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fandomweekly2021-07-25 04:38 pm
iluvroadrunner6) wrote in fandomweekly2021-07-25 04:38 pm
Entry tags:
[#101] And We All Lose Our Charms in the End (Leverage)
Theme Prompt: #101 - Nobility
Title: And We All Lose Our Charms in the End
Fandom: Leverage
Rating/Warnings: PG-13
Bonus: Yes
Word Count: 617
Summary: Sophie takes on the largest con of her career thus far.
Charlotte Prentiss, Duchess of Hanover. It has a lovely little ring to it.
Her hands shake as she makes sure, for the last time, she has all of her documentation in order. This is the hardest con she’s ever taken on, the most ambitious identity she’s ever tried to play, and she needs to make sure that everything’s ready. That everything goes off without a hitch.
If she can pull this off, then this would make her better than good. This would make her a legend.
She sold one painting she got in her last job, in order to ensure that she has the wardrobe required to pass herself off as a Duchess. She’s been practicing her accent and posture in the mirror for weeks. All the subtle cues, all the innate things that she’s learned from watching the nobility since she was a child, it all comes together in the perfect presentation of someone for whom the nobility lies deep in their blood.
Someone who was literally born to be there.
She can do this. All of this acting training and practice stealing can’t have been for naught. She will succeed at this. And once she does, no one will ever forget the name Sophie Devereaux.
Smoothing down the front of her suit, she squares her shoulders and stares down at her reflection in the mirror.
“Now,” she says to no one but herself. “Let us begin.”
* * * * *
The diamonds sparkle around the Countess of Kensington’s neck, and Sophie has to fight the urge to stare. It’s a beautiful piece, signifying her rank and place at the table, and while the Countess sits lower than a duchess, Sophie’s age allows her to defer to the other woman as an affectionate auntie. Saves them both the time of trying to out-measure the other. The Countess is grateful to have someone new to gossip with and spills all the secrets and Sophie laps them up like a sponge.
Secrets are often currency, after all.
“Oh, William!” The Countess seems to be distracted for a moment as Sophie reaches over to grab another glass of champagne. “Be a dear, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.” It doesn’t register at first that the Countess means her, but not long after she feels a slight tug on her arm as the Countess regains her attention on the conversation at hand.
“Darling, I’d like you to meet Charlotte, the newest Duchess of Hanover. Charlotte, this is my son, William.”
Sophie turns to meet his gaze, and for the moment, everything stops. Warm brown eyes, a gentle smile, a kind face. He’s everything she should steer far, far away from, but she can’t help but want to bask in it, just for a moment longer.
“Hello,” he says softly, and she smiles in return, almost forgetting that she was in character. The Countess gives her a squeeze, before releasing her to the wolves.
“Now that you to are acquainted, I have some people I need to talk with. Come find me before you leave, will you? We’ll make plans for tea.”
“Yes, of course,” Sophie nods, watching as the other woman disappears into the night, before turning back to the man in front of her.
“Well,” William clears his throat, before turning to offer her his arm. “I hear the gardens are lovely this time of night, if you care to take a stroll?”
Sophie smiles, taking his arm with ease. “I would love that, truly.”
True, this might be a bit distracting from the rest of the con. But never let it be said that she’s not one to make sure she’s got multiple opportunities on hand.
Title: And We All Lose Our Charms in the End
Fandom: Leverage
Rating/Warnings: PG-13
Bonus: Yes
Word Count: 617
Summary: Sophie takes on the largest con of her career thus far.
Charlotte Prentiss, Duchess of Hanover. It has a lovely little ring to it.
Her hands shake as she makes sure, for the last time, she has all of her documentation in order. This is the hardest con she’s ever taken on, the most ambitious identity she’s ever tried to play, and she needs to make sure that everything’s ready. That everything goes off without a hitch.
If she can pull this off, then this would make her better than good. This would make her a legend.
She sold one painting she got in her last job, in order to ensure that she has the wardrobe required to pass herself off as a Duchess. She’s been practicing her accent and posture in the mirror for weeks. All the subtle cues, all the innate things that she’s learned from watching the nobility since she was a child, it all comes together in the perfect presentation of someone for whom the nobility lies deep in their blood.
Someone who was literally born to be there.
She can do this. All of this acting training and practice stealing can’t have been for naught. She will succeed at this. And once she does, no one will ever forget the name Sophie Devereaux.
Smoothing down the front of her suit, she squares her shoulders and stares down at her reflection in the mirror.
“Now,” she says to no one but herself. “Let us begin.”
The diamonds sparkle around the Countess of Kensington’s neck, and Sophie has to fight the urge to stare. It’s a beautiful piece, signifying her rank and place at the table, and while the Countess sits lower than a duchess, Sophie’s age allows her to defer to the other woman as an affectionate auntie. Saves them both the time of trying to out-measure the other. The Countess is grateful to have someone new to gossip with and spills all the secrets and Sophie laps them up like a sponge.
Secrets are often currency, after all.
“Oh, William!” The Countess seems to be distracted for a moment as Sophie reaches over to grab another glass of champagne. “Be a dear, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.” It doesn’t register at first that the Countess means her, but not long after she feels a slight tug on her arm as the Countess regains her attention on the conversation at hand.
“Darling, I’d like you to meet Charlotte, the newest Duchess of Hanover. Charlotte, this is my son, William.”
Sophie turns to meet his gaze, and for the moment, everything stops. Warm brown eyes, a gentle smile, a kind face. He’s everything she should steer far, far away from, but she can’t help but want to bask in it, just for a moment longer.
“Hello,” he says softly, and she smiles in return, almost forgetting that she was in character. The Countess gives her a squeeze, before releasing her to the wolves.
“Now that you to are acquainted, I have some people I need to talk with. Come find me before you leave, will you? We’ll make plans for tea.”
“Yes, of course,” Sophie nods, watching as the other woman disappears into the night, before turning back to the man in front of her.
“Well,” William clears his throat, before turning to offer her his arm. “I hear the gardens are lovely this time of night, if you care to take a stroll?”
Sophie smiles, taking his arm with ease. “I would love that, truly.”
True, this might be a bit distracting from the rest of the con. But never let it be said that she’s not one to make sure she’s got multiple opportunities on hand.
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