So how will Lavinia react? Like a simpering debutante? Or the strong and bold lady?

Enjoy!

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Anne had found Lavinia lying in her ruined ball gown on her bed the next morning. She had, of Anne had found Lavinia lying in her ruined ball gown on her bed the next morning. She had, of course heard all about Lord Alder's fall and her mistress's early exit but Master Charles had told her to not disturb her mistress until the next morning. She didn't question her puffy eyes or her messed up dress but swiftly undressed Lavinia and laced her into a pale blue day dress. Lavinia was grateful for her maid's silence. It gave her time to gather herself for the day.

She knew that Caleb would probably attempt to apologise today, she believed him to be a gentleman, but she refused to allow herself to accept it straight away. She wasn't one of those simpering young girls who fell down at a man's feet at the first sign of their interest in her. She would stand tall and refuse at first, making him feel guilt properly (probably for the first time) and only once she felt that he has suffered enough, she would graciously accept his apologies and then leave him alone.

Once ready, Lavinia grudgingly went down to breakfast hoping that Caleb was not there. She was even more disappointed when he really wasn't there and only Edward stood up as she entered. Her mother was also seated next to him reading through her morning post. Lavinia sat and began to eat, avoiding eye contact with her family.

"Good morning Lavinia," her mother said pointedly. Glancing up with a full mouth, Lavinia tried to nod and swallow at the same time causing her to choke on her food. She doubled over in a fit of coughs as someone patted her on the back. With watery eyes she looked up to thank them until Caleb's face swam before her and she realised that Charles was laughing at her behind him. Enraged at her brother for laughing and at Caleb for thinking it alright to touch her like that she stood up and left the room.

"Lavinia!" Caleb called after her but she kept going. She couldn't face him here, not in the house. Arriving at the rose garden she finally stopped and waited for him to catch up.

Reaching her, Caleb placed a hand on her shoulder but she shrugged him off.

"Lavinia," he began again softly. "I know from when I arrived yesterday all I have done is cause you embarrassment, anger and grief and I wish to apologise. You are my best friend's sister and no matter how much he teases you, he loves you and hates it when you're upset."

"Thank you for reminding me," she replied curtly. "Perhaps I should tell him to choose his friends a little better then."

"I know you are annoyed about your dress and I want to apologise for that. It was a mistake and actually it was Charles who made me lose my footing."

"I suppose you are suggesting that I tell him to not be so clumsy then?" Lavinia asked in anger.

"I am suggesting that you accept my apology and hope that you will eventually find it in yourself to forgive me. I understand that you don't want me here and so I am willing to leave if you will be happier without me."

Caleb watched as her back stiffened and she turned around. He waited for her to ask him to stay. For her to tell him that she hoped he would continue to stay with them and that she would gladly forgive him. He was therefore shocked to see her look of disgust and her nodding her head.

"I think that would be the for the best," she answered. "You are right in assuming that I do not want you here after everything you have done. Goodbye Lord Alder, I wish you a safe journey." She curtsied and moved around him to return to the house.

"Wait!" Caleb called as he grabbed hold of her arm. "A lady would accept an apology when she is owed one."

"You haven't actually apologised, my Lord. Wishing to apologise is not the same as actually saying sorry."

And with that she walked away.

Caleb stared after her back for a few minutes, stunned at her harsh reply. He had insulted her and damaged her pride and he had tried to apologise, and yet he hadn't apologised. He had told her his intention to but had not actually said sorry. He was an idiot. A big idiot. Here he was, at the home of his angel and she wished him gone. Why didn't his charms seem to work on her the way it had on countless others?

***

And so Caleb left that very afternoon and Lavinia missed him. Charles was mad at her for sending his friend away so quickly and he soon left to join him back at Oxford. Lavinia was left alone for the rest of the spring, waiting until summer for the London season to begin.

Lavinia's mother was busy again, organising some annual village event and Edward had retired to his study once more and things had gone back to normal, and yet nothing was the same. Lavinia could not focus on anything she set her mind to. She had drawn up a list of books to read, hoping that they would serve her well for conversation during her season, and she had also procured several new piano and harp concertos to learn. She spent many hours each day attempting to focus on the tasks she set herself and spent a fair amount of time in the garden also, avoiding the rose garden especially.

She felt guilty at her harsh words. She hadn't meant them, she had been hurt and upset. Caleb should not have taken her so seriously. She had not seen him since and was extremely anxious to begin her season so that she may have the opportunity to apologise for her foolishness.

As March began to close, the Dowager Duchess had finally set aside her duties to help her daughter prepare for her season. They travelled to the village early one morning to go to the seamstress and commissioned several new dresses. No expense was ever spared by any young woman for her first season. The Dowager also felt sorry for her daughter after her ruined birthday and decided that this would help her feel better.

The seamstress, Mrs Dalton, was a kind woman who always knew what her clients wanted before they did themselves. Her experience was unparalleled and Chatsworth was privileged to have her. Browsing the catalogues lain out for their perusal, the two ladies spent most of their morning arguing about what Lavinia would need. Eventually they came to a compromise, six new day dresses and four evening ones were required and her Aunt Julie could have more made when she arrived in London. The Dowager simply could not give up her responsibilities here for a whole season and therefore Lavinia would be travelling herself with only Anne for company.

Lavinia felt the full force of her loneliness the week before her departure. Anne, who had always been her companion when she went anywhere, was too busy to escort her anywhere and so Lavinia had to spend most of her time indoors alone. Lavinia packed all her new dresses and several of her old ones into her trunks and on the fourth day of April, she left for London with Anne.

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So what will the season have in store for her? I'll update soon :)

Please comment as you read!