Winchester Abbey

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen

Not being able to dance, much less walk properly, was the most frustrating part of the entire trip so far. MCat sat miserably as the others prepared for the ball, her new purple dress from James not helping matters much. Why have such a beautiful dress if she wouldn't be able to dance with him in it?

Besides, there was also Timothy. The way he had tenderly carried her to the house the day previous simply could not be ignored. There was something there - she could feel it. But he was just acting too....

She now realized why something like Austenland could prove to be a bad idea after all. It was upsetting. 

Saying that they were going to take a walk was a bit of an overstatement, considering the fact that all she could do was stumble to a garden table before she  fell into the chair next to it out of pain. The ankle was getting to her more than she had hoped it wouldn't. 

"I'm sorry, girl." Madi sat next to her, smoothing her skirts. "This stinks." 

"For real. Hey - can I ask you guys for an honest opinion on something?" 

"Duh." Charlotte turned her head away from the field that she was gazing at attentively. 

"Who's more genuine - Timothy, or James?" 

There was a silence, accompanied by fidgeting. "Honest opinion?" Madi said. 

"Yes." 

"Couldn't tell you if you paid me." 

"Seriously?" MCat glanced around. All of the girls nodded. "They're both great actors." Charlotte said with a harumph. "Most unfortunately." 

"Wanna talk unfortunate?" Hannah flicked away the blade of grass that she was rolling between her fingers. "Jack. What the heck." 

There were snickers all around at her distaste. The entire month's experience was proving to be much more complicated than anyone had ever anticipated. 

"Why is it so hard to fall in love?" MCat whined.