Josephine's Lists

Chapter 7- Faux Friends and foes

CHAPTER 7

For the next several weeks, Miss Yorke and Mr. Tennyson spent considerable time together. In order to convince a friendship, they endeavored at civility among company, but still found themselves occasionally bickering in front of attentive eyes and ears. Despite their frequent arguments, Josephine dreaded their encounters a little less each time. Tennyson had given her a truthful apology for his rude behavior when they first met, recognizing it was low, even for him. And since Josephine handed out forgiveness like stale bread, giving it to anyone in need, she never brought up his behavior again.

Constance had accepted Josephine's explanation that Mr. Tennyson was merely being kind out of guilt for his wretched behavior toward her. This was not hard to believe, since Josephine had fully disclosed the horrid way which he had spoken to her at dinner. Constance thereby satisfied, he should feel guilty and thus atone. But in reality, she suspected Isabella's influence was to blame for his newfound interest in Josephine. Perhaps Tennyson's sister vexed him so thoroughly, he compromised. Exactly as she had convinced Josephine.

Isabella, however, was leery. She was confident that with time, his opinion of Miss Yorke would shift, but knew her brother would never advance from retreating soldier to ardent pursuer in a week's time. Isabella chose to remain silent on the subject biding her time.

Josephine hoped to could keep her own secret for once in her life. Neither her, nor Mr. Tennyson, could risk their families discovering the truth. If exposed, any hope of governing their own futures would be lost, and the wrath of deceiving two imperious fathers was seemingly worse than the unwanted marriage itself.

Both fathers detested defiance, and both fathers were experts at instilling fear.

Josephine never doubted her father's love, but was not immune to his numerous punishments. At twelve, she assured a naively trusting stablehand that father and her governess had approved her riding alone for the morning. An outright fabrication. Constance had begged Josephine to meet her beside the old bridge for a 'secret friends meeting', which was only devised to assess their abilities to sneak away unnoticed. Constance successfully waited at the bridge, meanwhile Josephine had barely descended the hill before being ambushed by her father. The next day, he had sold her favorite horse, and explained the difficulty in riding off alone when one does not possess a horse. Josephine had cried for three days straight.

Charles, similarly, understood punishment. At the age of ten, he had the audacity to borrow Second Treatise of Government from his father's extensive library. This treasonous act earned Charles multiple bruised ribs, three days in bed, and empty apologies from his spineless mother. He refused to shed a single tear.

Mr. Tennyson and Miss Yorke played chess in the corner, while the rest of the group was gathered around a small card table.

"You are quiet this evening," Josephine observed, as Charles captured one of her pawns.

"And you are losing," he responded with determined eyes upon the chessboard.

"It is difficult to focus, when I can sense something plaguing you. You are scowling more than usual." Josephine mimicked his expression.

"Fortunately, my plagues are not your concern."

"In that, you are wrong. We have an unconventional alliance, but borne from that, like it or not, has been a sort of friendship," she began, as he grunted disapproval. "Deny all you wish."

Mr. Tennyson pleaded, "Can we not play in silence, just this once?"

"No, we cannot," Miss Yorke protested, as he impatiently rolled his eyes. "You are unhappy tonight, and I am determined to discover the cause, and then promptly remedy it."