THE SECOND VOW

CHAPTER 10 BEFORE THE VOWS

The Hawthorne household was very busy. Servants moved from one room to another, making sure everything was in order. Everywhere seemed to look different that day.

It was the day the Beaumont family would visit, and everything was expected to be perfect.

The quietness of the room made every small movement seem important, and Lavinia became increasingly aware that the day was truly beginning already.

Mrs Olivia moved from room to room, checking everything. She did not want her lady to find fault with anything, especially with such an important family coming to the house.

While this was going on, Lavinia was in her room, trying to see how her gown would fit. Her mother had made it so tight that she could not put it on properly by herself. Someone would have to help her.

“Oh, thank goodness. Where have you been?” Lavinia asked, feeling relieved.

“I slept off,” Elena replied.

“What have you been doing?”

“Just a little tired. Maybe I overworked last night,” Elena replied, covering her mouth as she yawned.

“You will be fine.” Lavinia patted her gently. “Come and help me with my dress.”

As Elena saw the dress, her eyes widened.

“This is beautiful,” Elena said, looking at it with admiration.

“Mother said it would look good on me, but it is so tight.”

“We will fix it.”

Elena took the dress and loosened the fastening before helping Lavinia put it over her head. After a struggle, the dress settled into place.

“Wow,” Elena said.

The dark red dress fell beautifully around Lavinia. The small details sewn into the fabric made it look even more beautiful whenever the light touched it.

Lavinia turned towards the mirror and smiled.

“This is so beautiful,” she said. “Mother really did well. I must thank her.”

“You should,” Elena replied.

“I love everything about it. She knows exactly what I like.”

Elena smiled at her reflection. “She knows exactly how to make you look like someone’s future wife.”

“Elena, you are starting again.”

“I have not even started.”

Lavinia shook her head, but she could not stop herself from smiling.

“I wonder what Adrian will say when he sees you.”

“I don’t care what he thinks.”

“Then why are you looking at yourself so carefully?”

“I am looking at the dress.”

“Of course.”

Lavinia gave her a look. “Elena, please.”

“All right, I will stop.”

Lavinia laughed.

After some time, Elena returned from her bath. She had changed into her own dress, which was much simpler than Lavinia’s but suited her well. The girls stood before the mirror and did their makeup together.

Lavinia carefully applied a little powder to her face.

“What do you think they will talk about?” Lavinia asked.

“The marriage and the wedding date.”

“I know that.”

Elena looked at her. “Then what exactly are you asking me?”

Lavinia laughed softly. “I don’t know. I am just nervous.”

“You will be fine. You are only meeting the man you are going to marry.”

“Only?”

“Yes, only. What is so frightening about that?”

“Elena!”

“What? It is true.”

Lavinia sighed and looked back at the mirror.

“I wonder what he is like.”

“You will find out soon enough. Maybe he is downstairs wondering what his future wife looks like.”

“You really cannot stop talking. You are making me more nervous.”

Elena laughed. “At least you are smiling.”

When they finished, Lavinia arranged her hair. She gathered the front sections and pinned them neatly at the back, leaving the rest falling softly behind her shoulders.

“How does it look?” she asked.

“It looks lovely.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. You look beautiful.”

Lavinia smiled. “I hope Mother likes it.”

“She will. Stop looking at yourself before you make yourself nervous.”

“I am not nervous.”

“You have been asking me how you look every five minutes.”

Lavinia laughed.

There was a knock on the door.

“Miss Lavinia?”

“Yes?”

“The families are waiting downstairs.”

Lavinia’s smile disappeared. “They are here?”

“Yes, Miss.”

She looked at Elena. “Come.”

Elena followed her out.

At the staircase, Elena carefully lifted the back of Lavinia’s dress.

“Slowly,” Elena whispered.

“I know.”

“You will fall if you keep rushing.”

“I am not rushing.”

“You are. Just keep holding the dress.”

“I am holding it.”

When they reached the bottom, Lavinia entered the sitting room.

Both families had settled down, the Hawthornes together and the Beaumonts opposite them.

The butler stepped forward.

“Miss Lavinia Hawthorne.”

Everyone turned towards her.

Lavinia sat beside her parents, with Elena beside her as requested.

Then she saw him.

Adrian Beaumont.

For a moment, Lavinia forgot everything else.

He was seated across the room, looking calm and composed. His dark hair was neatly arranged, and his clothes were perfectly fitted. Something about him immediately caught her attention.

She had heard his name so often that it seemed ordinary, but seeing him was different.

Then Adrian looked up.

Their eyes met.

Elena noticed immediately.

“You were staring,” she whispered.

“I was not. I only looked at him.”

“For a very long time.”

“Please.”

“You are nervous.”

“I am not.”

Across the room, Adrian was also looking towards her. He had noticed her the moment she entered. He had expected to meet the girl he was going to marry, but he had not expected her to leave such an impression on him so quickly.

Something about Lavinia kept drawing his attention back to her, perhaps the way she carried herself, the dark red dress, or her quiet expression.

The conversation began. Their parents discussed the families and arrangements. Lavinia remained quiet.

After some time, the discussion turned towards the wedding date. Several suggestions were made before they agreed on a date.

Lavinia’s heart sank slightly. There was now a real date.

Her mother gently squeezed her hand, and Lavinia gave her a faint smile quietly.

The Beaumont family finally prepared to leave.

Lavinia was speaking quietly with Elena when Elena suddenly stopped.

“What?”

“He is coming.”

“Who?”

Elena gave her a look. “Do not pretend you don’t know who I mean.”

Lavinia slowly looked towards the side of the room.

Adrian was walking towards them. He held a glass.

“Do not look at him,” Elena whispered.

“I am not.”

“You are afraid to look behind you.”

“Please be quiet. You are whispering loudly.”

“I am preparing you for your husband.”

Lavinia gave her a warning look.

Adrian stopped in front of them.

“Miss Lavinia.”

“Good evening.”

There was a short silence before Adrian smiled.

“I hope you do not mind me coming over.”

“No, I don’t.”

“I wanted to speak with you before I leave.”

Adrian glanced at the glass in his hand.

“I was thinking that perhaps we could have a drink together and talk properly. We hardly spoke during the meeting.”

“A drink?” Lavinia asked.

“Yes. We are going to be married, after all. I think it would be good if we knew a little more about each other.”

Elena immediately looked between them.

“That sounds like a good idea.”

“Elena.”

“What? I am only helping.”

Adrian smiled. “I would be glad if you joined me.”

“I…”

Adrian extended his hand towards her.

For a moment, Lavinia stared at it before placing her hand in his. His fingers gently closed around hers.

Adrian noticed the softness of her hand. He looked at her.

“We should get to know each other properly,” he said.

“Yes,” Lavinia replied.

The closeness made her nervous, and she quickly withdrew her hand.

“I am sorry.”

Adrian looked at her. “Are you all right?”

“I think I am feeling a little unwell.” Lavinia placed a hand against her forehead.

Elena’s eyes widened. “You were perfectly fine a moment ago.”

Lavinia gave her a look, and Elena quickly changed her expression.

“Yes. She was looking tired earlier.”

Adrian looked concerned. “Perhaps you should rest.”

“Yes,” Lavinia said quickly. “I think I should.”

“I will take her upstairs.”

She turned towards Adrian. “Please do not be worried, Mr Beaumont. This is not how she usually behaves.”

Lavinia looked at her in horror.

“Elena!”

“What? I am only explaining.”

Adrian smiled slightly. “I understand.”

“Come, Miss Lavinia. You need to rest.”

Lavinia nodded and allowed Elena to lead her away.

As they walked upstairs, Elena whispered, “You were definitely not sick.”

“Please stop talking.”

“You ran away.”

“I did not run away.”

“You practically flew.”

Lavinia laughed softly.

“You talk too much.”

“And you are a terrible liar.”

“I am not.”

“You were perfectly fine until he held your hand.”

Lavinia said nothing.

Elena smiled. “I knew it.”

“Just leave me alone.”

“You know I cannot.”

Lavinia laughed softly as they disappeared upstairs.

Adrian remained downstairs, watching the staircase. He had spoken to her only briefly, yet those moments stayed in his mind.

He remembered her dark red dress, the way their eyes had met, the softness of her hand, and the shy expression on her face when she pulled away.

How could someone he had only just met be so beautiful?

He had seen many beautiful women before, but Lavinia was different. Even after she left, he could still picture her.

He would have to wait until another time to speak with her properly.

But one thing was already certain.

Lavinia Hawthorne had left more of an impression on him than he had expected.