Disclaimer: Nothing is owned by me, just the plot and the OC's you do not recognise. Quote is property of the brilliant Jane Austen.

A/N: So incredibly sorry for the lack of updates in general. Apparently, my muse has run off and took my laptop in the mean time. When I finally got it back it crashed, leaving me empty handed. So finally able to gather my wits again. How productive my sick day has been lol! I hate being ill but it surely did my muse some good. Anyhow, I've taken a rather different spin at this story which will be announced in this chapter so hopefully you guys will like it. I also want to thank every reviewer who reviewed the first chapter. The fact it's being so well received does make my day :) So make me happy again and enjoy this chapter :)

-A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment.
-Jane Austen

A Not So Proper Proposition

I could hear bells chime in the distance. Like wedding bells, ringing as I'd descend the church steps with the sun shining brilliantly. My husband besides me as our family members would cry, exclaiming loving words as they watched us, hand in hand. I turned my head and our eyes met. Dark orbs peering down at me with laughing crinkles cornering his eyes. Somewhere a clock struck twelve and birds chirped in response. I looked down and was met with white silk, the fabric of my wedding dress glistening in the escaped sun-rays. Who thought it'd be possible? I laughed and pushed myself to my toes as Edmund lowered his own head, capturing my lips with his.

My back collided with the dirty ground loudly and a sharp pain went through my body. I let out an indignant squeal and eyed the dark-haired Pevensie with wide eyes as I realised he had interrupted my little day dream. Did he just drop me? My mouth was puckered in an o-shape, words trying to find my tongue as I blinked quickly.

"I'm sorry." Edmund exclaimed, seemingly surprised with his own actions and pulled me to my feet. His hands on my sides as he hauled me up. I grabbed hold of his upper arms to steady myself. The feeling of his biceps beneath my hands startling me into silence.

"It's quite alright." A booming laughter sounded from our right and I turned to see a blonde figure behind Edmund. I recognised him to be Peter Pevensie, his older brother. I blinked in embarrassment. This was not how I had pictured it to go. I separated myself from Edmund and ran my hand through my hair, flattening the wild locks that had escaped in my brief encounter with Edmund.

"You have to forgive my brother." Peter began, his blue eyes filled with mirth as he patted his younger brother on the back. "It seems his good manner went out of the window the day chivalry died." I had to laugh at that, especially since Edmund scowled and pushed away the hand on his shoulder, pushing up his sleeves, his face tinged with a lovely crimson colour. A wave of butterflies assaulted my insides as I tried to find my wits.

"Oh I can assure you, Edmund is a very chivalrous young man. Perhaps even more so than you." I grinned and Peter looked somewhat taken back with my reply and eyed the distance between Edmund and I.

"I'm sorry, do you know my brother?" I couldn't help but notice how surprised Peter actually sounded. I quickly turned my head to Edmund, this was the opening I had been waiting for. If I wanted my plan to work, especially if I wanted it to be effective, I had no other choice but to attack right now.

"Yes."

"No."

If only Edmund had not found his tongue on time. I eyed Edmund peculiarly as he looked at me as if crazy. Peter blinked momentarily before laughing.

"It seems Edmund disagrees. However, I can't imagine why." He gave me a wink and a smirk, so it seems Peter was the one with the witty tongue in the family. The one that was familiar with the other sex.

"What Peter meant to say was, how do we know each other?" Edmund interrupted rudely and I refrained the urge to roll my eyes. He certainly was more behaved when I dreamt about him. His mannerism showing patience and good temper. I forgot that it wasn't the case at all with him. Edmund, the black sheep of the Pevensies. I sniffed and took a deep breath.

"King's College." I pointed out. I quickly looked at Peter through the corner of my eyes. If this was going to work I had to fool Peter and convince Edmund all at the same time. Two opposite things only accomplished if they weren't occupying the same bloody space. "Edmund, don't be silly. You know I always hate it when you play these games." I grabbed hold of his arm and pulled him close, close enough to hiss into his ear. "Play along."

Edmund, frowning as anger now took over. "What games?" He asked gruffly before pushing away my arm. I narrowed my eyes. "I don't know you. Perhaps you've mistaken me for someone else because I certainly do not remember meeting y-"

"Cathy!" Oliver's voice cut off Edmund's tail of the sentence though I certainly didn't needed him to finish it. I knew what he wanted to say anyhow. I tried to push away the blooming anxiety that grew in my chest by pushing myself closer to Edmund as Oliver broke through the throng of the people around us.

"Oliver!" I exclaimed, trying to find the decency to look caught. Oliver's green eyes caught the position between Edmund and I, the small proximity and he started to bristle. Edmund, noticing the rather odd way Oliver reacted took it the other way and quickly pushed me away.

"No, you've got this wrong-" Somewhere in the back Peter barked out a loud laugh, mumbling something about Edmund always getting himself in trouble. "Shut up Pete! That's your job!"

"Oh Oliver. I'm sorry you had to find out this way." I began, I had rehearsed these lines to perfection. Though, not the situation I had pictured, my ability to write in between the lines was magnificent and I blinked, trying to look the least remorseful. "But I didn't want mama to find out this way."

"Find out what?" Oliver barked, raising his hands as he took another step closer.

"What are you doing?" Edmund hissed and I quickly shushed him, putting my hand on his mouth, effectively shutting him up. He was not going to ruin hours of planning and rehearsing. This was not a game he could mess about with.

"Oliver, this is Edmund Pevensie. We are to be engaged."

Somewhere in the distance a glass shattered.

XXXXXXX

"You are mental." Edmund hissed loudly. His pale skin illuminated in the dark sky. There weren't even any stars shining brightly in the sky. If I looked closely I'd be able to see the dark ominous clouds hovering in the sky. That's never a good sign. I heaved a sigh as I droned out Edmund's rant. For someone who wasn't that vocal he did know how to vocalise himself when the need arose. So perhaps I had taken it a bit too far. But I had no choice. It was either this, something of my own doing or it would be a lifetime of regret.

I certainly knew what I'd choose. If only it hadn't gotten out of hand like this.

"Are you quite done with yelling at me?" I interrupted. "You're attracting attention and that doesn't quite go well while we've just announced our engagement." So perhaps I was provoking him. Stepping on his toes whereas I should've been doing the exact opposite if I wanted him on my side. But I couldn't help it. He was asking for it. A natural automatism. He stopped talking and started at me for a brief second, before his eyes narrowed again and I found myself at the right end of another rant. Thank the Lord we were outside right now, otherwise everyone would've heard this.

"Engagement?" He repeated. "Are you out of your mind. I'm not engaged to you, nor will I ever be! I barely know you!" I rolled my eyes at this.

"Well, I wouldn't have to announce it if you had just played along!" I pointed out. "You brought this upon yourself!" Edmund glared at me baffled. He raised his hands in the air, as if he was defeated before pinching the bridge of his nose.

"I give up! You" He pointed at me. "Are absolutely mad and you need to be locked up or something. You can't go around and get engaged to complete strangers!"

"Technically we aren't strangers. My mother knows your mother!" I pointed out but for some odd reason it felt irrelevant because he wasn't even listening to me. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked down upon me. He was rather tall, mind you. His dark, heavy brows set over his eyes. Looking even more prominent in the almost non-existing light.

"Who? Never mind." He shook his head. "I doubt my mother would know someone the like of you!" He scoffed and I felt a stab at indignation. Did he just insult me?

"My name is Cathy by the way. Or Catherine, Catherine Edwards. I'm sure you must've heard of my mother. Margaret Edwards. I've seen you and your brother and sisters plenty enough at the charity events." Edmund slowly shook his head, still looking incredulous. Perhaps I should help him, of course not mentioning my rather catastrophic moment in which there was a lot of punch and a big bruise.

"I saw you two months ago-" Edmund interrupted.

"Look, I don't care when or where you saw me. This little trick of yours is not going to work because I'll be damned before I'll let you pull me into these sick games of yours. If you want to use someone to make your boyfriend over there jealous, go ahead, do it. Just don't use me." Boyfriend? Who was he talking about. I peered closely at his expression when suddenly I realised he was talking about Oliver.

"You mean Oliver?"I exclaimed. "God, he's not my boyfriend. He's my cousin!" I told him. At least Edmund had the decency to look sheepish. "I'm not using you to make anyone jealous."

"Oh." He blinked at me. "Then why are you doing this?" He asked aloud. "It doesn't make any sense." I dropped my eyes to the dirty ground. There was a drizzle in the air now, slowly coming down the sky, descending upon us like a heavy blanket. I heaved a sigh.

He'd never understand. But I had to tell him, after all, I knew I had to tell him if I wanted him to work with me.

"Look, you have to help me." I wasn't so conceited anymore. How could I be? I was at the position in which I needed help and help was only given to those who asked for it nicely. "I-I look, it's rather hard to explain but you have to keep an open mind." I asked of him. "Please?" I glanced upwards and was met with a curious look. "Please?"

"Go on." Edmund coaxed though the reluctance was obvious in his voice.

"My parents –mother specifically- wants me to marry." Edmund shrugged, interrupting me.

"How does that include me?"

"Let me finish! They want me to marry Samuel Geralds. He's the son of an old family acquaintance. Family matters to my parents. They have this whole life planned for me and I don't want that. I have my own things, my own plans. My own life to live."

"You still haven't told me why their plans include me?" Edmund hissed and I narrowed my eyes before raising my hands and smacking his arm.

"I'm not finished Pevensie!" I warned. "They want me to marry him."

"Now we've established that." Edmund muttered dryly and I resisted the urge to hit him again.

"Samuel's family is rich. He's a barrister in Manchester. My parents think it's convenient to marry a wealthy family." My eyes were starting to burn now and I crossed my own arms over my chest to push away the burning feeling in my chest. I was not going to let these silly emotions get involved. I had staged this far more drastic and dramatic than this. This was going to work. "But I don't to marry for money. I want to marry for love." I turned to my side and let out a sigh. "I romanticised about love ever since I was a little girl and now they want to take that from me. So I had to make a plan."

"One that includes me."

"Oh be quiet!" I hissed. Edmund rolled his eyes but gestured for me to go on. "And yes, that does include you. I thought if I'd told my parents I was in love with someone else they wouldn't go through all the hassle with Samuel."

"Then tell them you're in love with someone else." I raised my eyebrows at that sentiment. The thing with men in reality was that they weren't like the men in books. Tact was one thing they had never learned.

"See, for me to say that I actually would have to be in love with someone!" I pointed out. "Besides, love only wouldn't be enough. If I were to be engaged with someone else they would never try to arrange a marriage with Samuel. I'd be free to do whatever!"

"So you thought you'd pick me?" Edmund exclaimed. "How is that going to work when you're not in love?" He practically yelled into my face and I glanced at him insulted.

"You didn't have to yell." I looked at him peculiarly. "But yes, I picked you because you are the exact type I'd go for. I had to make things realistic, you see."

"But you still haven't told me why'd you picked me!" Edmund hissed. "We haven't even had an encounter."

I bit my lip. "Well, technically we have bumped into each other. Quite often actually." Edmund narrowed his eyes as he took a step towards me. He truly had expressive eyes.

"What do you mean?" Edmund's voice was sharp, inquisitive. I gave him a sheepish smile.

"Well." I drawled. "Remember when you bumped into someone who dropped their books on your foot?" Edmund nodded slowly before his halted abruptly, his eyes widening.

"Are you joking?" He exclaimed. "That was you? You practically broke my toe!"

"Well." I coughed.

"Hang on." Edmund suddenly stood upright. "You wouldn't be that girl who threw her coffee all over me in the bakery, or would you?"

I swallowed. So perhaps I had forgotten about that. Not that important. Right?

"I suppose it would be better if I said no." I told him gently and Edmund gritted out a reply I didn't catch. "Look, Edmund. You have to help me."

"Absolutely not." Edmund dismissed."This mess you're going to create, well I don't want to be a part of that. You can do anything you want but don't you dare include me." I frowned. I hadn't taken in account that he could actually say no.

"No, wait. Edmund. Please. You don't understand. I have to do this. It's not a permanent engagement either. All of this will be over in six months or so." I continued. When Edmund threw me a withering glare I recoiled. "Or a year." I smiled carefully. "The thing is, it will be over. I just need you to be my fiancé for just a little while and things will slowly fall into place. We'll make up a story and break up."

"How do you even know it's going to work?" Edmund asked. "Say, you do manage to persuade me and I say yes, which I'm not saying." He added quickly when seeing my rejoiced expression. "You don't know whether your parents will take it seriously. After all, you've seen your cousin's reaction. He barely believed you."

"That's because Oliver is the worst to convince. He was the only one I couldn't fool with my antics. But I can fool my parents, with you by my side." I told him. "We just have to work on the technicalities, but once that's done with we will be able to pull it off." Edmund shook his head and scoffed.

"You're mad, you know that." He told me and I shrugged.

"It's been implied more than once, yes."

I caught his eye and saw the several emotions register. Yes it hadn't passed my notice when Edmund's gaze would travel over my body. The way his eyes would be stuck on my lips when we talked. There was the least amount of attraction. Which was exactly what we needed. Not to mention it was why I had chosen him. Sort of speak, he hadn't noticed me by then. But he has now.

Finally.

"So what do you say?" I asked him carefully. "Will you do this for me?" Edmund pressed his lips together and raised his neck to his full height.

"I'm sorry. But there is not a slight chance I would ever do this."

I couldn't help but stare.

And finally my tears arrived.

"Why not?" I breathed out. "I have a plan. I promise." I pleaded now. "We can pull this off, if only we just-"

Edmund grabbed hold of my wrists. "I'm not going to say yes to this madness Catherine. This isn't something you should resolve like this. Talk to your parents. This isn't a child's play." I pulled away from his grasp as if slapped.

"You don't know how they are!" I accused. "They will not stop hounding me until I say yes. I want to be loved." I almost yelled and Edmund grabbed hold of my arm, quickly pulling me into a small alley way. There were people staring at us now. Their gazes lingering, especially at my exclamation, joined by a fresh wave of tears.

"Catherine." His voice was more gentle, though the edge remained. "Don't take this the wrong way but I don't love you. So that doesn't quite fit your plan either."

"You could pretend to love me." I pointed out. "You could pretend for a little while. Buy me time to sort things out." I raised my eyes to him. "Please."

Edmund pinched the bridge of his nose before moving to the opposite side of the alley, resting his back there.

"This is mad." He said. "You know that." I nodded.

"I know, but you can help me." Edmund ran his hand through his thick black hair, the ends were sticking up and before I knew it I had pushed myself to my full height, taking a few steps to his side. I had to convince him. So perhaps, I had to take drastic measures. "What's stopping you?" I asked him quietly.

He closed his eyes and rested his head to the brick wall behind him. "This isn't rational."

"Since when is love rational?" I enquired and Edmund groaned.

"Catherine, you need to stop that. We are not in love."

"If you're going to this we'd might as well start now." I pointed out, somewhat a blasé manner in my words.

Edmund glared again. "If being the operative word." He muttered lowly. I smiled, not at all worried now. I opened my mouth to say something when suddenly we were interrupted.

"Terribly sorry to interrupt the love birds." Peter's voice was amused and I turned to Edmund's older brother. "But there is a rather lovely young lady asking for you, Cathy." I smiled at the use of my shortened name. I suppose Peter would be someone I'd be able to like.

"Her name is Louise." I told him and he nodded, grinning. If Edmund would laugh he'd be the darker copy of his older brother. "And she's taken with my cousin Oliver. So don't try anything." I raised my finger in his direction and he shrugged, a facade of innocence on his face.

"Not doing anything." I smiled, feeling somewhat calmer. "However, I have a question. Why has my brother never mentioned you? After all, if he's to be engaged and all..." He trailed off slowly and I realised that Peter was still someone we had to convince. I turned my head to Edmund and saw him clench his jaw in frustration.

"Because I asked him to." Edmund turned his head to me. Peter narrowed his eyes in observation and moved closer to us into the alley. I wondered what the time was. How long had we been here?

"Oh have you really?" I nodded slowly. "Because I don't believe it at all." He finished and I bit my lip.

"Honestly Peter. Why would we lie about this?" I turned my gaze to Edmund. Why wasn't he saying anything? My voice broke with the nerves.

"Yes, Edmund. Tell me. Why would you lie?" Peter turned his blue eyes to Edmund and I could slowly see him crack beneath the authoritative gaze of his older brother.

"Haven't you heard me? I asked him to because I wanted to keep this a secret!" Peter narrowed his eyes at me now. His head tilted to the side as he gave us a slight nod.

"Alright, if you say so." Peter gave in.

Slowly the tension lifted from the air. It was like a vacuum. The air was all sucked out before released slowly. I grabbed hold of Edmund's hand as Peter turned his back on us.

"Come on, you two. I was told not to keep them waiting." Peter said, referring to Louise and Oliver and I sighed, I glanced at Edmund who was still staring blankly in front of him.

"Edmund." I shook his hand. He didn't reply at once but was coming out of the stupor I had put him in. Or rather said, forced him into.

"I can't believe I'm actually going to do this." He murmured and I realised I had won him over.

Not having the time to rejoice, I did the only thing I could do and that was embrace him arm and entwining my hands with his. Hoping he'd be able to get the message.

"Oh Ed." Peter suddenly said as he held open the pub door. "You can tell mum about this." Peter patted Edmund's back.

Edmund never lost the paleness Peter had evoked on him with that sentence, that night.

A/N: Thoughts are loved in the form of a review. And a happy belated new year :) Hope 2011 will be magnificent as we've only got one more year to live :P