Disclaimer: I don't own AMC's The Walking Dead or any of its characters, wishful thinking aside.
Authors Note #1:An on-going series of drabbles based in a period drama-au. Think Caryl without walkers, in a 'Pride and Prejudice'/'Persuasion'/'Jane Erye' type setting in old-time Georgia.
Warnings: *Contains: traditional themes and attitudes, adult language, character canon references, in dialogue, vague religious references, think the walking dead without the walkers, unmarried!maidenCarol, rich-newcomer!daryl, mild adult content, references to Daryl's past (child abuse, neglect, physical abuse, emotional trauma.)
Muslin and Buckshot
Chapter Two
"What say you, Caroline? Quite agreeable, don't you think?" her mother shrilled, motioning her over when she'd finally begged leave of Lieutenant Peletier's attentions. She straightened her dress, one hand sneaking up to pat her hair, still flushed from exertion and the passion of his compliments.
She'd been utterly unable to escape until she'd promised him her final dance for the evening. A languorous trickle of heat flared in her lower belly at the thought. The man was nothing if not determined, a most ardent suitor by all accounts.
She shivered, nearly overcome with the pleasure of it as she thumbed the flaring waist of her new gown, enjoying the feel of the soft muslin underneath the delicate pads of her fingers. She knew she was a sight to behold this evening, what with her auburn-red hair and natural ringlet-curls, and yet she had her sights set on a completely different shade of red this evening.
This was the third function upon which he'd danced with no one save for her. Ignoring the fawning youths that seemed to follow the Regimental Reds everywhere they went. Despite having ample opportunity, he saved his attentions for her and her alone.
The thought warmed her.
"Who?" she asked, quite distracted as a swarm of dancers took to the floor once again. She sighed, nearly done for in the heat. Her hand inched hopefully towards her abandoned fan before her mother snatched it up again, flick-flicking it briskly in clear irritation.
The reply was quick and near scathing as the woman who'd been visiting with her mother, Lady Candace Jenner, was drawn away by her husband, talking animatedly about the latest scientific discovery from Robert Koch – something about the transmission of disease through that of bacteria – it'd been all over the papers before the debate between them was well and truly started.
She smiled fondly, well-used to the couple's spirit.
Lady Jenner was well known in the county for her opinions on women's education and habit of sneaking into lectures at Men's Colleges. Something her husband, a well-known chemist from Atlanta, publically and unashamedly encouraged.
"Who? Mercy, child! Why, Mr. Dixon of course!"
She chanced a look across the room, lips twitching in amusement as she caught the man in question, undoubtedly rugged and considered most handsome by some, trying and failing to fade into the far corner of the hall.
"He is scowling at the room as if he wishes all here ill harm, mama," she replied patiently. Sipping her water delicately, with the ease of long practice as her mother spluttered.
"Yes, well, certainly for a young man - especially one so recently bereaved of his family - allowances for wealth and situation must be made…"
"He does not look very pleased to be here," she answered, taking the opportunity to examine him from a safe distance. But she only made it as far as his slicked back fringe before her memory lighted back to Lieutenant Peletier's rolling laugh.
She shook her head, finding little positive in comparison when placed next to the young Lord's fearsome expression - a strange mixture of anger, disgust and trepidation – that was currently threatening to overwhelm his craggy features.
He had the look of the man that smiled rarely - selectively, whereas the Lieutenant smiled often and warmly. Edward Peletier was such a pleasant, gratuitous, affectionate man. A credit to his gender to be sure, she would be forever in her cousin's debt for introducing them.
"Come, my dear, he is finally alone," her mother urged, sitting up in her seat, wine sloshing dangerously in her glass as she tried to get a unobstructed view. "We must not allow this opportunity to go to waste!"
"All men crave the attention of young ladies," her lady mother continued, tone forceful yet sweet, the kind that broached no disobedience, hidden under honeyed words and a quick tongue.
"-to have selection is only to his benefit. But it will not be to your own, my dear, if you continue to ignore his presence so entirely."
"I have promised Lieutenant Peletier my last dance, mama."
"Yes, and what of the others?" her mother urged, expression slitting, just like it had a week past when she'd stumbled on a brilliant floral pattern in the catalogs, trying to determine if it could be bought locally or had to be sent out of state in the tri-yearly older.
She didn't respond, knowing well enough that her mother wasn't going to let the matter rest. Instead, she allowed her gaze to wander. Noticing off-handedly that the Harrison girls, Amy and Andrea, had removed themselves from the dance floor, their heads bowed in close discussion, serenely ignoring the efforts of Captain Walsh to tempt them back for another set.
"Heavens, I am parched! Bring me a drink, if you please? And feel free to be indulgent with your time away, my child. The activity would do you good."
She sighed, toes pinching in her new shoes as she got to her feet. She held back a grimace as the brocaded leather caught on irritated skin. She'd have blisters come morning, to be sure.
By the time she'd straightened, collecting her glass and readying herself for a possible confrontation, her mask of polite, inquisitive civility was back – flawless and beyond reproach – as she spared her mother a nod and made her way towards the center table and the mysterious, ill-tempered stranger sulking behind it.
At this point she could use a little refreshment herself.
A/N #2: Thank you for reading. Reviews and constructive critiquing are love! – This series will likely continue into the foreseeable future if there is any interest.
