A Rake, A Spinster, And An Arrangement

Chapter 11 : Peacocks and Cards (Ep 3)

The Lovegood ball was already looking to be quite an entertaining affair, given the number of birds around the estate. Some were still alive, even speaking. Others were stuffed, clearly used as decoration pieces. And then some... well, they were not birds that Hermione had ever heard of. Why would one place the feathers of a pheasant on the body of a pigeon?

Still, when one was in good company, they could bear even the most confusing of circumstances. Hermione was having a hard time keeping her eyes off of Miss Lovegood, whose dress was... interesting. The feathers in her hair made it particularly odd, given that the plumage was not full. Hermione would never be so gauche as to wear feathers, but Miss Lovegood... she did not look to be wearing them as a fashion statement. They were almost placed as though they were purposeful, like armor, crowning her head.

She had to place her back towards the other Lady's receiving line, lest she be unable to take her eyes off the blonde all evening... particularly when Hermione's eyes were supposed to be on another.

"Where is he?" Lady Parkinson asked, looking towards the door once more.

"Come now, Lady Parkinson. You know the Duke is always running a bit late, so that he might avoid the opening festivities," Hermione said with a bit of familiarity towards the other woman. "Now come, you were telling us about your new guests."

"Ah yes," Lady Parkinson said, her attention turning to Ginny, who was sipping at her drink. "As I was saying, my step-son arrived with one that was entirely unexpected."

Hermione knew there was something there that was being hinted at, but she could not quite understand it.

"An actress?" she asked, raising her brow. "No, you said he was in the country. A milk maid, then?"

Lady Parkinson snorted as she reached for a drink from a passing servant, then raised it to her lips, downing it in one go. "Oh no. Certainly not an actress, nor a milk maid. I suspect you shall see him very soon."

Hermione looked at Ginny, who looked just as confused, and Lady Parkinson giggled again, clearly delighted with herself...

"Look, is that not the Duke of Montrose?" Hermione called out suddenly.

Hermione knew exactly who he was when she pointed him out, given how often she spoke to his grandmother, but... to point him out in the presence of Lady Parkinson...

She was looking for a reaction, and she most certainly received one.

"Who?" Lady Parkinson asked, her voice lifting in pitch, and a blush going down the sides of her neck.

"The Duke of Montrose," Hermione repeated, smiling sweetly. "I have often seen him looking in your direction. Do not tell me he has not approached."

Lady Parkinson was now gripping at the glass in her hands, looking in every direction save at the man that was currently approaching them.

"Yes, I have seen him," she said, darting around Ginny. "Excuse me, I need another drink."

Hermione turned to see that the Duke had stopped in his approach, his eyes following Lady Parkinson, his cheeks colored slightly. The poor gentleman... and yet, Hermione did not think the two had even spoken two words to one another.

If Lady Parkinson was not interested, then she should tell the Duke so... but, as she seemed only interested in avoiding him, with a blush covering her skin, well... Hermione could not help but to encourage it. After all, she rather liked Lady Parkinson, and did not like the idea of the woman suffering alone. She was in control of her own future, now. Was it not an appropriate time for her to now find her fun?