A couple of days later than I planned. I feel like I should really stop giving expected days for getting a chapter out. Something always works against me it seems. It's little short, but I hope you enjoy it.

Richard sighed in relief when he walked into his parent's town home. It had been a trying week. He understood how a man could run in the opposite direction of lady based on her family. Mrs. Bennet was a force to be reckoned with, and having just married off two daughters, she turned her attention to marrying off the rest. Though, he was sure she wasn't going to push too hard for Lydia to find a match just yet. If she took a notion for it, her sisters would undoubtedly say something She was only fifteen. He hadn't been able to enter Longbourn without hearing how wonderful Kate was. He snorted to himself, as though he needed someone to tell him that. It provided hours of entertainment to Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Westfield. It was those moments that proved the two were related. He was sure he would receive more of the same here. His mother was just as determined to see him married to Kate as Mrs. Bennet.

He learned that his mother and her young guests were having tea at Lady Townsend's townhouse. 'Good,' he thought, 'I have a little time to prepare myself for her onslaught.'

An hour later, after changing and some refreshments, he heard the sounds of giggling coming from his mother's favorite salon. In his attempt to sneak up on them, he found his path blocked by his elder brother, Ethan, who was smiling in a way that made Richard nervous.

"Brother, I did not realize you would be here. Isn't little Nathaniel a bit young to be traveling?"

"He is nearly a year, Richard, and the estate is not so far from London. Mother is excited to be able to finally show off her grandson. She rarely allows him out of her presence. I feel I should warn you; he has become especially attached to Miss Westfield, and Mother has a gleam in her eye when she watches them together."

"I thank you for the warning."

The brothers continued to stare at each other, Richard becoming annoyed at his brother's apparent amusement.

"What has you in such a happy mood?" he finally asked.

"I approve."

"You approve of what?"

"Miss Westfield. I approve."

"Do I need your approval?"

"No, but you have it all the same." He then turned and moved into the room with the ladies. Richard took only a moment to gather his wits before he followed his brother. Upon entering the room, he briefly thought that he should have taken another moment or two to ready himself. Sitting on the settee, next to his mother, sat his lovely Kate, cooing at his nephew. He had seen ladies handling children before, but he felt his heart clenching at the sight before him.

"Richard! Really!" exclaimed his mother.

Richard mentally shook himself and turned his attention to his mother. "I am sorry, Mother, my mind was elsewhere. What were you saying?"

His mother smirked and he didn't miss the giggles coming from the other occupants. "I greeted you and asked how your journey was."

"It was pleasant."

"It was pleasant?"

"Yes. What else did you expect? Should I have anticipated being robbed coming from Hertfordshire? Or something equally as exciting?"

"I would hardly call being robbed exciting."

"Well, in any case, I had a nice, quiet ride. Do you have something to add, Brother? My, you do seem to be keeping yourself amused this afternoon."

"It is easy when I am presented with so many opportunities to be amused. I am glad to have you here, however. Father hasn't provided very good company. He has been spending his days grumbling over Mother's spending for the party she is throwing in honor of your retirement."

Richard groaned. "Please tell me you are not turning this into something big? I told you, if you insist on doing this, make it small. A few of our close friends and family."

"Do you realize how many I would offend by doing so? Numerous peers have yet to quit Town. It is one evening, and I, personally, am happy to have you out of such a hazardous occupation. I want to celebrate that fact."

"Please, Richard? You know we all love a party!" pleaded Georgiana, before looking slyly at her friend. "Surely you wouldn't deny Kate the chance to dance? It is one of her favorite activities."

"Do not use me to win your argument," said Kate, smiling at Richard, before turning her attention back to the babe in her arms.

"We can have dancing with only a few people. The only difference is the number of partners, which makes me favor a smaller gathering."

"Ah, Richard! I was just told you had arrived," said the Earl, striding into the room. "Tell your mother that there is no need decorate the ballroom as though we are holding a royal wedding."

"It is not so lavishly decorated, Edmund!"

"Ha!"

"Mother, small, I wanted small," said Richard.

"See! He agrees with me."

The Countess was now glaring at her husband. "Well, I can hardly rescind all of the invites I sent out. You will all simply have to deal with it."

Richard shoved his annoyance down and focused on his nephew, who just happened to still be in Kate's lap. "And how are you, young man? I see you have the famous Fitzwilliam charm. Not even a year and you have the loveliest of ladies showering you with their affections."

"Feeling a bit poetic?"

"When you are in the room, I always feel poetic." He was almost able to tune out the round of aww's that followed his response.

"You know, your mother is only proud of you."

Richard's eyes narrowed at Kate.

"Don't give me that look. She is. Your mother merely wants to show her peers what her successful, youngest son has accomplished. You don't really want to deny her the opportunity, do you?"

He continued to glare at her. She smiled back at him.

"Very well," he huffed. Cheers and one outraged cry sounded throughout the room. "But, it will only be for the evening. No 'last guest leaves at dawn.' It is over at eleven o'clock. I leave it to you, Mother, to be sure your guests understand this. And, Miss Westfield, I will have the first, supper, and last dances for the evening."

"Ever the strategist," snickered Ethan.

"Betrayed by my own son," whined the Earl.

"Surely you realize he never stood a chance, Father."

"Speaking from experience, my dear," said Olivia.

"Of course, my Lady."

More giggles could be heard around the room. In the week that the Bennet's had been staying in Town, they had gotten to know the eldest son of the Earl, and his lovely wife and son, fairly well. They were a delightful couple, who often teased each other.

Nathaniel began to get fussy, so Olivia and Ethan took it upon themselves to take him to the nursery. The Earl began to try and convince his wife to cut back on the decoration, and the Countess, feeling a bit victorious, agreed. Seeing an opportunity, Richard asked his cousin and the sisters if they would like to take a turn around the garden. Mary and Lydia promptly declined, leaving him to escort Kate and Georgiana.

The trio made small talk for a while. When they made to make a second turn about the gardens, Georgiana begged off to examine a few blooms she claimed to admire.

"Well, that was subtle," said Richard.

"Indeed."

They came to a stop by a bench and sat down. Richard just stared at Kate. This worried the young woman.

"Are you alright?"

Richard, for the second time that day, mentally shook himself. "Yes! Yes, I am fine, it's just…"

"Just what?"

"Marry me!"

Don't hate me!