This is a fan made story. I don't own the rights to SHIELD, any of its characters or any characters within the MCU… Much to my disappointment. This is a Regency Era based AU and I will be pulling characters from all over the MCU. Fair warning. Constructive criticism is welcome but if you don't like it simply because you don't like the line of thinking, please don't attack me for it.
Chapter 5: Expectations
The next morning was much slower than the day before. Daisy and those who had traveled with her from China began their routine as always before breakfast and then Jemma spent her morning writing notes to various ladies that she was acquainted with and expected to be in town. Daisy did the same with a few of the young women that she had known in China and hoped to renew their acquaintances now that she was in England without any likelihood of ever returning to China. Her notes were much fewer, however, and she shortly returned to her book on crop rotations with a reference book for what certain terms meant.
Well into the visiting hours however, Mr. Stafford announced Major Triplett to call on Mrs. Coulson. Jemma smiled and told the butler to bring the gentleman in and greeted him as a friend. Daisy ignored most of the exchange, more interested in the implications of why tomatoes and potatoes should never be grown near each other.
Once a maid had brought a tray of tea and Jemma had served for all, Miss Morse included, the Major only took a sip before carefully setting his cup aside, "Actually, Mrs. Coulson, Miss Coulson. There is a particular reason for my coming to call so soon after our meeting yesterday. Jemma, you and I are very nearly family with how closely we grew up together. In a way, I view you as a sister. As such, as much as it pains me to do so, I felt it my duty to warn you to proceed with caution in terms of both General Garret and Col. Ward. While in general they are decent enough company, when it comes to the presence of a young lady of wealth, I fear neither are to be trusted in their perceived affections."
Jemma raised an eyebrow while this was enough to distract Daisy from her book and set it aside. After a careful sip of tea, Jemma also set her cup aside and warily ask, "Under what circumstances, might I inquire, did you come to this information?"
"The General's character is common knowledge, I am afraid. Two of his three previous wives were persuaded to matrimony in less than auspicious circumstances. His current wife, I believe might be such a case as well, though I can't say that for certain. Not to mention he barely waited the proper mourning period before remarrying which is also… unfortunate. As for the Colonel… he and the General were less than discrete in discussing the best method of the Colonel for pursuit of Miss Coulson after Gen. Garret informed him of her apparent wealth and who she was related to. They did so barely after meeting her and in front of myself no less. I do admit that this is the first time that Col. Ward has had such an open interest in a young lady but that interest is primarily in her personal wealth and connection rather than anything of true merit," With this he picked his cup back up and took a few more sips.
"That is unfortunate. Thank you, Trip. I know that it must be difficult to speak of such things of those you are close to," Jemma followed his lead and relaxed a little.
"I'm not really close with either, I'm afraid. Col. Ward is rather stuck on rank and wealth while General Garret has loose morals that make me extremely uncomfortable. I am only staying with them at present because it was only to be a brief stay. I only just got transferred to the War Office and my parents and sister, Laura, are expected to be arriving at the end of the week. I expect you and Laura will be happy for the chance of reacquainting," Trip smiled genuinely.
"Indeed, that is wonderful. I do hope your next few days aren't too uncomfortable then. I also do enjoy the thought of having something to look forward to in the coming week. There is much to be done for Daisy's coming out. Lady Victoria is going to be a wonderful help with it thankfully. Laura's most recent letter to me said that she was engaged to a Col. Clinton Barton. Your family must be pleased with that," Jemma's move to bring the conversation to less uncomfortable topics meant a loss of Daisy's interest and she went back to her book.
Leo Joined them just before the Major left and was introduced, though with some discomfort over the conversation from the night before. This also led to a repeating of Trip's warning to Leo and increasing Leo's discomfort. Daisy hardly listened to the reiterated warning, more interested in her books once more. After the Major left, there was a level of tension between Jemma and Leo that Daisy opted to ignore, favoring instead to take a break from reading by practicing both harp and piano under Miss Morse's diligent guidance. After that was reworking a bonnet to suit the current fashion, even if Daisy had little interest in such things.
In the afternoon she was taken back to Madame Moreau's by her aunt to try on two dresses that had been rushed by the seamstress and her employees so that they would be done for the dinner her aunt held the next night. The fitting passed quickly, and the lady gave grave assurances that the pink silk dinner gown would be done for the next day. This was the only thing for the day and so their Aunt dined with them once more and reminded them to be at House Hand for the dinner early so that they could greet guests with her since the dinner was in Daisy's honor.
The next day proceeded similarly, the only variation being that it was Col. Ward to visit and he spent most of the time in Leo's study. When he and Leo joined the ladies in the drawing room, he expressed surprise at a lady reading a 'man's book'.
"Well, Colonel. It is the duty of a landholder, regardless of gender, to ensure to the prosperity of his or her tenants. It would hardly be right for me to pay so little mind to the needs of mine, even if I do have a steward to see to the day to day oversight of St. Agnes Park," Daisy's response left Col. Ward baffled and he left soon after.
When the time for preparing for her aunt's dinner arrived, Daisy sighed in relief as she eyed the bonnet that now looked far worse for her attempts to modify it than it had before. Miss Morse took pity on her and assured her that she would see it done properly later. The dress for the dinner had been delivered earlier that day and was laid out carefully when she went to her rooms. After Xui helped her dress and did her hair into elegant curled up-do that Daisy already knew would have her ready to pull the hair pins out long before the night was finished.
Leo heaped praise on her, and Jemma went they came down and hurried them into the carriage without delay. Aunt Vicky's house was in Mayfair and far more extravagant in nature due to her status. While Sir Philip Coulson had 15,000 pounds a year from various estates, not including Daisy's, Lord Charles Hand, through his various estates, had 25,000 pounds a year. Lady Victoria was smiling at them when they entered and introduced Daisy to her daughter-in-law Lady Justine. The Lady was clearly nearing her confinement and was polite and friendly. Lord Charles joined them shortly after and embraced Daisy, much to her surprise. They spent a short time catching up before the first guests arrived.
Earl Chester Carter, his sons Lord William Carter and Cap. Michael Carter, his daughter Lady Margret Carter, and niece Miss Stephanie Rogers. Lady Victoria paid special attention to the introductions of Cap. Carter, Lady Margret and Miss Rogers so Daisy knew that these three were the reason the family had been invited. The next guests were Mr. and Mrs. Romanoff with their daughter Miss Natasha Romanoff. Again, the young lady received more attention from her aunt in terms of introductions and seemed to be quite familiar with Miss Rogers and Lady Margret. Next came a short but friendly Mr. Eric Koenig followed shortly after with a charmer by the name of Mr. Lance Hunter.
General Garret, Col. Ward and Major Triplett were the last to arrive and the General kept to a distance for the most part, though he did seem to eye Miss Romanoff more than appropriate for a married man. Mrs. Garret, he claimed, was too close to her confinement to really be going about much. Daisy found that, in terms of the younger ladies that were present, her aunt was correct in the assumption that they would get on well.
Lady Margret had instantly insisted on Daisy referring to her as Lady Peggy as she hated the more formal version of her name. Miss Rogers was extremely polite and absolutely sweet but kept a wary distance from most of the men. In contrast, Miss Romanoff seemed to draw the eyes of every man and she knew it and enjoyed it. At first Daisy was confused by her aunt's insistence but after a half hour of conversation before dinner was announced realized that like her, they all had several things in common.
They were all intelligent women who were a little unorthodox in their belief that a lady should be capable of defending themselves at need. Miss Romanoff was her father's only child and was going to inherit an estate twice the size of Daisy's. Lady Peggy also had an estate as part of her dowry. Miss Rogers was the only one without some independence but her uncle, Lord Carter had settled a dowry of 15,000 pounds on her to ensure his niece married well.
Added to their material wealth was their connections and looks and all felt that those put them at unnecessary risk if they didn't have caution. Daisy was gently inquiring to their times and types of 'exercise' when dinner was called. As soon as this occurred, Daisy found Col. Ward abruptly at her side offer to escort her. She agreed with caution, recalling her brother's carefully worded warning earlier that day. However, Daisy was fortunate to find that her seat was between Lady Peggy and Cap. Carter and across from Miss Rodger.
Both Col. Ward and General Garret were on the far side of the table but Major Triplett was next to Jemma and Miss Rogers. On Miss Rogers other side was Mr. Koenig and on the other side of Cap. Cater was Miss Romanoff. Her aunt and cousin had completely ignored precedence in favor of ensuring that Daisy had conversation that made her comfortable.
While they couldn't continue their conversation on the 'exercises' a lady might engage in to ensure her own safety, they could discuss other things and the most prevalent topic was the differences of society in London compared to that of the English and Europeans in general living in China. Miss Romanoff seemed genuinely amused by the fact that this was Daisy's first formal dinner where she was allowed to eat without having a taster to ensure she wasn't poisoned. Lady Peggy and Miss Rogers were appalled that there was such a risk of poisonings at all. This set the general tone for their portion of the table's conversation and it carried over into the drawing room during the separation of the sexes.
When this happened, Lady Victoria was pleased to note the young ladies clustered together and seemed to be at general ease. The ladies that had been invited were all of the first caliber in both character and intelligence and all had a quirk that Lady Victoria had only ferreted out because she had long held the confidence of her household staff who often heard the rumored peculiarities of other families. It was a strange alliance but one that afforded Lady Victoria a better insight on those whom she would permit regular interaction with her family and specifically her beloved niece who had few friends in England.
When the evening ended, Daisy had promises from all three of the other young ladies to visit the next morning to go walking at the fashionable hour. Jemma had kept a wary eye on the General and Colonel and noticed that the Colonel seemed a bit frustrated when Daisy had paid him no mind in favor of her new friends. This fermented the warning that Trip had given her about the man. Leo also found the attempts for attention from his friend unsettling though he didn't want to believe his friend mercenary.
The next morning, Daisy was pleased by opportunity to further the sprouting friendships.