3rd April 1814
"Morning all," Richard said as he walked into the breakfast room. He immediately caught Kitty's gaze and gave her a cheeky wink, as he smiled back at her. Making his way to the table, he spotted Darcy watching him, his stare was that of concern, which made Richard slightly annoyed. She is not your daughter, cousin, lighten up! It was only a wink, he thought.
"Darcy, why don't we all venture up to Pemberley Point, so that Miss Kitty can see Pemberley and the surrounding grounds?" Richard asked.
"Oh yes Kitty, that was my first encounter with Pemberley's beauty. William stopped the carriage there when we arrived after the wedding and we took a short walk to view the grounds. It is exceedingly beautiful from that viewpoint," Elizabeth gushed, remembering the first moments on seeing her new home from such a position.
Kitty agreed with enthusiasm, stating that she would dearly love to be able to paint the landscape, the viewpoint sounded a superb location. However, she did not have the tools to do so. Darcy, on hearing of his sister's accomplishment, asked, "I did not know you could paint, how long have you been practising?"
"I have painted since I was a child, but have spent more time over the past two years, perfecting my technique. Father has given me some pin money and I would like to buy some paints, brushes and papers, whilst I am here."
"I believe there is a paper mill at Chesterfield, which sells wove paper and other such materials and there is a small shop that deals with artist's equipment very close by, I assume the businesses are linked in some way," Darcy stated, "we can go there tomorrow, if you wish?"
Kitty was delighted to hear there was a supplier within a day's ride, for Chesterfield was less than fifteen miles away."That would be excellent. I can make a list of what I need when I get back, so that I do not forget anything."
"With regards to visiting the Point today, I will call for the carriage and we can all go after breaking fast. Are you up for the trip Elizabeth?" Darcy asked, knowing his wife was not keen on travelling at this point in her pregnancy. Elizabeth nodded to affirm, as it was only a short distance, but it was fully uphill, so she may have found herself struggling to complete the distance, if she bid to walk there instead.
.
As they approached the Point, the carriage stopped. Richard had hold of Kitty's arm on his, as they walked towards the opening in the trees. He could feel her grasp on his arm tighten, as she came to view the whole valley, from up on high. Her mouth dropped open and her eyes widened at the vision, "Yes, this will definitely need to be painted, it is so picturesque from here. Maybe in a few weeks, when spring turns into summer, so the flowers are more abundant? It will add more colour to the painting," she thought aloud.
"When ever you wish," Richard stated, "I can accompany you."
"And I will chaperon," Elizabeth stated with a raised brow, making Richard burst into laughter at his cousin's protectiveness.
When they returned to the main house, Richard called Darcy aside. "Darce, I would like to buy Kitty her art tools, I do not wish for her to spend her allowance."
"You do not have to do that, we will be going tomorrow. If needs be I can pay for them, it is no trouble," Darcy stated.
"No, I want to get them and for it to be a surprise. I do not know what she wants though, could you try and obtain the list, after she has written it and tell me what is on it."
"That should not be a problem, I can say I need it to make sure we go to the right shops, she will not question my motives then."
Later that afternoon, Richard returned from Chesterfield with his purchases and several bunches of flowers that he impulsively purchased from a woman along the roadside, and some chocolates from a chocolatière, he found in the town centre. As he ventured into the house, he managed to employ the assistance of Mrs Reynolds, without alerting anyone of his return. He asked her to place the items into Kitty's bedchambers, with a note from himself. He thought of the delight it would bring to the little Miss Bennet and he felt a warm glow in his chest for doing such an act. Ladies love flowers and chocolate, do they not? he pondered, smiling to himself at how he seemed to be falling for her.
As Elizabeth and Kitty ascended the stairs to get ready for dinner, Kitty opened her door and gasped at what she saw. As Elizabeth was only yards away, she turned and enquired, "Kitty? What is the matter?"
"Look!" Kitty exclaimed, as she pointed into her room from the hallway.
Elizabeth stood along side her sister and gazed into her rooms, for she saw several vases of flowers around the room, including Lilly of the Valley and Pink Magnolia. The scent was intoxicating, such a delightful fragrance filled their senses, as they both walked in to take in the sight.
"These are not from the gardens, Kitty. Someone has bought these for you," she said with a smile.
"Who would do such a thing?" Kitty said in all innocence, but then her eyes were drawn to the box upon her pillow, with the note attached, she wandered over and read the note.
.
To the ever so pretty Miss Bennet,
Please accept these small token gifts, I hope the first of many, that you will allow me to bestow upon you.
I knew that you wished to venture into town tomorrow, but I took it upon myself to get you what you needed, so that we may spend the time in each other's company instead.
The other items are to bring a smile upon your lovely face.
I hope you enjoy the flowers and chocolate truffles.
Yours
'The colonel'
P.S. Yes, Elizabeth can have a truffle, if you wish.
.
Kitty smiled, but had to laugh at his post scriptum.
"Kitty, you do realise this is a declaration of him wishing to woo you? I have never seen Richard act this way before," Elizabeth said.
Kitty bit her bottom lip to stifle a grin, but failed miserably. She wished that he would woo her, court her and love her. "Do you think me silly, sister, if I were to think that I was already falling for him," Kitty asked.
"Well, it is not as if you have only just met him, you have seen him several times, a year or so ago."
"Yes, at first I thought he was interested in Lydia, before your wedding, that is. After she left, he seemed to pay more attention to me, but it was not like it is now, he was only polite and exhibiting his usual jovial manner then, but I liked him exceedingly, none the less. The past couple of days have proved him to be more interested than before, which has turned my head."
"You have grown up vastly in the past year, so maybe he sees you as a woman and not a girl anymore. Also, I believe his circumstances have changed and he is allowing himself to look at you in a certain way now," Elizabeth stated, knowing of her husband's offer.
"What ever do you mean, circumstances changed?"
"Do not say anything to anyone, but William offered him a house, if he chose to settle down and take a wife. He has not been able to do so, on his army wage alone. I do believe he is now thinking seriously about William's offer."
On this Kitty gasped, was Richard of the same thought, did she dare to hope that he would fulfil her wants, to court her with an intention to make her his wife? The thought brought a smile to her face. "I take it then you are not offended by that thought?" Elizabeth asked.
"No, on the contrary, my stomach is all butterflies, thinking of its possibility."
.
Kitty had gone to the music room, just before dinner was called. As she wanted to choose some music to play after they dined. On hearing a few notes on the instrument, Richard made his way to greet the young lady, his main reason was to see Kitty's reaction to his gifts.
As he entered the room, he found she was alone and oblivious to his presence, for she had closed her eyes and had become immersed in the emotions that the music had provoked. As she finished, she slowly opened her eyes as she regained consciousness of her surroundings, but jumped on seeing Richard leaning over the piano, beaming with delight.
"You shocked me!" Kitty said eyes wide, but her expression quickly softened and was replaced by a broad grin. "Thank you for the gifts, it was very thoughtful of you, you should not have."
"It was my pleasure to buy you such. I can spend the day with you then, tomorrow. Maybe go for a walk in the grounds, or sit in the gardens?"
"I fear that Lizzy will wish to play chaperon if we walk out. The grounds are full of gardeners this time of year, so a chaperon will not be needed, maybe we can sit by the roses?"
"Whatever you wish, Miss Kitty."
"Wish? I would like to paint you, actually. Maybe we can, whilst surrounded by the roses?"
"Why would you care to paint me, my ruggedness would not translate onto canvas well, for my battle scars will make me look like a pirate. Should I wear an eye patch?" he laughed.
His scars indeed made him look rugged and war torn, however, in Kitty's eyes they only added to his alluring appearance. What of a few little scars, she thought, as she gazed at the remnants of two small slash marks, upon his cheek.
"I think they are rather becoming, they give you character. If you really feel the need, I can omit them from the painting and can claim artistic licence in doing so, but it will not be you."
"You can keep them in, for I am not embarrassed by them, for they were given to me by a rather nasty soldier, that did not live long," he smirked. Kitty, however, gasped at his admission of killing someone, "I did not kill him, Miss Kitty, the man behind him did," he laughed.
"But you have taken someone's life?" she asked.
"Yes, but only in the name of the king, it is my job to protect the king and country. Please do not concern yourself, Miss Kitty," he soothed on seeing her rather distraught. Please do not think ill of me, my lovely one, he thought, hoping that this did not push her away from him. "So… how many chocolates are left?" he asked, trying to lighten the atmosphere.
Kitty smiled and confessed to having eaten half of them, with the help of Elizabeth. "They are too delicious to stop at just one. I will, however, have to restrain myself or there will be none left by tomorrow," she smiled.
"I thought you would like them, I can get you some more the next time I am in Chesterfield," he said.
"You do not have to do that, colonel, for I will grow fat and my dresses will not fit me," she laughed.
"I would not mind, for there will be more of you to hold onto," Richard winked, which threw Kitty into a tizzy.
7th April 1814
The following days were spent in the gardens, Richard had sat for Kitty's painting, whilst Elizabeth played chaperon. "Have you nearly finished?" Richard asked for the umpteenth time in the past hour.
"I am almost done," Kitty said, "but you have to keep still. You are a fidget."
"I cannot sit still for long, I have too much energy for that," he laughed, "I need to exert myself somehow."
"Richard, go for a ride afterwards," Elizabeth said, whilst looking up from her cross stitch, on the other side of the lawn.
"I may do that, or I may just have you play the pianoforte, so that I can dance a reel with your sister."
"I thought you didn't dance?" Kitty gasped, recollecting his first visit to Longbourn.
"He cannot, for he has two left feet, William calls him a clodhopper," Elizabeth laughed.
"Does he now? Well at least I can sing."
"Oh I thought your family could not," kitty stated, "oh… but then you are not a Darcy, you are a Fitzwilliam, silly me," she blushed, realising her faux pas.
"Yes, us Fitzwilliam's are far superior to the common Darcy's," he joked, but on hearing this, Elizabeth exclaimed that he should not say that in front of her husband, as he would likely get into an argument.
Another five minutes past and Richard said the inevitable question again. "Have you finished now?"
"Yes! I am done!" Kitty said, exhaling loudly, which made her lips vibrate and so creating a rather rude noise. "I am sorry," she laughed.
"You sounded like a horse snorting then," Richard stated, trying to hold back his laugh. "May I see what you have done?"
"Oh I do not know, let Elizabeth see first," she panicked, in case the colonel did not like the artwork. Elizabeth, however, was a keen critic and if anything was wrong, she would say.
Elizabeth got up and walked over to where Kitty was. Richard could see the smile on her face and was relieved that he had not been portrayed as some hideous creature. "Is this how you see him, Kitty?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes, why? Do you not?" Kitty asked, puzzled as she looked from her painting to the colonel repeatedly trying to spot the difference.
"I can see you find him handsome," she teased.
"That is because he is."
"Oh, I do not think he is that handsome," she stated looking closer at the painting.
"Well he is, and as I am the artist, what gets painted is the true likeness. If I say he is handsome then he is," Kitty stated, then gasped, for she realised that her sister had been teasing her and provoked her into declaring what she had, in front of Richard. She quickly turned her head to see him, sitting there like the cat with the cream.
"Oh Miss Kitty, you have let out your little secret now," he teased, "for the record, I think you are rather beautiful myself," he winked. This made Kitty feel giddy, for she had never received such a compliment from a man before.
14th April 1814
Lizzy deliberately awoke early, before her husband and rose from the bed, in preparation for his surprise. It had been two years to the day since she gave him her answer and wanted to celebrate with a picnic under the Sapling, by the lake.
The cook had prepared a mouthwatering assortments of delights for the hamper, including blood oranges and strawberries with cream. Luckily her husband had seen fit to grow such fruits in his hot houses, so Elizabeth thought she would steal them for her surprise.
She left a scented note on her pillow, next to where he slept, hoping that he would see it as soon as his eyes opened. When he woke, he was startled to see the emptiness of the bed, for Elizabeth never rose before he and especially now, for her days usually started at around nine in the morning.
Seeing the note, he could surmise that it was the writing of his wife and smiled at the little flowers that she had drawn about the front of the folded piece of paper. He picked it up and smelt the essence that flowed from its surface, such a wonderful smell of the Lilly of the Valley, which reminded him only of his wife.
On opening it, he read.
.
My Darling
Two years to this day, I gave you my love,
My heart, my soul, my body, all of,
You invaded my being, as you tenderly wooed,
Enticing, seducing, my love you pursued,
Come hither, come quick, but care you should take,
For I can be found, by our tree near the lake,
The little one and I, with patience we sit
So without further delay, come lickety split.
.
Darcy jumped out of bed and looked out the window, where he had view of the lake. In the distance, under the tree, he could clearly see Elizabeth sitting on the grass, on what looked like a blanket. Seeing to his needs and ablutions in record speeds, he quickly donned his attire. Ignoring propriety, he left his cravat, waistcoat and tailcoat on the chair.
He run down the hallway, but stopped at the top of the stair. Come hither, come quick, but care you should take, he remembered, I better not rush or I will surely fall down the stairs and it wont be my nose that is broke. He remembered Elizabeth's worries, when he ran from Rosings. He smiled at the fact he had nearly collapsed with exhaustion, then fainted on hearing her reply.
When he got to the bottom of the stairs, he quickened his pace and ran into the parlour, picked up several cushions and ran out the door and across the lawns, to where his wife sat.
"Good morning my love, I thought I would surprise you with a little picnic by our tree," Elizabeth cooed.
Darcy sat down beside her and placed most of the cushions around his wife, beckoning her to allow him to place one under her derriere. "I thought this would make you more comfortable," he smiled, "So what have we here?" he said eyeing the picnic basket.
"I thought we could relive our days at Rosings," she smiled.
On opening the basket, Darcy spotted the fruits and laughed. "You have invaded my hot houses, did Ted give you those?"
"Yes, I persuaded him with a few pieces of silver yesterday and told him not to mention any of our dealings with yourself, he was very happy to oblige and thought it all rather fun," she said as she lent in for a slow sensual kiss. "Darling, would you care for strawberries and cream?" Elizabeth asked as she held up the fruit to his mouth. On taking a bite, Elizabeth could not help but kiss him once more, licking the remnants of the cream from his lips.
"Oh Lizzy, we could have so easily done this in our bedchambers, I fear though that I would not be eating the fruit from your hand, but off of your body," he spoke softly between heavy breaths.
"We can do that later, if you wish," she said, now offering a piece of blood orange from her lips, which Darcy took with a groan.
Elizabeth could see that he had dressed in a hurry, this made her heart flutter as she gazed down at his bare neck. His shirt was open at the top, allowing his chest hairs to escape their usual prison of layers of clothing. Oddly, she found the sight of his incomplete dress and being outdoors, more arousing than if he were naked in their bed.
Darcy watched as his wife's eyes wandered his body, from his face to his neck and down to his chest. He could see her arousal, her eyes deceived her for in the bright morning light, he noticed that the almost black flecks that were usually invisible in normal light, had vanished by the dilation of her pupils. His skin prickled as he saw his wife lick her lips, contemplating what, he did not know. "Lizzy, what are you thinking?" he whispered.
"Whether or not we can be easily seen from the house?" she admitted.
"I fear we can, as I saw you from my bedchambers, when I read your note."
Elizabeth slumbered back onto the pillows, where she languished in the headiness of her husband's presence. Her breathing hitched and her bosom swelled. The contents of her bodice threatening to spill out over the top. "Darling, you look as you did on our first date, the day after I proposed and kissed you. You were laying there and I said…"
"'Heaven forbid Elizabeth, if we were wed, I would take you here and now and to hell with anyone who may come upon us.' So… William, are you going to take me?" she whispered, wishing that he would ravage her.
"Lizzy, you have given me a quandary for I want to so very much, my desires are almost at bursting point. However, we are still in full view of the house, anyone could see."
"What if we were to move to under the willow tree?" she asked, pointing at the low hanging branches of the tree not fifty yards along the lake's edge.
Darcy looked at the tree, for indeed its branches hung so low that they hit the floor, creating a dappled drapery around its trunk. Grabbing the basket and cushions, he ran across to deposit the items and returned for his wife, who was giggling as she watched his escapades. "You seem to be in rather a hurry, sir?" she laughed.
"God Lizzy, what do you think I would do, leisurely dawdle over there and back. Come!" he stated in a way that any desperate man would. He grabbed her hand and pulled her up to her feet and then picked her up in his arms. As quickly as Darcy had deposited the cushions, he had deposited his wife upon them and rushed back for the few remaining items. On his return he asked, "Now where were we?"
"I believe sir, I had reminded you of your comment at Rosings, something about taking me here and now?" she said as she gave him the most salacious smile.
Elizabeth lay down once more, she relished at the softness of the cushions that her husband had insisted she lay on. Darcy lay down and bent over her again, his lips lingered as he kissed her tenderly, he was eager to have her, but also wish to draw out the experience. "Oh darling, your lips taste of strawberries," he said as he moved his lips down her neck and onto her decolletage. Elizabeth's breathing hitched and her bosom once again swelled as Darcy plunged his hand into the top of her bodice and pulling her breast out of the confines of her gown. His lips made contact with her now hardened nipples, swirling his tongue around its peak and sucking hard. With his hand, he grabbed the hems of her skirt and started to pull up her dress. There he discovered her womanhood, waiting patiently to be traversed and so pushed two fingers into her core and she groaned her reaction. He shifted to between her legs and with care not to put any weight on her belly, he entered her slowly. Relishing the experience of making love for the first time outdoors, it was not long before both were crying out their release. "Oh Lizzy, I love you so much."
Whilst the Darcys were reliving their courting days, Richard had wandered down into the breakfast room, hoping to see his cousin at the table, but only Kitty was sitting there, enjoying her toast and preserves. "Morning Miss Kitty, I hope you are well on this fine day?" the colonel said with a twinkle in his eye.
"I am very well, thank you colonel, and you?" she smiled.
"I am happy as a lark on a spring morning, have you seen Darcy around?" Richard asked, as he wanted to discuss the possibility of courting Kitty and wanted Darcy's approval first.
"I saw him by the trees near the lake about five minutes ago, why?"
"Oh, I just need to talk to him, was he alone?"
"I believe so, I did not see him with anyone."
"I will have a quick coffee and when you are finished, we can take a walk out to see if we can find him," Richard smiled, hoping that being alone with Kitty for a short while in the grounds, would allow him to steal a kiss.
Within ten minutes they were both heading out of the door. As they walked towards the area Kitty had mentioned, they looked around but could not see him, "Are you sure he came in this direction?" Richard asked.
"Yes, I saw him near that tree," she said pointing to the willow tree. As they approached, Richard could see two sets of entwined legs from behind the trunk. They are making love, how the hell do I get us away from here without Kitty seeing them? he thought. "I think we need to go back to the house, now!" he whispered.
"What ever for, I thought you wanted to find William?" at that moment, both kitty and Richard heard two sets of groans. Richard closed his eyes, hoping to be swallowed up and Kitty gasped. "What's happening?"
"Please we need to leave now, they are making love," he said quietly, having now to disclose what was happening, so that they move quickly away.
Kitty's hand flung up to her mouth and turned around and walked quickly back to the house, Richard followed close behind, finally catching up with her by the time they had reached the portico at the main entrance. "I am sorry, I did not wish to say, but I did not know how to get you to move away."
Kitty was in a state of embarrassment, "Do you suppose they realised we were there?"
"I doubt it, the groans you heard meant they were probably not aware of the reality around them and in some heady state of euphoria."
Kitty smiled at him with raised eyebrows, "I take it you know what goes on between husband and wife?" Richard asked, as he brushed a stray hair away from her cheek and cupped her face in his hand.
"Yes," was all she said in a breathy state.
"Can I kiss you?" Richard asked, hoping that he could at least steal a chaste kiss, but wishing for more. He had manoeuvred Kitty back, so that she was against the side wall of the enclosed portico, hoping that if he was permitted, he could take a kiss without being overseen by any of the servants.
"Yes, you may," she whispered.
Closing her eyes, she brought her face up to meet his, his breathing accelerated and he noticed a tremble within his breaths. God, I am so nervous, why am I so, it is not as if I have not kissed a woman before…but this is Kitty, my dear KittyCat, he thought. Their mouths slowly drew closer together, she could feel the shudder of his exhalations upon her skin, making her own breath hitch. She groaned when their lips finally connected and she experienced a flood of sweet soft kisses. Richard brought his hands back up to cup either side of her face, stroking his fingertips across her cheeks as he did.
Kitty was in a dream state, for she had not experienced anything like it before. Without knowing, she lent her middle into Richard's body and in doing so, she pressed against his arousal, which made him groan. He pulled away from the kiss, only to rest his forehead against hers. "Can you feel what you do to me Kitty? I have always thought you beautiful, but this past year or so you have grown into a celestial being of god's making. I cannot think of nothing else except you, you delight me in my dreams and tease me with your presence during my waking hours. I want you so much with your temptations," he whispered into her ear.
"I feel the same, but this is all new to me, I do not understand my body's reactions to you."
"Just let it speak for itself, your body is reacting to mine, I want you KittyCat, so much," he said as he spread feather like kisses about her face.
Kitty groaned on hearing the pet name he called her, for such a soft expression emanating from a hardened army officer's lips was such that it gave her goosebumps.
"We need to return inside the house, for I will lose control if I do not pull away now and distance myself, even though I do not wish to," Richard said, knowing he was under the threat of losing out to his baser instincts. He took hold of her hand and kissed it, he closed his eyes and placed her palm against his cheek. On opening his eyes again, he could see the emotions in hers, was it love? He realised then that he loved her, he had finally found someone and his want of her was great, he wanted her for his wife, his partner in crime and the mother of his children and now that Darcy had allowed him that privilege, he was going to take the offer with gust. He knew that before he asked Kitty the question, he needed to seek Darcy's approval and confirmation that the property in Matlock was still on offer.
They made their way back to the breakfast room for coffee. As they entered, they saw the Darcys walking across the lawns, leaving all the accoutrement behind, for a man servant to fetch.
Entering the breakfast room, all eyes were on Elizabeth, who looked rather dishevelled. "Elizabeth," Richard teased, "your hair looks rather wild, what on earth have you been doing?"
Kitty, on this question, gasped as she blushed. She knew very well that Richard had knowledge of what went on and was taking satisfaction in asking none the less. Kitty tutted, which made Richard turn his head to her, where he saw her shake her head in non approval, this made Richard smile.Has Kitty just chastised me? he pondered happily.
Elizabeth blamed the harsh winds that had picked up and the lack of a bonnet. Luckily, she did not pick up on the fact that they could have been seen under the canopy of the willow branches.
As Darcy walked in, Richard asked if he could have a word in private, before he settled himself down for a morning coffee. Whilst Darcy showed him into his study and shut the door, Kitty began to fidget in her seat, What is he doing, is he asking for permission to court me? she thought.
As the gentlemen settled down into the comfy chairs by the fireplace, Richard started his speech.
"You know you offered me a house, before I went to London. Is that still the case?" he asked. He waited for a shocked look on his cousin's face, but was not met with one, however, he was met with a smile, which settled his nerves to some degree.
"I take it you want to marry Kitty?" Darcy stated.
"Yes, God! I am so obvious. Darcy, she has taken me by surprise. You saw my reaction when I came a month ago and since then she has consumed my every thought. Maybe it is the knowledge now that I can be free to some extent in finding a woman, whereas before I stowed the possibility away and did not think about it. Either that, or it is a massive coincidence," he proclaimed.
Darcy laughed, for he had never seen his cousin as such. He was glad that he wished to settle down, and on thinking of the house, he upped his offer. "Richard, I had offered you a free rental of a vacant house, however, I am inclined to offer you a house of your choosing and I will purchase it for you. It will be entirely in your name. It cannot be an estate, you realise, but a large town house with gardens will be within my offer."
"Bloody hell, Darce! You do not need to do that!" Richard blurted out.
"Yes I can, you wish to marry my sister, so it is only fair I increase my initial offer to you. See it as a wedding present to you both."
"Blimey! I do not know what to say, thank you."
The men sat there for a few minutes in comfortable silence before Richard asked another question. "Do I get permission from Mr Bennet or yourself? She is under your protection."
"You are best to seek it from Mr Bennet, I cannot give permission in such cases, he has not given me leave to agree."
"I will ask her now and if she accepts, I will travel to Hertfordshire in the morning. I hope she does," Richard said, now biting his nails.
"Oh, and Richard, when you do go into Mr Bennet's study, he will offer you an old rickety chair to sit on whilst he wallows in his plush leather one. This is a thing he does apparently, he is as much of a tease, if not worse, than Elizabeth."
"I will bear that in mind. Do you think I can do it now, before I falter with nerves. Can you call Elizabeth in, so that I can have a private audience with her."
Darcy nodded and went into the hallway and called out for Elizabeth. As she came out, he asked her if Kitty was in there alone, to which Elizabeth nodded. Darcy took her arm and escorted her back into the study, where Richard got up and removed himself to return to the breakfast room.
"Where is he going? Should I not be in the room with him?" Elizabeth asked.
"No, he wants a private audience with Kitty, you will be in the way for what he has to say to her," he smiled.
"Oh, William, he is going to propose marriage?" she smiled when her husband nodded his reply.
Richard straightened his attire out and run his fingers through his hair, before he went back into the room. On entering, Kitty looked up from her cup of tea and smiled sweetly.
"Kitty… darling…. I have something to ask you."
.