Full title: Necessities: and one he hopes to see.....

He usually sent his man but this afternoon he felt the need for further exercise and air. He had walked to this establishment, exchanging greetings with several as he went until he found himself before the triple mirror where he was being subjected to neck wear.


His cravats were always pristine and starched and he really did not need another. It was all a ruse, you see, for he hoped that Lady Imogen would have felt the need as well...... not for cravats, but other things that Ladies had need of, but in this he was foiled. He had not seen any that bore resemblance to her as he walked, and he had looked, to be sure! Perhaps her health prevent such outings?


He looked at his reflection in the glass and at the eager yet restrained face of the man waiting upon him and felt some remorse at this farce of his, so guilt won out and he found himself the owner of six new neck-clothes to be delivered to his residence with the hour.....


Departing the shop, he turned left, to wander up towards the bookseller, for he had promised his sister a book in return for a favor he had requested of her. His pace was relaxed and he took a breath of the clean air, maybe she would be there......


He entered and stood a moment as he took in the clientele and turned as a voice called his name.......

[[oops sorry double posted...hehe]]

Archibald went home after his morning walk in Hyde Park to find his sister distraught and muddy. Chuckling Archibald listened to his sister ramble on about how she couldn’t find a dress anywhere and how when she finally did it was a lovely brown one with alot of ruffles. Then she talked of walking out of the shop in high spirits only to be splashed by mud. Archibald shook his head and sighed at her. "Since when have you cared about what other people say Mary? I have never seen you so upset about something as foolish as a dress."


Archibald was not surprised that this earned him a lecture and putting his hand up to silence her decided to make a peace offering. "How’s this, what if we were to go to bond street today and order you some new dresses. Im sorry to say but you are quite right about the other ladies outshining you in their apparel. Now go put on a clean dress and we will venture fourth to bond street and buy you some pretty new things!"


He smiled back at his sister as she grinned at him and bounded upstairs to change. He waited for nearly 15 minutes while she changed and scowled at her as she came down the stairs. They left immediately and within half an hour they were in bond street shopping. They went to Madame Lamberts and she ordered some new dresses and when she was finally satisfied they began walking down the rest of bond street.


After about half an hour of wandering around Archibald saw a familiar face in a store window so stopping his sister and walking towards the shop he waited for the man to exit. When he did Archibald ushered his sister forward and called Lord Lassiters name. "Lord Lassiter," she said with a smile as they approached. He bowed and continued smiling bringing his sister forward. "May I introduce to you my sister Lady Marie Ann Edwards."

He turned , his eyes searching for the owner of the voice and moved aside to allow customers to enter the shop.


He saw it was Archibald Edwards, and his glance took in his sister at his side as she made her greeting allowing him but a moment to assess.... "Lady Marie Ann," he said with a small bow, "A pleasure - have you come for a book? If so, perhaps I could beg a favor - I have promised my sister Lady Wollsey a novel but have not the faintest idea as to who is the current rage - I would appreciate any suggestions..." and he looked at the two of them and smiled.

Marie Ann put on a small smile as her brother and her approached a new person and bobbed a polite curtsy as they were introduced. "And A pleasure to meet you Lord Lassiter."


Maries smile grew wider as her opinion was asked on a book. Then realizing that he knew she liked books she turned around to face her brother, rolling her eyes but in a way she was sure Lord Lassiter could not see. She saw that yet again her brother hadnt failed to mention her to what he probably thought was a marriageable prospect. Then turning around with a friendly smile on her face Marie Ann thought about Lord Lassiters question. There were several books that she found rather good but without any knowledge of the ladies preferances she could not tell him anything .


"Lord Lassiter there are several books that I have found most enjoyable as of late and im sure that if I knew some of the ladies book prefernces I could tell you which she might like," She said smiling.

She and Lady Sara had stopped to admire several pieces of jewelry in a window when she caught sight of a Gentlemen's reflection in the glass. It was the Duke of Bridgewater with another Gentleman and a lady. Well! she made a small movement which caused Sara to look at her in inquiry....


"I do believe I see the Duke, just there, in front of the bookseller. May we cross? I would like to meet others you know Sara...." and she let her voice trail off on a wistful note. A 'silent smile' soon followed for she had known that Sara would indeed cross to greet her brother, which would give her another opportunity with the Duke.


They crossed and walked the short distance to where the three stood in conversation. Justine letting her eyes do a rapid check of the other girl, taking in her dress and accessories in a flash, felt no threat. So it was with a smile and a slight flirtation on manner that she made her curtsey to the Duke and then to the other two, her eyes resting a bit longer on The Marquis.


"A pleasure indeed! Lady Marie Ann, My Lord," she said charmingly, to them both. "Are you also a reader?" she asked of Lady Marie Anne.

Marie Ann looked to her left as another two young women approached and curtsied. The two women were very pretty indeed and she knew that her brother would certainly appreciate them both. Then taking in the question of what looked to be the younger girl Marie Ann smiled warmly, lighting up her face as it always did. "Why yes I am a reader. I beleive Lord Lassiter and I were just speaking on the sublect of books. Do you happen to read yourself my lady?"

He saw the familiar face of his sister before she had even crossed the road so was not taken by surprise at her appearance.


With a short bow he acknowledged her and Justine, then turned to Archibald and Marie Ann, "My sister, Lady Wollsey and Lady Justine Blansfield, " then back to Sara with "The Marquis of Eden and his sister, Lady Marie Ann," then took a step back and merely observed the exchange between the two girls, letting his glance travel the length of the street still hoping to see Lady Imogen.....

Archibald watched the interaction between the three other party memebers and listened only half heartedly. He was sorry to say but whenever people began to talk about books he gre rather tired. He bowed and smiled charmingly at the younger girl as his name was announced and went back to thinking about what in the world to do about his sister. He was thinking about trying to match her off with Lord Lassiter but due to his scanning the street for someone else he didnt think that, that was very likley.


"Well ladies im sorry to scurry off but I fear I have other things to attened to. Lady Wollsey, Lady Blansfeild," she said with one more charming smile before hurrying down the street and in the direction of his house.


[[Occ- Archie Out!]]

She gave a smile to the Marquis and his sister and then replied to her, "Well, it's me, actually, who is the reader - my brother has promised me "Music and Merit" by Adam Lane, and it is to be hoped that I find him about to do so?" and she looked to Devlin with a raised brow.


"And please, if you have read it, do not speak of it - I have been trying to absent myself from conversations regarding it as I do hate to be told how it all ends , don't you?" she asked Marie Ann with a laugh.