So here is Lavinia's first taste of London society and a little more Caleb in this one...

Enjoy! (and please comment, I'm not sure what you all think of this)

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Lavinia had visited London several times but never during the summer season. Occasionally she Lavinia had visited London several times but never during the summer season. Occasionally she had accompanied her aunt during the winter but London looked even more spectacular in the summer.

"Oh! Dearest Lavinia!" her aunt exclaimed as Lavinia's carriage pulled up outside her Aunt's townhouse. It was situated on a rather well known and popular street often occupied by families of the ton. Just around the corner was Hyde Park, the well loved, well known park where many took daily walks; where women could see and be seen; to collect and stir up gossip.

"Hello Aunt Julie!" Lavinia replied with similar enthusiasm. Her Aunt was her favourite relation after Charles as they had always got on well and agreed on everything.

"I am so glad you could make it for tonight. We have been invited to the Harrowoods for dinner. You have heard of them I am sure. Lord and Lady Harrowood have three sons attending the season and one daughter who is greatly accomplished at the piano. I dare say we shall have an enjoyable evening to be sure."

"I am happy to hear it Aunt, I have looked forward to this season so much. I am determined to be engage-"

"Engaged?!" Charles cut in while looking sternly at his little sister before embracing her. "You are not going to get engaged this season sis, you are far too young."

"Great to see you too Charlie," Lavinia replied sarcastically, smiling at his annoyance at the use of his childhood nickname. "However, had you not interrupted me quite so readily you would have heard that I am determined to be engaged almost every night at an event instead of engaged to be married."

Rolling his eyes, Charles led the way to their Aunt's parlor so that they could take some tea.

"What news of home?" Charles asked.

"It is still there and still very much the same. Mother and I went shopping a few weeks back and I got several new dresses. Edward is still in his study and the weather was pleasant when I left."

"So you have missed me then?" Charles teased. Lavinia rolled her eyes. Of course she had missed her brother. The house was boring and empty without him.

"I would like to rest a little before tonight if you are alright with that Aunt? It has been a long journey."

"Of course my dear, you do not need my permission. I will send for your maid to get you ready in time."

***

As Lavinia was laced into her new emerald green evening dress, she realised that tonight she would see Caleb again. Her angst about seeing him caught her off guard. She knew that she would need to apologise to him for her past anger and yet, why should she be nervous about that? She had done it before, often for her loss of temper.

When she arrived at the Harrowoods on Charles' arm she almost fainted with embarrassment once more. Her mother clearly had not known about the way debutantes preferred to dress. Pastel blues, pinks, greens and yellows were scattered throughout the hallway, only being punctuated by the dark colours of the men's suits. Her dark green dress stood out a mile away and many young ladies were whispering behind their fans while glancing at her conspicuously.

Her cheeks flushed as she went to stand in the line waiting to be introduced by the hostess.

"Charles!" Caleb ran up the front step to meet them and gave Charles a manly hug before roaming his eyes over Lavinia, making her blush all the more.

"Lavinia," he greeted appreciatively. "You look stunning."

All thoughts of forgiving him gone, Lavinia narrowed her eyes. "Thank you Lord Alder," she responded curtly before walking past him to join Judith who had just arrived behind him. What was wrong with her? Why did she have to blush in his presence and feel like he actually cared what she looked like? He was just teasing Charles by flirting with his sister. He hadn't apologised properly, nor had he seemed to feel any form of remorse for what he had done. His cocky grin and overly familiar greeting had made her uneasy and she determined not to let it happen again.

Judith's pastel pink dress clashed horrendously next to Lavinia's, however she did not say a word about it. Instead, she had clocked on to her friend's anger and realised that that anger must have stemmed from Caleb Alder who she had just marched away from.

"Whatever is the matter Lavinia?" she asked concerned.

"Nothing," Lavinia mumbled as they approached the line. After being introduced to the Harrowoods and their bored looking sons, Judith and Lavinia were joined by Charles and Caleb much to Lavinia's irritation and Judith's joy.

"Lord Alder," Judith began. "I hope your visit to Chatsworth House was very pleasant?"

"Indeed, very pleasant," was Caleb's reply. He did not take his eyes from Lavinia.

"The weather was delightful for the ball, did the heat wave continue?"

"Luckily it did. Lavinia was able to show me the rose garden just before I left. Did your mother's flower show go well Lady Lavinia?" he asked. He was attempting to gain some form of reaction from her other than the cold stare she kept. Judith, however cut her off completely.

"That is very much the highlight of that house. Did you have time for a ride up Chatsworth's hill? The view is marvelous and you can see for miles."

"No, I did not have that pleasure."

At this moment, Lady Harrowood announced that dinner was served and their conversation was cut off. This time, Judith was irritated by the interruption while Lavinia was glad of the distraction. Her stare at Caleb did not seem to be working. She wanted him to at least feel uncomfortable and yet he had kept up a conversation with Judith about Lavinia's home. Caleb had not even stayed a full two days!

"Lady Lavinia, would you allow me to escort you to dinner?" Caleb offered her his arm.

"Of course," Lavinia replied with only a slight hesitation. Charles was already escorting Judith and there were few other young men around.

"I am sorry Lavinia," Caleb began as he led her towards the dining room. "My actions when visiting your home several weeks ago were deplorable. I hope you can forgive me and that we can continue our acquaintance as friends. I truly am sorry for the humiliation I put you through and fully plan to amend any damage I have caused."

"Your apology is accepted, Lord Alder," Lavinia replied after a few moments of stunned silence. He had caught her off guard with his sincere apology. He had taken care to actually say sorry this time and his acknowledgement of being in the wrong had lessened her anger immediately.

Lavinia had been seated between Judith and Caleb and Charles was placed across from her. Her Aunt Julie was further up the table, closer to Lady Harrowood and several others of similar age, allowing the younger debutantes and bachelors the chance to get to know each other better and hopefully find a spouse.

When dinner began, Judith began a conversation with Caleb, leaning over Lavinia. Lavinia felt rather uncomfortable, attempting to eat while not getting in the way of their line of sight. The conversation was rather frivolous with Judith prattling on about last season and the many events she hoped would be repeated this year. Caleb had tried to pull Lavinia into the conversation by asking what she looked forward to the most. Judith, however, had cut off any reply and interjected by explaining what her fears had been during her first season. This occurred several times. Caleb tried to include Lavinia and Judith cutting off her reply.

Caleb did not care what Judith thought. He did not want to be conversing with her and had been relieved to see that she was not seated next to him. He had also been grateful to Charles for escorting her in so that Caleb had been free to apologise to Lavinia. Her ready reply had relieved him more than he could understand. He had felt the guilt of what he had done every day since their last meeting and had spent many moments daydreaming about her and how he would actually apologise. When he had noticed her walking in in her emerald green dress he had felt a surge of happiness and warmth he had not expected. What was wrong with him? His good looks and charms had always attracted many pretty ladies but Lavinia was not just any lady. She was an angel, and her bold coloured dress had reminded him of her quick temper, bold eyes and ready blush. Therefore, seeing her had made him want to make her blush and his familiar reception of her had had the desired effect.

"Lord Alder," Judith continued as the final course was being served. "I would be most delighted if we could repeat several of our excursions from last season. The park has a few new fountains and water features which I think would be delightful to explore."

"Certainly," Caleb replied, not wanting to sound rude. "Lady Lavinia, would you care to join us? We could make an outing of it. Charles could come and several others."

Lavinia glanced up with a smile and nod. She was grateful for Caleb's attempts at including her, he clearly felt he had to as she was a new debutante, in their conversation but Judith did not allow her time to respond. She was rather confused at Judith's change of attitude. They had been friends for years and Lavinia had thought of Judith as the closest thing she had to a sister. However, with Lavinia away at finishing school and Judith being older and already a debutante, they had grown apart.

Judith was not happy with Caleb's answer. Why was he so determined to include Lavinia? So, she studiously ignored her, hoping that Caleb would follow suit.

Dinner was finished and the guests were all invited into the drawing room for some entertainment and more conversation. Platters of cheese, fruit and meats were carried around by footmen who also kept wine glasses full. The room had been rearranged to seat guests facing the pianoforte and a harp which had been set up. Lady Harrowood invited a small brunette lady to perform for them and she happily obliged, sitting down at the pianoforte and delighting her audience with a Beethoven concerto.

Caleb and Charles had left Judith and Lavinia sitting and enjoying the music before going off to speak to a few of the other men. With Caleb away and conversation with him impossible, Judith turned to Lavinia for the first time to begin a proper conversation.

"So how do you just love London Lavinia?" she gushed, startling Lavinia with her enthusiasm.

"I am not yet sure, I only just arrived this afternoon. I only had time for a small rest before we journeyed here."

"Then we must amend that immediately my dear!" Judith exclaimed. "Now, I did not want to bring attention to this, but I feel you may have noticed that debutantes do not wear bold colours. Pastel colours are more our thing. Let's go shopping tomorrow, just you and I, and we shall get you a proper wardrobe."

"I would greatly appreciate that," Lavinia said, rather relieved to have someone with actual experience to shop with. "I fear my mother may have been thinking of her own seasons when we had ordered these dresses."

Laughing lightly, Judith nodded. "Our mothers always seem to be in denial that fashion changes. They think that everything must be the same as twenty years ago."

Lavinia only had time to laugh and nod in agreement before a gentleman walked straight up to them. Judith clearly knew him as she smiled in acknowledgment and held out her hand for him to take.

"Lavinia, may I introduce you to Mr Colin Black. Colin, this is Lady Lavinia Bradley, sister of the Duke of Chatsworth."

The man raised an eyebrow once he heard her title and took her hand, placing a soft kiss on her knuckles. Lavinia smiled up at the man who had already sat down and begun talking to her.

"Lady Lavinia," he greeted. "I am pleased to make your acquaintance. I believe this to be your first season in London as I am sure I would have remembered seeing your beauty in London before."

Unwillingly, Lavinia blushed at the flattery and replied, "Indeed it is, I arrived just this afternoon. I am staying with my Aunt and brother near Hyde Park."

"London's greatest attraction in my opinion. Perhaps you would allow me to show you around tomorrow morning? It is the perfect place for a walk."

Hesitating at the smooth offer, Lavinia eventually realised the perfect excuse. "I am sorry to disappoint you sir, but I am otherwise engaged with Miss Wetherton here an-"

"She would be delighted to attend. We can go shopping later Lavinia, I am in no hurry," Judith intervened.

"It is settled then," Mr Black concluded and kept up conversation until Lavinia was invited by Lady Harrowood to perform. She chose to play the harp since few of the others had made use of it and, as she did so, she did not realise the green pair of eyes watching her with great admiration.

***

Caleb had been angered by Judith's purposeful blanking of Lavinia during dinner and her cutting in when he had tried to include her. Why was she acting like that? He had surely paid her enough attention already. When they had retired to the drawing room, he had left the ladies to get some peace from Judith. He wished he could talk to Lavinia alone and that he could know what she was thinking. She was sure to feel hurt at her friend's treatment of her and he wanted to reassure her and hold her in his arms to make her feel safe... What was he thinking? She had hardly forgiven him, she wouldn't be confiding in him any time soon.

Following Charles to a group of young men, most likely all wanting to relieve themselves of the lady's chattering, Caleb found his gaze consistently finding the emerald green dress and he kept wanting to know what she was thinking and saying. Herself and Judith were conversing and Lavinia did not seem to hold a grudge after what had happened at dinner, she was so forgiving.

Soon after, a tall, muscular man had approached the pair and greeted them both, sitting down with them to begin a conversation. Caleb felt a wave of jealousy wash over him when Lavinia flushed with pleasure at something the man had said. She never did that when he was speaking to her, only in annoyance or embarrassment.

Eventually she had sat at the harp when invited by Lady Harrowood. Caleb had never heard her equal. The harp was a beautiful instrument which required a great deal of skill and talent to master. Her hands flew effortlessly across the strings, plucking each one perfectly with just the right amount of pressure and at just the right time. It was over far too soon, but at its conclusion, Caleb was certain of one thing.

Lavinia was more than just an angel – she was his angel.

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I think Caleb is in love...but Lavinia doesn't like him back. And who is this Mr Colin Black? I think Caleb just found some healthy competition...

I hope you're enjoying this, please comment and I'll try and update again soon!