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#byron living up to his name sake fr 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
blueshistorysims · 1 month
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June 1923, London, England
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It seemed as if Wilhelmina and Jack’s party had awoken some sort of hedonist spirit within him. Any previous attempts he’d tried to make with his duties as a peer were forgotten—not that it mattered anyway, most people in the House of Lords disliked him regardless. The Ritz became his home base, splitting his time between the hotel and the house of various friends, both old and new. 
Within three months, he was sure that he’d nearly tripled the number of people he’d had sex with, which Giselle and Francesca had mercilessly teased him about, but it had many advantages, and it seemed like with every new person he shared a bed, he received two invitations to social events, whether it be parties, dinners, soirees, etc. Being around people with similar tastes and interests also allowed him to find suggestions and people read the work he’d done in person, not just via letters, and by the middle of June, he felt that his translation and commentary of The Epic of Gilgamesh was good enough to be sent to the publishers and editors.
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Giselle, on the other hand, after months of slaving day and night in her sewing room as Francesca handled sales and customers, it seemed that their little boutique was taking off, and most women living in Central London were seen wearing some of her designs. 
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Shortly after opening one morning, a woman dressed finely walked into the shop, inquiring for a party dress. Francesca, who still setting up their latest model, looked surprised. No one came this early in the morning.
“Good morning, ma’am, how can I help you?”
“Um, is Miss Walsh in?”
“Oh, yes, she’ll be down in a moment or so.” She chuckled. “She likes to sleep in.”
The other woman smirked as she looked around. “A friend of a friend recommended this place, and I can see why now. These are lovely.”
Francesca beamed with pride. 
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Giselle stepped out from her sewing studio, looking surprised that they already a had customer. “Oh, good morning, I hope you weren’t waiting long.”
“No, of course not. Miss Walsh?”
“That would be me.”
She sighed in relief. “Oh, thank you. I’m attending a party, and I was hoping to get a dress. I was told you do custom designs for customers.”
“Yes, um we can head back for measurements now if you wish, Ms…”
“Lady Lyton.”
Francesca’s eyes widened. The Countess of Lyton was their dress shop! Giselle looked less impressed, only giving Francesca a side glance. “Oh, I’m sorry, your ladyship, I wasn’t aware.” She turned to her partner. “There’s a countess in our dress shop.”
“We’ve had a duke.”
“Your brother doesn’t count.”
The Countess raised a brow. “Walsh… Your brother is the Duke of Feldsbury?”
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“Yes. Have you met him?”
“I first met him at a party two months ago—we are mutual friends with Mrs. Jack Porter. He’s a bit of a Casanova, but he's handsome, very intelligent, and makes delightful conversation.” She smirked. “My husband, on the other hand, finds him impertinent.” 
Francesca snickered. 
“That sounds like my brother. …He was forced to accept the title and its responsibilities when not even being aware of it until after the war, so he cares very little of what society thinks of him and will likely do everything in his power to dredge the name of the late duke.”
The Countess nodded. “Well, I never liked the late duke.”
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“Well, back to your request, your ladyship. When is the party?” Giselle asked, grabbing her notepad and pencil.
“Four days from now.”
Giselle frowned. “And you want a custom dress?”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry, but a custom design and pattern would at least take me two weeks, my lady.”
Lady Lyton sighed. “Oh. I see.”
“Well,” Francesca interrupted, gesturing to the dress she’d just set up, “I saw you admiring this, and Miss Walsh only finished it yesterday. There is no other dress like it, and tailoring at most only takes a few days if we do measurements now.”
Giselle nodded eagerly. “Yes, and if you wish, I could add some extra embellishments if desired, and it could be ready to be picked up the morning of your party.”
The Countess looked impressed. “You ladies know how to work a deal.” She glanced at the dress. “I will be telling everyone I know about the Duke of Feldbury’s sister and her delightfully modern dress shop.”
Giselle and Francesca couldn’t help but beam. 
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