Author's Note: A very special thanks to my beta, katnissinme for making this chapter pretty and giving me a boost in confidence!
I am often found walking the worn pathways in the woods that border our town. The Seam, as everyone calls it, is just outside of London but not quite far enough out where grand mansions with sprawling acreage can be found. It is the place that most people from said mansions stay in to rest prior to their arrival in the bustling city. We do see quite a bit of traffic on the dusty main road. The passage along and on into the forest is quieter. And I have a purpose: I adore finding flowers and herbs from the plant book my father compiled and pressing them in between the pages. My father was quite fond of flora and recorded everything he learned in a journal. Effie showed me how to properly press flowers after my first failed attempts. The end result of those was a clump of petals. Now I am able to manipulate them to look just as they did when I plucked them from their stems. She is always eager to see what I have brought back with me.
Of course the inches thick of dirt that grace my skirts when I return make her frown.
I still haven't told her about climbing the London Planes where I most often perch myself to read. I fear she may faint.
On this Tuesday, I am to be back at a certain time to go into town with my mother and Prim to find a new dress for this very important assembly. While I see no difference with every other event Sae has hosted, my mother insists we look our best for the couple of the hour.
I have found a perfectly fine dress in an emerald green to my liking within a half hour of arriving at the dress shop. Prim insists it is too plain.
"How is this too plain? The color alone makes me think of luxury."
"But Katniss, where are the brooches and sashes and lace? Perhaps we could drape a ribbon or two around your waist."
"My dear sister, I assure you, it does not matter what I look like. Everyone will only be surrounding you and Rory and providing good cheer and congratulations." I tuck a curl behind her ear and she is off to try for another dress. It is perhaps by the eighth dress that I start to think of her search for a wedding dress and let out a sigh. Uncle Haymitch will surely be parted from his fortunes before Prim's whims are sated.
The night of the assembly has our household in a flurry. I find myself a spot in the sun on the window seat in my and Prim's bedroom and read. All the while, Miss Trinket, my mother and sister are floating back and forth worrying about anything and everything. I dress in a short amount of time and have my mother braid my hair and pin it up. I manage to pull Haymitch away from his newspaper long enough to shout at him to get dressed.
We take the carriage the few miles to Sae's home, the Wheat House. We are greeted with the soft glow of gaslight and the music of a string ensemble. As with most of Sae's parties, it seems the whole town is in attendance. Rory waits at the door for Prim and am able to get a hello in before the young girls of town flock to them and insist on seeing the ring. I am willingly ushered away by Madge into the State Room.
"Someone has already asked about your presence" she whispers.
"Who?"
"One Mr. Hugh Marvel. He is under the impression you are starting to warm up to him."
"Does he ever give up? I have started to loathe these outings. He will not give me a moment's peace once I am found."
"Enobaria has had her eye on him for months now. Perhaps he has finally given in to her charm and will have nothing to do with you." She laughs.
"If only!"
We make our way to the front of the room where the fireplace is located, our usual spot of comfort. But tonight it is not unoccupied.
Sae stands with three people, all to look around my age. She is talking quite animatedly, the feather in her hair swishing with the nod of her head. As soon as I am just behind her the eyes of the blonde boy to whom she is speaking lift to meet mine.
"Oh." I say barely above a whisper. He does not turn away. He smiles at me, the corners of eyes crinkling slightly. My pulse quickens.
"There you are my dear!" Sae says. "Already lost your sister I see. I want you to meet some very dear people." She ushers Madge and I into their circle.
"Miss Madge Undersee, Miss Katniss Everdeen, allow me to introduce to you," she gestures to the small woman in blue, "Mrs. Annie Odair, wife of this young man, Mr. Finnick Odair." Madge and I bow slightly as do they. Annie is petite with a crown of dark curls around her head and eyes as green as the forest I frequent. She smiles shyly at us. Mr. Odair is a very tall gentleman with bronzed hair and sun-kissed skin and he smiles so widely, I am sure I can count all his teeth.
"And this is my precious nephew, Mr. Peeta Mellark." I curtsy, dipping my head low as to avert my gaze from his. I now understand the gossip for he is certainly a sight to behold.
"It is lovely to meet you ladies. I am quite familiar with your names. My aunt has told me wonderful things about both of you, including the happy news for your sister, Miss Everdeen."
"Thank you sir. You must congratulate her in person. She would be delighted to meet you."
Sae pipes in, "Oh yes, I must find her! After all, she is my guest of honor!" And she sashays away to tend to what she does best.
"Undersee? I dare say the name seems familiar to me." Mr. Odair asks.
"Oh yes. My father is a judge."
"Ah, a kind judge if I have heard rumor correctly."
Madge chats about her father to the Odairs. I have tuned her out a bit, becoming quite aware of the man who stands next to me. His suit is tailored well. His navy waistcoat is neatly pressed and the collar of his shirt sits high, the blonde curls at the back of his neck laying on the edge of the fabric. Although he is not looking at me, I feel certain he is aware of me too.
Prim appears with Rory for a short time for introduction and then flits off like a hummingbird, back into the crowd.
As the conversation shifts to a new subject and Peeta and I are all but forgotten, he turns to me. "My aunt has told me a great deal about you Miss Everdeen. I feel as though we are already friends."
I smile. "I must confess Mr. Mellark, you have me at a disadvantage. I do not know much about you. I am aware she has three nephews, but I have not pried. However the fondness with which she speaks of you and your brothers makes me delighted to make your acquaintance."
"She has mentioned your fondness for the trails."
"I do love them, yes. I am fond of walking in general but the forest holds a special place."
"I'm quite curious to see them. Perhaps one day I could beg your indulgence as my guide," he pauses and I blush, "W-with company of course."
He shifts his legs slightly, bringing my attention down. It is then that I notice he clutches a cane. I stare for a moment too long though.
"It is good for my leg. I assure you I can keep up."
"Oh! No, I-I do not think that at all, Mr. Mellark. I-I…"
"I only tease Miss Everdeen. A tactic I use to make the cane a little less inelegant-." He gives me a wink.
I let out a laugh as he does.
We are interrupted by a shriek of surprise. "Gale!"
I turn to see Gale Hawthorne, clad in his red uniform, smiling as Madge runs towards him but stops short, so as not to attract too much attention. She offers her hand and he lays a soft kiss atop her glove. She leads him over to us.
He looks as though he has not shaved in a week and does not care. "Miss Everdeen. Always a pleasure to see you."
"So good to see you home once again, Mr. Hawthorne," I reply as I curtsy in response.
Madge's cheeks are flushed as she swiftly makes introductions between Gale, the Odairs and Mr. Mellark before excusing herself with Gale.
Annie turns to us. "What a precious pair. Are they engaged?"
"Not presently, Mrs. Odair, but the whole town feels as though it shall be announced soon. I'm afraid he has been absent for the past few months."
Sae appears once again and whisks the Odairs away, giving me an encouraging smile. Mr. Mellark and I are left standing by the fireplace. Even though we do not speak for several minutes, I am enjoying myself.
"I do not wish to keep you from your aunt, Mr. Mellark." I remark out of politeness. I do not want him to go.
"Nonsense. My aunt had me stationed at the door for quite some time before you arrived. I am happy to be in a corner of the room. You are by far the most endearing person I have met tonight. Although I appreciate the enthusiasm I have been shown"
I arch my eyebrow at him. "How so?"
"I am always well aware of the excitement a man from the city brings to a small town. Have you not heard?"
"Heard what exactly?"
"I'm husband material." And he snorts.
I let out a bark of laughter before covering my mouth with a gloved hand. "I apologize. That was inappropriate." But then I laugh again.
He laughs with me. "Quite alright, Miss Everdeen. It was meant to be witty."
I laugh again because I cannot help it.
"You have a lovely laugh."
My cheeks feel warm. We stand with silly grins on our faces for another moment.
He clears his throat, "Miss Everdeen, do you dance?"
"Not if I can help it Mr. Mellark."
"Oh, well, that's good. I do not care for dancing either."
I don't think I have ever heard the words uttered from someone's mouth other than my own. "Oh, well then, I shall make a note that if I see you dancing it is against your will. I will create a diversion so you may escape!"
"I shall forever be indebted to you!" And we dissolve in laughter.
That is until the shrill voice of Delly Cartwright is ringing in my ears.
Delly is a very pretty girl and very aware of the fact. Her dresses barely cover her chest and her hair is almost always adorned with some sort of monstrosity. She is obnoxiously loud and full of gossip. I have never been able to hide the scowl on my face whenever she appears.
"Oh Mr. Mellark! There you are! I would love if you would come meet a few of my friends. They cannot wait to make your acquaintance!" And she tugs his arm to follow her. He stays planted in place.
"Miss Cartwright, I am actually discussing a matter with Miss Everdeen. Perhaps a bit later?"
She looks over to me as if she did not notice me, a tactic she seems to adopt in my presence. "Oh! Good evening Miss Everdeen. We will be but a moment. Surely you don't mind, do you?" She is already dragging him away, his cane bumping alongside of him.
"As if I had a choice," I call after her, but they have disappeared into the crowd.
It is an odd feeling that sweeps over me when I am left alone. I have not had an easy conversation with anyone besides my family or Madge in quite some time. Mr. Mellark is funny, a rare trait to find in many men these days, and smiles so easily. It is as if my imagination conjured him. I shake my head to clear the thought.
Madge and Gale come to join me, their faces flushed from dancing. "Oh Katniss! You must come dance!"
"No, no. You can dance the next one for me."
Gale grabs three glasses from a passing server's tray. "I see Delly has taken Mr. Mellark captive."
I turn to look where Gale is gazing to find Mr. Mellark only half interested in the conversation at hand. His eyes dart around to the people surrounding him, eventually looking past them and finding me, one corner of his mouth quirks up into a half-smile.
"So, Mr. Mellark then…" Madge says.
I whip my head back around to her. "Oh, hush. He is just being a gentleman, trying to keep a stick-in-the-mud company."
"Didn't he ask you to dance, Miss Everdeen?"
"He did and I told him I did not care to dance."
"And then what did he say?" Madge leans in.
"He said he did not like dancing either."
They both stare at me for a second and then Madge starts laughing. "Well, Miss Everdeen, I do believe you have found your match."
Delly seems to pull Mr. Mellark all around the room. I fear I may have lost him for the night, although he seems to seek me out over the shoulders of his company. Regrettably, I am unable to dodge Mr. Marvel the entire night as I had hoped.
"Ah, Miss Everdeen. You look lovely tonight."
I sigh. "Thank you, Mr. Marvel." In true Hugh Marvel fashion, his eyes dip to the bust of my dress.
"Would you care to dance?"
"I must decline. My ankle has been bothering me."
"I'm sorry to hear that. Would you like me to inspect it?"
I am positive my face has been twisted into a look of disgust. "Ah, no thank you. I shall keep my skirts around my ankles, Mr. Marvel."
I am able to be in the company of my sister for the rest of the evening. She is radiant and kind to every 'congratulations' and does not tire of the attention. Rory's face keeps a shade of pink; I am sure he has never gotten this much attention in his life. I believe it to be a breath of fresh air to everyone; two people marrying for love and not status or wealth.
We retrieve a very drunk Haymitch from a corner chair and say our goodbyes well after midnight, thanking Sae for a wonderful evening. My mother and I haul Uncle Haymitch into the carriage.
"Miss Everdeen!" I hear behind me.
I spin on my heel. There is Peeta Mellark in a hobbled but hurried walk towards me. I look around nervously to find both my mother and my sister pretending not to hear as they climb into the cab, smirking.
He slows in front of me, "Miss Everdeen. I wanted to apologize for not continuing our conversation."
"No apology is necessary, Mr. Mellark."
"I also wanted to thank you for laughing at my jokes. Most are too proper to see the humor in things."
I lower my head slightly to hide the grin steadily growing across my cheeks.
"Perhaps my aunt and I could come for tea sometime in the next few days-?"
I bite my lip. "Yes. We would be delighted to reciprocate your hospitality this evening."
He gently tugs my hand from my side, barely pressing his lips atop my hand, "Until then Miss Everdeen." He walks backwards a ways before turning and gliding back into the manor.
Prim has a smug look on her face when I sit across from her. "You like him."
I regard her sharply, "I esteem him."
"Katniss, do not think you can be coy with me."
"Prim, he is not a complete imbecile like the rest of the men in this town are. Of course I like him. Think nothing further of it."
She put her hands up defensively.
I lie awake in bed for what seems like hours once we return home. I begin to think of all the time I have spent worrying over my father and then my mother. I worry about Prim. I want the best for her: a man she loves who could take care of her, a household to run and children to raise. I worry about Haymitch and his love for the spirits he indulges in and how I could ever repay him for keeping us safe. I worry about Madge every time Gale goes away. I worry about being alone for the rest of my life because I choose to want to connect with someone. I worry the men I have turned away, much to my parents' dismay, were the only ones destined to show an interest in my hand. I bury my head in romantic novels to escape. My mother has always accused the stories I read of creating a false image of love and marriage. She insists it is not like that at all. And then she will bring up my father and the dishonor he did to us, leaving us to fend for ourselves. After she has mentioned him, she locks herself in her room for days at a time. I sigh and turn on my side.
For a moment Mr. Mellark enters my thoughts, with his flaxen hair and blue eyes full of kindness. I let him linger there, hoping to drag this image over into my slumber. I don't think about what it means.
I shall worry about that tomorrow.
