This is a fan made story. I don't own the rights to SHIELD, any of its characters or any characters within the MCU… Much to my disappointment. This is a Regency Era based AU and I will be pulling characters from all over the MCU. Fair warning. Constructive criticism is welcome but if you don't like it simply because you don't like the line of thinking, please don't attack me for it.

Author's Note: A few people have commented on how horribly psycho Ward and Garret are. Yes, this is intentional. They, from the moment Ward was revealed as a villain in SHIELD, have always struck me as lacking in all morals that a decent human has fundamentally. Thus, I am taking those as compliments that I have portrayed those characters exactly as I intended. Also, Daisy is slightly OOC this chapter, mostly because we really don't get to see much of her in relationships.

Chapter 15: Before

After Daisy had delivered her father to his room, she returned to the rest of the party. She found that in her absence, her mother had been introduced to the rest of her guests by Leo and Lady Victoria. At the moment of her return, Leo was explaining the workings of the revolving pistol to their intrigued mother. He was assisted by Col. MacKenzie who was clearly attempting to keep the woman distracted from Maj. Triplett who was now trying out the revolving rifle for himself.

Daisy immediately went over to him as he rose the rifle after loading the rounds, "Be careful. It has more of a kick than a normal rifle does. You may wish to brace yourself a little more." Daisy cautioned.

The Major turned to her and nodded before readjusting his footing into a stronger stance. He fired off each round with a sure aim. When he finally lowered the rifle, he chuckled, "Well, that is sure to leave a bruise. It's a wonder that you didn't complain of it."

"I was a bit excited to be honest. The damage to the tree was obvious from here. Thank you for keeping the targeting to the same tree. No need to do more damage than necessary to my gardens," Daisy responded, smiling in response.

"Yes, a garden is always a lady's prize and joy, whether she be English or Chinese. It goes doubly so for you, Daisy," The two turned to Lady Melinda who had joined them.

"Mama, has Leo explained the rifle yet?" Daisy asked, a genuine fond smile for both her companions appearing.

"Yes, he even gave me a few rounds to try it out. Your brother's ingenuity never fails to amaze. I can easily see the Emperor wishing for some of these for his Imperial guard. I suspect that he will hear of these soon," Lady Melinda was cryptic to Maj. Triplett but not Daisy, who flushed lightly. She could only be grateful that her mother was subtle unlike some that she had seen at balls.

Lady Melinda Coulson grew-up in a society where overt behavior was the highest level of rudeness. Daisy, having spent almost as much time in Chinese society, could pick up on the implication even if Maj. Triplett only thinks it is a reference to a letter instead. Triplett offered the rifle to Daisy's mother who took it gracefully.

Triplett watch with interest as Lady Coulson loaded the rounds into the rifle with no hesitation. The woman then fired off all the rounds without pausing before lowering it and giving a nod of approval, "I think it pulls to the left a little and the weight makes for an inconvenience but it is far better than the pain of reloading after each shot. I will take this back to Leo. Major Triplett, I look forward to getting to know you better." With that, Daisy's mother nodded and walked away. Triplett frowned, not sure what to make of the interaction.

"I apologize for my mother. She is used to a far more… brisk sort of conversation. It can be difficult to adapt when you spend your life in one mode and then have to alternate between that mode and another," Daisy tried to explain carefully. She took his arm and guided him away from the scattering groups of people. "It isn't that she disliked you or anything like that. She merely has difficulty expressing herself in English. Even after marrying my father, mother has spent most of her time in China, speaking Chinese."

"I see. So, she isn't intending on being cold, she just isn't certain of how to properly display English etiquette without being stiff?" Triplett asked in clarification. Daisy nodded readily. "That is good to know. It would be extremely unfortunate if one of your parents disliked me."

He had allowed Daisy to slowly steer him towards a more secluded portion of the gardens, away from the chatter of the multitude of guests present, "Really? Why is that?" Daisy asked, not quite concealing the amusement in her voice. She partly hoped that he would confess his feelings.

The blush on the man's face was only visible to Daisy because she stood so close to him, his skin tone otherwise would have hidden it. Triplett looked about before leading her over to a bench and sitting with her, "Well, I didn't mean to quite reveal myself this early. I thought perhaps more time invested might be in my favor." Daisy looked intently at him as he stood and started pacing back and forth in front of her, clearly nervous.

"In your favor for what?" Daisy prompted with slight teasing after several moments of waiting for him to continue, her humor becoming more obvious.

Triplett stopped and stood directly in front of her, opening and closing his mouth several times before bursting into laughter, "You're enjoying this, aren't you? The ridiculousness of this situation… Well then, I had better make this worth your attention then, shouldn't I? Miss Coulson… I know I have very little to offer, I have little independent fortune, no title, very few connections and those paltry compared to what you can boast. Many would even say that you marrying anyone less than the heir to a duchy would be marrying beneath you. That being said, I do have one thing that I can offer, one thing that I really guess is truthfully already yours in all but name…" He paused and started pacing again for a moment before turning directly to face her and drop on one knee.

"I know I have little to offer compared to all that you already have, but I can offer you my heart, completely and without reservation. Will you take my hand in matrimony?" Triplett finished, his sincerity in his addresses a stark contrast to the cold indifference of Col. Ward's.

"Well…" Daisy gave a teasing pause. Triplett looked almost panicked that she would deny him before she can continue. "There is little more that I could possibly want or need than the heart of a good man. Especially when he holds mine captive already."

Triplett's expression lit up making Daisy to break into a more obvious smile, "Are you saying yes?" He asked just to confirm.

"I am," Daisy barely got the words out before being embraced in a crushing hug.

When he finally released her, it was only with a pause before pressing his forehead to hers, "May I kiss you? Is that being too forward? Too much of a liberty?"

Daisy smirked before pressing her lips gently to his for the briefest moment before pulling them away, "Don't tell my aunt."

Major Triplett chuckled lightly before pressing a slightly firmer kiss to Daisy's lips. Just then, they heard Natasha curse quite unladylike, "Oh for God's sake! Are every one of my friends to marry before me?!" The newly formed couple jumped apart at her voice.

The two turned to see an irritated Natasha with her arm firmly attached to a blushing Dr. Banner. Daisy burst into laughter over the situation before taking Maj. Triplett's arm firmly, the man also failing to miss the humor of the situation, "Well, far be it from us to deny you such an advantageous opportunity. We will leave you to your private audience with the good doctor. To be fair though, I did meet Maj. Triplett before you met Dr. Banner."

With this, Daisy towed away her unacknowledged betrothed, leaving behind a now scarlet faced Dr. Banner and lightly pink Natasha. Daisy knew that it was hardly proper to suggest such a thing so bluntly, but the man had dragged out the wait for her friend as well. Once they were out of the hearing and sight of the others, Triplett pulled her to another hidden nook in the garden, "That wasn't very nice of you." He whispered softly.

"Oh, please. They needed a nudge. Dr. Banner is clearly smitten and uncertain on how to go about actually pursuing his chosen lady," She whispered back, her heart rate accelerating slightly at the close proximity that he had taken to her, something she had somehow missed earlier.

"Hmm… Perhaps, I think Dr. Banner might have gotten the hint from Miss Romanoff before that though," He crowded closer still, his forehead once more pressed to hers and their breath mingling.

"Yes, that is probably true. It was probably also for the best that it was Natasha and not Stephanie or my aunt or mother who found us. The gardens are a bit crowded today, what with having so many guests," Daisy's whispers hardly hid her excitement about the proximity. Triplett was only a hair's breathe from her lips once more.

"Perhaps, but I am still going to kiss you once more," His lips brushed against hers before pressing more firmly against hers. His left hand slipping to the back of her neck to hold her gently in place and his right slipping around to the back of her waist and softly pressing her against him. Daisy's hands swiftly mirrored his, one firmly seizing his coat at the back and the other his head, pulling him into the deepening kiss.

This kiss lasted far longer than the first two. It too was interrupted though. A throat clear indicated that they weren't alone, and they sprang apart again. This time it was a still very tired looking Sir Coulson observing them. Daisy immediately attempted to set her gown to rights while Maj. Triplett did the same with his coat. Daisy's father merely stood there, waiting for them to finish before speaking, "If my interpretation of your previous positions is correct, I believe I need to have a discussion with Maj. Triplett. I am presuming you are Maj. Triplett. I know we haven't been introduced but from Leopold's letters it is the most astute assumption I can make."

"I am, and you are correct in your interpretation. I asked for, and Miss Coulson has agreed to, a marriage… Presuming your approval, Sir…" Triplett tacked the last part on as an afterthought.

Phillip Coulson looked at his blushing daughter with a raise eyebrow to which he received a swift nod. He turned back to the Major and sighed, "Well, you had best follow me to the study. Daisy, would you collect your brother and mother and meet us there in a half hour?"

"Yes, Papa," Daisy nodded before leaving her father and her betrothed in the garden.

Triplett followed without speaking as Sir Phillip Coulson led him out of the gardens and into the house. The Baronet paused briefly to request tea be brought to the study in a half hour before continuing to the room in question. Phillip Coulson held the door open for Triplett before firmly shutting it and locking the door. He gestured to the seat before the desk while going around to the other side. He sat down with a slight ginger effort but still made no comment, simply looking at the man before him as he squirmed.

When he did finally speak, it was with amusement, "I think you will never find a woman, besides my wife, who is more stubborn and mulish in her ways than Daisy. She will insist on having the final say over everything when it comes to St. Agnes and any investments made. The staff will listen to her first and the meals will always favor her preferences rather than yours. My daughter took all the traits that my wife embodies, and she got her beauty too. I didn't even get a say in my marrying her, my Melinda, you know.

"I was in China, widowed for only a year, my one-year-old son in tow as I began negotiating for trade rights for the British Crown. Not even a month after my arrival, I received an invitation to a party held by the Emperor's brother. She was obviously in attendance and I am certain what was left of my heart after the death Leo's mother belonged to the niece of the Emperor almost as soon as she fumbled through a greeting in broken English. Her given name is actually Qiaolain, Princess Qiaolain of China. She was well beyond my reach, worth more to China then my life is to England. The Emperor had only one child, a son aged four and she was the only female born to the Imperial family.

"Traditionally speaking, she should have married an official's son or gone to a Buddhist monastery. However, somehow, after that first meeting, we kept encountering each other at every turn. I didn't realize it at the time, but she was orchestrating the whole thing, even the first meeting. She only admitted to it after our marriage. She had been in attendance when I was presented to the Emperor as the British Ambassador and took an instant liking to me. I was skillfully manipulated from that point on.

"I still don't know how or why but two years of negotiations later, the Emperor of China is offering me a very conditional trade deal and alliance for the British Empire. I should mention that I was completely in love with Princess Qiaolain at the time. I don't know how she did it but she persuaded her father and Uncle, the Emperor of China mind you, that it would be in China's best interest to ally itself with England and seal that alliance with her marriage to the British Ambassador. That was the deal offered to me.

"I didn't even get to make my addresses to her. I was informed that was the only way that Britain was getting its coveted trade deal. She won't even tell me how she managed it. Obviously, I would have to have been completely insane to refuse. I was being offered more than I could have dreamed of being possible. I have also never had reason to regret that decision. Even if it meant promising that any child she gave me would inherit at least one of my estates. Two days after I signed the trade deal, there was a very extravagant Chinese ceremony and then we had to sail for England for an English one."

Sir Phillip paused and looked at the man who looked both fascinated and puzzled, "I never asked my father for permission to marry my first wife and he greatly resented that. He was very unpleasant to Lenora, always claimed the only good that came from my marriage to her was Leo. Obviously, I didn't ask for permission when it came to Melinda either. He didn't resent her though. No, if I didn't know any better, I could have sworn the moment he saw her, a Chinese princess bringing with her an alliance to make the French green with envy, well… she had him wrapped around her finger. But then she always has had every man wrapped around her finger. Daisy got that from her too. So, you see, everything wonderful about my daughter all boils down to who her mother is."

Just as he said this there was a knock on the door. He stood and unlocked it, letting in a maid carrying a tea service for them and the other members of the Coulson family that were just behind the maid. Leo took the seat next to Triplett's while Sir and Lady Coulson stood behind the chair at the desk, a stern look from Lady Coulson had Daisy sitting in that seat. The image was a potent one to Triplett and it spoke volumes over who would be the head of their home when Daisy married him.

"Phil, Daisy said she had some news to share. You wouldn't happen to know what it is, would you?" Lady Coulson asked once the door shut behind the maid and Daisy began fixing tea for those present.

"I do. However, it is her news to share," Sir Coulson responded, all emotion displayed in his narration of how he married his wife now vanished from his voice.

"Daisy?" Leo seemed to know what it was judging from his smirk but waited anyways.

"Mama, Leo, Maj. Triplett has asked to marry me, and I have accepted," Daisy stated confidently, no sign of her earlier blushes present.

"Ah, of course. Phil, you couldn't have waited for this until after taking a nap, though? Actually, tomorrow would have been better for arranging the settlements since it is likely to take some time," Lady Coulson's easy acceptance startled the Major a bit.

Leo started laughing. Sir Phillip rolled his eyes, "How did you figure it out?"

"Oh, please, Phil. I saw the way our daughter looked at him and I know her personality. She gets what she wants. She is our daughter. How did you know? You weren't around long enough to see the glances," Lady Coulson's words made her husband chuckle and both Daisy and Triplett blush.

"Ah, yes, well… I wasn't quite prepared to settle down for a nap, despite your insistence, and so I was looking out my window which has a lovely view of the gardens. In particular, a view of a bench which was quickly occupied by our daughter and her betrothed. It didn't take much to surmise a proposal took place when they began kissing," Sir Phillip chuckled again at the last. Leo gave a scathing glare to Triplett but remained silent as he quickly recalled he received a similar one from Jemma after his proposal, regardless of decency.

"Huh, well... The only real specification required from the Emperor was that her husband be a man of honor and her choice. An army officer fits the Honorable part nicely. Daisy, dear, let me know what date you settle on for the wedding. Thankfully you won't have to wait for a representative of the Emperor to attend, what with Zhang being in London which is in easy trip from here. Now, if you'll excuse Leo and myself, I must get to know Mrs. Coulson properly since we will have to learn to live with each other from now on," Lady Coulson nodded at her husband before kissing her daughter's cheek and leaving the room with as much confidence as she entered it. Leo followed, not even hesitating and with a slightly fearful look in his eye.

"Begging your pardon, sir, but I have never met a woman so small who owned a room so fully," Triplett finally stated after the door closed, and he had regained his breath.

"That was, oddly enough, my first impression of her too. Of course, it is what made her so irresistible," Sir Coulson got a goofy look on his face that told Triplett that the man meant it when he said he had never regretted marrying her. The expression quickly disappeared though. "Now, Melinda is right in saying we will have to wait until tomorrow to draw up settlement papers. I will have to send a note to Lord Zhang and my solicitor asking them to join us. Daisy was adopted into the Imperial family and her marriage to an Englishman is being viewed by the Emperor as a renewal of the trade agreement and alliance between the British and Chinese Empires. Thus, a representative of the Emperor will need to be present. Zhang is fair though and he is fond of Daisy and will always bend to her and Melinda's will. Despite all appearances in their behavior, have no doubt, the women rule this family, Major."

"Of course, Papa," Daisy looked over her shoulder to smile at her father. He immediately went around to the front of the desk and took the seat Leo had vacated.

"We do need to have a date settled on immediately though. You have been in England for nine months already. The Emperor was already a little impatient that you hadn't already married before your mother and I left China," Sir Phillip stated firmly.

"Well, today is July 16th. There is a wait of three weeks at least for the banns to be read. In all honestly, sir, I would rather not have to wait too long. I have been attempting to gain your daughter's favor since almost the moment I met her," Triplett's words were accompanied by a barely noticeable flush to his cheeks.

"I see no reason to wait longer than three weeks, Papa. There should be very little to deal with for the settlement papers and it is hardly like I need a new wardrobe to be made as all my clothing is new and in the latest fashion. The only thing that will be needed is the wedding dress and headdress and I know that the Empress included the necessary materials for that in what was gifted to me before we left China," Daisy shrugged easily.

"Headdress?" Triplett looked a little lost.

"It was one of the stipulations the Emperor made when he allowed Melinda to marry me. All daughters were to be wed in appropriate Chinese fashion. It will seem a bit odd, but it is only necessary for the ceremony," Sir Phillip waved away any concerns with ease.

"I actually had an idea about how to make it a bit easier of a transition actually. I already drew up a design for mother to look at. It will make transitioning from traditional Chinese to English much simpler. The red and gold might be a little vibrant, but it can be used as an evening gown after," Daisy gave Triplett a reassuring smile which settled his nerves over the difference. "You can still wear traditional English groom's attire."

This seemed to be then end of the discussion as Sir Phillip stood and walked to the door, "I expect you both to rejoin your mother and the rest of the guests within five minutes. I really am exhausted now, however and do need to rest before dinner." He then promptly left the two alone in the study.

Daisy immediately stood and boldly strode over to Triplett. He didn't even have the opportunity to stand before she seated herself in his lap, "I had forgotten before but what would you prefer to me to call you? Formality isn't so necessary now that we are betrothed."

Triplett happily wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled Daisy into a kiss, "Always thinking of the important things. Trip is my nickname among my family. For some reason, Antoine never really took, and my brother prefers his given name within the family." When he finished, he kissed her firmly, getting lost in the feel of her lips against his and her arms wrapping around his shoulders.

Eventually, it was Daisy who pulled away, "Yes, well, obviously you may call me Daisy." He received a firm kiss after this that lasted for a few more moments before Daisy reluctantly pulled away and stood. She carefully fixed herself while Trip stood.

This effort was slightly wasted as she found herself pulled tightly to him again and being kissed breathless. As she gathered both her wits and breath, "I am very, very happy we need only wait for the banns to be read. I doubt I could tolerate waiting too much longer than that." Trip gave her one last kiss before allowing her to properly fix herself and followed as she exited the study.

As the passed the library, the open door revealed Natasha pinning Dr. Banner against a shelf and kissing the poor man senseless. Judging based on the man's hands on her hips however, Dr. Banner was a willing participant in the exercise, "Still think I was mean earlier?" Daisy questioned softly.

"Well, as they are in a similar position to what we had a few moments ago, perhaps not. We should shut the door though, for their privacy," Trip responded just as quietly.

Daisy smirked and with a mark of impishness shut the door just loud enough for the distracted couple to hear. A raised eyebrow from Trip earned a shrug, "They interrupted us earlier. It is only fair." Trip couldn't help but laugh a little at this.

Author's Note: Yes, there is a lot of fluff. I did want to give a happy interlude before the bad comes. Also, yes, Natasha and Dr. Banner are engaged and that is what their kiss fest was a sign of.