Viscount (Steve Rogers AU) 18+

4

Of course it was as though the end of the world had come the next morning, with gown after gown being tried on, ladies maids being yelled at, and a very annoyed Peggy. Jocelyn went to head past the room, but cautiously decided to venture in to see if she could help.

"Peg? Do you need anything? Maybe I could find you something?"

Peggy, who was currently in her undergarments, simply turned and scoffed at this. "Really Jocelyn? I highly doubt that you could pick something out that would make me look decent".

"What about the lovely gown you picked up yesterday?" Joss suggested.

"I can't wear that, it's evening wear". Peggy rolled her eyes. "Really, you should know that".

Jocelyn simply ignored the comments and strode over to Peggy's extensive collection of gowns, rifling through them until she found one of a soft lavender and pulled it out. "What about this then? It suits your complexion, and I don't believe I've seen you wear it yet?"

Heading over, Peggy looked at the dress and then huffed. "Fine, I'll try it - but I doubt it will look any good - honestly a pink like yours would suit me..." She trailed off and then smiled cunningly at her. "Joss...you wouldn't see me lose the Viscount's interests, would you?"

Jocelyn looked down at her dress. It was one of two that she'd had made especially for her. Not one of Peggy's that had been passed on. "Oh...well..."

"You can wear the lavender, Please Joss? I'm really at a loss here and you know how you always want to help". Peggy smiled.

She nodded. "Ok...pass me the lavender and I'll change, we can see if mine suits better". Going behind the screen, she changed into the dress and then handed hers to Peggy. "There...actually, I quite like this one".

"Keep it". Peggy just waved her off from behind the dressing screen and then became excited, finally emerging from behind the screen. "Now...I'd say it that this will certainly capture the Viscount's attention". She admired herself in the mirror. "Oh, and remember not to keep too close while we're out. I don't want to feel suffocated and I'm sure that he doesn't either".

Jocelyn nodded. "Of course, you know I'll be hanging back a few paces".

"Perfect..." Peggy said, not really listening and cross the room to her vanity. "I suppose I should do my hair".

"I quite like it as it is now".

Peggy shook her head and sighed. "Honestly Joss, you'll never find a husband when you make the poorest of fashion choices". Her ladies maid now restyling her hair.

"I probably wouldn't find one wearing last seasons clothes off the back of my cousin anyway". She muttered as she walked out of Peggy's room and headed to get her jacket and change to her walking boots.

Coming down the stairs, she saw the Viscount waiting in the entrance hall and bobbed him a quick curtsey. "My lord..."

"Miss Carter, you look nice today". He said, noting that the colour gown she wore complimented her.

"Thank you...Peggy should be down any moment, she's just getting ready". She smiled and an awkward silence fell over the pair as they stood together and waited, eyes on the staircase.

Steve glanced across to her just as she did, and smiled silently, just giving her a quick nod. "So...how's the piano practice?" There was a slight playfulness to his question.

She smirked to herself. "Not improving anytime soon my lord. I'm sorry if you left here deafened".

"Considering that I can't play at all? I can't exactly comment on that". He replied, just as Jocelyn noticed the flowers that he was carrying for her cousin.

"She will like those".

He now saw her looking at the flowers and then nodded. "Ah...good..."

More silence...

"Oh for heavens sake..." Jocelyn now huffed and went to the bottom of the stairs. "PEGGY! IF THE VICSOUNT IS KEPT WAITING ANY LONGER THEN HE WILL AGE ANOTHER THIRTY YEARS!" She yelled so loudly that she surprised herself - but the sooner this 'leisurely stroll' was over, the better.

Steve's brow raised in surprise, but he said nothing as Jocelyn now looked back at him a little embarrassed and cleared her throat. "That should do it".

Hurried footsteps sounded before Peggy appeared and composed herself out of Steve's view, then walking calmly down the staircase. "Lord Steven..." She smiled as her eyes went to the flowers. "Are those for me?"

"Oh" Steve now realised and passed them to her. "Yeah...they erm...they're for you".

"Look Joss, how lovely!" Peggy now showed her cousin. "Anyway, shall we go?"

Yes. Please. Then perhaps she could throw herself in the duck pond and drown discreetly while the pair weren't looking. 

Shoving the flowers into Jocelyn's hands, Peggy now slipped her arm through Steve's as he offered it to her. "Let's go shall we?" 

Jocelyn put the flowers on the table beside of her and followed the pair out, keeping back a few paces as she'd promised. In front, Peggy was laughing at something Steve was saying, nodding and making conversation. If anything she was talking more than he was, asking the questions, telling him about things that Joss found rather trivial. But all the time he listened to her, occasionally nodding at certain parts. If anything Jocelyn found him to be more of a listener than a talker - and that was simply from observations she'd made so far.

"We'd best wait for Miss Carter..." He said, stopping and turning as Jocelyn drew closer. 

"I shouldn't worry, she likes her own company, walks by herself". Peggy brushed this off, but still he waited. "In your own time, cousin". She let out an impatient sigh. 

Jocelyn now joined them. "Sorry, it's just such a nice day, I was making the most of it", she moved her parasol to shade her face more. "You don't have to wait for me". 

"See?". Peggy smiled to Steve and they continued on their way - Joss following them a little closer behind than before. 

"Do you go walking together often?" Steve asked no one in particular, but of course Peggy was the first to respond to that question with a laugh. 

"Oh, no - like I said, Joss prefers her own company. I usually go with a few friends - we walk here often". 

Steve looked back to Jocelyn who just nodded encouragingly with a smile and looked out at the lake they were walking around. The park was filled with people this afternoon and eventually they stopped at a bench, Peggy and Steve sitting down while Joss went to look at the lake a little more. 

She settled herself on the grass, not caring that she had no blanket, but kept the pair within her sight. 

If Peggy continued to hold the Viscount's attentions, then she could be engaged within weeks...