Realistic or Modern Lavender Caught In Thorns w/ sappho_ 1x1

[hellomydear]

Two weeks until the wedding. Margaret was dreading the whole event. Tonight she would be meeting her brother's fiance for the first time and her lovely family. Margaret could hear the voices idly chatting in the dining room. She currently stood out in the hall, tempted to tell her maid she would be taking dinner in her room and suffer the backlash from her brother. She didn't want to be any part of this. Not since the last union her brother was in. Another terrible tragedy swept under the rug. Margaret looked over herself in the mirror framed in gold outside of the dining room. She wore an evening gown that belonged to her mother. It was black and beaded with velvet details. It didn't fit her as nicely as it fit her mother but she didn't have any dresses of her own since her brother cut her off. He refused to give her the inheritance she was given from her family and it was incredibly frustrating. She was an earth-toned and warm color type of woman. The dark elegance didn't quite suit her.

"Oh, my sister should be here any moment. She does not hold the concept of punctuality such as myself." Charles said from his seat at the head of the table. His tone was cool and calm but she already knew he was seething. Margaret looked up to the ceiling, mentally telling God he must be a funny character to constantly put her through such trials. She shook her head and pushed through the doors of the dining room. "My apologies, there was a bit of a fashionable malfunction. I hope you all have not been waiting for too long." Her voice was quiet, timid, and she noticed Baron De Burgh straining to listen to her. She offered an apologetic smile in return and took her seat in the open chair beside Lady Cornelia. She took the fabric napkin, spreading it over her lap, allowing Charles to assume his position of leading all of the conversations. Margaret didn't mind, she was thankful to sit in the background of the dinner.

The first course was served, it was a beef consume broth with small chopped vegetables floating around the deep amber liquid. Margaret scanned around the table of strangers and her eyes connected with her brother Charles. His gaze was a warning to behave and be social. She turned her attention to Lady Cornelia. "How were your travels? I trust that your accommodations are well suited." She said quietly, trying to strike up a polite conversation. The estate will be Lady Cornelia's home in two weeks and Margaret hoped she would kind enough to let her remain a permanent occupant.

 

[sappho_]

Two weeks until the wedding. Cornelia had nothing but that on her mind. Two weeks until she was bound to a man she had never met for the rest of her life. She prayed that her wedding would be as beautiful as Lady Marianne's. After all, her dear friend had married a stranger as well, but they seemed utterly smitten with each other after their vows. It gave Cornelia hope, but something else gnawed at her stomach. Her family would be gone after the ceremony, back to their estate far in the north. Alexander wasn't even here now with the rest of the family, he was off with the army, and who knows when she would see him again. Not that they had left off on the best terms anyways. Maybe it was for the best.

Cornelia sat to the right of Charles, her father to the left of him, and her mother and sisters further down the table. Curiously she noticed an open seat between herself and Odessa. Her eyes turned to the head of the table when he spoke of his sister. Ah, so that was the open chair. When the other woman finally did appear and took her seat. She noticed that the dress wasn't made for her, it was a bit large, it didn't match her complexation. However, Cornelia found it rather endearing. Maybe it was her mother dress? Yes, she was sure she had seen a serious-faced woman wearing that dress in a painting the hung in the portrait hall.

Her eyes flicker up quickly when she hears her voice. Cornelia lets her lips raise in a smile, her cheek bones raising and making her eyes squint. "The weather was fair and we only had to stop once to rest our horses. The estate is rather beautiful and the rooms that have been lent to us are very lovely. I'm sure my sisters will love exploring the gardens while they are here," she keeps her voice rather quiet as well. "Your gown," she looks over the fabric, "It's so elegant." Cornelia reaches out and runs the pad of her fingers over the velvet before withdrawing them.

"I believe it's only right of me to formally introduce my family."

Cornelia's view shifted to across the table as her father speaks up, standing to make the moment more official. "This is my lovely wife, Lady Sylvia," he begins, speaking both to Charles and Margaret, her mother bowing her head to the two others. "And of course, our three daughter, sweet Cornelia, charming Odessa, and spirited little Mary," the Lord chuckles fondly as his eyes gaze over his daughters. "Unfortunately, my heir, Alexander is off with the army," he sighs before sitting back down. "We appreciate your hospitality to let us all stay in your estate leading up to the wedding."

 

[hellomydear]

"The pleasure is all mine. I hope for this to be your home away from home. Holidays, celebrations... what ever the occasion might come up to fill this grand dining room would be splendid." Charles' voice was booming and full of personality. It made Margaret's stomach churn slightly. Cornelia's father and her brother were getting along swimmingly. Margaret remained quiet as she stared down at the broth, occasionally scooping a delicate spoonful.

Was it tense? Was it just her? She could feel Cornelia's eyes on her every now and then or her sisters glance in her direction. What was she supposed to say? Pleasure meeting you? Charles was married before? I think you should run for the hills while you still can? Nono, that would be ridiculous. Think, Margaret. She thought to herself, her brows furrowed slightly as she stared down into the clear broth and not paying any attention to the conversation around her. Her mind floated to Cornelia's comment about the dress she was wearing. Margaret knew it didn't fit her well and the color pallet didn't suit her, but the comment from Cornelia made her feel elegant. Just for a moment. She suddenly remembered she didn't thank Cornelia for the compliment. "Oh, thank you. By the way. This uhm. This.. dress belonged to my mother. One of my favorites." She said, not even realizing at first how fast she was speaking or that she had just interrupted Cornelia mid-spoonful of the first course of consumé.

 

[sappho_]

"I thought I might have seen it in one of the portraits in the hall," Cornelia hums. "I think it suits you, you have her beauty," she smiles softly before turning her attention back to the soup in front of her. She took a sip at the broth, sighing at the taste as it lights up her tastebuds. "Lovely," she's mostly talking to herself under her breath. She takes a moment to observe her betrothed. He seems very confident with a good disposition. However, she honestly knew nothing about him.

"Oh lovely, lovely," Cornelia heard her father's voice ring out. "You will have to come spend a summer in our estate sometime as well, our gardens are renowned throughout the country." She smiles to herself thinking about the very gardens her father spoke of. The gardens where she had played throughout her entire childhood. It gnawed at her stomach, that it was entirely possible she would not see them again for years, or maybe ever. She knew that there were ladies who never went back to the estate of their families after they were married. Her fingers nervously play with the fabric of her pink silk gown. She tries not to be obvious.

She brings her attention back to the table as servants file back into the dining room, carrying the second course of thinly sliced ham and cranberry sauce. "That looks delicious!" Cornelia says excitedly, clasping her hands together in joy, like a child who had just been given a new toy for Christmas. Her mother shot her a glare as if to remind her that she needed to fit into her wedding dress. Her mother had been nagging her about that for weeks now. She feels her face flush a bit.