Thread: A Victorian Tale... Innocence Corrupted (Silvamoon and ThomasWaller)

The sight of Davids engaging smile and the childhood name that only he had called her brought back a flood of warm memories for the young woman, and a smile as bright as his lit her delicate features. Davie! I thought it was you. How incredible for us to meet here, now. Josie hadnt known that he had been sent away to boarding school. One day he hadnt been in the woods, and then the next and the one after that. At first she had thought he had stopped coming because of something she did, and eventually she stopped going into the woods at all. Playing outside was something that was soon frowned upon by her mother, and although she wasnt sent away to school the tutors came to her and studies took up the majority of her days. Eventually she had stopped thinking about her childhood friend, and it had taken this chance meeting with him to bring back a flood of nice memories. I hadnt known you went off to school. I thoughtmaybe I had done something to upset you. Josies smile dimmed momentarily, now appearing shyer. But I am so glad to see you again. They had both grown up, and now seeing him again after all of those years brought up feelings that were decidedly more than childish friendship. The memories he brought back up caused her heart to ache in nostalgia, a wistful look shadowing her eyes when he mentioned suitors. Thats..kind of you to say, Davie. You have matured nicely as well, if I may say so. Josie didnt want to mention that she actually had no suitors at all, due to her mothers high hopes for a noble marriage. She reached out a gloved hand to meet his, only their fingertips brushing before they were abruptly interrupted by their respective mothers and corralled into a proper meeting. Josie quickly morphed her casual banter with David to a more formal tone as she was introduced to the Duchess of Grandgate and a Mr. Smithers, the latter giving her a queer unsettled feeling. Her features did not betray her, but she too was tired of the uptight meeting and longed to catch up more with David. As they parted she noticed her childhood friend sending her a silent message, one she was more than happy to oblige. Josie gave him a quick nod to show that she understood, and she was determined to make their meeting tomorrow. The rest of the day was uneventful, although her mother seemed more intent than usual on finding her a suitor. She didnt know that her mother thought David Beauchamp would be the perfect match, if only for the family names prestige. Through the afternoon and evening hours the young woman carefully plotted how she would sneak out, and through the night she hardly slept a wink for her excitement at reuniting tomorrow. In the morning she rose extra early and had her maid dress her in more casual attire, although the corset was unavoidable. She joined her father for breakfast and mentioned that she would be meeting a friend in town for tea, thankful that he was occupied with business and didnt inquire about exactly who she would be meeting. Her mother always slept late and took breakfast in bed, so Josie didnt even see her before she slipped out the door after breakfast. Although it had been many years she still remembered the path to Danby pond, and nearly ran there in her excitement. By the time she arrived her cheeks were flushed rosily from the walk through the woods, and auburn tendrils of hair escaped from the bun the rest of her locks were wound up into. Raising a hand to shield her eyes, she glanced around to see if her friend had yet arrived.