August 8, 1890 - Generic Party

Parties were all over Liliana's social calendar. Every single one seemed to blur together. Little success seemed to be had. But perhaps behind the scenes was more productive than she thought. Who knew what happened behind closed doors. Perhaps her father was already speaking to several suitors. Weighing the options for the perfect man, fit for a Selwyn.

Until then, meeting various eligible men was on Liliana's to-do list every day until she would meet her match. Marriage was the end game in mind, of course. Couldn't run the risk of father suddenly dying and leaving her in the hands of her half-brother and the step-monster.

Thus bringing her hear, being introduced to a one Mr. Ciaran Midford. "It is a pleasure to meet you. Have you been enjoying the party so far?" It was a simple, yet elegant, event. Some charity or another. Not the most extravagant, but not every party was destined to be so.

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Ciaran Midford/Dorothea Birdwhistle

  

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Magic by Athena

The more Ciaran was forced into the social scene by his meddling mother, the less patience he seemed to have with the whole thing. Maybe it was a function of him getting older or his lingering doubts, but all of these balls just seemed to be the same thing copied and reapplied endlessly. Was there so little for the upper crust to do that the only way they could entertain themselves was publicly preening for their peers? With a fledgling business to tend to, Ciaran had found what he thought to be a more fulfilling way to pass the time.

Disdainful as he might be privately, that was no reason to be rude. He'd agreed to come out, so he'd bear the consequences of it. Said consequences were endless introductions to women, so many that he struggled to remember them all. Ciaran greeted every one with a polite smile and engaged them in appropriate conversation before being whisked off to another.

When the cycle started to get to him, he begged off for a few moments to get some champagne. His free moments were limited. Sooner than he would like, his company was claimed again. "I am grateful to have made your acquaintance. It's a bit overwhelming to be back out, but I have been very much enjoying myself." A little white lie wouldn't hurt anyone. "Enjoying myself more now that I've someone to share a drink with. And how have the festivities been for you?"

  

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Liliana certainly didn't see parties as a waste of time. To be able to feel a sort of freedom in the dance, the beauty in the fashion. It felt, well, rather magical. While she could argue her views on the matter for days, she wasn't stupid enough to get on anyone's wrong side unless she was unfortunately related to them. She had to play nice, make herself presentable. Being vague was typically the way to go, being polite certainly was.

Part of her worried that she was lost in a sea of debutantes. She would need to stand out in the right sort of way. Her coming out ball hadn't landed any offers of courtship that she personally knew of. What needed to be done was to get out of her disgraced mother's shadow. To present herself as her father's daughter, though not for his infamous... choices.

Dancing was nice and all, but taking the time to stand aside and perhaps talk to someone without being whisked around was more opportune if she was to get herself to a more memorable status. "The festivities have been delightful, though a tad repetitive. Nothing seems too original tonight." It really wasn't the most creative of occasions, though it did get people together and helped debutantes like herself to gain further connections.

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Magic by Athena

Ciaran felt a little bad thinking so to start, but he assumed this conversation would be just like the others and wasn't prepared for it to last long. He was prepared for the standard fodder of how wonderful the night had been and the graciousness of the host. This debutante in particular though - Miss Liliana Selwyn, as she'd been introduced - deviated from the norm. She wasn't being rude, but her words were slightly more cynical than one might expect from a woman her age, in her position. A hint of something unconventional in her spirit, perhaps. Ciaran quirked a brow and gave Miss Selwyn a more appraising look.

"Oh? If it were up to you, what sort of unique flair might you have brought to the event, Miss Selwyn? I believe I agree that it could do with more distinguishing features, but I've always preferred to go to functions rather than host them myself." He wasn't really in a position to critique anyone ... but Miss Selwyn had more of a right to. Even if the conversation went nowhere, it was different. That was enough for now.

  

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Being exactly like the others would certainly not always help matters. She really wasn't like the others, but not always in a good way. Distracting the general public from the rotten half of her parentage was key. Putting the light on who she actually was would be the perfect way to find a suitable match.

"Personally, I would love to see some exotic animals in the garden. Bring some lively cultural themes into the mix. Everyone wants to stick with British traditions at these parties. While propriety is certainly needed, having some cultural variety seems quite thrilling. Wouldn't you think?" It wasn't even an idea she had to really think about. Oh, if only all of these people could see a party of her making from weeks of thought and planning behind it. Flare and fancy.

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Magic by Athena

Honest surprise flitted across Ciaran's face at Miss Selwyn's answer. He didn't know what he'd been expecting, but it wasn't that. Considering his past - the jaunts around the world and the extended stay in the tropical colonies - he naturally agreed with her. "How forward thinking of you," Ciaran said with an impressed lilt to his words. "Years ago I traveled constantly. Home became dull and I sought adventure on the high seas." He let out a huff of a laugh at his past self and how reckless he'd been then. "I visited all manner of places, even lived in some of them. When I finally came back to England I found that the world here seemed so small in comparison to what I knew was out there. Propriety and variety can go hand in hand -- I've seen it. The peoples of other countries are not backwards, despite what the traditionalists might say and it would do us some good to embrace their more colorful practices."

After his sentence found its end, Ciaran realized that he'd been more animated than he'd meant to and cleared his throat sheepishly. "I do not mean to ramble or lecture at you, Miss Selwyn," he said, apologetic. "Cross cultural connections have become something of a passion of mine, but it is rare that I've encountered anyone here who feels the same." Part of that was due to his reclusive streak, but high English society was also terribly insular by design. The prospect of a kindred spirit did excite some of the social flame within him. It had not completely burned out, miraculously.

  

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Her answer came with risk. This was indeed a controversial statement on her part. Not many in polite society would agree to the full extent of what she was saying. But something in her said that he was not that kind of man, but one of more open mind. Was it something in his eyes or overall mannerism? She couldn't very well say. But she certainly knew how to read people, when she wanted to.

She listened closely, and an interest actually sparked in the conversation. Who said husband hunting couldn't lead to more than a triumphant match to rub in her snobbish family's faces? Perhaps things could very well be more interesting and exciting. When he began practically apologizing for his ramblings, she found herself with a genuine smile. "It's quite alright. Actually, that sounds rather magnificent. Do you plan for future travels?" Perhaps travelling the world and seeing all that could be seen would be a wonderful married life. And it would get her away from Cad.

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Magic by Athena

"You are too kind, Miss Selwyn." He did try to keep himself in check, but his social graces weren't what they once were. It was frightfully easy to forget all the conventions and usual ways of speaking when one retired themselves from the 'game' for too long. "As I have launched a shipping company in the past year, the possibility of travel is always present, but I haven't solidified any plans yet. I have a young daughter and I would like for her to be more accustomed to long journeys before I whisk her off to parts unknown. For now, short trips to the coast are enough." Andromeda, his darling, came first in all things. "Have you done much travelling yourself?"

  

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While she was a debutante and raised to be a suitable one, she was still a new debutante on the scene. She couldn't very well hope to seem like an outright master in such arts. Vain as she was, there were times when she had to realize that she couldn't very well judge. She saved that for those in her family - who thought so highly of themselves that she wished to always keep track of just when they weren't so mighty.

The fact that he had a child already was not quite appealing, but the fact that it was a daughter made up for it. A male heir was all Liliana needed to secure any children of her own's future. Legitimate, healthy, heirs. Everything she could have ever hoped for. But she didn't let that show now. "Not as much as I would prefer, though schooling and now the season have kept me busy. Once I marry, I do hope that he and I would be able to travel together." Not to forward, that always seemed to scare men away. She wouldn't know about that in person, but had seen it often enough.

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Magic by Athena

Ciaran wasn't as calculating about all this as Miss Selwyn was, but he didn't have to be. He was a man and in good standing, with enough wealth to ensure that he never had to work a day if he didn't want to. So long as he didn't make any hideously stupid decisions, he would be comfortable until the day he died. The only reason he was fussing himself over marriage was his daughter. If he never found the 'right' woman it would bring about more melancholy, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. The stakes were decidedly higher for Miss Selwyn and all ladies like her.

While other men might hold this social calculation against their fairer counterparts, Ciaran actually liked that demonstration of ambition and intelligence. That very thing had attracted him to his first wife, after all. However ... things were different now. Attraction mattered not at all. Andromeda's opinion would be the final decider; he had made that resolution upon re-entering society.

(He was human though, and lonely on top of that. Was his resolve truly unshakable?)

"Ah, yes, that's understandable. My niece has impressed upon me how hectic this summer has been for the socially active." Kitty was about Miss Selwyn's age, actually. Had his niece mentioned her in any of their past conversations ...? He'd have to search his memory or write Kitty later. "I am sure any gentleman lucky enough to earn your hand would happily show you the world." Ciaran gave her a small smile, polite but genuine. He didn't yet know her well and thus could not properly encourage anything that could be on her mind. On the other hand, he didn't rebuff her firmly either.

There was a dire need for more conversation, though this was hardly the venue for it. Not with his mother lurking and more debutantes in the wings that he had to be introduced to.

Ah, well.

  

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