Victorian Excolo, Chapter 1, Part 1

[valmont-vicomte.livejournal.com]

In Which We Make The Acquaintance of Several Characters, Some of Good Repute, Some Ill.

I woke up this morning with the most fearful headache. Stonor was drawing back the curtains, and the sunlight pierced my head rather, so that when he attempted to place the tea tray in front of me I almost upended it over him as I pulled the sheets over my head. Stonor, knowing my feelings about the morning, dealt with this with his usual equanimity, and placing the tea things on the dresser reminded me that I had several morning appointments. I told him to d--- the appointments to hell or wherever else he chose, and returned to sleep.

Upon waking rather closer to noon, I felt myself much recovered both in body and spirit from the exertions of last night, and consumed my breakfast with relish as I looked over the papers and the morning's post. Several invitations, most of which I shall decline, for they are dreadfully dull. I noted with interest, however, the report that the Duke of Kent is returning to London after a long trip abroad. Since he is Excolo's most eminent resident, I am certain to call on him. Besides, I like the man. He has a devilish style to him, and his excesses make mine seem perfectly innocent, which is excellent when wishing to deflect the attention of the more sober minded of our city's notables. Glancing over at this morning's calling cards, I see that not everyone of decent reputation is put off by my excesses. A few mamas are quite intent on capturing me for their daughters, apparently deluded by my rank into thinking I would make a good catch. Of course they do not realise that my fortunes are not in the state they might appear; I am good at keeping up appearances, but it was a nasty shock upon coming of age to find that my deceased father had left things in a parlous state, the old b---d. That my sister and I haven't had to shut up the house and retire somewhere like Bath is mostly due to my ability to charm creditors and to win money at cards. No, much as I might like the smiling misses paraded in front of me, I must marry an heiress. Luckily I have not had the misfortune of falling in love since I was a tender swain of eighteen, and since I am seven-and-twenty now I do not think it is a mistake I am likely to repeat.

I write a quick note - Gray, will you be gracing us with your presence at Chapel tonight? Affectionately, VL - and decide that it is a good day for a ride in the Park. The bright December air should clear away any of my hangover not already tended to by this morning's tea. And so I change into my riding things and enter the park, heading for the Row. A gentle ride is just the thing before a late luncheon.

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