"I may be a little person, an ordinary person, but I'm not simple. I'm not stupid."

Hello. How do you do? My name is Lavinia Swire, my papa is a solicitor and my fiancee is Matthew Crawley.

I feel as if Downton Abbey is my second home, although it is very intimidating. I am so grateful for how welcoming everyone has been... Well, not everyone, but I hope that will come to change.

for Downton Hotel RP: Lavinia Swire is the unknowing heir’s fiancée when he arrives at Downton, met Matthew at Cambridge where she was also studying law (after her father), is soon forgotten when her to-be husband sets eyes on Mary, and struggles to adjust.

Modern icon changed to coincide with the start of the Downton Hotel RP.

This is a roleplay account that is a part of downton-abbey-rp. gif by downtonabbey-gifs

swire-sque:

“That I was in love with a man who wouldn’t have anything to do with me, and that I’m dying for love of him?”

Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoi

Domestic Life || Lavinia and Matthew 

mr-matthew-crawley:

{OOC: Oh no, not at all! Don’t worry about it! Matthew’s line was adorable and no need to rush your replies - I was just rather over-eager to continue! XD Don’t mind me, impatience is simply my middle name. Btw, laziness is my second middle name, so I’m not going to actually decide what Matthew orders. ;P Also, LOL but, what is Lavinia’s job exactly…?}

Once they’d ordered and their menus had been taken away, they gingerly sat back to sipping their wine and enjoying the overall chic atmosphere in the restaurant. While Matthew watched the deep Bordeaux spin around in its crystal glass, he enquired of Lavinia, “So, darling, how was your day at work?”

Raising his eyes to her, his mouth twitched involuntarily. For a moment, he realized, he’d expected to see Mary sitting there. It had only been a thought of a split-second, but it had certainly been enough to put him on edge. This is your fiancée now, for God’s sake! he scolded himself mutely. And you love her!

Mary’s dark, lush hair was quickly replaced by Lavinia’s beautiful red locks, but as she looked up, he looked away.

[OOC: Cool. And lol, guess I screwed that up :D I guess she could be a secretary to a family law firm, you know, divorces, custody etc.]

Lavinia racked her brains, going back through piles of paperwork she’d had to go through and type up in the office; “Oh, there was a divorce case, it wasn’t the only one, of course, but they’d been together for years and they have 4 grown up kids, and … how about you?”

Lavinia smoothed her napkin that was placed on her lap, but upon glancing up to hear his answer, he looked away, as if it wasn’t her he wanted to see. She frowned, unsettled, and looked back down at her lap.

Domestic Life || Lavinia and Matthew 

mr-matthew-crawley:

{OOC: Google ahoy, let us see what they’re serving at Gordon Ramsey’s restaurant! I’m looking here by the way, in case you wanted to have a glance at the menu for yourself. ;D}

Soon after they’d been directed towards a table in the open dining room that was connected to the lobby. Their waiter pulled their chairs back for them, handed them the menus and so Matthew briskly chose a nice red wine before the pored over what delicious delicacies the restaurant might have to offer.

“Can you make a choice?” he asked eventually, once he’d read all the descriptions at least ten times but couldn’t decide at all. “It all sounds rather good, doesn’t it?”

He looked up as Lavinia met his eye, and smiled. “Though for a starter I think I’ll be going for the foie gras. I’ve always been somewhat partial to that, to tell you the truth.”

[OOC: The Googling idea was good, really good, now this’ll be a bit more legit! And sorry for writing a line for Matthew last time, didn’t mean to step over your territory, I just thought it was a cute thing to say. Sorry! And also for the late reply. Sometimes I like a bit of time before I answer, I don’t mean to staunch your creative flow. :(]

Lavinia nodded at his choice, and bit her lip as she stared indecisively at her own menu, “I think I’ll have the herb-seared yellowfin tuna… to start, I mean. I’m thinking about the duck for a main…”

She trailed off, but at Matthew’s playful raised eyebrow in response to her silence as to her dessert choice, she sighed, “Oh, all right, I loved the look of a sorbet.” She couldn’t help grinning. He knew she always scoured the dessert menu first.

The waiter arrived with the wine Matthew had chosen, graciously pouring it for them.

“Are you ready to order ma’am, sir?” the young waiter inquired politely.

Lavinia glanced at Matthew impishly, knowing his indecision would take a while to resolve itself, “I’ll go first,” she smiled.

Domestic Life || Lavinia and Matthew 

mr-matthew-crawley:

{OOC: You know it, boss!}

“Of course I’m driving,” he laughed as he held the door open for her and they started to descend the stairs. “Or would you like to walk?” he teased. Moments later they’d piled into his black Mercedes, he’d started the car and they made their way into the center of the city of London.

Lavinia, of course, knew the city well but not well enough to know exactly what chic restaurant was most nearby - unlike Matthew. And he took great pleasure, to say the least, at observing the shadows of confusion pass over her face as she peered at the street signs, trying to get some grip on where he was taking her.

“Oh, give up, darling,” he joked, “it’s no use.” And he looked away to avoid her playful glare.

Not much later they already arrived, but Matthew purposely drove around the back so that nothing was given away. Finally, he parked, and once they the engine had been turned off Lavinia was so fast to dash out that he could hardly keep up with her.

Once they’d rounded the corner and the façade of the building came into view it turned out that they were at none other but Claridge’s hotel in the heart of London. And it was known to all that this special placed housed a two-star restaurant run by Gordon Ramsay.

“Special treat,” he said, laughing. After all, they did deserve a night out once in a while. “And, don’t worry, I already reserved earlier today.”

{OOC: Ugh. I hope this makes some sense with him reserving earlier and whatever. Anyways, I’m quite a romantic, have you noticed? ;P }

[Ooh, an interesting turn of events…]

Lavinia shut the car door behind her, and briskly walked toward the corner of the building, remarking to Matthew, ‘You know, I’m not completely incompetent. I’m just not good with maps and roads and things. I could have walked, I’m better at remembering places that way,” she frowned.

“Ah, but then you’d’ve ruined your lovely shoes, dear.” Matthew grinned and Lavinia slowed to walk beside him and slid her arm through his and leant in to kiss him on the cheek in thanks, and when she looked up at the sign of the restaurant, blinked and smiled, delighted, “It looks nice.’ she commented, still smiling.

“Reservations, you say?” she smirked and tugged him toward the door. Her stomach was going to start grumbling any time soon.

[OOC: Well, wonder what will be on the menu? I’m actually famished, as it happens…]

Domestic Life || Lavinia and Matthew 

mr-matthew-crawley:

{OOC: Oh dear, yes, indeed! Otherwise they’ll be no way to get them together, ghe ghe!  Glad to hear you’re feeling better! Also, love your new theme! <3}

Matthew’s hands slid gently over her smooth, bare skin as his lips brushed hers, but then, of course, she pulled away. They had a dinner to go to anyway, and, as if he ought to be ashamed of himself, he quickly raised the arm he’d had around her to scratch his head. So he turned back to the mirror. He had his clothes already laid out in the bathroom here anyway, as always, so he could dress quickly.

As he was fixing up the last buttons on his crisp white shirt and combing aside some of his hair, Lavinia called out to him. “Yes, dear? Are you ready?” He briskly put some cologne on and then sauntered into the bedroom, looking quite dashing really, although no less could be said of Lavinia in her shimmering lilac blouse, her fiery red hair just being pinned into place.

“Oh that wasn’t necessary, darling,” Matthew laughed jokingly, adjusting his tie as he spoke.

{OOC: I imagine Matthew looking perhaps a bit like on the picture I have on my RP blog. ;D Also, in the next post, I’ll skip the drive (save us some trouble) and just take them immediately to the restaurant, kay?}

[OOC: Thanks! Definitely thought I should step it up. The theme, imean. And it did turn out nice, so I am well pleased.]

“Yes, dear, are you ready?” Matthew’s voice echoed from the bathroom.

Lavinia stood from her dresser, still fiddling with the hairpins to hold up the heavy locks of hair, she glanced up and Matthew stood there, looking very dapper in his suit, “Oh, that wasn’t necessary, darling.”

Lavinia smiled at his words, “Oh, it’s nothing…” she murmured, brushing her fingers over her hair, but by her expression, she was rather pleased at his noticing.

She stepped up to him and put her hands over his, taking over the task of fixing his tie, “I could say the same to you, you know. A tie and everything? Unnecessary.” She grinned, while her fingers twisted and tied the silk almost expertly, “I used to do this for Daddy… there!” Lavinia kissed Matthew on the lips and stepped back, “Done.”

She smiled and turned to go back into the bedroom, returning shortly with her bag and her phone in her hand.

“Now… are we both ready?” she asked, always one to double-check before they left the house. At Matthew’s nod, she headed for the front door, keys jangling in her other hand. Shutting and locking the door behind them as they left, she turned to Matthew breathlessly asking “Are you driving?”

[OOC: Yep! I think right into le restaurant is the way to go, good show, old chap! Good good. I pass the torch to you! :)]

Domestic Life || Lavinia and Matthew 

mr-matthew-crawley:

{OOC: Haha, me neither but it’s all right, I love choosing places to dine! And why wouldn’t it be flashy, eh eh? ;P Please don’t apologize, love! That sounds really painful, I hope you’re feeling better by now! Also, sorry for the late response! I’m getting more active again now and would love to get this para moving! xx}

Matthew pulled back to the mirror again and looked at his reflection in it. He watched as, slowly, a small smile spread across his face. “Why don’t we let that be a surprise, darling?” he enquired teasingly, knowing full well how much Lavinia couldn’t possibly stand surprises.

Bowing down, he closed his eyes to rinse his face, but when he looked up again, he found his girlfriend, half-dressed, already standing close behind him, looking rather threatening.

“You can glare at me all you want, my dear,” he laughed, “but you’ll just have to see where we end up in half an hour. God knows, I haven’t even made up my mind yet.” Still chuckling, he grabbed a towel and dried himself off.

(OOC: I like where this para is going, and am just as eager, I’m sure, to keep it going and interestingly! My arm is healing up slowly but nicely, and I can type very well, it doesn’t bother me, no excuse to shirk! Late response is fine, better than none! Onwards… xx)

Dressed only in a black skirt and her bra, Lavinia tried her hardest not to chew the inside of her lip in annoyance, but failed. It always looked like she was pouting when she did this, which she hated.

Still, she could distract Matthew just as well. He bumped into her as he turned away from the towel rack, and she couldn’t help the impish smile on her lips as she softly kissed him on the cheek, willing to persuade him if it would only stop pestering her, not knowing where they would be going. She supposed her impatience was a fault, but Matthew didn’t seem to think so, turning so he could receive her lips upon his.

Lavinia was delighted at how this was going, and even feeling a little frisky. Mind you, they were going out to dinner. This could wait. So, placing a quick kiss on Matthew’s mouth, she turned away, trying to keep the smirk from her face at his disappointed groan. She walked back to the bedroom, fastening an earring as she went. She’d wear her purple dress shirt, Matthew liked that one, and she did too. Applying perfume to her wrists and neck, and even dabbed between her breasts, she began to fix her hair.

“Matthew?” she called.

(OOC: Leaving it there, I think, hmm… :D)

Characters of Downton Abbey: Lavinia Swire

“Isn’t it better? You wouldn’t have to make a hard decision. Be happy, for my sake.”

Domestic Life || Lavinia and Matthew 

mr-matthew-crawley:

{OOC: No worries!}

When she kissed him gently, Matthew responded with equal softness, and, his hands still on her waist, observed her face as she spoke. It took him a moment to realize what she’d actually said. He’d often found himself being distracted lately, sometimes by Lavinia, but more often by something else…something he couldn’t quite place, and thus could never really understand.

“Food? For dinner?” he repeated after her. “Well, not quite, but you know we’re imaginative people. I’m sure I can brew up something or other with your aid, as long as we’re safe from food poisoning.” He smiled, and kissed her nose, before stepping back, allowing her to pass into the bedroom, and then going to wash his hands.

“But if you don’t feel like cooking anything,” he called as he took ahold of a towel, “I can of course always go out, or we could go to a restaurant!”

“Oh! Ooh…” Lavinia had begun to think to herself about which place they could go to without even agreeing to Matthew’s idea in plain English. At the sight of Matthew peering round the doorframe, his eyebrows raised in confusion, she breathed, “Oh, yes please! Where shall we go?”

(OOC: I don’t live in England and don’t know of any fancy restaurants. Nothing too flashy though, eh? And sorry for the short response. So tired and sore. Burnt my arm and can hardly keep my eyes open. Call it in. :D x)