WELCOME TO 1876, YET AGAIN.
Kate and Leopold found themselves back in 1876. "Darling.." began Leopold "If you experience things that have already happened don't the frightened. It's all a part of time travel. It's probable that you might talk to my uncle again, just please, don't leave this time, alright? " said Leopold, kissing her cheek. "It's ok honey, I'll handle it if it happens" assured Kate. "Good. Now let's get inside" requested Leopold.
They finally headed inside. Otis was there to greet them "Miss Mc.Kay. It's a pleasure to have you back." said Otis. "Thanks Otis, it's really good to see you too" said Kate. When they saw this, Kate and Leopold knew that the time travel hadn't affected this time. They were going to start exactly where they had left of: Kate's departure and Leopold's afternoon walk.
Kate retired to her room to change, and so did Leopold. Kate was worried. She had said to Leopold that she could handle things this time…but she was beginning to doubt it. How was she going to deal with Leopold's uncle again? She didn't know if she was going to be able to hold the line second time around. She just hoped not to make thing's worse by saying something stupid when the time to confront Leo's uncle came.
On the other hand, she had spoken to Leopold's aunt and Matilda had expressed how discomforting it was to find her gone, and how comforting it was to have her back. After the talk Kate was even more sure that she and Matilda would get along just fine
Back in his room Leopold was thinking as well. He didn't want his uncle to hurt Kate once more. He was determined to stop it from happening, no matter the cost. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. "Please, do come in" said Leopold. Otis was the one at the door "Master Leopold, I just wanted to let you and Miss. Mc. Kay know that dinner is about to be served" said Otis. "Thank you Otis, we'll be downstairs shortly". "It's good to have both you and Miss, Mc.Kay back, Master Leopold. I hope things go better this time". Leopold got up, gave Otis an affectionate smile and said "Thank you Otis. I certainly hope for the same, believe me."
Leopold went to get Kate to her room, so they could go and have dinner. It was pretty obvious to Leopold that Kate was very nervous, even her palms seemed to be sweating. He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, as they both headed into the dinning room.
Needless to say, Millard was appalled. How was this possible? The girl was back? Leopold must have brought her back! How stupid could his nephew get? He now knew that Leopold's "walk" hadn't been really a walk. He had gone out on a quest to get the girl back, to bring her back. He was not about to let his nephew ruin his family's life. His patience was being tested, but somehow he knew that soon, very soon, this girl would be gone for good.
He knew that Leopold loved her, it was very clear. His nephew's eyes shone every time he was near her, so there was love from Leopold's part, no doubt. He also knew that Miss. Mc. Kay was in love with Leopold, but the girl had to go. There was no place in Leopold's life for someone like her. He would make her go for good. He hated the fact that things had to be like that, because he knew that Leopold would suffer, and he didn't want to cause him any more harm than strictly necessary. Leopold didn't understand how bad the economical problem was. They could lose everything, all they possessed, and even Ballmour, the manor in England where Leopold had grown up was at stake. Millard knew that Leopold needed to marry someone with money, someone that could secure his future, and he was sure this girl could secure nothing. He knew Leopold's ideals, and he knew that he would probably not speak to him again, but it needed to be done. He would not let his family be left astray, left with nothing. He loved his family too much to let that happen. Something had to be done. Surely, Leopold would be heartbroken, but time would heal him.
But even though he needed to act, he would leave things the same way they were for a while. Millard wouldn't say anything until the right time came.
"Leopold, Katherine. It's so very good to see you two" smiled Matilda, noticing that Leopold had brought Kate back to dinner. She knew that Millard and Leopold had fought because of Kate's departure. Her nephew had been very angry when he found out that his uncle had spoken to Kate, to convince her to leave. Needless to say, that anger led Leopold to confront his uncle and the result, of course, was nothing but a fight.
However, she was happy. Happy to see that her nephew still stood for what he believed in, and it was very obvious to her, that he believed in the love he and Kate shared. Apart from it, she was happy to know Kate was back. She knew Kate was the one for Leopold.
"Thank you very much, aunt" said Leopold smiling. "It's very good to see you too, your ladyship, your lordship" said Kate after Leopold. She wouldn't be rude to Leopold's uncle, because no matter how much Millard deserved it, she knew Leopold loved him, and she respected that. Matilda smiled in response, seeing how good Leopold and Kate belonged together. Millard, on the contrary, did nothing in response. He wasn't going to do anything or say anything to the girl just yet. However, he was surely going to have a word with his nephew after dinner.
Leopold knew his uncle all too well, and he noticed his displeasure immediately. Still, he was thankful that his uncle hadn't opened his mouth to speak ill about Kate. He saw that Kate and Matilda started lightly talking. It seemed obvious that Kate had liked aunt Matilda since the very beginning, and he knew that they were getting along perfectly.
Dinner winded down quite peacefully, and everyone retired to their rooms. Leopold escorted Kate to her room, and proceeded to go to his own room. When Leopold got to his room, he saw Otis standing by the doorway. "Master Leopold, your uncle might like to have a word with you in his studio" informed Otis. Leopold knew what this meant: trouble…and a headache. He thanked Otis and walked to his uncle studio.
The room Kate was in still had the door opened. Leopold's room was practically next to hers, so that also made her hear what Otis had said to Leopold. She knew that what she was planning to do was wrong, but she needed to know what was going to happen. Leopold respected his uncle too much to stand up to him, and Millard talking to him meant enough trouble already. She wouldn't let Millard hurt Leo. She would defend Leopold against Millard if necessary. So, with her mind made up, she peeked outside, and when she saw no one, she carefully tiptoed her way to Millard's studio. She got there, and she heard Millard and Leopold talking. She got closer to the door, to get a better listening:
"Do you have the slightest idea of what you are about to do, Leopold?" asked Millard, angrily. "Yes I do, uncle. I'm getting married to the woman I love" responded Leopold, trying to keep the sarcasm out of his voice. "You are bringing this family to a doom. Where is your common sense? Where is your love for this family? The love for your legacy? We are going to lose everything because of your own selfish desire, and so far you don't seem to care! You are a duke Leopold, not a commoner! You should marry someone of your stature, someone with money, not some… 'girl' you find in any given corner!" shouted Millard.
Kate was amazed. Millard was some high class bastard!. But even though Millard's words made her angry, she went back to listening, and heard Leopold's answer "I am no duke uncle, I didn't ask to be born as one, and I don't want to be one. My common sense is following my heart." began Leopold "I love this family beyond your imagination. Marrying someone I love doesn't mean I don't love my family or that I don't care of it's welfare. I'm working, working to get us out of the debt, and I am being the best duke I can be! If you could just set your bitterness down a notch you might just see that". Kate listened to Leopold's words. She knew he was paining. She could tell by the sound of his voice. She went back to listening the conversation. "Working? Doing what? Your ridiculous, stupid and useless inventions? They are nothing Leopold, and they won't get us out of this debt" said Millard.
Leopold was really paining at this stage. "Uncle, at least I am doing something, at least I'm trying. Why is it so hard to believe in me?" he asked, hoping to get some sense out of the conversation. "This isn't about believing Leopold! It's about reality! Your useless inventions won't solve our problems, your upcoming marriage isn't helping matters, and you disgrace your legacy to an astonishing point! If your parents could see you now they'd be ashamed…heartbroken! I bet they would wish you weren't even his son!".
Kate was even more amazed. How was this possible? How could Millard say that to his own nephew?. Back inside, Leopold felt as if his soul was taken away, in sadness, and in anger, but he didn't want to go down to disrespecting his uncle once again. So, without other word, Leopold got out of his uncle's studio, catching a glimpse of Kate as he closed the door behind him.
Millard opened the door once again and saw Kate standing by it. "If you hate me that much take it out on me, not on him. He is your nephew, and he loves you. He doesn't deserve your words.." said Kate walking away immediately after, to follow Leopold.
Kate saw Leopold walking towards his room. She tried to make an approach "Leo, are you alright?" she asked, but Leopold stood silent. "Leo, please talk to me" requested Kate. "Good night, Kate" said Leopold in response. Kate felt even more worried "Please, Leo. Talk to me" requested Kate once more. "What is there to talk about when you know everything already, Kate?" asked Leopold. Clearly, he was upset. Upset because she had heard and seen everything. Upset because she had witnessed the humiliation he had just been put through.
She didn't know what to say, and she didn't want to make matters worse. "Good night, Kate" said Leopold once again, closing the door of his room as he got inside. Kate knew there was nothing to do until the next day came, so she went to her own room.
Millard was still in his studio. He knew he had gone too far. He knew Leopold and knew how much he had actually hurt him. He had regretted his words the second they came out of his lips. Why hadn't he thought better of his words and their impact?. He hadn't meant to hurt Leopold that way, he had just wanted to snap him to reality. But it was too late. The wrong deed was done, and he would have to face the consecuences.
Back in his room Leopold didn't feel good at all. He felt like crashing and burning. Like breaking down. His uncle had brought him down completely and Kate had heard and seen everything. All his humiliation. He was hurting, and he felt as vulnerable as a child. He started wondering if his parents would be ashamed of him, of his choices, of his beliefs.
He really didn't know what to think, except that he missed his parents dearly. He felt empty, hollow, hopeless. As if being stolen away from all happiness and good possible in the world, in a nick of time. He closed his eyes. He felt that nothing could right or change the wrongs that were already done. Neither his anger nor his sadness. He knew it was probably better to just close his eyes, put his mind at ease and go to sleep. Maybe things would be better in the morning.