**I don't own BATB, Catherine, Vincent or any other characters mentioned. I also don't own any places mentioned or any scenes that may be similar to another work.**
As Catherine skimmed the shelves and the various titles, Vincent located the owner.
"Do you own this shop?" The old man nodded.
"Yes. How may I help you, Sir?"
"I am looking for two special books."
"Which two, if I have them, I can help you."
"I am looking for -Alice's Adventures In Wonderland- by Lewis Carroll and -Peter Pan: The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up- by James M. Barrie. I need these books today if you have them."
"I just got a copy of both from the printer. Brand new copies, unfortunately they are rather pricey for being new. Fifty dollars a piece."
"I'll take them." Vincent said without blinking an eye. This confused the bookkeeper.
"A hundred dollars for two books? May I ask what the need for such expensive books?"
"The lady I am planning to court is enthralled with these two books, but does not own them and cannot afford their costs."
"A lady from the village?" The bookkeeper asked knowing exactly who he was speaking of. Vincent nodded. "Then you must be speaking of Lady Catherine Chandler. She frequents my shop quite often and even stays hours a day to be able to read since she cannot afford to pay the cost of the books."
"Yes, tis Lady Chandler."
"Since they are for her, I shall give you a cheaper fare. Fifteen for each."
"Sir, I could not pay you less than what you ask."
"It is nothing. She deserves them."
"Please allow me to cover the cost of these two books. It is no problem."
"Only if you insist. I shall go get you the two books." The bookkeeper said before walking off. While he was gone Vincent stole a look at Catherine who was sitting on an old chaise, with her nose buried in a book. He turned back around right as the bookkeeper was coming out of the back with the books. He carefully took them after handing over the hundred dollars without blinking. Then he walked over to Catherine and managed to pull her out of the spaced state she had entered and they left the book shop. Once outside Catherine noticed that Vincent held something.
"What is in your hand?"
"Tis for you Catherine." Vincent said handing her the books. She looked over them in awe.
"You shouldn't have Vincent." She said noticing the condition that the books were in and knowing that they had just come in from the printer and had cost more than she could ever afford to pay for even ten books, better yet only two.
"I know that these are your two favorites, and you had said you don't have them or the money to pay their cost."
"I-I can't thank you enough for this Vincent." Cat said before noticing that the sky was becoming more colorful, signaling sunset. "I fear that I must be going back to my manor. Tis approaching sunset."
"We best find your cousin Tess then. I cannot return you at a time disapproved of by your father. For if I do, I may not hold your company tomorrow night at the masque." They walked along in silence until they found Teresa. "Tess, I fear that I must get you and Catherine back to her father's manor. Sundown is steadily approaching."
"Then let us go." Tess said following Vincent and Catherine to Vincent's carriage. They rode back to the Chandler's manor in silence. Upon arrival Tess quickly got out to give Catherine and Vincent space.
"Am I to meet you here or at the masquerade?"
"I should like for you to meet me here so that I may distance myself from my step family."
"As you wish. You should go so that your father does not get angered."
"Vincent, I fear that I do not wish to leave."
"I feel the same way, but I shall see you tomorrow when I come to get you for the ball, but I fear that you must go for your father is on his way out." Catherine looked out the window to see her father walking towards the carriage. Vincent helped her out right as her father walked over.
"Catherine, do you plan to come inside at any point? " He asked accompanied with a laugh.
"Yes father. I just wished to thank Vincent for his gift without Tess's presence."
"What gift?"
"He bought me a copy of -Peter Pan- and -Alice's Adventures In Wonderland- from the bookshop, for I let slip that they are my favorites." Catherine said passing the books to her father to look at. "Father, Vincent wishes to know if he is able to pick me up here tomorrow night?"
"He may, but you must take Teresa with you in the carriage. Lord Marks is going to be watching the two of you."
"Yes father. Have a good day Vincent." Catherine said with a smile and a curtsey before she went into the manor while her father remained outside.
"Vincent, what are your plans after tomorrow? You return to York with your family and Catherine shall still be here in Nigera."
"I am aware. I am planning on venturing back to Nigera every month for about a week's time to court her."
"Quite a journey on your part."
"Maybe so, but quite worth it. Catherine is much like no one else I have ever met and she intrigues me."
"Wouldst not be easier to remain in Nigera while courting her?"
"It would, but I fear that my family would not allow that. They shall need me, especially with my brother's betrothal to her highness Alexandria."
"What about if Catherine was to join you in York?"
"Sir?" Vincent asked with a tone of surprise.
"You could ask her to accompany you to York and not have to make the long journey here every month. I would send Teresa of course."
"I had given the idea thought, but I was not sure how you would receive the idea." Cat's father placed his hand onto Vincent's shoulder.
"I have no issues with the idea, so long as you keep in the picture that my daughter has told me of you." Vincent instantly understood the meaning and rushed to try to assure him that he would never.
"Sir, please believe that I would never act in such improperness. I have been raised under the teaching that such act is sin if performed out of wedlock."
"I believe that you were given such an upbringing, but if I did not make warning, then what type of father would I be? To allow my daughter to travel with someone whom, I know not of their intentions once out of sight?" He asked rhetorically. "I have no problems with my daughter accompanying you to York, but I shall join you for a short time."
"Of course."
"I shall speak with Catherine about this inquiry and you will know by the time of the masque tomorrow night. Now, I fear that I must retire back to my family for they should soon wonder of my place."
"Thank you Lord Chandler." Vincent said with a bow.
"You may refer to me as Thomas."
"Yes, Thomas." Vincent said tentatively, as if testing it.
"Have a good night, Vincent." Thomas said before he went into the manor and closed the door once Vincent's carriage had gone. As Thomas turned around, he found Catherine eying him with a curious look.
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