by Abby Ayles
“Kitty,” he began, “did you mean it when you said that?” His eyes were so sharp, so fixated on her, boring deep into her soul. His face remained expressionless save for that hint of a smile which refused to entirely leave. “Are you sure it was not some passionate, spur of the moment thing?”
She averted her gaze again and drew a deep breath. It was better to confess, to be mocked or told off, and to get it over with. “Yes,” she said quietly. “I did mean it. I do love you.”
“Would you like to marry me then?” he asked.
Kitty felt like she was about to faint.
Epilogue
Was she hearing things? She looked into his eyes and saw no sign that this was a joke, no hint of cruelty. She had heard before of young men proposing to young women in this manner, only to reject them. She did not think that the earl would be so cruel as to do that to her, but she also could not believe her own ears. Perhaps she had heard incorrectly.
As he continued to look at her and she remained silent, his expression of anticipation turned to slight nervousness, and he smiled and raised his eyebrows. “Well?” he asked. “Aren't you going to answer?”
“I beg your pardon?” she asked carefully.
“I want you to marry me,” he said, starting to look even more nervous now. “And I wanted to know if you would like that.”
Kitty blushed bright red and smiled. “I am simply very surprised. I had not thought that you would want someone like me,” she said. “I assumed I was hearing things.”
His anxiety turned to relief. “What do you mean someone like you?”
“Someone with health problems, with a condition. I always thought that girls like us did not get married,” she explained. “I thought you wanted to be my friend.”
“I like being your friend, Kitty, but I do not wish to be your friend forever,” he said. “I have spoken with your father and he is happy for us to marry if you are happy to marry me.”
“I still cannot believe that this isn't a dream,” Kitty said, shaking her head slowly and looking out the window. “How long have you loved me?”
“To be perfectly honest, I am not sure,” he replied. “If you mean to ask how long I have wanted to marry you, then it has been around a month.”
“No, how long have you felt the way you feel about me? How long have you desired me, and felt affection for me?” she asked.
“If that is what you mean by love, then I loved you from the first day you cared for me,” the earl replied. “I simply did not think you would be interested in me. You had your life in order. You were smart. You were strict. I assumed you would not care to marry a foolish man such as myself.”
“You loved me back then?” she asked, looking back to him, a little surprised. “Why?”
“Because you had your life in order, you were smart, and you were strict. Because you had the kindness in your heart to look after a fool who had injured himself being reckless. Because you did not give up on me,” he said, reaching his hand out to her. “You have so many wonderful, admirable qualities, and I want nothing more than to live the rest of my life with a woman who inspires so much goodness in me. So, before I go mad from impatience, please answer: Do you want to marry me?”
“I do. I really, truly do,” she replied, placing her hand in his.
He gripped her little fingers firmly and grinned. “In that case it is agreed then. We are engaged. Congratulations to us both.”
Kitty laughed. “Indeed.”
“I suppose that like all women you have a three-mile long list of things you need preparing for your ideal wedding?” he asked. “You would not believe how extravagant weddings are becoming. When my aunt got married there was barely anything. And when Delilah got married she was determined to have roses in the middle of Winter. And last year I went to a wedding that looked like a Christmas celebration, it was so elaborate. So tell me: what do you want?”
“I had never thought of my wedding,” she said.
“Never? I know you said you didn't think you would get married, but not even in make-believe?” he asked.
Kitty laughed a little. “I never got my hopes up.”
“I see,” the earl said. “Well, we had better begin putting together a list of all the most ridiculous things you can imagine. Because we only have one wedding and I do not want you to regret it. You're going to feel like a princess.”
Kitty blushed and gazed into his eyes. This man could not be more perfect.
As she spent time with the earl, Kitty found that her joints relaxed and her pain slowly melted away. He was not the cure to her ailment, but he was most certainly a wonderful treatment. Between his love and her father's care she grew strong again. And the two men did more than just help her recover her health.
They worked tirelessly, first to work out what exactly she wanted from her wedding, and then to make sure it was all put together just as she wanted it to be. At first she had held back a little, not wanting to seem greedy or selfish, but as time passed she realized that it gave them genuine pleasure to see her happy, so she had relaxed a bit.
As soon as she was comfortable and healthy enough, the wedding was held. Everything was precisely as she had asked for it to be, from the elaborate lace frills on her dress, all the way to the bright ribbons decorating the church and the reception hall.
She was not as interested in flowers and the more natural decorations that were popular among her friends and relatives. No, she was more thrilled by what was made by man, by the world that lay ahead of them. The decorating focused on ribbons and silks and lace, all things crafted by human hands and machines, all things from the world that was to come.
The vehicle which was to carry them from the church to the earl's house for lunch was Trevithick's own locomotive, rented at no little expense for the day.
It was overdone, but she did not mind it one bit. It was perfect for her, and that was what counted. What is more, Cassandra and Delilah both loved what she had done for her wedding. They were both fans of the overblown celebrations which the earl had spoken of, and they were thrilled by the attention to detail that had gone into every elaborate feature. They had even helped with everything they could handle, from imports to working on the dress design.
Delilah had forgiven Kitty, and Kitty had forgiven Delilah. The three women were friends again. Kitty could not be happier. She loved the two older women very dearly, and she never wanted anything to come between them again. And Cassandra and Delilah shared those feelings, expressing them on every possible occasion.
Before she walked down the aisle, as she waited with her father behind the great door, Cassandra had even slipped out of the side door of the church and around the building, to see her one last time before she was officially married. Delilah, proper as always, remained seated, but told Cassandra to give Kitty her love and wish her luck.
It was the little boost she needed before it was time for her to walk down the aisle, holding onto her father's arm. He actually looked closer to tears than she was, and she patted his shoulder reassuringly before the servants opened the great doors.
Walking down the aisle was a magical feeling. Her father was beaming with pride, and Kitty was trying to hold back her excitement and maintain some decorum. She was astonished by just how many people had appeared. She knew she had many friends, but she had forgotten just how many.
Growing up she had known many people, and she had met many more in hospital, and through her mother and her father. She had not seen them as often as she perhaps would have liked, but she had made the effort to get to know people nonetheless. And now she realized that her parents' actions had been much more directional than she had assumed. So many smiling faces. So many friends.
She realized that she was more wanted and more loved than she ever could have imagined. For every day she spent alone because of her condition, she had spent another day sharing her love with the world. And the world was paying her back. Not just in the love of friendship, but in romance.
H
er eyes were drawn to the handsome groom, waiting for her at the altar. He looked regal in his sharp coat with a bright white corsage, his hair slicked back smoothly with wax, his gloves gleaming white. He grinned as they made eye contact. He was not about to hide his feelings, and he was excited and proud to have such a beautiful woman walking up to meet him at the altar.
As the pastor began to speak, Kitty had to look away from the earl. He was devouring her with his eyes so intently, she knew she had to distract herself from him, or else she might become so overexcited she could faint.
As the pastor spoke the last bans, she looked about the room, once again appreciating all the people who had gathered for them both. Her eyes then landed on someone she had not noticed the entire time. A smiling, freckled, tired face in the crowd. Helena had made it. Kitty could see the sheer awe on her friend's face as the vows began.
Looking back up at the man who was about to become her husband, she understood why. He was gorgeous, the most handsome man she had ever seen. And an earl! And he was all hers. As they kissed she felt her heart beating hard and fast in her chest. He was all hers.
The ride in the locomotive was just what she had expected and, apparently, nothing like what the earl had expected. He was slightly nervous the entire time, but she found it wonderful to see that expression of excitement, nerves, and confusion on his face.
“It looks as though I am showing you something new this time,” she said with a smile as they neared their destination.
“I am not sure if I love this or hate it,” he said with a nervous laugh.
“We are almost there,” she reassured him. “And when we get there, I would like to wait for someone.”
“Someone?” he asked just as the locomotive came to a halt.
She nodded. “Yes, let's wait for her in the entry.”
So they did. It was not long before the guests started arriving for lunch and dancing, and Kitty and the earl greeted each guest as they arrived. But Kitty kept an eye out for one guest in particular. One who arrived and was pushed to the door in a wheelchair.
“Helena, you made it!” Kitty exclaimed, leaning down to hug her friend.
“I did. I could not miss this for the world. You look so beautiful,” Helena said with a sigh. “I had never imagined I would see the day that one of us two would be married, but I am so glad that I have.”
“Are you still going to have the surgery?” Kitty asked, taking over from the servant and pushing her friend's chair inside.
“Of course. Eventually,” Helena replied. “I want to be in better health, but having given it some thought I would rather be alive and in poor health than risk my life for the possibility of better health.”
“That is wise,” Kitty said.
Helena sighed again. “But of course that means I shall probably never have my own wedding. I doubt that any man would want a woman like me. Spinsterhood sounds better than death on a surgery table, but being better doesn't make it good, you know?”
“They say that if you take a piece of the bride's dress, her good fortune will go with you, and you shall be lucky in love and marry soon,” Kitty said to Helena. Then, she reached down and ripped a shred from one of the many ruffles in her skirt.
“Your dress!” Helena exclaimed, somewhere between shocked and indignant. “You've ruined it.”
Kitty held out the scrap of lace to Helena. “Here, for you. It will bring you good luck and you shall be married within the year, whether you have the surgery or not.”
Helena took the lace and looked at it. “Do you think it will work?”
“I hope so,” Kitty replied with a grin. “Because I'm already excited for your wedding.”
The music started fairly suddenly and the girls watched as the center of the hall broke apart, revealing a clearing. As the guests turned their eyes to her, expecting to watch the bride and groom take the first dance, Kitty wondered if perhaps she should be a little careful. After all, there was still the risk that the dance would upset her joints.
Earl Sinclair stepped out of the crowd and walked towards her and she felt her heart soar. He reached his hand out to her. “Come, let's dance. We're only having one wedding, Kitty,” he grinned.
He was right. So what if she felt a little tired and sore the next day? There would only be one wedding, only one first dance. She took his hand and stood up, following him out into the middle of the circle the crowd had cleared.
As they began to dance, slowly and steadily, she rested her head on his chest and felt true peace.
The End or not?
(Turn one more page….)
The Extended Epilogue
Falling for the Governess
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The Lady’s Gamble
Chapter 1
Regina Hartfield concentrated on her stitches. Elizabeth was banging away at the pianoforte just one room over. It was threatening to disturb her calm.
She did feel rather bad. It wasn’t Elizabeth’s fault she couldn’t play well. And she wasn’t trying to disturb anybody. But every time it gave her such a headache.
“Elizabeth!” Natalie entered the room. Her hair was only half done up. “For the love of all that’s holy would you stop! You can hear it through the whole house!”
The pianoforte stopped. Regina breathed out a quiet sigh of relief.
“Honestly,” Natalie grumbled. Then she spied Regina. “Oh, darling, you must start getting ready!”
“I don’t think I shall be going tonight.”
“But you must!” Natalie looked crestfallen. Although part of that might have been her half-done hair. “Regina, everyone will be there.”
“Precisely.” Regina focused back on her stitching. The idea of being among such a large crowd of people for hours terrified her.
“Have you told Father?” Natalie asked.
Regina didn’t answer. She was a horrible liar. And she hadn’t told Father. She’d tactfully avoided the subject of tonight’s ball all week.
She had been hoping that, being ensconced in the side parlor, she could avoid Father. Then when it was time the flurry of her four elder sisters climbing into the carriage would disguise her lack of presence. By the time Father realized she wasn’t there they would hopefully be halfway to the ball. Far too late to turn back for shy mousy Regina.
It was too late for that now. Natalie would be sure to tell Father.
“I think that you should go,” Natalie maintained. “It’s always such fun.”
“For you it is,” Regina replied. It was widely maintained that Natalie was the prettiest of the Hartfield sisters.
Regina supposed that depended upon one’s taste. Natalie was the only sister with blue eyes. That helped her to stand out, certainly. Paired with a sweet, heart-shaped face and dark red hair, every man in the county wanted to marry her.
Personally, Regina preferred the cat-like green eyes of her other sisters. Not that Regina took after them. She had red hair like all of her sisters. Gotten from Mother, God rest her soul. But Regina had boring brown eyes and far too many freckles. She was tiny as well. Elizabeth liked to joke about Regina being the runt of the litter. What man wanted to dance with a girl when he had to crane his neck down to look at her?
It wasn’t her looks that truly made Regina reluctant to go to the ball. She just didn’t like people. And all that exercise. She wasn’t the adventurous type. A quiet evening stitching and reading suited her just fine.
Not that Father would s
ee it that way.
“It would be fun for you as well if you would make an effort,” Natalie replied.
“I’m sure that stitching would be just as fun for you if you made an effort,” Regina pointed out.
Natalie sniffed. She’d always hated stitching. “I’m going to finish getting ready. You should as well. Elizabeth!”
Elizabeth appeared, looking peevish. Elizabeth was the second youngest and had taken to it like a martyr. Her red hair was orange and fiery to match her temper and her green eyes were always flashing.
“It’s hours yet, Natalie, I don’t have to get ready.”
“You should start now. You know your hair takes longer to tame.”
Elizabeth had also inherited their father’s tight curls. It did make her hair rather difficult to get under control.
“Not all of us need half a day to make ourselves fit enough to be seen by society,” Elizabeth replied.
Regina focused back on her stitches. She really didn’t want to be privy to another spat between Elizabeth and Natalie.
“You could learn from my example. Perhaps then someone would ask you to dance a second time.”
Regina shrank a little farther back into the chair. Luckily the spat was ended when Bridget entered the room.
Bridget was the oldest of the five Hartfield sisters. She was also Regina’s favorite. Although, it wouldn’t do to tell any of her other sisters that. Bridget was everything that Regina wished she could be. Bridget was confident and tall with pale creamy skin and a serene face. She had dark red hair and quick green eyes. Furthermore, she was wickedly funny, well read, intelligent, and could make anyone love her. Natalie was the prettiest Hartfield, everyone said, but Bridget was the wittiest and the most well-liked.
“Elizabeth, please go and get ready.” Bridget didn’t raise her voice. She didn’t need to. “I’ll join you in a moment. Natalie, could you remind Father that he needs to speak to the gardener?”