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

[winterheart]

[Devon shakes her head.]

... It's like you suggested. They're probably watching me for... The fixing. I can't think of anything else. Whenever Ian found a stray that needed help, we always made sure to bring them home so I could help where no one could see.

[hedgemaze]

But if they wanted something, why not walk up to you and ask you for it? Why all this cloak and dagger nonsense? I don't like it, Devon.

[winterheart]

I don't either and... [It seems to click with her.]

... Maybe it's because of Grandpa.

[After all, if she was harmed, Lucas Flemming would most likely raise hell. And she was the one who told Grandpa about being followed didn't she?]

They're watching, but they can't do anything because of him.

[hedgemaze]

[He watches her expression, feeling her uncertainty from where he sits. After everything, it all circles back to this secret of hers, doesn't it? The one she thinks her grandfather is keeping from her.

It's enough to send a flicker of irritation running through him.]

Well that's all well and good, but it isn't exactly fair keeping you in the dark if there's something actually happening here. You really need to confront him about this. I'm not going to have my fiance being followed around by shady men for the rest of her life.

[winterheart]

... Well, we'll definitely see him at the engagement party.

[It's not an ideal time and place to talk to him, but...]

At the very least? I'll get him to visit me after that's all said and done.

[hedgemaze]

Good. For your sake, I think it'd be for the best.

[Don't make him have to do it for you, Devon. Because James is the type that totally will.]

...Maybe we should head back for now. It'll be dark by the time we return to the estate, anyway.

[winterheart]

[Devon nods and begins to stand up. Behind her the door jingles and a mixed group of people come in. She glances casually... And immediately sits back down.]

Crap.

Cousins alert.

[TODAY OF ALL DAYS... When she's with her fiance and trying to enjoy herself, goddammit.]

[hedgemaze]

What-? [He mutters, just Devon plants herself in her seat all over again. He stands there awkwardly for a few seconds, looking as the group of people pass, then slowly sits back down.]

I take it this is not a good thing?

[More family drama upon them?]

[winterheart]

Let's just say that I like Lucy the most because she actually liked me.

[The others, she could get along with, maybe even have a fun time if the occasion called for it, but...

Devon can recognize the three of them; there's Maisy, the oldest, her brother Mason (playing on his phone looking bored), and their other cousin Paige. Their conversation floats through the cafe, not too loud, but easy enough to hear as they sit down at a nearby table. They amazingly have not taken notice of the engaged couple.]

"... Lucy's got herself a new boyfriend recently, hasn't she?"

"Oh, yeah! She definitely looking more cheerful these days. Finally, catching a break after all Grandfather's put her through."

"I still say she'd lost out on not keeping a hold on Aubel if you ask me."

"Mm. At this point, it seems like Devon's got him firmly in her grasp. Good for her and her family isn't it? They could use the little extra from what I remember."

...

[Devon says nothing. She's staring out the window instead, but her emotions are bubbling up, negative, ugly ones, that threaten to rise to the surface.]

[hedgemaze]

[Well this is beyond awkward. Annoyance grows in James as they speak about both him and Devon, and he raps his fingers against the table. Honestly, he doesn't care as much about what people say about him behind his back. He's a businessman, tough skin came with the territory.

But he can feel the negative emotions rising in Devon, spilling over to himself. It's making him a little irritated for her sake, and he sets his jaw, debating on what to do.]

(Wankers.) [He accidentally projects to the whole cafe, oops, not meaning to. He doesn't even realize it, and immediately looks at Devon afterwards. He strains a satirical smile.] Want me to have a word with them?

[winterheart]

[The whole cafe collectively blinks from the unintended projection and the Flemmings even stop chattering wondering what just happened. It's shrugged off soon enough and Devon looks at James and shakes her head, reaching over so she's holding his hand across the table. ]

Don't.

Just stay with me.

[hedgemaze]

[It's by her bidding alone that James remains seated instead of confrontational. He exhales, her hand on his.]

You don't have to sit here and take this.

[winterheart]

"...Guess Aubel will take anyone as long as it's a girl even if they're m-... "

[Devon squeezes James's hand. Just doing that seems to calm her down and drown out the rest.]

You're here with me. That's enough.

[hedgemaze]

[The words around them dissipate, and when she squeezes his hand and speaks, all he can focus on is her.

James looks at her, eyes searching. For a strange moment, he has to remind himself to breathe. Finally, words come to him.]

I won't be going anywhere.

[Usually these words would be coupled with a smile, smug and confident. But this time, they are uncharacteristically serious, and sincere. He's not leaving her behind to fend off those wolves all by herself. He can't.]

[winterheart]

One.

Two...

[... Minutes pass before the cousin's conversation moves to something else. Devon finally looks and nods at James, moving to stand up. ]

Don't worry. I got this.

[hedgemaze]

[He watches her stand, a questioning look making its way onto his features. He looks from Devon to her cousins, then back at Devon again.

What are you up to? says his expression.]

[winterheart]

[And he finds out soon enough. Donning her sunglasses, Devon walks towards the exit and calls out:]

YO, MAISY!

[The cousins are startled, shocked, and when they see Devon, appropriately mortified and twice over when they see the man with her. Devon disregards them and everyone and waves to them energetically with her ring hand.]

See you at the engagement party, you twit!

[DEVON, OUT. ]

mic drop

[hedgemaze]

[Even James is shocked to see this outburst from Devon, but instead of being mortified, the surprise is quickly flooded with a sharp sense of amusement. He chuckles, standing as Devon makes her flourish of an exit, stuffing one hand in his pocket while the other gives a cocky little wave at the patrons in the cafe -- specifically, Devon's cousins.

The look of utter embarrassment on their faces makes his departure right behind his fiance even sweeter.

He waits until he's left the cafe before he allows himself to laugh. Briefly, he's forgotten all about the subject of her "stalkers", instead amused by her outburst.]

Talk about a foot in the proverbial mouth.

[winterheart]

[Devon moves towards their parking spot covering her mouth, partly from laughing, partly from hiding her redness. It has been A Day.]

I'd... I'd say I was surprised I had it in me, but I suppose I have my dad's side to thank.

But I would have far more colorful words, but that would probably been a bit much. Thanks for sticking it out with me though James.

[hedgemaze]

I was glad to see it. They deserved being called out for their stupidity.

[At the car, he unlocks it for them to enter. Once settled in and the car is started, he adds:]

And don't thank me. I'm obligated to, you know.

[winterheart]

Mason's actually okay. Maisy and Paige, however, can stuff it.

[She sits in the passenger's seat, stretching her arms upwards. ]

And when you say stuff like that, James, you're proving the shop attendant right. You're a bit much.

[Devon brushes her hair behind her shoulder grinning from ear to ear. ]

It keeps me making me like you more and more.

[hedgemaze]

[He laughs, putting the car in gear... and off they go.]

How am I a bit much? I thought women liked men who said those kinds of things.

[Ah, but then she says that it's starting to make her like him more, and his words fly away again. Damn, she's always doing that. He grins a little.]

Be careful saying that, Devon.

[winterheart]

[Devon leans back, humming Makin'Out cheerfully, but chooses a different song instead.

Instant Crush.]

Why? Am I making you blush?

[hedgemaze]

[He shakes his head, eyes on the road. The evening air feels cool on his skin as they drive, and the music plays in the background.]

No. But you'll make me start to fall for you at this rate.

[winterheart]

... Good for me then.

[That's hardly disagreeable to her.]

That'd be a first.