Poppy Dashwood had an irregular feeling about how today was going to go. Sleep the evening prior had been nearly impossible, and as she stood in front of her grand mirror at Dashwood Hall, she felt... nervous, for the first time in quite awhile. This hunt was going to be a familial endeavor for the most part, with a few select parties invited to stay longer than the rest and with part of the eligible ton joining them today. It was none of these aspects that settled awkwardly in her gut; it was the ‘select invited parties’ that she perhaps hadn’t quite considered.

On the one hand, she was incredibly excited for the opportunity to show Mr. Kristoffer Lestrange her beloved Charles and prove to him, once and for all, the folly it would be to attempt taming such a beautiful, wild spirit with brute force. It was the heart and soul of this event after all; the very reason she’d suggested to mama to host a hunt in the first place. She’d framed it as a gesture of thanks to the Foxwoods for hosting her in London all season while the family remained in Surrey, but frankly, since Poppy had mentioned the prospect of a hunt to Kristoffer a few months prior, she hadn’t been able to shake the thought from her mind. There was something about showing him her home, part of her small world and her crazy family, that was exciting. Even if they were merely friends.

On the other hand, there was then the much more serious prospect of Mr. Cassian Valenduris asking for courtship on this trip. Asking him had been Georgiana’s real intention, and if she’d asked Mr. Lestrange it was only to even the numbers as Ms. Victoire and some of the others filled out the party. Poppy’s heart twisted a little at the thought. She was… excited at the prospect of formally courting someone, even if it was the introduction of restriction into her life. She would have to be careful if he asked not to show any favoritism to any other gentlemen, especially not Mr. Dempsey or well —Kristoffer. Poppy’s nose wrinkled delicately at her reflection. She was allowed to have friends after all.

Smoothing the skirt of her pristine riding habit, Poppy sucked in a small breath. The heavy black fabric would protect her against brambles and the red jacket was just flashy enough to match her personality. Mama had surprised her last night with a new hat, but even the fashion statement she was making was not enough to soothe Poppy’s nerves. The brunette gave her tidy hair a small pat and decided she best be off. Soon the rest of the house would rouse and her window of opportunity would be lost.

Hat, crop and veil in hand, Poppy slipped out the door of her bedroom. It was early yet, the sun just barely rising over the horizon. Her heart hammered in its place as the mischievous brunette snuck through the halls. Everyone was yet sleeping save for the house elves and a few human servants that bustled about lighting fires and the like. Poppy managed to evade detection as she rounded a corner and elegantly rapped her leather-bound knuckles against one of the guest room doors. Hopefully her target was not a light sleeper.

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