First Season

Chapter 9

So I've decided to try and get this book finished in time for the Wattys2016 and the deadline is actually in ten days! so plenty of updates to come soon...

Enjoy and please vote and comment.

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The doctor arrived the next day and declared Lavinia fit to attend Mrs Jones' ball much to Charles' annoyance. He had insisted on being present during Lavinia's examination and had questioned the doctor tirelessly on his opinion but somehow Lavinia had convinced him that she was well enough. She was to rest during the day and be wrapped up warm for the ball that night.

"She can't possibly be ready Caleb," Charles complained as they sat in Caleb's study after breakfast. Lavinia was in the library reading and resting. "She is so young and delicate, she shouldn't even be out of bed yet."

"She is seventeen now Charles," Caleb reminded him. "She can make her own decisions and she isn't as helpless as you seem to think. She managed to break one of the men's noses. You know as well as I do that when she puts her mind to something she can do it."

Charles simply sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He knew Lavinia was growing up and that one day she would be married, but he was her brother and she was his responsibility until then. He knew that the ball would be safe enough and that he could escort her there and home again but he still feared for her safety.

"We will both look after her," Caleb spoke again. "Between the two of us we will make sure that she comes to no harm."

"Thank you Caleb," Charles said. "I must write to Edward, he won't be happy, but now that she's on the mend hopefully he will be able to refrain from coming here and strangling me."

Caleb chuckled. "He wouldn't tear himself away from his ledgers."

Charles laughed along with him.

"But what about Judith tonight?" Caleb began again, becoming serious. "It was her fault that Lavinia was out alone at night in the first place."

Charles had been thinking about that. Judith had always had her eyes set on Caleb, that much was sure, however her inconsideration towards Lavinia had caused his sister to receive a head injury and almost be abducted. It was not something he could forgive easily.

"We have kept it quiet up until now," Charles said. "I do not want to make a scene or cause anyone to panic, however she must know of the consequences of her actions before she does it again."

"I can let her know then," Caleb offered. "She has always had a soft spot for me, I can let her know what happened without making her feel too much guilt and ensure that she does not do it again."

Charles nodded. He did not want to punish Judith, she was not to know, but she had to know and Caleb was the best person to tell her. Charles thought that Judith and Caleb would be a good match. His charm and cockiness would simply compliment her assertiveness and passion. They had been on several outings the season before and Judith had been ready for marriage but something had kept Caleb back. What, Charles didn't know, but something had stopped him from proposing to Judith. He was glad of it now though, otherwise he would have been alone this season and looking out for Lavinia was much easier with two of them.

Caleb was thinking of last year too. Judith had been the perfect choice of wife: pretty, kind and polite, but something had stopped him. It didn't feel like the perfect match for him and so he had delayed for a year, but now he was glad he had. Lavinia had caught his attention once more, but this time he was determined to catch her's too.

***

Caleb's library was one of the finest that Lavinia had ever seen - especially for a town house. She had found several of her favourite novels and more that she had not expected to find in a man's collection. There were the usual encyclopedias and atlases and poetry books but real novels full of the fantasy of love and the adventures of a heroin. Caleb's taste in books astounded her as his cocky and teasing personality did not seem one that would go well with such a peaceful pastime.