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Not only was Archie someone that her mother had pressured her into engaging with, but he was also the brother of the girl she had a strained relationship with, therefore Lydia was unsure of what to expect with this interaction. While she was not one to prejudge people, she was still taken by surprise by Archie’s easy-going attitude. There was minimal talk on marriage prospects, and there was something about him that made her feel at ease. Usually in such social settings, most interactions typically felt transactional, with most men hoping for something more. But her company in this moment appeared to have minimal expectations tied to it, which brought comfort to her.
It seemed Archie had approved of Lydia’s suggestion to bring more ease to the evening, and both of them raised their glasses with a cheer. Obviously with eye contact, for luck. “A dancing virtuoso you say? What a privilege to be in your company,” Lydia replied with a mischievous glint in her eyes and a false sense of surprise in her voice. “It seems I have met my match then, Lord Dancer,” She continued as she bowed in response, with the same playful tone that he presented. “Intimidated? I’ll try my best. Though I must equally warn yourself as I also have a few tricks up my sleeve,” Lydia took his hand in hers, “I expect we will put the rest of the ballroom to shame.”
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Lydia knew the risk that she had taken. In her act of rebellion during the Queens’ presentation, when she tampered with the orchestra, and even had a drink too many. At the time it seemed like exhilarating, those fleeting moments that acted as a brief escape from her expectations. Though as soon as the Ellis family returned to their estate, Lydia felt the weight of her decisions. The moment they were behind closed doors, Lydia taken by her mother and rushed towards her room.
“Lydia what in the world were you thinking? Embarrassing the family name before the Queen, causing quite the scandal all evening,” Her mother firmly told her as they were briskly walking across the house. While usually she would be responding back in her own defence, but the combination of alcohol and their hurried pace left Lydia’s head spinning. “You have completely brought disgrace to this family tonight,” She continued before releasing Lydia when reaching her room. “Consider it my mission accomplished,” Lydia responded quietly, but loud enough to be heard. Maybe it was an exaggeration, maybe it was the alcohol talking. It is never her intention to ruin their reputation, though she didn’t let the possibility of such outcomes dictate her actions.
Regardless of what fuelled that statement, it sent fury in her mother’s direction. For a moment, Lydia became scared at the possibility of what her mother was about to do as she raised her hand. But the hand was only to slam the door that was between them, leaving Lydia in the confines of her room, and releasing the breath she had held. After a moment of silence came the sound of a lock clicking, which then led to a failed attempt from Lydia to reopen her door. Then another. And another.
“You can come out when you have learnt to properly behave,” Her mother told her underneath the sound of Lydia banging on the wood of the door. Once it became obvious her mother had walked away, Lydia leaned back against the door, defeated and frustrated.
══✿══╡november 2nd 1811╞══✿══
While Lydia had been hoping her confinement wouldn’t last long, it still came as a surprise when her once locked door burst open with several handmaids flurrying through first thing the next morning. “What on earth brought this on?” Lydia asked with her hands over her eyes as her curtains were swiped open and exposed her to the sunlight. “Lady Ellis’ gave us specific instructions to get you prepared for the day,” She was told as she was rushed up to her feet, their efficiency indicating to her that they had strict instructions.
If it weren’t for the handmaidens involvement, Lydia probably would not have obliged. But she wasn’t going to let those workers get into trouble for not completing a task. Therefore, a little over an hour later, Lydia was dressed and standing outside of her room, awaiting instructions as her mother appeared with a purpose headed towards her. “There is no use keeping you isolated in here all day, when there is a more important matter to attend,” She told her as she indicated for Lydia to follow. Apprehensive, she tailed behind her as she led her to the drawing room.
“What is this?!” Lydia exclaimed as they began to walk alongside a line of men widely ranging in age, directing them towards the drawing room. Entering the drawing room, her mother sat Lydia down on the arm chair that was facing a second one, purposely set up for the occasion she assumed. “How else are we to hasten the marriage process?” She asked Lydia, as if this were the obvious solution. “These are all men that I have found of respectable titles and reputations,” Her mother explained, as those were the only things that mattered when it came to finding a match apparently. “All men born before the 1740s it seems,” Lydia told her, a comment that was briskly ignored. “All men that are happy to become acquainted with the sister of the Diamond. Consider yourself lucky.” With that, Lydia’s mother left her in the drawing room, a small nod to the first man in the line to indicate she was ready.
Left with minimal alternatives, Lydia sat and tolerated the revolving door of men that had been set up for her. Tolerating being a loose term, usually greeting them with “No,” , “Not interested,” , “Please move along,” . With every person, it only reinforced how little her mother’s definition of ‘respectable’ aligned with Lydia’s own values and desires. She was talking to men double her age, with overly traditional views on women and more interested in family connections and financial prospects than herself.
“I’m sure I could make an agreeable wife of you,” One told her when she was several suitors down. Lydia could only assume from the greying hairs that this man was in his 30-40s. “What admirable confidence you have,” She told him disingenuously. That conversation was short-lived.
As if it had really existed in the first place, Lydia’s attention was wearing increasingly thin. That was, until a figure she recognised appeared next in line.
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@.raviola bring him in
@.astxrism archie<3
@.benitz786 lia mentioned slightly