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When Colin finally dropped Lavinia off at home in time for luncheon, she felt rather relieved. It had been an awkward morning after he had given her the rose and she had noticed many of the ton watching them from their benches in the centre of the park whispering behind their fans. Colin had seemed undeterred, however it had made Lavinia uncomfortable. She had set the rose in a small glass vase filled with water on her dresser, a souvenir of her first season outing.

Luncheon was a quiet affair with Charles visiting with Caleb and her Aunt preoccupied with helping her friend, Mrs Jones, organise a ball for two days time. She ate alone relatively quickly before heading out once more for shopping with Judith. When she arrived at Judith's house, she immediately related her view on what had happened that morning.

"It had started off so nice, we had just been walking together and talking of the weather and sports. He had asked if I played any and I had told him about my brothers teaching me cricket. Hyde Park is so beautiful, have you seen the roses?"

"Yes, I have, but why are you talking of roses now? You are telling me of your outing with Mr Black."

"Indeed I am, you see, I stopped to admire them and had leant in to smell them when he came up close behind me and had said that I smelled of roses and when I blushed he picked a rose that was also red and gave me it wrapped in his handkerchief."

"That is rather unusual. Perhaps it was his way of simply paying you a compliment," Judith suggested.

"It may be, do you really think I am reading into it a little much?"

"I am most certain!" Judith exclaimed. "Dearest Lavinia, you must realise that not all gentlemen, especially those you will find in London during the season, are as charming as your brother and Lord Alder. They all have different ways of expressing themselves."

Lavinia's mind was put at ease. Colin had paid her a compliment and she had not even thanked him for it. She must react more appropriately next time, she should not be so cold to the first gentleman in London who had paid her any attention.

Arriving at the seamstress shop, the girls perused the catalogues and picked out several new designs and calmer tones of fabric for Lavinia's new dressses. Judith had chosen a few for herself also and they had plenty of fun picking out matching gloves, hats and various accessories to adorn them.

Deciding not to miss any more of the unusual heat and sunshine, the girls walked to the nearest park and strolled around it while sharing the latest gossip.

"Apparently, Miss Chamfer and Mr Hardy were out this morning in his carriage. They were talking so very deeply that they passed Lord and Lady Darlington without acknowledgement," Judith said.

"Is she not a little too young for him? I thought Mr Hardy close to forty and she a new debutante."

"Indeed they are, Miss Chamfer was at your coming out ball and Mr Hardy is already a widower with two children who stay in his country home."

"That is rather unfortunate, his wife died in childbirth did she not? He must be looking for more of a nanny than a wife I suppose. Miss Chamfer is rather gifted with children," Lavinia said.

"I could never marry a man with children, it would be difficult to get them to like me."

"I am sure anyone's children would be putty in your hands Judith, you are great with your nieces and nephews."

Judith laughed and went on to describe the many tricks which her evil little nephews had played on her over the past springtime. Lavinia listened in great amusement. This was the family life which she had missed out on. Her father's family had lost touch after his death and her Aunt Julie was as far as her extended family stretched to and she had no children. She wondered what Charles' children would be like and if he would ever even marry. He seemed too busy charming women rather than actually spending time with them, getting to know them well enough to marry.

Judith did enjoy her conversation with Lavinia. The girl clearly needed her guidance and her experience. Mr Colin Black was a rather fishy gentleman who got rather possessive after a while but he was exactly what she needed. He would occupy Lavinia while Judith got closer to Caleb and they could continue their almost courtship towards an engagement.

The girls lost track of time and it was getting late as they walked back to Judith's house. Lavinia realised that this was her last chance to tell Judith of Caleb's gift that day.

"Judith," Lavinia began after a few moments of silence. "You remember the incident at my coming out ball?"

"Of course I do, but I didn't want to ever bring it up, I know how embarrassed you get about it.

Your cheeks are flushing even now," Judith pointed out, rather confused at the sudden change in topic.

"I know, but I have some exciting news," Lavinia couldn't help but smile. "Well, you will remember that I was very angry at Caleb for ruining my dress and for humiliating me and that I sent him away. I hadn't seen him since then until yesterday. He apologised again to me as he led me into the dining room and I had forgiven him for it."

"That was very good of you," Judith said, uncertain of where the conversation was going.

"Caleb, however, clearly still felt guilty and sent me a gift to make up for it this morning. He sent me a replacement ball gown, one almost exactly identical to my birthday one," Lavinia said with another resplendent grin as she looked to her friend for her thoughts on the matter.

Judith felt completely betrayed . Not just by Caleb, but also by Lavinia who had clearly encouraged him at some point. But she would be out the way soon enough, Mr Black would occupy Lavinia long enough for Judith to act, there was no reason to show her anger just yet.

"That is very generous of him!" Judith gushed, matching Lavinia's smile though it did not reach her eyes. "How kind to think of you that way."

"I know he is probably simply trying to get on my good side so that he can have my approval for you and I totally, full heartedly approve Judith! He kept looking over at you last night and talked to you the whole of dinner."

Judith had, of course, noticed his glances too, yet she had interpreted them slightly differently. He was clearly watching Lavinia converse with Mr Black and she could see the jealousy lurking in his eyes. Lavinia's complete blindness and innocence was beginning to grate on her nerves. She had spent several hours with her already today. Arriving home, Judith said her goodbyes as quickly as possible and left Lavinia to walk home. She did not realise her mistake in not offering her their carriage until later, but she was sure Lavinia would be safe walking, it was only London afterall.

***

Lavinia had seen the betrayal in Judith's eyes before she had hidden it, but she did not know how to interpret it. Her friend had been excited for her and Lavinia had approved of a match between Caleb and Judith which had reassured Judith a little. However, her hurried goodbyes at her home had left Lavinia on the street to walk home alone.

Lavinia did not notice though, she had always thought twilight the best time for a walk. The sky was growing dark and the lamps along the side of the street were being lit. Carriages drove by her and the horses' hooves echoed off the cobblestones. Lavinia felt rather exhausted after the full day, but this was what it felt like to be part of the season. Busy, purposeful days followed by nights full of entertainment, conversation and delight. Caleb's gift had been on her mind all day and she could not wait to try it on. The feel of silk had always been Lavinia's favourite and the red roses spotting the white bodice would match a crimson necklace she had in her trinket box.

As Lavinia walked, she was not sure where she was or where she was going. So wrapped up in her thoughts as she was, she did not notice the two men who were walking towards her, their drunken step uneven and unsure.

"What do we have here?" one slurred, startling Lavinia out of her reverie. Her blood ran ice cold as she realised that he was talking of her.

"A pretty little lady," the other jeered mockingly back. Lavinia did not know what to do. She turned around, ready to run away and to find her way back to Judith's, if not home. Another man had come up behind her, blocking off any potential escape. Lavinia began to panic, her heart pounding, her hands sweating. Her brothers had taught her how to swing a bat, but they had never prepared her for this.

"I bet she has a pretty penny in that purse there too," the one behind her called to the others as they kept closing in.

"Here," Lavinia held out her purse, trying to avoid a fight. Maybe they would just take it and leave her alone.

One snatched it while another grabbed her from behind. Lavinia's instincts then kicked in.

Converting her fear into anger, Lavinia yanked an arm free from the man's grasp and launched herself at the third one, landing a punch on his nose, releasing a large spray of blood. He cried out in pain while the other two tried to hold her down and cover her mouth. She bit the hand covering her mouth, anger and adrenaline making her stronger than usual, and she screamed as loudly as she could until her world went black.

***

Caleb had been out all day with Charles. His friend didn't know about his gift to Lavinia and he was grateful for her discretion. He did not regret the gift, quite the opposite. He hoped to be able to send Lavinia more as he spent more time with her. He had always seen her as his friend's younger sister until her seventeenth birthday. Lavinia had looked the picture of sweet innocence and grace as she had glided through the ballroom - even in her anger with a stained dress.

Charles had told Caleb of Mr Black's appearance that morning to ask permission to take Lavinia out. Caleb had felt another surge of jealousy as Charles had talked of Lavinia's delight in being accompanied by Mr Black and her smile as she had left with him. How could she have

formed an attachment so quickly? How could Caleb be so late in taking her out somewhere?

He could have been the one to enjoy her smiles, but he had been too late.

Caleb was walking home, reflecting on his day, when he heard the scream of a lady clearly in distress, coming from round the corner. Jogging towards the sound, hoping to be able to offer some assistance, he was not prepared for what he saw.

Three men huddled around an unconscious lady in a yellow day dress. One dropped the rock which had been used to knock her out as another lifted her by her arms and began to drag her along the ground. He felt anger wash over him at the men's boldness. How could they do that to a lady? She was clearly unarmed and alone. Lost and frightened.

"Hey!" Caleb shouted as he ran towards them."What are you doing? Drop her!"

"Mind yer own business," one man shouted back as he followed the others. His nose was clearly broken and he was trying to stop the flow of blood as he walked. 'Well done her' Caleb thought with pleasure.

"Stop right there! I demand you to put her down."

Caleb was not afraid of a physical fight. He had had plenty of practice and training at Eton, however he did not want the lady to be harmed any more. Her head was bleeding yet he couldn't see her face.

"And who are you to demand anything? There are three of us and only one of you. The lady is

coming with us."

"I am armed," Caleb bluffed, putting his hand in his pocket and turning, hoping that they would not realise his lie. "And the lady is coming with me. You have done enough damage. You may also want a doctor to check out that nose."

"Just put her down John," the other said. "I'd rather live tonight."

This man was clearly the leader as the others did what he said. They dropped the lady and ran down the street.

Caleb ran to the lady, undoing his cravat and pulling her head onto his lap as he used his cravat to stop the flow of blood. It was only then that he noticed who she was. The blonde hair, full lips and long eyelashes belonged to his angel.

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