FrewinsEnter

From IMiA

Juliana's smile lights up when she sees Phoebe coming up the walk. She doesn't even look at Lady Frewin until she's up to greet them. But she does greet Lady Frewin first, protocol being what it is.

"Lady Frewin, so glad to see you in Amber with Phoebe. I understand my good-sister paid you a call. Thank goodness for her; I could have never managed this without her." And with that, Juliana looks ready to hand the lady off to Phillip. She turns to Phoebe. "We were so sorry to hear about your father, darling."

Lulias, Lady Frewin is a fair and delicately beautiful lady, her face marred only by the first signs of aging skin which means that the perfect skin has become a little crepey around the eyes. She is dressed in black, which becomes her, the most sumptuous of mourning garments, heavy black taffeta, embroidered with eleborate flowers in black silk, ornamented by jet beads. Her golden curls - which appear to owe no assistance to nature - are partially covered by a delicate mantilla of black lace. She looks angelically lovely and frail, and desperately in need of a strong man to lean on. (Casting Lindsay Duncan).

Her daughter Phoebe has something of her ethereal loveliness, and certainly her golden curls, but her eyes are unusually dark as opposed to her mother's more conventional blue, and possess a candour and directness that is almost as striking as her prettiness (Casting Emilia Fox). Unlike her mother, she has eschewed mourning, and is wearing a long straight dress of pale blue silk, simply but artfully fashioned (by Worth, no less), and highly suitable for a young lady making her come out, with the neckline verging on the modest. Her hair is fressed in a top knot high on her head, decorated with intricately woven tiny and delicate flowers that match the colour of her dress. Her eyes are as bright as though lit from within by stars, and she looks at the Duke and Duchess with the most eager anticipation, waiting for her mother to respond.

Which, of course, Lady Frewin does promptly.

"Dear Duchess, my dear Lord Duke, it was so kind of Lady Patrice to visit us - and so kind of you to invite us."

Phoebe signals agreement with a vigorous nod that shakes free a few of the tiny flowers artfully scattered in her hair.

"I did not think it necessary to put Phoebe in mourning," Lylias says. "So very gloomy for one so young ... " She smiles warmly at the Duke, and is happy to be engaged by him in conversation.

"Well, I think that was a wise decision," Juliana says, smiling at Phoebe's bouncing flowers.

"And Papa wouldn't have liked it anyway," says Phoebe decidedly. She gives Julianna a tremulous smile. "It is no use to tell you anything but that I miss him =dreadfully=, of course." We all do. But he would have wanted us to to go on, and be happy."

The duchess nods.

She glances at Julianna and adds decisively, "And I =know= that is one of the things that people always say, and it usually really means very little and people who are grieving might even think that it is heartless. But Papa - well, you =must= remember how full of life and laughter he was, your Grace. And I hope, I do hope, that it is in that that I resemble him best." Her little face is almost earnest as she explains this to the Duchess.

Phillip is the model of an Amber gentleman as he greets the ladies. Were she watching, even Princess Florimel could not find fault with his manner.

"And you do, darling, and he would be so proud. I do believe he'd like you to experience the world in every good way. Though I hardly knew him, he did make that impression on me."

And with that, Juliana turns back to Lady Frewin. "I must admit, though, I was surprised to hear you won't allow me to take this young lady to the circus, since you haven't put her in mourning... black. I promise you, the only unfiting-ness likely to come out of my party would come from royal quarters, and one hardly would call a princess inappropriate." The duchess smiles.

"If she goes under your escort, your Grace, I have no objections at all," Lady Frewin assures her. Pehoebe perceptibly brightens as her mother continues, "I am sure you would let no harm come to her at all. You must set my concerns down to maternal uncertainty ... I was not sure whether such an event would quite suitable for a vulnerable young girl like Phoebe."

"Yes, but Mama," objects Phoebe, "Daddy did teach me how to handle a sword."

Lady Frewin gives a tight little smile. "Yes, but in =private=, my dear. And I am determined you will not find yourself in any situation that would alter that."

"You shall not need a sword at the circus, my dear, because I am not allowed to go anywhere without a small army," she scowls over at the Duke, but it's a good natured, teasing scowl. "But you should ask Lady Patrice about swordfighting - she's quite good. I had about two months of training from my father before he decided I was hopeless and had a beautiful dollhouse made for me instead, to soften the blow." A shadow briefly crosses the duchess's face, but she smiles right on top of it.

"I think you'll find the rules in Amber quite different than Begma. I understand having to moderate behavior so that rumors of conduct that would be found unbecoming in Begma do not reach home, but we like to think association with individuals of a certain rank here would stop such rumors with a mere mention of those participating."

Lady Frewin's pallid smile suggests this is a view she does not completely subscribe to herself. "Unfortunately, it is the case that in some of the details that reach Begma do not protect the identities of those involved by the august station of some of those present."

"Like Prince Bleys' orgies," puts in Phoebe helpfully. "I think I would be socially =dead= in Begma if the gossip columns said that I had attended one of those. It would be fun, though," she adds wistfully. "To see what an orgy was like, and if it was really so =very= bad."

Lady Frewin shudders.

Phillip displays the unflappability that has in the past allowed him to bluff Random.

Juliana, on the other hand, smiles even more broadly. "I would answer that for you had I ever been invited. Sadly, not." She sniffs dramatically. "He will be here tonight, you know, but I don't suggest drawing his attention to you in that fashion. Prince Bleys deciding to invite *you* to an orgy is the last thing we need. Besides, I would be hurt," she teases with a grin.

Phillip merely arches an eyebrow.

Juliana gives him a quick wink.

Phoebe quizes Julianna with a wicked look. "So there may be some events that I would not be able to carry off successfully, you think?" she asks. "No matter how august the comapny?"

"Phoebe!" says Lady Frewin. "Young ladies should not speak of such things!"

Phoebe sighs. "I was afraid of that." she admits.

Juliana ignores the reprimand and goes right on. "Oh, I think you may carry whatever you chose to involve yourself in off quite successfully. But there are certainly any number of things *all* ladies should be wary of, and orgies are just one of the plethora, including a dark rainbow of other things involving men and your reputation. But I'm sure your mama has you well educated on the subject of men and where to draw the line." The look Juliana shoots at Phoebe's dear mourning mother implies she certainly hope she has, at any rate.

Juliana looks back at Phoebe and her smile burst rights back on. "But you've got the Duke on your side, so as long as a little sense comes ahead of a little adventure I'm sure all will be well."

Phoebe digests this thoughtfully ... and Lady Frewin looks relieved.

"Come, Phoebe," she says. "We shouldn't monopolise our hosts."

"Mistress Lange will introduce you to a few people, since Lady Patrice is already caught up in a circle, I see," Juliana says.

Her blonde friend steps up beside Phillip and grins at the newcomers. Janet Lange is petite next to Phillip, but looks positively miniture next to her husband, James, who she introduces them both to as she leads them away. James keeps fidgiting with his fancy clothes and Janet keeps pinching him, although she's trying to be quite sly about it.

-- Main.LizTrumitch - 04 Jan 2005