Thread: Secrets and Lies (Sync & Mali)

Her eyebrows rose nearly above her hairline. He heard the conversation between her and her mother? Oh that was embarrassing for several reasons. One being that it put a damper on the reputations of the Strathmores, not just because of Elsa but then it would justify a little bit her current situation by questioning her upbringing. Words can pass and can imply that Elsa Strathmore, the ruined girl who ran away the night of her debutante ball with a man, unmarried and shaming her entire family, not so much of a shame if her parents can so easily hold these kinds of damaging squabbles in public. It would directly put question and potential shame to her parents. No longer just her shame alone but it would extend to her parents, more importantly her mother who took high society decorum far more serious than her father. A second reason being that it was just embarrassing to be overheard in such a fashion. It was one thing to overhear gossip but it was another to overhear a conversation like that between Elsa and Mrs. Strathmore, where a mother was basically implying the desperation of her situation. A third reason being that Mr. Hawthorne and other gentlemen heard. How embarrassing and absolutely damaging would it be if word got out that everything she was doing by showing her face to high society functions again was part of some larger scheme? It was one thing for ruined girls to try and attempt some kind of courtship that could have every potential of turning into a well enough respectable marriage. It was another when it was openly and admittedly planned. Sure, everything was planned. But to be admitted or overhead? It wasnt called planning any longer, but scheming--money-grubbing, gold-digging, fortune-seeking. Those titles were worse than those associated with prostitution. So caught up in that worry, Elsa almost missed him speaking. She heard his voice but hadnt been listening to the words but quickly tuned herself into the conversation just in the nick of time, lest she have no idea what they were talking about at all! Her lips upturned in a smile, not so forced, her mood turning around considerably, and she nodded her head slowly. That sounds She stifled a soft laugh. Dreadful. She offered him a small frown, though her eyes were alight with humor, for dreadful was the first word to pop into her mind. I cannot even apologize. If I could have been a fly on the wall to look upon your face, mirroring said dread. She grinned broadly, her entire face lighting up. Her earlier down mood seemed to vanish and was replaced by her previous bubbliness showed to him out on the balcony. Her playfulness, her charm, all the abilities she had in her arsenal because she grew up knowing she was not a conventional beauty. That meant she had to dazzle with more than a pretty smile or one look. But yes, Mr. Hawthorne. I would find it a pleasure. You could whisk me away for a walk now or any time and I would never say no. Because a walk with him would be a constant breath of fresh air and with how tightly she felt restrained in every aspect of her life right now--and this corset--she needed more chances to breathe. And this was the perfect opportunity. It wasnt exactly running away but it would be a sure chance to allow her mother to sweat in wonderment over where her wayward daughter had gone now when she was expected to be back in that ballroom any moment now. Offering her arm, Elsa sidled up closer to him and looked up with a soft smile. Shall we then? A gentleman always leads the way, Mr. Hawthorne.