This will be announced in the March Gazette, but since the goal is to have it written up for the April issue, I wanted to give people a bit more advance notice.
Lady Tabitha de Beauchamp and Miz Eleanor Buxton invite all friends and well-wishers to a breakfast celebrating their marriage, on April 2, 1812, at 11 in the morning at their London home, Maison Paonne-Renarde. This will also celebrate Lady Tabitha's accession to her title as Duchess of Montpelier, as she will attain that title upon her marriage, and will be the couple's first appearance as the Duchesses.
If you'd like to participate, I'd appreciate info by March 25th so I can write things up in time for the April issue.
A few other notes: The house is newly furnished, reflecting both Tabitha's cosmopolitan background and Eleanor's tastes in fabric. The front door is flanked by two stone figures, one of a peacock and one of a fox. Both animals also feature in the decor of the rest of the house. The breakfast is set up in a large room with windows along one wall that look out over the garden (which, it being April, is not particularly in fine fettle yet, but there are some trees beginning to show buds and baby leaves). On the tables are vases filled with budding branches and pussywillows, it being too early for flowers. Their Graces are accompanied by Tabitha's son Gavroche, who will undoubtedly spend most of his time playing with Abe's son Alexander. A teenage girl whom Eleanor introduces as Jenny Gardner, who had been serving as a companion to her, is also present. The breakfast consists of a wide variety of breads and pastries, fresh eggs in butter, an array of meats both hot and cold, and a decorated cake. Coffee, tea, drinking chocolate, and a variety of light wines and champagne suitable to the time of day are available to drink.
As people finish eating, Eleanor will gladly offer tours of the home to those who want them.
Captain Viscount Blackmore will arrive shortly after the Boscawen party, offer his most hearty congratulations to the newlywed Their Graces, then make his way to Miss Sarah Boscawen's side to offer great apologies for his slight tardiness as her escort. The reason he whispers in her ear earns forgiveness and melts her raised eyebrow frown into a warm smile. He takes his place by her side at the table, but before doing so...
When he lays eyes upon Katharine Sunderlin, he cannot contain his surprise and joy to see her. He shouts "KAT!" and rushes up to her, stopping himself just in the nick of time before making the most unseemly public display of warmly embracing her and spinning her around in a great bear hug like he really wants to. He is just so happy to see her alive and well and reunited with her family. He regains his composure and formally introduces Captain Kat to Miss Sarah Boscawen who is trying her best to stifle many giggles at his near guffaw.
The Honorable Caroline Nsali Boscawen arrived with her fiancée Miss Betsey Martinez, and both were accompanied by Miss Sarah Boscawen. The three elegantly attired, Miss Caroline in a dress of emerald green satin and silk, Miss Sarah in a pale pink gown the now Mrs Buxton-Beauchamp had tailored before the years end which was not worn during the last season.
The three entered and went to greet the Duchesses with curtsies and a bow from Miss Martinez. Miss Caroline smiling brightly - “Congratulations Your Grace and Your Grace” a twinkle in her eye when addressing Duchess Eleanor. “I hope it was a beautiful ceremony. And what a beautiful day you’ve had.” Visibly glad the weather had kept dry and even some sunshine had shown its face.
After greeting their friends, they took their seat for the wedding breakfast, charmed by all the elegance and detail of the flowers and tables.
A few moments later the Viscount of Falmouth and the Viscountess also arrived to congratulate the Duchesses, taking their place with the rest of the guests.
Lady Camilla Davenport will of course be in attendance. It would be her honor.
Lady Lucy Beaumont will arrive by carriage at Maison Paonne-Renarde, noticeably unattended. Despite recently being back on the marriage market, this widow does not see the point of bringing a chauffeur with her to this event. She is wearing a deep crimson dress with black lace detail and an ornate belt made of gold fabric, designed by non-other than Eleanor Buxton herself. Her hair is swept up into a neat coiffure, with small curly tendrils falling around forehead and the nape of her neck. Lucy will pay her respects to the Duchesses with a smile and a graceful curtsy, and wish them all of the happiness in their future.
Afterwards, she'll immediately make a bee-line for her cousin, Abe, and the rest of his family. She's delighted to finally meet his beloved, Kat, and her niece and nephew. A brief introduction between her and Captain Jack takes place, and then she retreats with Abe and the children, where they catch up and she dotes on Alexander.
Once Camilla Davenport arrives, Lucy begs her pardon from the Griffen-Sunderlin party and takes a place at the table next to her dear friend. They spend time talking, sharing joy and laughter. Their usual plotting gets put on the back burner, at least for this event. Caroline Boscawen approaches and introductions are made between she and Lucy. It's apparent that while Lucy is overwhelmed by the amount of people she's becoming acquainted with, she's also thoroughly delighted to be entering into a sense of normalcy after her husbands death. She cannot stop smiling for the duration of the event, and is finally feeling hopeful for the future.
(With permission from Captain Katharine Sunderlin's actor)
A quarter hour prior to the wedding ceremony, a carriage with the Sunderlin crest pulls up to Maison Paonne-Renarde. As the carriage stops and a footman opens the door, Alexander pops out of the carriage looking for his very good friend, Gavroche. A smiling Captain Abraham Griffen steps out next, turning to accept a white basket carrying their newborn daughter Ingary from inside the carriage. He offers his other hand to a figure inside the carriage, and out steps his wife, Captain Katharine Sunderlin, in a fine wool gown of forest green. With Alexander holding her right hand, and Abraham holding her left, the family happily walks into Maison Paonne Renarde for the wedding and the reception.
Abraham, Katharine, Alexander and baby Ingary sat to the rear of the small group of witnesses to keep the attention on Lady de Beauchamp and Miss Buxton. At the conclusion of the beautiful ceremony as the married couple was introduced to witnesses, Tabby saw Katharine. In shock, she stopped what she was doing, then ran crying to Katharine and hugged her hard. Abraham introduced his wife to Eleanor.
Abraham and family then went to the reception, and he introduced Katharine to his cousin, Lady Lucy Beaumont, who greeted her warmly and welcomed her to the family. Ingary was fussed over as is the case with all newborns.
Abraham then escorted the family over to meet their neighbors in Cornwall and new client ,the Boscawen family, introducing the family to Caroline and her fiance Betsey. At that time, Captain Viscount Blackmore enthusiastically greeted Katharine.
(From Captain Sunderlin’s actor with her permission) Katharine is distant and quiet for the most part, as if she cannot quite believe she is really here. She greets the people Abraham introduces her to, but softly and without much to say. But when she sees Captain Blackmore her white features light up like the winter sun coming out from behind a particularly distant cloud. "Jack," she says, "my Jack!" and embraces him fiercely if he allows her to. "My dear, my dear friend." There is much and more to say, but not here. "Come by the house," she tells him, holding his hand tightly with both of hers. She has not felt this alive, this clear, in a long time. "Please. And the ball, in April, I shall be there. Abraham cannot go, but I shall, and I hope to see you there."*
With a brief introduction of Ingary and Lady Beaumont to the Captain Viscount, Abraham smiled and drew the family and Lady Beaumont back to their table to give the two Captains space to catch up. Lady Beaumont and Abraham spoke for some time before she left the table to converse with Lady Camilla Davenport. Throughout the reception Abraham showed off his children, introduced his wife to those that did not know her and lovingly paid attention to his children and Captain Sunderlin.
(NOTE: Write me on chat or Discord DM to plot any scenes. Yes I wanted to get this post up first to surprise you all......well some of you anyway!)