Chapter 97: The Introduction II

Chapter 97: Chapter 97: The Introduction II

The moment Rowan pushed open the double doors to the community hall, a wave of conversation drifted out to meet them.

The hall was larger than Vivienne had expected.

Long wooden tables filled the center of the room, already set with pitchers of iced tea, woven baskets of freshly baked bread, and serving platters that remained covered to keep the food warm.

Residents moved comfortably from one table to another, chatting as though attending a family gathering rather than an official Foundation visit.

Several people looked toward the entrance.

One noticed Rowan.

Then another noticed Damian and Vivienne.

Like ripples across still water, conversations gradually softened until dozens of curious eyes turned in their direction.

Rowan smiled, entirely unsurprised.

"Everyone."

"Our guests have arrived."

Applause broke out—not loud or ceremonial, but warm, cheerful, and sincere.

Vivienne blinked in surprise.

Beside her, Damian looked just as caught off guard.

"We’re very happy to welcome representatives from the Ashford Foundation and St. Albion University," Rowan continued.

"I won’t keep you from lunch."

He smiled toward Damian and Vivienne.

"I’ll only ask one favor."

"Please make yourselves at home."

Almost immediately, an elderly woman stood.

"Miss Beaumont."

She waved enthusiastically.

"Come, dear."

Before Vivienne had even taken a step—

"No, no."

Another woman from a neighboring table laughed.

"She’s sitting with us first."

"You always steal the guests."

"Oh, don’t exaggerate."

"I most certainly do not."

"You absolutely do."

Laughter rolled through the hall.

Vivienne glanced toward Rowan, unsure whether she was expected to choose.

Rowan merely folded his arms, thoroughly amused.

"I did warn you."

A younger volunteer covered a smile.

"They’ve been arguing about this since this morning."

"They drew lots."

"They cheated," someone protested from the back.

"We did not!"

"You absolutely did."

The hall erupted into another round of laughter.

Vivienne laughed with them, the last traces of formality melting away.

"I think..."

She looked around the room with mock seriousness.

"...I may have accidentally caused trouble."

"You’ve done no such thing," an elderly gentleman chuckled.

"They’re simply excited."

Another woman rose from her chair and walked over.

She gently slipped an arm through Vivienne’s.

"Come."

"We’ll borrow you first."

"I promise we’ll return you."

More laughter followed.

Vivienne looked helplessly toward Damian.

He met her eyes for only a second.

There was unmistakable amusement in them.

Before either could say anything—

"Mr. Blackwood."

Damian turned toward the voice.

A group of gentlemen seated near one of the longer tables smiled and waved him over.

"Come join us."

"We’ve been waiting to meet you too."

Another laughed.

"The ladies aren’t the only curious ones around here."

"Exactly."

Rowan chuckled.

"You’ve already claimed Miss Beaumont."

"Let us borrow Mr. Blackwood for a while."

One of the older women waved a dismissive hand.

"Very well."

"But don’t keep him all afternoon."

"We make no promises," one of the businessmen replied, drawing another round of laughter.

Miss Jean leaned closer to the coordinator.

"It happened exactly as you predicted."

He smiled.

"It usually does."

Damian glanced toward Vivienne once more.

She was already surrounded.

Not crowded.

Simply welcomed.

Several women had begun introducing themselves all at once, each insisting she remember their names.

One even reached up to smooth an imaginary wrinkle from Vivienne’s sleeve with the comfortable affection of an aunt.

Vivienne accepted it with quiet grace, laughing as she tried to keep everyone’s names straight.

Damian found himself smiling.

One of the gentlemen beside him gestured toward an empty chair.

"Come, Mr. Blackwood."

"They’re not letting Miss Beaumont go anytime soon."

Damian looked over once more.

Vivienne was already laughing at something one of the older women had said.

She looked completely at ease.

He smiled faintly.

"I don’t think they are."

"Then you’re ours for the time being," another gentleman said with a grin.

Damian chuckled.

"I suppose I am."

He followed them toward the opposite end of the hall.

For the first time since arriving, the two students found themselves separated.

Neither thought much of it.

It felt...

Natural.

--

Vivienne had scarcely taken her seat before introductions began again.

"I’m Clara."

"I’m Elsie."

"Oh, don’t overwhelm the poor girl."

"She’ll never remember."

"I will certainly try," Vivienne said, smiling.

"If I forget a name, you’ll have to forgive me."

"Nonsense."

"We’ll simply introduce ourselves again."

"Several times, if necessary."

More laughter.

A basket of warm bread appeared before her.

"Here."

"You must be hungry."

"Thank you."

"You’ll have to tell us if the bread is good enough."

Vivienne blinked.

"I’m hardly an expert."

"No?"

"You study at St. Albion."

"I imagine you’ve eaten at some very fine places."

Vivienne smiled apologetically.

"I honestly think good food depends more on the people you’re sharing it with."

For a brief second—

The table fell quiet.

Then Clara reached over and gently patted Vivienne’s hand.

"Oh..."

"I like you."

"I knew I would."

The others nodded in wholehearted agreement.

"So did I."

"She’s exactly as polite as Mr. Rowan said."

"And she smiles with her eyes."

Vivienne couldn’t help laughing, a faint warmth rising to her cheeks.

"I feel like I’m being evaluated."

"You are," Elsie answered without hesitation.

"We’ve decided to keep you."

The declaration was so matter-of-fact that the entire table burst into laughter.

Across the hall, Damian instinctively looked up at the sound.

His gaze found Vivienne almost immediately.

She was smiling—no longer the reserved smile she had worn during the introductions outside, but one that came easily now, surrounded by women who were already treating her as though she had been part of the township for years.

The sight lingered with him for only a moment before one of the gentlemen beside him spoke.

"I’d say they’ve adopted Miss Beaumont already."

Damian’s eyes remained on her for another heartbeat before he looked back.

"It would seem so."

The gentleman smiled knowingly before motioning toward the empty chair.

"Come, Mr. Blackwood."

"I think it’s our turn to get acquainted."

Damian returned the smile.

"I’d be glad to."

As naturally as the women had welcomed Vivienne, the men welcomed Damian—not as a distinguished guest, nor as a student from St. Albion, but simply as another person joining them at the table.

For reasons neither Damian nor Vivienne could quite explain...

It already felt less like visiting a township—

And more like being welcomed into someone’s home.

--