Magic of the Marriage Market

If Blair had been under the illusion that she was the most newsworthy Briggs, it'd been grossly shattered by Hida's unfortunate stint with notoriety. In the week after she was attached, public sentiment had shifted along with the gossip printed in the paper. At first all the news had shared was that a young Lady Briggs had been assaulted in her own home. Then the Lazzarini family tried to use the gossip to spin it that Hida Brigs had lured their innocent Fabrizio to her home to ruin his reputation. That backfired spectacularly on the Lazzarini Earldom as a whole because Fabrizio is 18 and Hida still only 15, and she had no problem walking around with the hacked-up hair and stitched he'd left her with. Pinky didn't flinch, even when it ended up with her hair almost prisoner short; a style no one in Taroton would normally willingly wear. But she did, scabs and stitches on display amongst her still adorably pink looking fuzz.

Alaric had drafted a legal Letter of Accusation, laying out the sequences of events as Hida had described them, and Blair had been able to have the Knight Instructor add a record of the fight days before the attack. The Lazzarini family was going to try and get monetary recompense from the Briggs with a public apology. Blair suspected her smile turned malicious as she considered how unexpected it was going to be when the Lazzarini's got the actual Briggs response; they wanted Fabrizio to get ten lashes for the attack, and the fact that he broke into a young girl's bedroom to do it.

Blair crinkled the paper in her hands, imagining what the gossip columns would say about it. It helped to keep her distracted from the guilt that she'd left her younger siblings alone, all so she could go hang out with no one she cared about and drink wine she could endlessly produce; just so she could avoid going to the Dolivier archery Event. She'd thought she'd found an ally in Clayton, but after she'd helped him with his Social Event, he'd grey rocked her. He'd come to the Briggs' Masquerade, his still obviously bald head notable but not like Hida's shorn locks, and he'd made no reference to their discussion about presenting a fake Courtship so they'd both be relieved of this Season's pressures. And Blair wouldn't beg for help when it was so obviously not being offered willingly, so she resumed her habit of skipping Social Events. She'd willingly gone to the Masquerade, donning a dress from her closet and a mask as Alaric insisted on it, but Clayton's lack of discussion on the topic of them was all she needed to pick up that he had no interest in it, so she'd made a point to leave early.

That failure had been part of the motivation Blair used to skip the archery Event, not needing to deal with Social pressures to get married immediately and feeling irritated that her breasts had gotten Hida into a fight with her fellow Knight cadet. She knew the first issue was due to Taroton's growth; all the Queen's Expeditions implied a possible new territory and that meant someone would be granted a new family name and rank. A unique honour that could see any noble born elevated, possibly beyond their current familial rank, and it wouldn't necessarily be a family member of the Explorers currently out on Expeditions. Blair's parents had been sent North, but Queen Akiyama would be the one selecting its caretakers. Given the estimated size of the Northern Island, Blair mused that a new Baron or Earl could likely claim it, but she personally had no interest in living that far North. Too cold, too isolated, and she'd rather stay a Briggs than got be a Countess or Baroness.

"Lady Blair, I'm surprised to see you here," a familiar voice drew her out of musings. The eldest of the Polumenta siblings, Anto, smiled kindly at her. "I've heard from my parents about the attack, I hope the Ladies Farran and Hida are well. Though I must say, if you're at Abernathy's to get an outfit for our Opera Event, it gives me heart that all is well."

Suddenly Blair really wanted a glass of wine, but it seemed her luck had evaded her today.

"Both Farran and Hida are amazingly resolute," she freely complimented her sisters, mentally including the still absent Eddy on that list. "And given Pinky's new style, there may even be a trend of short hair."

That made Anto laugh, and without invitation he sat down at her couch. "I hope you don't mind my familiarity Lady Blair, but given the closeness of our brothers, I was hoping I could lean on your expertise as a woman." For a heartbeat Blair froze, Anto was seven years her senior but still unwed, and she didn't want an uncomfortable conversation to follow. "My brother Borka is Courting Lady Deepa Ram, and I have noted that of her sisters, the young Lady restricts herself to wearing bracelets." Blair was thankful it wasn't an awkward attempt to Court her, but now she was confused as to what he wanted her help with, "would it be amiss for Borka to gift her a Polumenta broach?"

"You have a sister," Blair couldn't help pointing out, Ćeda had Debuted at the same time Alaric had.

"And my sister is about as fashionably minded as a fence post," he wasn't wrong, "and while you seem to avoid most Social Events with purpose, I can't help but point out that of the few you do attend, you're always exceptionally attired."

Now Blair was back to wondering if he was trying to flirt with her but was being coy about it. It was a better approach than mentioning her 'child bearing hips', but it was just as exhausting. "I don't think it'd be amiss if they're at a serious stage in their Courting, especially as its fairly clear each of the Ram sisters wears specific jewellery as helpful identifiers for our sakes," she didn't point out how by being wit Borka, Deepa would have her own unique look now.

"That is quite useful guidance Lady Blair, thank you," he hadn't crossed any lines yet, and his family had helped hers recently, so Blair ignored the fact that he'd invited himself to sit with her. "May I ask what fashion trends you've been regarding for the Polumenta Opera? I happen to know the Faberge style is quite popular for it despite the near July temperatures."

"I hadn't been," Blair decided blunt honesty was once again her best defence, "I had no intention of attending it; I happen to be here today for a regular summer wardrobe selection."

"Oh," Anto looked surprised, "I thought after to attended Lord Clayton's Event and the Masquerade that you might rejoin the Season."

There it was.

"That would be my fault, Lord Polumenta," this time the familiar voice belonged to Clayton Wignell, "Lady Blair helped me plan and attended the Event, both as a personal favour."

Blair managed to snap her teeth around a sarcastic response, giving Clayton an arched brow instead, "Lord Anto Polumenta, may I introduce my brother Alaric's friend, Earl Clayton Wignell; Lord Wignell, Lord Anto is the eldest brother of my brother Calvin's friend Danilo."

"We've met; Lords Wignell and Briggs Debuted the same year Ćeda did," Anto smiled but didn't stand up despite etiquette calling for it, as Clayton outranked him. Now Blair wished she had whiskey, a good pissing match needed something stronger than wine. "I believe you departed on your Tour shortly after your Debut; its such a shame you had to return, but I am certain my sister Ćeda will be thrilled to see you at our Opera."

"Is there bad blood between you two gentlemen?" Blair decided subtlety was not the better part of valour today, "or are you having this masculine confrontation on my behalf?"

Despite the accusatory tone she did nothing to hide, Clayton flashed her a bright smile, "no confrontation needed Blair, you know me. I merely wanted to find you outside of a formal Event to accept the terms of our Courtship that you laid out."

"Excellent," Blair's tone wasn't celebratory, "it seems I will need to pick an outfit for the Opera after all, if you two don't mind I'd like to be left alone to make my selection." She wouldn't seek retribution now, it'd be far more satisfying if Clayton didn't know when to anticipate it.

Maybe she could try to fill his shoes with water to start. He'd have to take them off, just in case her magic went a little off like the last time she'd experimented.

"Actually, I was hoping we could coordinate, I have to select a suit as well," Clayton didn't seem surprised that Anto was stunned into silence and inaction, "did you have any recommendations, Lord Polumenta?"

Blair tried not to laugh at his audacity. She desperately needed a drink, and at this point she'd take anything stronger than lemonade. And it seemed that she was now publicly Courting Earl Clayton Wignell, as this whole debacle had been witnessed by the other patrons of Abernathy's; Blair spotted the pink of the Debuting Barons sons. She'd skipped the Dolivier's archery Event, but it seemed she'd be attending the Polumenta Opera, which was going to stir some tea.

"Such an exciting couple, presenting their Courtship at my family Event," Lord Anto recovered quickly, Blair had to give him that, "it'll help make it the talk of the Season." He stood with dignified grace, "Lady Blair, thank you for your guidance on women's jewellery, Lord Wignell, your timing is impeccable." With that he left.

"He's not wrong about that Clayton," Blair dropped the formalities since he already had. "You didn't write, you saw me at the Masquerade, but you said nothing... it's been over a month, so I thought your decision was made."

He sat where Anto had vacated, and Blair didn't notice if Alto had left the whole building or just the selection area. "I'm sorry about the delay," Clayton sounded contrite enough, "I wanted to confirm with you in person instead of using Letters, as I suspected mine would be burned in and amongst the rest you receive."

He wasn't wrong, Blair didn't usually check the seals except that one time this year, "and at Alaric's Masquerade?" She asked but already knew the answer, he'd said it earlier.

"I wanted to keep it informal, so you didn't feel pressured," he didn't hesitate to confirm.

"You lie so well, if I hadn't jus witnessed you manipulate the situation to chase Anto away I might even believe you," she patted his hand with feigned familiarity.

Clayton's laugh was rich and self deprecating, "it was the most expedient solution. I should have sought you out sooner, I agree, but I'll admit that I wanted to take the time to reorient myself with the Capital in Marriage Season; I expected to catch you at the Dolivier Event but then I heard about what happened to your little sister. How is she, by the way?"

"Pinky's indominable, she refuses to let his insanity affect her," Blair was so proud of her sisters.

"I'm glad to hear it, although I mostly remember her being about this tall," he made a vague gesture to her tiny 11 year old size at the time.

"She's slightly taller than I am," Blair flatly admitted, the irony of the eldest sister being the shortest not lost on her. "So still only yeah high then," he gestured to the same height he had earlier.

"Did you really intend for us to match attire to the Opera, or were you simply chasing away competition?" Blair noted the Abernathy attending her eyeing them from the side.

"Would you be willing to shed Briggs scarlet for Wignell blue? I do suspect it'll suit you rather well, but I also anticipate that not much looks poorly on you." He slid that compliment in there so smoothly Blair almost overlooked it. Almost.

"Flattery will not but you forgiveness, but it will get you some tolerance," she warned. "And from what I recall, Calvin demonstrated that any Briggs looks good in any colour."

"Forgive me if I'm more excited to see you in my colour instead of your brother," Clayton laughed, gesturing for the Abernathy to bring his selection book over.

Technically, as an Earl, he outranked her; Blair was the second child of a Countship, so she wasn't expected to inherit the rank. It felt strange to see a selection book not dominated by the Briggs scarlet, though Blair knew this was a relationship of convenience. They had to put some effort into being convincing, so she looked at the blue saturated patterns and tried to pick one that suited her.

For an Opera Event, attire was less formal than a Ball, but more formal than a ballet or Garden party. With the heat of summer in full swing her gown would be short sleeved and as open at the neck as she dared to go. Wignell blue would be the dominant colour of her silk gown, with embroidery in a contrasting colour binding the edges, her bust line, and a thick hem in silk matching the embroidery at the bottom. There was even a darker red complimentary colour swatch provided that could be a suitable stand in for the Briggs scarlet.

"This one," he pointed to the delicate grape vines that Blair had liked before he mentioned it. "If you're willing to wear it in Wignell blue with the red contrast for your gown, I can't see why I can't wear it as my jacket as well." Most men liked to hint at the colour with vest or cravat, as a full jacket in certain colours was certainly eye catching.

"In for a glass, in for a bottle?" she asked, impressed with his willingness to be attention grabbing.

"I'm hoping that if we perform one great spectacle at the outset to feed the gossip mill, we'll be able to escape their obsessive observations sooner," his idea had merit.

"How big of a spectacle? Are we disgustingly in love, inappropriately affectionate, passionately argumentative?" she'd read all manner of red covered romances and was ready to emulate various characters as needed.

"Somehow I suspect the moment I try to get demonstrably affectionate with you I'd have more than one Briggs try to reprimand me most vigorously." He gave her a conspiratorial smile, "as an apology for making you wait so long for my agreement to Court, shall we go find you a suitable set of jewellery to go with all this Wignell blue?"

Blair had already been measured for her summer wardrobe, so now all she had to do was give her dress request and they could leave. Technically, if they were Courting there should be a chaperone, so a public store would have to suffice. And she also knew Alaric would no doubt have something to say on the matter, but she could explain to her elder brother their gameplan; he'd understand. "I accept your peace offering, but still be prepared for me to try and fill your shoes with water once I figure out how."

He laughed while they filled out their purchase requests for matching attire, "your formaldehyde incident is rather infamous now."

Of course it was, and his position as the new Earl would guarantee he'd gotten every interpretation that the gossips could share. "I've gotten the hang of it so I shouldn't accidentally fill the fountain again," she didn't quite argue.

"Not accidentally, but perhaps on purpose?" he quired as they walked along the public street to the jewel district.

"Would you prefer I explore my other avenue of experimentation now that you've made yourself available to me?" she deliberately worded it to make him falter.

"That would depend on how dangerous your theoretical model is, as the last direct Wignell I'm not allowed to die frivolously," he managed to joke.

"Your death wouldn't suit my purpose Clayton, have no fear," she was surprised at their leisurely pace, given her short stature Blair often had to hurry while walking.

"For now, at least," he teased back, "but I am curious so please share."

"Well, I've discovered a hard limit on my magic; I can only refill a container that has previously held a liquid, and I can only do that with a liquid I've encountered before."

She could see a thoughtful frown on his face as he tried to figure out what she meant. "Does that restriction also apply to the liquid that originally filled the container?"

"No, thankfully as long as a vessel has had contact with anything filling it before I can refill it. Mud will work but not sand or dirt, and the Purification Bureau wouldn't sign out poisons for me to evaluate it with them." She had to get to the point, beating around the bush wasn't her style.

"Ah, you want to use me AND my magic in equal measure," he nodded as if unbothered by her clear intents.

"Yes, if you think you're up for it," taunting him came naturally even as they stopped outside a jewellers.

"I find myself quite curious for the outcomes as well," he agreed to provide the missing resource needed to solve a second of her major problems. "Now let's get you properly bejewelled so Society knows we're in cahoots."

He didn't give her a chance to argue, heading in to the shop and swiftly selecting a pair of earrings and a necklace, all with bright aquamarine stones. It left her almost off kilter as he didn't hesitate to not only select the jewellery, but also lay the necklace on her to show it's sizing. And as if to defy trends and expectations, he bought himself ruby studs for his own piercings to display.

Alaric was definitely going to have some words to say about all of this.