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Mercedes Dupont ([info]mercedes_dupont) wrote,
@ 2008-04-02 08:28:00

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Entry tags:get to know you

Get To Know You
Mercedes loved ports. He loved the vibrancy of the place, the movement, the noise, the taste of the sea mingled with spice, wine, silk, iron. Unlike London or Paris, to him, this place was the centre of the world.

He glanced about the street, and dusted off his hands. He had time while the ship's cargo (Indian spices, tea, silks and one or two home-sick travellers) was unloaded to talk and chat. In fact, after a month at sea, he was rather looking forward to talking to anyone who wasn't one of his employees.

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[info]madame_margot
2008-04-09 08:35 am UTC (link)
"Men and their important business, Monsieur," Marguerite chuckles. "They so rarely involve us ladies unless we can smooth over difficult transactions. I'm sure many a war has been started because there was not sufficient female company... or not enough wine."

Her eyes scan the quay. "Tell me, Captain, do you sail to France? Is it much changed?"

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[info]mercedes_dupont
2008-04-09 08:41 am UTC (link)
*fingers crossed*

Mercedes laughs. "Or too much wine, Madame. Even with a strong wife to guide him, a man who is too influenced by the bottle is sure to trip and fall. But do you think female companionship calms men when they are angered? Or do you think that men are more inclined to aggression, when there is a lady to impress?"

"Ah." He says softly, and gives her a fleeting smile, an unhappy one. "I sail as often as I have reason to, but it is hardly safe to appear in a French port more than one a month, least your face is remembered and accused. I see little of what goes on inland."

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[info]madame_margot
2008-04-09 08:49 am UTC (link)
"Do we make for such good excuses?" Marguerite muses, tilting her head to the side as if in thought. "Nay, I think not. Had Robespierre claimed he has guillotined noblemen out of love for their wives, I can scarce believe anyone would have followed that particular madman. His motives, as they are, seem so much more... persuasive." And disgusting, but she knew to keep her own opinions silent.

"You are fortunate, then," she nods. "The beauty of the coast without the dangers of the mainland... I imagine Paris has been torn apart. And Versailles..." Marguerite sighs.

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[info]mercedes_dupont
2008-04-09 09:03 am UTC (link)
"I do not think anyone would believe Citizen Robespierre capable of love for a woman. He is.... too concerned with matters of state." It always pays to be tactful. Even if Madame York was no revolutionary, at a dock anyone else could over hear, and their allegiances could not be so easily proved. "But not all men are like him. Do you think wars could be prevented, if more women had their say?"

"The coast is just as dangerous, Madame, and it does not care for your politics or your money or your family name. Madame Ocean is much more terrifying than Citizen Robespierre. At least, to me."

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[info]madame_margot
2008-04-09 09:42 am UTC (link)
"I am always amused to find that men treat ships and oceans as if they are mistresses," Marguerite smiles, containing her laughter. It isn't safe, even here, to mock openly what should be mocked. "Did not the Ancient Greeks believe matters of the sea were in the hands of a male god?"

Fingers trace the edge of her fan, holding it folded in her palm. "I so long to travel, but it does not seem to be in the cards. My husband has no stomach for the sea." At least, not the husband she had now.

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[info]mercedes_dupont
2008-04-09 10:25 am UTC (link)
Mercedes shakes his head. "I know very little about the Greeks, madame, but I do know that the goddess of Channel is most certainly a woman." He smiles, "You too would understand, if you were male, and a sailor."

"That's sad, Madam. Does he not even enjoy sail boats? For leisure?" He questions, eyebrow raised. "But you? Do you enjoy the sea?"

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[info]madame_margot
2008-04-09 10:42 am UTC (link)
"Would that I were born a man, Monsieur," she laughs, "and I do believe I would have joined the navy." It was no more than a stray thought, of course, the likes of which she entertained on afternoons when everything bored her.

"My husband enjoys card games and port," she explains. "For a short time amusing, but at length, so tiresome. One craves adventure... as unfeminine as it might be."

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[info]mercedes_dupont
2008-04-09 10:59 am UTC (link)
"The Navy? A fine institution, but perhaps not a career. Not for those who truly love adventure. Those in the Navy never have the adventures they want, Madam. Your humble seamen sails where his captain orders, and his captain sails where his admiral orders, and he in turn is ordered by government. Does the government seek to experience adventure first hand? Of course not, all governments wish things to stay as they are- with them in charge. No, if you want adventure, become a merchant. Or a vagabond."

Mercedes shakes his head. "Cards and Port? Enjoyable, perhaps one evening a month, I agree. But not for a lifetime. What do you do, to amuse yourself? If it isn't too forward a question."

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[info]madame_margot
2008-04-09 11:16 am UTC (link)
Marguerite finds herself nodding along with the captain's words, agreeing wholeheartedly. Now why did she have the meet Captain Bory first? Why should he have tainted her view of seamen and sailors alike?

Why should he, indeed.

"Unfortunately I lack in entertainment," she sighs. "Such visits away from the estate are my only distraction." And if that sounded absolutely pitiful, well, it was. "Men are so fortunate as to be vagrants and respectable all at once. Would you not think less of a lady if she chose the same path?"

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[info]mercedes_dupont
2008-04-09 11:35 am UTC (link)
"If you had been born a man, dear Madam York, and I had the pleasure of making your acquaintance then as now, I would gladly offer you a place aboard, if you wished for adventure. Although we would not be sailing far from home, only to Holland." He shrugs, "But we may not even be setting sail today- my cargo has not yet arrived, and without it, heading to Holland would be pointless. Such is trade." He finishes with a grin.

"Then you should take up your position as lady of the household. Take command of your servants. Your husband does not need you to stay in the house as an ornament. Go on an adventure. Take a carriage to be shore, or to a town you have never visited. You long for adventure, Madam, and you should have it. I knew many wives of Raj, in India, who would ride on Elephants through the forests, who hunted, who dressed as goddesses and searched for lost treasures, all on a whim. You should also."

Forgive my lack of brain cells today. ><''

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[info]madame_margot
2008-04-09 11:53 am UTC (link)
[[no worries;)]]

"What pity that I did not run to India instead," Marguerite laughs, taking him only half-seriously. This is her life, at least for now. She's not so idiotic as to rock the boat. "I have plans for my household. The servants must all be replaced with good French stock, of course. Though, I am wary of such change." Her eyes meet his, an eyebrow arched. "The French Ambassador has offered his help in procuring me with a personal maid." And we may both judge his intent.

"Still, I do believe I will take your advice. England is still new to me. I shall make a point of seeing as much of it as I can. And certainly, the ports have their own attraction for a lady in my position."

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[info]mercedes_dupont
2008-04-09 12:11 pm UTC (link)
"Perhaps we all should have. Although the British have their interests there... by the long route or the short, we would be under the English thumb all the same."

"The French Ambassador?" Mercedes raises an eyebrow. "I'm sure his intentions were... admirable, but if you really require the staff... perhaps I should advertise on your behalf? If your husband would allow you at most three days to select new, suitable staff... perhaps you could come with me?" He asks, knowing the offer, if acceptable would at least make his wasted time in port today profitable.

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[info]madame_margot
2008-04-09 12:27 pm UTC (link)
"I'm sure Monsieur Belmont has my best intentions at heart," she placates, doubtful though she is of the whole enterprise of old French and new French aristocracy.

"But perhaps... perhaps you are correct." Tapping her fan against her palm, she considers his offer. "Perhaps that would be most prudent, indeed. I would hate to refuse the Ambassador's help, but with your aid I might ease the burden I so inadvertently placed upon that kind gentleman."

A stay in port, in the company of a gentleman she had scarce known more than an hour, why it is just the sort of thing a younger Marguerite would have done. She is not so changed.

"I'm certain my dear husband will be able to spare me a few days for such a purpose."

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[info]mercedes_dupont
2008-04-09 01:08 pm UTC (link)
"As I am also sure." Mercedes says as he glances around them. They're almost at the end of the quay, and so, taking her arm, gently turn her about. "It is his job, after all, to care for the French people." Although he was carefully not to say exactly which French people.

"He must have many things on his mind. It would be the right thing to do, I think. He must have a great many burdens, after all." Mercedes smiles widely. "And after all, it would give you an opportunity for adventure. If your husband of course would like to send a servant he trusts to ensure your safety, that is more than welcome."

"We can discuss this further if you like, madam. I have offices in town, if you would prefer to talk there."

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[info]madame_margot
2008-04-09 01:22 pm UTC (link)
"An excellent plan," Marguerite agrees, remembering the old days when she was paraded on men's arms like a treasured possession. It is a sin that she should be locked away, like a precious painting hung on the wall of a deserted drawing room.

"I will put myself in your trust, Monsieur, and send word back to the estate. But I will keep the carriage." Arching an eyebrow, she darted a look towards the quay. "Which one is yours? I would hate to come here and not know what sails my eyes should be searching for."

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[info]mercedes_dupont
2008-04-09 01:45 pm UTC (link)
He inclines his head. "My thanks, Madam York. But your needs were my inspiration."

Mercedes smiles at her question, pointing to one of the ships tied up at the quay. "Do you see the ship with the two masts, with the empty dock before it?" He asks, waiting for her nod. "That is the Apollian. Not the grandest of vessels, but I think possibly the bravest."

"Are you sending back a messenger, Madam? I may not be able to take you for some days yet- if my cargo arrives, of course. If it doesn't, then we still may have to wait for the morning and the change of the tide. It will take a day to sail and a day to come back, as well as finding your staff in-between times. And I am not sure on how long you would like to remain on French soil, madam, without missing all the comforts of England?" That was possibly the best way to safely ask if she still considered France dangerous, and if, as an aristo, would risk being there for very long.

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[info]madame_margot
2008-04-09 02:04 pm UTC (link)
Gazing out into the port, Marguerite smiles wistfully. "She shall keep us safe from harm, I trust?" Without waiting for the Captain's reassurance and not needing it once her mind was made up, she nodded. "The post will do for my husband. With luck, he may be sufficiently occupied so as not even to notice until I am returned."

Safe on the Captain's arm, she presses on with a newly acquired lightness in her step. "I do fear France, Monsieur. France is my home, regardless of who rules and who does not." A shrug. "At any rate, I shall be traveling as an Englishwoman. We will content ourselves with the northern towns and not set one foot in Paris." Giggling like a young girl, she leans slightly against the captain's shoulder. "It will be as though nothing has changed."

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[info]mercedes_dupont
2008-04-09 02:29 pm UTC (link)
"She shall, Madam. Never once has the Apollian let me down." He smiles, clearly proud of the ship. And why not, she was perfect, in his mind, and beautiful. Not the most expensive, or the biggest of ships, but for voyages back and forth across the channel- and for the smuggling out of wanted French aristocrats- the Apollian was well suited, especially considering she was made of tiny holds, hidden spaces and false walls.

"Don't you even fear Robespierre, Madam? He does not like his fish to get away." Mercedes warned, having heard stories of the wealthy who had returned, sure their new-found English friends would protect them, and being left, awaiting rescue, until the every moment the guillotine's blade fell. And it wasn't only Madam York he feared for.

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[info]madame_margot
2008-04-09 02:59 pm UTC (link)
"The appropriate response would be to say that I do not fear death," Marguerite muses, not entirely concerned. "Yet the mind works in strange ways, and all I can see is the adventure you promise, Monsieur."

Robespierre would have her neck, her husband would have her in a gilded cage and Captain Bory would have her in his debt forever. So far, this is the best avenue presented and the natural choice.

"I will trust in your ship's courage and your guidance. And naturally, my husband's purse should go amiss."

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[info]mercedes_dupont
2008-04-09 05:22 pm UTC (link)
Mercedes laughs, "Well, I shall try my very hardest to deliver you an adventure. One that I hope will banish boredom for at least a little while, and perhaps when you return home, the memory will inspire you to make your own adventures?"

He bows his head a little. "My thanks, Madame. My crew would greatly appreciate your generosity." He says, stopping in front of his ship. "But I don't think we shall be setting sail tonight. The tide is against us, I'm afraid. Still if you want to leave as soon as possible, we can sail before dawn tomorrow."

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[info]madame_margot
2008-04-10 04:55 pm UTC (link)
"Before dawn it is, then," she nods happily. "I shall take a room for the night at the inn, to prepare myself and send word to my Baron. The carriage will remain here and await my return." She would go alone, she decides. Unaccompanied.

As she was at the French court what feels like centuries ago.

"I do believe my fate shall be in your hands, Capitaine."

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[info]mercedes_dupont
2008-04-10 06:36 pm UTC (link)
"Make sure the Inn Keeper doesn't swindle you, Madam." Mercedes warns. "A wealthy young woman on her own is easy pickings for unscrupulous men. Perhaps I can suggest a place that will not rob too much from your husband’s purse? The Landlord is a good friend of mine.” And Mercedes was certain, almost certain, that the man wasn’t a French spy, either. He had, after all, housed many escapees during their first night in England.

He bows low again, just as he had that short time ago, when he had spotted her stepping out of her carriage. “It will be a pleasure having you aboard, Madam, and please, assure your husband that your safety is of my utmost concern. I will take personal care of you.”

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[info]madame_margot
2008-04-10 07:56 pm UTC (link)
"I thank you for your concern," Marguerite replies, smiling only a little smugly. "Any help you can provide me would be welcome, to be sure. I have still so much to learn about this country."

And if not, at the very least she would be in the care of a handsome gentleman. She saw no reason to fear any designs he may have upon her. He didn't seem like the sort.

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[info]mercedes_dupont
2008-04-10 08:11 pm UTC (link)
"A gentleman does not like to see a beautiful woman cheated. Even if he is only a gentleman due to the kindness of strangers." He smiles at her, nodding towards the town which profited from the natural protected harbour. "There is a small establishment, the Mary Rose it is called, and if you tell the landlord that you are my guest, he will treat you like the English treat their royalty." He adds, "And I shall collect you myself, an hour before dawn, if you and your luggage would be ready."

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[info]madame_margot
2008-04-10 08:22 pm UTC (link)
Her smile is sincere in response. "Thank you. I am in your debt, Monsieur."

[[OOC: sorry, I must run]]

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