Doe (#Wattys2016)

Chapter Forty-Four

The engagement dinner took place in the most popular restaurant in the city. Francis hadn't been here since Draco had taken her the day he had flirted with Darlin. Lord Casa and Lord Cecil liked each other. They were opposites in quite a few ways; Lord Casa was a reserved quiet man, seeming to rarely take delight in anything. He bore no semblance to his son, his grey hair may have been dark at some point but really he was quite overweight and haggard. His appearance provoked sympathy in Francis, he looked as if life had been hard for him and when sat opposite his son it was like someone turning a harsh light on him so that every one of his flaws showed up drastically. In comparison, Lord Cecil looked like a very old man but he still had that boyish charm and those dark eyes never failed to twinkle with silent laughter.

Lord Casa was obviously suspicious and upset that his son had captured such an intelligent girl and made it clear that he thought his son was about to ruin her life. Francis took her cue from Dechuange, who played the doting fiancé very well, she laughed in a carefree way whenever his father made an uncomfortable statement.

"My good lord, haven't you seen me before? I can take on your son," she laughed.

"You think so?" he asked.

"Of course, I've known Dechuange since I was nine-years-old. If I didn't know what he was like by now, well, you'd be right in your concern but this is decision I have made too. Dechuange has kept his magic at bay for me." Francis smiled.

She felt awkward not only by Lord Casa's attitude but by the other guests in the restaurant. They could hardly fail to see what this dinner was, and although their engagement had been announced in the Sunday meeting this was the first time she had had to play it.

It was alarming to see how Dechuange's power had no affect on his father; in fact it seemed to provoke the opposite response. The more Dechuange tried to love his father the worse Lord Casa's hatred. But under Lord Cecil and Francis' charm, eventually Lord Casa began to relax. After all, he trusted the most powerful man in Kay and his decisions.

Half way through their meal, Lord Brillig and his daughter entered the restaurant. Darlin was dressed in all her glamour but at seeing Francis, Francis saw her falter and worried that Darlin had actually loved Draco for the past two years. The pair came over to their table and were the first to congratulate her and Dechuange. While the men talked loudly amongst themselves, Darlin bent down and gripped Francis' hand.

"It would have been better if it was you," Darlin said quietly to her, as the men laughed at Lord Cecil's joke.

"What do you mean?"

"I thought it was for you that he ended it, that would have been better. I knew it would happen. Inevitable."

Francis shrugged.

The Brilligs' moved to their table but Francis was rattled by Darlin's look of pity she had received. The rest of the dinner went without event. Dechuange's hands between her shoulder blades kept her embarrassment at bay. Lord Casa was reluctant to set a date for the wedding. Lord Cecil stepped in before Dechuange could get to riled and suggested a date somewhere between Francis' birthday and Winter's Feast.

"The twenty-first," Dechuange said, "That would be a perfect birthday present."

"No," Francis snapped.

They looked at her in surprise.

"I wouldn't want to be tired and probably a little hung-over for my own wedding," she pointed out, "That's too close to have it the next day after my coming out ball."

"You're right," Lord Cecil nodded.

"Many people celebrate the night before their wedding," Dechuange laughed.

"But I want to look and be at my best," Francis glared.

"Nothing to do with Draco's birthday then?" Dechuange breathed just in her ear.

"It was a silly suggestion," Francis snapped.

"Well how about the twenty-fifth?" Lord Cecil suggested, "That's an empty date."

"Fine," Francis nodded.

"Perfect, the twenty-fifth of December." Dechuange sighed.