thedispatch | (no subject)

(no subject)

William dropped down from his horse. It had been a long ride - from London straight down to the southern coast of England. But he'd barely stopped, only doing so when his horse refused to go further without rest and water. But each time, William did little more than tap his foot anxiously, trying to focus on anything but his thoughts of what happened the day before.

But now that he'd arrived, there was nothing else to distract him. The horse was forgotten as he walked towards where the English Channel extended out to what seemed like eternity. With the thick fog of the early morning, there was no telling just what was out there. William's breath was shaky as his gaze then drifted down. Beachy Head, a beautiful site for some, with the tall cliff towering over the shore line below. But for him, this day, it was his enemy - or perhaps his closes friend. Whichever the case, he was terrified.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Perhaps there's some reasoning behind his lack of anger. He's so monotone about it, though, that it's pretty hard to discern. ]

I suppose it would have been simpler to introduce you as male, but that would hardly be comfortable for you.

Edited 2020-01-09 06:50 (UTC)

[ To that, Grell's brows knit and she gives the most unsure hum. ]

No, I think they would've questioned why you invited a molly to live in your home.

True.

[ He sighs. It's a concept William had never really thought on before, but now that he's gone through all this with Grell, he can't help but feel anger over how others would treat people like her. ]

I do not see you as that, I'm sure you know that by now.

[ Features easing just so, she looks down as they soften into a smile. ]

I do, but unfortunately, you're a rare one, William. This truly must stay a secret between us, for your well-being as well as mine.

Regardless of it remaining one, or not, I won't be leaving your side.

[ It's said so calmly, it may be that he doesn't fully realise the severity of the consequences. ]

[ Ah, she's incredibly moved by that, and it shows-- but there's also a notable sadness to her features as she smiles.

Gently, she takes his hands, giving them a gentle squeeze. ]

Should the authorities ever get involved, though... please tell me that you'll do what you must to evade them. There would be no sense in having you hang beside me.

I just said I won't be leaving your side. We will simply have to escape together.

[ Simple certainly wouldn't be the word for it, but he's a stubborn one, after all. He briefly squeezes her hand in return before stepping back to collect his jacket. ]

Shoes, then?

[ Breath fluttering, her eyes search his features for some explanation as to how this should make her feel. She's frustrated, a little terrified, perplexed, and awed-- but it instills an indescribable obsession within her. Somehow, her expression shows a bit of it all, before she gives something of a nod. ]

Fine, yes. I hope you won't mind assisting me with that, as well...

[ As he looks up to her, holding a shoe, he sees that range of emotions play across her features. ]

We can discuss this at another time, if you would prefer.

[ Grell lifts her skirt to extend a foot to him. It isn't unusual to have him care for her so, but something about having him kneel before her is still a bit fluttering! She makes herself swallow that down, nodding soundly. ]

Of course, yes. I'm sorry. Discussing such a heavy thing isn't proper for the occasion.

[ The boot is slid smoothly onto her foot. It was a bit of work to find some delicate ladies shoes that would fit Grell's larger feet, but William's rather pleased with how good they look on her. They won't really be seen much under such a full skirt, but it's how Grell feels in them that's important. ]

I agree. After the holiday.

[ Wait, the shoe-- she'd been so caught up that she hadn't noticed that it isn't the pair of booties she'd come accustomed to wearing. This is a proper women's heel! Leaning forward to get a closer look, without her glasses and all, she can see the fine detail of them.

With a wondrous gasp, her shoulders raise, excitement written all over her face! ]

Oh, Will! They're beautiful! I can't believe you've really gone to all this trouble for me...

[ He taps at her other ankle, a quiet command to lift the other foot. ]

It is Christmas. Honestly, did you expect me not to get you something?

[ Gathering herself with a breath, she stands upright so that she may shift her weight onto her heeled foot. Balancing on this one will be more difficult with how clumsy she is - hopefully, she can keep it together! ]

I didn't know what to expect, but you've truly outdone anything I could have imagined.

[ With the second shoe on, he riders once more. ]

Consider it a thank you, as well. Which, in my opinion, makes it not nearly enough.

[ Quite moved by his words, clearly, she drops her skirt in favour of cupping William's face. ]

You're enough on your own, Will. Positively perfect.

[ There is a long moment where William gazes at her. His face might not be one to show much expression, but it seems to have softened a great deal. It almost seems as though he might... ]

We should leave soon if we are to get lunch beforehand.

[ In that moment, Grell has just about forgotten how to breathe. When he speaks, she expects-- well, not that. Her face drops for a moment, snickering with a wry smile. ]

Yes, if course.

[ Patting those cheeks, she steps back to approach the vanity, opening her mother's jewelry box. ]

I can meet you at the door, if you'd like. I've just one more thing to do...

Very well.

[ As he leaves her to it, part of him wonders if he should have acted on that moment. It had been on his mind for awhile now. But no, as perfect as it may have seemed there was another more perfect one on its way. ]

[ Adorning herself with a necklace, she briefly glances up to adjust it properly about her neck - and finally catches a look at herself, fully done up. She's stuck on her reflection for a long moment, in utter disbelief.

With an emotional sniff, she fans her eyes before pushing herself onward. William will be waiting. A pair of earrings follow, a ring on her pinky. Finally, she heads for the door. She'll take another look once she isn't so sensitive! ]

Edited 2020-01-13 06:17 (UTC)

[ As she approaches, William nods in approval of her jewellery choice. ]

Your mother had quite a beautiful selection of pieces.

[ Wrapping her arms about one of his, Grell hums in agreement! ]

I'm grateful that you enjoy them as much as I do. It feels wonderful, being able to use them for such a special occasion.

[ Briefly, she pulls back to take a better look at him, coat and all. ]

So handsome!

Honestly, I don't see why you couldn't wear them more often. At least at home.

[ With her already on his arm, he leads her from the house to the cart, what he's already hitched up the horses. ]

It's a bit much, but it woukd be disrespectful to wear anything less.

[ He helps her into the carriage before taking up the reins. ]

[ Once they're on their way, the day goes delightfully well. Grell clearly has to adjust to the compliments they receive, but by the end of lunch, she seems to find more confidence in her voice. If William were to ask, she would tell him that she is putting her dreams of being an actress to use.

Arriving to the party, the redhead is riddled with nerves as they step down from the carriage, but she somehow manages to shake that off once they get through the door. She's positively pleasant, albeit a bit quiet and speaking behind her fan when she can help it. Somehow, she conveys it as a playful sort of bashfulness.

Clearly, though, William's parents seem to hold great reservations about her; though it was to be expected, it still disheartened her. When she picks up that others are whispering about them, the paranoia begins to pluck at her nerves. Ah, and then William's mother pulls him aside, leaving her alone, and she's feels alien, vulnerable-- to avoid speaking to others while so out of sorts, she excuses herself to the treats table, helping herself to a drink. There, she overhears the mutterings of an engagement... it all begins to make more sense, and while some worries are put to rest, a greater devastation sets in...

This might be what he's been trying to tell her. Perhaps bringing her was his last effort to forgo marriage-- and the great lengths he went to in order to see her happy might be out of guilt, knowing they'd inevitably need to part ways once the arrangements were made official.

Still, she smiles for William upon his return, attempts to pretend she never heard a thing. When they dance, she almost forgets... and yet... ]

[ It would be dishonest for William to say he didn't hold a bit of nervousness, himself. But showing that to Grell wouldn't have helped her anxiety over the situation, so he pushed the emotion down like he had with so many others in his life.

A bit of relief came when his father was fooled into believing who Grell was. He didn't seem entirety pleased that William had been hiding a lady away in his home but at last he did think it was a lady. It was when his mother pulled him aside that he felt that nervousness build up again. He took a stressing breath as he followed her to the empty kitchen. If anyone were to see through this, it would be her. She'd always been able to read him despite his attempts to cover up his emotions. Perhaps that's why he'd avoided her those last few days before he'd ridden to Beachy Head.

And she'd been correct in all her guesses about Grell, and fearful about what fate that would bring her son. Especially after she asked him if he loved her. The question left William thinking long enough that she had her answer before he spoke it. In the end, the only thing that kept her from outright forbidding it was his confession to her on how they'd met.

Finally, William emerged from the kitchen, and glancing around the hall briefly he spotted Grell looking rather uncomfortable at the side of the room. The dance that followed was an attempt to bring a smile back to her face, but also to give him some time to think over the pay few minutes.

With the song coming to its conclusion, William gives her a polite bow then takes her hand. ]

Come with me.

[ He leads her off to another quiet part of his childhood home. A barely used sitting room with large windows that look out over the front courtyard. It's begun to snow and a light dusting has settled over all, giving a rather magical glow to the yard. ]

I need to speak with you about something.