psl; [a marriage of inconvenience]

[hedgemaze]

THE AUBEL ESTATE is located in Derbyshire, England, a stately old home reminiscent of centuries long past. Long ago, it had fallen into disrepair and abandoned until previous generations of the Aubel family purchased the land for themselves, having found their fortunes in matters of real estate. Since that time, the outside has been restored and the inside has been renovated at least three times. Four, if you ask the uncle who remembers the one summer where the chandelier fell from the dining hall, taking a large portion of the ceiling with it. How embarrassing, if such a thing is true.

In its present state, it straddles the line between the old and new. The large, prominent rooms are ostentatious as they are filled to the brim with austere English culture; the smaller quarters, traditionally used by the servants and staff, are far more modest, and over time have allowed the tendrils of modernity to creep in as a result. Regardless, the home is impressive no matter how you look at it, and there are few who do not cast an envious glance at the estate as they pass by Derbyshire on their way to town, or perhaps northwest to Manchester, if they've even farther to go.

PHILIP AND JAMES AUBEL, father and son respectively, are the owners of the home, though only the father remains for any extended period of time. And even then, he only stays perhaps one or two seasons at a time, until he returns to his home in London, spending one or two seasons there, before returning again, living out his life of retirement to the fullest. James visits nearly every week (driving in from Manchester, and back) in the Spring, until the first freeze of Winter, when nothing will grow. Though they have a staff of two dozen -- give or take, depending upon the time of year -- taking care of the estate and its grounds, James is more diligent about keeping up appearances of the house, showing a special interest in maintaining the complex hedge maze on the land directly behind them. Only he keeps access to its center, a literal walled garden of seasonal flora.

AS RECENT DEVELOPMENTS WOULD HAVE IT, James has been drawn into an arranged marriage by his father and an old business acquaintance. She is scheduled for an extended visit soon, and the staff have done a meticulous job of preparing the hall for her arrival -- and the rest of the rooms, as well, if she is expected to make her living here permanent, one day. Today, the weather is clear and the help is eager to aid her in unpacking. The grounds are green and the family dog, an old greyhound with cataracts in one eye, bounds up to her with a slow wagging tail. The father will greet her, of course, with all the usual formalities, and though he doesn't know her all that well at all, she at least seems nice enough. He disappears soon after, leaving her to her own devices as she sees fit. James himself is nowhere to be found.

Somewhere, sooner rather than later, a collision course of first impressions will take place.

----------

D I R E C T O R Y;

➤ shitpost.
➤ first impressions.
➤ diamonds.
➤ text her, texter.
➤ saviour.
➤ flirt.
➤ closer.
➤ cross-examine.
➤ PARTY CRASHERS.
✶ elle + devon
✶ elle + corvus
✶ ian + james + corvus
✶ devon + james
➤ alien abduction.
➤ sleep now.
➤ bathe.
➤ remember.
➤ drink.
➤ welcome home.

Comments

σηƖу fσσƖѕ яυη αѕтяαу

[winterheart]

Ah...

[Devon can't help, but let out a relaxed sigh as she gazes upon a piece of fine art displayed in the Portland Art Museum which she and James were currently at.]

This is more like it. Although, this reminds me that I should take an excursion to art museums in England too.

[After finally being granted some reprieve from her mother and relatives, Devon has taken the opportunity to spend some time with James in her favorite spots around the city. The art museum being a destination spot is no surprise whatsoever. Devon is in her element, enthralled by all the art that's housed within the building. She has an appreciation for all art forms, 2D or 3D, photography, textiles. She's a jack-of-all-trades herself so she understands the work that's put into every piece.

She hasn't noticed yet, but the art is not the only thing being appreciated in the museum...

Devon looks at James, arms behind her back as they stroll down the aisles.]

I'm surprised Ian didn't feel like going with the both of us today. Must have been tired out from school and keeping you entertained, right?

[Well, "entertained" isn't the right word for what the little brother and fiance went through to save a dog, but she doesn't know that.]

[hedgemaze]

[James can appreciate art, though he doesn't understand the effort put into it quite as much as Devon. Still, the pieces are quite the sight to see. He hangs close to Devon the entire time, though he's more than aware of the stares that have been tossed his way on occasion.

He'll flash them a smile every one in awhile, confident and sly, but it's all innocent in his mind. At the question, he laughs a little.]

Er... yes. Quite entertained. I'm a handful, you know.

[winterheart]

I'll say. Good to know that he's having fun with you. He's really warmed up since your guys' first meeting.

[hedgemaze]

I'm glad, you know. It wouldn't do to have my future brother-in-law hating me at every turn. Besides, he's a good conversationalist for his age.

[winterheart]

[Devon tilts her head at James, her eyes thoughtful.]

... Putting aside that he's an in-law and my brother... I gotta say, you're okay with him being a kid and all.

[Ian may be mature, but he's still a child. And Devon can see that James treated him well despite that fact.]

[hedgemaze]

Is there a reason why I shouldn't be?

[After all, he does have that soft spot for kids, as much as he keeps it to himself.]

[winterheart]

[Well, there's the fact that marriage might entail other details involving children, but... Yeah, that's moving too quickly and even thinking about it freaks Devon out quietly. But she's glad. Glad that James can get along with a child.]

Oh no.

It makes me happy to see it, that's all.

[hedgemaze]

Well... that's good.

[He gives her a self-satisfied smile.]

Anything I can do to make you happy equals a success for me, at any rate. Wouldn't you say?

[winterheart]

Let's do another pub crawl so I can win at drinking again.

That would make me really happy.

[hedgemaze]

Ah, how about not? I'd rather not have to suffer through another one of those dreadful hangovers again.

[winterheart]

Alright, alright. Once was enough, huh?

[Devon checks her phone for any missed messages.]

Mom wants us over for dinner again this evening, so let's finish up our visit here. We'll have the house for ourselves by the time we get back, so we can rest up first.

[hedgemaze]

More than enough.

[At her comment, though, he gives her a sly sort of look.]

All to ourselves? Whatever will we do?

[winterheart]

Be appropriate.

[hedgemaze]

You'd get bored of me if I was.

[winterheart]

Nonsense. I always have fun with the push and pull thing we got going on here.

[hedgemaze]

Mm hm. Are you sure that's just not another way or saying you're secretly a tease?

[winterheart]

[As they walk back down to the ground floor, Devon loops her arm around his (much to the chagrin of some hopefuls who had been watching James).]

I'm a tease, but your tease. I think we can both agree with that.

[hedgemaze]

[He's definitely pulling stares, even they're merely wistful ones when Devon takes him by the arm.]

You'll hear no arguments from me. Tease me as much as you like, Devon.

[winterheart]

It would be my honor.

[The gift shop is in view and Devon lets go of James' arm.]

I'm gonna go grab some gifts for some old co-workers and family. Don't mind waiting for a few minutes?

[At least it's not clothes shopping!]

[hedgemaze]

Take your time.

[He makes a playful shooing motion with his hands.]

I'll be right here.

[winterheart]

[Devon moves to the gift shop like a kid released onto the playground. What she fails to notice for the time being, are a pair of young women who make a beeline for James, the moment Devon is out of sight and out of earshot. Their interest is obvious and they strike up a conversation with James immediately.]

"Hi! I couldn't help but notice, or rather, my friend and I overheard you talking and wanted to ask if you're from overseas? From the United Kingdom?"

[hedgemaze]

[James was just about to take out his phone to check for any messages, when the two young women waltz up to him. He peers up and blinks at them; unsurprisingly, he doesn't look shocked.

He graces them with a smile, humoring them as he often does.]

That's correct, I am. Let me guess, the accent gave it away?

[winterheart]

"Oh my god, that's great!"

"I've never been to England before! Are you a celebrity?"

"Yeah, you totally have the face of one?"

[While they're engaging James in a conversation, Devon is still busy enough to not notice that James is being hit on. She's comparing the prices of two products and it may take her another minute or two to really look up and break out of her absorption.]

[hedgemaze]

Ah... [James can't help but glance at Devon, but she's current very occupied, and he actually doesn't want to interrupt her right now. And so he merely shrugs his shoulders, and returns his attention to the young ladies.]

I appreciate the sentiment. Flattery will get you everywhere, as the saying goes.

1/2

[winterheart]

"Well, we are totally happy to flatter you anytime you want."

"I mean, as long as you're staying here."

"In fact, as long as you're hanging around Portland, you should totally visit this bar we definitely recommend and..."

[They continue chatting with James and as the girls try to invite him to several bars or clubs of their choice, that's when Devon, after paying for her gifts looks over to him and notices what's going on. For a second she's not sure what to think.

And when she glances around, there are other people looking at James, wistful, yearning, waiting for their turn to maybe talk to him because they didn't notice Devon walking alongside him, they didn't notice, or worse, didn't care, he was with someone else. They wanted him and a strange feeling begins to stir within her, something she is not accustomed to. Devon hesitates to walk forward to call out to him. She's frozen in her spot trying to make sense of what she's feeling and...]