The Elysian Romance

Chapter 1: Jameson

To say that he would have rather been knee deep in the muds of England was a sheer understatement and there was no question to how much he meant that too. Yet another social season was upon the bachelors of the country, the parties held in grand affair and style in the hopes that all would walk home with someone that were almost destined to be their partner for the rest of their blasted lives. He could laugh at the silliness. It was bad enough that he had to endure the gawks of ladies passing him by as he moved through the market, hearing their whispers of the things they wish that they could do with him and even the men in slight jealousy of his looks. He was handsome, charismatic to a high level, and he had the attitude of pride that carried in almost every word that floated from his lips. In short supply, he was a rake....but he was a damn good one. 

It was not to say that he didn't know how to treat a lady, when in fact he was very good at finding what made a woman squirm, what made her fluster and the porcelain cheeks upon her decadent face almost completely turn a pink hue. He knew how to woo them and obtain the admission into their deepest desires, bending himself into their folds and allowing his name to leave their lips as if they could not think of any others to satisfy them. Jameson enjoyed those ladies of the night especially, those who could not care much about the fancy dresses and ridiculous hairdos, but who wanted a quick shake in the hay and no questions asked. That's what he enjoyed the most, getting out those much needed frustrations and watching them fall into their dreamless slumber as he made his escape. They never found him after and he planned on keeping it that way.

Today was different however, trapped within the confines of his house by his own parents, who made some kind of threat to strip him of everything that he had and everything he supposed he was worth if he did not attend the ball on this particular evening. He groaned of course, hearing his mother go on and on about the effects that the ball could bring for him, how it could save him and them from potential ruin....as she was a mother and did not believe to be as stupid as her own son must have thought of her. She knew of his comings and goings, knew of the scandal that he placed upon all others. Their name was highly regarded within the country and she would not have it slandered by a man of her own flesh and blood that could not keep it in his pants. He would go or else he would be shunned to the countryside alone, without money, and without anyone else to serve him.

"You must understand, you have to go and represent our family!" the elder woman said as she stood by her son, watching the dressers moving to help him into his waistcoat and fixing the color upon his alabaster skin. Jameson, his hazel eyes that captivated anyone who looked within them could only sigh and shake his head, speaking to her with the twang of his accent hanging on every word. "Mother, enough. I am not going to just simply go off and pick up the first pretty girl at the party like you so wish for me to. I have some class, despite what you may think." he said plainly, waving the servants off as he hopped from the stand and walked over to his desk to start organizing his papers. He had lost count of how many were actually here, but he had to get it all straightened out at some point. Not doing so would drive him wild after too long. 

His mother shook her head and came to lean against the desk, crossing her arms in the most unladylike gesture, her brown hair curled and resting around her shoulders. "Jamie, please. You and I both know that our family can't afford not to attend. It will be beneficial to you to go and at least talk to the women that are there. What is one conversation?" she asked him, truly wanting to know where his head remained because from where she was standing, he had lost his in full. 

There was a little hesitation in his eyes when she put it that way and curse her for doing so. He knew that the very moment that he arrived, he would be bombarded by bright dresses and drunken women, but at the same time....he did not want her guilt for the next few weeks for not going because she was good at that. Good at playing the guilt card and it drove him mad. So maybe just for tonight....it would not be too bad. Maybe.

"Fine, Mother. You win this round. I will go and attend for only an hour or more, just to observe the other men being pulled like cattle for a slaughter. Do not expect me to be happy about it though." he instructed her as if he was the parent and she the child. Her face instantly brightened and she clapped her hands in earnest. "Marvelous! I will ensure that the carriage picks you up on time. Make haste!" she said, turning her skirts around and moving out of the study as if she needed to go to the loo, shutting the door behind her as her voice was then heard moving about the servants.

Jameson, even with his promise, almost wanted to back right out in that moment. Had he simply signed his freedom away with one conversation with his mother? Possibly. At least he could be the only miserable one there, drinking and slurring words. That was enough to give him only a little ounce of hope for what was sure to be a night he would do everything in his power to forget.