Love
Angus had thought deeply about how he wanted to ask Anne to marry him. He had spent time in the library and discovered a single red rose represented marriage/devotion. After he had been granted permission from Anne's father he had walked to the hothouse and instructed the gardener to cut him a single red rose.
He found Anne with the ladies in the morning room including his own mother. He looked nervous and Janette knew his intentions.
"Anne, I need to show you something in my room would you mind accompanying me?" Janette firmly spoke and two women walking out of the room together. Everyone else in the room knowing what was occurring had to wait to find out the outcome of this conversation.
Once out of the room Janette directed Anne towards Angus and suggested he take Anne to the empty drawing room. Anne suddenly becoming nervous as she realised Angus wanted to have an important conversation with her. She suddenly wished she was wearing her best dress but could only tidy her hair. Angus leading her to a chair, standing before her for a brief moment. Carefully withdrawing the red rose from his coat and got on one knee.
"Anne… I wish to ask for your hand in marriage. I love you and never want to let you go" Angus knowing he was not very flowery with his words but hoped the red rose would help in his communication. Anne crying out in happiness took the rose and then placed her hand on his cheek.
"Yes, Angus Montrose! I would dearly love to be your wife" both moving closer together and kissed for the first time.
"When?" he asked gruffly when they pulled away.
"Hmm… it depends on the size and location of the wedding" Anne answered
"Tomorrow?" he simply demanded. She laughed softly at his urgency but found it very endearing.
"Elizabeth is getting married tomorrow… the day has already been taken!" She smiled at his annoyance. He helped her up and encased her in his arms and placed his forehead on hers.
"Hmmm … next week?" he spoke.
"If you wish my love" smiled Anne before their time alone was interrupted by Joy and Sidney M entering the room. They congratulated the pair and informed them that Janette was already telling everyone she came across the wonderful news of her son's engagement.
"You have made your mother a happy woman!" teased Sidney M but knew how significant this was for his cousin. He also had not been sure Angus would find a lady to love him. Sidney M and Joy suggesting a double wedding at Sanditon. Anne and Angus both agreeing in unison. Anne asking if they needed a special licence as they were leaving for Sanditon the day after the wedding.
"Do not worry my dear sister! Alfred and I will take Angus to visit out godfather and make the arrangements!" Sidney leaning down to kiss her on the cheek. Alfred and Elizabeth also appearing to congratulate the pair.
Angus having to calm his mother who hadn't stopped crying. "I hope they are happy tears, and you are pleased with my choice" he teased his mother. She stopped crying and slapped him in the arm.
"Ohhh Angus Hector Montrose… I have always worried after that horrible girl Vivian" it had been the first time in years she had spoken that name. Angus reassuring his mother that he had realised long ago it was a boy's crush and not the love a man should have for a woman. Anne didn't mind he was not big with his words and made his days brighter.
Sidney and Charlotte had arrived congratulating the pair. Sidney holding his daughter a little longer as this was a significant event in their lives. He also couldn't help thinking about her when she was a child. Charlotte holding his arm tighter, and he knew that everything would be well. He was happy Anne would be settled in Scotland and would see her regularly.
"Sidney M had suggested a double wedding" gushed Anne and watched her father's face. What about your clothes?" he questioned "I don't need new clothes as I received new ones for this season" All fears of Anne being like her mother disappeared.
Sidney M suggested to the men they should be riding to the palace…. Inviting James and Filipe to Join them. The gentlemen leaving quickly as there was a large dinner at the Worcester's London house. The women all going to the drawing room to talk about weddings while the older men went to the study.
Sidney, Crowe and Babbington finding them themselves again speaking about the subject of marriage. At the beginning of the season Sidney and Charles had been concerned but were satisfied their daughters would be marrying good men. It was Crowe who had taken on a worried look. He had watched his daughter when she responded to the news of Anne becoming engaged.
"Out with it man…what is wrong?" spoke Charles while lighting a cigar.
"Isabella… you know how forward the Crowe women can be…." He had stop speaking and was in deep thought. Amanda Crowe was loud, opinionated and at time overpowering. Perfect for Crowe but not all people appreciated her qualities. Charlotte was the first women who had made a connection with his wife. Isabelle had confessed to her parents what she had done to Filipe a couple of weeks ago. Sidney and Charles both spilling their drinks after hearing that piece of information.
"The Count seems to be off his usual game" commented Crowe. The man was rarely seen in the clubs and only attended family gatherings. Filipe was not behaving in his usual manner and it was the talk of the ton. The rumour spreading, he was nursing a broken heart.
"You never told us how you really met and ended up marrying Amanda?" How did Amanda Bowford of New York tame you" demanded Sidney. He had been jealous of his friend who had been happily married for 21 years.
"We met the day before your wedding to Eliza. I was checking all the ships as we thought you might have been planning to leave the country". Sidney taking on a stormy look as he wished to never remember those dark days.
"I had stopped for a drink and bumped into this beautiful woman…"
"Hmmm move on Crowe with the story" demanded Sidney
"She had this look of disgusts I had been assessing her…" Crowe continued
"Keep to the story" drily spoke Charles. Crowe loved telling them about his wife's features when he had over indulged with drink.
"There was something about her and I lost all my manners and she spoke first"
Crowe thinking back to his first conversation with Amanda….
"Are you going to introduce yourself or I am going to assume all Englishmen are mute?" Amanda fired at Crowe.
"Ahhh… my name is Mr Henry Crowe and wish to welcome you to England" Crowe putting on his best manner and roguish smile.
"That is much better! my name is Miss Amanda Bowford. I have just arrived and trying to find my bearings" Amanda taking on a bossy tone.
"Your family business?" He looked confused since she was dressed like a lady but looked comfortable in a bar setting.
"Was Ananda a lady of the night? Asked Charles but stopped himself when given a warning stare from Henry.
"No!..." he fired back at his friend
"But" Charles needed to know
"We had connections"
"Yes" Sidney spoke …. he wanted to know
"Her family made their money by owning bars and clubs… including some of the main clubs in London"
"No" breathed out Charles
"Yes!" Crowe naming a few… thinking back to her finally statement.
"Mr Henry Crowe my family has made a lot of money from the Crowe family. She looked him up and down. I know all the tricks, but I think you can find my accommodation. I am staying with a great Aunt …. she believes the family is in banking but we all know that is not as profitable as the other" Giving him a wink….Crowe was a lost man. Marrying Amanda by the end of the month and after 21 years of marriage was just as besotted.
Sidney and Charles couldn't stop laughing. Crowe had truly found his match.
"Now Isabella… I fear my forward daughter may have put off the poor count" contemplated Crowe
"Do you really want your daughter to marry a rake?" cautioned Charles.
"I was one once and changed my ways… maybe Isabella was born to tame the Count of Alix." Crowe taking a drag from his own cigar.
The young men had reached the palace and thankfully found the King in residence. He had only returned from visiting Susan who had refused to tell him about Alfred. When he was told Alfred was asking for an audience, he cancelled all his appointments. The King welcoming his godsons and renewed his acquaintances with Angus and Filipe.
"Let me introduce you to my stepfather's nephew Mr James Parker" Sidney M smiling while James showed all respect due to the King.
Alfred asking the King's for assistance and within the hour the King handed over the marriage licence to Angus. He turned to the other young men and focused his attention on Filipe. He was the current news of the ton and the King could see the man had lost his sparkle.
The King purposely taking the men to the large paintings of his father and himself when they was around Alfred's age. While they were looking, he spent time comparing Alfred. The likeness was uncanny and confirmed in the king's mind Alfred was his son. Sidney had noticed the King strange behaviour and observed the pair. He suddenly realised he was not the only one that held a secret about their birth.