A Matter of Propriety
Six: I think of you
Theodore Nott couldn't concentrate. This usually wasn't a problem he ran into—in the din that the courtroom provided, he could seamlessly convey his point without losing his train of thought. He was an expert at blocking out the distractions that made his work hard to do on certain days and kept his head above the work he was given easily enough. But, despite all his effective ways of keeping himself on task, nothing could have prepared him for that afternoon.
His lunch had been a boring one with dull men discussing dull subjects when Theo had work to do. Honestly, they could have found time to talk of the latest Quidditch scores and of their families later on when he wasn't pressed for time. He had cases sitting on his desk, calls to make and research to finish before he was to go to court next Thursday. He didn't have time for anything beyond his work and was grateful when the old doddering men decided it was time to return to their work again. They were important to the firm but Theo found them dull as rocks most days. Yes, some of them had some interesting ideas on how to run the firm but none of them had really been put into practice as of yet. Theo had his own ideas and, since he was closing in on promotion, he knew that his ideas would be the ones they'd look at and not the ideas of the old fools that had once run this place.
There were notes to see to and owls to answer when Theo returned from his lunch meeting. All things Theo would look into in a moment as he closed the door to his small office. Not the biggest space in the world but it was his. It was a step in the door and, with just enough focus Theo would be pushing himself closer and closer to the top of the ladder here. He'd be the one in charge and that idea settled rather well with Theo. So much so that, lost in his head with thoughts of a firm one day run by him, Theo didn't notice the package sitting on his desk until he sat down. A frown creased his brow, head tilted to the side as he looked over the parcel.
It was a small package, wrapped carefully in brown paper with a letter attached to the front. Neat, cursive writing had penned 'Mister Theodore Nott' upon the envelope and, curious, Theo snatched it from the parcel, opening the letter carefully.
Dear Theo,
I hope you don't find this too presumptuous of me but I found a copy of one of my favorite books at a little book shop not too far from home. I know you expressed interest in exploring some new authors so I thought you'd enjoy trying this one for a size. I do hope you enjoy it—it's a story I myself re-read over and over again.
There were a few small, scratched out parts that Theo tried to make out but the ink had blotted the spaces up, making the sentences that had been half-started impossible to read. Shrugging, he continued to read on.
I do hope you enjoy this and that you continue to have a good day at work (I hope you don't mind me sending it now, I just figured it would be a nice treat for the end of the day). I was also thinking, once you finish, that we could have dinner. Let me know what times and date would work best for you.
Another small section where a few half started words had been crossed out, then—
Your friend,
Padma S. Patil
Growing more and more curious by the moment, Theo carefully folded the parchment back into the envelope, setting his sights upon the parcel in front of him. Hands tore at the brown wrapping, revealing a worn book. A copy of Pride & Prejudice rested in his hands and for once, Theo didn't know what to say. Fingers flipped through the pages, flipping the book over to read the back. An interesting choice, sending him a book by a muggle author. He had heard about Jane Austen before but he had never been allowed to read anything from the outside world. Everything in his library was strictly by authors who had some sort of magical heritage. Yes, he had looked in little shops for books that piqued his interest, but something kept him from buying anything from them.
A slow, steady smile stretched across his features a, focus for his work completely gone, he opened to the first page. "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife…"
Dear Padma,
I thank you for the book. I've begun reading it and have thus far found it enjoyable. Miss Austen has a lyrical way of writing her prose and I'm quite certain I've known quite a few Mrs. Bennett's in my lifetime—enough to make her character quite real for me. I'm not finished just yet but I wanted to touch upon the invitation for dinner before it got too late in the season. I know Christmas is coming up and many people have plans for all sorts of events and I wouldn't want to lose my chance at having a meal with you before the year is up.
If you have no objections, I can pick you up the evening of the 8th at seven o'clock sharp. Please, let me know if this date and time is suitable for you.
Yours,
Theodore M. Nott
A few half scratched out words near the end before—
P.S. If the date and time do work for you, be sure to wear eveningwear.
Padma gave a little smile as she reread the letter. Her eyes drifted back to the envelope where, upon opening it, a simple bracelet had fallen out. A delicate book charm hung from the silver setting, along with a small star and an eagle. Turning it over in her hand, Padma glanced to the little note that had been attached to it (I saw these charms and I thought of you. I hope it's to your tastes) before slipping it onto her wrist, clasping it and letting her hand drop back down, the charm bracelet hanging perfectly in place.