Waltz of Wings by the Regency Company 2/?
Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2003 2:59 am
Waltz of Wings
Chapter 2
By Sailor Celaeno
The sun rose and a young gentleman made his way to the breakfast room. He was
performing his daily ritual. With his valet attending to him, he dressed for
the day. The young man was none other than the master of the house, Mr. Duo
Maxwell and he had much business to accomplish this very day. His man presented
his master various choices of shirt sleeves. After a few moments of reflection
on each, Duo decided on an off white pair. He had recently returned from town
and had purchased long pants, rather than breeches, as was the latest style of
fashion. His cravat was a matching off white as he tied gracefully about his
neck.
Duo Maxwell carefully examined his appearance in the mirror. He had long and
neatly braided rich auburn hair, just as his mother had. Though it was against
the proper sense of fashion at the time, Duo Maxwell was a man who had a very
jovial nature. Whilst this made him popular, he was looked down upon among the
more conservative-minded society. It was during in his school days that a
friend had challenged him to grow his hair long and then wear it as a braid for
a year. In return, Duo would receive ?100. It had been nearly 5 years, and Duo
found no need to cut his hair. He had grown quite fond of his long hair and was
quite well-known for it. He gently brushed his long bangs and gave himself an
encouraging smile. His violet eyes twinkled with the merriment of his
countenance.
He soon nodded his servant to leave and he immediately left his room. He
walked down the hallway and then down an mahogany staircase that was decorated
with a dark, russet finish, and forest green carpeting. Within a few short
moments, he made his way to the breakfast room. He greeted two gentlemen who
had also just arrived and sat in his position at head of the table.
It was a wintry day nearly a week after Mr. Maxwell?s letter had been
dispatched to the Noins, when Mr. Maxwell received their reply. ?Sir, this has
just arrived for you,? the butler bowed as he handed Mr. Maxwell the elegantly
written and sealed letter.
?Thank you Peters,? he nodded as he accepted the cream-colored envelope. There
was a mahogany colored wax seal on the back. A quick observation of the
envelope showed that a lady of some refinement had written the letter. He sat
in place at the head of the dining table with breakfast displayed before him,
and the two gentlemen, sitting either side of him.
?Another letter I see,? noted one man. He had somewhat unruly, brunette hair,
that was quite becoming for the gentleman. His Prussian blue eyes showed a
great determination and strong conviction as he looks into another person?s
eyes. His voice was subdued, but hinted at his perseverance in all he did.
Mr. Maxwell nodded. ?Indeed. It?s addressed from Hillary Lodge, the country
house I allowed my cousins to live in.? He had a pleased, though a nervous
countenance as he looked at the envelope. He was normally at ease with himself
and all things concerning him. However, the business with the Noins was a
delicate situation and he felt obliged to do the best he could towards them.
?Perhaps they have decided to respond to your letter after all, Maxwell,? the
man gave a slight smile.
?Perhaps Heero, but I?m not quite sure, how I should respond to this letter??
?Perhaps, it would help, Duo, if you opened the letter and read what your
cousins have to say first.?
Mr. Duo Maxwell was the only son of a great gentleman, the master of Maxwell
Hall. His mother was formerly a Miss Noin, sister to the late Mr. Noin of
Emerly, the Noin property he recently inherited. Duo Maxwell had grown up
knowing full well that he would one day usurp his uncle?s property, as it soon
became clear that he would have no male cousin to inherit before him. He had
met his uncle only twice when they were in town together. He admired his uncle
greatly, and Mr. Noin seemed impressed with young Maxwell?s charismatic wit and
good sense. It seemed to Mr. Noin, that he would be leaving Emerly to a good
sort of man. Duo Maxwell pitied the idea of disinheriting his female cousins
from their home. On his uncle?s death, he immediately had Hillary Lodge near
Buxted prepared for the surviving Noins? occupation. He was sad to realize that
the granting the Noin ladies the permission to live in a country cottage wasn?t
the best reparation he could offer, but it would have to do for the moment.
?You are quite right Heero. I should read the content first.? He gently pulled
the seal and had the letter in his hands. He unfolded the contents and began
reading aloud:
Dear Mr. Maxwell,
We have cordially received your letter two days prior to writing this letter
and ask for your forgiveness in the delay. We sincerely regret not writing you
more promptly. My mother and sister are doing nicely here in Hillary as am I.
We are very grateful for your kindness in permitting us to stay in Hillary.
Buxted is a lovely village and we are very pleased to have such good neighbors
that have given us much kindness here. I will send you all our assurances that
we are quite content here and that you needn?t concern yourself too greatly for
our well-being. We have recently made ourselves acquainted with the Darlians,
as they live in the neighboring property, High Ridge. Miss Darlian has been a
very good friend to my sister and I as we are always welcomed guests at High
Ridge. Consequently Mr. Maxwell, Miss Darlian has decided that when you come to
visit us, that she would like to invite you for dinner on the evening of the
20th. She also extends the invitation to Mr. Yuy and Mr. Barton, as they will
join you in your visit with us this Christmas. If this is to your liking sir,
then please reply as soon as it is convenient to you. We send you and your
companions much good will and good tidings in your future travels.
Yours and truly,
Miss Noin
?I?m quite intrigued with these ladies. I have heard so much about them, but
have not met the ladies. It would be rather disagreeable to decline such a
gracious invitation,? replied Duo as he finished reading the letter. His eyes
regained the sparkle of amusement and his usual liveliness.
?I shall have no objection to this dinner. Miss Darlian is a very rich young
woman, and not someone to be ignored. I have heard much about her, and I seem
to have developed a curiosity for the country as well Duo,? replied Heero Yuy.
?She may be a proud young woman, now that she is the mistress of so much
wealth.?
?What about you, Trowa? Are you inclined to join?? smiled Duo at the silent
companion.
?If you will go, then I shall have no objections as well.?
?Good. It is settled. I will write them and have the reply sent out this
afternoon.?
Heero Yuy was a tall man whose features were universally agreed on as
handsome. Despite his pleasing appearance, he was quite infamously known as a
disagreeable sort of fellow. His fortune, and his good looks charmed many, but
his aloofness towards the lower classes made him also universally agreed on as
?proud and condescending.? He was the only child of Mr. Yuy and his wife. They
were both deceased just as the Maxwells were. Thus leaving their dear son the
sole heir to a large estate in Derbyshire. Heero Yuy was away from Edenwood
many months of the year in order to be with his good friend, Duo Maxwell. It
seemed that men like Duo were the only sort of men he associated with. Men of
high breeding and good fortunes. Most would say that Heero Yuy had deemed
himself too good to be with other classes of people, but perhaps that isn?t
quite the truth. This is the sort of mystery left for the many, unmarried women
of England to decide for themselves.
He had chosen white shirtsleeves, and a soft muslin cravat around his neck.
Heero?s light black waistcoat neatly pressed and with a straight cut. He wore a
bottle green jacket that was a favorite of his. Despite the appearance of
disorder in his hair, it was much tidier than would seem. He had soft, thick
locks that forced him to accept the fact that his hair done in any other
fashion would be impossible. In spite of initial doubts, Heero was more than
satisfied with his hair than anyone else. He kept himself very neat as he had
been around uncles and cousins who were military men, and were elder than
himself. He was quite efficient in the same token with all his business
dealings as his father was.
?You have never told us very much about these lady cousins, Duo.? Heero poured
a small cup of tea with his breakfast. He gradually took a small sip as his
friend replied.
?I will confess Heero, that I know only a little about them.?
?You have never met these ladies?? inquired Trowa from his relative silence.
Duo had a look of embarrassment on his face. ?I have to admit that I never
personally met Miss Noin and Miss Hilde. I did see Aunt Noin on two occasions I
first met Mr. Noin so many years ago.?
?How long ago would that be? You?re not more than two and twenty,? replied
Heero.
?I believe I was only twelve at the time. So?? Duo thought for a moment, ??
perhaps I have exaggerated, but it was quite some time since I saw the
gentleman. I suppose I?m being nervous for no real reason.?
?You feel rather badly for disinheriting them. Much more than other men would,
I think,? noted Trowa as he ate quietly.
?That may be so Trowa, but I just don?t feel right. Whether man or woman, it
should not be right to force them out of their rightful home simply because of
some rules.?
?Rules are what proper society live by, Duo. Without these rules, there would
be anarchy, and barbarism. Rules also set proper justice for people.?
?That is true Heero. Rules can provide justice. But is it right to observe
laws and rules that don?t seem to be just for others??
?How are you certain that a law isn?t just? Perhaps, on one level it may not
be right, but then it is a law that suits most circumstances.?
?That is true. But I have always heard, after long periods of time, society
forgets to follow the spirit of the law as the law was written. And instead
chooses to follow the letter in order to make things easier. Society forgets
the idea of the law. But then there are laws that should be changed because
they can no longer function as well in the current state of society.?
?Quite true Duo. I will grant that. But the law cannot simply be ignored
because one is dissatisfied.?
?Progress must me made. And sometimes progress is made through disobedience of
such laws.?
?Another debate, another stalemate. You do not convince each other. Perhaps
there will be a circumstance that will present this debate again,? replied
Trowa.
?Perhaps there will be,? Duo replied as he returned to his breakfast.
Trowa Barton was a tall slender man. He had dark auburn hair and dark green
eyes that hid much. Trowa Barton rarely talked just as Heero Yuy rarely talked.
However, people knew who Heero Yuy was. Many were quite perplexed on Trowa
Barton. He was a young man that hardly discussed his past or from what place
his family lived. However, he freely discussed political ideas of the day, and
was quite knowledgeable of how to run a country estate with great efficiency.
The elder Mr. Maxwell had hired the young lad as the steward shortly before his
death. Duo had become good friends with Trowa since those early days.
Duo went to his writing desk and promptly began writing his reply to Miss Noin.
Dear Miss Noin,
I thank you for your reply. I was quite pleased to see your letter this
morning at the breakfast table. My companions and I enjoyed hearing how your
family has fared in Buxted. I accept your kind words of good-will and can
honestly say that I was the one most pleased at hearing that your sister and
mother have settled comfortably in Hillary. I was fond of the house when I was
younger, and I hoped that your family would feel the same as well. My
companions would like to meet Miss Darlian at her most convenient time during
our stay. I send my regards to you my dear cousins.
Yours truly,
Mr. Duo Maxwell
Duo sealed the envelope and had the letter sent out immediately, hopefully to
the Miss Noins before the week?s end.
Chapter 2
By Sailor Celaeno
The sun rose and a young gentleman made his way to the breakfast room. He was
performing his daily ritual. With his valet attending to him, he dressed for
the day. The young man was none other than the master of the house, Mr. Duo
Maxwell and he had much business to accomplish this very day. His man presented
his master various choices of shirt sleeves. After a few moments of reflection
on each, Duo decided on an off white pair. He had recently returned from town
and had purchased long pants, rather than breeches, as was the latest style of
fashion. His cravat was a matching off white as he tied gracefully about his
neck.
Duo Maxwell carefully examined his appearance in the mirror. He had long and
neatly braided rich auburn hair, just as his mother had. Though it was against
the proper sense of fashion at the time, Duo Maxwell was a man who had a very
jovial nature. Whilst this made him popular, he was looked down upon among the
more conservative-minded society. It was during in his school days that a
friend had challenged him to grow his hair long and then wear it as a braid for
a year. In return, Duo would receive ?100. It had been nearly 5 years, and Duo
found no need to cut his hair. He had grown quite fond of his long hair and was
quite well-known for it. He gently brushed his long bangs and gave himself an
encouraging smile. His violet eyes twinkled with the merriment of his
countenance.
He soon nodded his servant to leave and he immediately left his room. He
walked down the hallway and then down an mahogany staircase that was decorated
with a dark, russet finish, and forest green carpeting. Within a few short
moments, he made his way to the breakfast room. He greeted two gentlemen who
had also just arrived and sat in his position at head of the table.
It was a wintry day nearly a week after Mr. Maxwell?s letter had been
dispatched to the Noins, when Mr. Maxwell received their reply. ?Sir, this has
just arrived for you,? the butler bowed as he handed Mr. Maxwell the elegantly
written and sealed letter.
?Thank you Peters,? he nodded as he accepted the cream-colored envelope. There
was a mahogany colored wax seal on the back. A quick observation of the
envelope showed that a lady of some refinement had written the letter. He sat
in place at the head of the dining table with breakfast displayed before him,
and the two gentlemen, sitting either side of him.
?Another letter I see,? noted one man. He had somewhat unruly, brunette hair,
that was quite becoming for the gentleman. His Prussian blue eyes showed a
great determination and strong conviction as he looks into another person?s
eyes. His voice was subdued, but hinted at his perseverance in all he did.
Mr. Maxwell nodded. ?Indeed. It?s addressed from Hillary Lodge, the country
house I allowed my cousins to live in.? He had a pleased, though a nervous
countenance as he looked at the envelope. He was normally at ease with himself
and all things concerning him. However, the business with the Noins was a
delicate situation and he felt obliged to do the best he could towards them.
?Perhaps they have decided to respond to your letter after all, Maxwell,? the
man gave a slight smile.
?Perhaps Heero, but I?m not quite sure, how I should respond to this letter??
?Perhaps, it would help, Duo, if you opened the letter and read what your
cousins have to say first.?
Mr. Duo Maxwell was the only son of a great gentleman, the master of Maxwell
Hall. His mother was formerly a Miss Noin, sister to the late Mr. Noin of
Emerly, the Noin property he recently inherited. Duo Maxwell had grown up
knowing full well that he would one day usurp his uncle?s property, as it soon
became clear that he would have no male cousin to inherit before him. He had
met his uncle only twice when they were in town together. He admired his uncle
greatly, and Mr. Noin seemed impressed with young Maxwell?s charismatic wit and
good sense. It seemed to Mr. Noin, that he would be leaving Emerly to a good
sort of man. Duo Maxwell pitied the idea of disinheriting his female cousins
from their home. On his uncle?s death, he immediately had Hillary Lodge near
Buxted prepared for the surviving Noins? occupation. He was sad to realize that
the granting the Noin ladies the permission to live in a country cottage wasn?t
the best reparation he could offer, but it would have to do for the moment.
?You are quite right Heero. I should read the content first.? He gently pulled
the seal and had the letter in his hands. He unfolded the contents and began
reading aloud:
Dear Mr. Maxwell,
We have cordially received your letter two days prior to writing this letter
and ask for your forgiveness in the delay. We sincerely regret not writing you
more promptly. My mother and sister are doing nicely here in Hillary as am I.
We are very grateful for your kindness in permitting us to stay in Hillary.
Buxted is a lovely village and we are very pleased to have such good neighbors
that have given us much kindness here. I will send you all our assurances that
we are quite content here and that you needn?t concern yourself too greatly for
our well-being. We have recently made ourselves acquainted with the Darlians,
as they live in the neighboring property, High Ridge. Miss Darlian has been a
very good friend to my sister and I as we are always welcomed guests at High
Ridge. Consequently Mr. Maxwell, Miss Darlian has decided that when you come to
visit us, that she would like to invite you for dinner on the evening of the
20th. She also extends the invitation to Mr. Yuy and Mr. Barton, as they will
join you in your visit with us this Christmas. If this is to your liking sir,
then please reply as soon as it is convenient to you. We send you and your
companions much good will and good tidings in your future travels.
Yours and truly,
Miss Noin
?I?m quite intrigued with these ladies. I have heard so much about them, but
have not met the ladies. It would be rather disagreeable to decline such a
gracious invitation,? replied Duo as he finished reading the letter. His eyes
regained the sparkle of amusement and his usual liveliness.
?I shall have no objection to this dinner. Miss Darlian is a very rich young
woman, and not someone to be ignored. I have heard much about her, and I seem
to have developed a curiosity for the country as well Duo,? replied Heero Yuy.
?She may be a proud young woman, now that she is the mistress of so much
wealth.?
?What about you, Trowa? Are you inclined to join?? smiled Duo at the silent
companion.
?If you will go, then I shall have no objections as well.?
?Good. It is settled. I will write them and have the reply sent out this
afternoon.?
Heero Yuy was a tall man whose features were universally agreed on as
handsome. Despite his pleasing appearance, he was quite infamously known as a
disagreeable sort of fellow. His fortune, and his good looks charmed many, but
his aloofness towards the lower classes made him also universally agreed on as
?proud and condescending.? He was the only child of Mr. Yuy and his wife. They
were both deceased just as the Maxwells were. Thus leaving their dear son the
sole heir to a large estate in Derbyshire. Heero Yuy was away from Edenwood
many months of the year in order to be with his good friend, Duo Maxwell. It
seemed that men like Duo were the only sort of men he associated with. Men of
high breeding and good fortunes. Most would say that Heero Yuy had deemed
himself too good to be with other classes of people, but perhaps that isn?t
quite the truth. This is the sort of mystery left for the many, unmarried women
of England to decide for themselves.
He had chosen white shirtsleeves, and a soft muslin cravat around his neck.
Heero?s light black waistcoat neatly pressed and with a straight cut. He wore a
bottle green jacket that was a favorite of his. Despite the appearance of
disorder in his hair, it was much tidier than would seem. He had soft, thick
locks that forced him to accept the fact that his hair done in any other
fashion would be impossible. In spite of initial doubts, Heero was more than
satisfied with his hair than anyone else. He kept himself very neat as he had
been around uncles and cousins who were military men, and were elder than
himself. He was quite efficient in the same token with all his business
dealings as his father was.
?You have never told us very much about these lady cousins, Duo.? Heero poured
a small cup of tea with his breakfast. He gradually took a small sip as his
friend replied.
?I will confess Heero, that I know only a little about them.?
?You have never met these ladies?? inquired Trowa from his relative silence.
Duo had a look of embarrassment on his face. ?I have to admit that I never
personally met Miss Noin and Miss Hilde. I did see Aunt Noin on two occasions I
first met Mr. Noin so many years ago.?
?How long ago would that be? You?re not more than two and twenty,? replied
Heero.
?I believe I was only twelve at the time. So?? Duo thought for a moment, ??
perhaps I have exaggerated, but it was quite some time since I saw the
gentleman. I suppose I?m being nervous for no real reason.?
?You feel rather badly for disinheriting them. Much more than other men would,
I think,? noted Trowa as he ate quietly.
?That may be so Trowa, but I just don?t feel right. Whether man or woman, it
should not be right to force them out of their rightful home simply because of
some rules.?
?Rules are what proper society live by, Duo. Without these rules, there would
be anarchy, and barbarism. Rules also set proper justice for people.?
?That is true Heero. Rules can provide justice. But is it right to observe
laws and rules that don?t seem to be just for others??
?How are you certain that a law isn?t just? Perhaps, on one level it may not
be right, but then it is a law that suits most circumstances.?
?That is true. But I have always heard, after long periods of time, society
forgets to follow the spirit of the law as the law was written. And instead
chooses to follow the letter in order to make things easier. Society forgets
the idea of the law. But then there are laws that should be changed because
they can no longer function as well in the current state of society.?
?Quite true Duo. I will grant that. But the law cannot simply be ignored
because one is dissatisfied.?
?Progress must me made. And sometimes progress is made through disobedience of
such laws.?
?Another debate, another stalemate. You do not convince each other. Perhaps
there will be a circumstance that will present this debate again,? replied
Trowa.
?Perhaps there will be,? Duo replied as he returned to his breakfast.
Trowa Barton was a tall slender man. He had dark auburn hair and dark green
eyes that hid much. Trowa Barton rarely talked just as Heero Yuy rarely talked.
However, people knew who Heero Yuy was. Many were quite perplexed on Trowa
Barton. He was a young man that hardly discussed his past or from what place
his family lived. However, he freely discussed political ideas of the day, and
was quite knowledgeable of how to run a country estate with great efficiency.
The elder Mr. Maxwell had hired the young lad as the steward shortly before his
death. Duo had become good friends with Trowa since those early days.
Duo went to his writing desk and promptly began writing his reply to Miss Noin.
Dear Miss Noin,
I thank you for your reply. I was quite pleased to see your letter this
morning at the breakfast table. My companions and I enjoyed hearing how your
family has fared in Buxted. I accept your kind words of good-will and can
honestly say that I was the one most pleased at hearing that your sister and
mother have settled comfortably in Hillary. I was fond of the house when I was
younger, and I hoped that your family would feel the same as well. My
companions would like to meet Miss Darlian at her most convenient time during
our stay. I send my regards to you my dear cousins.
Yours truly,
Mr. Duo Maxwell
Duo sealed the envelope and had the letter sent out immediately, hopefully to
the Miss Noins before the week?s end.
. Trowa is mysterious as always and beloved Duo as enchanting as ever.