#lady elizabeth clyde

[theroyalhistory]

Elizabeth Wellesley (later Lady Elizabeth Clyde), 1937

[arosesstorm]

bangtan as love stories ♡₊˚ ・₊✧

jungkook - Bonnie and Clyde The couple was known for their bank robberies, although they preferred to rob small stores or rural funeral homes. Their exploits captured the attention of the American press and its readership during what is occasionally referred to as the "public enemy era" between 1931 and 1934. They were ambushed by police and shot to death in Bienville Parish, Louisiana. They are believed to have murdered at least nine police officers and four civilians.

taehyung - lady and the tramp A pampered Cocker Spaniel whose life takes a sudden turn when a dashing Tramp from the other side of town finds his way into her heart. A streetwise mutt who knows his way about town, but once a little lady catches his eye, this scruffy bachelor becomes one tame Tramp.

yoongi - call me by your name Set in 1983 in northern Italy, Call Me by Your Name chronicles the romantic relationship between a 17-year-old, Elio Perlman, and Oliver, a 24-year-old graduate-student assistant to Elio's father Samuel, an archaeology professor. 

jimin - titanic Incorporating both historical and fictionalized aspects, it is based on accounts of the sinking of RMS Titanic in 1912. Rose and Jack star as members of different social classes who fall in love during the ship's maiden voyage.

namjoon - the notebook The film stars a young couple who fall in love in the 1940s. Their story is read from a notebook in the present day by an elderly man, telling the tale to a fellow nursing home resident.

jin - pride and prejudice A novel of manners, it follows the character development of Elizabeth Bennet, the protagonist of the book, who learns about the repercussions of hasty judgments and comes to appreciate the difference between superficial goodness and actual goodness.

hope - Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career about the romance between two Italian youths from feuding families. 

© 2023 of Mia (arosesstorm). All Rights Reserved.

[starwarmth]

Books Read In 2023

Beowulf: A New Translation by Maria Dahvana Headley (1/3/23)

East by Edith Pattou (1/4/23)

Midnight on the Moon by Mary Pope Osbourn (1/16/23)

The Lady or The Tiger?, and The Discourager of Hesitancy by Frank R. Stockton (1/17/23)

The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1/21/23)

Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti (1/22/23)

Tiger Queen by Annie Sullivan (1/22/23)

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis (1/26/23)

Batgirl, vol. 1: The Silent Knight (1/27/23)

Batgirl, vol. 2: To The Death (1/27/23)

Batgirl, vol. 3: Point Blank (1/28/23)

The Female of the Species by Rudyard Kipling (2/17/23)

Batgirl: Stephanie Brown, vol. 1 by Bryan Q. Miller (2/19/23)

Batgirl, Stephanie Brown, vol. 2 by Bryan Q. Miller (3/4/23)

Christmas in Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren (3/4/23)

The Queen’s Blade by T C Southwell (3/5/23)

Sacrifice, The Queen’s Blade #2 by T C Southwell (3/9/23)

The Invisible Assassin, The Queen’s Blade #3 by T C Southwell (3/13/23)

Mermaids by Patty Dann (3/14/23) X

The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám translated by Edward FitzGerald (3/19/23)

The Mirror Visitor by Christelle Dabos (3/21/23) X

The Missing of Clairedelune by Christelle Dabos (3/22/23) X

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jeannette McCurdy (3/24/23) X

Ronia, The Robber’s Daughter by Astrid Lindgren (3/27/23)

Kiki’s Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono (3/30/23)

Brine and Bone by Kate Stradling (4/10/23)

Green Arrow: Quiver by Kevin Smith (4/17/23) X

Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin, translated by Stanley Mitchell (4/22/23)

When Patty Went to College by Jean Webster (4/23/23)

The Princess and The Pea by Hans Christian Anderson (4/23/23)

Deathmark by Kate Stradling (4/25/23)

Without Blood by Alessandro Baricco (5/5/23)

River Secrets by Shannon Hale (5/6/23)

The Fairy’s Return and Other Princess Tales by Gail Carson Levine (5/8/22)

Batman Adventures: Cat Got Your Tongue? by Steve Vance (5/14/23)

Batman Adventures: Batgirl — A League of Her Own by Paul Dini (5/17/23)

The Girl From The Other Side: Siúil a Rún, Vol. 1 by Nagabe (5/19/23)

Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair by Pablo Neruda. Translated by W. S. Merwin (5/26/23)

Other-Wordly: Words Both Strange and Lovely from Around the World by Yee-Lum Mak (6/21/23)

A Bride’s Story, vol. 1 by Kaoru Mori (6/25/23) X

La Dame aux Camélias by Alexandre Dumas fils (7/17/2023)

Storefront Church by William Waring Cuney (7/24/23)

Golden Slippers: An Anthology of Negro Poetry for Young Readers (1941), compiled by Arnas Bontemps (7/28/23)

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo (7/29/23)

Strawberry’s New Friend (Flower Fairy Friends series) by Pippa Le Quesne (7/29/23)

Clementine by Sara Pennypacker (8/11/23)

The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman (8/18/23)

Convent Boarding School by Virginia Arville Kenny (9/05/23)

The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis (09/18/23)

The Betsy Tacy Treasury by Maud Hart Lovelace (09/27/23)

Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan (09/27/23)

Skylark (Sarah, Plain and Tall #2) by Patricia MacLachlan (09/27/23)

Caleb’s Story (Sarah, Plain and Tall #3) by Patricia MacLachlan (09/27/23)

Maelyn by Anita Halle (10/06/23)

Imani All Mine by Connie Porter (10/15/23)

The Perilous Gard (10/22/23)

Enemy Brothers by Constance Savery (10/29/23)

Sadako and the 1000 Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr (11/19/23)

Gone By Nightfall by Dee Garretson (12/02/23)

The Dragon’s Promise by Elizabeth Lim (12/08/23)

A Lion to Guard Us by Clyde Robert Bulla (12/10/23)

The Thirteenth Princess by Diane Zahler (12/23/23)

The Hollow Kingdom by Clare B. Dunkle (12/26/23

The Wasteland by T. S. Eliot (12/31/23)

[cheesemonky]

the queen's society

an overview of the universe of mark, david and all their other friends

head's up, this is a very chaotic story line and the amount of illegal activity that these guys discuss and do is unholy 😭

don't blame me, this is all with my friends' input, and this was created a long while back!!

⋆˚⭒｡ ⋆⭒˚｡ ⋆⭒˚｡ ⋆⭒˚｡ ⋆⭒˚｡⋆⭒˚｡ ⋆⭒˚｡ ⋆⭒˚｡ ⋆⭒˚｡ ⋆⭒˚｡ ⋆⭒˚｡ ⋆⭒˚｡ ⋆⭒˚｡ ⋆⭒˚｡ ⋆⭒˚｡⭒˚⋆

CHARACTERS :

DAVID:

he is (not so secretly) in love with his best friend

may or may not have a tiny weenie alchohol addiction

does drugs. and by drugs, i mean caffeine. which he gets from an old lady with dementia. and the caffeine in question is kopiko

dropped out of high school in year 11 because "the IB course is way too hard broski" (tbf it WAS difficult)

used to work at a club... not as a bartender...

met almost all his friends in some sort of sexual encounter. 'almost all' being the key words.

swears on his life that he once lived with 8 other people (he didnt, it was one night, and they were all drunk)

shares an apartment with mark, but mark pays the entire rent. like, david payed the first time, then mark moved in and paid for everything after that, including bills

is 25 but only just started uni because mark says he needs a proper job

MARK:

david is his best friend and love interest

aced high school and actually has his life together

rich ass surgeon but had a side job as a bartender for a while

he says he's only living with david because of david's tendencies, but there's definitely an ulterior motive...

his ex-girlfriend is his therapist, so there's tension there

has this weird thing where he gets kidnapped like, every other day, but somehow makes it out???

prefers wine to beer and makes that one 'ew' face when he sees david's cans and bottles laid all over the floor (which is all the time)

adding onto that, has to give constant reminders to get david to clean them out of the tv room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, etc. but they're never gone

KAMERON:

gets mistaken for a woman and has to explain that he wears thigh highs and heels solely because they're comfortable ("tf you mean 'heels are comfy'?")

went to high school with mark and david yet still can't handle either of them

no one knows what he does for work, but he's got a pretty good house and a decent car

closeted gay (the closet is made of glass)

visits david every other week to drink, game and get high

the only friend in the group that has never had any sort of romantic relationship

also pretty smart cos he likes to code

STANLEY

rascist asf and no one knows why he's still in the friend group

he's schizophrenic and insists his name is Andleeb (he has names for everyone else as well)

met mark at a convenience store after he tried to rob the cashier, and mark later bailed him out of jail

is dating his drug dealer (actual drugs this time)

finished high school but dropped out of uni

used to be a car mechanic but got fired after a multitude of cars broke down and the company was sued

pretty sporty, major cricket fan

CLYDE

makes and sells meth to most of his friends

tells people that his name is walter white

met david at a brothel an unholy place

went to school with harriet and jim

was never actually part of the main friend group, he was always just... there ig

he and david dated for a while but turns out he only needed david's basement for meth making so they broke up

is dating his client

CHARACTERS THAT AREN'T THAT INTERESTING BUT ARE IMPORTANT TO THE STORY:

Harriett

Jim

Greg

Rebecca

Elizabeth

Rashmi

@hanjiquokkaaa @jinnie-ret <3

[princess-suzanne]

💗 MOVIE TAGS 💗  

A

🤍 a bear named winnie (2004) 🤍 a dangerous method (2011) 🤍 a fistful of dollars (1964) 🤍 a most violent year (2014) 🤍 a room with a view (1985) 🤍 a royal affair (2012) 🤍 a streetcar named desire (1951) 🤍 a woman is a woman (1961) 🤍 an education (2009) 🤍 agora (2009) 🤍 all about eve (1950) 🤍 amadeus (1984) 🤍 and god created woman (1956) 🤍 angel (2007) 🤍 armageddon time (2022) 🤍 the artist (2011) 🤍 ashes and diamonds (1958) 🤍 atonement (2007)

B

🤍 the banshees of inisherin (2022) 🤍 barefoot in the park (1967) 🤍 the beguiled (2017) 🤍 belle (2013) 🤍 the big sleep (1946) 🤍 the birds (1963) 🤍 bonnie and clyde (1967) 🤍 bram stoker’s dracula (1992) 🤍 breakfast at tiffany’s (1961) 🤍 brokeback mountain (2005) 🤍 brooklyn (2015) 🤍 bugsy (1991) 🤍 butch cassidy and the sundance kid (1969)

C

🤍 cabaret (1972) 🤍 captain america: the first avenger (2011) 🤍 carnival of souls (1962) 🤍 carol (2015) 🤍 casablanca (1942) 🤍 casino (1995) 🤍 cat on a hot tin roof (1958) 🤍 chicago (2002) 🤍 cléo de 5 à 7 (1962) 🤍 cleopatra (1963) 🤍 cria cuervos (1976) 🤍 crimson peak (2015)

D

🤍 daisies (1966) 🤍 dangerous liaisons (1988) 🤍 the danish girl (2015) 🤍 dead poets society (1989) 🤍 the debt (2010) 🤍 dirty dancing (1987) 🤍 don’t bother to knock (1952) 🤍 don’t worry darling (2022) 🤍 dracula (1931) 🤍 the duchess (2008) 🤍 dunkirk (2017)

E

🤍 east of eden (1955) 🤍 the edge of love (2008) 🤍 eileen (2023) 🤍 elizabeth (1998) 🤍 elizabeth: the golden age (2007) 🤍 elvis (2022) 🤍 emma (2020) 🤍 the end of the affair (1999) 🤍 the english patient (1996) 🤍 enola holmes (2020) 🤍 the eyes of tammy faye (2021)

F

🤍 fanny and alexander (1982) 🤍 the favourite (2018) 🤍 for a few dollars more (1965) 🤍 funny girl (1968)

G

🤍 gentlemen prefer blondes (1953) 🤍 giant (1956) 🤍 gilda (1946) 🤍 the girl on a motorcycle (1968) 🤍 gladiator (2000) 🤍 the godfather (1972) 🤍 the godfather: part ii (1974) 🤍 gone with the wind (1939) 🤍 the good, the bad and the ugly (1966) 🤍 goodfellas (1990) 🤍 the graduate (1967) 🤍 the grand budapest hotel (2014) 🤍 grand hotel (1932) 🤍 grease (1978) 🤍 the great gatsby (1974) 🤍 the great gatsby (2013) 🤍 guess who’s coming to dinner (1967)

H

🤍 the help (2011) 🤍 high noon (1952) 🤍 hiroshima mon amour (1959) 🤍 how to marry a millionaire (1953) 🤍 how to steal a million (1966)

I

🤍 ida (2013) 🤍 il gattopardo (1963) 🤍 the immigrant (2013) 🤍 in secret (2013) 🤍 inglorious basterds (2009) 🤍 it happened one night (1934)

J

🤍 jane eyre (2011)

K

🤍 the king (2019) 🤍 knife in the water (1962)

L

🤍 la dolce vita (1960) 🤍 la notte (1961) 🤍 la strada (1954) 🤍 ladies in lavender (2004) 🤍 lady chatterley’s lover (2015) 🤍 lady macbeth (2016) 🤍 the lady from shanghai (1947) 🤍 the last duel (2021) 🤍 legend (2015) 🤍 les misérables (2012) 🤍 the light between oceans (2016) 🤍 little women (2019) 🤍 the lover (1922) 🤍 the love witch (2016) 🤍 l’avventura (1960) 🤍 l’eclisse (1962)

M

🤍 macbeth (2015) 🤍 malèna (2000) 🤍 man with a movie camera (1929) 🤍 marie antoinette (2006) 🤍 mary, queen of scots (2018) 🤍 the master (2012) 🤍 meshes of the afternoon (1943) 🤍 miller’s crossing (1991) 🤍 the mirror (1975) 🤍 the misfits (1961) 🤍 moulin rouge! (2001) 🤍 the mummy (1999) 🤍 my fair lady (1964)

N

🤍 ninotchka (1939) 🤍 north by northwest (1959) 🤍 the northman (2022) 🤍 nosferatu the vampyre (1979)

O

🤍 once upon a time in america (1984) 🤍 once upon a time... in hollywood (2019) 🤍 once upon a time in the west (1968) 🤍 operation finale (2018) 🤍 the other boleyn girl (2008) 🤍 outlaw king (2018)

P

🤍 the pale blue eye (2022) 🤍 persona (1966) 🤍 phantom thread (2017) 🤍 the pianist (2002) 🤍 picnic at hanging rock (1975) 🤍 pride & prejudice (2005) 🤍 the prince and the showgirl (1957) 🤍 priscilla (2023) 🤍 the promise (2016) 🤍 psycho (1960) 🤍 the public enemy (1931) 🤍 purple noon (1960)

R

🤍 raging bull (1980) 🤍 rebel without a cause (1955) 🤍 rear window (1954) 🤍 repulsion (1965) 🤍 river of no return (1954) 🤍 the roaring twenties (1939) 🤍 rocco and his brothers (1960) 🤍 roman holiday (1953) 🤍 rosemary’s baby (1968) 🤍 rush (2013)

S

🤍 scarface (1932) 🤍 scarface (1983) 🤍 sense and sensibility (1995) 🤍 the seven year itch (1955) 🤍 the seventh seal (1957) 🤍 singin’ in the rain (1952) 🤍 sissi (1955) [trilogy] 🤍 slow west (2015) 🤍 some like it hot (1959) 🤍 the sound of music (1965) 🤍 splendor in the grass (1961) 🤍 the sting (1973) 🤍 stoker (2013) 🤍 summerland (2020) 🤍 sunset boulevard (1950) 🤍 sweet bird of youth (1962) 🤍 the swimming pool (1969)

T

🤍 their finest (2016) 🤍 the third man (1949) 🤍 this property is condemned (1966) 🤍 titanic (1997) 🤍 to catch a thief (1955) 🤍 to kill a mockingbird (1962) 🤍 tokyo story (1953) 🤍 the two faces of january (2014)

V

🤍 vertigo (1958) 🤍 vita & virginia (2018)

W

🤍 walk the line (2005) 🤍 waterloo bridge (1940) 🤍 west side story (1961) 🤍 white noise (2022) 🤍 who’s afraid of virginia woolf? (1966) 🤍 the wild one (1953) 🤍 wild strawberries (1957) 🤍 woman walks ahead (2017) 🤍 the wonder (2022) 🤍 wuthering heights (1992)

Z

🤍 the zookeeper’s wife (2017)

[fandoms-my-fandoms]

Here is a list of 50 of my current all time theatre dream roles (musicals and non-musicals) because I am a female acting major who is having trouble in believing my dreams for my future are attainable at this current moment:

1. Christine Daaé - Phantom of the Opera

2. Emily Webb - Our Town

3. Belle - Beauty and the Beast

4. Katherine Plumber - Newsies the Musical

5. Elizabeth Bennet - Pride and Prejudice

6. Veronica Sawyer - Heathers the Musical

7. Maria - The Sound of Music/or/West Side Story

8. Hodel - Fiddler on the Roof

9. Zazzalil - Firebringer

10. Eliza - Hamilton

11. Laurie Williams - Oklahoma

12. Cinderella - Into the Woods/or/Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella

13. Narrator - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat

14. Princess Anna - Frozen the Musical

15. Hermia - A Midsummer Nights Dream

16. Elphaba - Wicked

17. Glinda - Wicked

18. Éponine - Les Misérables

19. Winnifred the Woebegone - Once Upon A Mattress

20. Miss Honey - Matilda the Musical

21. Ariel Moore - Footloose the Musical

22. Dorothy Gale - The Wizard of Oz

23. Lucy van Pelt - You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown

24. Princess Fiona - Shrek the Musical

25. Viola - Twelve Night

26. Hermione Granger - A Very Potter Musical Trilogy

27. Ginny Weasley - A Very Potter Musical

28. Eliza Doolittle - My Fair Lady

29. Leading Player - Pippin

30. Natalie Haller - All Shook Up

31. Miss Saundra - All Shook Up

32. Cosette - Les Misérables

33. Princess Ariel - The Little Mermaid the Musical

34. Eva Peron - Evita

35. Maureen Johnson - RENT

36. Mary - It’s A Wonderful Life

37. Sue Snell - Carrie the Musical

38. Truly Scrumptious - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

39. Johanna Barker - Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

40. Molly Aster - Peter and the Starcatcher

41. Gertrude Fail - Failure: A Love Story

42. Brooke Ashton - Noises Off

43. Megara - Hercules the Musical

44. Mary Poppins - Mary Poppins

45. Nora Helmer - A Dolls House

46. Queen Elsa - Frozen the Musical

47. Charity Hope Valentine - Sweet Charity

48. Fanny Brice - Funny Girl

49. Anya - Anastasia

50. Jane - Tarzan

There’s probably even some that I forgot to put on this list that should probably be in the place of some of these other roles, but I did want to incorporate roles from non-musicals as well. I do acknowledge that this list is still very much mostly musicals, but I fear I have not read many straight plays. Also, most of the work I’ve already done is musical theatre. Which is why I’m an acting major. I want to be exposed to more pieces of theatre that don’t have singing and dancing. There are a bunch of shows that I would love to be in, but don’t necessarily have dream roles solely because they are either ensemble heavy productions or they would just be really fun projects to work on. For example, my school, Illinois State University, just did Bonnie and Clyde the Musical. That shit was GUT WRENCHING. I would have loved to be apart of that project. I don’t exactly have a dream role in that show because every role in Bonnie and Clyde is so essential to telling that story. I am however, working on my first MainStage production here at ISU. I am playing the Nurse in Equus. Again, not a show that I had any dream role going into being cast in this project. But, this story is very heavy and unique. I have never worked on a show as different and dramatic as this one. I am really excited to be part of this cast, and I will be happy to post information about this show in the weeks to come, or you can message me and ask for more details! Thanks for reading my extra long blog post for today! :)

[ravenpuffheadcanons]

Author: EstellaB (@ravenpuffheadcanons)

Chapter: 1/25?

Rating: T

Relationships: Leo Fitz & Jemma Simmons, Leo Fitz/Jemma Simmons, Jemma Simmons & Daisy Johnson, Jemma Simmons & Anne Weaver, Leo Fitz & Holden Radcliffe

Characters: Jemma Simmons, Holden Radcliffe, Daisy Johnson, Anne Weaver, some other canon characters, many OCs (this IS a big Victorian doorstopper after all), and Bessy Higgins! but not as you know her

Additional tags: Strangers to Friends to Lovers, eventually, Alternate Universe - Victorian, Alternate Universe - Industrial Revolution, Arguments about the Miasma and Contagion Theories of Disease, Class Differences, Cambridge University Act of 1856, Loosely Inspired by North and South, VERY Loosely Inspired by North and South

Summary: Miss Simmons, aged 22, wants what any sensible young lady wants: a laboratory where she can study the stages of decay, a subscription to a circulating academic library, and for her parents to stop making difficulties about that misunderstanding with the livers. When her father announces that he’s moving the family far away from their home in Cambridge, she fears that her already slim chances of contributing to scientific progress will vanish forever. Perhaps, however, the cosmos has something rather different in mind.

Chapter 1 now available on AO3!

---

Fitzsimmons Appreciation Week, Day 5: Quotes and Poems. 

Okay, I am posting this today on the fairly flimsy ground that the title is from Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnets from the Portuguese 7: The face of all the world is changed, I think.

The image is an excerpt of Shipping on the Clyde by John Atkinson Grimshaw - public domain. (It’s almost 30 years too modern; please don’t look too closely at the clothes or vehicles). 

[logi1974]

Laird Hasenbär in Schottland - Tag 2 / Teil 1

Lairds and Ladies!

Falkirk ist eine Stadt im schottischen Central Belt, gelegen zwischen Edinburgh und Glasgow im Forth Valley. Diese Strecke ist heute auch als die Clyde-Forth Frontier Line bekannt.

Auf dieser Linie erbauten die Römer den Antoniuswall, eine Befestigungsanlage bzw. eine Art Befestigungswall auf der Länge des so genannten Central Belt.

Der Antoninuswall aus dem 2. Jahrhundert - benannt nach dem Auftraggeber Kaiser Antonius Pius -  markierte die Nordgrenze des Römischen Reiches.

Dieser alten Baukunst steht mit dem Falkirk Wheel modernste Ingenieurskunst gegenüber - und so machten wir uns heute bei strahlendem Sonnenschein auf um das Falkirk Wheel zu bestaunen.

Das Falkirk Wheel ist nicht nur als technische Meisterleistung zu sehen, sondern auch als Kunstwerk und ist heute eines der ikonisches schottisches Wahrzeichen, das jährlich über 500.000 Besucher anzieht.  

Unten am Forth and Clyde Canal geht es noch sehr beschaulich zu: Schmale, lange Holzboote, aufwendig verziert und in auffälligen Farben säumen ein pflanzenüberwuchtes Ufer. 

Romantik wie aus einem früheren Jahrhundert. Dem 70jährigen Thronjubileum der Queen geschuldet, haben die glühenden Royalisten entsprechend geschmückt.

Doch schon ein Stück weiter oben zweigt ein Seitenarm des Kanals ab. Hier startet der Union Canal, der nach 50 Kilometern schließlich unterhalb des Edinburgh Castles im Lochrin Basin endet.

Der Forth Clyde Canal verläuft dagegen weiter nach Grangemouth, wo die Boote schließlich die Kelpies passieren, ehe sie in den Firth of Forth hinausfahren.

Um nach Edinburgh zu gelangen, muss der Union Canal zunächst etliche Höhenmeter überwinden.

Früher war die „Brücke“ zwischen beiden Wasserlinien ein kompliziertes Schleusensystem, das auf einer Länge von anderthalb Kilometern und mit Hilfe von elf (!) Zwischenstopps überwunden werden musste. 

Die Prozedur benötigte oft einen ganzen Tag. Zu Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts verfiel die Anlage jedoch zusehends, bis sie in den 1930ern gänzlich aus dem Verkehr gezogen wurde.  

Über ein halbes Jahrhundert später entstand dann der zunächst verwegen anmutende Plan, die Kanäle wieder schiffbar zu machen und miteinander zu verbinden. 

Aber dieses Mal ohne Schleusensystem mit langem Anlauf und Wartezeiten, sondern stattdessen mit einer minutenschnellen Hebe- und Senkanlage, die es so weltweit nicht noch einmal gab und gibt: mit dem Falkirk Wheel.  

Die Bauarbeiten zu dem Monstrum begannen Ende der 1990er und wurden 2002 abgeschlossen. Auf 35 Lastwägen verteilt wurden die Einzelteile dann aus Derbyshire nahe Manchester in den Norden transportiert. Zusammen gehalten wird alles von 15.000 Nieten.

Quasi pünktlich zum goldenen Thronjubiläum von Queen Elizabeth II., die es sich dann auch nicht nehmen ließ, die sprichwörtlichste aller Schiffsschaukeln selbst einzuweihen. Am 24. Mai 2002 war das. Seither ist das Falkirk Wheel DIE Attraktion am Platze.

Ein gigantisches Rad aus Stahl hebt ganze Schiffe in den Himmel. Das futuristische Bauwerk ist 35 Meter hoch. Die Konstruktion bringt eine stattliche Masse von 1800 Tonnen mit, überbrückt werden exakt 24 Meter zwischen dem Union- sowie dem Forth and Clyde-Kanal.

Aber selbst das reicht noch nicht. Bereits vorher müssen Boote eine Schleuse überwinden, deren Tore, ganz im Gegensatz zur Maschine des Wheels, per Muskelkraft geöffnet werden.  

Wenn das Boot diese Schleuse passiert hat, öffnet sich vor ihm ein großes Becken an dessen Ende das Falkirk Wheel einen seiner Köpfe in das Wasser taucht.

Zu befördernde Boote fahren zunächst mit eigener Kraft in eine Art Wasser gefülltenTrog, der danach im hinteren Bereich dicht abschließt. Sobald sich das Rad in Bewegung setzt, sorgt eine Zahnradmechanik dafür, dass der Trog, in dem man mit seinem Boot schwimmt, immer horizontal ausgerichtet bleibt.

Nach etwa 4 Minuten ist man dann entweder unten oder oben am Kanal angekommen und kann die Fahrt nach der Öffnung des Trogs wieder aus eigener Kraft fortsetzen.

Die beiden Gondeln wiegen zusammen 600 Tonnen und fassen zusammen 500.000 Liter Wasser; das entspricht etwa dem Inhalt eines Schwimmbecken bei den olympischen Spielen.

Das Falkirk Wheel ist der weltweit erste und einzige rotierende Bootslift, der entworfen und gebaut wurde, um den Forth & Clyde Canal und den Union Canal zu verbinden, was eine Schifffahrt von Küste zu Küste durch Zentralschottland ermöglicht. 

Der Schiffslift befindet sich in der Mitte einer Naherholungsanlage. Hier gibt es mehrere (!) Spielplätze für Kinder: Es gibt einen „normalen“ Spielplatz mit großer Rutsche, einen kleinen künstlichen See mit allerlei Wasserfahrzeugen und einen ganzen „Wasser“-Park in dem Kinder an verschiedenen Geräten spielerisch physikalische Gesetze wie die Verdrängung erfahren können.

Allerlei Buden bieten Essen an und seitlich vom Falkirk Wheel liegt ein großes silbernes Gebäude. Darin das Visitor Centre und ein Cafè – beide mit bestem Ausblick auf das Rad. Das Besucherzentrum ist kostenlos zugänglich.

Vom Visitor Centre aus starten auch die moderneren blauen Ausflugsboote Richtung Union Canal. Diese Fahrt dauert insgesamt um die 60 Minuten. Direkt nach dem Ablegen fahren die Boote in die untere Gondel des Rades ein.

Vier Minuten dauert jeweils die halbe Runde, ehe das Boot oben wieder ausfahren darf. Anschließend fährt man ein Stück oben auf dem Aquädukt entlang, das eine phänomenale Kulisse bietet.

Doch es muss gar keine Bootsfahrt sein, damit man das Falkirk Wheel und seine Umgebung genießen kann. 

Mehrere Wege führen rund um das Gelände und laden ein, sich hier die Füße ein wenig zu vertreten, ehe man sich bei Kaffee und Kuchen auf einen der vielen Plätze setzt und dem Rad bei seiner schweren Arbeit zusieht.

Ein besonderer optischer “Leckerbissen” ist der Tunnel, der unter dem Antoniuswall hindurch führt. Dieser wird in allen Farben, die das Spektrum zu bieten hat, abwechselnd illuminiert.

Das Falkirk Wheel ist mittlerweile ein Wahrzeichen für Schottland. Darum landete es auch auf dem neuen 50 Pfund Schein der Bank of Scotland, der ab 1. Juli 2021 gilt. Dahinter sind die Kelpies zu sehen.

Die letzte Bootstour startet um 16.30 Uhr, das Besucherzentrum schließt um 17 Uhr. Dann wird es ruhig hier und die Locals kommen, um mit ihren Hunden spazieren zu gehen.

Tipp: wenn das Besucherzentrum um 17 Uhr schließt, werden auch die Kassenautomaten an den Parkplätzen abgestellt. Danach braucht man seine Parkscheine nicht mehr zu bezahlen und das Parken wird kostenlos!

Das hat sich auch in Camperkreisen herum gesprochen! Die kommen dann nämlich, um hier kostenlos die Nacht zu verbringen.

[adamandevestores]

Adult Fancy Dress Costumes

Adult fancy dress costumes offer a fun and creative way for adults to dress up for themed parties, Halloween, cosplay events, or costume contests. There are countless options available, ranging from classic characters to pop culture icons, historical figures, and mythical creatures. Here are some popular adult fancy dress costume ideas to consider:

Superheroes and Villains: Dress up as iconic superheroes like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, or Captain America. Embrace your dark side as famous villains such as The Joker, Harley Quinn, Catwoman, or Darth Vader.

Movie and TV Characters: Pay homage to your favorite movie or TV characters, such as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, James Bond, Indiana Jones, or Princess Leia. Choose characters from popular TV shows like Game of Thrones, Stranger Things, The Mandalorian, or Friends.

Historical Figures: Transform into historical figures such as Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, Marie Antoinette, Abraham Lincoln, or Queen Elizabeth I. Represent famous figures from different eras and cultures, including medieval knights, Renaissance artists, ancient warriors, or 1920s flappers.

Cultural and Ethnic Costumes: Explore different cultures and traditions by wearing ethnic costumes like traditional Japanese kimonos, Indian saris, Scottish kilts, or African tribal attire. Celebrate cultural festivals and holidays with themed costumes such as Chinese New Year, Dia de los Muertos, Mardi Gras, or Oktoberfest.

Fantasy and Sci-Fi Characters: Step into the realm of fantasy and science fiction with costumes inspired by elves, wizards, fairies, dragons, or aliens. Embrace your inner geek with costumes from beloved franchises like Star Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, Doctor Who, or Marvel Comics.

Animals and Creatures: Dress up as your favorite animals, whether it's a fierce lion, playful puppy, majestic unicorn, or adorable panda. Get creative with mythical creatures like mermaids, dragons, centaurs, or werewolves for a fantastical look.

Decades and Retro Styles: Travel back in time with costumes inspired by different decades, such as 1920s flappers, 1950s greasers, 1970s disco dancers, or 1980s rock stars. Embrace retro fashion trends like hippie flower power, disco fever, punk rebellion, or glamorous Hollywood icons.

Couples and Group Costumes: Coordinate with your partner or friends for themed couples or group costumes, such as famous duos like Bonnie and Clyde, Batman and Robin, or Shrek and Fiona. Go all out with group themes like superheroes, movie franchises, historical events, or TV show ensembles for a memorable group costume.

Funny and Punny Costumes: Get laughs with funny or pun-themed costumes like a taco, avocado toast, pineapple, or emoji characters. Dress up as humorous characters or concepts, such as a giant inflatable dinosaur, walking banana, or crazy cat lady.

DIY and Creative Costumes: Get creative and crafty with DIY costumes made from everyday materials or thrift store finds. Customize your costume with unique accessories, props, makeup, and special effects for a one-of-a-kind look.

Whether you prefer classic characters, modern icons, historical figures, or imaginative creations, there's a wide range of adult fancy dress costumes to suit every style, personality, and occasion. Have fun exploring different themes, trying on different costumes, and embracing your inner child with a playful and creative costume ensemble.

[mayookhpallikandi]

Sources and Significance | Blog post #10

We have talked about ‘Representation’ and ‘Identity’ in our class session. In this blog post I would like to talk about a character representation and identity. So, I take an example the Disney’s iconic lady villain ‘Maleficent’.

We know that in the movie ‘Sleeping beauty’ she was the main villain. While describing her “Maleficent: red lips, twisted horns, and green flames. She's the self-proclaimed Mistress of All Evil, a fairy gone so bad as to curse a newborn child.” (Cangro, 2015).

Available at: https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.e4fd8f328f478be39d7401242d9dcfa6?rik=%2fXBi2j7%2bpmY0iQ&riu=http%3a%2f%2f4.bp.blogspot.com%2f-sW3Ppf_FMbc%2fVBXrfQI1QUI%2fAAAAAAAACI0%2f4Txk2ZP5WE4%2fw1200-h630-p-k-no-nu%2fMaleficent.jpg&ehk=1clsTLCvu5k4EiQoMf%2fF%2fImd3EXCyNF2CIiudGCyh%2fU%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0

In 2014 they remade a story that tell about the ‘Maleficent’. In that movie villainism changed to anti-hero character. We are getting confused is she has a negative or positive role. Disney told the back story of her life and why she turned like the character we are familiar with. “From the perspective of the royal family, she is an evil character who wants to spite their family without a purpose other than jealousy.” (Wangard,2021).

Available at: https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:720/format:webp/1*01uAITIbE4ZiCX9WGPL9NA@2x.jpeg

We watched the movie and the audience get confused about her character is she good or bad?

In this movie, as a kid she was best friends with the king. They were happy together until he took away her wings to become King. In this story, the king is bad, and Maleficent becomes a hero who fights against him. She casts a curse on the King's daughter to annoy him. But later, she is the one who releases her from it, not any prince. This is a very different way of looking at what we first heard about this story. The past makes her actions have a reason and goal, also helping us understand who she is.

We can conclude this discussion as the Disney represented this character as an anti-hero character. After watching her story, we feel sympathy on her situation and she creates a good image in audience mind. Because in her point of view she was right. We all know every witch is normally represented as bad. Even though she was bad. Finally she earns the sympathy and became a good one in every audience’s mind.

References

Cangro, S. (2015) The evolution of Maleficent: How the classic Disney villain became a star. https://theweek.com/articles/446464/evolution-maleficent-how-classic-disney-villain-became-star. [Accessed: 28 Dec 2023]

Wangard, E. (2021) 'When the Hero is Also a Villain - Elizabeth Wangard - Medium,' Medium, 11 December. https://medium.com/@elizabeth.wangard/when-the-hero-is-also-a-villain-3c737706e22a. [Accessed: 28 Dec 2023]

Disney, W. (1959) 'Sleeping Beauty', Directed by Clyde Geronimi, United States: Walt Disney Productions. [Accessed: 28 Dec 2023]

Stromberg, R. (2014) 'Maleficent', Directed by Robert Stromberg, United States: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. [Accessed: 28 Dec 2023]

[formeryelpers]

Warner Brothers Studio Tour, 3400 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505

This was my first time taking the general WB Studio Tour. It was a good experience but it’s more enjoyable if you’re familiar with WB’s TV shows and movies. The content favors TV shows, particularly their two most popular shows, Friends and Big Bang Theory. Friends is okay and I don't like Big Bang Theory.

There are other tours available, including the Classics tour (1920s – 1970s), deluxe tour, and studio tour plus. The studio tour is about 1 hour guided and 1.5 – 2 hours where you can wander around the few areas you’re allowed to see. Adult admission is $70. When you wander in, there’s an exhibit about Warner Brothers history, a studio store, and Starbucks. Once you’re ready for the tour, you’ll be led into a theater to watch a short video. Then a tour guide takes you to the backlot (They drove us past the costume department and showed us where they build sets) and a stage (in our case, we got to see the Baker House and beach house used in All American). He pointed out which buildings were used in TV shows and movies like Pretty Little Liars, Shameless, Gilmore Girls, Casablanca, Bonnie & Clyde, Jurassic Park, Growing Pains, Abbott Elementary, True Blood, West Wing, Pushing Daisies, Lois & Clark, etc.

Then you’re taken to Stage 48 where they’ve recreated the Friends set and Big Bang Theory set. You have to wait to take pictures on the Friends set. The photographer takes your picture and you can  purchase it. They also have costumes worn in My Fair Lady and by classic stars like Bette Davis, Edward G Robinson, and Elizabeth Taylor. You can buy snacks, drinks, and food at the Central Perk Café.

Then they take you back to the first building where you can see props and costumes from the DC Universe, Game of Thrones, Harry Potter (they’ll take your picture and you can purchase it), and Fantastic Beasts. In the final room, you can pose with a real Oscar.

There is free street parking near the studio for 2 – 3 hours. If you don’t want to wait to take pictures on the Friends and Harry Potter areas, you can finish up in under 3 hours. Otherwise, the parking is $15 in the garage.

No re-entry, once you exit, the gate stays closed behind you. You’re not allowed to wander anywhere else.

I prefer the Academy Museum which has more props, more costumes, and more information. However, it’s a different experience, focused more on films. It isn’t a working studio with a backlot, sound stages, etc.

3.5 out of 5 stars

By Lolia S.

[oldshrewsburyian]

Would you mind expanding on the different feels for books versus series?

I presume this concerns my cryptic Lynley mutterings, and no, not at all!

First, the books have a larger supporting cast of important and interesting characters in relationship to each other, and I miss them -- the disabled pathologist with the interest in fine whiskies, his radiant photographer wife, the gang member turned policeman who loves his mom and her cooking -- in the show, where they make one-off appearances.

Then there's the question of Lynley and Havers' relationship. I love a well-written friendship, and I love a pair of detectives as an odd couple, and these two are wonderful. Lynley (very rarely, to his friends, Tommy) has given up his title but kept a London townhouse. He wears immaculate suits, protectively keeps a Bentley, and has a guilt streak a mile wide and an Oxford accent that could cut glass. Barbara Havers is a working-class junk food addict and fashion disaster who cuts her hair with nail scissors. Over the course of the books, they build a rock-solid, loving friendship that never has romantic tension/frisson. I love them, and I love their relationship. In the show, I can't help the suspicion that the casting of actors with incredible chemistry was not planned from the outset. There's some coy "will they/won't they" framing, but mostly, I feel, it's a script for a friendship. And yet!

Also, and here I get even more annoyed, there's Lady Helen Clyde, Lynley's lover and then wife. (I don't think her late Victorian literary namesake is a coincidence, either; I think it's a deliberately obscure allusion. I love a deliberately obscure allusion, me. Anyway.) In the book, she's a compassionate, charming, generous socialite whose joie de vivre balances out Lynley's guilt streak (innate) and his tendency to angst (professional hazard.) She worries both that attending philanthropic dinners is not an adequate life's vocation, and that she risks being, for Lynley, merely a casual attachment. But she is an extremely sympathetic character. I like her, and I really like how Elizabeth George writes her and her arc. In the series, she's a psychologist/profiler -- because you can't have a female love interest without a profession that will get her screen time, I guess -- and she's just miserable all the time. I am never convinced that her relationship with Lynley is functional. I am convinced that he wants it to be. I am convinced that he feels tenderness for her and that she feels desire for him, and recognizes him as a safe pair of hands. But I don't think it works. I don't like how it begins, I don't like how it proceeds, I don't like how it ends. There's infinitely more romantic tension and emotional intimacy between him and Havers. In the books, I would have been outraged if Lynley and Havers had tried to date (how vulgar, how ill-advised.) In the series, I want them to kiss. The end.

[aubreyprc]

burn for you

Hotchniss 1800 AU - loosely based on Bridgerton

Two - The Ruse

<-

word count - 10.3k lol oops again

Read on AO3 or continue below

Aaron spots her the next day during his stroll with Dave, half listening to the mans chatter about a meeting he must attend in the evening. She and Clyde are talking among themselves as their parents discuss what he can only imagine to be town gossip as they cast their eyes across the park. He silences Dave with a swift one moment and heads over that way, not noticing the older man shaking his head at the side of him, a small laugh on his lips. The group silence as he walks over, Emily's playful smirk causing his stomach to flutter as he smirks back, ignoring the way her mother stares at the two of them.

“Care to take a walk, Miss Prentiss?” he asks, holding his arm out and her smirk turns to a smile as she bites her bottom lip, lifting herself up from leaning against the rail.

“Of course, Your Grace.” she answers, a mischievous twinkle in her eye as she loops her arm through his, and he can't help but chuckle at her eye roll at her Mother's mutters of questions as two begin walking away.

“Since when was Em and The Duke courting?” Clyde asks as he watches the two walk away.

“The engagement party last night.” Elizabeth says with a pleased smile.

“It is a lot better than Prince Ian.” Erin says to Elizabeth, who nods before turning to Rossi who has made his way over to them.

“Mr Rossi.” Elizabeth greets with a nod.

“Lady Prentiss. Good to see you again.”

“And you,” she smiles, casting her eyes on her daughter again as she heads further into the park.

“I see my nephew has once again found himself in the company of your daughter.”

“Yes,” Elizabeth says, “They seem to somehow always be around each other. Have you been told of their stroll yesterday?”

“I have indeed.” Dave nods, “The Duke seemed in good spirits upon his return.”

“As did Emily.”

The two look at the couple a few yards ahead.

“He's laughing..” Dave announces.

“She has a great sense of humour.” Elizabeth informs him.

“She will need it. Not only will she be in society she will be leading it…”

“I've prepared her quite well.”

Clyde buts in, “They are merely courting, let's not rush them along with a wedding so soon.”

Elizabeth laughs, “Do not mind my nephew... he and my daughter grew up in close quarters. He is quite protective.”

“I see.” Dave nods, “Fear not, The Duke is a great man.” He smiles, Clyde looks over at the two of them as they walk, squinting as he watches Emily smiles as Aaron talks, his eyes on her with his head turned in her direction.

“It is not him I worry about.” Clyde mumbles and all Elizabeth can do is laugh as she shakes her head as if he were joking, but sending daggers his way.

As the pair walk arm in arm, Aaron turns to her and smiles as she looks around at the views, the wind coming in their direction blowing her hair away from her face, exposing her neck; He looks away quickly as he imagines trailing his lips down them and clears his throat before looking to be again as she speaks.

“We will be telling our friends the details of your elaborate plan?” she asks him as she turns to face him, he chuckles.

“Would that not defeat the purpose?”

“I suppose..” she ponders, and he grins as she looks at him, “What?” She laughs.

“My elaborate plan?” he questions, she shrugs and looks away.

“You did come up with it, it’s only fair to give credit where it is due.” she tells him, he nods with a small laugh.

“I guess I should thank you then, for giving me my credit.” he grins, she smiles back as she looks to him, humming in response with a tilt of her head. He looks round to notice all eyes are on her.

"It seems we have an audience.” he tells her and she looks around before back at him.

“Yes well... have you seen me?” she jokes and he laughs, nodding his head.

“Indeed I have.” He tells her, catching her eye; she looks down, biting her lip and his heart flutters at the sigh and he swallows, forcing himself to look away.

“You need to buy me flowers, expensive ones.” Emily announces after a few moments of comfortable silence.

“I do?” he questions with a raised eyebrow.

“If my mother is to believe you are courting me you should get me flowers, just like you would if you actually were.”

He stops walking them and looks her up and down.

“If I were courting you I would not need flowers, only five minutes alone in the drawing room.” he meets her eyes as he says it, holding back a grin as she swallows, taking a deep breath, flustered as they walk again.

“How is your hand this morning?” he asks, changing the subject, only for his heart to skip when she laughs.

“I’m fine.”

“You must know you did nothing wrong.” Aaron tells her and she nods, before tilting her head to the side to look at him.

“Yes well, if word gets to my mother that I was even alone with him, never mind punching him, I’ll be shipped off to Ireland within a week.”

“I have no intention of causing a scandal, Miss Prentiss.” The Duke smirks. She hums in response.

“With you I just assumed it came naturally.” Emily tells him with a cheeky grin and he chuckles, before taking them across the bridge, the sound of their laughter catching the attention of everyone they passed. Neither one noticed.

-

Aaron is boxing with Derek later that day, the old friends taking time to catch up, fall back into normal routines upon Aaron's return.

“Are you really sure courting someone this close to the royals is a good idea?” Morgan asks him as he stands, the two catching their breath.

“I do not know what you mean.” Aaron tells him, dismissing the conversation topic.

“Hotch, if the two of you do not work out, are you aware of how awkward your future will be?” Derek questions, “Her cousin, who would protect her with his life, is to be king in a few years, do you really think he’s going to work respectfully alongside someone who hurt his family?" Morgan questions, before sighing, "Especially her? Have you seen how protective he is? They are more siblings than they are cousins.”

“Who said I would hurt her?” Aaron asks him, displeased with his friends accusation.

“You have said many times you do not want to marry nor bare a child..” Derek says, “Emily has no choice, are you really going to string her along like this? Think of both of your futures.”

“It is fine.” Aaron tells him and Derek scoffs.

“It better be, Your Grace, because if you hurt her it won't just be Prince Clyde you will have to worry about, that woman is like a sister to me and I wont have her hurt.” he threatens.

“It's under control. She’s a big girl.” Aaron smirks and Derek looks at him as he stands straight.

“Just don't be another thing she has to recover from, she’s been through enough." he sighs and his words make Aaron frown, but he’s unable to question his words, the man already walking off.

Three days later, Aaron is walking around the Greenaway Ball, smiling as he watches Spencer and Elle flirt in their own corner. As the couple look in his direction he nods his head at them as they smile back, heading towards the rest of the small group, smiling at Jennifer as she beams at her ring.

“Congratulations.” The Duke smiles as JJ flashes him her ring, the couple smile.

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

“I can not believe how long it took you.” Derek jokes towards Will, who laughs.

“Me neither.” Jennifer teases, wrapping her arm around his.

“Have you two thought about a date?”

“Not really, we are just enjoying the engagement.” Will tells the group.

The five look up as Penelope and Luke walk over, followed soon by Spencer and Elle, and Aaron can’t help but notice the absence of the woman he has been looking for all night.

“Has anyone seen Emily tonight?” he asks them, JJ and Penelope look at one another, he frowns.

“She won't be here tonight, we assumed you’d know..” Jennifer tells him softly.

“Know what?”

“It's the anniversary of her fathers death..” Elle tells him with a sad smile and the pain he feels in his chest on her behalf is one that catches him off guard.

“Have either of you seen her today?” he asks the group.

“My family and I went to see her family today, her mother told us she was up in her room, I did not see her.” JJ tells him and he nods, but before he can speak is summoned by his Uncle.

“If you’ll excuse me.” he smiles, they smile in response and he heads towards him.

Once at Dave’s side, he silences the older man's words before he can even form them.

“I have to go…” Aaron announces and Dave snaps his head to him with confusion, “To see Emily…”

Dave frowns as he looks around the room before finding the room void of any Prentiss or any Royal.

“Her father died three years ago today.” The Duke explains, and Dave nods as he remembers the date, “I should be there, go and see if she or her family need anything… do you not think?”

“Of course.” Dave tells him, “Go. I shall explain your absence.”

“Thank you.” He says, before fleeing the room unnoticed.

He arrives at the Prentiss house, smiling at the woman who opens the door and allows him through and into the house.

“Your Grace, what are you doing here?” Elizabeth says as he walks into the living room.

“I heard today was the anniversary of Antony’s death, I thought best to send my regards to you family." He tells them.

“Thank you, Your Grace." Elizabeth says with a sad smile.

Erin looks at him, “I assume you are here to see Miss Prentiss are you not?”

Clyde stands, walks over, stopping as his mother holds out her arm.

“She’s upstairs. Clyde, do go and collect the girl, tell her she has a visitor.” Erin tells her him.

“Of course,”

He stares at Aaron as he passes, clenching his jaw, before heading up the long staircase.

Emily is sitting on her window seat, clutching the necklace as she allows the tears to fall freely as she stares out the window, pulled from her thoughts by the knock on the door. She turns to find Clyde stood leaning against the wall, a sad smile on his face.

“You have a visitor.” he tells her softly as he walks through the room, the woman frowns, “The Duke.”

Emily’s eyes widen, before she wipes her tears.

“Did he say why?”

“For you, I assume.”

“Oh..” she stands, he grabs her hand and she looks at him.

“I can get rid of him if you'd like.” he tells her, she smiles but shakes her head.

“Thank you, though.” Emily squeezes his hand and he smiles.

“He’d be proud of you,” Clyde tells her, “Do not listen to your mother when she tells you otherwise, she did not know him if that is what she believes.”

Emily smiles sadly, a small thank you leaving her lips as she heads past him, a small smile growing on her face as she hears Aaron speaking with her mother, catching his eye as she glides down the steps.

“Would you care for a walk, Miss Prentiss?” The Duke asks as she walks towards him.

“I'd love to.” She says softly, a small smile growing on her face.

“Clyde, do chaperone.” Erin tells him.

“That won't be necessary, Your Majesty.” Aaron tries, but it is useless.

“No, I insist,” Clyde says, and passes Emily her coat, “ We wouldn't want any trouble.”

Emily stares at Clyde, who smirks in her direction and she looks away with an eye roll.

“Let's go shall we?” Aaron asks, holding out his arm and she places a hand on it with a small smirk and they head out.

“Do watch her, Clyde, especially today, she doesn't do grief very well.” Elizabeth says once the couple are out of earshot.

“Of course." he nods, before following the couple out, remaining a few steps behind them, close enough to watch them, but further away to not hear their conversations.

“Where are we going?” Emily asks.

“I take it you haven't been today? To the grave?”

“No…” Emily answers quietly,  “My mother doesn't like to go.”

“Then we shall go now.” he tells her, and pulls out a rose from his coat.

“For you….For your father.” she looks at him as she takes it, a small smile on her face.

“Thank you.” she whispers, the sentiment causing him to worm his way further into her heart, a feeling she is weary off, but unable to stop.

Clyde stands a few feet away from them as they stand at her father's grave. Emily resting her head on Aarons shoulder as they both stare forward.

“He would be so disappointed in me…” she whispers, lifting her head to wipe her tears.

“Why do you say that?” he asks her in the same tone and she takes a breath while she places the rose down.

“Because it is true.” she tells him sadly.

“I doubt that, what would he have to be disappointed in?”

Emily laughs sadly, he looks at her.

“Your father loved you.” she looks at him, “From the stories I have heard of the man you were his pride and joy. I don’t think it possible for that man to be disappointed in you.” Aaron tells her, she smiles sadly at him before looking back at her father’s grave.

“You would think the same if you knew of the thing I have done.” Emily tells him softly, her voice breaking at the end of her sentence.

“Tell me.” he whispers, she looks at him and finds nothing but trusting eyes looking back at her, she looks away.

“I cannot,” she tells him, “Not now.” She whispers, looking backwards at Clyde. He can only nod in understanding as she turns around.

“I am really sorry you lost him so young.” he tells her quietly.

“Thank you,” she replies, “And you your mother.”

“Yes..” he nods, “We make quite the team.” He says, and the laugh that leaves her makes his heart quicken, unable to stop himself smiling at the sound.

“Yes, I guess so.” she smiles.

He loosely leaves his hand hanging next to hers, can feel her fingers next to his, the way they slowly graze across his and he slowly places his fingers through hers only for Clyde to walk over, the sound of his footsteps having her pull her hand away quickly.

“Time to go, Emily.” he announces to them.

Emily turns and nods, as she steps towards him she turns to face Aaron.

“Thank you for this,” she smiles “You did not have to.”

“It was no problem.” he smiles back, “I hope to see you soon, Miss Prentiss.”

Emily looks to the ground as she bites her lip, before looking up again as she walks backwards.

“I am sure you will.” she declares, before smiling and turning around.

Aaron watches her and Clyde walk away, and clenches his fist as the ghost of her touch lingers on the side of his hand.

-

He does see her soon, a mere two days later at the bridge near the park.

“Are you thinking of proposing?” Dave asks him and he laughs, shaking his head in shock.

“I am just getting to know her. It is far too soon for any of that nonsense.”

“You left a ball to go to her, Aaron, and took her to her father's grave.” Dave laughs as he informs him, “I think you are in deeper than you would like to think.”

Aaron doesn't answer, simply smiles as they stop in front of Emily and her family.

“Miss Prentiss, Prince Clyde.” Aaron nods, trying to stop himself from smiling as he looks at her.

“Your Grace,” they all reply.

“Lady Prentiss, it's nice to see you again.”

“And you, Your Grace.”

Emily smiles softly at Aaron when he looks back at her, he tilts his head as a cue for her to walk with him; she leans her back off the bridge and steps towards him.

“I hear you are maid of honour for Jennifer, at her wedding this coming Saturday.” Aaron says to her as the families begin to walk.

“Yes, I imagine it will be hard for her without Roselyn, so I was quite shocked when she asked.”

“I’m sure you will look beautiful in the dress.”

“Yes I’m sure I will.” she declares casually, he laughs.

“Quite confident aren't we.” he says, she looks at him with a shameless smile.

“Do I have a reason not to be?” She teases, he shakes his head.

“No, not at all.” he tells her, and the smiles that grows on her face as she looks to the floor has him grinning.

“Why, Your Grace, was that a compliment?” she plays shocked as she looks back up and he chuckles.

“I think it was.” he laughs and she grins.

“I'm honoured.” she teases.

"Yes, you should be. I'm not known for being the compliment type." he jokes back and her laugh has him in a trance, the want to be the reason for it having him doubt everything he had vowed, and as she smiles, biting her bottom lip as she looks to the floor he's unable to ignore the effect it has on him.

Rossi and Elizabeth are talking as they watch Emily and Aaron walk ahead of them.

“They get on.”

“They do.” Elizabeth nods.

“I am sure they will make each other very happy.” Dave tells her, Elizabeth looks at him.

“Has he spoken about a proposal?”

“I’m working on it.”

“Prince Ian is very keen on courting her when he arrives in a few months time.” Elizabeth tells the man.

“I’m sure he is...She is a beautiful woman.”

“Yes.” Elizabeth nods with pride, “I do hope The Duke has made a proposal by then, it would be a shame for them to lose this bond they have created.”

“Yes, it would.” he agrees, already working on a plan to change Aaron's mind on his declaration, but as he watches the way he looks at her, he starts to wonder if he will have to.

Jennifer, Penelope and Emily are all being readied for JJ’s wedding when the topic turns to Emily and Aarons newly formed bond.

“He left the ball for you, Emily.” Penelope laughs, “And then took you to your fathers grave. Do not sit there and tell us that you are just friends.”

“We are.” Emily tells them with a laugh.

“Fine.” Penelope says, “But I do not believe you.”

“Nor do I.” Jennifer tells her, “I have seen the smiles the two of you share when you are together.”

Emily laughs as she shakes her head, forcing herself not to react.

“Friends do not look at each other the way you two do.” JJ tells her.

“Yes well… I can assure you there is nothing going on.” Emily informs her friends, “And if we were, it would seem a bit pointless would it not? The man has declared he shall not marry.”

“Maybe it is you who is to change that.” JJ tells her with a raised eyebrow before she is led to the other room to have her dress put on.

“I think the two of you could be really happy.” Penelope tells her with a soft smile. Emily looks and her friend and smiles back, “This could keep you here…”

“Pen,” Emily says, taking the girls hand, “I am not going anywhere, I promise.”

Penelope nods, smiling, “Okay.” She says softly.

Jennifer walks back into the room and the woman gasps.

“JJ, you look beautiful.” Emily tells her, JJ smiles.

“Will is going to lose his mind when he sees you.” Penelope grins.

JJ looks to the floor and laughs, shaking her head. “Roselyn was supposed to be the one is Mother’s dress…”

“Jen..” Emily says, heading towards her, “I bet she’s so happy for you, you know how much she wanted you to have this dress.”

“Yes… I know.” JJ says, “She always said she should not be the one who is in white as she was not the pure one.” the blonde laughs.

“I know how hard it must be to not have her here, but…she would want you to enjoy this day, not be sad.”

“You are right.” JJ says as she wipes her tears, “Are you both ready? We are running late” She laughs. Her friends nod and the blonde smiles.

“I’m getting married.” JJ smiles

“You won't be if you don't make haste.” Emily laughs, and the three women head out, their laughter echoing through the house.

-

Emily walks down the aisle first and as she's walking she meets Aarons eye, he sends her a wink, a playful smirk on his face and she forces herself to look away, clearing her throat to stop the laughter that bubbles in her chest.

Throughout the wedding, Emily can feel Aarons eye’s on her, she turns to face him after a few moments, her stomach fluttering when he smirks at her again, she pierces her lips together and turns away, trying not to grin herself.

As Jennifer and Will share a kiss, the room cheers for the two of them, Aaron can't help but stare at Emily as she laughs with Will’s brother, he frowns when the man places a hand on her back, whispering something in her ear that makes her laugh and he hates that he can’t help the jealousy that rises in him. He swallows, looking away from them as he reminds himself that he has no right to her, that this whole ruse is for her benefit, he should not be jealous. He looks again in the corner of his eye and the relief that floods him when he catches sight of the man's wedding ring, tells him he's in far too deep than he should be.

The ball to celebrate the marriage is outside and Aaron can help but watch as Emily walks outside, taking a drink with a smile, and he heads her way.

“It seems as well as The Duke I am also a fortune teller.” he says as he comes up next to her, she laughs as she looks his way.

“What?” she questions, laughing.

“I did say you would look beautiful, it seems I was right.” he tells her, and she blushes.

“Thank you.” she smiles, “It seems you clean up well yourself.”

“Yes, but only once a month, do not expect to see this for awhile.” he jokes.

As they talk, Emily catches Elle’s eyes, who is summoning her over.

"I think they want our attention." Emily says pointing towards the group.

"It would seem that way yes." He says, letting her lead the way.

As they reach the group, Elle pulls a bottle from her dress and leads the way to the back of the house with a laugh, her hand finding Spencer's as the group following behind. Emily shivers as they reach the middle of the garden, jumping slightly when something is dropped onto her shoulders before turning to face Aaron, a smile on her face as she wraps herself into his overcoat.

“Thank you.” she whispers, he nods, his own smile on his face.

The group must have been there for over an hour when Elle and Spencer take their leave, soon followed by Luke and Penelope. Derek and Savannah take their leave soon after, as the two stand, Derek looks at the couple remaining.

“Do behave.” He teases, he points a finger at Emily, “Especially you, Miss Prentiss, we have no room for more scandals.”

“I shall do my best.” she plays, he nods, before almost falling backwards over a hedge. Savannah’s laugh carries back to them as they walk away and the two chuckle.

“Do you want to head back?” Aaron asks her, Emily shakes her head.

“Big scenes are not my thing.” She tells him, “Also I think John is here and I am in no mood for him. Not today.” She says sadly, before bringing the bottle to her lips and drinking some. Aaron can’t help but smirk as she doesn’t even flinch at the burn.

“Then we shall stay here.”

“Unchaperoned.” she gasps playfully, “Whatever will people say.” she says as she passes him the bottle.

“Care for a stroll around the garden?” he asks, standing.

“Of course.” she nods, stepping in time beside him.

The walk until they find a bench a few yards from the party.

“It’s nice out here.” she says as they sit, her eyes casting over the gardens.

“Yes, I used to come here as a child to get away from my father. This is where I first met Roselyn years ago.” he smiles.

“Is your father the reason why you left as soon as you could?

“Yes, that and I had no reason to stay.”

“Did you and your father not get on?

“You could say that.” he tells her, he looks in her direction and swallows,  “He was cruel, it wasn't a nice environment.”

“I’m sorry.” she says, she takes his hand, he looks down and smiles, squeezing it.

“Yeah, me too.”

“I wish I could leave, you know?” Emily sighs, “Start over somewhere where no one knows me.”

“How come?” he wonders.

“Many reasons, family, mostly,” she laughs, “The expectations..”

“You have that option, with Prince Ian,”

She laughs, “And be a princess? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of no one knowing me?”

“I guess so, along with him being a war criminal, he's not an ideal match.” Aaron teases, she laughs with a nod of her head while she gulps another drink down before passing it over, he takes it with a smile, not missing the way his skin burns as their fingers glide past each other.  “Clyde.. He seems to be very protective of you. I’m surprised he's not hunted you down yet.” Aaron tells her before taking his turn of the bottle.

Emily laughs, “He means well, he worries about me, especially because of..” She stops, he looks at her, she shakes her head.

“Sometimes I think my mothers right…” she says, he looks at her, “That I’m just a string of mistakes pulled together.”

“That's not true.” Aaron tells her, she looks to the floor.

“You don't even know me, not really.” Emily tells him with a sad smile and a sigh.

“I’d like to. I think you’re pretty great.” he smiles at her.

“You wouldn't if you knew me.”

“… Try me.” he tells her after a pause.

She looks up, before laughing, shaking her head and bringing the drink to her lips, she passes it to him, he does the same.

“Not even Spencer knows about half of the thing I have been through and I’ve known him my entire life.”

“Is this about your illness? The one your mother took you away for?”

She nods, pulling her hair down and running her hand through it and as he watches her he finds himself wanting to do the same, he imagines its soft and thick, he imagines if he tugged it just right she would- he stops himself and turns away.

“After my father died I—” she pauses, looking at her hands “Shut down, I guess.” she explains, he looks back up at her, leaning his back against the wall as he listens to her, “My mother wasn't around, too busy pulling strings to take over from my father’s position in the courts...so it was just me.. And then I met John and…” Emily says, she sighs before laughing, “Looking back now I know he took advantage but back then I just wanted to feel something that wasn't pain, or grief..”

“You had sex with him?” he asks, she looked away from him and stared in front of her, wiping the tears falling, she nodded.

“Stupid, I know.” she laughs, shaking her head. “I was fifteen and I was hurting and it made me feel better, anything was better.” she tells him, “I..” she says, smiling when she looks at him, his eyes understanding and trusting, she looks in them for a few moments before she nods, “I got pregnant…” she whispers, he looks at her, his only reaction a wide eyed look, but he remain still, silent, ready to listen. “That's why I was gone for two months…” her voice is small and his heart breaks for her, “My mother made me get a termination and my Aunt Erin hid it all, that's why Clyde is the way he is...he doesn't want to see me go through that again.”

“I'm sorry that happened to you.” he whispers,

“It didn't happen to me, it's just.. Something that happened...a string of mistakes..” she laughs, she wipes her eyes and shakes her head

“So, that's me, you can run for the hills, I wont judge.” she laughs, looking away from him.

“I think I'll stay,” he smiles, “After all who else am I going to discuss my antics with foreign beauties with?” He jokes, she laughs and relaxes, a weight off her shoulder that she had finally shared something she’d been forbidden to speak about.

“Ah yes, what did you get up to these last few years?”

Aaron tells her about his travels, laughing with her when he talks about hungover mornings and late night rendezvous.

“I think Paris was my favourite.” he tells her, she nods in agreement.

“My father took me there a few months before he passed, when he was still healthy enough.” Emily tells him, “I am glad I had those few months with him before his illness took over. My mother thinks it was the reason why I behaved the way I did after his passing but, I am glad I was there when he died, that he wasn’t alone.”

“I am sorry.” He tells her, she looks at him and grins while she laughs.

“You’ve said that.”

He grins at her before tilting his head, “I am sorry nonetheless. The loss of a loved parent hurts more than anything I know of.” He tells her, Emily hums in agreement.

“He passed at the end of January and then after that the whole year did not get any better.”

“When did you meet John?”

“In the April..” she informs me, “I fell with child in the October.”

“Did you want it?” He asks her, she shrugs,

“I don't know, I wasn't given a choice.” she explains, “I told my Aunt, who told my mother and I was taken to the farm two weeks later.”

“Does John know?”

“Yes, he says he wanted to marry me,” she laughs, “claims he loved me and that we could have been a family but..” Her sentence dies down, her mind reliving the worst year of her life.

“But you were fifteen…” he says, “Your birthday is in October, I know it couldn't have been an easy month.”

“You know when my birthday is?” she asks with a smile, he nods.

“Of course…” he grins, she laughs happily and turns away from him.

“Is there a reason your mother was against John's plan?” He questions, “It was a good one, people would accept your pregnancy…”

“John is your age, Your Grace.” she laughs. Aaron stares at her taken aback by her announcement, his smile gone, “he was nineteen at the time, My Aunt, she set a law when she became Queen that woman is not to marry until she is 18, so.. It wasn't allowed. I got the termination and he has never really treated me the same since. He actually hated me up until Matthew's death.”

“He never loved you” The Duke tells her with anger on her behalf.

“I know.” she smiled, “He's a rake, Your Grace, I’m well aware.”

“He should not have taken you the way he did. Not at his age.” he says and she takes his hand, smiling when he looks at her.

“I know.” she says again, “But I consented and until October…. he and I had fun... in secret of course,” she grins, “But he is the reason I met Matthew and for that I could never regret what me and John had. Ever since Matthew died he's been trying to get me back, but... I don't know, he's not a good guy, I know that now.”

Aaron stands, bringing her with him by their entwined hands and pulls her close, their faces mere inches from one another, her breath hitches as she holds it, staring at him. The feel of his hand on her lower back send a shiver up her spine, has her heart hammering against her ribs and the feel of her hand rested in his, the feel of her chest pressed up against his own has him entranced, glancing his eyes to her lips before back to her own.

A shout of her name pulls them from their trance. She drops his hand as he drops his from her back and she turns with wide eyes.

“What are you doing out here?” Clyde says casually, until he spots the whiskey bottle and marches over, grabbing her hand and pulling her from Aaron. He stares daggers at the other man, fury taking over.

“Is this what you do?” He directs at the Duke,  “Get girls drunk and take them in the garden?”

“Clyde-”

“Sush, Emily, everyone has been worried about you.” he bites, his eye's not leaving Aaron.

“You are lucky it was me that has found the two of you and not someone else, her alone in the garden with a man that could ruin her. As you are well aware, Your Grace.” the man spits.

“We were just talking…” Aaron tells him.

Clyde looks at him, taking in their appearances, her in his coat, her hair falling down her shoulder, him with an untucked shirt and he can only laugh.

“Is that all?” he throws at him.

“Clyde enough, we were just talking.” Emily tells him.

“We’re leaving, Emily. Say goodbye.”

She takes off the jacket and walks to him, a smile on her lips as she hands it to him,

“I’ll see you around, Your Grace, thank you for a good night.”

“You are great company, Miss Prentiss. I look forward to seeing you again.” he says with a grin. She nods, biting her lip, and turns around. Clyde then grabs her arm and pulls her gently, muttering words to her as he all but marches her back to the main garden. As he follows behind a few moments later, he catches her scent in his jacket and smiles.

“That was stupid, Emily. What if someone were to see you?”

"We are courting, are we not?” she lies, “We were just having a conversation.”

“Unchaperoned?”

“He's the duke.” Emily laughs, "What—”

“And you're the niece of The Queen, who, by the way, is on thin ice as is after your ordeal three years prior.”

“Do not dare use that against me.” Emily spits at him, pulling her arm from his hold.

“We are leaving, say your farewell to the bride while I get your mother.”

Emily storms away, putting on a smile when JJ comes up to the side of her.

“Where have you been?” Jennifer laughs.

“Around.” Emily laughs, Jennifer pulls her friend close and drags her to the floor.

“Have you had a good night?” Emily asks her.

“Yes.” she smiles, “I have.”

“Good, I am glad.” Emily tells her friend as JJ pulls her in for a hug.

“Thank you, for this morning. I could not have done that without you.”

“You are welcome.” Emily whispers, they pull away and JJ laughs as Emily twirls her.

The girls are still laughing when Clyde walks over.

“We are leaving.” he tells her, JJ frowns.

“May I ask why?”

“Her mother is feeling unwell, I am sorry for the early departure, Miss… I do guess it's Lamontagne now.” Clyde smiles, Emily laughs and turns to her friend as the woman’s face drops.

“I did not think of that…” JJ says, “Jennifer Lamontagne… Can I not keep Jareau?” She whispers, Emily laughs.

“That is a conversation for you and Will.”

“Come, Emily, make haste.” Clyde says as he looks around for Aaron. Emily rolls her eyes before pulling her friend in for a hug.

“Have a good night..” Emily tells her with a wink, JJ blushes. “Enjoy your week away.”

“I am sure I will.” JJ tells her, “If your words are anything to go by I am sure I-”

“On that note.” Clyde interrupts and drags Emily away as she laughs. JJ chuckles to herself, watching as Emily laughs as she is pulled away. They walk past Aaron on their way out and the two smile at each other, Aaron turning to watch her go, before frowning, worry settling in his stomach when her mother grabs her arm, all but dragging her out of view.

Elizabeth slams the door behind her as Emily walks ahead, jumping at the loud sound the door makes.

“Even after everything you've done you still find more ways to cause trouble.”

“We were just talking, mother...” Emily sighs as she turns to face her in the hall.

“I do not think you know how to do just talking, Emily.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“I am saying that you seem to not know any better. You will drop your garments for anyone who pays you just the littlest bit of attention!” Elizabeth shouts. Emily stares at her with shock before laughing and shaking her head.

“I have done nothing wrong.” Emily tells her mother, “It is not my fault you are choosing not to believe me.”

“Have you ever given me a reason to believe you?”

Elizabeth walks up to her daughter, standing face to face with her and all Emily can do is holds her head high and raise an eyebrow.

“You are the biggest burden of my life and I can no longer pretend that you and your reputation are not something that follows this family name like a dark cloud.” Elizabeth tells her daughter, “You are used goods, and you are silly if you think The Duke wants anything more from you than what you have probably already given him. Girls like you always get the powerful men just before they are ready to settle down, you will never be the one he chooses, and you are naïve if you think differently.” she hisses, before knocking her shoulder as she walks past, the slam of the office door making her jump as she lets out a shaky breath, grabbing the stair rail as she leans back, closing her eyes as she forces herself not to cry before rushing up the stairs. She closes her door with her back and falls down as a cry leaves her body. She grabs the necklace around her neck as she cries, wondering is maybe her mother right.

-

In the Duke’s mansion, Aaron is listening to his Uncle’s rant.

“You cannot take a lady into the garden unchaperoned, and especially not the Royal Niece.”

“We were just talking.” Aaron explains.

“I know of your behaviour, Aaron. I know of your relations with women before you even left for your travels and I am not stupid enough to believe that you did not continue those...activities while you were away. And I am sure you are aware of her past relationship with John.. can you see where I may have issues with believing the two of you were just talking?” Dave questions, but he stays silent.

“I do not think you really understand how much trouble this could have caused.” Dave tells him, “Elizabeth is… she is not a nice woman, not to her daughter or anyone really… but to Emily she is especially cruel, maybe not in the way your father was but in her way of words.” Dave tells him, “I have heard Clyde comfort her many a time when her mother has spat evil things at her, and after tonight's events…” Dave looks Aaron in the eyes, before speaking, “Her mother will force that young girl to marry Prince Ian, he is just a few years older than you Aaron, and I have met him and he is very charming, if not dangerously so. She is young, impressionable. She will be forced to marry and she will be sent to Ireland. You are in a position to change that." Dave tells him, "So change it."

-

Aaron spots her for the first time in two days at the Garcia Ball, celebrating the Lord’s birthday. He walks to her, she smiles in his direction, he smiles back and once he arrives at her side, he notices that Clyde will not leave it.

“Upon request of my mother I am to stand still and look pretty.” she explains as his eyes move from hers to Clyde.

“So I guess a dance is out of the question?” he questions, Emily chuckles as Clyde stares at him. She turns to look at him, the word please being playfully spoken and the man rolls his eyes before nodding.

“Thank you.” she smiles, Clyde nods, watching them with a small grin as they walk off.

“I am sorry if our antics got you into trouble with your mother.” he says as he takes her hand.

“Do not worry, it is fine.” she smiles, “My Mother did not even notice, it was my Aunt who sent Clyde to search for me. I feel she is more mad about that.” Emily tells him, “And if Clyde hadn't caused such a big scene we could have snuck back in undetected so I am blaming him, that much he is aware of.” she laughs. “I hope you were not in trouble with your Uncle?”

He shakes his head, “he wants what's best for me really, he knows I would never disrespect you.”

Emily smiles, “He seems nice.”

“He is. I know he wishes he could respect mine, but unfortunately he cannot, I am the last Hotchner, and he knows I should carry on the name.” he explains

“You still don't want to?”

“I do not, I told my father I wouldn't. I will not give him what he wants.”

“Your grace—"

“Call me Aaron, if people are to believe we are courting you should call me by name,”. zhe smirks,

“Aaron, your father is dead, he has no power over you anymore.”

“Yes, and it will remain that way,”

“And if your mind changes and it's too late?”

“I will be happy in knowing my father never got what he wanted." he tells her and she looks at him with sad eyes.

“I am sorry that the man was that cruel you feel you cannot live the life you want...”

“I am.”

“Are you?”

He looks at her and she sighs.

“You never wanted to marry? Have a family? Not ever?”

“I—” he begins, but there is a tap on his shoulder, they both turn and Derek smiles at them.

“Miss Prentiss," he smirks, “May I have this dance? We have a matter we must discuss, urgently.”

She frowns, before taking his hand, nodding her head to Aaron before being lead away by Derek. Aaron watches them go, stepping backwards, turning with an apology when he bumps into someone. Penelope simply shakes her head, playfully holding out her hand and laughing when he takes it.

“You and Em look really happy, I am glad you're both working on something, you deserve it.”

“Thank you Miss Garcia, how is your father?” he asks her, watching Derek and Emily in the corner of his eyes.

“I heard that you and him were in the garden, alone yesterday,”

“You did?”

“Yes, it seems that someone over heard the conversation yesterday.

“I see.” she nods.

“This could ruin you.” Derek warns, she simply rolls her eyes.

“Its fine." she tells him.

“So the two of you are courting? “

Emily looks at him and nods. “Yes.” she lies.

“And you are aware of the declaration that he will not marry?”

“I am.” Emily confirms.

“And so what is your plan? You have to marry, Emily, I know you don't want to but you do not have a choice.”

“I’m aware.” Emily groans.

“And so what?”

“Do not worry, Derek, everything is under control.”

“If you do not have a marriage proposal in three months your mother will make you marry Prince Ian.”

“Actually as long as I am courting with Aaron she has backed off, she believes he will propose soon.” she smirks.

“But he will not…” he tells her.

“No, but, as long as I do not have to marry a war criminal, I find that I do not care."

“So you're leading him on in hopes of getting out of marrying Prince Ian…”

“Everything is under control, Derek, please, do not worry.”

“I'm afraid I do, and I will. Always.” Derek tells her and she smiles.

“I know, and I thank you for that, but right now there is no need.” Emily assures him.

“If you say so, Miss Prentiss.” he accepts with a nod.

Emily rolls her eyes, “will you drop the Miss Prentiss already?”

Derek laughs and twirls her, before pulling her back into him, “Never.” he whispers and she laughs.

She makes eye contact with Aaron over Derek's shoulder and he smiles at her, she smiles back as her heart flutters at the grin on his face, she looks away with a small smile of her own.

-

Aaron spots John across the room sometime later, and with a frown notices he is staring at Emily with an angered eye and a whiskey in his hand. Emily is standing on the other side of the room talking to Viscount Andrew Mendoza, as he watches her smile at something he says, he feels a pool of jealousy erupt in him, one that is getting harder to ignore. Taking a deep breath he heads out of the room and into the gardens for some fresh air, only for him name to be called a few seconds later.

“If it isn’t the man who stole my woman…” John slurs, Aaron just stares plainly at him. “Do you know about her and I?” John asks, stepping  step closer to The Duke. “That we love each other? That it is I who should be marrying her? That the two of us have a past you can not compete with?” He starts to yell as he steps closer to him, the man laughing as he gets no reaction, “Is she giving you what you want, Your Grace?” He smiles smugly, “She is good isn’t she…” He smiles, “Very bendy.” He whispers, “God the things I used to be able to make her do..” John tells him, and Aaron loses it, grabbing the man by his shirt and pulling him behind the building before he drops him and throws a punch. John stumbles onto the floor and Aaron leans over him, picking him up by his shirt, and stares into his eyes with fury.

“If you ever speak of or too, Emily Prentiss ever again, I can and I will have you taken care of faster than you think, and I'd make it so that no one knew you were missing.” Aaron spits in a harsh quiet tone, “Do you understand?” Aaron asks him, and the man simply nods, dropping the the floor with a grunt as Aaron lets him go, looking at the man with a look of disgust before walking off.

Aaron walks through the door at the entrance of the house just as Emily and her family are heading towards the exit. He can hear Elizabeth talking to her daughter about Viscount Mendoza and he forces himself not to roll his eyes, reminding himself that this was the whole point, to give her time to find someone. When he hears Emily laugh he swears he feels his heart ache, but flutter at the same time.

“He is nice, yes.” Emily agrees with a hum of content.

“His father is also very powerful, he would leave a lot of money and power to Andrew in the wake of his death.”

“Mother—” Emily frowns, but Elizabeth just shrugs her shoulders.

“Just something to think about.” she tells her daughter.

Aaron appears in front of them, almost bumping right into Emily as he has his head turned in the opposite direction after hearing footsteps outside.

Emily laughs at the collision, smiling when he looks at her but the smile soon drops when his face looks back at her with anger, not directed at her. She stares at him with a frown before catching sight of his hand and grabbing it, looking back at him.

“What happened?” Emily asks softly, the tone of worry in her voice makes his anger fade and turn into something… he didn’t quite know how to describe.

“Nothing,” he tells her, “It’s fine.”

Emily stares at him, dropping his hand when she feels eyes of them.

“Your hand is bleeding, Your Grace…” Erin says, Aaron looks at her with a soft smile.

“Yes,” He says, “I must get it seen to, if you'll excuse me…” he nods his head in a bow at her and goes to walk away when he sees his Uncle walking towards him, he curses under his breath and goes to turn and faces Emily, who is looking at him with confusion.

“What is going on?” She asks him in a quiet voice, he shakes his head.

“Nothing,” He smiles, “Lady Prentiss..” Aaron says, Elizabeth turns and smiles.

“Yes, Your Grace?”

“Do you mind if I steal your daughter for a moment?”

“Of course not,” Elizabeth tells him with a smile, he smiles back at her and nods, before grabbing Emily’s hand and quickly rushing from the scene, the speed causes her to almost trip as she is pulled by him.

“What are you doing?” Emily asks as he tries to keep her balance as he pulls her, not giving her enough time to get her feet at the same speed.

Her family are still staring when he drags her behind the wall and into another hallway.

“That was strange..” Elizabeth says.

“Yes, yes it was.” The other woman agrees.

“Shall I follow?” Clyde suggest to them.

“I think that would be smart.” they tell him and Clyde nods, heading in their direction.

“Did I just see my dear Nephew run off with your Niece, Your Majesty?” Dave says as he comes up behind them and the woman turn.

“You did.”

“Did he give a reason?”

“He did not.” Elizabeth tells him “His hand was bloody though, Mr Rossi. Is there something we should know about?”

“No of course not.” Rossi smiles, “The Duke is very polite.”

“If he lays a hand on my Niece I will ruin him, you do know that, yes?”

“Yes, I am aware, but he would never, he’s his mothers son, not his fathers.”

“You better be right in that. My daughter is not one to mess with…”

“Of course, if you don't mind I think I shall go after them…” Rossi says, before talking of in a fast walk down the hall.

-

Aaron pulls her along, stopping them when they're in an empty room, closing the door behind him.

“What is going on?” She asks. Aaron just looks at his sore hand as he shakes it.

“Sit.” Emily tells him, pointing to a chair, he stares at her but she raises an eyebrow and he sighs, sitting. Emily walks over to a cabinet and pulls out a few wipes before heading back to him and sitting on the chair next to his. She holds her hand out and he rolls his eyes before placing his injured one in it.

“What happened?” Emily asks, he looks away.

“Nothing.” he mumbles.

“Yes it looks like nothing to me.”

“It's fine.”

“Did you get into a fight?” she asks.

“Something like that..”

“With whom?”

Aaron sighs, “Emily, I do not see how that is your business.”

“You are the one that dragged me here.” she reminds him, “For what if not to talk?”

“I like your company.” he smiles and Emily holds back a smirk, piercing her lips and looks back his hand.

“It is a small cut, you'll be fine.”

“Thank you.” Aaron grins, she nods with a small smile of her own, his hand remaining in hers.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Emily asks him quietly. He looks at her with a small smile and the shake of his head.

“There is no need, it's over now.”

“You are okay?”

“Yes, I am now.” he smiles at her and she smiles back, laughing as she bites her lip and looks away when his grin gets wider at the sound of her small laugh.

“What is going on in here?” Clyde says as he walks through the door, both their heads snap up to the door.

“Nothing, everything is fine.” Aaron tells him.

“You drag my cousin out by her arm in front of her family…”

“I asked her mother,” He tells him, Emily holds back a laugh and looks back to the floor.

“Yes for a moment not to drag her away.” Clyde snaps, “You should know The Queen is quite displeased with the display, considering the blood on your hand. “ Clyde informs them, “Which I see now is being treated.” He says and Emily drops his hand and places her own in her lap.

Aaron looks at him, “Everything is fine, Your Highness, I just needed a moment.”

“With my cousin?” Clyde questions, Aaron smiles,

“Who else?” he throws back.

Clyde doesn't have a chance to respond before Dave is barging into the room.

“What in the world is wrong with you?” The man hisses and Aaron rolls his eyes.

“You drag the Niece of The Queen away and into an empty room all while your hand bleeds? The Queen is not happy, neither is her mother.”

“Like I just told the prince everything is fin-”

“It is not fine my boy.” Dave interrupts, “ You forget your father was friends with The King, as well as the late Lord Prentiss. The whole family is aware of his temper. You dragging away Miss Prentiss with no explanation…” Rossi shakes his head and stares at him. “And I have seen the state you have left John in, the young man is stumbling down the road, his face covered in blood.”

“You fought John?” Emily questions, looking at Aaron, he goes to turn and face her when Rossi continues.

“Do you want them to believe you are your fathers son?” Rossi questions, Aaron stares at him.

“I am nothing like him.” Aaron tells him, his voice hard and serious, the tone causes Emily to look at him and Clyde walks over to her.

“I know that but how are they too? You come into the room with a bloody hand and pull a woman away? Not to mentio-”

Aaron stands and steps towards him “Compare to me that man again and I will have you taken care of faster than you can blink.” Aaron hisses, “Remember your status, you are not a Hotchner, you are where you are because I allow you to be.” Aaron spits, his voice low and venomous. Rossi stares at him, and nods.

“The way you act now.. you look just like him.” Rossi says and Aaron steps back and collects himself, his temper back under control. He looks at Emily quickly and hates that that he is the reason there is a hint of fear in her eyes as she grabs onto Clyde's arm

“I think I should like to go…” Emily tells Clyde softly.

“Of course.” Clyde nods.

“Emil-” Aaron tries,

“I will see you around, Your Grace.” She says with a nod, and allows Clyde to walk her away.

As they round the corner, Emily looks at her cousin.

“He's.. got a temper…” Emily whispers, Clyde nods.

“Yes it would seem that way.”

“I have never seen that side to him before.”

“Good.”

“I find I did not like it.”

“I doubt he would ever be like that with you,” Clyde tells her. “I have known the man for years, he is more like his mother than his father.”

Emily nods and Clyde stops them, she looks at him as he stands in front of her.

“If I felt him dangerous, he would not be anywhere near you, you know that.”

“Yes I do.” She smiles, he nods.

“Good, let's get you home. It has been a long night.”

Emily hums in agreement, turning back around and finding Aaron staring at her as he and David walk out of the room, she turns when his eyes find her and follows Clyde round the corner.

Aaron goes to the Prentiss house the next day to find her, needing to apologize for the night before, unable to rest with the pang of guilt that lingers in his stomach.

“Your Grace, how unexpected. " Clyde says when he opens the door "I'm afraid Emily is unavailable today…” He tells her.

Aaron frowns, “Is she okay?”

“She is fine.” Clyde nods.

“Then… Can I see her?” Aaron questions with confusion.

“I'm afraid not, You Grace, she is not up for visitors.” Clyde tells him, Aaron looks back at him.

“So she isn't okay? Will you please just tell me what is wrong?” Aaron asks.

“Miss Prentiss is ill, Your Grace, and her mother has made the decision to not allow visitors until she is seen by a doctor, I am sure you understand.” Clyde tells him.

“How ill?” Aaron asks, worry in his face, Clyde sighs.

“Aaron,” he sighs, and steps forward, shutting the door, before  facing him with a deep breath, “Emily is unwell. She woke today with a high fever and a cough.” he explains, before swallowing and looking Aaron in the face, “The last time we saw this was her father." He whispers and Aarons heart drops.

“Lady Prentiss and my Mother are inside, she is being well cared for but until she is seen by a doctor there are no visitors allowed.”

Aaron looks at him and Clyde can see the worry on his face. “I think she will be fine, I believe it to just be a slight flu but to be cautious she is being seen by a doctor today.”

“She.. she was fine yesterday…” Aaron stutters as he tries to calm the worry that grows in him.

“Indeed she was, which is why I am not worried. Her father was ill before these symptoms, but our family is worried, Emily is never ill."

“Do you..do you think it could be something dangerous? Late onset of what her father had…” Aaron asks.

“I am not sure, but as soon as I know anymore I will have someone inform you.” Clyde tells the worried man. “I will tell her you called, Aaron, but I must get back inside.

“Of course. Do let me know.”

“I shall, good day.”

“Yes, good day, Clyde.”

The man walks in the house and Aaron heads away from the door, his mind reeling, worried right to the pit of his stomach.

Clyde walks back in, into the room with his mother and aunty.

“Was that The Duke?"

“Yes, I told him of Emily's condition, he seemed quite worried.” Clyde tells her.

“Yes, the two of them are quite close." Erin smiles. "Maybe he should call over in a few days.."

“He is not to be anywhere near my daughter while she is like this, anything could happen.” Elizabeth scolds as she paces the door awaiting the doctor.

“Dear sister, do calm down, I merely meant she may like to see him, he will not be alone with her.”

“I am not sure, what do we really know of this man anyway?”

“He’s The Duke, not a War Criminal like the man you have lined up.”

“I just want my daughter to be able to have a fresh start.”

“I’m sure you do, however she does not, she and The Duke are getting on and when the doctor gives the green light, he shall come over and that's final.”

The doctor then heads down the stairs, interrupting the argument.

“How is she?” Elizabeth asks.

“She has quite a high fever and that cough is definitely something to keep watch on, but her chest and lungs seem to be clear, I heard no sign for concern when listening to her breathing, I think it to be a rough flu, lots of rest and some hot liquids and she should be fine a in a few days.” He tells the family.

“So we do not need to be concerned that the symptoms mirror that of what her father died from?” Elizabeth questions.

“No, I do not believe so. Antony had lots of fluid in his lungs from the start, I would have heard the first stages of it during my visit today.”

“Thank you, doctor, I shall have a hot tea sent to her straight away.” Elizabeth says, the doctor nods and sees himself out.

"I will go and inform her of The Duke's visit."

Clyde goes into Emily’s room after a tap on her door, he looks as her and she is wrapped in bed, half asleep, he sits on the chair next to her, and she smiles

“Hey…” she crocks.  

“Hey.” he says back, “The Duke called for you.”

“He did?” Emily questions as she opens her eyes slightly more.

“Yes. I imagine he wants to apologize for his behaviour last night.”

“Hm.."

“I told him of your condition and he seemed quite worried,” Clyde tells her, “The Duke cares a lot for you.”

Emily smiles as her eyes drop closed.

“Rest, I shall let The Duke know you will be fine, I'm sure he would like to see you at some point over the next few days, once you're able to get out of bed, that is.” he jokes.

“Thank you," she smiles and he nods, closing the door behind him.

-

Three days later he calls around again, flowers in his hand, he walks through the house, thanking the woman he leads him to the living room and Clyde turns at the sound of footsteps.

“Are those for Emily?” he asks.

“Would you rather them be for you?” Aaron teases, Clyde laughs.

“She is the second room to the right, I trust you to behave.” he says with a raised eyebrow.

“Of course.” Aaron tells him with a wink and Clyde points a finger at him.

“There are three maids up there, I have asked them to watch out for the both of you.”

Aaron laughs, “Trust me, I will not be misbehaving, the woman is unwell... I do not wish to catch it.”

“You are a funny man I see.” Clyde notes and Aaron smirks before he heads up the stairs.

He taps on Emily's door and opens it at her small come in. She is sitting on her window seat, clutching her necklace that he has noticed before. She looks at him and smiles, standing up.

“Are those for me?” she teases, a smile on her face.

“No, I'm afraid I'm courting the maid next door... these are for her.” He tells her.

“Ahh,” she nods, “found true love I see.”

“Of course, she is quite the woman.”

“Yes,” Emily smirks, he smiles back as he passes her the flowers.

“Thank you, they're beautiful.” she puts them in a vase on her vanity and faces him

“Join me,” she says, before heading towards her window, “The city is busy today, I like to watch people.” He sits across from her, watching her as she looks outside, she finds him starting, she laughs,

“What?”

“Nothing, just good to see you’re feeling better.”

“Yes, my cough is still quite heavy but my fever is gone as well as the aches”

“I’m glad, the balls are a lot less fun without someone whose company I like..” He grins as she looks at him with a smile.

“Is that you telling me you missed me?” she questions.

“Hmm maybe it is..” he says to her.

“Hmm, I guess I could say I missed you too.” she replies, he laughs.

“You guess?

“Yes.” she tells him before looking out the window, but he can’t help but stare at the smile on her lips long enough to look away.

“Spencer and Elle seem pretty happy these days.” she says, watching them as they stroll down the city.

“Yes, I think he will propose soon.”

“They make a nice couple.”

“Indeed.” he agrees and she smiles, looking at him from the side.

“That is a nice necklace.” he tells her as she looks at it, she smiles.

“My father got it for me from Paris a few months before he passed for my birthday.” she opens it and passes it to him.

“It's beautiful."

"Thank you." she says quietly.

“He sounds like a great man.”

“He was.” she says softly as he passes the necklace back to her. After a few moments of peaceful, comfortable silence he speaks.

“I wanted to apologise for the other night. The way I acted.”

“It’s okay.” she smiles.

“It is not.” he tells her, she looks at him, “My father was cruel and… being compared to him made me see red, but I should not have reacted in the way I did in front of you and for that I am sorry.”

“I am sorry for how I reacted.” she tells him, “ I am not scared of you.”

Aaron smiles, “Good. I would never hurt you.” he tells her, “I promise.” he smiles.

“I know,” She smiles back, “But thank you… for promising.”

He looks at her, nodding.

As they look out the window blissfully, enjoying easy conversation, it hits him like a wave that the thought of her doing this with someone else makes his blood boil, and that he cannot see himself ever doing this with anyone else.

Emily finds herself stuck between wanting to ask him what this was now and not wanting to know, because if she falls by herself… she doesn't know if she’ll be able to get back up again. Not this time.

-

After that he doesn't see her for a few days, his work as Duke taking over, he is taking a walk with Dave, discussing work when he spots her with their friends, as well as Viscount Andrew Mendoza.

“It seems Miss Prentiss has company.” Rossi tells him.

“Yes, I see that.”

“If you don't propose soon you will lose her.”

“I have told you before, I do not intend to marry. How many more times shall I tell you this?”

“So, are you going to allow yourself to lose Miss Prentiss just to spite your late father? Does he still remain that powerful to you?”

Hotch doesn't answer, just watches Emily as they pass the group, all seven nod their head, Emily gives him a smile and a small wave, he nods back with a smile and carries on his walk.

“You and The Duke are good friends, yes?” Andrew asks her.

“Yes, you could say that.” Emily agrees.

“Hmm, I heard rumors the two of you were courting…” he says, she nods.

“You did?”

“Indeed.”

Emily just nods at him, a smile on her lips, "Just a rumour." she tells him, and forces herself not to turn to watch Aaron walk away.

“You are staring.” Derek tells him that night as they all stand in the middle of the room, Aaron rolls his eyes.

“No.” he says, “I am just simply observing.”

Derek laughs, “You’ve fallen for her.” Aaron looks at him , “Maybe that vow to never marry wasn't very well planned.

“We are just friends.” Aaron tells him, “And she has had a few day’s out with Mendoza.”

Derek just laughs once again, “You are being stupid. Mendoza is trying but I have been there when they are talking and she is somewhere else, Aaron. She likes you.”

He tries to ignore the hope that flutters in his chest.

Andrew smiles at her, "I gather you and The Duke are just friends?"

“We are…” she tells him.

“Do I save myself the embarrassment of assuming you will be available when I am back?”

She smiles, “I don’t know.”

“Is that so?” the man asks her with a raised eyebrow.

“I have no idea what things will be like in three months.” she tells him, he looks at her.

“I guess we wait and see then.”

Emily grins, “I guess we do.”

As the dance changes she is twirled from him and lands in Aaron embrace, she smiles.

“I have not seen you tonight.” She says, he nods.

“I have been mingling upon request.” He complains, Emily grins.

“You don’t seem to like many people do you?” she asks.

“I do not.” he agrees, before smiling at her and pulling her closer to him, “You are the rare exception.” He whispers, she smiles at him, before laughing as he pushes her back and then into him again.”

“Andrew Mendoza seems to think you are going to propose to me.” She tells him, he looks at her, “He is leaving for business for a few months and is under the impression will be on our way to marriage by then.” She’s laughing, shaking her head.

“My mind has not changed..” he tells her, she looks at him and nods.

“I know,” she says softly, “And this isn't real anyway, right?” She points out, meeting his eyes, hating that there's a hope in her chest that he might change his mind.

“Right…” he agrees softly, a pain in his chest catching him off guard.

They separate, each heading in different direction of the room.

Both of them far too scared to admit its a lot more than a ruse anymore.

->

tag list - @eprcntiss @ssa-m-187 @ssa-sparks @suckerforhotchniss @sarahhotchner @multi-obsessions @florenceremingtonthethird @whaleinginwater join the list here

[indigomarina]

Thought of this AU early in the morning:

SP! Six AU:

Henry the 8th: Wendy Testaburger

Catherine of Aragon: Stan Marsh

Anne Boleyn: Gregory of Yardale

Jane Seymour: Kyle Broflovski

Anna of Cleves: Craig Tucker

Katherine Howard: Tweek Tweak

Catherine Parr: Bebe Stevens

Six The Kids SP AU

Bloody Mary: Estella Havisham

Elizabeth the First: Pip Pirrup

Edward Seymour: Ike Broflovski

Mary of Scots: Eric Cartman

Lady Jane Grey: Clyde Donovan

May (Mary) Parr: Karen McCormick

Henry Fitzroy: Tricia Tucker

Extras:

Mary Boleyn: Token Black

Bessie Blount: Bridon Gueermo

[froody]

The Jeremy Clyde who played Raffles in the BBC Radio show and appeared as Alick Carruthers is the first episode of the television show is the Jeremy Clyde from British soft rock and folk duo Chad & Jeremy? The son of Lady Elizabeth Clyde?

THIS LITTLE BLOND KID AT THE QUEEN’S CORONATION IN 1953 WENT ON TO PLAY MY FAVORITE RAFFLES PORTRAYAL?

[mettleborn-a]

New OC

Name: Lord William James Cavendish, Earl of Cornwall

Year: 1840 (This is flexible, threads can be set anywhere in the Victorian Period)

Nationality: English

Age: 34

Residence: Trematon Castle, Cornwall, England 

Trematon: Castle and grounds visual ref: Culzean Castle, Scotland

FC: Michael Fassbender (Rochester in Jane Eyre)

Persuasion: Dominant  / Closeted bisexual

Bio:

William grew up within the grounds and halls of Trematon, a clifftop castle overlooking the sea. Raised by his Mother; Lady Elizabeth Cavendish, his Nanny and his Governess, he saw very little of his Father, Lord Charles Cavendish, Earl of Cornwall, who spent most of his time in London, servicing his interest in politics and satisfying his vices. When William was fourteen years old, he lost his Mother due to unexpected heart failure, a loss that left him staggeringly bereft. The next few years were spent in the company of his Father who had returned to Trematon, but the relationship was a distant one, with his Father frequently spending months at a time away, leaving him in the care of his Governess, a young woman named Mary Gladstone, who clearly despised his Father greatly.

At the age of seventeen, William attended Oxford University, to study history, Latin and philosophy, living in a dormitory with two other boys; the son of the Earl of Hastings and the son of the Marquiss of Clyde. Due to the high quality of his private tuition at Trematon, William excelled at his education, though his attendance was more of a social venture as opposed to academic.  

At the age of twenty, having returned to Trematon, word was sent to William confirming the death of his Father, who had died fairly instantly after being struck in the street by a horse drawn carriage. As sole heir, William inherited the entirety of his Father’s estate and title. During the legal acquisition William learned that his Father’s will had been unsuccessfully contested by two of Lord Charles ‘illegitimate children’ and that he had accumulated a great deal of unpaid debt. This scandal did not, however, become public knowledge due to the power and influence of Lord Charles political allies, who could not allow it to sully the Whig party, for whom he was a great and very public advocate.

One year later, William agreed to marry a young woman from a wealthy family, by the name of Catherine de Beaumont. The union however was not one built of love, but instead was an arrangement agreed with her two Uncles; Catherine would acquire a title of nobility and a dutiful husband and in return William would be bequeathed the large sums of money left for Catherine, by her late Father. The marriage, built on nothing more than desperate commerce, was a cold and hesitant affair with both William and Catherine quickly determining that they were not an ideal match, with each having little interest in the other and even less interest in raising a family together. Such distance inevitably led to very bitter arguments and periods of estrangement, as William, much like his Father did, fled to the city of London to discover himself in ways the walls of Trematon Castle would never allow; through politics and vice.

They had only been married just over three years when Catherine passed, succumbing to consumption, that saw her banished to the West Wing of the castle, due to the virulence of the infection, though William visited every day, at distance, to ensure her care needs were met by the servants, despite their differences. Following her death, all the soft furnishings in the wing were promptly burned and Trematon Castle renovated to William’s taste.  

It has been ten years since his wife’s death and in that time, despite many obvious courtship approaches, William has never remarried, but rather has turned his attentions to developing and maintaining Trematon Castle and its grounds, whilst also travelling frequently to London, to continue his Father’s political work, as a member of the ‘Reform Club’ supporting the Whig party.

Temperament / Personality: 

William is a headstrong and uncompromising man, who has a tendency to be abrupt and curt when frustrated or tired. He is gruffly stubborn by nature and very particular with regard to his preferences. He is an educated and commanding master, who cannot stand complacency and does not tolerate the idle. He has grown up entitled and that sense of entitlement is deeply ingrained in him; he understands well his place in society and who exists above and below it. He is a passionate man, well argued with an inquisitive mind, attributes that are respected in political circles and considered valuable given his position and title. He has a great fear of abandonment, and that fear presents a substantial barrier to him both in trusting other people and allowing himself to become attached to them. He is known to be fickle and manipulative, holding no real loyalty to anyone but himself, though his company is enjoyed by his peers, who adore his social, hedonistic side; which arises mostly when he has been drinking. It is usually then that he takes a lover, though he considers this a trifle and nothing of a serious nature. 

At home, in Trematon, he is a man who spends much of his time alone, in his own company, reading, writing, painting and horse riding, though he does host the odd social occasion at the castle, where he employs a full complement of servants, all directed by his aging Housekeeper, Mrs Mary Frances, who has worked at Trematon Castle since William was a boy.