July 20, 1889 - Beauregard Home, North Bartonburg, Hogsmeade

In some regards Percy’s sisters were right. It was high time that he found himself someone to share his life with. Not that he would admit as much to them. The subject of a wife had been lingering for months now. Spurred on in part from Quin’s own interest in the subject, nevermind that it was Percy’s own sister that had changed Quin’s opinion. The conversation, while not one Percy had endured well, did bring Percy to the realization that they were growing older - and with that realization that life was lonely on one’s own.

The problem was that Percy had never intended to marry simply because it was ‘time to marry’ or because he felt lonely. He had always wanted to marry for love. Or some romantic notion that he might live with a woman who he cared deeply about. Perhaps it was because of his friendship with Maggie in his youth that he felt this way, it certainly hadn’t come from his parents. But Maggie was gone, married and happy in a life very much removed from Percy. When he thought of who else he would like by his side there had only been one person who had come to mind.

He supposed he should have recognized it sooner. Should have seen his affections growing for a certain young lady. They had exchanged letters for a year and a half now and when they found themselves at the same social events (which did seem a recurring incident) it was her solace that he sought. But the affections of the lady he did not know. In the months that he had begun to come to this realization he had poured over her letters looking for some sign of her own affections. She must, he reasoned, or she would not continue to write. Then again he had been friends with Maggie, had thought they were both on the same page, and then look at how that had gone. It was certainly better to find out now then to pin his hopes on something that was already nothing more than a dream. Which was the reason that Percy now stood on the Beauregard’s doorstep.

It had been a long time since Percy had found himself in such a position, standing at the door waiting for the butler to open it for him. He hadn’t even felt this nervous when he had battled the Main Street troll last summer. Yet, here he stood, trying not to sweat or turn red or any other embarrassing clue of just how uncomfortable he was.

After what seemed like an indeterminately long amount of time the door finally opened. For half a moment Percy thought of making his excuses and heading back to his small flat, abandoning this idea and living in peace with his books and Lily. Instead he heard himself stumbling over his words to the rather imposing butler who stood before him. “I’m here to, er, to s-see Miss Beauregard. Um, if she is in…?” What a fool he must appear to be. The gentleman disappeared for a moment, leaving Percy alone in the hall before returning to escort him into the sitting room of Miss Elsie Beauregard.

Entering the room Percy felt no more at ease. Memories of a similar trip kept trodding unbidden to the forefront of his mind. This was pointless. He had brought nothing to a marriage then, why would it be different now. Now he only added a crippled leg to the situation - not much of an enticement to young ladies.
At the sign of Miss Beauregard his throat grew dry. Uncomfortable he swallowed and bowed stiffly in greeting. Better to know now then to waste away years of his life, he tried to reassure himself. “Miss Beauregard.” Percy’s voice greeted her of its own accord.

@"elsie beauregard"

  

---

Pretties from Lady <3

Elsie's life was delightfully void of anything out of the realm of her normal. It was also woefully void of Tybalt in her day to day life, but that was by design, rather than chance. At least this absence had a purpose and wasn't making her unbearably miserable, like she'd been at this time last year. This was doable, even if she wished she could see him more. They had a plan, and it was going as well as expected as of the moment, she couldn't ask for much more really.

Of course that included saving up as much money as humanly possible, so Elsie picked up every spare shift she could at the library, cut back on her book buying and was tucking it away as fast as she was making it. Thankfully that was also a great way to skip out of participating the season. At twenty-three, she wasn't getting any younger, obviously, but she also had no interest in even looking, so what was the point. At least with Lottie's debut and her sister's general success with people meant that the focus was elsewhere and for that Elsie was incredibly grateful. She had no doubts that Lottie would do much better than she would, possibly even better than Adella. Lottie may have been quiet like Els, but was still much, much better at socializing.

Today was a rare day off and Elsie sat at the piano in the sitting room simply playing whatever came to mind as a way to pass the time. She wasn't used to have much down time these days, but playing always seemed like a good use of her time. The composition she'd been working on was coming along, but nowhere near finished and she hadn't the heart to fight with it today. What she hadn't anticipated however, was an interruption from the house butler, stating she had a visitor. Elsie never had visitors, especially those of the mysterious variety.

Fingers poised over the keys were she'd paused, Elsie stood immediately when she saw Mr. Adlard enter the room. Her smile came easily, though not without curiosity, as she closed the piano and moved away from it. "What a lovely surprise," Though they often exchanged letters and she saw him every once in a while at events, she hadn't ever  expected an unannounced visit from him. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

---

  

---

MJ always makes her so pretty

“Please don’t stop on my account.” Percy started as he straightened up, but Miss Beauregard had already closed the lid on her piano and moved away. Perhaps it would have been better if she had continued to play, perhaps it might have taken away from his own nerves, the strains of music he had heard on his way into the room had been beautiful.

Miss Beauregard’s smile was beautiful. Now that Percy’s mind was made up on the matter he found that all of her was alluring. The quiet beauty she held around her at all times seemed to shimmer through the room. Percy took gave her a returning smile, a bit more strained perhaps then her own, but there was a glimmer of hope in it.

“I had hoped to discuss a matter with you.” Percy admitted, grateful that his tone seemed normal, perhaps a tinge more worried then normal. He was determined to try and treat this as if he might a conversation with his sisters or at work. If he considered it in those terms instead of in the context of similar events he might even make it through the inevitable let down. “If you have a moment, that is?”

  

---

Pretties from Lady <3

Elsie hesitated near the piano only momentarily before deciding against sitting back down. She was not a fan of playing for people, though friends were often a different story. It was because her mother asked her to play when they hosted and she was not very comfortable with an audience or the feeling of being on display. Not that she assumed Mr. Adlard would feel that way, she had already closed the lid to move on.

Eyeing Mr. Adlard cautiously, Elsie was still a little thrown off by his unannounced arrival and now that he apparently had something to discuss with her. What on earth could it possibly be that he called upon her at home? She certainly hoped everything was alright!

"Of course," Her smile held a curious note to it, still unsure of where this could possibly be going. Nevertheless, Elsie crossed the room to her favorite comfortable armchair and motioned for Mr. Adlard to join her. "Shall I have tea brought up?" Elsie didn't play the part of hostess often, but knew that to be the right course of action. She should also probably find her mother, though she was certain Stella had been informed of their visitor's arrival by now.

---

  

---

MJ always makes her so pretty

Following Elsie’s invitation he settled onto an armchair, seating himself as if he were to get up in a moment. “That wouldn’t be necessary.” Percy doubted once she heard his reasoning that she would wish him to linger over a cup of tea. But he could hardly let the matter wait, he had to know if this venture was truly fruitless.

Taking a steadying breathe, Percy squared his shoulders and looked into Miss Beauregard’s blue eyes. Their bright depths more steadying than anything else at the moment. “We have been corresponding for some time now and I am sure that you have gleaned my admiration and affection for you.” Percy could feel his cheeks turning red with each word he uttered but to his undying gratitude his voice did not stumble across the words. “I had rather hoped you might return the affection I feel and allow me the greatest honor of courting you.”

The following 1 user Likes Percival Adlard's post:1 user Likes Percival Adlard's post
   Elias Grimstone

---

Pretties from Lady <3

Of all the possibilities for Mr. Adlard's visit today, Elsie had not been expecting that to be the reason.

Elsie let her mouth fall open to form just the tiniest "oh" of surprise, entirely unable to help the overwhelming shock that she'd just received. Certainly he couldn't be serious? There was no way. How could she have missed that? Yes, they corresponded reasonably often, but it was most oft about books and little else. He was a friendly face at social events, which she appreciated immensely and for Elsie that was saying something. Mr. Adlard held a level of comfort for her, she supposed, but to say she felt any affection for him was entirely false. Apparently the same could not be said for him. How had that happened?

What in the name of Merlin's beard had she done?

Though she shock hadn't quite worn off yet, Elsie knew she couldn't delay an answer for any length of time, and so she tried her best to formulate some reasonable answer. Just what was really the trick though.

"I," She began, trying to conjure a coherent, reasonable response, but paused yet again. "I'm flattered, Mr. Adlard, truly, but you know I cannot make such decisions for myself." She did her best to pass him a smile, but her nerves must have shown through.

And there inlaid the real problem; her mother would undoubtedly say yes.

---

  

---

MJ always makes her so pretty

It was obvious that Percy had caught Miss Beauregard off guard, surprise was evident on her face. The moment of silence that stretched between them felt like hours, Percy’s stomach knotted in a way that even the Main Street Troll hadn’t managed to make him. No adrenaline could cut the tension he suddenly felt. He could feel the warmth in his cheeks again, memories of the last conversation like this flying at him. When Elsie began to speak he almost expected her to say that she was engaged. Instead she seemed almost as nervous as he did.

It wasn’t a denial, but it wasn’t a yes either. Percy swallowed, unintentionally taking a step forward. “I know,” He said softly, his face gentle, “But I wouldn’t press suit if it weren’t something you were interested in as well.” Surely she would understand that. He had no intention of simply marrying for the sake of settling down, of putting a young woman in a situation like Lissy’s. No, he wanted this to be something they both felt.

The following 1 user Likes Percival Adlard's post:1 user Likes Percival Adlard's post
   Elsie Kirke

---

Pretties from Lady <3

Not for the first time Elsie knew she was truly in the middle of a situation she was unprepared to handle. Last time she'd made a very wrong decision and had caused not only herself a lot of heartache, but Tyb as well. Any decision she made here was also likely to cause a lot of upset, but ultimately the decision was also not hers. How could she sit here and pretend otherwise? Her mother would undoubtedly say yes and then she would be unable to do anything about it. However, as kind as Mr. Adlard was, and a good match too, looking from the outside, she was head over heels in love with her best friend. Lucinda had mentioned this would be a problem, her cousin had known the difficulties that would come, but Elsie had rather thought she'd done her best to avoid them. Clearly not.

Still, she had to say something. Mr. Adlard would be a wonderful match, if she were emotionally available to him. Realistically he would be ideal, given her disposition and their shared love of books, but she was not sure she could consciously do that to anyone. "I will need to speak with my parents." She passed him a better smile, though she felt awful doing so. She did not want to get his hopes up, but Elsie needed time to figure out how to handle this and this may very well be the only way to buy herself enough of it. If she could just give Tyb enough time...

"Would you give me a little time to address this with them?" Certainly it was a reasonable request. He must have known he'd caught her off guard, she was terrible at hiding her feelings. What else could she do?

---

The following 1 user Likes Elsie Kirke's post:1 user Likes Elsie Kirke's post
   Elias Grimstone

---

MJ always makes her so pretty

Her answer did not speak of her own feelings, did not answer his question. Perhaps her surprise at his intentions had surprised her enough that she did not know what to think. But she smiled at him and mentioned speaking to her parents. He returned the smile, although he felt little relief at her words.

“Of course, take all the time you need.” He gave her a reassuring smile. While it was not the direct dismissal he had expected, he could live with it. He would not put her in a position where she hastily made a decision she could not live with for the rest of her life.

An awkward silence fell between them. What did he say now? He hardly suspected she would wish him to remain and share tea with her, she’d want time with her thoughts. “Let me know when you are ready.” He added gently, “I... shall be on my way then. Good day, Miss Beauregard.” Percy tipped his hat and started for the exit. He might not know her answer, but at least now she knew of his intentions this whole thing hadn’t been for nought then.

  

---

Pretties from Lady <3