dianaelspeth-archive

[dianaelspeth-archive]

Sir Theodore had quickly become a fixture at the Hermance house. It was as if his whole world now revolved around Georgiana, like he didn’t exist when he wasn’t with her. It worried Diana. She couldn’t help but wonder if this was what her parents were like, before her father died. The parallels made her uncomfortable—the daughter of an earl and a promising young soldier—but there was little Diana could do. She could hardly object to the match when it was what Georgiana wanted. 

Diana’s smile did not waver, but something inside her clenched and snarled. She hated introductions, especially when someone met her cousins first. She dreaded the surprise that passed over their face when they learned she was a mere Miss instead of a Lady, and she doubted Sir Theodore had much talent at hiding his reactions. 

But Diana had faced worse indignities than this with aplomb. She curtsied, and with far more grace than he’d bowed. “Miss Diana Blair, I am Lady Georgiana’s cousin and a guest in this house.” It was the truth, no matter what any of Diana’s cousins might say otherwise and regardless of the fact that she’d been a guest in the Hermance household as long as she could remember. 

“I am sure my cousin will be pleased you’ve waited. I hope we are not keeping you from any other engagements?” Diana did, in fact, hope that Sir Theodore had other engagements, that his life didn’t begin and end with Georgiana as it seemed to, she just couldn’t say so.

from the very moment they met, teddy had fallen hopelessly in love with georgiana and since then, a day hadn’t passed without him calling at the hermance household. the path from his lodgings to their front door was now so well-trodden it might have been etched into his bones. he lingered until the last pale gold of daylight dimmed over mayfair, his lips curved into a wistful pout whenever decorum forced him to depart. only for him to return the next day. despite the warmth extended to him by the hermance family, teddy couldn’t help but feel slightly out of place. he was too loud, too clumsy, and altogether too much. and his parents’ nagging voices echoed in the back of his mind — ‘teddy and thea are simply chaos’ his mother would sigh in exasperation. so he did his best to come across as well-mannered whilst visiting georgiana’s family, but it came with a great sense of doubt in himself.

when he was shown into the drawing room, his beloved wasn’t waiting for him, so he sat nervously on the edge of a couch, his boots tapping the floor as a few moments had passed. soon, a young woman entered — she had a kind, but unfamiliar face and teddy jumped to his feet, quickly adjusting his cravat as he offered her a bright smile and fell into a clumsy bow before her. “i would be delighted to wait on miss hermance — so long as i’m not encroaching on your peace and quiet,” he said, voice a bit too eager. teddy lowered himself back into the couch, attempting ( and failing ) to appear at ease. “oh, tea sounds delightful,” he added, seizing the offering with enthusiasm. a beat passed. the silence washed over him and he shifted slightly. with a sheepish glance up at the young woman, he spoke, “pardon my lack of manners, but i don’t believe we’ve been introduced.”

[dianaelspeth-archive]

Diana was suffering from a lack of enthusiasm over the evening’s events. She had never been on a ship before, a fact for which she counted herself lucky. Furthermore she was of the opinion that if two people were going to elope they should at least have the good grace to retreat to the country and spare the ton from having to pretend to be happy about it. And yes, it probably was a factor that one half of the purportedly happy couple was the next Lord Thorpe, which meant there was one less single gentleman who met her criteria for marriage.

Georgiana’s arrival was well timed in that it interrupted Diana in her rumination. She mentally shook herself when her cousin knocked, and had a smile fixed on her face by the time Georgiana entered. Her appearance was not a surprise. Of course, Georgiana had always been affectionate, but it had not escaped Diana’s notice that she was clinging more to the members of the Hermance household as her wedding drew near. Diana couldn’t blame Georgiana for having some trepidation about marriage, she was young and had experienced very little change in her life, but she had a happy nature, and Diana was confident her cousin would find joy in marriage.

“I will help you, but only if you help me.” But Diana accepted the pins from Georgiana’s hand and was steering her toward the dressing table before she’d responded. Even if Georgiana didn’t offer any assistance herself, Diana would still do her part. She would never truly withhold aid from one of her cousins, even if it was something a maid could do. All Diana had left was to choose jewelry, and she could do that herself if she needed to. 

“Your dress is lovely, as you well know. This shade brightens your complexion beautifully. And I think it was quite smart to choose something pink. It will stand out amidst the sea of blue and green silks we will no doubt be surrounded by.” The ton loved nothing more than to dress to a theme, and would make up their own if they had to. Diana herself had settled on a dress of blonde lace instead of her usual soft blue for that very reason.

Closed starter for Diana ( @dianaelspeth )

Location: Hermance Residence; Diana’s chambers

Georgiana had always loved wedding celebrations. Ever the romantic, even the smallest and most private of ceremonies never failed to swell her heart. It had not been long since one of their cousins had married, and she’d made full use of her handkerchief, dabbing at happy tears while watching the bride and groom exchange vows with tender, glowing affection. And of course, the celebration of Tobias’ elopement had her beaming too — not only because he was a dear friend, but because the charm of a gathering aboard a ship promised to be wonderfully exciting.

She had grown up with Diana by her side — first as a playmate, then as a confidante. They had different ways of seeing the world and moving through it, but that had never stopped them from being utterly fond of one another and sharing a beautiful, strong bond. She delighted in her company, in the comfort of someone who had always known her so well. That afternoon, she skipped down the hall to Diana’s chambers. Already dressed and nearly ready, she knocked at the door.

“What do you think?” She asked as soon as she was allowed inside, twirling in her blush satin gown for her cousin to see. “I was not so certain about the shade.” Her smile deepened as she stepped forward, stretching out her hand to offer a few pearl-tipped hairpins. “Will you help me with these, Di?” She could have simply asked one of the maids. But lately, knowing she would soon no longer see the girls every day, Georgiana had been quietly stealing every possible moment with them. Even the most fleeting and simple ones. Getting ready with Diana — listening to her thoughts on fabrics, hearing her laughter at one of Georgiana’s playful remarks — was something she had always treasured. And she would keep every second securely tucked in her heart, wherever she went.

[dianaelspeth-archive]

who: Diana and Callum ( @secretgcrdens ) where: the Vows of Larimar celebration when: early on in the evening

Diana Blair was of the opinion that a ship at sea was a perfectly terrible place to have a party, and that an elopement was a perfectly ridiculous way to marry, but she was here anyway, celebrating an elopement on a ship at sea. It was a necessary sacrifice to be a member of the ton, to take full advantage of the opportunity that Josephine had given her. Although it was hard to take advantage of anything for the first half hour as she familiarized herself with the sway and swell of the deck. She spent the time watching a handful of over eager couples stumble their way through dance sets, with varying levels of success. The sight inspired Diana and, once she trusted her legs to keep her steady, she set off in search of Callum Sinclair.

They had first become acquainted in the final years of the war, when they were both helping to rehabilitate injured war horses for her majesty’s army. It had been the best way either of them could contribute. Now, Callum was making his debut despite being too old for such a thing, much like Diana, but, unlike her, he seemed ill equipped to do so. She’d offered her assistance in a number of areas, but most relevant at this moment was dancing. 

Callum was exactly where Diana expected him to be, at the edge of things, as if he were trying to hide. She curtsied when she reached him, ever the demure debutant. “My lord, I believe you promised me a dance.” Of course he’d done no such thing, but it was the best way to convey that it was time for him to practice what she’d been teaching him without saying it outright.

[dianaelspeth-archive]

who: Diana and Teddy ( @secretgcrdens ) where: the Hermance's sitting room when: mid-afternoon

Diana had stayed behind when her cousins went out calling because Andrew insisted she join him for his lessons, and so she was the only person left in the house to receive Sir Theodore when he arrived. Diana minded the interruption far less than her youngest cousin. She did not yet have the measure of Georgiana’s fiancé, and this would be an excellent opportunity to correct that. For Diana did not trust Georgiana’s judgement in the slightest, and while she trusted Josephine’s judgement more, she believed she had a unique perspective amongst all her cousins.

With a maid to act as chaperone, Diana entered the sitting room with a gracious smile on her face. “Sir Theodore, I must apologize. Lady Georgiana and her sisters are all out, at the moment, but I’m confident they will return soon. I’ve ordered tea if you would like to wait for her.” Diana did not expect the gentleman to be so impatient as to leave immediately, but the tea was her insurance—now that it had been ordered, it would be rude for him not to stay.

[dianaelspeth-archive]

Under normal circumstances Diana would be fast asleep at such an hour, but she’d lost all track of time at the foaling of her favorite mare. It was worth it to know that Ladybird and her foal had passed through the birth safely, but Diana was still quick in making her way back to the house. Or at least she was, until she noticed someone lurking just outside the grounds, and then she realized that someone was Maia Teach. 

Diana’s initial concern, that something was wrong with Andrew, was put to rest by his governess’s words as she approached. Maia would not be making jokes if Andrew was ill; but Diana’s relief at its existence did not mean she entirely approved of such a joke.

“It is no wonder you make an excellent governess, Miss Teach. The power of your imagination rivals that of any child.” It was a gentle admonishment—she did like Maia fairly well—but it was still an admonishment.

Who: Anyone & Everyone Where: Just outside the Hermance grounds, in the dead of the night

There's tension in seeing another at this hour. For a few fleeting moments, Maia believed herself to be free of eyes upon her. It was at this time of night that she could check on her own secrets, things lay hidden from the Hermance family and...well, everyone else in town. It was not something she had told a single soul yet. It may have been unsafe to keep it away from where she slept, but it felt much easier to be found if she kept it with her.

Her eyes lingered on them, hoping that they had not seen her. But they had. It was clear. And with it, the tension in her shoulders relaxed slightly externally, but her own anxious thoughts raced faster than a ship in the most perfect of breezes. "Evening. Out here so late? My, someone was having a good time then?"

[dianaelspeth-archive]

(imogen waterhouse, twenty-six, cis woman, she/her) you do not know me but rest assured i know you, MISS DIANA BLAIR. you are the COUSIN TO AND WARD OF THE RULING COUNTESS HERMANCE. you may be known for your REFINEMENT but it is only a mask for the true nature of your SELF-IMPORTANT ways. however, i am not here to spread slander on the queen’s jewels, though i suspect you are her ONYX. the ton says your name reminds them of THE PERFECT SMILE, THE PERFECT MANNERS, THE PERFECT ARMOR; WHITE LACE OVER WHITE KNUCKLES; A HAND OF CARDS HELD CLOSE TO THE CHEST. how scandalous! you have been warned, dear reader, that i will prove if this is true and share every last detail.

•• Connections •• Biography ••

Introduction

Name: Miss Blair; Diana Age: 26 Date of Birth: September 16, 1786 Gender: Female

Appearance

Height: 5'2" Build: Petite Hair Color: Honey Blonde Eye Color: Blue Green

Personality

Traits: refined, pragmatic, protective, driven, self-important, envious, reticent, bitter Likes: horses, the country, children Dislikes: people, sentiment, being judged Favorite Colors: cornflower blue, golden yellow, ivory

Accomplishments

Art 4/5 Music 5/5 Dancing 4/5 Languages 3/5

Quick Facts

Diana and her mother moved in with her uncle, the Earl of Hermance, after her father’s death in 1789. When her mother died 5 years later, Diana became her uncle’s ward. Although she was welcomed into the family home with open arms and treated like another daughter, Diana has always been aware of her situation.

Diana has spent much of her life trying to earn her uncle’s, and now her cousin’s, generosity. She is set on being flawless, having the perfect manners and the perfect accomplishments; with neither a hair nor a thread out of place.

Diana thinks very highly of herself because she has worked hard to become exactly who she wants to be. She is proud of who she is because she has molded that woman herself.

Beneath the finely crafted facade, Diana is bitter about her lot in life and convinced that she deserves more. She sees the social season as her opportunity to advance her position, and she is determined to seize it. Diana knows exactly what she wants out of this season: a husband with a title, lands, and wealth for her future children to inherit.

Far from an open book, Diana keeps her true self under lock and key, showing only what people expect to see, and what she wants them to see. Few people know her and no one, not even her cousins, know her completely.

The late earl did not think it necessary for Diana to have a formal introduction to society. At eight and ten years, she began attending dinner parties at the Hermance house and occasionally promenading with her cousins, but she rarely attended larger society functions. The season of 1813 will be her official debut.