Baylor had a good night, but woke up with a headache, slightly later than what he would have wanted. He was planning to rush to Adeline in the morning, and be the first one there and nice and efficiently go on with his day after. He believed Adeline would get many callers, so it would be in his best interest to be there early. Quite honestly, the thought of seeing Adeline made him quite excited, but nervous at the same time. She was a beautiful lady filled with grace, and what Baylor could tell from their dance, she had a pure heart. Something that truly intrigued him about her. He was not sure whether he could do it, whether he could give her what he thought she deserved. However, as he had promised Adeline, he was going to stick to his word.
As he prepared himself, he took a deep breath. He was still not sure whether he was making the right choice by following his heart, but he knew he needed to do this. He gave himself a bit of a pep-talk as he was combing his hair to perfection, and put on the suit he had picked out, one that was a touch more colourful and in line with his personal taste more. He took one more deep breath, and decided it was time for him to leave.
He was not about to leave however without saying goodbye to his sister, with some advice. “Dear Maisie, as you prepare to receive your callers, remember that first impressions are vital. Be polite and attentive, showing a genuine interest in his conversation. It’s essential to get to know him better, so don’t be afraid to ask questions about his interests, background, and values.” His tone was gentle, his eyes encouraging Maisie to be inquisitive. “This will help you gauge whether you share common ground.”
He then leaned back, his body language confident and relaxed, projecting a sense of trust. “Furthermore, remember that you are under no obligation to commit to anything during these callings. Take your time to understand his character and intentions. Trust your instincts – if something feels off, trust yourself to make the right decision.” He gave her a brief encouraging nod to be critical. “Maintain your composure and poise throughout the visit,” Baylor said, standing a little straighter to model the desired demeanor. He looked directly into Maisie’s eyes, his stance conveying the importance, “as it reflects well on our family. Always act within the boundaries of propriety and decorum,” he clasped his hands, indicating the need for proper behavior, and then raised a finger, emphasizing the point, “and do not feel pressured to make any hasty commitments. You have every right to take your time and evaluate the gentlemen’s suitability.”
"Finally," Baylor said, leaning in slightly once more, a concerned expression on his face as he searched her eyes, “consult with me or your chaperone for the day if you have any questions or concerns about your callers or the courting process.” His facial expressions softened, “We’re here to support you, and we’ll help you make informed decisions.” His arms encircled her in a protective, brotherly hug, something he did not do too often but felt right for this moment, today was a big day for both of them. As they hugged, he said, “I wish you all the best in your meetings, dear sister, and I hope you shall find enjoyment in the process.” He gave her a warm smile as he left. It was not easy for Baylor to leave his sister behind like this. It felt like yesterday Maisie was still a baby, and now she was about to go get callers for herself, maybe even marry this season. And as Baylor was busy with his own process of calling, he could not even keep an eye out to protect his sister. He really needed to just have faith in her to judge the gentlemen well.
He then went to the stables and got a horse ready to go. He decided a horse ride to the Delaney estate was a good way for him to clear his head before starting on the callings. The rustic charm of the stables, with its aged wooden beams and the comforting aroma of hay, always provided a brief escape from the bustling formalities of high society. As he prepared his horse, he took solace in the gentle nuzzles of the familiar animal, finding a sense of grounding in the rhythmic sounds of the horse’s hooves against the clay flooring of the stables. It was not too long of a ride to the estate, and the nice morning breeze was enjoyable, it was a nice temperature for the time of the year.
Once he arrived at the estate, he noticed he had not been the first one there, Lord Harrison Davis had beaten him to call on Adeline. He noticed them already talking when he arrived. He could not help but feel a touch of frustration seeing them talk. A sense of regret almost coming here, out of everyone Harrison had to be the one to beat him there. The gentleman who had stolen many a hearts over the years, and he would surely try to win Adeline’s. Harrison could more than offer her something Baylor did not possess, a capability to fall in love easily. He felt a pang of jealousy, a tightness in his chest, something Baylor never had felt before with a lady. He was not quite sure if he enjoyed the emotions and conflict he was experiencing. There was no point however in turning back now, he still had made the promise to Adeline to show up for her, and being second in line to call on the diamond, it did not seem like too much of a waste of time for Baylor.
@Littlefeets - Maisie
@sunflowerjm - Adeline (mentioned)
@Kristi - Harrison (mentioned)