Weeks had passed by when Cassie left for London. At Longbourn the person who suffered the most from the loss of her company was Davina Claire. Davina never really shared a close friendship with the other two harvest girls. Nor was she very close to the other witches receding at Longbourn. And although Genevieve finally decided to talk to her again she could still feel her displeasure for turning down Josh and losing Longbourn to the O'Connell's. The days were nowadays spend with reading and practicing her magic. But then she heard the news that her other friend Cami was going to visit her sister for a few weeks and Davina couldn't help but extremely lonely. When Cami's sister unexpectedly decided to ask Davina to come with Cami to keep her company on the long journey it was more than a welcome request.
The journey to the small parsonage was long and very uncomfortable but it was a welcome change from Longbourn these days. When they finally reached their destination Davina couldn't help but notice the incredible building next to it. Davina came to the conclusion that it had to be Rosings Park. She had heard many stories of it from Josh and apparently he hadn't been exaggerating when he talked about how huge it was.
When the carriage finally reached its destination Davina and Cami were greeted by the newlyweds. A quick tour of the house soon followed. Josh was very eager to show everything to their guests. And even though Davina could feel like this house could have been a suitable home for her, she was glad that the honors of being the lady of this house had fell upon another. After the tour Josh left the three woman alone and went back to gardening. According to Cami's sister it was a real hobby of Josh. From time to time he got help from the gardener of Rosings. Apparently lady Dahlia didn't mind lending him out to give Josh some much needed help in his garden. The name of the gardener was Aiden and he was set to help Josh tomorrow with some much needed changes in the garden.
After talking a while to the new Mrs. Rosza Davina saw her suspicion about the marriage being confirmed. Cami's sister Sarah was more thrilled about finally having her own household than the marriage itself. The fact that there wasn't any love involved wasn't as important as the fact that her fears of ending up as an old spinster where gone. Davina couldn't blame her. It was something what all young girls feared mostly. But she herself wouldn't settle for a marriage without love, even if it meant that she would end up alone.
The girls were shortly interrupted by Josh who had some exciting news to tell. Apparently lady Dahlia's daughter had come by with an invitation for dinner. He quickly assured his guest that they should wear their finest clothes they brought with them and they would be fine.
XXX
On their way to Rosings Josh was more nervous than his actual guests who would visit lady Dahlia for the first time. Davina knew this because Josh kept rambling on and on about how big Rosings was and how much every piece of furniture had cost. When Davina entered the hall she was a bit overwhelmed by its grandeur. But not in a real positive way. She couldn't help but feel that all the display of lady Dahlia's welt and status was a bit too much.
When Davina was finally introduced to Lady Dahlia herself she saw that the image Rosings had given her exactly matched with the lady of the house. Even though lady Dahlia said all the things that were expected of her to say with an introduction she was still able to say it in a way that would make her inferior rank known.
Her daughter on the other hand was anything but what Davina had imagined. She was a very small girl, who was looking very pale and sickly. The few words she spoke where said a very low voice. Lady Dahlia mentioned her poor daughter's health from time to time and Davina couldn't help but remember what Oliver once told her. She would make a fine wife for Kol she thought. But given his reputation she was surprised if he would even agree to the marriage.
After the necessary introductions where finished lady Dahlia informed their guests that other guests were expected to arrive for dinner as well. Apparently two of her relatives where in the neighborhood and where going to stay at Rosings for the coming days. Davina and the others didn't get any time to respond properly to the news because lady Dahlia was giving Sarah all kinds of rude instructions on how she should manage her household. Davina was glad that she wasn't on the receiving end because she didn't knew how much of this rudeness she could take.
XXX
Finally the two guests arrived. They were no other than Kol and Elijah Mikaelson. This took Davina a little bit by surprise because she hadn't forgotten her last encounter with Kol. The things she said to him when they shared their dance were still in her mind. But somehow it seemed that he had forgotten it completely. He greeted the young witch in a way that he only could. Playful, with that o so famous smirk of his, but still in a proper way. And even though her feelings towards him were still the same, he still managed to confuse her with his behavior towards him. There wasn't any real time to speak to the new guests because lady Dahlia demanded that it was time for them to have dinner.
At dinner Davina had the displeasure of being the one to be on the receiving end of Dahlia's questions. She wanted to know how many witches resided at Longbourn, if they were older or younger than she was, whether any of them were expected to marry soon, where they handsome, who was the one who seeded to their education, what carriage her governors owned and what her mother's maiden name was. Davina couldn't help but notice how impertinence all of these questions were. Especially the way they were asked. But she answered them in a very polite way even if it was very difficult to do. Especially Kol was making it more difficult for Davina. He couldn't help but smirking at her and giving her some playful looks after yet another question was asked. Was he trying to provoke her or to make things easier for her? Davina was inclined to think the first while it was actually the second.
After dinner Dahlia continued questioning Davina. This time she was talking about how she was glad for Sarah that her husband was to inherit Longbourn after Genevieve's father died. But otherwise, according to Dahlia there was no reason as to why a woman couldn't inherit their family's estate. She had to point out how in her family things were arranged different and how she was able to inherit Rosings.
"Do you play and sing, Miss Claire?" Dahlia now wanted to know of Davina.
"A little" was all that Davina answer or felt the need to answer.
"Do all the other witches staying at Longbourn play and sing?"
"A few of them do." Davina said trying to stay as polite as possible.
Apparently Dahlia didn't agree with the answer. It was important that all ladies should have learned this. It's what society expected of them. Dahlia's reply was similar when Davina told her that even though she loved to draw, not all the witches in her coven could draw.
"You were not all taught? Your governess has really neglected you all."
"Compared with some covens, maybe we were. But Genevieve always gave us the means to do so. Whether we did or not was always our own choice"
Dahlia fired a few more questions at Davina like this and then mentioned the fact that Davina told her she could play the piano a little. She wanted to witness her skills in person and even though Davina tried to refuse at first, it did meant the end for all Dahlia's questions. Lady Dahlia listened to half a song, and then talked, as before, this time to Kol. But Kol wasn't as patience as Davina was and quickly walked away from her. He walked witch his usual confidence that always somehow surrounded him to the pianoforte and stationed himself so as to command a full view of the fair performer's countenance. Davina saw what he was doing, and at the first convenient pause, turned to him with an arch smile, and said:
"You mean to frighten me, Mr. Mikaelson, by coming in all this state to hear me? I will not be alarmed though you must have heard far better performances. There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me."
"I'm well enough acquainted with you, Miss Davina, to know that I cannot alarm you even should I wish it." Kol said while flashing her another signature smirk. It was a smirk Davina had seen so often now. And even though her feelings towards the person giving them to her where still the same, she couldn't help but wonder if this was actually his real smile. Or if he kept it hidden from the world. Davina banished those thoughts as quickly as they had come to her. Why should she be interested in what makes Kol Mikaelson tick.
After a while Elijah also decided to join them. He noticed the way Kol looked at Davina. It was different from the way he looked at other girls and he was curious to see the two of them interacting together. Maybe she could be a good influence on him. Elijah complimented Davina on her playing skills, even though it was clear she needed some practice indeed. He inquired at her wellbeing and then finally decided to mention the fact that she had quite an honor at the Netherfield ball. His brother never was one to care for dances, yet somehow he found her worthy enough to dance. Davina could see that Kol wasn't quite happy with his brother and decided to tease him with it.
"It wasn't an honor at all" she said, smilingly. "It's an obligation for a gentleman to at least share one dance at a ball. Although he is expected to also dance with others as well".
Elijah couldn't help but hear her accusing tone and was quite intrigued by her. She was certainly someone who could stand her ground against his brother. "Pray let me hear what you have to accuse him of," cried Elijah. "I can't help but feeling that there is more to this."
"You shall hear it then, even if you were there yourself, I couldn't blame you for not noticing. Men aren't as occupied with these things as woman are. But prepare yourself for something very dreadful. The first time I had the honor to meet your brother was as you know at this ball, and what do you think he did? Even though he flirted with a lot of woman he danced not even one dance, though gentlemen were scarce; and, to my certain knowledge, more than one young lady was sitting down in want of a partner. Mr. Mikaelson, you cannot deny the fact."
"I don't feel the need to do what society expects of me."
"This is something I can vouch for" Elijah said, amused with the way Davina acted towards his brother. "It is because he will not give himself the trouble."
"I certainly have not the talent to please others the way my brother can," said Kol. "Or appear interested in their concerns, as I often see done."
"My fingers," said Davina, "do not move over this instrument in the masterly manner which I see so many women's do. They have not the same force or rapidity, and do not produce the same expression. But when I'm asked to play to please others I won't refuse."
Kol smiled and said, "You are perfectly right. You have employed your time much better" This time he gave her a wink. Once again he was able to startle Davina. Never did she expected that he actually enjoyed the way she talked to him. She was so different from other girls. They were always so polite in the way they talked to him, trying to be everything society expected of them. But not her. She was different and he treasured it.
Finally they were interrupted by Lady Dahlia, who called out to know what they were talking of. Davina immediately began playing again. And with this the conversation ended.
XXX
A few days had pasted by since Davina's visit at Rosings. She was fortunate enough not to receive another invitation. According to Josh this was due to the fact that two of the Mikaelson's brother currently where staying at Rosings. Davina didn't mind it but she felt that their company was only good enough for lady Dahlia if she wasn't able to share the company of others. From time to time they were honored with visits from the Mikaelson's brothers who took every occasion to get away from lady Dahlia.
One morning Davina decided to go for a walk, as she often did. It was a way for her to relax. This time she was joined by Elijah. Kol was away for the day. Elijah told Davina the reason they were staying at Rosings was at Kol's request. He had some business to attend to in the nearby area and he decided to join his brother to avoid his other brother for some time. Davina couldn't help but ask if there was some friction in the family and she pointed out that she had heard stories of their famous family feuds. She knew it wasn't something you should ask of someone, especially an original, but she needed to tend to her curiosity. Luckily Elijah decided to replay.
He told her that even through all the fall outs they shared over the years, they were still his family. Family was what was most important to him. And even if his youngest brother didn't care for much he did care about his family and he always had been there for his closest friend. In fact he was there for him recently.
This peaked Davina's interest. She knew it had something to do with David and asked him in what way he helped his friend. Elijah knew the close status Davina shared with Cassie and knew he already said too much. "Your silence in this subject is enough for me" Davina said. Although she always knew that Mary-Alice played huge part in David's departure from Netherfield, she never expected the part Kol played in it. But it was clear to Davina now and even if Elijah didn't wanted to discuss the subject further she still urged him that she needed to know the reason why. Was it because their coven's status wasn't big enough. Seeing what the subject did to her Elijah finally decided to answer her. He told her that the status definitely played a part in the reason for preventing David from entering an imprudent marriage. But also the improper behavior of some of the members of her coven.
Davina was hurt by Elijah's words. She couldn't blame Elijah for thinking Kol did his friend a favor. Kol definitely had a way with words to convince someone that he actually did a good thing. Her anger at Kol was once again strong for causing her friend so much pain.
