Disclaimer: My research for this story was really limited. If you are looking for a story with perfect historical facts and details- then this is not it.
Genre- Historical
Main characters: Blair and Chuck
Disclaimer: I may own many things- Gossip Girl is not one of them
R& R
….
It was a gloomy morning. It seemed the sky seemed to projecting her state of mind, Blair decided discreetly. The clouds were hanging low and the rain lashed at the windows all day. It was most uncomfortable and awkward. It was impossible to get out of the house with the excuse of fresh air and that meant she was cooped up in the house with the brilliant prospect of entertaining her father-in-law. Lord Bass had insisted upon staying a week at the Empire with the desire of getting better acquainted with his new daughter. This meant that she didn't even have the luxury of sulking in her room it also meant that she had sit across her husband and endure his company.
His face had brightened up when she first entered the room laid down with breakfast. What had he supposed that she didn't have the manners to welcome a guest in her household- his housed, she corrected wryly.
"The reception went perfectly, Lady Blair. I must congratulate on a well-planned evening" Lord Bass said with an attempt at a smile.
"I thank you, my lord but I suppose your congratulations are directed to the wrong person" she said politely
The statement seemed to confuse Lord Bart while her husband scowled at her. It gave her quite a lot of pleasure. She looked down demurely, focusing her attention on sipping her tea. Lord Bart looked at her in confusion as though wondering whether and how to carry forward the conversation. Blair stared at him beady-eyed. She could have sworn that she saw her husband smirk; not that she was looking at him.
She decided to put an end to it. "It is a fine day, my lord. If you will please I have been wishing to take a turn in the garden."
Bart nodded and Blair walked out with an inward sigh of relief. She didn't ever think she could go tired on putting up pretenses. Her mother had taught her it was an essential part of life. But this felt exhausting.
She leaned against the door and let out a breath.
"Is everything alright between you and Lady Bass?" Lord Bart asked abruptly.
There was a beat of silence before Chuck replied. "Of course, my lord"
"It better be..." he began "I think that she may be..." He stopped himself and cleared his throat and began in his normal voice.
"So I hear there has been some trouble with Lord De Bourg?"
"It's been sorted, Father"
"Now that I certainly did not hear" he said sternly "I suppose that there is no way you would give up on that social abomination of a place..."
In spite of herself, Blair felt herself get interested. She couldn't comprehend what caused Lord Bass to act the way he was with her husband. She had observed that Chuck and his father shared a very strained relationship bordering on constant disapproval and a mere pretence of civility. However, the idea of Lord Charles being scolded like a school boy didn't seem like an everyday occurrence.
"Father, Victoria is a profitable venture." Chuck said stiffly
"It is also a venture which makes the Empire subject to scandalous whispers. What would I have to do to make you take your life seriously? I honestly thought Lady Blair had a chance of reforming you but you seem to be determined to be a disappointment in every role of your life."
Blair gasped; the statement irked her for some reason. It was something she oft heard from her own mother and she knew how much it hurt her. Once again, for the second time in a week, she felt a kindred pain to her husband. She shook herself out of the reverie and pulled herself straight before she walked out of the room.
It wasn't her place to sympathize, not with Chuck.
…
The gown was the darkest lavender. It was made of the finest silk and was just suitable for a dinner with her father-in-law and husband. It was neither too fancy, nor too simple. She touched the silk absently as Dorota bustled around.
Blair felt at a loss. What was she supposed to do? Sit around and let her life pass her. Is this how she would spend her whole life? A stranger in a mansion where she would never belong, married to a man that could never love her and she, the abused woman, who smiled through this façade. It wasn't a charming prospect and once again her thoughts returned to Nate.
He had thrown her into this pit of hell and she still couldn't understand him. Why had he waited till their wedding to leave her? He could have told her that his heart lay somewhere else or that he couldn't visualize her as his bride. The thought was disconcerting- where else could his heart lie?
Her thoughts lay in a confused state as she dressed herself for dinner. There were appearances to be kept and she prided herself on façade. No one must see through her but it was, as always, difficult to dine with Lord Bass and Chuck.
As always Lord Bart tried to draw her into the conversation and when she seemed to answer only the perfunctory he turned his fire on his fire. Usually this was when Blair tuned out but the exchange she overheard this morning fueled her curiosity. The conversation was carried on civilly with Bart inquiring on his next week's plan. She heard the brief undertones of suppressed anger in Bart's voice and a hint of pain in her husband's.
Without thinking, she looked up only to see his eyes fixed on her. They were softest hazel looking at her with longing and uncertainty. It lasted a mere second before she resolutely looked away and when pudding served, she was sure she imagined the face, as Chuck's face was as inscrutable as ever.
Bart cleared his throat oblivious to the obvious tension or choosing to ignore it.
"The pudding is excellent. I haven't tasted anything like this before."
Graham, the butler, smiled proudly. "It is French, a small gesture of welcome to our Lady, my lord"
Blair looked down and only then realized that they had served her favorite dessert, the one she had ordered to be included in the menu only to be thwarted.
"Oh... But Lady Blair isn't French." Bart said with obvious distaste.
He looked to Blair for explanation, who was too busy staring at the pudding and then to Graham.
"It is a favorite of Lady Blair, my lord. She asked it to be incorporated in the menu but unfortunately due to Mrs. Hughes ignorance of the recipe, it couldn't be done. However, she wanted to surprise Lady Blair as she had recently learned the recipe."
Bart nodded approvingly. Blair smiled at the butler.
"You must thank Mrs. Hughes for me. This is a wonderful gesture..." she began
"I must disagree with you, my lady..." Chuck interrupted her. Blair stopped speaking, and stared at him. Is he really going to gratuitously insult her now? Her eyes narrowed and her lips quivered and if he looked at her he could see the anger radiating off her.
He wasn't looking however. His eyes were fixed on Graham.
" Did I hear you say that Lady Blair ordered a change in the menu and it wasn't accommodated?"
"Uh- yes my lord..." Graham said uncomfortably. "It's just that Mrs. Hughes wasn't familiar with the dish..."
"Then maybe it's time for Mrs. Hughes to be replaced." Chuck snapped. "Lady Blair is the mistress of the Empire and as far as this estate is concerned, her word is law. I thought that stipulation was implicit when I introduced her as the lady of this house."
"Of course, my lord..."
"If anyone from the staff ever questions her authority or disobeys her, he or she is to be immediately dismissed without any discussion with me. Is that clear, Graham?"
Graham nodded slowly
"Good. Please send my compliments to Mrs. Hughes as well. This pudding is indeed excellent." He said nonchalantly.
Graham blinked and bowed low.
Blair curled her fingers staring resolutely at the table. She felt very confused at what just happened. Chuck just placed her in the position of utmost authority at the Empire? Was this really a thoughtful gesture on his part or was it just a pretense to appease his father?
Bart chuckled from her left and she looked at him. Even Chuck seemed surprised by the sound.
"It's been too long that a Bass mansion had a mistress" he said, a hint of undiluted pain in his normally icy eyes. "But it is as they always say: a man may rule the kingdom but it is always a woman who rules the home..." he paused and looked pointedly at Chuck "and the heart."
To her utmost surprise, she saw a hint of color flooding Chuck's cheek before he cleared his throat and picked up his wine.
…
"The house is in uproar. Everyone is talking about what Lord Chuck said to Mr. Graham. I say they finally know your place, Miss Blair" Dorota said as she folded up the silk and patted the pillows on the bed.
Blair nodded, her fingers playing strands of her hair. "Do thank Mrs. Hughes for the wonderful gesture though..."
"It shouldn't be a gesture, Miss Blair. It should be their duty to obey you and now it is." Dorota replied with ferocity.
"That will be all for tonight, Dorota. Go get some sleep."
The maid nodded and bowed before leaving. Blair sighed and picked up a letter she was writing to Serena. It was unfinished but she just couldn't put her words to paper. She had not even formulated the next sentence when there was a knock. Blair stiffened as she felt the connecting door open. She stood up and eyed him.
"What do you want?" Her voice rose with every word.
"I want to apologize. I never realized how my actions might have caused my staff to perceive you."
She nodded stiffly determined not to accept his apology. "Was there anything else?"
He walked closer until he stood right in front of her. She wanted to step back but rather than give in to her urge she stood resolutely as he neared her. As always she found herself reading his face- or at least attempting to- but his face was inscrutable. His eyes were very tender with a hint of something that she couldn't quite decipher.
"Blair..." His voice was laden with uncertainty and she unconsciously scooted closer to him.
He reached out and his hand brushed hers. She felt tingles racing up her veins and cursed herself for it. He lifted her hand and kissed her palm. She stood still, unwilling to give him reaction. He placed a beautiful bracelet around her wrist and clasped it. Her eyes were fixed on it as he lifted his eyes to her.
"This is for you, my Blair"
Her eyes narrowed, her heart hammering in anger. How dare he? She laughed out loud.
"Oh my God and to think for a moment I believed…" she shook her head and scoffed loudly.
"Believed what?" he asked when she didn't continue.
Her brown eyes flashed over to his face. They were very fine eyes even more so when they flashing with anger.
"Believed that you had realized your wrong... But I was mistaken, my lord. You are incapable of any type of human emotions…"
His face darkened "You do not know me well enough..."
"I do. I understand you so well that you would be surprised." She said firmly. Chuck was taken aback.
"Enlighten me..."
"There was always a rumor or another about Chuck Bass circulating the ton circles…"
Chuck laughed "You are basing this on rumors."
"The basis is unimportant when my analysis is right, my lord. You treat people like one treats animals. You wish to control them and their every action and the moment they do something you don't want, you punish them. And when your abuse fails you want to buy them..." she cried loudly, pulling at the bracelet. The clasp broke and bracelet fell with a dang at their feet.
She saw a dark shadow pass his face but she was gone too far to care. Every resentful thought she had broke free of the strict control she had put in under.
"You should have refused to marry me for you have no use of a wife. You want servitude, not love." She said choking on her words.
His eyes jerked back to her face and she saw the shock on his face and realized what she had said. Her heart gave a strange thud and gulped down her tears. She turned away and took deep breathes. She waited for him to leave but there was no sound of footsteps.
She almost gasped when she felt his breath on her neck. She turned her head, staring at him.
"Please leave."
He held the broken bracelet to her.
"Please..." his eyes beseeched her. "It belonged to the last Lady Bass. It should now belong to you."
She stared at the broken bracelet with horror. "I 'm ..."
He shook his head and walked away, leaving a very confused Blair behind him
…
Love
She had spoken of love. The word felt so out of context that Chuck seemed unable to understand it. Love never belonged to his life. When he was younger he aspired for his father's love but he was quickly corrected. He needed his father's attention and respect, not love. Never love... He had never imagined that the word could be connected to him or to his world. He never saw himself as needing it as well.
Marriage was never on the cards. He never to Almacks or debutante balls to find a bride. He had all the pleasures he needed from women fall right into his lap. He had enjoyed all types of women and that was just his physical need. He never felt an emotional connection to anyone and he was not surprised by it. He knew he had to marry someone to produce an heir and he was waiting for an older riper age to do just that. When he married Lady Blair, he never expected them to connect in anyway but physically. And he did want her so much… but as his physical gratification was pushed back, he became determined to win feisty brunette. Now, however, this was more than just physical gratification. He didn't want pin her to bed and ravish her thoroughly... well, he did but that desire was now overshadowed by another one. He just wanted his bride back. The one who teased him, fought with him, the one whose eyes lit up, the one who wasn't scared of him, the one who trusted him and who pressed her cheek lovingly against his back when they rode together.
And that confused him…How could he make her realize that he didn't intend to encroach on her freedom or make her his slave? He just wanted her to be... Blair, his Blair.
He clenched his fist and looked down on the broken clasp he held. It was a small piece of white gold and yet it was so meaningful. He had grown still with anger when she had broken his mother's bracelet. But then her voice had broken and he realized that Lady Blair had hoped for a different marriage and a different bond with him...
And the idea had left him void of emotions.
He knew he had wronged her and he wanted to correct it. But he didn't know how...He wanted to show her that he wasn't a gentleman but he was a man with honor. And a man with honor would never hurt a woman physically.
The clasp caught the light of the lamp and blinked.
He was running, his little feet stumbling. He was breathless as he turned to speak to her.
"Mother I can't run anymore..."
There was a loud clang. And she turned around, her hair whipping round. She pulled him to corner and knelt behind a thick patch of bushes.
She wiped his forehead and smiled.
"You don't have to run anymore. You just stay here. You must stay here until I come back. "She said kissing his forehead.
"I can't just stay here." He protested.
"Charles..."
"I can't hide, Mother. I 'm a man of honor..."
She smiled through her tears.
"You are, my child. You are. But remember Charles, while honor is important, it is nothing to love. Honor is bestowed. Love is earned."
"Mother..."
"For the sake of love, my child, promise me you won't come out."
Chuck nodded, his mind memorizing her words.
….
The tinkle of china was made inaudible by the free-spirited laughter coming from the gentlemen. Jenny watched with unwavering eyes as their new acquaintance made her father chuckle. It did not take long for her father to warm to people but there were precious few people whose company he actually enjoyed. It was, however, no surprise that Mr. Archibald had joined the group of selective people. His easy smile and shining hair could charm anyone, she thought with a blush. Every since he had saved her, he had become a regular visitor at their household. Her father had taken onto him very quickly. Dan, on the other hand, was a little wary of the gentleman but he seemed to have been warming up to him as well.
She watched the two young men converse intently. Her eyes dropped to her sewing when Mr. Archibald turned to her with a smile.
"I must congratulate Miss Humphrey on the beautiful paintings. I had no idea I was in the presence of such great talent." He said
Jenny felt her heart skip a beat. She blushed harder and smiled slowly "You are too kind, sir. They are hardly worth such compliment."
"Oh yes- they are Miss Humphrey. The brush strokes are bold and colors unconventional; it gives me a glimpse of the unconventional mind you must have."
Jenny blushed again and was about to reply when she heard the carriage. Her father chimed in:
"Jenny, we seem to have a guest"
Jenny nodded and walked to the window. Her eyes widened as she saw the grand carriage. Miss Van der Woodsen has graced them with another visit. She quickly ran back to her brother.
"Brother, its Miss Van der Woodsen. I suppose she is here on business again."
To her surprise, both her brother and his companion froze. Nate looked at Dan in alarm.
"You are acquainted with Miss Van der Woodsen?"
Dan turned to look at him and nodded. "Yes, I work as a lawyer to the family"
Nate looked most discomfited. Jenny looked up in interest.
"Why, Mr. Archibald? Are you acquainted with her as well?"
Nate colored, looking away. Dan nodded knowingly.
"I am well aware of your connection with Miss Waldorf and hence Miss Van der Woodsen."
"You are?" Nate looked up at him in surprise "And yet you welcome me to your house?"
Dan smiled.
"I judged you by your actions towards me and my family and to us you have been most kind and considerate. While your past action baffles me, it is not my place to judge you for it"
Nate nodded in gratitude. "You are a good man, Daniel"
Dan turned to his family "Father, why don't you show Mr. Archibald the library"
His father nodded and Nate stood up to join him. They had left when there was a knock and the maid announced the arrival of Miss Van der Woodsen.
…..
I wanted to include the Derena conversation here. But I think that would have been too long and my hand was paining. Anyway I have made this story my priority for now so expect good and quick updates (hopefully). At the present state of the show, I hate myself for reading recaps. I don't know how people are watching it. I know majority of you hate Blair right now... and you should. I am not exactly indignant as Chair fan as much as I am indignant as a Blair fan but I guess that, according to certain people, makes me a non-fan. Can someone buy a dictionary for the writers/directors/producers please? They sure seem to need one desperately.
