Thread: Belle du Jour {Prince x Showmeyouloveme}

The downside of a party like the Coventry's was that seemingly anyone could get invited. While there were plenty of familiar faces, Valmont had never seen at least half the crowd that gathered in the garden for the pre-dinner refreshment. Undoubtably, many minor nobles and unfashionable houses had seized the opportunity to attend a party that was rumored to have some of the more elite circles of court attending. Judging by some of their outdated fashions and cheap gowns, Valmont guessed many had not been to a high class fete in years. The worst were the older women, particularly the minor nobility that swarmed and tried to make his acquaintance with little tact and droll conversation. Valmont was in fact cornered at this moment by three matronly women in dresses that had last been in fashion over a decade earlier. They were shamelessly describing their various daughters' virtues--- singing, dancing, art, cooking, beauty, etc.--- like merchants might hawk their wares at a street market. Why not take a shot at an unlikely increase in social class by piquing the bachelor Prince's interest? Ladies... Ladies.. please, interrupted Valmont, hands raising in surrender after one of them began describing her daughter's study in Italy. I'm sure your fruit is delightful, but I need to feel the melon, taste the peach, and bite the cherry, so to say, to really judge its worth. Pray bring them to the luncheon tomorrow and I'm sure I'd be most pleased to make their acquaintance. With a curt, but pointed bow, Valmont excysed himself and took another glass of Champagne from a passing waiter. In the unlikely event one of these daughters was actually attractive, he would be true to his word. Although, he scanned the crowd with a frown, his two best friends would likely compete strenuously for the privilege of a young virgin's intimate acquaintance. Where were Bertrand and Guillame? They were arriving later he believed, but still he thought they should be here by now. Valmont's closest companions shared his reputation as a womanizing playboy, but as fellow scions from noble and wealthy houses, they still found plenty of game from women that tolerated their advances in the hope they might find a marital match. As of yet, plundering women of their virginity or honor if married was the only game the three companions were interested in playing, with love and matrimony despised afflictions of weaker men. Instead of his roguish friends, Valmont instead spied Miria entertaining some of her guests. Her eldery husband did not appear to be around and Valmont grinned. The man was a poor hunter if he knew not to watch his chicken when foxes were on the prowl. Madame, interrupted Valmont, hopefully saving Miria from a boring conversation with an older couple. Beckoning her slightly away, he added. If I may beg your pardon with an urgent request. My request was for a more interesting conversation, at least more so than the one you seemed to trapped in, said Valmont once they were out of earshot. Offering her his arm, he nodded towards the hedge maze. Would you indulge me with a private conversation. I know you have obligations as the hostess, but a quick stroll with an old friend to catch up seems a fitting reward to yourself for all the work and stress this fete has likely caused? Valmont gave her a welcoming smile, staring deep into her blue eyes. His pulse quickened as he drank in her beauty yet again, but his stomach roiled slightly and another emotion, unfamiliar and strange in this situation also flooded him. How could he feel nervous? She was another tart that he would seduce. Easy prey in fact from their former affection. Odd.