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Léon Belmont (the_ambassador) wrote,
@ 2008-03-28 22:07:00

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Questions And Answers
Do you have a question for the French Ambassador? He gives up an hour a week to address the queries and concerns of his staff, of English aristos, and of traitorous French nationals living within England.

Submit your questions below!

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	madame_margot 2008-04-02 04:58 pm UTC (link)
	At long last, my husband has allowed me to organize a party to renew relations with my kinsmen. Would you and Madame Belmont be agreeable to join us? -Marguerite York (Reply to this) (Thread)

the_ambassador
2008-04-02 09:13 pm UTC (link)

Léon smiles brightly at her, offering her a low bow. "Madame York. A pleasure, as always." He said, hiding his surprise at the invitation. As a member of the new Republic's government, he was rarely popular with the French nationals living within England. Especially not the aristos.

"I'd very much like to accept." He adds, "Although I am afraid my wife will probably not be in attendance. She does not like to leave Paris." He shrugs slightly, as if to say his wife's habits are out of his control. "May I ask why your new husband has kept you from your kin for so long? Perhaps he is concerned someone will steal you away?"

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madame_margot
2008-04-02 09:34 pm UTC (link)

Marguerite quirked a half-smile, feigning frustration with her husband du jour. "He has some notion of it, indeed. But I am so very weary of rumors and gossip. Politics is so decidedly tiresome."

She made a point not to live in fear and not to leave her life in the hands of others. Her husband could speak of danger and protection all he wanted. She knew her status, her due. The guillotine was a distant threat, one she couldn't imagine applied to her.

"Though it is such a pity your wife won't be joining us, I must say."

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the_ambassador
2008-04-02 10:00 pm UTC (link)

Léon raises a single eyebrow, but only slightly, as the woman describes her husband, a smirk slowly growing on his lips. "Politics is growing ever more interesting, my dear Madame York. Especially back at home. English politics is... stale."

"Perhaps it is. But she prefers the society of Paris, and I have my duties to preform. It is how it is." He smiles. "Perhaps I could invite another in her stead?"

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	madame_margot 2008-04-02 10:07 pm UTC (link)
	"Naturally!" Marguerite nodded happily. "We are all friends here and it shall all, naturally, remain between us." Chuckling lightly, she added, "After all, while you and my dear husband debate politics, I shall be desperately in need of company. The Baron is such a charismatic host, I so often find myself sinfully jealous." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

the_ambassador
2008-04-03 06:41 am UTC (link)

"And I hope it shall long remain so, Madame." Léon says with a nod and a bright smile. Of course, when the Revolution reached England, that friendship, based in politics, would quickly crumble, he was certain. But for the moment, Madame York and her English husband were useful to know, as well as charming company.

"Jealous Madame? You should not be so. You are beautiful, charming, the most entertaining of hostesses. Do not be jealous of his Lordship, he merely possesses a different sort of charm." He replies, attempting charm himself.

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madame_margot
2008-04-03 10:41 am UTC (link)

Marguerite allows herself a fleeting smile, a blush too slow in rising to her cheeks to be genuine. "You are to kind, Monsieur Belmont. I wager you will have no difficulty in finding a partner to accompany you, though I do hope she won't monopolize your attention."

A sigh. "England presents just so much competition, do you not find? One must work twice as hard to impress one's guests and one's reception is rarely as praised as it should be." Whatever the Ambassador's connections and status in France, Marguerite found she could more easily ignore the breadth of politics and revolutionary feeling between them than the barrier of language and customs she faced when entertaining her husband's English friends.

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the_ambassador
2008-04-03 10:54 am UTC (link)

"I doubt that very much, my dear Madame York. Not with such a charming hostess to bid my regards to." He smiles. "And please, Madame, we are all friends here. Léon will suffice."

The ambassador smiles, "The English are a sour nation, I have discovered. It is not that there is too much competition, or that you are not a worthy host, but a familiar on the part of your guests. They have lemon juice in their blood, and while that makes them adequate sailors, it makes their sense of humour so weak that those of us from nations blessed with mirth must fight even harder for bring a smile to their lips."

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madame_margot
2008-04-03 11:01 am UTC (link)

"Then do call me Marguerite," she entreats him, one hand against her chest. "Oh, but you are perfectly right, indeed. How terrible it must be for you in dealing with their diplomats."

Marguerite nods with a smile. "They lack a certain finesse, I find, both in perceiving humor and irony." She leans in closer. "And in the strictest confidence, their wine leaves much to be desired.

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the_ambassador
2008-04-03 12:20 pm UTC (link)

He shakes his head in reply, "Hardly, Marguerite, hardly. I am afraid diplomats the world over, myself included, are sour old men. Politics is the only thing we life for, and we only manage to smile when we encounter charming creatures such as yourself."

"As does their cuisine generally, I am afraid." Léon agrees, "There was once an English cook in the Embassy's kitchen. He was unable to even make a simple cup of coffee. I spent my first month in the country in a coffee house. In the end I had to fire him and bring a real chef from Marseille." He shrugs, "The English are lacking in many things, save weather."

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madame_margot
2008-04-03 12:38 pm UTC (link)

Marguerite allows herself a bashful grin. "Oh no, I cannot believe that. At very least you are French. Whatever your faults, you are French. And I have always secretly believed that gentlemen, like good wine, improve with age."

Gently shaking her fan, she nods. "But of course, my entire staff is English. I'm afraid it is a war trying to convince them to prepare a proper menu. My husband does promise he will let me do whatever changes I see fit to the estate. No doubt the first will be to replace the cook before I find myself poisoned."

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the_ambassador
2008-04-03 01:03 pm UTC (link)

Léon can't help but laugh at that particular comment. "Then I must have improved very greatly." He admits, "Although I doubt I will ever be a particularly fine vintage."

"I would suggest, my dear Marguerite, that you should fire all, save the kitchen boys themselves. I can give you a list, perhaps, of qualified staff who could replace them? And perhaps a maid fresh from Paris for yourself?" Who would, of course, report back to him. Not that Léon suspected Madame York of helping fellow Aristos escape, but it was a possibility, always a possibility.

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madame_margot
2008-04-03 01:12 pm UTC (link)

Oblivious to his planning, Marguerite smiled happily. "Oh, what a perfectly wonderful plan. That is exactly what I shall do! What good ideas you have, dear friend."

Tapping her lips with the edge of her closed fan, she thought of his suggestion for a moment. "Of course, I would have to manage all of this from London. My husband has some notoriously ghastly ideas about my going to France. I don't suppose I could ask Madame Belmont's aid in this area, might I? I'm sure she could recommend me someone absolutely superb."

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the_ambassador
2008-04-03 01:25 pm UTC (link)

"I live only to serve, Madame York." He says, with another small bow.

"My wife may already have the very girl you require." He says, pleased with her eager reply. "The younger sister of her own waiting-girl, polite, well-tempered, I recall. I was sent her résumé, I shall find it for you and have a boy bring it to you at the soonest opportunity. As for your other staff, I shall ask. There are many good chefs at this moment unemployed. No doubt you shall have a wide choice."

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	madame_margot 2008-04-03 01:42 pm UTC (link)
	"Excellent," Marguerite agrees. "That will work out nicely I should think. And at long last I shall have someone in attendance who can speak proper French." She bestows a charming smile upon the Ambassador. "Thank you, my dear friend. You're quite the life saver." Of course, were she in France, he'd probably be the executioner. Gloomy thoughts had no place in England. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	ascesis_ira 2008-04-10 07:34 pm UTC (link)
	"Monsieur Belmont," Elisamarie dipped a little to a curtsies. "I assume you have already received word from France of my arrival. I was told you were in need of a maid servant." (Reply to this) (Thread)

	the_ambassador 2008-04-10 07:51 pm UTC (link)
	He returns her curtsy with a polite nod, "Mademoiselle. I trust your journey over the channel was without difficulties?" Léon asks, eyeing her baggage and motioning for some of his own staff to help her carry them. "I have found you a room which I hope will be satisfactory for your needs." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ascesis_ira 2008-04-10 07:57 pm UTC (link)
	"It was without incident." She returned, watching the staff who carried her bags from the room. "Thank you, I am sure. You still use labour, I see, and yet you have a fine pair of hands yourself." She reaches for the one bag left, hefting it herself. "As do I." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

the_ambassador
2008-04-10 08:13 pm UTC (link)

"I am very glad that a terrible storm did not wash you over the side." Léon responds drily. "And I was employed here for my brains, Mademoiselle, not my hands. I no-longer have to dirty them, as I did the first time we met." He offers her a small smile. "Unfortunately the position for which you were brought here is no longer open, as you are aware, and so you are to stay here until another suitable position can be found for you. I am sure, until then, you will busy yourself here, will you not?"

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	ascesis_ira 2008-04-10 08:18 pm UTC (link)
	She smiles at him. "Obviously our Lord blessed the voyage." Elisamarie follows him from the drawing room and into the hallway. "I understand. You were not hard enough, it seems, in your attempts but I'm sure you will find someone who needs my help soon enough." She considers him for a moment. "I'm certain I will find something to occupy my time here." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

the_ambassador
2008-04-10 08:29 pm UTC (link)

Léon only nods and smiles slightly, deciding it's best to answer that question uncommittedly. "Indeed."

He pauses, glancing at the grand staircase. Of course, there were two plainer, narrower servants staircases hidden inside the house which Mademoiselle Fournier would be using in future. "Your room is on the forth floor. It has a view over the riverside and the garden. Dinner tonight will be at eight, and I shall have a guest. Of course, you may wish to refresh yourself after your journey and eat before hand. I would not begrudge you the rest you deserve."

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	ascesis_ira 2008-04-10 08:35 pm UTC (link)
	Elisamarie did not take her cue to leave but instead looked at him inquisitively. "A guest? Whom?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	the_ambassador 2008-04-10 08:38 pm UTC (link)
	"A contact. One who has been incredibly useful to me while I have been here, and will continue to be so." Léon answers, rather more shortly than he intended. "Forgive me, it has already been something of a tiring day. The English do not make my life easy." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ascesis_ira 2008-04-10 08:42 pm UTC (link)
	"I understand how tiring it must be to sit at a desk all day. It makes my journey pale in comparison." She pauses on the stair, turning to look at him. "You seems terribly defensive over this contact of yours." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

the_ambassador
2008-04-10 08:52 pm UTC (link)

"I have not yet sat down at my desk today, mademoiselle, and that is not unusual, as you will soon learn if you remain here." He retorts, moving to the sideboard, sorting through the papers left there and ensuring they are kept from the woman's sight. "He is an important figure in politics at present, without his efforts we would be at war with England at this moment. A war we could not win, mademoiselle."

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	ascesis_ira 2008-04-10 08:53 pm UTC (link)
	"And yet you are unwilling to tell me the name of this guardian angel of yours" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

the_ambassador
2008-04-10 09:00 pm UTC (link)

"But of course. What use would his name be to you? I do not mean to offend, but I can not see a purpose for sharing that information. For fairness, I will ensure that I do not divulge your name to him." Léon finishes, sorting through the papers once more, before looking back to her. "My staff do not need to involve themselves with my work. The two things are unrelated."

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	ascesis_ira 2008-04-12 08:36 am UTC (link)
	"Your staff? Monsieur, I think you have confused yourself about my occupation and your position. I was sent to help you discover the whereabouts of French Aristos and to root out who is helping them to escape. I am not here to serve you." Elisamarie hissed angrily. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

the_ambassador
2008-04-12 09:01 am UTC (link)

"I do not believe I said you were a member of my staff, Madam. Neither will you ever be. But even so, you are a guest, and as a guest at my Embassy, you do not need to know that information. These are dangerous times, and even more dangerous for those heroes of the Revolution that betray England to help us. To ensure his safety, I can not tell you his name." Not even if you dragged me apart with wild horses. Léon adds silently.

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	ascesis_ira 2008-04-12 09:16 am UTC (link)
	Elisamarie seems satisfied with this, or at least too tired from her journey to continue her argument with him. She nods. "Very well. I am sure you know what is best here in England." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	the_ambassador 2008-04-12 09:27 am UTC (link)
	"They are much different from the French, that is all I can say." Léon replies with s shrug. "If you would like to refresh yourself before taking dinner, I am sure Pénélope can show you your room and make you comfortable." He adds, glancing at the young woman who has appeared, silently and unobtrusively, from one of the adjoining rooms. (Reply to this) (Parent)