not actually say such a thing in public. That would cause more issues than she cared to deal with.

"I'm quite certain what should happen in Gregory and my bedroom is hardly any of society," she started, eyeing the other woman pointedly, "Or your concern. And I'm fairly certain he is quite content." Which was, perhaps, putting it a bit lightly. Her husband hardly seemed to care when she did bother to come to his bed as it was always she that did so after all.

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Livia's cheeks flushed red. She didn't care about their bedroom activities, but rather what resulted in them! Was it so far-fetched for an elder sister (and one who'd shared a house and year at Hogwarts with the brother in question) would be concerned about seeing a new nieces and nephews within a few year's time?

"I know what my brother needs — sometimes more than he does," she responded without hesitation. "And your betrothal was not to ensure Gregory had companionship; it was to continue on the Yaxley bloodline." Not that she imagined Phoebe gave him much of that, either.

  

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— I've been blessed once more by MJ —

☙ Post Log ❧

Phoebe smirked at the bright red tinge of her sister in law's cheeks. She'd struck a nerve. She was winning. That was all that mattered, really. Whatever happened beyond that point, she was certain she had a point in her favor. Even if it was only a competition in her own mind and Livia was unaware of it.

"Oh do you now?" she asked with a brow raised as she regarded the woman, "Perhaps, then, you already know he prefers time in his study with maps and globes than he does when I insist on joining him in his room. Perhaps, then, you already know that the Yaxley bloodline is doomed."

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Livia's face heated up once more, this time in anger rather than embarrassment. What a sorry excuse for a wife Phoebe was! At just age twenty-one, she'd already decided her marriage was a lost cause and that she'd remain childless! She couldn't possibly know that was true — unless, of course, she intended to keep it that was, and purposefully.

Livia shot her a nasty look.

"Maybe he has no desire to deal with your haughty attitude, Mrs. Yaxley," she shaded, unwilling to continue her friendly facade for much longer. Or any length of time longer, really.

  

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— I've been blessed once more by MJ —

☙ Post Log ❧

Phoebe simply returned Livia's nasty look with a smile as sweet as sugar. She'd rankled the woman, her initial intention, so that was all that mattered. "But you know him better than he knows himself, Mrs. Crabbe so surely you already know the answer to that," she said, still smiling.

Her blue eyes pulled away at that moment after noticing another familiar face. A small wave of her fingers was given to the other party before she offered a small nod to her sister in law. "Until next time," came her simple response before she was on the move and leaving the vicinity of the other woman.

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