𝙋𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙇𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙨 || 𝘼𝙣𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙮 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙤𝙣

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐧𝐞

"Allyship. That's what I need." The voice of a very insistent Kate Sharma who sat across from the table in Lady Danbury's parlor fills the stagnant air.

Lavina Quintrell wasn't too keen on the subject, gazing out the clear windows soaking in each ray of the summer sunlight. It made her feel all the warmer in the cold room she shared with a very worried Miss Sharma. Her silence was not in vain, truly her mind boggled between her new friend's words and her quarreling thoughts. All of which seemed to run around the reminder of the start of the season, weaving and bobbing between fears she was sure to suffer. 

"Miss Quintrell?"

"Oh dear, yes, I was a bit distracted..." Lavina perks up to Miss Sharma, feeling embarrassed to have her head in the clouds today.

She really couldn't help it though, too much was on her mind. Much more than she liked to focus on was a priority this season, even her own future. It was time to take charge of that, and only in the best way she knew.

Lavina looked up to Miss Sharma, giving her a polite smile, "Miss Sharma, I'd be very happy to help you. Given that, I must ask a small favor from you,"

Miss Sharma seems a little less worried than before, but quite curious nonetheless, "I don't see why not, what might it be?"

"I'm in dire need of a match, a perfect match, I know I am very picky, but I need someone to help me, someone who understands what it's like to be an older lady in need of a husband."

"Well, Edwina has been under my wings for maybe years, I'm sure all you need is a push."

Lavina chuckles at her words, bringing a sage-colored teacup up to her lips, and sipping the hot vanilla chai carefully. Miss Sharma tilts her head to her reaction, waiting for her to say more.

"Miss Sharma, that might be a challenge, but I am willing to try, and please call me Lavina, my last name makes me sound 40," she sets the cup down again, looking back up to her, "Of course, just like my Auntie I will be of the utmost help, any task you need."

The rest of the afternoon is spent with Miss Sharma telling Lavina of her plans to see young Edwina as the diamond. It's such a close date, only tomorrow you and ladies of the ton embarrassingly younger would be before the queen. Lavina had made good impressions last year with the Queen specifically, but not good enough to be a worthy gem.

Lavina had only made your debut last year when she arrived in England via Ireland.  The whole ordeal was something not too bad to her but remains unspoken. Throughout planning and ideas, she wonders why Edwina isn't here to hear it all. If this is her debut, why not have her involved? 'Older sister duties, being an only child herself', Lavina guessed.

Miss Sharma excused herself and Lavina was left alone again, in the cold parlor. She had begged her aunt to go out today, but she had plans to see the Queen. That left her a bored lady either roaming the halls, checking on the Sharmas, or trying to entertain herself with anything else. It's a dreadful way to spend a day before the Queen's expectation of debutants. it practically murders Lavina in the chair she sits in to not be doing something, even if it is not her debut. 

Weeks ago, she had even planned to slip away to find a certain botany book she so desperately wanted, confiding in her favorite servant too. Perhaps in the following week, she could go out and all into the streets to find it, but her Auntie has specific orders to keep her on the premises of the house. It was damned near exhaustive not to jump out the window for Lavinia.

"Uhm, Miss Quientell?" A faint voice from across the room startles Lavina, bringing her out of her pity slouch. It's one of the servants, the young butler Thomas with his gloved hands fidgeting as if he's nervous. She immediately guessed it was news that could give her an excuse to leave, shifting excitedly in her seat.