Davina was convinced that the invitation Kol had given her would not be take place until a few days after his sister had arrived. She however couldn't be more wrong. She received an invitation to visit Pemberly the very morning after Rebekah's arrival. When she once again arrived with the Claire's they received a very warm welcome from Rebekah. She was very eager to see Davina once more she told her guests. The Claire's where very touched by such a warm welcome from the youngest Mikaelson sibling and couldn't help but feel that their niece was somehow responsible for this. Especially for the kind of behavior Kol showed towards them upon their arrival.
Davina herself was very surprised by Rebekah's kind behavior towards her. It was true that she had met Rebekah a few times before, but she always was occupied with other things when they were at the same parties and balls. She also had spent a week with Rebekah at Netherfield but Davina was mostly occupied with taking care of Cassie, while Rebekah was most of the time absent herself. This was actually the first time the two ladies interacted properly.
Kol was glad to see that her sister was making such an effort to make their guests and especially Davina feel welcome. When he told them he was expecting guests the very next moment after their arrival and that Davina was one of them Rebekah became extremely excited. Kol never invited someone at Pemberly unless it was absolutely necessary. She expected Davina had something to do with it. It was true that she never had suspected that her brother had taken quite a liking to Davina before, but now that he had invited her she knew for sure her brother had to like her. Kol denied it of course. He told Rebekah that he did it only because it was the polite thing to do, but Rebekah knew better. She knew her brother and she was excited for him.
When Kol made the decision to stay in Kaleb's body permanently instead of becoming a vampire again, she knew her brothers live would be quite different. Of course the thought that she one day would lose her brother again because he was mortal now made her sad, but it was his chose. It however made her also excited because Kol would be able to start a family of his own. It was something Rebekah always had wanted for herself but she knew she could never have it. That's why she was excited about the possibility to be an aunt. It would be the next best thing. She already promised herself that she would look out for Kol's family after he was gone. The only problem was that Kol had other plans. He always told Rebekah that he didn't feel the need to settle down at some point. That he wasn't the marriage type. Could Davina possibly change his mind? Rebekah hoped so desperately.
Davina herself was grateful for Rebekah's warm welcome. But she was also glad that Kol apparently didn't lose any of the warm manners he showed her when they met at Pemberly the first time.
David who was also present greeted Davina in a most generous way. And if Davina still felt any anger against him, it was now completely gone. He inquired in a friendly, though general way, after her coven, and looked and spoke with the same good-humored ease that he had ever done. She still couldn't help but think of Cassie when she saw David and she wondered if he still felt any form of affection towards her friend. Mary-Alice wrote to Cassie in a letter that she had hoped that David would one day marry Rebekah, but from both of them she never saw any affection for each other, other than friendship.
With all that was going on and the attention Rebekah was asking of Davina it was not often that she could turn her eyes on Kol. Whenever she did catch a glimpse of him she still saw him with that same politeness talking to his guest as she had seen when she had met him before on Pemberly.
The only person attending the party at Pemberly who didn't seem to appreciate Davina's presence was Mary-Alice. Davina could not help feeling how unwelcome her appearance at Pemberly must be to her, and was curious to know with how much civility on that lady's side the acquaintance would now be renewed. Davina soon saw that she herself was closely watched by Mary-Alice, and that she could not speak a word, especially to Rebekah, without calling her attention. This however didn't stop Davina from talking to Rebekah. In fact Rebekah seemed very eager to talk to Davina and she wanted to know everything about her guest.
While Mary-Alice was observing Davina she saw that Kol was anxious for his sister and Davina to get acquainted. With the imprudence of anger this all stirred in Mary-Alice, she took the first opportunity of saying, with sneering civility:
"Pray, Miss Davina, are not the —shire Militia removed from Meryton? They must be a great loss to your coven."
In Kol's presence she dared not mention Oliver's name but to all present it was very clear she was talking about Oliver. Davina however answered this ill-natured attack in a tolerably detached tone. While she spoke, an involuntary glance showed her Kol, with a heightened complexion, earnestly looking at her, and his sister overcome with confusion, and unable to lift up her eyes.
Had Mary-Alice known what pain she was then giving the two Mikaelson's, she undoubtedly would have refrained from the hint; but she had merely intended to discompose Davina by bringing forward the idea of a man to whom she believed her partial, to make her betray a sensibility which might injure her in Kol's opinion, and, perhaps, to remind the latter of all the follies and absurdities by which some part of her coven were connected with that corps.
Davina was on the other hand well aware what pain the subject caused Rebekah and she quickly diverted the conversation into another direction. In time Rebekah also recovered but she wasn't able to speak in the same lively manner as she had did before.
Their visit did not continue long after the incident and while Kol was attending them to their carriage Mary-Alice was venting her feelings in criticisms on Davina's person, behavior, and dress. But Rebekah would not join her. Her brother's recommendation was enough to ensure her Davina was a girl worthy of her friendship. When Kol returned to the saloon, Mary-Alice could not help repeating to him some part of what she had been saying to his sister.
"How very ill Miss Davina Claire looks this morning, Mr. Mikaelson," she cried; "I never in my life saw anyone so much altered as she is since the winter. She is grown so brown and coarse!"
However little Kol might have liked such an address, he contented himself with coolly replying that he perceived no other alteration than her being rather tanned, no miraculous consequence of travelling in the summer.
"For my own part," she rejoined, "I must confess that I never could see any beauty in her. Her face is too thin; her complexion has no brilliancy; and her features are not at all handsome. Her teeth are tolerable, but not out of the common way; and as for her eyes, which have sometimes been called so fine, I could never see anything extraordinary in them. They have a sharp, shrewish look, which I do not like at all; and in her air altogether there is a self-sufficiency without fashion, which is intolerable."
Persuaded as Mary-Alice was that Kol admired Davina, this was not the best method of recommending herself; but angry people are not always wise; and in seeing him at last look somewhat irritated, she had all the success she expected. He was resolutely silent, however, and, from a determination of making him speak, she continued: I remembered how you once had called her barely tolerable.
"Yes," replied Kol, who could contain himself no longer, "but that was only when I first saw her, for it is many months since I have considered her as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance."
He then went away, and Mary-Alice was left to all the satisfaction of having forced him to say what gave no one any pain but herself.
When they arrived at the inn the Claire's talked about the visit while Davina left them to go to her room. The two agreed on one thing. Kol Mikaelson was definitely in love with their niece.
XXX
The morning after the visit the Claire's decided to visit some old friends in the nearby area. Davina was expecting a letter from Cassie for some days now. When mail finally was delivered she received two letters from her. Apparently the first one was delayed. She excused the Claire's, stating that she wished to stay behind to read the letters and to write to Cassie.
After the Claire's left she began reading them eagerly. She started with the letter that was send first. Its content was exactly what could be expected from a letter. Cassie told her about all that was going on at Longbourn. And Davina felt that, even though she missed Cassie, she didn't really had missed much. The second part of the letter was however quite different:
Since writing the above, my dearest Davina, something has occurred that I feel that you should know. Even though I'm afraid of alarming you. But don't worry for our safety because we are all well. What I have to say relates to poor Monique. An express came at midnight from Jackson, to inform us that Monique had left to Scotland with one of the officers. The officer in question was no other than Oliver. Jackson came to this conclusion because Monique had left a letter telling her of her plans. They were off Saturday night about twelve, as is conjectured, but were not missed till yesterday morning at eight. We all were extremely surprised by this news except for Abigail. All I'm hoping for now that Oliver does intend on marrying Abigail, even though I'm well aware of his nature. The match itself will be very inappropriate but it's the best we all can hope for now, or otherwise Monique's reputation will forever be ruined. One of the things I'm questioning is what he has to gain from running away with Monique because as a coven we haven't much to offer compared to others. Genevieve is stricken witch grieve. As I'm writing this letter she is being visited by Bastiana, who is not pleased with current events to say the least. She has ordered Genevieve to go to Scotland herself to find them and to fix it. Otherwise there will be some serious consequences for her.
Panicked by this news Davina quickly opened up the second letter.
By this time, my dearest Davina you must have received my hurried letter. I wish that I could give you some good news about Monique but I'm afraid I can't. When Genevieve had made all the necessary arrangements for her trip another letter from Jackson arrived. Apparently an officer Oliver had been friends with saw him just before he left. Oliver was in a hurry because he had made a huge amount of depts and people were looking to collect the money he owned. He never intended to take Monique with him but she insisted. He expressed to his friend that he had no intentions to marry her and that the letter telling them of their plans to go to Scotland was simply a mere distraction. Because of guilt of what will happen to Monique he came clean a day after he saw Oliver. Jackson instantly took off to track them down. And while searching for them he found out that they were apparently heading towards London. Jackson is there now in search for them, in the meantime also awaiting Genevieve's arrival. This is unfortunately the latest news I have on the situation. Normally I would never do so, but I urge you my dear friend to come home as quick as you can. At the moment I'm in charge with looking after the young witches, but I wouldn't ask your help if it wasn't needed. There is a panic among the young witches because if a marriage won't take place it means our reputation as a coven is ruined forever.
While reading both letters Davina felt like her whole world came crashing down on her. She called a servant immediately and asked him to send worth to her aunt and uncle to return to the inn at once.
At the same time Kol appeared. He was startled by Davina's saddened expression and immediately required if she was feeling all right while settling her down on a chair. She looked so miserably ill, that it was impossible for Kol to leave her, or to refrain from saying, in a tone of gentleness and commiseration, "Let me call your maid. Is there nothing you could take to give you present relief? A glass of water. Shall I get you one? You are very ill."
"No, I thank you," she replied, endeavoring to recover herself. "There is nothing the matter with me. I am quite well; I am only distressed by some dreadful news which I have just received from Longbourn."
She burst into tears as she alluded to it, and for a few minutes could not speak another word. Kol, in wretched suspense, could only say something indistinctly of his concern, and observe her in compassionate silence. At length she spoke again. "I have just had a letter from Cassie, with such dreadful news. It cannot be concealed from anyone. Monique has left all her friends—has eloped; has thrown herself into the power of—of Oliver. They are gone off together from Brighton. You know him too well to doubt the rest. She has no money, no connections, nothing that can tempt him to—she is lost forever."
"What has been done, what has been attempted, to recover her", was the first thing Kol wanted to know.
"Genevieve has gone to London, and Jane has written to beg for my return home; and we shall be off, I hope, in half-an-hour. But nothing can be done—I know very well that nothing can be done. How is such a man to be worked on? How are they even to be discovered? I have not the smallest hope. It is every way horrible!"
Kol shook his head in silent acquiescence. He seemed scarcely to hear her, and was walking up and down the room in earnest meditation, his brow contracted, his air gloomy. Davina soon observed, and instantly understood it. Her power was sinking; everything must sink under such a proof of weakness from her coven, such an assurance of the deepest disgrace. She could neither wonder nor condemn, but the belief of his self-conquest brought nothing consolatory to her bosom, afforded no palliation of her distress. It was, on the contrary, exactly calculated to make her understand her own wishes; and never had she so honestly felt that she could have loved him, as now, when all love must be vain.
But self, though it would intrude, could not engross her. Monique—the humiliation, the misery she was bringing on them all, soon swallowed up every private care; and covering her face, Davina was soon lost to everything else; and, after a pause of several minutes, was only recalled to a sense of her situation by the voice of her companion, who, in a manner which, though it spoke compassion, spoke likewise restraint, said, "I am afraid you have been long desiring my absence, nor have I anything to plead in excuse of my stay, but real, though unavailing concern. Would to Heaven that anything could be either said or done on my part that might offer consolation to such distress! But I will not torment you with vain wishes, which may seem purposely to ask for your thanks. This unfortunate affair will, I fear, prevent my sister's having the pleasure of seeing you at Pemberly to-day."
"Oh, yes. Be so kind as to apologize for us to Miss Mikaelson. Say that urgent business calls us home immediately. Conceal the unhappy truth as long as it is possible, I know it cannot be long."
He readily assured her of his secrecy; again expressed his sorrow for her distress, wished it a happier conclusion than there was at present reason to hope, and leaving his compliments for her relations, with only one serious, parting look, went away.
As he walked away Davina came to the conclusion that because of Monique's actions things could never be the same between the two of them as they were in these past few days. This somehow saddened her more than Monique's actions.
