(no subject)

[alt_narcissa]

This business with the Urquharts is most distressing. Poor Gertrude. And so rude of the Soup to drag it out in the open that way. Of course, the Daughters of the Protectorate will not turn out one of our own, though Seyton may find it more difficult to order tea. That's nothing to do with the rumours that the girl is a half-blood, of course, and everything to do with the importance of maintaining one's marriage. Which, as anyone must realise, is nearly impossible to do when the details of one's marriage are made fodder for discussion in every canteen and break room in the nation.

Just this afternoon, some of Revati's people were gossiping about it themselves! I'm afraid I was rather sharp with them about it.

The rest of the visit went well. Though Revati, again, I must stress that if you insist on hiring your first choice of model for the spread, then you'll at least take my advice and procure a female photographer or you are like to regret both decisions and have little to show for them in the bargain. The other models I think will do nicely. And the designs are, of course, exquisite. Celia, you'll be quite as pleased as I am, I'm sure. The December issue ought to fly off the shelves.

Tomorrow evening we've an engagement with the Boles and the Yaxleys; Saturday of course will be the Scroops' girl's wedding and Sunday we've an invitation to Buckingham - so it shall be quite a busy weekend.

To that end: Mr Collins, I did read your message. I greatly appreciate your offer of flexibility should I wish to tour what I am certain is an excellent facility. It's my husband, however, who makes decisions regarding our investments so I'm sure you can understand that it's quite useless to enlist my cooperation towards your enterprise. I suggest you direct further inquiries to his attention or his clerk's.

And Hydra, dear: I trust the tea has been helping? No more nightmares?

Comments

[alt_crouch_jr]

You seem to be having a time of it with this Mr Collins. I'll have a look into his background, shall I? Your time is entirely too valuable to be having to concern yourself with a nuisance of his sort.

Bad business about Urquhart, and there's blame owing in several quarters, it would seem--not least in his own. His lapse in judgement boggles the mind: if it hadn't been The Soup it would have been one of the others, sniffing out that trail of Private Messages to a perfume wench. One or two might have passed as his negotiating a gift for his wife. Dozens between the same two parties waves the red cloak before the tabloid bull. The business at the Ministry merely sped its path into print: it was going to come out with or without that.

[alt_narcissa]

Oh, Gertrude claimed he had an answer for that, when I spoke to her, if you believe it! She says he told her that he had taken an interest because the girl's uncle was a school chum and he was merely 'helping' her in her career. The excuse is nearly as flimsy as the frock she was wearing in the article, I have to say - but you know some women will cling to any shred of story if it allows them to avoid facing the truth. Still, it's somewhat unbelievable that the entire escapade came to her as the surprise and shock that it clearly has been.

Regarding Mr Collins: As I've told Lucius, he really is quite harmless. I vaguely recall him from Hogwarts and he was just as hapless then. His persistence now is, in its way, somewhat laudable, if tiresome. You've no need to concern yourself by imagining some nefarious motive behind his ceaseless private messages.