Chapter 28: Literature soceity
After lunch, the four girls walked together across the central courtyard.
The afternoon sun bathed the old stone buildings in warm golden light, and the pathways were once again filled with students making their way toward their afternoon clubs.
At the fork leading toward the Humanities Building, Claire stopped first.
"This is where we split up."
Amelia smiled.
"See you later."
"You too," Eleanor replied.
Vivienne smiled.
"See you later."
The four girls exchanged quick goodbyes before heading in different directions.
Now, Vivienne found herself walking alone.
The afternoon breeze stirred the leaves overhead, carrying with it the distant murmur of students scattered throughout the campus.
She smiled to herself.
What an unexpected day.
She had started the morning convinced she would spend the semester in the Polo Club.
Instead...
She had been redirected to the Equestrian Club.
Met Maple.
Embarrassed herself more than once.
Somehow spent nearly half an hour talking to Damian Blackwood.
And...
Walked into the cafeteria beside one of the university’s most admired seniors.
None of it had gone according to plan.
"...Life really doesn’t follow the novel anymore."
The thought wasn’t unpleasant.
If anything...
It made this world feel just a little more real.
Perhaps that wasn’t such a bad thing.
Ahead stood the Humanities Building.
Mounted beside its old oak doors was a polished brass plaque.
Literature Society
Vivienne rested one hand lightly on the handle.
Then—
--
Inside the Literature Society clubroom...
The meeting had yet to begin.
Students trickled in one by one, greeting familiar faces before finding seats around the spacious room.
Bookshelves lined the walls from floor to ceiling.
The scent of old paper mixed comfortably with freshly brewed tea.
Near the front, several senior officers quietly prepared for the afternoon meeting.
Among them stood a young woman who naturally drew the eye without appearing to seek attention.
Platinum-blonde hair, almost silver beneath the afternoon light, fell in soft waves over one shoulder.
Her porcelain complexion and calm blue-grey eyes gave her an elegant, almost regal bearing.
Beautiful.
Graceful.
The sort of noble lady whose quiet confidence spoke louder than any introduction.
Catherine Lovell.
Fourth-year.
President of the Literature Society.
She was arranging several books on the front table when the vice president approached carrying a folder of notes.
"By the way..."
"Did you happen to see Damian at lunch today?"
Catherine looked up almost immediately.
"...Damian?"
"I thought that would catch your attention."
The vice president smiled knowingly.
A faint hint of color touched Catherine’s cheeks before she composed herself.
"I’ve been here preparing for the meeting."
"So..."
"What happened?"
The vice president lowered her voice.
"Apparently Damian walked into the cafeteria with a first-year."
Catherine waited.
"The Duke of Beaumont’s daughter."
"...Lady Vivienne Beaumont."
For a brief moment, Catherine was silent.
"...Lady Beaumont."
"...Lord Anthony Ashford’s fiancée."
The vice president nodded.
"The very same."
Catherine considered it quietly.
Then she asked,
"...He went to the cafeteria?"
The vice president laughed.
"That’s the part that surprises you?"
Another senior officer, who had been arranging chairs nearby, smiled.
"She’s right."
"I’ve never seen him there on a Friday."
"He usually disappears after Polo."
"Or eats somewhere else."
Catherine nodded almost absentmindedly.
"...He does."
She realized a second later that she’d spoken without thinking.
The vice president caught it immediately.
"So you’ve noticed too."
A faint blush brushed Catherine’s cheeks.
"...We’ve all been in the same university for years."
"It would be difficult not to."
The explanation sounded perfectly reasonable.
No one challenged it.
Another senior leaned casually against one of the bookshelves.
"Still..."
"It’s unusual."
"The Duke of Beaumont’s daughter."
"Anthony Ashford’s fiancée."
"And Damian Blackwood."
"Walking through the cafeteria together."
The vice president shrugged.
"It was probably nothing."
"I imagine Coach Langley simply asked Damian to help her."
Catherine nodded.
"Most likely."
After all...
Vivienne Beaumont was already engaged.
There was little reason to think anything more of it.
Still...
For Damian to escort someone all the way through the cafeteria—
That was unusual.
One of the second-year officers, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.
"I suppose that’s why everyone was talking about it."
Another senior smiled.
"Well..."
"It is Damian Blackwood."
The second-year laughed.
"I’ve only been here two years."
"I still don’t understand how someone with a marquess title intimidates even the highest nobility."
The vice president smiled knowingly.
"Because titles aren’t everything."
"The Blackwoods built one of the largest business empires in the country."
"Shipping."
"Finance."
"Luxury hospitality."
"Technology."
"They’re one of the wealthiest families in the kingdom."
Another senior nodded.
"There are ducal houses with far less influence."
Catherine quietly finished the thought.
"Among the old aristocracy..."
"Very few families regard House Blackwood as anything less than the equal of a ducal house."
The conversation faded naturally.
Just then—
The classroom door opened.
Everyone instinctively looked toward the entrance.
Standing there was a young woman with long golden-blonde hair illuminated by the afternoon sunlight behind her.
Vivienne Beaumont.
She glanced around the room, momentarily surprised to find several pairs of eyes already on her.
Offering a polite smile, she inclined her head in greeting before quietly making her way toward an empty seat near the window.
An awkward silence settled over the room.
One of the newer members leaned toward another officer and whispered,
"...Do you think she heard us?"
"I hope not."
Before anyone had the chance to say another word—
The faculty adviser entered.
"Good afternoon, everyone."
The room immediately settled.
Students returned to their seats as the professor placed a folder on the front desk.
"Since this is our first meeting of the semester..."
"I’d like our new members to introduce themselves first."
One by one, the freshmen stood.
They gave their names.
Shared a few simple words about themselves.
Then sat back down.
When her turn came, Vivienne rose gracefully.
"My name is Vivienne Beaumont."
"I’m a first-year student."
"It’s a pleasure to meet everyone."
She bowed politely before taking her seat once more.
The introductions continued for another few minutes before the professor smiled toward the front of the room.
"And for our new members..."
"Allow me to introduce this year’s officers."
One by one, the officers stood as their names were called.
Finally—
"Our president."
"Catherine Lovell."
Catherine rose with practiced composure.
"Welcome to the Literature Society."
"I hope you’ll enjoy your time with us."
"If any of you have questions throughout the semester, please feel free to ask any of the officers."
Her gaze naturally swept across the room.
It paused for only the briefest moment on Vivienne.
Professional.
Courteous.
Nothing more.
She resumed her seat.
As the professor began outlining the club’s activities for the semester, Catherine found her attention drifting back toward the quiet first-year by the window.
Vivienne Beaumont.
The Duke of Beaumont’s daughter.
Anthony Ashford’s fiancée.
She had heard the stories for years.
Beautiful.
Proud.
Quick-tempered.
Perhaps a little spoiled.
That had always been the impression passed around among the younger aristocracy.
Yet the young woman sitting quietly by the window seemed nothing like that.
She had entered politely.
Introduced herself without the slightest trace of arrogance.
And since taking her seat...
She had done little more than listen attentively.
...
How unexpected.
Perhaps...
Not every reputation deserved to be believed at face value.