Finally the day of the Netherfield ball had arrived. Monique and Abigail where full of excitement and for once Davina shared that same excitement, although she didn't expressed it or showed it as much as them. The reason for Davina's feelings was the fact that Oliver would also be present. She had enjoyed his company and thought very fondly of him. When she and her party arrived at Netherfield she began eager looking for him through the crowd of red coats. A doubt of him not being there never crossed her mind. But when she couldn't find him the feeling that he purposely was omitted in the invitation to the officers to please Kol Mikaelson entered her thoughts. The truth however was quite different. According to Monique, Jackson told her that he was called away on business. Jackson apparently also said that he didn't imagine that his business would have called him away when it did, if he had not wanted to avoid a certain gentleman.
Her disappointment about Oliver's absence and Kol Mikaelson being the reason provoked every displeasure she felt towards the youngest Mikaelson brother. When she finally came eye to eye with Kol she had a lot of trouble answering him civility when he made polite inquiries about her. She felt that every form of civility would be a betrayal to Oliver. She ended the conversation as quickly as Kol allowed her to and turned her back to him to walk away even quicker.
Fortunately Davina wasn't one to dwell on disappointed. She was determent not to let it ruin her evening. Soon she found her friend Cami and she told her all of her griefs with Great Spirit. But Davina's distress would soon return. Josh asked Davina to be his partner for the next two dances and she couldn't refuse him. It wasn't that she hated Josh. In fact she quite liked him, but only as a friend. Unfortunately he wasn't exactly the best dancer. His clumsiness didn't stay unnoticed with the rest of the crowd and Davina could feel all of their eyes upon them. The end of their final dance was a great relief to her. The next dance was reserved for an officer who told her Oliver was well loved by all in the regiment.
When those dances where over she returned to her friend Cami, and was in conversation with her, when she found herself suddenly addressed by Kol who took her so much by surprise in his application for her hand, that, without knowing what she did, she accepted him. He walked away again immediately, and she was left to fret over her own want of presence of mind; Cami tried to console her:
"I dare say you will find him very agreeable."
"Heaven forbid! That would be the greatest misfortune of all! To find a man agreeable whom one is determined to hate! Do not wish me such an evil."
When the current dance finally finished, Kol returned again, this time to claim her hand. Davina took her place in the set and was amazed at the dignity to which she was arrived in being allowed to stand opposite to Kol Mikaelson, and reading in her neighbors' looks, their equal amazement in beholding it. They stood for some time without speaking a word; and she began to imagine that their silence was to last through the two dances. She was very determent not to speak to him but changed her mind thinking it would be a far better punishment to force him to speak to her, seeing as he found her barely tolerable.
She made some slight observation on the dance. He replied, and was again silent. After a pause of some minutes, she addressed him a second time with:—"It is your turn to say something now, Mr. Mikaelson. I talked about the dance, and you ought to make some sort of remark on the size of the room, or the number of couples."
"I am perfectly happy to oblige" Kol told her. "Please advise me of what you would like most to hear". He gave one of his signature smiles, and assured her that whatever she wished him to say should be said. Davina couldn't help but being startled by his wicked smile, as she once called it but immediately pulled herself together.
"Very well. That reply will do for the present. Perhaps by and by I may observe that private balls are much pleasanter than public ones. But now we may be silent."
The coldness in the way she spoke to him did stir something in Kol. Maybe admiration for her strong spirit as well. He had suspected that he wasn't her favorite person after he called her tolerable but he was determent to change it for some reason. Although Kol was quite the ladies men he didn't enjoyed all the formalities a ball brought with it. Or the obligation he had as a gentlemen to dance from time to time while attending those balls. It felt too much like a routine for him. For Davina however he was willing to make an exception. "Do you talk by rule, then, while you are dancing" Kol asked.
"No", she said very coldly. "Makes it all so much more enjoyable, don't you think"? "But sometimes. One must speak a little, you know. It would look odd to be entirely silent for half an hour together".
At that moment, Kieran O'Connell appeared close to them, meaning to pass through the set to the other side of the room; but on perceiving Kol, he stopped with a bow of superior courtesy to compliment him on his dancing and his partner.
"Allow me to say, that your fair partner does not disgrace you, and that I must hope to have this pleasure often repeated, especially when a certain desirable event, my dear Davina (glancing at her friend and David) shall take place. What congratulations will then flow in! But let me not interrupt you, sir. You will not thank me for detaining you from the bewitching converse of that young lady, whose bright eyes are also upbraiding me."
The last part of what Kieran said was totally lost on Kol. He was looking over at his friend and Cassie and new exactly what Kieran was hinting at. He recovered himself quickly tough and turned his attention back onto his partner, apologizing because Kieran's interruption made him forget what they were talking of.
"I do not think we were speaking at all. Kieran could not have interrupted two people in the room who had less to say for themselves. We have tried one or two subjects already without success, and what we are to talk of next I cannot imagine."
"What think you of books?" said he, smiling.
"Books—oh! No. I am sure we never read the same, or not with the same feelings."
"I am sorry you think so; but if that be the case, there can at least be no want of subject. We may compare our different opinions."
"No—I cannot talk of books in a ball-room; my head is always full of something else."
"The present always occupies you in such scenes—does it?" said he, with a look of doubt.
"Yes, always," she only replied.
He made no answer, and they were again silent for a while. Finally Kol decided to break the silence by asking her if she and her friends often walked to Meryton.
"Yes, we often walk to Meryton. It's a great opportunity to meet new people". And, unable to resist the temptation, added, "When you met us there the other day, we had just been forming a new acquaintance." Knowing the nature of the relationship between Kol and Oliver, Davina was eager to mention Oliver's name to Kol. But when she saw the effect mentioning Oliver's name had on him she blamed herself for her weakness. She knew that with the way she spoke to him she was already walking a thin line. It was better not to cross it, at least not here.
The effect of what she had said however was shown immediately. The playful smirk in which he had returned her coldness towards him changed completely but he didn't say a word to her. After a while Kol finally spoke, but just as his smirk the playful manner in which he spoke to her was gone as well. "Oliver is blessed with such happy manners as may ensure his making friends—whether he may be equally capable of retaining them, is less certain."
"He has been so unlucky as to lose your friendship," replied Davina with emphasis, "and in a manner which he is likely to suffer from all his life." She guest from the way Oliver talked about him and from Kol's reputation that they probably never were friends to begin with, but in lack of a better term this would do she thought.
"It is" Kol said. Oliver wasn't one to receive Kol's friendship in the first place, but he did tolerate him despite him being a wolf out of respect for what his father had done for him. But their recent fall out was irreversible to even tolerate him. If it wasn't out of respect for his father and the wishes of another Oliver wouldn't be breathing at this moment. "Why do you ask such a question" he decided to continue.
"To make out your character, Mr. Mikaelson".
"And what have you discovered"?
"Very little. I hear many accounts of you as puzzle me exceedingly. ". This was true. Davina had heard the stories about him being the wildest Mikaelson when he was a vampire. But when he and the other Mikaelson's settled down in this area they had done there absolute best to be a part of the magical community. She also had heard Cassie's stories about him from David. According to him he was still not somebody you should mess around with, but he was a good friend to David. How could someone like David share a friendship with a man as cruel as Kol Mikaelson?
"I hope to afford you more clarity in the future" was all Kol answered. His last words surprised Davina a little. Why would he wanted to give her more clarity in the future? They were only acquaintances living in the same town and that was all they were ever going to be. She was sure he felt the same way about that as she did.
"I can readily believe," Kol continued, "that reports may vary greatly with respect to me; and I could wish, Miss Claire, that you were not to sketch my character at the present moment, as there is reason to fear that the performance would reflect no credit on either."
"But if I do not take your likeness now, I may never have another opportunity."
"I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours," he coldly replied. She said no more, and they went down the other dance and parted in silence; and on each side dissatisfied, though not to an equal degree, for in Kol's heart there was a tolerably powerful feeling towards her, which soon procured her pardon, and directed all his anger against another.
When Davina walked away from Kol she needed a moment to process everything that just happened. She couldn't believe that she actually had found the courage to say what she had said but she was proud that she dared it. Her victory was rather short lived when she heard Genevieve talking to a fellow elder of another witch coven, living in a nearby area. Genevieve couldn't resist the urge to show off by telling her she was expecting a very important union for their coven to happen soon. Although Davina shared the same hopes she knew it wasn't appropriate or wise to speak these things out loud before they were actually settled.
Monique and Abigail's behavior didn't exactly made things a whole lot better. They were busy making fools of themselves with being the biggest flirts in town, with the way they were parading themselves all around the red coats.
To make things worse Genevieve urged Josh to ask Davina to be his partner for another dance. Davina actually noticed this and couldn't help but wonder what Genevieve was up to. She never expected any of Genevieve's true reasons. Maybe she was to naïve for it, or the fact that she always thought that Genevieve expected her to marry a witch had something to do with it. But Marcel wasn't that naïve.
Marcel was the person that rescued Davina and stood by her when the witches wanted to sacrifice her. In the end there was no saving her from the harvest, but she was forever grateful for what he did to her. He fought for her and when she returned from the death she remained under his care until it became clear for them both that it was best for her to return to her own people. He still felt like a father figure to her, especially since her own father died when she was very little and she never really had a real father. While Davina was dancing again with Josh Marcel confronted Genevieve with his suspicion but Genevieve clearly demanded him to stay out of witch business.
Finally the ball came to an end. When it was time to leave Genevieve made it sure that their carriage was ordered lastly. This way Cassie and David were given more time together. While they were waiting Davina was approached my Mary-Alice who acquired about her interest in Oliver. Davina made it clearly known that if there was any interest there it wasn't any of her business. Surprised by Davina's answer Mary-Alice protested that she only asked it out of her best intentions. According to stories she heard Oliver wasn't trustworthy and she would do better to stay away from him. This only angered Davina but she knew it was better not to say anything about it for it would have caused a scene.
XXX
The next morning most of the girls could only talk about last night's ball. Abigail and Monique were over the moon with all the dance partners they were blest to have. Cassie talked all about the wonderful time she had with David. The only girl who wasn't all that excited about last night's events was Davina. She was sad that Oliver didn't show up and confused about her dance with Kol. She actually was questioning whether she had gone too far or not. Her thoughts were cut short by the arrival of Marcel who wanted to speak to Genevieve about some important matters. Genevieve ordered him to wait in her study until breakfast was ended. She however was very eager to end it when Josh stated that he wanted the opportunity to talk to Davina alone.
She didn't suspect the interest Josh was having in her before, but she was well aware of his intentions now. Unfortunately she wasn't the only one who knew what Josh wanted from her. All the other girls present couldn't help but giggle. Except for Cassie who knew that marrying Josh was the last thing Davina wanted. She couldn't help her friend though because Genevieve was very firm in them leaving the dining room.
When Josh and Davina were finally alone Josh began his proposal. Claiming how he noticed her beauty and bright spirit right away and that he had come to love it about her. He felt that she was very fond of him in some way and clumsily added how their marriage would benefit her coven as well. Genevieve gave her permission to ask her hand in marriage so that Longbourn could remain in the hands of her coven.
Davina actually felt sorry for Josh when he started his proposal. Besides the clumsiness she also noticed how nervous he was. She never could feel something for him romantically but since his stay at Longbourn she had considered him to be a good guy. That's why she had to stop him and tell him how she truly felt.
"Sir, I really appreciate the friendship you offered me in these past few days, but that is all I can accept from you. Although I'm sure that you could be a good husband to me, I can't help but feel that our marriage can't be one with an affection other than friendship".
Surprised at her words Josh objected. He was urged by lady Dahlia to find a suitable wife and he knew she was up to the task. Not to mention the fact that the future of Longbourn as a boarding house for the witches of her coven was save.
Davina couldn't help but notice that all the reasons Josh mentioned in favor of their marriage were those of convenience and she needed to point this out to Josh. Josh was standing the whole time when he started his proposal and Davina walked towards him. She took his hands and started to speak to him in her most sincere way. "Sir, look at the reasons you give for marrying me. They come all down to one thing: convenience. If you had any reasons for marrying me that were of a romantic nature you would have told me those reasons. But you couldn't come up with even one that was slightly convincing. You don't have any real feelings for me other than friendship. And friendship is the only thing I can offer you too. It's true that I'm not the person to believe in all the clichés that other girls have about romance, nor do I believe in love at first sight for myself. But I always promised myself if I would one day marry it would be out of love and not for convenience".
Her speech left Josh speechless. Genevieve on the other hand had been listening closely behind a door and as soon as she realized Davina refused him she burst into the room. Monique and Abigail were standing beside her and couldn't help but giggle at the current turn of events. This made Davina so uncomfortable that she couldn't get out of the room soon enough and she quickly ran away. Genevieve went after her, yelling at Josh that she would make it right and yelling at Davina to come back to accept Josh's proposal.
Finally Davina stopped running, realizing she had to face Genevieve sooner or later. It was better to get it over with. When Genevieve finally caught up with her she told her how she insisted upon them marrying. She would have this house. All what Davina could say to this was how she couldn't marry him. "I can't marry him".
"You would save the young witched of your coven from destitution" Genevieve insisted.
"I can't" the young witch replied.
"Go back now and say you've changed your mind! Think of your coven".
"You cannot make me!" As soon as Davina spoke these words an ally for Davina in this matter arrived. Marcel Gerard realized at the Netherfield ball that Genevieve tried to marry Davina of to Josh in order to keep Longbourn. He observed Josh and realized that even though he appeared to be a good guy, he wasn't the man that could make Davina happy. Davina still felt like a daughter to him and he wouldn't' allow Genevieve to force her into a marriage she didn't wanted.
"Your governess insists on you marrying Mr. Rosza" Marcel finally broke his silence.
"Yes, or I shall never see her again" Genevieve told Davina firmly.
"Well, Davina, from this day onward, you must be a stranger to one of us. Genevieve will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Rosza, and I will never see you again if you do". This words only fueled Genevieve's anger about the whole situation, but Davina could only thank Marcel for his strong words. Marcel urged her to go back to the house while he dealt with Genevieve. Gratefully Davina accepted this chance to leave the uncomfortable situation. She knew Marcel wouldn't hurt Genevieve but he would definitely remind her that an important rule of the coven was that they didn't force witches into a marriage they didn't wanted.
XXX
When Davina returned she saw Josh standing outside still shocked about current events. She wished to talk to him once again, to make sure he was all right. But she felt that she, the reason for his current state, was the last person he needed to see.
When she entered the house she realized that Josh wasn't the only one feeling shocked. Davina saw Cassie with a letter in her hand, trying to fight her tears. She handed the letter over to Davina. In it Mary-Alice said that she and her brother would leave Netherfield for London. Apparently David and Kol Mikaelson had business to attend to in London that couldn't wait and it would keep them away for quite some time. Kol's sister Rebekah would also be joining them because she needed a change from Netherfield and loved being in London. Mary-Alice went on to say how fond she was of Rebekah as a friend and expressed her wishes that she and her brother would one day marry. They clearly shared great affection towards each other.
Davina wasn't really impressed with the last part of the letter. "Mary-Alice sees that her brother is in love with you and has taken him off to persuade him otherwise". She stated how she never saw any affection between Rebekah and David when they were in the same room together. The only thing she saw was gratitude towards David from bringing her brother back. Rebekah had stated this herself on one of their moments alone together when she was forced to stay briefly at Netherfield. The only reason for Mary-Alice to say this was to make sure Cassie would think he had feelings for someone else. Maybe she wished for the union to happen at some point, because one marriage between two families would make it easier for a second marriage between those two families. And it was clear to Davina that Mary-Alice had set her sight on Kol. She assured Cassie not to worry, because she felt that David had a strong personality who would see easily through his sister's plans. She was convinced David loved her and urged her friend not to give up on him.
XXX
A few days had passed since the letter from Mary-Alice arrived. And even though Davina was sad for her friend she was still relieved that it diverted Genevieve's anger towards her a bit. She was all too busy with feeling sorry about losing a potential husband to one of her harvest girls and was already scheming to get Cassie to go to London. Cassie actually had some relatives living in London and she was writing a letter in which she asked permission for Cassie to visit them for a few weeks. She came up with a lot of arguments as to why her visit was necessary.
Josh recovered quickly from Davina's rejection. He did try to avoid Genevieve every chance he got. He could feel her disappointment towards him when she tried to marry him off to another witch, which he refused. He actually did spent a lot of time at the O'Connell's the last few days before his visit ended. According to Cami he was seen talking a lot of times with one of her younger sisters. An announcement of a marriage between the two of them soon followed.
The day arrived when Cassie's aunt and uncle came to pick her up to go with them to London. Davina actually was quite sad when Cassie was about to go, even if it meant having a chance for her to meet David. She always felt that Cassie was her only true friend she had at Longbourn.
As she said goodbye to her friend Marcel joined her. He had been visiting Longbourn on a regular basis after the marriage proposal to make sure Genevieve wouldn't punish her for refusing Josh. Marcel tried to lift Davina's spirit a bit as soon as the carriage harboring Cassie road off.
"A girl likes to be crossed in love now and then. It gives her something to think of, and a sort of distinction amongst her companions" he told Davina. "Well, it's your turn now, Dee. You turned down Josh. You're free to go off and be jilted yourself". He paused for a little. "What about Oliver? He's a pleasant fellow and he'd do the job credibly" Marcel said teasingly.
"Marcel" was all Davina could say and then a laugh left her mouth.
