#and Lucy Dyson is sort of a version of another of my LL characters Hero

[misscrawfords]

Fake Courting and Growing Beyond for the WIP titles game, if you're up to it. :)

Ahaha well you know Growing Beyond which I haven’t updated or written anything of since December 2019. I guess TROS really killed my SW muse. :/ I miss that fic though. Maybe I’ll get back to it at some point. It’s wildly AU and just thinking about the usual problems of school without Covid seems like a wonderful fantasy at this point. *sigh*

Fake Courting is a Regency WIP starring Hector, one of my London Life RPG characters, and an OC I created for him. Here’s a snippet:

“Does Lord Blatsneer know you’re stealing his brandy?”

Hector was pulled out of his happy reverie by the young lady’s voice, which now contained a disagreeably judgemental tone now that she had recovered from her surprise. He opened his eyes and sighed at her.

“If he knew about it, it would hardly be stealing, would it?”

“There’s no need to be condescending!” she retorted, flushing.

He shrugged and opened his mouth to reply when the door to the study opened. Quick as a flash, the young lady had dropped back to the floor beside him. Hector did not bother to hide his illicit bottle of brandy.

He recognised the man who entered as a recent arrival in town - one of the fashionable set. His eyes flickered idly over Hector’s face without recognition. Just to spite him, Hector raised the bottle to his lips and took a generous swig, keeping his eyes fixed on the other man’s face.

The dandy’s lips curled. “I say, don’t suppose you’ve seen Miss Dyson? She got away from me in the gardens and I thought she might have come inside.”

“I’ve never heard of Miss Dyson,” answered Hector with complete honesty. A small hand was tugging urgently on his coat tails. “But she seems to want to avoid you so I’d probably like her if I met her.” He took another swig from the brandy bottle.

The dandy’s face flushed. “You should pay for that insolence, sir!”

“Should I be worried? Or are you only as talented at fighting as you are at keeping a lady’s attention?”

“Confound you - but you are nothing but a puppy and I shall not waste my time on you!” He turned to go but added, “If you should meet Miss Dyson, pray inform her that her cousin is looking for her.”

“Should Miss Dyson choose to share this remarkably fine brandy with me, I shall certainly deliver your message, sir,” replied Hector with an extravagant bow.

As soon as the fashionable gentleman had left the room, Hector turned his attention to the young lady crouching at his side.

“Is he gone?” she whispered.

“Yes, yes, all gone. Stand up then.”

She did so and immediately girded herself for an explanation. “It was kind of you, sir, not to give me away.”

“He asked if I had seen Miss Dyson. I’ve never been introduced to a Miss Dyson.”

She smiled faintly. “You, sir, tell the truth as recklessly as other men lie, but I’m grateful. I should go.”

She was moving away but Hector shot out a hand and grabbed her arm, holding her back. “Wait!”

As soon as she stopped, he released her before she could even protest.

“Mr. Insolence there will find you in a moment if you leave now - stay a while.”

She frowned. “I’m not sure…”

In one move Hector vaulted over the sofa and seated himself on one end of it, legs outstretched. He patted the cushion next to him. “Sit. I dislike drinking alone.”