A few days after Cassie's engagement Longbourn was surprised by the sound of a carriage nearing. It was too early in the morning for visitors and the carriage itself belonged to no one in the neighborhood. The door of the carriage was thrown open and the visitor entered Longbourn. The visitor was Lady Dahlia.
David was spending a lot of days at Longbourn after he got engaged to Cassie. He was also familiar with lady Dahlia and before the lady entered he quickly took Cassie by his side and the left through another door outside with the excuse to take a walk.
The others who were still present were very surprised by this visit. Especially when Davina told them who the lady was. Dahlia ignored Davina's introduction and with an air and arrogance began to speak. "That lady, I suppose, is your governance" Dahlia demanded to know. "And that I suppose is one of your fellow harvest girls."
"Yes, madam," said Genevieve. "She is one of four harvest girls. Monique is lately married, and Cassie is somewhere about the grounds, walking with a young man who, I believe, will soon become a part of the coven."
Lady Dahlia wasn't interested in any of the things Genevieve had to say. Instead she demanded to speak with Davina alone. She asked Davina to show her Longbourn's little wilderness, as she put it. And Genevieve told Davina to oblige the lady with her wish. Of course Genevieve was wondering what lady Dahlia wanted to speak with Davina about.
As Davina walked outside with lady Dahlia she took no effort to start a conversation. Lady Dahlia showed Davina and her coven the usual insult that she often showed to others. And Davina was unwilling to start a conversation with such a person. Whatever lady Dahlia wanted to talk about, she would make no effort getting it out of her. Davina wondered how she could ever think Kol and Dahlia were alike.
Once they entered the garden and were completely alone lady Dahlia started the conversation. "I'm sure you must be well aware of the reason for me being here. Your own heart, your own conscience, must tell you why I come."
Davina couldn't look more surprised. It was the complete opposite. She couldn't think of one reason for lady Dahlia's visit. "Indeed, you are mistaken, Madam. I have not been at all able to account for the honor of seeing you here."
"Miss Claire," replied her ladyship, in an angry tone, "you ought to know, that I am not to be trifled with. But however insincere you may choose to be, you shall not find me so. A report of a most alarming nature reached me two days ago. I was told that not only your fellow harvest girl was on the point of being most advantageously married, but that you, that Miss Davina Claire, would, in all likelihood, be soon afterwards united with Kol Mikaelson. Though I know it must be a scandalous falsehood, I instantly resolved on setting off for this place, that I might make my sentiments known to you."
Davina was extremely surprised after hearing the lady's real reason for visiting. Of course the rumor wasn't true but she was very surprised to hear that it was out there. In a way the fact that it was just a rumor hurt her. This because now she wished it to be true more than ever. But the way lady Dahlia also spoke to her with such rudeness about this rumor angered her too. "If you believed it impossible to be true," Davina finally said, coloring with astonishment and disdain, "I wonder you took the trouble of coming so far. What could your ladyship propose by it?"
"At once to insist upon having such a report universally contradicted."
"Your coming to Longbourn, to see me and my coven," said Davina coolly, "will be rather a confirmation of it; if, indeed, such a report is in existence."
"If! Do you then pretend to be ignorant of it? Has it not been industriously circulated by yourselves? Do you not know that such a report is spread abroad?"
"I never heard that it was."
"And can you likewise declare, that there is no foundation for it?"
"I do not pretend to possess equal frankness with your ladyship. You may ask questions which I shall not choose to answer."
"Miss Claire, I insist on being satisfied. Has he, has Kol Mikaelson, made you an offer of marriage?"
"Your ladyship has declared it to be impossible."
"It ought to be so; it must be so. But your arts and allurements may, in a moment of infatuation, have made him forget what he owes to himself and to all his family. You may have drawn him in."
"If I have, I shall be the last person to confess it."
"Miss Claire, do you know who I am? I have not been accustomed to such language as this. I am almost the nearest relation he has in the world, and am entitled to know all his dearest concerns."
"But you are not entitled to know mine; nor will such behavior as this, ever induce me to be explicit."
"Let me be rightly understood. This match, to which you have the presumption to aspire, can never take place. No, never. Mr. Mikaelson is engaged to my daughter. Now what have you to say?"
"Only this; that if he is so, you can have no reason to suppose he will make an offer to me."
Lady Dahlia hesitated for a moment, and then replied:
"Tell me once for all, are you engaged to him" Dahlia demanded to know.
Though Davina had wanted nothing more than to not answer this question she decided it was better to tell the truth. "I am not."
Lady Dahlia of course seemed pleased with this answer.
"And will you promise me, never to enter into such an engagement?"
"I will make no promise of the kind." Davina would have never made a promise to a person that have threated her the way lady Dahlia did. But she also knew that if she was blessed with the fact that Kol would ask her once more she would say yes.
"Miss Claire I am shocked and astonished. I expected to find a more reasonable young woman. But do not deceive yourself into a belief that I will ever recede. I shall not go away till you have given me the assurance I require."
"And I certainly never shall give it. I am not to be intimidated into anything so wholly unreasonable. Your ladyship wants Mr. Mikaelson to marry your daughter; but would my giving you the wished-for promise make their marriage at all more probable? Supposing him to be attached to me, would my refusing to accept his hand make him wish to bestow it on your daughter? You can now have nothing further to say," she continued. "You have insulted me in every possible method. I must beg to return to the house." Davina wanted to end the conversation as soon as possible. Every second talking to lady Dahlia angered her more and she would never give in to her demand. Therefore continuing the conversation was pointless. So Davina turned around quickly and walked back. Lady Dahlia had no choice but to follow Davina.
"You have no regard, then, for the honor and credit of Mr. Mikaelson! Unfeeling, selfish girl! Do you not consider that a connection with you must disgrace him in the eyes of everybody? You refuse, to oblige me. You refuse to obey the claims of duty, honor, and gratitude. You are determined to ruin him in the opinion of all his family and friends, and make him the contempt of the world."
"No principle of either would be violated by my marriage with Mr. Mikaelson. And with regard to the resentment of his family, or the indignation of the world, if the former were excited by his marrying me, it would not give me one moment's concern—and the world in general would have too much sense to join in the scorn."
"And this is your real opinion! This is your final resolve! Very well. I shall now know how to act. Do not imagine, Miss Claire, that your ambition will ever be gratified. I came to try you. I hoped to find you reasonable; but, depend upon it, I will carry my point."
In this manner Lady Dahlia talked on, till they were at the door of the carriage, when, turning hastily round, she added, "I take no leave of you, Miss Claire. I send no compliments to your governess. You deserve no such attention. I am most seriously displeased."
When the carriage finally left Davina walked back towards the house. Genevieve immediately wanted to know what the lady wanted to talk about with her and why she didn't go back inside the house with Davina. Davina however was unable to answer Genevieve properly after all the insults from lady Dahlia she had to endure. "For once in your live just leave me alone" she said before running upstairs. Leaving a puzzled Genevieve behind.
XXX
Later that afternoon Davina was summoned to Genevieve's study. Genevieve told her she had received a letter from Josh. Most of the stuff inside the letter was of no importance except for one thing according to Genevieve. Not only was Josh congratulating Genevieve with Cassie's engagement. He was also congratulating her with the possibility of a marriage between Kol and Davina. Genevieve laughed a bit when she read that part of the letter to Davina. She wondered how Josh would came up with such news. Especially the fact that he matched Davina with Kol. Apparently to Genevieve he couldn't have matched two people more unlikely to marry than Kol and Davina. After all she was sure that Davina disliked Kol a lot.
Hearing Genevieve's words really was hurting Davina. But she couldn't contradict Genevieve when she finally asked her, just to be sure, if the rumors were indeed false. After the conversation Davina quickly left the study to be alone. To think about all the things that happened this day.
And while she was alone she came to the conclusion as to why these rumors started. If a marriage was announced it usually got people excited. And it was also a reason to speculate about other marriages happening soon. Since she was Cassie's best friend and Kol was David's, it could have been a reason for people to match the two of them together.
XXX
Davina stayed al evening in her room. Unable to face everyone after the day she had. When it was time to sleep she had a lot of trouble doing so. She counted the hours that she was lying awake. When dawn finally set in she couldn't take it any longer. She properly dressed herself and she ventured of outside. She wanted to clear her mind and thought some fresh air would do her good.
After walking for an hour she saw the first ray of sunshine coming through the clouds. When she finally turned her gaze from the sky she saw someone approaching her. The person in question was still far away but Davina recognized him immediately. She saw Kol Mikaelson walking slowly towards her. The sight of Kol stirred something inside of her. She had known for a while now, about her feelings for him. And all she could do was give him a warm smile while he was making his way over to her. Her mind knew for sure that the reason why he was here, was for her. His feelings for her must still be very strong after everything he had done for the people she cared about.
When he finally reached her Davina wanted to explain to him why she was here walking around so early in the morning. But the only thing that she was able to say was how she couldn't sleep.
Kol immediately replied: "nor I. Dahlia..."
"Yes. She was here" Davina said cutting Kol of.
"How can I ever make amends for such behavior?" The way Kol spoke was with so much sincerity. But Davina knew that he didn't had anything to apologize for. In fact she felt that she was the one who needed to apologize to him.
"After what you have done for Monique, and I suspect for Cassie also, it is I who should be making amends."
"You must know. Surely you must know it was all for you."
In her heart Davina had always known this. She didn't needed the confirmation from Kol. But the way he said it caused a smile to form on Davina's face. If she had ever doubted at one point if his feelings for her were still there, that doubt was now completely gone itself. She thanked him for all she did for her coven.
"If you will thank me," he replied, "let it be for yourself alone. That the wish of giving happiness to you might add force to the other inducements which led me on, I shall not attempt to deny. But your coven owe me nothing. Much as I respect them, I believe I thought only of you."
Davina was too much embarrassed to say a word. After a short pause, her companion added, "You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject forever. But I believe you spoke with Dahlia last day and it has taught me to hope as I had scarcely allowed myself before. My affections and wishes have not changed. And if, however, your feelings have changed, I would have to tell you, you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love... I love... I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on."
Touched by his words Davina walked towards Kol and reached for his hands. When she touched his hands she couldn't help but noticed how cold they were as she hold them close to her and kissed him. After this she stared intensely into Kol's eye. He didn't needed to hear an answer from her. Looking at her he already knew her answer.
He stepped further towards her and softly he rested his head against her. They both closed their eyes, trying to live in this moment for as long as they could. While they were standing there a ray of sunshine shinned upon them. Filling them with it's warmed. It was the first time in both of their lives that they felt absolute happiness.
As they stood for what it seems like forever Davina finally broke the moment telling Kol that it was probably time for her to return to Longbourn. Kol went with Davina. He was planning on asking Genevieve for her hand right away. Davina knew that Genevieve wouldn't have any objections against this match. In fact the match itself would increase the status of her coven in a way that Genevieve never could hope for. It would also make everybody forget about Monique's marriage scandal in a heartbeat. And it would give Genevieve more credit with the elders of the coven. But truth be told Davina didn't really care about any of this. She was happy that she now was finally able to be with Kol.
On the way back to Longbourn they talked about the long road they travelled to finally be where they were now. Davina apologized to Kol for the way she had behaved towards him and for the things she had said to him when she refused his first proposal. Kol didn't wanted to hear of an apology. According to him he deserved it for the way he behaved earlier. He thought her behavior was a blessing. It forced him to rethink his own behavior and it let him wanting to be the man she deserved.
XXX
Davina was waiting anxiously outside Genevieve's study. Kol was talking to Genevieve and she couldn't wait for their conversation to be over. She could hear Cassie talking with Abigail in the next room.
"But she doesn't like him. I thought she didn't like him" Abigail said.
"So did I. So did we all" Cassie replied. "We must have been wrong".
"Wouldn't be the first time, will it, Abigail asked"
"No. Nor the last, I dare say."
Suddenly the door of Genevieve's study opened. Asking Davina to enter. As Kol walked out of the study Davina looked at him with love in her eyes until she finally closed the door.
"Davina, are you out of your senses" Genevieve demanded to know. "I thought you hated the man. He's rich, to be sure, and you will have more fine carriages than Cassie. But will that make you happy?"
Davina was surprised by Genevieve's words. She always had the feeling that finding a good match for her girls meant more to Genevieve than their happiness. But she was glad to be wrong. All she now had to do was to convince Genevieve that her feelings for Kol were real.
"Have you no other objection than your belief in my indifference" Davina asked.
"None at all. Well, we all know him to be a proud, selfish sort of fellow, but this would be nothing if you really liked him."
"I do like him" Davina interrupted her. I love him. He's not proud. I was wrong, I was entirely wrong about him. You don't know him, Genevieve. If I told you what he was really like, what he's done."
"What has he done" Genevieve interrupted Davina.
Davina finally was able to confess all what Kol did for them. How he helped Monique and all that he did for Cassie. Genevieve was extremely shocked by all this news. Especially when she learnt about what he did for Monique. "Good Lord. I must pay him back" Genevieve cried.
"No. You mustn't tell anyone. He wouldn't want it. We misjudged him, Genevieve, me more than anyone, in every way, not just in this matter. I've been nonsensical. But he's been a fool about Cassie, about so many other things. But then, so have I. You see, he and I are... He and I are so similar. We're both so stubborn. Genevieve, I...
Genevieve listened to all of this with a big smile on her face. "You really do love him, don't you" she asked.
"Very much."
"I cannot believe that anyone can deserve you, but it seems I am overruled. So I heartily give my consent. I could not have parted with you, my Davina, to anyone less worthy. I realize this now. My forcing you to marry Josh was so wrong of me. Your happiness is what counts."
"Thank you" Davina said as she walked out of the study looking for Kol.
"If any young men come for Abigail or any of the other girls, for heaven's sake, send them in. I'm quite at my leisure" Genevieve spoke as Davina walked out of the study.
