A game of croquet

Josephine had been embarrassed, she hated society and the ton and that despicable Lady Whistledown. She knew that the words were false but no one else knows that, the looks and whispers were too much for the young lady.

Even with her mother gone she could still hear the condensing tone and the disappointment that Josephine was being talked about like a common whore.

"A letter has arrived Miss." One of the maids said appearing in the doorway of the sitting room. "I do not wish to read any letters, I fear I know what they would have to say." The disheartened tone made the maid frown, she has been working for the Rowlington family since before Josephine was born and never has she heard such a tone from the firey girl.

"Okay Miss...you and I both know that what they say is wrong. Do not let it ruin you." The kind older woman spoke softly before pulling the door closed, leaving Josephine lounging on the couch with her thoughts.

The door flung open and she barely had time to react before Elmer jumped on the couch in a ungentlemanly manner, landing almost on top of the girl. "Why, you childish boy!" She tried to seem upset but a faint laugh could be heard in her voice as she pushed him away from her.

"Get dressed my darling sister, you are occupying me to a croquet game." He told her firmly as he rested on his legs that were on the couch. "Says who?" She scoffed as she looked over at him. "Says me."

"And me." The voice came from the doorway, Thomas leaning against the frame with the rest of the family behind him. "Ah yes my older brother of what? Three minutes?"

"Ha ha you are so very funny." Sarcasm dripped from Thomas's words but he smiled so warmly at her. Josephine stood up, rolling her eyes as Elmer followed her standing, hands slightly outstretched just in case she might faint. "I'm okay Ellie." She cooed teasingly as she patted his cheek.

The blonde boy scowled and gently smacked her shoulder. "Go." He said with a heart filled laugh as he pushed her towards the hall to get ready.

Philip was walking the grounds, making small conversation to those who chose to attend as he was the host after all. He took notice of Robert standing more to the side which was unusual for the man. "Why are you separating yourself Robert? From what I have heard you love croquet." He said as he approached the man.

"Ah yes I do, but I think I shall just observe this round." Robert spoke with a charming smile. He was trying to be less stubborn and bossy and appear warm to others. This social season he was determined to marry...he hoped he would at least to spite what others say about him.

"Very well. Do join soon and show them how to really play." Philip joked as he patted the man's shoulder and once again started his rounds, nodding toward the Bridgertons who have showed as well as Emilio who had Phoebe close to his side, the two chatting about things unknown to most around.

Emilio was listening closely to the words that Phoebe was telling him, nodding on occasion when she spoke of what a lovely girl one of the debutantes were and yet he was slowly finding them uninteresting, well romantically at least, they were fine girls indeed but he couldn't see himself marrying any of which Phoebe told him about. "Enough talk of women, Be. Shall we take a stroll?" He asked after he offered his arm to her. "O-oh, of course." Beet red she answered him as she placed her arm gently through his.

Josephine walked towards the grassy area, her arm linked through Elmer's as the family approached. Philip being the first to see them. "Ah, there you are." He jokes slightly as walked towards the family. "You know ladies, take forever to get ready." Elmer said with a smirk as Josephine and Clara both swatted at him.

Elmer took note of Molly across the grass, the blonde girl looking at the family with slightly sad eyes as she thought back to what they had gone through. "Excuse me." The boy said politely as he moved his arm out of Josephine's and headed towards the girl. "Hello Mol." He greeted with a smile, catching her off guard yet something was so off in the way he grinned. "Hello.." she trailed off like it was more of a question.

"You did not tell anyone about Josie, right?" That's when she noticed the danger in his grin, not the smile of a friend but the baring of a dangerous animals teeth. "N-no..of course not!" She exclaimed watching as a warmth now entered his smile, turning the monster back into man. "Good. Lovely chatting." He gave her a nod.

"I'm glad to see her out." Estella told Louis as she moved to stand by his side. The man turning to look over at her. "So am I. You look stunning this day." He complimented her as he took in the dark blue dress that clung elegantly to her frame. She was a sticking woman and that could never be argued against. "Thank you, you do not look that bad yourself. Almost handsome." She started walking away with a smirk crossing her face as he watched her leave.

A game of cat and mouse seemed to slowly form between the two, teasing and flirting but then seeming like it did not happen in the slightest. It was amusing and frustrating and so intoxicating.

Josephine stood off to the side as Clara moved to go find Delilah in the crowd so she remained with Thomas by her side. Without the influence and authority of her mother Josephine had ditched the light color dresses; no more soft pinks and baby blues, no dresses of cream that stood out against her fair skin or mint green to make her eyes stand out strikingly.

Brandon had taken notice of this as he looked over at her, seeing the deep emerald green that coated her body. He did not feel the shame he thought he would at letting his eyes devour his best friend's younger sister.

"Yes..I um..I am needed elsewhere." Brandon told Anthony who turned to follow his gaze. A small chuckle leaving Anthony's lips. "You are hopeless drowning in her, Edgerton."
"Perhaps but I would drown in her any day of the year gladly."

Brandon started to approach when their eyes met, a scarlet blush crossed Josephine's face as she turned away from his gaze. Brandon frowning some as he realized how deeply the words Whistledown had written effected her.

"Miss Josephine." Brandon greeted her in a polite and formal manner. "Thomas." He then looked towards the male twin. "Hello Brandon." Thomas greeted him happily and with a smile. "Might I borrow your sister?" His gaze turned towards Josephine.

"Oh, Josie?" Thomas asked the girl, he would never make a decision for her in a time she is capable of making one herself. "It is fine Tommy." She said after a moment but she had yet to look up at Brandon and met his eyes.

As she linked her arm though his she felt like the crushing weight of the ton was staring right at them, judging them and coming up with little tidbits of gossip.

The mamas around were giving her dirty looks, looks that said "my daughter would never do that" so Josephine cowered even more, she felt done with the illness, done with trying to be stronger then she was.

"Josephine..ignore them." Brandon spoke in a soft voice as the two walked together. A scoff left Josephine's lips as she shook her head. "That is easy for you to say, you are able to ignore them."

"They wrote about me too Josephine I underst-"
"No you do not understand! You are not a woman, you can do whatever you please with whoever you please because you are a man! Do you know what they call a woman who does whatever a man can do? A whore. A disgrace and burden and someone who should not be alive. I should not be alive." Now tears were flowing from her soft eyes as she glared up at him, the resentment and anger she felt was not towards him but he was the one who was standing before her.

"Yell at me all you want Jo, if that is what you need to do yell and scream and curse and cry at me." Brandon's voice remained even and soothing. It irritated her as she pushed him away from her. "Yell back!" She demanded.

"No." The calmness he had, the way he showed he cared and was compassionate was not what she thought she deserved. "Damn you Brandon!" She turned on her heels and ran towards the carriage, she couldn't take the eyes that were on her.

Brandon looked at all the people who where whispering as Josephine left. A man being to brazen spoke louder then the rest. "Someone should give that whore a good smack to remained her of her place." He laughed. Brandon's eyes narrowed as he walked towards the man quickly, in a swift movement he had the man pinned against the tree. "If you say one more word about her you will die in a field." He warned in a dark, low voice. The man's eyes widening. "S-sorry."

Men where always brave when no one called them out but under a intense gaze they folded and we're quick to admit their wrong doing.

~ not the best but I like it. :)