Chapter Eight.

The ring was burning a hole in Sid's pocket. He had asked Mrs. M to baby-sit Bub so that he and Nell could have dinner together. She still hadn't given him an official answer, but he planned to change that tonight. He decorated a table with a nice linen, not to mention the candles. They'd eat by candle light outside the caravan.

Sid persuaded Mrs. M to let him clip some flowers from her garden. That had taken a lot of persuasion. Lady F had given Sid the Rolls for the evening. He brushed and styled his hair, and put on his best shirt with a nice jacket. When he pulled up in front of the bakery Nell's mouth fell open.

"Sid?" she raised her eyebrows.

He hopped out of the car and opened the passenger door for her. "Your chariot."

She gave him a questioning look. "What's going on? Who does this car belong to?"

"You and I are having a special evening," he told her.

"What about Bub?"

"Mrs. M has him. We'll pick him up later tonight."

Nell's heart beat sped up dramatically. An evening without Bub? It was exciting and sad for her at the same time. They'd never been separated before. Not to mention the thought of being completely alone with Sidney made her more nervous than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.

She looked him up and down before sliding into the seat and letting him shut the door behind her. He jogged around to the driver's seat and fired up the engine.

"You ready?" he asked.

"Where are we going? And why are you so dressed up? I look an awful fright. I'm sure there's flour in my hair." she tried to smooth down her wayward wisps.

"Don't worry, that's all sorted out. I've got a couple dresses for you to choose. I know how picky women can be."

Nell's eyes widened, "Okay Sidney Carter, whatever you say."

Nell knew enough about Sidney to stop asking questions and just go with the flow. Sid took things as they came. Slow to some, Nell knew his brain worked quicker than just about anyone, bar Father Brown of course. She had to admit he was so handsome. More handsome than she'd ever seen him.

Well, there was that night of the storm. That night still felt like a dream. Nell wasn't sure it ever really happened. When he bust through her door hair soaking wet and hanging in his blue eyes. His clothes clung to his skin and his cheeks were red. Nell knew the scene by heart. The fear she felt initially melted into thankfulness and security as Sid pulled her and Bub against his chest.

He was her savior that night and when the chaos dissipated and the storm calmed she remembered thinking how beautiful he looked. A man and a boy wrapped in one. She knew then, that night that something was special about Sidney Carter. When she woke in the morning he was gone. She felt a pang in her heart when he wasn't there, and more so because he wasn't. He knew she wasn't fond of him, didn't trust him...yet. And he respected that. To Nell that said a lot about him as a man.

When they arrived at the caravan Sid let Nell go inside and get cleaned up. She saw the dresses on the bed laying next to an envelope addressed to her. She opened it.

Dearest Nell,

Sidney has told me all about you and your son. Don't tell anyone, but I am very fond of children and can't wait to meet you both. Please enjoy these dresses and think of them as a gift for looking after Sid.

-Lady Felicia Montague.

She'd heard Sid and the others talk fondly about the mysterious Lady Felicia. So far she lived up to the hype. Nell eyed the beautiful dresses. In the end she chose a navy blue gown with gold flowers. The top hung off of her shoulders slightly. She dusted the flour from her hair and took it down, letting it fall just past her shoulders. She didn't have any matching shoes so she left her feet bare.

Sid looked up as she emerged from the caravan and knew in that moment that he wanted her to be his wife more than anything in the world. He was suddenly very nervous. She could say no.

"Well, how do I look?" she asked

"Gorgeous." Sid blurted out.

Nell blushed, "Thank you."

Sid escorted her behind the caravan where their candle lit dinner awaited thanks to Father Brown who made sure it was set up and ready. Sid was praying the priest wasn't still in the midst of preparations as they rounded the corner. Thankfully, he was nowhere to be seen.

Nell took in the scene before her. A vase of vibrant flowers sat on the table with candles on either side. It was lovely. She couldn't believe Sid went through all the trouble, but then again he probably thought it was no trouble at all. He pulled oit her chair for her and seated himself at the table. They ate and conversed, and Sid found himself staring at Nell frequently. How a man could hurt any woman, but especially someone like Nell he would never understand.

Finally, when it felt like he really couldn't wait another second Sid slipped his hand into his jacket pocket and pulled out the ring.

"I've got you something. If you want it it's yours, but you have to really want it," he told her as he came to kneel in front of her. "I'm not good at this stuff, Nell. But I'm good at a lot of other things, and I know I want to spend the rest of my life showing you. I wanna have you and Bub as my family. I hope you want that too." he shrugged in true Sid fashion.

Nell didn't even look at the ring. All she could see was Sid's face, and what she saw there made the decision for her. She saw love. She knew the feeling of love, she'd experienced with Bub. This was just as strong but also different.

"Yes! I want that too, Sidney. If you're sure."

"Stop asking if I'm sure!" he laughed and slipped the ring on her finger.

He held her hand and looked into her eyes. He was so relieved. He was still on his knees, but they were face to face as he pulled her closer. Sid didn't want to push, but somehow he knew that Nell was ready. He pressed his lips to hers ever so slightly. She melted against him completely. He deepened the kiss and wrapped his arms around her.

Nell was lost and found all at once when her lips were against Sid's. Every hurt, every pain she'd ever felt seemed to lessen. She could smell his breath, taste the sweet tea he'd been drinking. All too soon he pulled away and searched her eyes. They were brimming with tears.

"What's wrong?" he asked, worried beyond measure he'd pushed too far.

"I'm so happy." she pulled him close again and whispered against his lips.

"Good," he let out a sigh of relief, "Do you like the ring?"

The ring.

She hadn't even really looked at it. She pulled her hand up and examined the silver band wrapped round her finger. It was adorned with an elegant pearl. Perhaps the most beautiful but dainty thing Nell had ever laid eyes on, and she loved it completely.

"I love it, Sid." she kissed him again.

"Are we really going to do this?" he breathed against her mouth.

"Yes." she grinned.

"Can it be tomorrow?" he asked.

"Tomorrow? That's soon."

"I'm a doer, not much for dragging somethin' out. Besides, don't you wanna marry me?" he gave her a cheeky look.

Nell took a deep breath, "Tomorrow it is."