So Far Untitled Ch. 1

Still not sure where this is going. Its still a random writing that I focus on now and again. Like I said, any feedback is appreciated.

Chapter One

some time earlier

 

 

 

     "The dragon requested an audience with father." Joslyn said. The dragon referred to their Aunt. She happened to be the eldest sister of their mother and a grand duchess. She resided in london and had just came to visit before the new season began again back where she called home. All six of the Davenport children always dreaded their Aunt's visits since she always acted so strict and demanding. "I was afraid of what she might request to speak to father about so I listened at the door." Joslyn continued. She began walking again, and Ashely followed prompting her to countinue.

"What else Joslyn?" Ashely asked. Joslyn shot a glance at a passing maid and waited for the girl to leave the room before she stopped walking and turned to her sister to answer. Seeing uncertianty and fear in her eyes scared Ashely.

     "She requested the audience with father because she wished to speak with him about you." Joslyn told her. For a moment Ashely could not move. She could almost be certian she would faint. Aunt Eve had kept it no secret she believed Ashely and Joslyn were not being raised correctly. During her entire visit she commented on how old Ashely had become and the lack of proper education. According to her Aunt, Joslyn was still to young but Ashely was beyond the appropriate age for her come out. Not that Ashely wanted one but she had been told she should be polite and not say anything to her Aunt on the matter.

     "Your sure?" Ashely asked her sister. Joslyn nodded her head in confirmation causing Ashely to race to the door of her father's study. Joslyn right on her heel. Both girls pressed their ears to the thick wood door and it took a moment before their hearing adjusted. They could hear their Aunt's voice, as well as their fathers. Then all of a sudden their mother's voice was added. Ashely strained herself so she could could hear better what was being said. There was shuffling of feet and the sound of moving furniture as well as the muffled voices. "Can you hear anything?" Ashely whispered to her sister. Joslyn straightned her back and sighed in frustration.

     "Not a thing." She whispered back. Ashely kept her ear glued to the door all the same. The people on the other side of the door were keeping their voices low so Ashely could only tell who was speaking, not what they were saying. The suspense would surely kill Ashely. What could Aunt Eve possibly be talking to her parents about, espeacially that would pertain to her? Joslyn began pacing back and forth in the hall in front of the door. The minutes ticked by as as if they were hours in Ashely's mind.

     "What in the world are you two doing?" At the sound of their older brother's voice both girls nearly jumped out of their skins. He stood staring at them with his hands on his hips and his eyebrow raised questionally.

     "Good lord David!" Joslyn hissed under her breath, raising her hand to her chest. Ashely rose from her crouched position next to the door and smoothed out her skirt, seeming more interested in the woodwork on the door then responding to her eldest brother's question. "Do you have to sneak around and completely undo a ladies composure?"Joslyn asked, imitating him by placing her hands on her hips and raising her eyebrow questionally as well. Ashely had to contain the smile she now felt she should hide.

     "Sneaking?! I was doing no such..." His voice trailed off as both of his sister's raised their fingers to shush him angrily. He rocked back and forth on his heels for a moment then nodded his head in the direction of the receiving room. Both girls took the hint and went into the formally decorated room with their brother on their heels. "Would either of you care to explain yourselfs?" David asked. As the oldest at 23 he always turned on his 'father' voice when one of the younger five were up to any mischief. Where Ashely could be shaken into answering, Joslyn was the opposite.The only two girls and they were complete opposites. Ashely at 20 had always been complacent and quick to listen to her elders, even if they were only three years older like her brother. Joslyn on the other hand was a hellion even at her young age of 13. She stood her ground and questioned everything in her life. It drove all their brothers crazy.

     "Just curiosity. Ashely said softly keeping her gaze directed away from her brother's. It wasn't a direct lie but she didnt want him to know it was potentially her they were discussing. David would just scold them worse for prying and not waiting to hear it from their father.

     "You've never been a good liar Ash." David said. Joslyn crossed her arms over her chest.

     "Leave her be, she isn't lying to you." Joslyn said before either could say anything else. Ashely admitted to herself she was always grateful to have Joslyn on her side at times like these. She always took the spotlight and stood up to the bullies even though they were so far apart in age. "Besides I'm sure our curiosity will be satisfied sure enough without your aid. They have been in there for quite awhile." Joslyn commented. Ashely sat on the closetest love seat with a sigh.

     "Still doesn't answer what you are curious about." David said, also taking a seat. Joslyn remained standing with her arms crossed, glaring at her brother. Before she could make a sassy response they heard the front door open. Everitt and Colin stopped in their stride as they saw their three siblings sitting in the front recieving room. Nervouslly they approached the double wide doors and looked around.

     "Are we expecting anyone?" Everitt asked. Being 18 and recently the town bachelor of the season, all the country mamas' were bringing their daughters, of marriageble age, around hoping to make a suitable match for their girls. All the polite chit-chat and hours at tea were driving Everitt crazy. Colin, at 15, always seemed just nervous about entertaining company in general. He was skittish around strangers and preferred to run off and hide when company was present.

     "No just waiting for father and Aunt Eve to exit the study." Joslyn said offhand. The intense relief on the boy's faces became evident as they joined their siblings. No one said anything, but they all sat in a strained, yet comfortable, silence. Ashely, so nervous, fidgeted in her seat. It seemed to be taking quite awhile for a conversation which was just about her.

     Just as she felt she could not take it a moment longer, Ashely heard the door to the study open. She rushed into the hall, followed by Joslyn. Her brother's slowly exiting as well. Aunt Eve walked out of the study behind their father looking smug and content. Behind their Aunt their mother exited. Ashely could tell her mother had been crying. It frightened her to imagine why.