First Season

Chapter 12

Pretty short chapter but I'll put up the next one too. This is mainly just preparing for the game of rounders.

Hope you all enjoy it and please, please, please vote and comment!

I really just want to know what you all think of it.

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Lavinia's excitement for her brother's planned game of rounders increased gradually as the day went on. Many people accepted their invitation and it was the latest ton gossip at the Farthington's dinner the next evening. Lavinia and her brothers had arrived with their aunt in plenty of time to meet their friends before the dinner began. Lavinia spotted Judith almost instantly, her glittering blue gown almost bold between other pastel coloured dresses. To compensate for her garish green dress at her last dinner, Lavinia had opted to wear a simple pink dress with only small flourishes of lace around the bodice and sleeves.

"My dear Judith," she greeted her friend. "It has been far too long since we have spoken."

"It certainly has," Judith replied. "I heard you had a cold, I am sorry."

"It was nothing really," was Lavinia's reply. "Charles obviously made it into more than it was, he is rather over-protective of me."

Judith chuckled a little at that before she noticed the tall man with the jade green eyes enter. His eyes fixed on her's with recognition before turning to Lavinia beside her and smiling. Judith's insides boiled with rage. How could any man like the little prick beside her? Lavinia's hair was a dull colour and her features were rather disproportionate to her face. She was also neither intelligent nor flirtatious so how had she managed to catch the attention of Lord Caleb Alder?

"Lady Judith, Lady Lavinia," he greeted as he approached them. "It is a pleasure to see you both again." His eyes betrayed him, fixing themselves on Lavinia for far longer than necessary. The ladies curtsied as he bowed before them.

"I trust you are attending our little game of rounders?" he asked Judith.

"Certainly, Caleb," she replied. "I wouldn't miss it for the world. I also know how fond you are of the sport." She tried to subtly remind him of a conversation they had had last year on one of their outings on the subject of sports.

"It has always been a favourite pastime of mine," he agreed. "I trust you are well Lady Lavinia?"

"Yes," she smiled up at him. 'How sickening,' Judith thought. 'Where was Mr Black at this point?' She needed him to distract Lavinia so she could talk to Caleb alone and apologise for her lack of understanding during their last meeting. How was she to know that Lavinia had been in danger while walking home? But instead, Mr Black was nowhere to be seen and Caleb and Lavinia had begun a conversation without her about rounders that Judith did not understand, having never played herself. It was with relief that Judith heard Lady Farthington call everyone into the dining room for dinner.

"Lady Judith, would you allow me to escort you in?" came a voice behind her. Turning she saw Jonathan Evesdale's arm, much to her irritation. Could he not see that Caleb was going to... but Caleb was already halfway across the room with Lavinia on his arm.

"Alright," Judith unwillingly complied and he led her through. This was as much Lavinia's fault as Caleb's, they would not be getting away with it. Caleb was Judith's.

***

"Did you manage to read the books I sent you?" Caleb asked Lavinia as he escorted her to her place. He was glad to find that they had been seated together with Judith seated next to the hostess and Mr Black further down the table.