June 8, 1890 - Southampton at the Lestrange - Pendergast Wedding

Weddings had the nasty habit, Seraphina had learned, of devolving after the bride and groom had left. Why anyone would leave such a ball before dawn was a well stated fact in society, wedding or not. But after the bride and groom left the rest of the party had sufficiently indulged into enough alcholic beverages to become less enchanting and the hold on good behavior was gone. Which left women like Seraphina in the grasp of Uncles who had imbued enough to believe they could seduce ladies like her into dances and other forays - rather mistakenly.

It wasn't only the devolution of manners that Seraphina found herself disliking about weddings this evening, but also the reminder that she was quickly approaching the age of a spinster. Every wedding this season was a reminder of that. Girls younger than her marrying canidates that could easily been her's if only she had thought them worthy. She refused to accept defeat however.

But in the early hours of the morning and the white haired widowed Mr. Garbish cornered her for yet another dance, Seraphina was finding it easier and easier to realize that defeat might just await her at the end of the year in the form of a widowed old man who might not see her age as a hindrance.

"No, Mr. Garbish, really, that's quite alright, I rather think I need a breathe of fresh air-" Seraphina was saying in desperation as she tried to keep her words polite and escape the impossible old man after their first dance. Who did he think he was, the King of England?

  

---

Thank you Soph! <3

Two weddings in one month was far from unusual in the balmy summer of the social season but two weddings from the same family was quite the spectacle and Enoch was looking forward to the second already. The ceremony itself was a bore - that sort of thing always was - but the Lestranges certainly knew how to treat their guests and he had been eyeing one of the younger daughters from across the room for most of the afternoon, wondering whether his sanity could cope with an insipid child bride for the sake of the connection.

By the evening however the young Miss Lestrange had been swept away (possibly by a nanny, possibly to bed, he didn't know or care to find out) and Enoch had instead allowed his eyes to roam until he found a young lady that was much more agreeable. Grinning he had nudged Garbish and the ridiculous old fool had actually believed him when he said that the lovely Miss Nott would be amenable for another dance. No sooner was the old man by the young lady's side, making a nuisance of himself no doubt, Enoch had drained his malt and made a beeline for the unlikely couple.

"And I would be delighted to escort you Miss Nott." He announced himself, with all the verity of a man of the round table. "That is if my company is agreeable to you?"

---

  

---

Indecently attractive set by MJ

As if her appeals had called a knight from thin air Mr. Rosier's voice joined the fray. The wizened old man looked at his younger competition in wild eyed surprise. Was it really that far fetched to believe a man closer to her age might find her attention worthy of his? Seraphina could have shot daggers at the look from Mr. Garbish alone, instead she smiled at Mr. Roiser, not even bothering to disguise her relief. "Most agreeable.' Seraphina tucked her arm into Mr. Rosier's, sparing a glance for the old man as they left him behind without another word. The confused man would likely turn his attentions to another unfortunate young lady, Seraphina would pity the girl, if she were prone to such emotions, which she wasn't.

"Thank you, Mr. Rosier." Seraphina told him as they walked away from the befuddled old man. Men liked to think they had saved a damsel in distress and Seraphina, in this case, would certainly be happy to oblige. "I was worried another dance might be the end of him." She cast a glance over their shoulders. "Mrs. Lestrange would never forgive me for a death in her ballroom." Indeed if such a thing were to happen society would never forget and she'd practically be labeled a widow herself. That was if she believed the truth in her words, which she didn't. But a jest on the sake of Mr. Garbish seemed appropriate given his beleaguered attempts to monopolize her attentions.

  

---

Thank you Soph! <3

Privately Enoch believed that most high-born women of society would be quite thrilled if something notorious were to happen at their ball – assuming, of course, that the death itself was not in any way their responsibility. If old Garbish had shuffled off this mortal coil then it would lend the occasion a greater infamy than other weddings and everybody appreciated a touch of the macabre, even if they pretended otherwise.

But sadly the man was in fine and health and didn’t seem in danger of expiring from the rejection and Enoch immediately put the old fool out of his mind. It would be rude not to when there was a much more interesting individual to focus his attention upon instead.

“Mrs Lestrange has truly outdone herself today,” he said, uttering the rote formula that was expected at these events and managing it with some verity. “Any fly in such a smooth ointment would be a shame. And I would have hated to inflict such a horror upon you when it was in my power to stop it before it began,” he added, a rakish smile emerging.

“I am only amazed he survived one dance with you already Miss Nott. You’re quite enough to give any man a heart attack tonight.”

---

  

---

Indecently attractive set by MJ

As any respectable gentleman should, Seraphina thought with a pleased smile. She may be able to play well at damsel in distress, but even she could not deny the pleasure such attention brought from it.

“Oh, thank you.” Seraphina demurred, looking up at him with a coy smile. “Should I be worried you might be among their numbers?” She teased, tilting her head slightly to the side to highlight her best angle in a move she had perfectly over the years.

  

---

Thank you Soph! <3

“Only because I am in the peak of health,” Enoch replied with a smirk. A saucier comment upon his vigour and virility passed through his mind but he quashed it – Miss Nott was no demurring girl but she was still a young lady and even Enoch knew when to hold his tongue. Still…it would have been fun to see her blush and maybe be at a loss for words.

He had no doubt she would easily divine his meaning.

“Come, let’s go into the gardens for a walk. I would hate for you to be accosted by the legion of elderly admirers you seem to be attracting…”

And before she could protest - though he doubted she would - Enoch led her away, conscious at all times that there were enough eyes upon them that their interaction could hardly be called scandalous and he congratulated himself. Dispatching Garbish had been a capital idea!

---

  

---

Indecently attractive set by MJ