The town square was full of your run of the mill small town folk carrying on about their day. In the center Ella noticed a small cluster of people idly chatting, one of whom she recognized immediately. The young lady was someone not difficult to spot, with her fiery red hair blowing in the wind, which carries her shrill, fake laughter though the square.
Anna Peters was by no means a horrible woman, she just seems to have an unnatural dislike for Ella. She was not sure if it was because of her family's means, or the more likely fact, that the county's most sought after bachelor only had eyes for her at the time. But whatever the case may be, Miss. Peters was always looking for an opportunity to soil whatever was left of Ella's already damaged reputation.
"She has always been know to be a bit moody. I couldn't imagine why any man would willingly spend more time than necessary with her." Ella could hear Miss. Peters proclaim.
"And here I thought our day would be boring." Ella let out an exasperated sigh.
Becca released a clear genuine laugh that brought a smile to Ella's face.
"How do you suppose we stop her." She coyly asked.
"I have a feeling we won't have to do anything."
Ella noded her head towards young John, who had managed to find himself a bucket full to the brim with water. The two of them watched as he made his way to the group with much haste.
"Well that boy certainly doesn't waste time." Becca mused.
"I almost believe the only reason he chased us down to being with is so we wouldn't miss the show."
Just as Ella finished speaking she heard the water sloshing as John "tripped" sending a wave of liquid flying toward Miss. Peters.
"AHHH! You little brat!" She screamed.
"Oh no! John are you alright? That look like quite nasty fall." Ella spoke as she and Becca make their way to the group. "Miss. Peters, your dress is all wet, is there anything I can do to help you?"
"Don't act so innocent Miss. Hunter! I'm sure you sent that boy after me!"
"In all honesty I did no such thing. Becca and I just arrived in town when we saw John stumble."
"You poor thing Miss. Peters! You should see to that dress before it becomes ruined." Becca sweetly chimed in.
Ella looked over to John who stood with his head down and heard him let out a sniffle."I'm sorry Miss. I was just trying to get some water to the butcher. I didn't mean it I swear!"
Miss. Peters looked between the three of them and stormed of in a huff. After she was well away from the party, Ella subtly handed John a coin and it was in that moment that she first noticed the gentlemen still standing nearby.
"Well that was thoroughly entertaining." One of the men said.
"My apologies sir, you should not of had to have witnessed that."Â Ella replied.
"To be fair Ella, that shouldn't have been necessary." Becca included.
"Do you always send children to disrupt conversations that ill suit you?" The other man questioned.
"As I said before, I had no idea what John's plan was. Although I cannot deny the moderate enjoyment I got from it." Ella calmly replied to him.
"Moderate! After everything that woman has ever said about you, I'd say it was more than moderate!" Becca spoke in surprise to Ella's relaxed response.
"Well she was rather harsh in her statement of someone we have yet to meet." The first one said with a hint of disgust.
"I assure you Miss. Chambers and Miss. Hunter had nothing to do with my actions sirs." John confidentially interrupted.
Ella bent down to look him in the eyes. "You don't have to explain yourself John. Why don't you run along, if I'm not mistaken you still have to finish that book I gave you so we can discuss it tomorrow."
John looked away defeated before turning to her with a smile. "Of course Miss. Hunter! I'll finish it right away!" She watched as the boy ran off before finishing his sentence.
"Sweet boy, I do not know what he'll do when you leave." Ella could hear the slight sorrow in Becca's voice.
"Do not worry he'll still have you."
Becca smiled softly at her before they both turn back to the gentlemen still standing nearby.
"Well I believe introductions are in order. I'm Rebecca Chambers, and this here is my dearest friends Ella Hunter."
They both dripped into a curtsy while trying to hide the mutual disdain for the act on their faces.
The man who spoke first wore a bright smile on his face as he began to speak, "Delighted to make your acquaintances. I'm Charles Hawthorne and this is Lord James Winters."
Ella and Becca looked toward Lord Winters while trying to hide their surprise only to notice him attempting to hide a wince at his friends introduction.
"Well this is certainly become a surprising turn of events." Ella mused with a hint of laughter.
In this moment as she stood in the center of the village she grew up in, she came to the realization that she was standing face to face for the very first time with the man she was to marry tomorrow.
When her surprise wore off, she took a moment to look over the man standing before her. Lord Winters as it turns out was genuinely a very handsome man. His hair a rich dark brown, almost black, and appeared to be slightly wavy. But it was his eyes she found the most striking. They were deep blue much like the color of sapphires and the softness of them somehow accented his strong jaw that matched his seemingly brooding nature.
"Well I suppose I should welcome you to our humble town my Lord." She finally said.
"Thank You."
"Well since this couldn't possibly become anymore awkward, perhaps we should finish the reason we came here to begin with." Becca spoke drawing Ella's attention.
"Yes, you wouldn't want to be late for the big dinner where you two are supposed to meet." Mr. Hawthorne mentioned with a laugh.
Ella let out a dramatic sigh, "That would be unfortunate."
"Indeed." She cocked an eyebrow at Lord Winters apparent harsh tone.
Ella looked over to Becca to see her hiding a smile knowing that it came from the ridiculous nature of the whole moment.
"What exactly brought you ladies to this lovely little town to begin with?" Mr. Hawthorne asked with a curious smile.
Ella chuckled amused at his much friendlier nature then his companion, "What all ladies do in town, exercise and gossip."
Mr. Hawthorne let out a hardy laugh and she glanced over to Lord Winters and saq him trying to suppress one of his own.
"Actually we came for ribbons because it's extremely important that one matches all aspects of her dress." Becca added in fake cheerfulness.
While rolling her eyes Ella let out a snort, "Yes, because that is what's truly important."
"I don't make the rules I just adhere by them Ella."
"Well this is certainly unexpected." She and Becca both shoot Mr. Hawthorne a confused look only to notice him give his friend an appraising one of his own.
"Perhaps you gentlemen would care to join us so you can see a bit of the village. Although I must warn you that it will be most dreadfully boring." Ella said with utmost politeness.
"As kind as the offer is, I promised I would be at Waverly Hall to welcome my parents." Lord Winters finally replied after a long pause.
"Of course My Lord. I believe that means we shall see you later this evening at Knighton Park."
"Yes I would say so. Until then Miss. Hunter, Miss. Chambers." Lord Winters and Mr. Hawthorne both bow stiffly and begin to head away from the small village.
"Well at least he's not horrible to look at. Plus maybe even one day he'll learn to speak in full sentences." Becca said through another amused laugh, to which Ella cannot help but join in with.
"It doesn't matter, as long as this helps from my parents from no longer being shunned by their apparent friends I'll be happy."
The two of them got to work finishing their errands and begin to prepare for a long night with nobility.