As the river of time flowed ever onward Will found his full confidence in the position of Master of his estate. Just as Lizzie always knew he would. The two never spoke of the epiphany's they'd each had. The emotions now lived on the surface, there was no way to unsing that song, but both refused to overly acknowledge it. It was tomfoolery, romantic idealism. Not that they didn't enjoy in it from time to time.

"If each of us insist we are real, which is impossible as this is clearly a dream" Lizzies voice pulled Will from his current book. They had been sat beneath the trees for quite sometime, the moon overhead was so bright it was almost as the sun, happily ignoring one another's presence. "What if" she continued "neither of us are. And this is simply someone elses dream. A third person, that we can't see"

"An interesting musing Lizzie. But I'm afraid I know I'm the real one. I can still feel the bruise" He absent mindedly rubbed his forearm "where Richard whacked me with his billiards cue. Now he says it was an accident, but he was losing and was rather sour about it" He threw his most charming smile at her.

He would never seriously voice his feelings for this strange figment of his imagination, but that didn't mean he couldn't bask in it on occasion. And he would be lying. If he said he didn't enjoy it the times she did the same.

" Also, if I weren't real, I really wouldn't be under so much pressure from my aunt"

" Oh dear" Lizzie found herself sitting up fully " is she still on you to marry her daughter?" She hated the very idea. This world was becoming more complicated, the older she became.

" Yes, I fear so. She's moved on to telling me it was my mother dearest wish. That it was decided whilst we were both still in the cradle. Uncle says it's nonsense. Not to let aren't bully me. I shan't of course, I have no wish to Marry Anne. But I can't help but feel sorry for the the girl. She is so quiet, downtrodden." he sighed, partly in regret for the security he could never offer his cousin." Anyway, what is you in such a philosophical mood tonight my dear?" In the clear, and oh, so bright moonlight he watched as the corners of her mouth turned upward at the small endearment that he let slip through. It wasn't the first time he'd called her search, and it wouldn't be the last. It was a small treat he allowed himself from time to time.

" Oh, I don't know, it's just….. if I'm not real then tomorrow night doesn't matter"

" Tomorrow night?"

" Yes I didn't mention it before, I knew you wouldn't approve. But you see tomorrow… I come out"

" Out?!" Will roared with a disproportionate amount of rage. " Lizzie, you are barely 16."

" Oh now stop it!" she snapped back" Mama needs me out. With two of us out she has a better chance of securing one of us a good husband. I hate that she thinks like this and that she worries so, but I'm not blind to our circumstance. As pushy and as crude as she is it really is done with the best of intentions. Papa doesn't take it seriously. If he were to die tomorrow, some faceless cousin would inherit. Then, where would we be?" Her breath was ragged as her tirade came to an end. Will sat stock still, mouth agape. He'd really never stopped to consider the female side of things, not truly.

" I'm not nervous, not really, Charlotte will be there and Jane of course. I just don't want anyone to assume I'm ready to marry just because I stand up with a man" her voice was gentle once again " Do you ever feel like that Will? Is it normal?"

"It is that very reason I never dance with anyone outside my own party. If I ask, a young lady to dance expectations are immediately raised." They, once again sit back into comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

" Why can't it be like it is here to dream world, it is so much simpler here" Lizzie said firmly as she returned to her book. Will looked on at her with an unreadable expression.

" It used to be" Is all he could say