Society's Expectations & Too Many Complications {Finalist}

Chapter 13

It started to rain ten minutes into Victoria and I's escape from the public. Grudgingly we were forced back to the picnic, our dresses dripping wet. My mother let out a cry of dismay at my appearance: whether it was because I was looking similar to a drowned rat or that I may become sick; I wasn't sure.

I had my suspicions it was my 'wrongful' appearance. Everyone quickly piled into carriages, the food already packed off by servants. I was lucky to be able to scramble in with my former carriage friends- my mother seemed to have designs upon me joining the Ice Queen and Pig.

Thankfully, I was soon bundled into one of the carriages, cursing English weather. One of the servants kindly handed me one of the picnic blankets. It was a little grassy but it was warm and so I reveled in the brief snatch of it.

"You left us to the company of such a wonderful gentlemen," Daniel said sourly. "He seemed to talk for hours on how he was courting you."

I grimaced, though a grin soon overcame it. "I imagine his lovely companion was livid."

"Oh, she was fuming," Angel piped up, her face gleeful. "Though she managed to twist the conversation round back to her at the end."

"What a surprise," Victoria laughed. "I am so glad Mara had the idea to miss this little fun gathering you all were having."

"You have no idea," Daniel groaned. "It was worse than my tutor. You remember him?"

"Oh, Mr. Thistle," I giggled, recalling the grumpy old man perfectly. "He did so enjoy in punishing you for your-"

"Constant disobedience!" Victoria and Daniel said in unison, his words having been imprinted in their minds. It was the constant repetition that he used that reprimanding phrase that had even me remembering it- and I wasn't even under his charge.

"I had a lovely governess," I said happily. "Mrs Cole was always good to me. Though she had slight issues regarding you, dear Fury." For some reason, Victoria had mightily annoyed the woman, it must have been a grand incident, for the good-tempered governess had rarely ever spoke in anger.

"Yes," Victoria acknowledged, her smile falling a little short. "You could say that."

"What did you do to irritate her?" Ella asked curiously,

"I.." For once, words failed Victoria which was a very strange occurrence. It made me think that whatever Victoria had done must have been exceedingly terrible. "I may have walked in on her at a very.... ill-advised moment."

"What had she been doing?" I asked inquisitively. Victoria looked around as if the ghost of Mrs Cole was going to appear and reprimand her this very second.

"She... she may have been clothing herself," was the reply that we heard from a bashful Victoria. A chorus of very mature squeals and groans were swiftly aired.

"Ah!" I cried out in disgust. "Mrs Cole was a lovely woman and teacher, but just imagining...." I poked my tongue out. "A traumatizing experience for you, dear Fury, but why on earth would the woman hate you so dearly?"

"Well, I might have giggled about it with other girls after class," she said mournfully. "Mrs Cole also might have heard me."

"Oh, that poor woman!" I sympathized with my old governess. "What a dreadful little chit you were at that young age!"

"Nothing's changed," Daniel added, much to his sister's disdain.

"No wonder she disliked you so," Ella giggled, a change from her angelic expressions. "How ever did you survive further teaching from her?"

"Horribly," my friend groaned pitifully. "Mrs Cole hated me terribly and would always sharply reprove me for the slightest thing!"

"Rightly, I should think so," I laughed at her past misfortune. "If someone did wag tongues about past indiscretions, I would torment them for an eternity and more!"