A NEW HOPE….OR NOT:
Kate woke up to an uncommonly pleasant slumber. She opened her eyes and noticed her surroundings. The room she was in was definitely not from her time. The bed, the floor, the curtains and furniture, weren't like the ones she was accustomed to. All seemed rustic somehow. Rustic and discrete. Rustic but incredibly pretty. This could only mean one thing: yesterday had been all real.
Leopold from his part, had woken up long ago. He liked witnessing the early sun and the mornings, even if they weren't the mornings of his natal England. It was a beautiful morning indeed, and he was feeling rather cheerful and optimistic this morning in particular, for he knew that no matter how bad things were going to be, no matter now high the tide, how strong the distress, he would have someone there by his side, someone that would help him through it all, someone that made him feel that he could do and achieve pretty much anything: his Katherine.
"Well, enough of these thoughts already, I'm going to see how Kate is this morning" Leopold thought to himself as he headed back into the house, and proceeded to go to the room assigned to her.
Kate finished getting dressed and was still admiring her room, but she stepped out of her fascination because of the knock on the door she was suddenly hearing. She went to open the door, and found Leopold standing there. She couldn't help but to smile at him, and when he smiled back, that was when she found herself thinking, that coming to the19th century was surely the best decision she had ever made. "Good morning, Leo" said Kate "Good morning to you, my dearest. Please come with me, let's have some breakfast" said Leopold, kissing her cheek. "Sure" replied Kate, embracing him in a hug.
She was about to take Leopold's hand, but Leopold, being the gentleman he was, and used to his customs and beliefs, offered her his arm instead. Kate was confused, so Leopold explained to her: "Holding hands is not something that couples that aren't married are accustomed to do here in public. It's considered a little too intimate. Please don't take it wrong. I am not rejecting you and this is not meant to be hurtful. I just hope you understand". He could see that Kate was a little disappointed, but she took his arm and smiled at him. They walked, arm in arm to the room where they'd be having their morning meal.
The room was a very big one, with all kinds of paintings , chandeliers, rugs and it had a very large table with decorated table cloths. It had a dominant rustic taste in it's design, just like every other room in the house.
Leopold's aunt and uncle, Millard and Matilda, were already there, and so Kate and Leopold proceeded to walk into the room.
Kate knew it was better to stay quiet during the whole meal. She didn't want to embarrass Leopold and the atmosphere was going to be tense enough ( or so she figured ). She decided that she wouldn't speak unless spoken to, she would be polite, she would thank Leopold's aunt and uncle for the meal and their attentions. In other words, she would try hard, she would behave the way she was expected to: as a lady.
Leopold noticed that Kate was not feeling very comfortable once inside the room. He noticed her effort, her struggle, to remain calmed. He gave her a reassuring smile, hoping it would make her feel more confident.
"Ahh….there you are, my dear Leopold" said aunt Matilda, rising from the breakfast table to go and greet Leopold with a hug, which Leopold gladly returned. Leopold was very fond with his aunt. She always seemed to understand him and she always supported him. Matilda loved him as the son she never had, so they had a very good relationship. He knew that his aunt would support him in his decision to marry Kate. However, he wasn't so sure about his uncle Millard. Millard was a very complicated person to deal with. He believed that Leopold's duty was to fulfill his obligation as a duke, just like his ancestors. He believed that royal bloodline was above all others, so it should be something to be proud of when possessed.
However, Leopold didn't feel the same way his uncle did. He did not believe that being a duke was something that made someone better. He didn't feel superior, not above anyone else. He felt no superior than a teacher, or a doctor, or a lawyer, or anyone. In fact, he saw himself as their equal. He was a duke, so what? For him it was like having a job, just like any other person has. He was a normal man. A normal and ordinary man who wanted a normal life. But his uncle, being the man he was, was still very adamant about him not marrying someone unless that someone came along with a great deal of money. Kate had no money, so he already expected his uncle to be the first one to disagree with his upcoming marriage. Nonetheless, he didn't care. He knew that his happiness was with Kate, and he would marry her, even if it meant displeasing his uncle.
"Well, Leopold, aren't you going to introduce her to us formally?" asked Leopold's aunt "Sure aunt, please pardon me. Aunt Matilda, uncle Millard, this is Katherine Mc. Kay, my future wife. Kate, darling, these are my beloved aunt an uncle. They raised me since I was little. I owe them my life and all that I am" said Leopold in a very honest manner. "It's a pleasure to meet you, your lordship, your ladyship" said Kate, giving a polite bow. "The pleasure is very much ours, Katherine. Please don't mind my husband. He's just a bit cranky this morning" replied Matilda, noticing the look her husband was giving Kate.
Both Kate and Leopold sat down, and as Matilda and Kate started chatting. Kate started feeling a lot more comfortable. She began to understand why Leopold held his aunt in such high esteem.
"So, dear Kate, how did you and Leopold meet?" asked Matilda. "Well," started Kate "actually we met down in Cambridge, while both Leopold and I were studying" finished Kate, hoping Leopold's aunt would buy her story. "Oh, how charming" replied aunt Matilda, smiling. "How odd." started Millard "I don't mean to sound doubtful, Miss. Mc Kay, but it's just that Leopold never told us about you; and it's bizarre to find my nephew suddenly in love, with someone we've never heard of, and on the very same day he had been making a bunch of sarcastic remarks about love and marriage" said Millard, who was very suspicious in the inside. "If I didn't told you about Kate it was because I know you uncle, and you would have never let me keep Kate's company. But if you must know; Kate, her brother Charles and a friend of theirs, Stuart Besser, were studying with me when I was in Cambridge. They were all studying with financial aid, since they were not wealthy. I met Stuart first, because he got into the Advanced Science class and so did I. Kate and Charles were already friends of Stuart's, so I met Kate and Charles through him. Kate and I got together after a while, but we had some disagreements. We thought our differences were not reconcilable, and that, unfortunately, tore us apart. Anyway, the four of us graduated, and went on with our lives. We didn't keep in touch much, but when we came to New York, I saw Stuart again at the science exhibition, and he invited me over to his home, for tea. Kate and her brother Charles were there."
The duke of Albany stood quiet, since he didn't know what else to say. Kate could see that, so she knew what she had to do: she had to keep on with his story, and so she started speaking "Yes, I was there at Stuart's, with my brother. I hadn't seen Leopold in a long time. I thought we were over each other, but when I saw him that day I couldn't help but to feel for him. I knew that we shouldn't have gone our separate ways. Leopold was there for a while. We kept looking at each other, but neither I or him said anything related to our previous involvement. However, he did say he was to announce a bride that day. I spent all afternoon thinking about him, about us, and I realized how much I still really loved him. So, I decided to follow him, to drop by at the engagement party, to see if he still felt something for me. And well, as you know now, it turned out that we still felt for each other."
Kate finished the story feeling very stressed. She just prayed that Leopold's family would believe it. "That's the most ridiculous story I've ever heard, and still I am not surprised" said Millard. "Leopold, tell me. Have you been hiding something else from me?" "I have just been trying to have a life of my own uncle, not a life led by you in every single way. I am my own person. I'm in title to make my own decisions" explained Leopold
"Enough of this you two. Can't we even have a decent meal?" interrupted Matilda. "Forgive me aunt, you are absolutely right. I do apologize uncle, if I was disrespectful in any way" said Leopold. Millard just stood silent.
Matilda and Kate started talking again. Kate seemed more like herself. Leopold saw that Kate was more relaxed, and it pleased him. Kate was a charming woman, a charming spirit, a soul like no other. She would fit in nicely, he was sure.
"Leopold, might I have a word, in private?" Millard asked Leopold in a low voice, as breakfast was coming to an end. "Certainly uncle". They headed to Millard's studio, leaving Kate and Matilda to talk about women issues.
Millard closed the door behind him, and started speaking very sternly: "What's the matter with you Leopold? Do you have an acorn for a brain? Who in the seven heavens is this girl and who is her family? I demand an answer, now!" "Well uncle" said Leopold, rather smugly "To answer your first question nothing is wrong with me, you told to me choose someone to marry, and so I did. To answer your third question, Kate is a very respectable and honorable woman, who lost her parents when she was young, leaving her to take her of her brother Charles. However, both Kate and Charles have managed quite well on their own. I'm sure their parents would be proud of them if they could see them now. They are not wealthy, but they have one another. Anyway, I think I'm still missing one of your questions…what was your second question again, uncle? " "Don't you dare mock me Leopold Mountbatten. I'm your uncle, and you owe me respect! I took your sorry self in when your parents perished, have you forgotten!" responded a rather angry Millard "You owe me respect too, uncle. I haven't forgotten how much I owe you and I never will , but you've been disapproving and criticizing my decisions all my life and I don't think that's fair. I have worked hard uncle. Hard for what I am now and hard for what I still want to be. Please, all I want is for you to have faith in me, just this once" said Leopold, almost pleadingly. "Faith Leopold? Faith in what? In your stupid inventions? The devices you jabber so much about? Faith in your poor choices? In marrying some…filthy town girl from who knows where, with no money at all? No Leopold, I cannot have faith in that! How can you be so regardless about our family's situation, our economical problem? How inconsiderate and selfish can you be?"
Those words hurt Leopold. Ever since he was a child, he had felt that nothing would satisfy his uncle, that nothing he did would make his uncle proud. Well, no more. He was tired of it, tired of expecting something that he knew would never come "Very well uncle. I will not grieve over your lack of support, for I have never had it and I cannot grieve over something I've never had. I will marry Kate, with or without your blessing. I will continue to do my inventions, and I will continue to stand for what I believe in, because I think that is what I should do. I'm following my heart and my instincts, and I will keep on doing so. Good day, uncle" said Leopold, as he started making his way out of his uncle's studio "Leopold, don't you dare turn your back on me!" said an irate Millard. "I'm not turning anything against you , uncle. I just don't feel very well all of the sudden. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have things to attend to. Good day" said Leopold, who walked out without saying another word.
Millard started thinking. He hadn't meant to make Leopold feel bad. He only wanted his nephew to realize how bad the situation in the family was, and how an intelligent marriage was needed to solve it. He wanted his nephew so see how lucky he was being born a duke, but Leopold just wanted to throw it all away. Millard only wished to protect him and his family, specially now that his family had no money. He knew money was needed in order to prevail in monarchy, so Leopold had to marry, and to marry someone with money. Millard was aware that it would mean a great sacrifice from Leopold's side, but he would come around in due time, and he would learn to love his wife.
However, Leopold wasn't the one to agree to that. He was like his mother and father, and like his mother and father, he believed that marriage was to be done for love. Millard, on the other hand, had married for money. His marriage had been arranged by his own parents. It was a good marriage, and he had learned to love his wife.
Nevertheless, Leopold's father Henry Joseph had not complied in the same manner to his parents' will. He had found his own bride (a girl called Margaret ), much to the chagrin of everyone, even Millard. But then again, it was no surprise. Henry had been very different to all past dukes. He was his own person, with his own thoughts and visions, and he always expressed himself as he was, and so did his wife . There was no doubt that Leopold was Henry and Margaret's son.
Sadly Leopold's parents had died when Leopold was very young. He was 8 years old when his father and mother were killed in an accident, so Leopold was pretty much raised by the people he lived with: his aunt and uncle, the servants, and his personal companion and caretaker, Otis. They all influenced Leopold's upbringing, specially Otis. Otis had always been there for Leopold, and not only as a friend, but as a father as well.
The Mountbatten family had gone through a lot of difficult times, and Millard wasn't about to let his family be turned into ashes. He would find a way to make this girl go. He didn't like this girl one bit and she was not appropriate for Leopold, not in the very least. He had to make her go, to never return. That way she could leave Leopold alone to live his life as it should be…as a duke!. With those thoughts clouding his mind, Millard left his studio.
Matilda, from her part had liked Kate since the very beginning, and she was enjoying herself talking to her. Kate, she reckoned, was an honest and intelligent girl, and she seemed very much in love with Leopold. She only wanted her nephew to be happy, and if this girl meant his happiness, she was going to support it. Leopold was like her son, and she would defend him against everything and everyone, even Millard.
Kate and Matilda were still talking, when Leopold came in. He noticed both Kate and his aunt talking, so he said politely: "Pardon me for the interruption, aunt. Kate, darling, are you up from a morning ride?" "Sure, I'd love to" replied Kate, smiling. "Excuse me, your ladyship" said Kate, which earned her a smile from Matilda. "This girl is the one for him. I can feel it" she thought to herself.
Kate and Leopold headed outside. Leopold was still upset about the talk with his uncle. He wasn't the type of person who could hide his feelings easily, so even if he tried to hide how uncomfortable he was feeling about the whole situation with his uncle, Kate noticed the change in his attitude. They were both walking, but he wasn't speaking. It seemed as if he was in some sort of a trance, deeply thinking. Kate decided to break the silence "Leopold, honey, is everything alright? You seem to be worried about something" asked Kate, feeling somewhat concerned. Leopold turned to look at her, and smiled "Don't you worry my dear, don't you worry about anything at all" he said as he kissed her forehead and looked in her eyes, to assure her "Everything is fine my dearest Katherine. Everything's right when you are by my side, and if something is ever meant to be wrong I will never let any harm come near you, ever. I will always stand by you, and I will always protect you no matter the cost".
Kate still knew something was wrong with Leopold, and she wanted to press the subject further, but decided against it, because she didn't want to ruin their morning walk. After all, it's not every day you get to have a morning walk arm in arm, soul in soul with a ravishing duke, is it?. So, Kate didn't insist on the subject, but still, embracing him, she said taking his hand. "Ok, Leo. You know I love you, very very much, and even if nothing is wrong now, you know you can always talk to me, you can always trust me, no matter what's going on, ok? You mean the world to me, and I want you to be happy, I wanna see you smiling, always". Hearing this, Leopold smiled, thinking of how lucky he was, in finding someone like Kate. Someone that really loved him.
Kate and Leopold spoke for a while, until they decided that it was better to come back into the house, since it was nearly noon.
It was about lunchtime that very same day. Both Kate and Leopold had retired to their respective quarters to change into something more comfortable for lunch.
Kate was the first one to walk into the dinning room. She greeted Millard and Matilda, and proceeded to sit on the table.
Millard was still angry. Angry at Leopold for doing this to his life, to his future. He shouldn't marry this girl. She wasn't even of his social stature, she didn't have money, she didn't have anything. What could she possibly offer to Leopold? His answer was a simple one: nothing. To make things worse, this girl was also different. He could see something different about her, as if she was from another place, or country at the very least. Millard didn't like that, not one bit, for not only did this girl seemed to be from God knows where, but this girl was a sure trouble for his family.
In addition to those facts, he really couldn't picture her as a duchess, She didn't have the class nor the presence. She was just some girl, some foolish ordinary girl. Definitely not for his nephew. He had to get rid of her, he had to make this girl go back to the little hole she had come from. And he had to make her go…now. He knew that Leopold would be very angry at him for doing this, but he had no choice, did he? All he wanted was his nephew's welfare. He was just going to do what he had to do "Miss Mc.Kay, could I have a word with you ?" Millard suddenly said. "Of course, your Lordship" said Kate politely.
Matilda was about to protest, but decided against it. She only prayed, for her family's sake, that Millard wasn't about to do something stupid.. She was worried, but no matter her worries she decided to leave her husband and Kate to it "I'll go check how lunch is going while you two chat. I won't be gone long" she said, heading to the kitchen.
"Well, Miss Mc. Kay, I think that we can have our little chat now" said Millard as his wife walked away. Kate nodded and started listening to him "You see, Miss Mc. Kay, as you already know, we are a family of royalty, of values, and high moral. Leopold has been induced to that since he was little, and apart from it, it has always been pretty much his nature. He is a well-mannered man, an educated man, a man of royalty. Just like his family. And as royalty, as a duke, he deserves the best. I don't mean to be rude here Katherine, but I don't think that a girl like you fits the necessary standards. Leopold should be marrying someone of his social stature, someone with sense of royalty and education….and I don't think that you possess those qualities. So, given this facts, it's in my duty to ask you, in the most respectable manner, to leave this house, and leave Leopold to live the life he deserves."
Kate stood there, just replaying each word in her mind. She knew she wasn't royalty, she knew that her social status wasn't the same as Leopold's. She knew!. She knew, and she was trying, very hard, trying to be the perfect bride, the perfect woman, just for Leo. Why couldn't Millard see that? Why couldn't he see how much she loved his nephew?. Kate was on the verge of tears and, on the verge of anger. She couldn't say anything. She knew there was not standing up for herself on this one. Pride didn't matter, not if Leopold was in the middle of the situation. So she, not wanting to say or do anything in a rush or harsh manner, excused herself to Millard, and left the room.
Matilda saw Kate coming out of the dining room. She could see that he girl was heartbroken, and she knew it was because of something Millard had said. She started having a hunch. A hunch telling her that things weren't going to be alright. She approached her husband. "Millard, what did you say to that girl?" she asked her husband. "I told her to leave, Matilda, and I did it respectfully. She doesn't have a family, she doesn't even have money, she has nothing to offer to Leopold, nothing!. I did what I had to do Matilda." responded Millard. "She has love Millard. Love and a good heart to offer to our nephew!" argued Matilda. Millard glared in response "I don't quite care about that and you know it. All I care about is our family. I want our family to have a secure financial future, Matilda. We have no money. Do you know what's at stake here? Do you! " shouted Millard ."Yes I do, Millard. My dear nephew's heart and that poor girl's heart is what's at stake" replied Matilda very seriously.
Neither of them spoke for a while, "I lost my appetite. I'll be in my studio" said Millard, almost throwing his plate to the floor, and leaving Matilda to her thoughts.
Leopold got in the dining room, ready to have lunch. He noticed that only his aunt was there, and that she seemed very distraught. "Auntie, what happened?" he asked his aunt. "Leopold, honey, I'm so very sorry. It's Kate. Your uncle spoke to Katherine. He told her to leave, Leopold. You must find her, before she does" answered his aunt, and by listening to this, Leopold, almost running, went up to Kate's room. He was determined to stop her from leaving.
Kate had been crying and trying to sink her depression by listening to music as she packed her things. Her walkman was he only device she had brought with her, by casualty, and now it was the only thing that could remind her who she really was: she wasn't a woman from this time, she was a woman from the 21st century. A woman that had come here for love.
She didn't want to leave Leopold. She was in love with him!. Millard's words had hurt her. She was trying! Trying to fit in this family, trying to be someone "royally polite". Trying not to embarrass Leopold with her foolishness. Trying to even be someone she really wasn't. But it was all useless and nothing at this point could console her. She knew that Leopold loved his aunt and uncle, and she knew she had no right to destroy his family with a stupid quarrel about her. She had to do what she thought was best. She had to be brave, to be brave and do what was best for Leopold. Kate was unselfish enough to sacrifice herself for the one she loved, and she was going to do it. The time portal would be opened that very same day (according to the calculations she did ), so if she was to leave, it had to be done soon. She had to leave, for this family's sake.
Moments later, with her heart broken, and with a lot of grief in her soul, Kate opened the window, got out the house, and left.
Soon after, she was jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge, and back in her own time.