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"There is something I need to talk to you about!" I said, when we were out of hearing distance of Henry and his mother.

"About what?" He asked confused.

"Joana told me about your concerns." I started but was interrupted when my father asked:

"Joana?" I laughed, because he of course didn't know her as Joana. To him she was Countess Howard.

"Henry's mother." I explained and he nodded. He obviously knew what concerns I was talking about, so I continued:

"I wanted to tell you that you don't have to worry about me! I really want to marry Henry."

"But why? I've never heard you mentioning him." My father answered and looked suspicious.

"I met him almost five months ago at Mr. Darcy's birthday. We talked and he visited me the next day at Pemberley. Over the winter, he came to see me at least once a week. And I didn't mention him, because I knew of his title and how mother would react. Back then I thought he would never actually consider marrying me. So I didn't want mother to pester him." I explained and stopped walking so I could look at my father's reaction to my words.

"You do have feelings for him then?"

"Yes. Very much. Remember, you told me that you want me to be as happy and excited about my wedding as my sister have been. And I am. I cannot wait to marry him and I don't care about his title or his money. Even though I know mother does. But I know that I will be happy here, with Joana and Henry with me. This is a life I never expected. It still amazes me, that he wants me, when he could have had someone like Camille."

"Camille? The young Lady we visited at Hertfordshire? What has she to do with this?"

"Well, Henry's father wanted him to marry her. They got engaged when they were both children. But because of me he broke that engagement." I felt a little proud saying that. That someone actually preferred me over someone as perfect as Camille.

"Why didn't you tell me so from the beginning? I wouldn't have to worry then."

"I am sorry. I just didn't think about it. That you could worry about this, everyone tells me how obvious my feelings are for him. So I thought you would see it too."

"Fathers tend to overlook something like that. We all don't want to see our little girls grow up. You will see your Earl will be no difference when you have a daughter."

I felt tears in my eyes. I had never talked this open with my father about my feelings, or he about his.

"I love you papa." I said and hugged him. I hadn't called him papa for years. My mother had told me that it wasn't appropriate, when I turned ten, so I had stopped. And from there our relationship had gone downhill.

"I love you too Mary and I wish you nothing but the best. All I want for my daughters is that they are happy." He whispered in my hair, his voice hoarse. This was very emotional for him too.

"I am and I will be forever!" I promised and he nodded. Obviously pleased.

"So how about we get back? I am sure you are hungry." As a matter of fact I was. So I let go of my father and with my hand on his arm we returned to the terrace. By now Joana and Henry had finished their breakfast and they weren't alone. My mother and Kitty sat with them at the table. Kitty was telling Henry something and he nodded politely. But as soon as he saw us coming he wasn't interested anymore. He excused himself before hurrying over to me. My father walked past him and said:

"If you have some time later on. I would like to talk to you."

"Of course. We can go to my study after we finished breakfast." Henry replied a little surprised.

I smiled at him and reassured him.

"Don't worry. Everything is alright now. He knows everything."

"Everything?" Henry asked and raised a blond eyebrow. I couldn't keep myself from blushing because I knew what he was implying. My heart started to pound in my chest, thinking of our kiss.

"Well, obviously not EVERYTHING!" I answered and he laughed, before turning back to the breakfast table. I sat down in between Joana and my mother.

A servant placed a dish with porridge in it in front of me.

I smiled and started eating, while Joana turned to me:

"Your mother and I thought that we should start planning the wedding today."

I looked up from my porridge and nodded:

The sooner we finished the preparations the sooner the marriage could take place, which meant that my family would return home. I didn't want to strain Joana's and Henry's patience any longer than necessary.

"That sounds good." I answered and finished my breakfast shortly after.

Then Henry and I parted ways, he went with my father and I stayed seated in between Joana and my mother. Both obviously excited about this marriage. Even though for very different reasons. My mother because she couldn't believe I would marry an Earl and become a Countess. Joana on the other hand was happy to see her son happy. Besides I had the feeling, or maybe the wish, that she liked me and was looking forward to me becoming her daughter-in-law.

After hours of planning and having dinner without Henry because he had some important business to attend to, I fell into my bed and sighed deeply.

This had been a rather stressful day and I was glad to have some peace and quiet.

As if someone was trying to punish me for that thought I heard a knock on my door.

For a moment I stayed on the bed and thought about just ignoring it. I had enough of dresses, decorations and desserts. The dressmaker would come tomorrow, Joana had informed me. To start sewing my wedding gown.

But I had never been into dresses or ribbons, so I could think of a lot of things more interesting than talking about fabrics, cuts and designs.

When I heard the knock again. I decided that it would be very impolite to just ignore it. So I sat up and sighed:

"Yes?"

Despite my tiredness, I smiled when I saw Henry walking into my room. He closed the door behind himself and I was sure, that my mother wouldn't like that.

She had said, that I shouldn't be alone with Henry in one room until we were married because "men were all the same". I wasn't quite sure what she meant with that, but I knew that I liked to be with him. Besides, we were engaged, so I didn't really see the problem in spending time with him alone.

"You look tired." He smiled and sat down next to me.

"I am. All this planning is really exhausting."

"I'm sorry." he said and took my hand in his.

"You don't have to be. Just a few weeks, then the planning is over. And you are going through so much more trouble with my family, then I can handle a little planning."

"I actually like part of your family." he said. Which surprised me. Was he serious?

"Who?" I asked wide eyed.

"Your father."

"But he is… Mr. Darcy doesn't like him. Because he thinks he is too outspoken and at times insulting."

"Well, I'm not Mr. Darcy." Henry answered and kissed my cheek. I blushed dark crimson.

"I know that." I said breathlessly.

"And I really like your father. I like his honesty." This obviously had something to do with the conversation they had earlier.

"What did he say to you?" I asked interested and looked up into his face which was only inches from mine.

"He warned me." Henry answered chuckling. Before I could ask what exactly he meant with that, he started to explain it to me. " He told me that if I ever hurt you. I would be sorry. That he doesn't care about my title or my money. He would find a way to pay me back."

My eyes grew huge when he said that. His closeness forgotten. My father had actually threatened him?

"God, I'm so sorry!" I gasped. Lowering my eyes to my hands I had clasped together in my lap.

"Don't be. I can understand him. Besides, I like his honesty! No need to apologize." He answered and touched my chin. He raised it, so I had to look at him.

"Never apologize for something you have no control over. Your father said it, he is the only one responsible for his actions. May they be good or bad. You need to understand, that no matter what your family does. I will never be angry with you."

I felt relieved hearing this. Because I had the bad feeling my family would offend him quite regularly until they left after our wedding.

"I should probably go now." He said and interrupted my thoughts. I watched him get up and couldn't help but feel disappointed.

"Really?" I asked getting up as well. It hadn't seen much of him today.

"Yes. Our mothers won't like it to find me here, besides I don't know how much longer I can act like I care what's appropriate." He gave me a short kiss on my forehead and left the room. I stayed behind utterly confused. I didn't know what to make of his words. Maybe I was too tired. So I decided to rest and worry about everything else on the next day.

That's it for now guys, hope you liked it. So please R&R