Chapter Text
Regulus straightened the collar of his jacket, a thin wire digging softly in the skin as the carriage rode over the bumps of the gravel track. His wrist held an elegance dance card that he had plans to be filled out before the first dance, steps towards a large goal that being a Black was certain to achieve. His mother sat opposite him, facing forward as he faced the back, rocking motions doing nothing to quell the growing sickness as he tried to focus his mind on other things. Jacket collar included.
“Stop that” Walburga hand reached out, smacking him away from the collar. “Before you disturb those curls of yours”.
Whilst Regulus happened to like his curls, his mother had a very different opinion. Troublesome, her preferred word for them. His hand moved to his lip, the carriage slowly lulling to stop. The sooner it did, the sooner he’d be out. It would be a welcomed relief.
“Now remember, you must dance with viscount wilkes for at least one of the quadrilles. Some proof to the rest of the ton that there is no bad blood between us after all these years. It would also be good for you to dance a waltz with Lucius, he is hosting tonight and I’m sure Narcissa will be grateful to rest her feet” Walburga reminded him of the duties she wanted him to perform. A rough stead that showed the Black family was still on top.
“Of course maman” Regulus acknowledged. He had the suitable list of suitors memorised. Right down from the most eligible on the list to the lowest lord that could be suitable if Regulus chose not to bag one of the upper class viscounts or earls. He planned on bagging none. No he needed someone who wanted a chance to claw to the top. Ever since Sirius had left five years ago, when Regulus was no more than a mere four and ten it had left a hole that suggested the earldom would be passed along to someone else in the black family. Most importantly the babe that Naricssa carried could be entitled to the title if Regulus had read the documents right. Regulus could still inherit the title, it just required a willing alpha. One who was foolish enough to let their first born belong to the black name.
Let it be known that Regulus himself knew he was desirable. It was a given in his petite frame, the inherited looks from his mother of soft pale skin and deep gray eyes. Walburga had even gone as far as suggesting that they lower his dowry to nothing just to see who would come flocking. Orion hadn't been sold on that. He had instead raised the bar by making Regulus even more desirable. ‘Your own brother chose not to use his, therefore I shall combine it with yours. If this doesn't bring even the old blood lines sniffing then it is not worth anything to anyone’
He wasn’t thrilled by this. To be pursued by those looking for a third omega didn't appeal to him. Most were older than his own father. He wanted fresh blood. Someone who was hungry enough not to question the decisions he made. Someone who would agree to move his parents out of Grimmauld and into one of the lovely countryside cottages that sat on their land. Peace and quiet would be a necessity if he was to sustain a successful marriage. He wasn't after love. It would be nice but Regulus knew most of the marriages within the ton were to do with succession not love.
He watched his cousins marry their perspective betrothed but neither of them had shown any sort of romantic incline. Nothing like the romance novels that were shelved in their library. He would settle with a husband who held him in decent regard. Poetry wouldn't have to be quoted to him but a bit of affection wouldn't go amiss.
The door opened and Regulus stepped down from the carriage, accepting the hand of a servant who ensured a smooth descent. Straightening out any wrinkles in his dress robes he admired the decorations Narcissa had picked out. They were clearly of taste. Therefore regulus could easily assume they weren’t done by the Viscount Malfoy. He moved swiftly to keep up with his maman as they breezed past candles and flower arrangements. No expense spared to the hallway.
“This way child” Walburga hissed at him, moving toward a bunch of mamas who clearly saw Regulus for the threat he was. He greeted them politely. Remember to smile, to ask the right questions and to throw in the right compliments. His mother seemed pleasantly pleased.
“Regulus Black”
He turned to see the first eligible bachelor of the night. Evan Rosier. The Black family had good connections already to the Rosiers, and Regulus had grown up alongside Evan and his sister Pandora. Hailing from the Devonshire countryside, the Rosiers had also spent plenty of time in London. Evans Aunt had married into the Black family, successfully having three daughters, none that turned out to be alphas or omegas. Something his maman liked to remind them all.
“Baron Rosier” he gave a curtsied greeting, “dare I ask why you are here?”. A little too informal, but not enough to raise too many remarks. Anyone with half a brain wouldn't wish to issue an insult to either well connected family.
Evan guided him slightly away from the prying mamas. “One had to come and witness your debut to society” there was a smirk on his lips, “I wondered if it may be as dramatic as Sirius’s”
“Unfortunately I can never live up to such expectations, Mr Rosier. Does this mean that you are secretly after a wife or shall I confess that I” a hand covered his mouth rather quickly.
“My dears, please excuse us, I did come over here to fetch Regulus as Pandora was rather excited to see him” Evan gave a gentle head nod towards Walburga who looked slightly ashen at the scene they were making before giving an elegant shrug as if to say go ahead.
“You little minx” Evan muttered once they were out of ear shot, “I told you that in confidence”.
“You brought up my brother. Tit for tat as they say”
“Quite” Evan grinned, “I did enjoy invoking your reaction, although you have less of a temper. Are you nervous?”
Regulus scowled. “Not in the slightest, but be a dear and write your name down for a waltz. I can already see Wilkes eyeing me up and we know he had two left feet when it comes to dancing” Regulus held out his wrist card, Evan taking the pen to fill in one of three waltz’s.
“Why do tasks seem to take you forever brother? I’ve almost been accosted twice by Avery snr. He's drunk at least half a bottle of scotch and feeling incredibly handsy” Pandora marched up to them, soft frown evident as by the lines on her forehead. “Reggie, my darling”
“Dora” Regulus replied just as softly, accepting her hand in greeting.
“The floor is filled with people who want to talk to me. I do have to entertain some of them. Not to mention Regulus was surrounded by mamas, I needed a plan if I was not to be trapped and forced to listen to hours of useless mumblings about their precious omega children or beta females” Evan rolled his eyes.
“Don't lie. You just want to leave me here in the hopes I would go instead” Pandora laughed, “beta females are the least of your concerns unless you’ve forgotten that I am one too!”
She paused as two alphas, Terrance mulciber and Thorfinn Rowle headed over, each asking the both of them for a dance. Grudgingly accepting as two more dance numbers on his card filled up. The names chose quadrilles which in Regulus' humbling opinion said dancing wasn't their strong suit.
“I have no problems but like you said, I’d rather I wasn’t accosted either” Evan retaillated.
“Well, I have Regulus now, so you run along to the games room. I’m sure many of your pals will be awaiting your arrival” Pandora shooed him away before turning to regulus. “I’m so glad you are finally debuting. I cannot believe Walburga made you wait an extra year”
“Blame the person who infected my father. It's what I often spend my time doing. She said it was the perfect way to give everyone a taste of wanting me but not being able to have me” Regulus did his best to keep his face straight. His mouth wanted nothing more than to twitch in a grimace.
“It's a tragedy. Almost as bad as the fact that I’m still awaiting a proposal, still. Had you been here last year I would have been inundated”
Regulus knew that it was an understatement that Pandora wasn’t popular among the ton. A little quirky for certain tastes and certainly too bright for most Beta males or headstrong alphas. Regulus knew she needed a free spirit. Someone who didn't necessarily conform to certain societal expectations. “Please none of these people are worthy of your time. There's bound to be fresh blood somewhere. You just need to spill it”.
Pandora smiled at that. “I’m certain you are right. Now I must simply know what it is you are planning. I highly doubt you of all people are actually interested in finding a partner”
“Quite right. Most of these toffs aren’t to my taste, especially the ones on mothers list. I’ll be honest, I’m just here for the attention, to see who wishes to win my heart” Regulus lied to her. It was better that way. He trusted Pandora explicitly but it would be far too risky to tell the truth. There were ears in the ton just about everywhere. Desperate for another scandal. Gossip that could be spread and lower just about anyone no matter their title or wealth; keen for some else to slide down the rankings, to be ostracised so that they could revel in being better than they were.
He didn't get to say more, focusing on filling their dance cards and waltzing around the room with different alphas, chatting politely to each one. The occasional glance over to Walburga who looked smug, which Regulus could only assume that she was pleased as Regulus danced with nearly every ranked title that had attended the ball.
“So, why does your face look like it's scheming?” Evan swung him closer, leaning down to whisper in his ear.
“I have no idea what you are talking about,” Regulus replied nonchalantly. He moved his feet in the correct steps to the quartet's rhythm. Evan was a good dancer, offering that he could relax as there was no danger in the squishing of feet; they were still recovering from two dances ago with Wilkes.
“Pity that I know you so well and therefore don't believe you. So come on Reg, what's the scheme? There's no way you’ve come to debut in society without a plan”
“If you lean any closer, you’ll start rumours that you intend to court me this season” Regulus cautioned. He looked up at the pale blue eyes that were looking down at him. Enjoying the look of mirth on Evans face as he evaded the question.
“What if I did?” Evan waggled his eyebrows just enough for Regulus to cotton on that he was joking.
“Please we’d never work. Bartemius would never agree to sharing you with me. You should find someone lower down in the same position as you. A marriage of convenience rather than one of love, then you can keep your lover boy” Regulus told him, before stepping away. Taking his curtsey as Evan bowed.
“Lemonade?”
“Lets”. It was an unspoken agreement. As much as Regulus held them both in highstead producing children for the Rosier or crouch line was not on his intended to do list. Last chance to resort in ten years' time when he is considered decrepid or a spinster, and only he may reconsider if they were paying him the other way around.