My family and i, were to attend the games today. Mother told me that it basically consisted on ftahers and sons playing against each other, while the women sat on the side smiling and clapping yet also thinking about how much of a better job they could have done.

I joined my brothers in the parlour for breakfast, and sat down beside Ambrose. "Where's mother and Matilda?" I asked, buttering a slice of toast. Francis rested the news paper on his lap and poured himself a cup of tea, "they've gone for a walk, ready for the games." he replied, taking a sip. "speaking of the games." Matthew chorused, jumping out of his seat. "I must get ready to win them." he added, before leaving the room. Ambrose and Francis exchanged a rather glum look, "our first games without father." Ambrose spoke, taking my hand in his.

I wish i'd known Mr Haywood, he seemed like a very interesting person. Especially as the boys would always speak so highly of him.

"and we're going to bloody win, because he always did." Francis chuckled back, and smiles grew on mine and Ambrose's faces. "of course we will, we're Haywoods" i said holding onto Ambrose's hand a bit tighter. I took a bite of my toast and looked at my two brothers. "are you hoping to impress any ladies at todays games?" I asked, the soft smile on my face turning coy. "right that's it, i'm going to get ready." Francis snapped, slamming his paper down on the table and leaving while Ambrose and I laughed our heads off.

After a while Ambrose managed to catch his breath, "honestly though little sister, Fitzwilliam will try and show off infront of you today." he blurted also standing up to leave. "I'm aware of that brother, and i'll let him." I replied, taking another bite out of my toast. Eventually i left the table and walked into my room, bouncing off the balls of my feet.

"you seem happy today Miss Haywood." Claire smiled as she came in to pick my dress. I turned around to see her and matched my expression with a smile on my face with a smile on my face, "well Claire, for the first time in a while, nothing seems to be going wrong, so i suppose there's no real reason to be sad." i replied.

(diana's dress for the games)

Claire was finishing up my hair, and i was deciding which necklace to wear when i heard Francis shout up the stairs "everyone one is ready and waiting but you diana!". I looked up at Claire with an apologetic smile and began to rush out the door and downstairs to join my family. "you can't rush perfection Francis" i said putting my arm around his and giving him a mischievous wink.

As we were walking to the beach, the air was fresh and it wasn't too windy outside. Perfect for the games. I noticed Francis had a slightly concerned expression on his face. "something's bothering you." I assumed, walking in sync with him. He turn his face slightly to see mine, "it's silly really." he said back to me. "Francis." I said in a stern voice, indicating that he should tell me. Silence passed between us before he spoke again, "the Haywoods have never lost a game, and that was all because of father. I can't help but feel like if we don't win this, we'll be letting him down. I'll be letting him down. I understand it has an unecessarily morbid deeper meaning but-" Francis confided. "I think it's rather beautiful actually" I interrupted. "what?" He asked. I smiled up at him, "well the idea that you can turn a game into something with such an infinite undertone." I beamed, and he laughed in reply. "like i said - it was silly." Francis brought the top of my head to his lips and kissed it quickly. I hit him in the side to try and make him come to his senses, "i'm not joking Francis! Have you ever considered poetry, you are the romantic, mysterious type. Are you not?" I pouted my lips but broke them with a laugh. "definitely not Diana, just because i have feelings doesn't mean i'm a poet." He assured me. "Well of course not, but it's the way you express them that makes you a poet, and i must say..." I stopped to face him. "you expressed them excellently." I added before taking his arm again and leading him down onto the shore.

When i'd seperated from Francis and got onto the sand, i could see tents and tables with the finest foods spread all over. Some drinking tea and others setting bats and balls up. Francis, Ambrose and Matthew all took their tailcoats off and rolled up the sleeves of their shirt before joining everyone else to help set up.

I was annoyed because i was always quite good at PE, and it annoyed the shit out of me that i couldn't join in. ugh. However i sat down with my mother at our mini 'Haywoods' table, and we both started to drink our cups of tea. We definitely had the best view of everyone and we laughed together quietly when we knew someone was giving us the evil eyes because they were jealous.

(play while reading for a more romantic experience

When i'd stopped laughing with my mother after a while, i saw someone that had clearly been there the whole time, but i hadn't noticed. James. James was laughing with his friend who clearly couldn't swing a bat. His smile was my favourite view, and the way he pushed back his hair when it gone in his face too much. His sleeves were rolled up similarly to my brothers, and the sun kissed all of his features as it lay across his face perfectly. Watching him made everything feel like it was in slowmotion. I felt the smile on my face grow just from seeing his, and that had to have meant something. Though he looked my way at the time i started to smile again, so instead of turning away, i stayed there hoping for some communication between us to say 'i didn't mean any of it, i only said it for the greater good', but it seemed he didn't get the message because he turned away and the laugh he once wore had now turned into a straight face.

i felt responsible and so guilty for his unhappiness, just because of my presence he'd lost his smile and i hated myself for that. I needed to let him and i go because i was only creating more pain for the both of us, so I turned away and tried not to look at him again. Instead i saw Daniel Fitzwilliam waving at me while knocking a stick into the ground with a knock. I tried to gather all my strength to smile and wave back, but it was clear that i was concentrating on something else.

Francis stood on a small hill, "thank you all for joining us today for the games, enjoy and let the best men win!" He shouted, short and sweet. He jumped down and got into position as the first person to bat. Daniel was the bowler and a good one at that, though Francis was even better. He batted the ball long and far, before running back and forth to Daniel and his original spot. He managed to do it four times and everyone cheered and clapped. He was a very good example to start the game, and he looked at me in search for some approval, so i grinned from ear to ear and clapped standing. Francis smiled back and shaked his head jokingly before handing the bat over to Ambrose. Ambrose got ready and Daniel bowled towards him and of course, he batted long and far again. Fielders already looked out of breath, however Ambrose only managed three times. My mother and I couldn't have looked more prouder. James was next in line to bat, but i couldn't see his father next to him or on the field which was strange.

This time it felt like Daniel bowled a bit more aggressively but James did exactly the same, batting it the furthest out of anyone who's played. A gasp escaped the audience mouths as they whistled and cheered for James who was already on three laps, with the fielders not even with ball in hand. James managed seven touches before Matthew tapped the ball on the sticks. James's whole team put their arms around his shoulders and rubbed him in the head with their knuckles from happiness. Matthew had hurt his ankle, from being the one to stop James so he couldn't bowl. Francis and Ambrose looked disappointed because it meant taht they'd tied with James's team. They had one more go to try and beat him but no one wanted to take Matthew's place.

I couldn't let James have an immediate win, not after realising how much pressure Francis feels like he's under.

I went with my gut before standing up and ripping the bottom of my dress off for more space, before marching down to the boys. I could hear all of the judgey wives and daughters coming from behind me except my mother, i could sense her pride. "I'd like to play for Matthew." I said confidently face to face with Francis. "Diana you're going to embarrass us." Francis replied turning me around my my shoulders. Ignroing him, i turned back around, "what have you got to loose, as long as i get at least one touchdown it means we've won." I replied, crossing my arms. "you've never played or shown any interest to sports in your entire life." He spoke sternly trying to convince me otherwise.

Maybe in this life i hadn't, but in the 21st century i was the captain of the rounders team, so i was actually going to kick all their boney arses.

"women can't play!" A random guy on James's team shouted, but James stepped on his foot as if telling him to shut up. I raised my eyebrows at Francis and he did the same, we stayed there staring to try and out alpha each other but in the end he gave in and handed me the bat. i got into position and practised a few small swings, before gripping onto the bat tighter.

Daniel threw the ball towards me and i followed it, while hitting it with full force and sending it out of sight. Men were tripping over each other to try and catch it so that they could be the one to prove the woman wrong, but while they were doing that, i was already on my third touch. I kept and kept on going, and the thought of making my family proud was was made me go even quicker.

I HAD DONE EIGHT TOUCHDOWNS!

and when a fielder touched the stick with the ball everyone fell silent. I was catching my breath heavily confused as to why there was no sound. Suddenly i felt two arms pick me up from behind and i was spinning. When i was put down, Francis stood before me and i'd finally heard all the cheering and whistling. Everyone had surrounded me and even my mother came down to hug me aswell. I heard Francis whisper in my ear...

..."you made father proud today."