I'm still not over what went down in TSFT. I finished it less than an hour ago, in fact. So here's one of the stories I promised, to be roughly ten chapters and taking place in no apparent order, although this may be changed once it's over. This will contain spoilers. Loads of them. In fact, this chapter contains spoilers, although they're not huge in the least. Points of view shall vary. Enjoy, please! Read and review as well!

Ten Important Conversations Felicity Worthington Had With Simon Middleton

Late May, 1896

"Congratulations," she says in passing, though she really doesn't mean it.

"What?" I ask, although I know perfectly well what Felicity is speaking of.

She smiles politely at me, and decides to step in front of me and face my properly. "I hear that you're betrothed to Miss Fairchild." She glances at Lucy, who sits at a nearby table, talking. "My congratulations are in order."

There's a smug smile on her face. Somehow, in my becoming betrothed, I've still managed to lose. I won't have it, and so I mirror her grin. "I hear things aren't so well with Mr. Markham," I comment, knowing that the shot it a weak one. I immediately regret saying it.

Felicity scoffs lightly. "Oh, things are going on fantastically well. Wherever did you hear that?"

I shrug. "In passing."

"You shouldn't listen to gossip," she says, shaking her head. "I just had the most pleasant conversation with Horace the other day, in fact." She clears her throat before saying, a mischievous twinkle in her eye, "We've both agreed that we're not in the least inclined to marry one another, and so that is that."

I let out a loud laugh that draws the attention of everyone nearby, from cautious mothers to gossipy girls who have only just become women. "Is that so?" I ask upon regaining my composure.

"It is," Felicity says, her voice taunting. She leans in towards me, ever so slightly. "He's not interested in me, and I…I'm not interested in men."

I roll my eyes at her melodramatic words and actions. "You're never going to change, are you?"

Felicity shrugs and backs off slightly. I can practically hear a relieved sigh from somewhere behind me, off where my mother sits. It's Felicity's party all over again, this time not with Gemma. I'm still not sure what came over me then…

"I've already changed. Haven't you noticed?"

Felicity's words draw me back to the present. I inspect her thoroughly, although I don't note a single change in her appearance, actions, or words.

"Not really," I say. "Not at all."

She smiles lightly before turning away. "I feel that I must tell you goodbye, Simon," she says, her voice taking on a huskier tone. "You see, I'm moving to Paris."

I don't know if I believe her. "And what pray tell, will you do there?"

She doesn't turn back to me but calls behind her, "Become a model for artists. Never marry." Daringly, she shoots me one final glance. "Wear trousers."

And with that she's off, and I turn away from her, shaking my head. If she means to disarm me, she hasn't done it. When I look up, it's to see Lucy's eyes on me, and I force a smile onto my face. It's all that I can do. She's a nice girl. Pretty, charming, quite untroubled and easy to handle. I gave her that silly little box that Gemma so loved and wonder why, because all she'll ever keep in it is her favorite necklace or a love letter sent from me, as she'll never have any real secrets.

I approach her and she greets me with a little bit of gossip. "I hear that Miss Worthington is visiting Paris with her mother and dear cousin shortly," she says, measuring her words carefully. Her eyes linger past me for a second, and I assume that she's staring at Felicity, but don't turn to see if I'm correct.

"I don't know," I lie, sitting down at the table as well. "Where did you hear that?"

Lucy shrugs, and her confidence visibly swells by my ignorant response, yet somehow shrinks at the same time due to my interest. "In passing," she says, and I feel a laugh unwillingly force its way up my throat as I realize what Felicity has just told me.

I'm not interested in men.