The start of another season

Josephine Rowlington wasn't ready for the start of the new season. She wished she didn't have to go through with this once again. Now without a protector as Brandon was still away at war, the country unfairly taking him away.

Tomorrow was the day she once again would be paraded around like livestock for sale, going to the highest bidder. The only thing that kept her distracted from it all was the occasional letter that Brandon would send her when he was able to.

Josephine paced the confines of her room anxiously, it has been weeks since she has heard from him and frankly her mind was starting to think of the worse. She was chewing on the nail of her thumb when the door opened, a maid looking at her with pitying eyes as she held out the envelope, the seal seemed to be broken. Josephine didn't have time to question the pity or who opened the letter beforehand when her eyes spotted the writing.

The words scrawled across it caught her off guard, the hand writing clearly not Brandon's. In delicate swirls the name Lady Josephine Edgerton was written across the front inside was two letters. Her eyebrows connecting in confusion as she saw her name paired with his. Two letters where inside the envelope.

The first one read a awful tale of the front lines, the war, the bloodshed and the inability to find the man who's last name was written behind her first on the envelope.

She felt as if she couldn't breathe, the air sucked out of the room as if she was being sealed away, a nauseous feeling in her stomach. The second was from Brandon, his voice clear in her mind as she read the note he left in camp should something happen to him.

"Saying you were my wife was the only way I could be sure you would get news of me, my darling. Yes I shall call you that if this is my last letter, the final thing you would receive of me. I suppose that since you are reading this it is true.."

Her eyes scanned the page looking between the ink and the parchment for the mere idea that he could be alright as if the darkness would swirl to form new words, words of reassurance and love. But the words stayed the same. "I am gone, I promised I would return to you. I am very sorry I could not keep that promise Josie. Know that I do truly love you. Sincerely, truly yours, Brandon."

Josephine's world tilted and she fell to the floor with it, her knees unable to support her any longer as her grief snaked down her cheeks from her pooling eyes. The scream of pain and anger and sadness was primal, her throat becoming raw. It wasn't long until her brothers arrived in the room, but not the one she needed most.

Louis was confused as he saw his usually strong, independent sister on the ground, sobbing as she clutched papers to her chest. Elmer was by her side instantly, pulling her to him as he whispered soft reassurances as he ran his fingers gently through her hair. "What's wrong Jose?" He asked as he held her tighter.

Louis walked closer, taking the paper that she held, his eyes skimming the words before he two froze. Elmer glanced up towards his older brother. "What is it?" He demanded, wanting to know what upset his sister so. "It's...it's Brandon...he's gone." The man trailed as he tried to keep his voice steady.

Elmer looked stunned, his hold on Josephine tightening as he looked at her sobbing. No words he could say would heal anything, no matter what they did they couldn't change anything.

~~~~~

The world didn't stop as time passed and the new day began, but it stopped for Josephine. The woman deciding through she is too be represented to the ton she wasn't wearing what everyone else was.

The shock and murmurs that filled the room when they saw the young woman in black walking towards the queen. She held herself high as she walked, fighting to keep the tears at bay.

As far as society was concerned she had no reason to be in mourning, Brandon wasn't her husband or relative so she didn't need to be in mourning and yet her she was black dress, black gloves and a black veil covering her face.

Estella was looking at her concerned, she wondered what happened that made her dress like that. Though news would soon arrive about the Duke, it was not known yet.

Queen Charlotte looked down at her but not without some compassion. "My condolences child." She spoke in a even voice though it showed she meant it. Josephine dipped into a elegant bow. "Thank you, Your Majesty." She managed out.

Moving off to the side she was unaware that eyes were on her, trailing her movements across the room. Josephine reached her family, Elmer reaching across and taking her hand.

Estella moving through the crowd to reach Josephine. "What is wrong?" She asked softly,already holding onto her arm and pulling her closer. Josephine looked towards her, pushing the veil up to where she could fully look at Estella, the older woman noticing the tears. "Hes gone Stell..he broke his promise."

Estella had to think for a moment before it clicked in her mind what Josephine was talking about. "Oh." She spoke softly as she pulled Josephine to her, hugging her tightly. Estella and Louis sharing a uneasy and uncertain look, unsure what to do to help her or if they could even help her past this.

Louis has seen many young women get stuck in the past after losing someone they loved, barely reactive and talking but he hoped that this was a good sign with her even being there.

She could be using this as a distraction, filling up your calendar with social events, do so much that you can barely stop to think of what has come to pass.

Do

Not

Think

About

Him.

Welp tragic start to a new act, not gonna lie teared up a bit