Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months and in those months, James climbed the ranks very quickly. It was eight months before James and I got to see each other again and that was at a party held by one of father's friends. We had been in correspondence but he never mentioned anything about going to the party.

It was a warm sunshiny day, a cool breeze blowing through occasionally. There were lots of men in uniform and ladies in beautiful dresses all vying for a young man's attention. Father was introducing me to a Captain Jamie something or other, I wasn't really paying attention because I had seen James. He was standing by a water fountain with two other men in uniform. I couldn't help but stare at him. He looked so different, so handsome! His gold brown hair hardly visible underneath his cap, his skin slightly more tanned than I remember. I peel myself away from my father and the captain and make my way towards James, not taking any notice of the world around me.

"James?" I ask tenetively. He turns to me, grinning.

"Elizabeth!" he exclaims taking me into his arms, "What are you doing here?"

"I came with father. What are you doing here?" I say excited.

"I'm a lieutenant now." He states proudly, "And I came with my regiment." He adds.

"Oh I'm so proud of you!" I exclaim kissing his cheek. A voice clears their throat and James looks past me.

"Oh I'm sorry! How rude of me!" he apologises. I turn to face the man and woman standing behind me. Another officer, dark hair, hazel eyes, tanned skin that must once have been as pale as James' and freckles. The woman looked remarkably similar, she was petite, had golden hair but the same eyes and mouth. They smiled, as did I, they looked much friendlier now. "Eliz -Sorry, Miss Sorenson, Lieutenant Charlie Waverly and his younger sister Fiona.

"Pleased to finally meet you." Lt Waverly grinned holding out his hand, "James has told me much about you." I grinned at James as the lieutenant kissed my hand gently. "You had better keep a close eye on her James, I might just pinch her from you." We laugh but James is still weary of Charlie's words, even if it was just a joke.

"Would you like some punch?" James asks turning to me when Charlie and his sister leave.

"Yes please, I'm parched." I walk arm in arm with James to the punch bowl, the tables filled with food and around the gardens. In the evening, the soldiers were able to ask the ladies for a dance by moonlight. I never left James' arms except for the dance Lieutenant Waverly took over as James went to talk with his commanding officer.

It was midnight when the fireworks started. There was a big boom, causing me to jump and James' arm to wrap around me tightly. There were red ones and blue ones and green and yellow. I couldn't keep my eyes off the sky. But James could. I felt him staring at me and I blushed. He leant in close, his lips tickling my ear, before I turned my head causing our lips to crash onto the other's. My eye lids drop as I let his lips take me far away. To a nice little cottage in the country with a fire going, food cooking in the kitchen, a dog, two children with their father's gold brown eyes and winning smile and James! Our lips part as the fireworks die down and he envelopes me in his arms. We stand watching the stars, not wanting the night to end. Thankfully, the soldiers don't have a curfew and the day off, so my father agrees to let James stay at our house for the night.

I don't remember going to sleep. I only remember walking through the garden with James. Apparently there was a war about to break out and he was going to be promoted to Captain. As part of the cavalry, he would be one of the first to go to war. Once the infantrymen won the ground of course, but we wouldn't have any time together until the days before he leaves. I promised him I'd be there to say goodbye. The last thing I remember is sitting with him on the grass, star gazing.

I roll over on my bed and find a note on my bedside table along with a freshly cut, long stemmed, red rose. I unfold the letter, and I can almost feel his hand on the paper.

My Dearest Elizabeth,

I had a wonderful time yesterday. It was absolutely delightful seeing you at the officer's party. I had been thinking of you often when I was training. I felt unbelievably happy when I got to hold you in my arms again, hear your sweet voice, call you mine.

I'm leaving this note because I didn't get the chance to say goodbye to you properly. You had fallen into slumber by moonlight. You looked so angelic darling, I didn't want to rouse you, so I carried you to bed and tucked you in, much to the horror of your maid.

You missed my proclamation of love last night. Yes Elizabeth, I love you. You must know that before I leave. I so wanted to tell you in person but you had fallen asleep before I got the chance. Time is not our friend tonight darling and I'm afraid I must leave you. So goodnight and goodbye for now.

Much love,

Your James.