Josephine's Lists

Chapter 17- Avoid and Distract

Josephine had successfully avoided Tennyson all day. She was grateful, having no desire to be reminded of what she could not have. Why gaze in the shop window when you haven't a farthing to your name?

Josephine found distraction in one of Loewick's many sitting rooms by painting designs onto stark-white vases alongside an elated Lady Cavender, who was still beaming from her niece's engagement. Two busy-body widows had chosen to join the activity in addition to Isabella.

Isabella was painting beautiful green vines twisting and turning about the white backdrop. Josephine had settled on attempting simple rosebuds, and she silently applauded her own painting efforts. Josephine startled a bit when she looked to the vase Lady Cavender was near to completing. Lady Cavender had begun with a tranquil hillside scene, and Josephine had readily complimented her on the progress. But now, Lady Cavender had added two men brandishing swords with one man struck clean through!

Josephine chuckled, whispering low, "Only you would think to ruin such a peaceful looking piece of artwork."

"You have yet to see the best part!" Lady Cavender grinned conspiratorially.

"I am terrified to ask..." Josephine replied.

Isabella was privy to their hushed conversation and she wasn't sure whether to faint or laugh at Lady Cavenders gruesome artwork. But at Lady Cavender's next words, Isabella could no longer control herself.

Lady Cavender pointed to one of the gossiping old women painting across the room. "I plan to sign Mrs. Blithers name to it."

Isabella and Josephine burst into laughter, but quickly reigned in as Mrs. Blithers and the other women glared at them from across the room.

"Now that my Constance is set to be married, I must concentrate my efforts on you dear child," Lady Cavender redirected the conversation.

Josephine squirmed in her seat. This was the last subject she wished to discuss and particularly not in front of Isabella. Josephine knew that Tennyson and his sister were close, but she couldn't begin to guess how much Isabella already knew. Perhaps Tennyson had confided in his sister as Josephine had with Constance, though she doubted it.

"I doubt she needs your assistance Lady Cavender," Isabella gushed, looking up from painting her vase. "I believe my brother is quite smitten with our Josephine."

She couldn't stop the sick drop in her stomach. How wrong Isabella was! Tennyson was obviously not confiding in his sister. But what could Josephine say? She wanted to scream, "If that were only so!" but both of their fathers still pushed for an alliance, an alliance that would never come to fruition.

Josephine had slept little the night before because of wavering on what to do next. But, she had made up her mind, Josephine would rather face the wrath of her father than to hastily attach herself to another gentleman. Putting all thoughts of marriage away, Josephine vowed that unless she found love greater than Tennyson, she would happily die a spinster.

"Your brother and I are merely friends, nothing more," Josephine assured Isabella, those words bringing her guilt.

Are we even friends?

"If you and Tennyson are simply friends then I am the Prince Regent," Lady Cavender sarcastically quipped.

Josephine rolled her eyes, expertly masking the threat of tears. For the first time in her life, she had needed to force herself from bed this morning. Tennyson had broken her, and she needed to mend. Josephine knew discussing him would only keep the wounds fresh. Avoidance was her armor.

"Charles has said nothing to me," Isabella began. "But, I know my brother from head to foot and many times I have witnessed the pair of you. If my brother is not already in love with you, then I will relinquish my dowry!"