Days before the ball

Molly was walking up to the house when she spotted Thomas and Charles walking up, the two standing closely and speaking in hushed whispers. A curious look crossing her face but it didn't last long as she heard a set of footsteps behind her.

"Oh hello Miss Blake." Brandon greeted the girl as he too was approaching the house. The blonde looked at him. "Hello." She said simply as she had heard about his reputation as a rake and she had no interest in the man flirting with her, but little did she now that the rake had been seemingly tamed, being kind to other woman but never flirting.

Molly turned ahead and walked up to the door, knocking though she could have waited for Thomas who would have opened the door for them all. Instead Elmer had pulled it open, his usual cocky smirk resting on his features. "Oh you." Molly said slightly disgruntled. "Ouch, yes me. I happen to live here." He chuckled, he knew he could get under her skin with how cocky he was and he absolutely adored it.

She rolled her eyes some at thar answer as she walked in, slightly pushing past the boy. "Where's Clara?" She asked not wanting to spend a moment more with the boy. "Up stairs in her room." He replied simply with a sigh as he looked towards her, still holding the door as Thomas and Charles walked through.

"Thank you." Molly gave a small nod and moved up the stairs, Elmer's eyes lingering on her retreating form. Once he looked back towards the door he noticed Brandon. "Josephine is in the sitting room." He said with a teasing smirk now gracing his face.

"From how you looked at Miss Blake I do not think you have the room to talk, Elmer." Brandon replied with a chuckle but his eyes still cut towards the hall that lead to the sitting room.

Louis was walking the grounds with Estella, the two heavy in conversation, leaning towards each other slightly as they spoke. But Estella looked towards the windows of the house, the past three days she was here she had gotten used to identifying the Rowlington family by silhouettes yet this one she didn't seem to recognize. "There's a man in the sitting room.." she trailed.

They weren't wearing a dress so it was clear to her that it wasn't a female as she saw that you could make out both legs in the trousers they wore. But the build was slender. Louis looked up towards the window and hummed. He knew who it was.

Brandon pushed open the sitting room door to see Josephine, he was shocked to see her in men's clothing, that had been stitches to fit her wonderfully. The vest buttoned to where he saw the curves of her hips. "I-um hello." He stammered slightly, something out of character for him. The girl jumped when she heard him, quickly grabbing a robe to wrap around herself.

"Brandon..you startled me." She breathed a small sigh of relief that it was him. Her cheeks still flushed pink in embarrassment. "I did not intend to.." he let the sitting room door close behind him as he walked into the room more. Gently he grabbed the edge of the robe, watching her blush darken as he gently pushed it off her shoulders.

Josephine didn't know what else to do as she just stared up at him as he removed the robe from her slender form. His eyes taking her in, button down shirt, fitted jeans, a vest that hugged her sides. "You look beautiful."  He spoke to her gently.

Josephine shook her head at that. "Do not start, I..no." she moved out of his touch. "You are very sweet Brandy but I am not here for the social season, I am not here to be married."

A frown tugged at the man's lips as he watched her gather up the dress she had changed out of and scurry from the room. 'how could one who blushed so much still deny looking for love?' he wondered.

Louis had walked into the house with Estella, walking through the hall when Josephine bumped into them. Her face still aflame with embarrassment. "Josephine Rowlington what on earth are you wearing?" The eldest brother asked as he placed his hands on his hips.

The young girl for once slightly coward under his gaze but she still mumbled out a reply. "You should not do that, you look like mother." She said as she started away from him, any man being to much for her to be around.

Estella glanced after her. "I think you look beautiful Josephine, I think more woman should dress that way." She spoke in a caring manner getting a small halfhearted smile from Josephine who disappeared up the stairs towards her room.

Louis was looking at the girl. "She should not be dressed like a man." He stated firmly earning a scoff from Estella. "She should be allowed to wear what she pleases, who decided men were above us and that we should not be allowed to dress in whatever manner we please?" Estella was challenging him in his own home which he didn't necessarily appreciate but the glint in her eyes was stunning.

"You and her are too much alike sometimes." He sighed with a slight chuckle and shake of his head. "Now, shall we continue?" He asked this time offering his arm, smiling when he felt her hand on his arm. Estella looked up at him with a caring look.

Molly had found Clara a hour ago and now they had went their separate ways as Clara was now with Delilah. The blonde girl was wandering around now when she bumped, quite literally, into Elmer. The boy easily catching her before she fell, his arms looped around her waist and he smirked slightly to see the soft pink that dusted her fine features. "If you wished to speak there was no need to bump into me, pretty girl." Elmer was trying to hint his interest in her but that got him no where so he chose to be more blunt.

The pink on her face darkened considerably as she stated at him wide eyed. "E-excuse me?" She stuttered as he helped her regain her footing but not once did his hands leave her sides. "You heard me." His voice was low as he stepped forward as he looked down at the slightly shorter girl, letting her decide what the next move would be.

Summoning her courage and knowing if anyone saw she would be ruined, she closed the distance and placed a soft kiss to Elmer's lips before moving away. That was more then enough invitation for Elmer to grab her face gently in his hands and move closer to her, the kiss passionate and full of heat. Molly finally understanding the meaning of weak in the knees.

Clara let Delilah lead her into the garden, the blonde woman confused but smiling happily as she followed. "Where are we going?" Clara asked as she looked at Delilah who held her hand. "Picnic." She hummed simply in reply as she turned her eyes back towards Clara.

Delilah had some baked goods set out that she brought her to. Clara looking at the set up with a soft smile. "I brided Josephine to let me use the kitchen." Delilah said with a giggle. That made Clara laugh. "I am shocked that worked. I find it hard to believe she would let anyone in her prescious kitchen."

Delilah and Clara sat down on a red blanket that was laid out on the grass. The two having to sit close together so they wouldn't be in the dewy grass. Clara having a soft pink on her face as Delilah's hand brushed her's.

Delilah also shyly offered one of the honey cakes she made to Clara, hoping desperately that it would be delicious. Clara took it from her hand. "Thank you Didi." She spoke the nickname with such affection Delilah flushed red and gave her a soft smile. "You are welcome Ari." Clara took a bite and let out a groan of satisfaction at the sweetness, the sound causing Delilah to blush even darker.

"That is delicious Delilah!" She praised as she finished the small cake she was offered. That brought the woman such joy and she grinned happily. "I am so glad!" She said in delight as she placed her hand over Clara's. The two women looking at their hands before back up at each other before any more could have happened. Thomas walked over. "Um .. Clara can you please join us in the sitting room?" He asked, the boy seeming more nervous then most other times.

Clara looked a bit concerned at how nervous he was acting. "Of course, come, come." She stood up, gently placing her hand on his shoulder to guild him towards the house but she did turn to look back at Delilah. "I shall see you again shortly." Even if Clara seemed cold family and friends always came first to her.

Clara and Thomas walked into the sitting room, the blonde woman looking to see all her siblings and Charles there. Charles looking at the family nervously. "Please have a seat." Thomas gestured towards the open spot that was between Elmer and Josephine. Louis was standing up beside the couch with his arms crossed as Clara crossed over to sit down.

"What did you ask us her for Tommy?" Josephine asked with a kindness reserved for her twin. Charles was nervous as he looked towards the Rowlington brother that stood beside him. He kept wiping his hands together as if it would calm him down.

Thomas took a deep breath and reached over and took Charles' hand in his own. "Charles has proposed and I said yes.." he spoke simply and quickly.

A silence fell over the room, Charles now looking down scared that because of him Thomas would lose his family, but it wasn't long until Josephine has jumped to her feet, rushing towards them excitedly as she threw her arms around both of them.

Charles let out a relifed sigh as he embraced the girl in return, both men fighting back some tears at the fear of the announcement and the joy of the acceptance. Thomas was glad Josephine was the first one to him, he could lose almost everyone but she was the one he could never lose. "I am so happy for you both." She whispered softly and gave them each a kiss on the cheek.

Louis walked over, Josephine letting go and stepping back to await the man of the family's reaction. "Congratulations, both of you." He gave his approval to them, smiling at his brother. Soon Clara and Elmer coming over and hugging them tightly. Clara saw the acceptance.

"Since this is a time of confession I would like to add something on." Clara said as they turned to her, Charles and Thomas glad to have attention away from them for a moment as they were both fairly reserved..well Charles was reserved.

"Yes?" Elmer asked as he looked at the woman. Clara pressed her hands together to stop them from shaking as she looked at them all. "I do not like men in the way that I should, I do however like women." She confessed. Thomas smiling at her. "well you know that you will always be accepted by us." He said making the woman feel reassured as the others gave her hugs and soft smiles.

Louis looked towards Elmer and Josephine. "Is there anything you two would like to say?" He asked them in a almost joking manner but it held some seriousness in it as well. Josephine thought for a moment but couldn't think of anything the man didn't know so she shook her head. "No brother."

"Let us see. I am not a biological sibling of your's at least on our mothers side." Elmer said as he walked towards the door, he opened it and walked out but he did lean back in. "Oh yes, I fancy Molly Blake." With that he left before any questions could be asked if him.

Clara felt a weight off her shoulders as she knew she would no longer have to keep that a secret, that her family wouldn't try to set her up with men. That night dinner was the best it has been for the family, no secrets for most of them, though there was some awkwardness between Josephine and Brandon as well as Elmer and Molly.

The night has come and Josephine couldn't sleep so she was wandering the halls in search of something to do, she was heading in the direction of the kitchen, passing by the guest room where Brandon was staying.

She glanced towards the door to see that it was open his back was towards her, the man not wearing a shirt she could see some scars crisscrossing his back, she assumed that they were from war.

She felt herself moving towards him almost without meaning to. Brandon heard the footsteps approaching, he looked up in the mirror and saw Josephine but he didn't turn to face her just yet as she reached him.

"You have scars too.." she whispered as her finger traced lightly across one on his shoulder, the gentleness of her touch was enough for goosebumps to erupt over his arms.

Brandon turned around to look at her, her fingers still trailing his skin. "I do. They are not something to be ashamed off." He lifted her hand up, flipping it to where her palm was up, he lifted her hand up and kissed her scars a blush crossing her face. Her eyes scanning his form.

"You and your scars are beautiful to me. I understand you do not want to love me and you do not wish for a husband but I will not be giving up. The moment you are ready I will be the first in line to court you and love you and protect you. I am not a poet as you are but I will work everyday to come up with words that would describe the way I love you." Brandon stared her right in the eyes the entire time he spoke, making sure she knew those words were true.

How are you all with spicy scenes? I don't want to do to much and make anyone uncomfortable plus low-key I suck at them ;P