Laverton Fair

[janebecomes]

The day is already quite beautiful as they move towards the fair.

Jane is grinning as Lucy does her best to try and hold Tom's attention.

Though its hard to look at just one thing since there's so much swirling around them.

She lost track of where everyone else has gone off to but its lovely to just walk and listen.

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[tom-lefroy.livejournal.com]

Tom, meanwhile, has been politely entertaining his younger cousin - but he really wants to do is -

Well, engage Miss Austen in conversation. Yes.

He glances in her direction.

[janebecomes]

A woman selling ribbons calls out to them,

"Fine sir, fine sir, buy some ribbons for yer ladies to show off their 'air."

Jane laughs and turns to Tom, "Are we both your ladies, Mister Lefroy?"

Lucy on the other hand is all but bouncing, "Oh do, Tom, do."

[tom-lefroy.livejournal.com]

While Tom is not particularly rich, he doesn't like to make a big point of it. As far as everyone is concerned, the man does fine on his own.

"Only if you wish to be," he says to Jane before digging into his pocket for his coin purse.

"Go on, then, Lucy."

The girl's eyes light up.

[janebecomes]

Lucy is soon distracted by the ribbons as Jane gives Tom a rather thoughtful look,

"If I wish to be. I do believe for today at least, I shall be your lady, Mister Lefroy. Though I do not need a ribbon for I fear that Lucy will find the most expensive one."

Indeed Lucy has soon found a pale blue ribbon that makes the old woman beam before Jane moves in to make a small switch,

"This one will make your eyes shine so, Lucy."

[tom-lefroy.livejournal.com]

Tom laughs easily, smiles easily, and hands the old woman the appropriate number of coins for the ribbon. He can feel his heartbeat quicken just a bit at Jane's comment.

(None of this, however, would he admit.)

"Are you certain, Miss Austen?" he inquires. "I would not mind."

[janebecomes]

"Perhaps if you would pick one for me."

Lucy looks over to Jane and giggles, "Why?"

"Why not? Judging by the cut of his coats, I'm sure that."

She considers for a moment and then smiles, its soft and just for him, "Tom can find me one."

[tom-lefroy.livejournal.com]

His easy smile becomes something a bit deeper in turn. And his eyes hold hers for a moment longer, as if he were trying to decipher just what her soft smile means.

"Certainly, Miss Austen," he says, before bending down to choose an appropriate colour and fabric.

[janebecomes]

To be honest, Jane is not quite sure. Later perhaps she will wonder at her bravery but mayhaps there is something in the torch light of the Fair.

The old woman steps forward presenting deep, vibrant colors,

"All of these will set off the lady's 'air, sir."

[tom-lefroy.livejournal.com]

Indeed, the torch light can be blamed for the cause of enchantment. As could the actors and enthusiastic fair guests.

"Ah, yes. I do believe Miss Austen can pull off any colour she wishes," he says - and he may be laying it on thick, but he hardly cares.

"Red," he says. "It is bold, independent, looks lovely against the dark, and compliments green quite nicely."

And look at that: he's wearing green.

[janebecomes]

"Thank you, I have a dress that will suit quite beautifully, Mister Lefroy."

With a smile the old woman takes the money and leaves the ribbon in Tom's hand, there are other customers about.

Lucy looks between Jane and Tom with a nervous giggle, she knows something's going on but she doesn't know what.

[tom-lefroy.livejournal.com]

And it's likely best that Lucy does not look too far into what may or may not be happening between Tom and Jane, because neither of their families would likely approve.

Not that Tom is thinking that far ahead.

"You are quite welcome, Miss Austen. As always."

He smiles as he presents the ribbon to her.

[janebecomes]

She ties the ribbon carefully around her wrist,

"Where shall we walk next?"

Thinking about it would require acknowledging whatever is going on and Jane has not quite gotten to that point yet.

[tom-lefroy.livejournal.com]

"Have you ever been witness to a circus act, Miss Austen? I hear there are talented jugglers in attendance this year."

And he's certain Lucy would also enjoy it, too.


Unfortunately for all of them, it just so happens to be near a boxing fight that has just started to pick up.

[janebecomes]

Her answer is cut off by the shouting from the boxing match, which as they near it seems to be quite uneven.

Jane frowns at it and looks over to Tom, Henry mentioned that he does enjoy fighting and she'd rather he didn't do anything stupid,

"I believe that I can just see the jugglers."

[tom-lefroy.livejournal.com]

One of the men has attacked his opponent in the most unjust fashion; it is an action that would surely disqualify him from a competition with a set of rules.

However, in the world of boxing, there generally are none.

(But not if Tom can help it.)

The man goes down. Which means Tom can enter.

Alas, he does not hear Jane as he is already loosening the buttons of his shirt, discarding his long overcoat in the process.

[janebecomes]

Both Jane and Lucy end up saying at almost the same moment,

"Tom!"

Then following him into the room, Jane reaches for his arm to try and stop him and ends up holding his coat.

Though once the fight begins, Jane must admit he is a good fighter and clearly holding his own.

[tom-lefroy.livejournal.com]

He pulls off his glove with his teeth, and passes that to her as well, not answering.

He will not stand for this, not when he is perfectly able-bodied.

Into the centre rink, he goes.

[janebecomes]

Jane sighs and finds a place in the front ranks to watch with Lucy beside her.

He does look quite dashing, but the other man is rather larger and she can't think how this is going to end well.

She's surprised to find herself shouting with the crowd as the fight truly begins, but she doesn't wish to see Tom hurt.

[tom-lefroy.livejournal.com]

"Let us see how you fare against me, sir!" he shouts, bringing his fists up against the larger, shirtless man.

There is nothing on his mind except for this match.

He does not even hear the sound of Henry Austen betting upon them.

[janebecomes]

When Henry starts collecting bets, Jane hits on the arm, but he keeps going. Jane does not know that much of fighting but Tom is presenting a challenge for the other man.

Lucy, who could not keep quiet for too long suddenly yells, "Tom!"

The unexpected shout jars Jane and she pulls on Lucy's arm with a glare and a hissed, "Lucy, be quiet."

[tom-lefroy.livejournal.com]

He manages a couple of well-aimed midsection punches, and manages quite well to dodge a few of his opponent's, before being tossed into the crowd once and back into the fight in the next moment.

The next punch sends his opponent down on his knees.

They're both breathing hard.

"Up, sir!" he prompts.

But at the sound of Lucy's voice, he turns to look over his shoulder, distracted.

He is struck in the knee, forcing him back into the fight. Then his opponent sends a fist upwards, landing him the blow that steals the ground from beneath his feet.

He lands on his back.

[janebecomes]

In a moment, Jane is above him, cradling his head,

"Oh Tom."

He's bleeding from his nose and looks a mess yet oddly Jane finds herself worried and proud of him,

"Why did you do that?"

[tom-lefroy.livejournal.com]

His eyes are closed for a moment, and he's relatively certain that he is now imagining voices, but he thinks he can hear Jane's among them.

He smiles - almost amused - coughing as he starts to regain the ability to breathe.

"Couldn't waste those expensive boxing lessons."

[janebecomes]

"Forgive me if I suspect in you a sense of justice."

Her smile is small but there as she moves to help him sit up.

[tom-lefroy.livejournal.com]

He coughs again, and moves to sit up - grateful.

"I am a lawyer." He looks at her, wiping his mouth of the blood. "Justice plays no part in the law.

[janebecomes]

Her hand that was behind his head now moves to rest lightly on his arm as she frowns,

"Is that truly what you believe?"

[tom-lefroy.livejournal.com]

"I believe what I must," he responds.

And while he says them, he isn't sure he can face her for long, confidently believing those very words.

He almost feels ... ashamed.

"I beg your leave."

Then he is up, coat and all. He offers her no smile and no easy words, for he no longer has any.

[janebecomes]

Jane slowly stands up and finds Henry has gone with Tom. So she finds Lucy and they meet the others.

Its not until she's back in her room that she realizes that some of Tom's blood is staining the ribbon around her wrist. She takes her time unwinding it and folds it up to place with her writing.

He is quite a complicated man and she didn't expect her heart to beat so fast when he was hurt. Yet she can't believe that he believes so little in justice, but Jane also fears that he will probably never tell her that truth.