Lady Lydia's Arc

Chapter 2 of 3

Lydia ordered fresh paper and ink from the stationer's shop. She needed supplies for her work. The invitations had to look proper and clean. High society would not take her seriously with messy writing. She spent three days at her desk, writing each invitation by hand. Her fingers cramped, but she kept going. Each name on her list mattered. Each person might spread the word about her gathering. When she finished the last one, she sealed it with wax. Tomorrow she would deliver them all. Tomorrow her plan would truly begin. The morning air felt cool against her face as she walked toward the university hall. She carried the stack of invitations in a leather case. Her steps slowed when she spotted a garden space near the building. Stone benches sat beneath trimmed hedges. A small platform stood at one end, perfect for a speaker. She stopped and set down her case. This was where she needed to practice. She climbed onto the platform and opened one of her invitations. The words looked clear on paper, but could she say them out loud? Her voice shook at first. She tried again, stronger this time. The garden held no audience, but she spoke as if it did. By evening, she had delivered every invitation. Her feet ached from walking all day. She returned to the university hall one last time. A black iron lamp post stood near the entrance, its flame flickering to life as darkness fell. The warm light made the building look less cold. Less closed off. She stood beneath the lamp and looked up at the tall doors. Soon people would gather here for her first meeting. Soon she would stand before them and speak. She turned away and headed home. The real work was just beginning.