AN: Thank you to so much to everyone who reviewed, or really even bothered to read the last two chapters, it really meant a lot to me. I’m going to be trying to get into contact with a few beta readers, but if anyone is willing to work with me on this, it would be greatly appreciated! I think there is some improvement, but it’s still pretty rough, especially since I’m continually switching from story-essay when I get stuck. Who knew that an English essay could inspire you?

Chapter Nine

“You said you had news, darling?” he asked his almost fiancé. It was hard to concentrate on their conversation when she was staring at him like that! Or, what should be said in this so-far nonexistent conversation.

“Hmm?” she asked, a lazy smile upon her lips as she looked to her suitor.

“Darling, you said you had news. You sounded very excited. Did you get another letter?” He smiled softly at her, he’d only seen her parents incite such anticipation in his companion.

“Oh, yes, my letter! I received a letter. From my parents.”

“Yes, I had gathered as much, pet. That you had received a letter. From your parents. Whom I still have yet to meet, though I have known you these past three years. Nor has anyone else of our acquaintance. What has you hoping about like a mad rabbit?” he asked as he noticed her fidgeting. He wouldn’t be surprised if her bum wore a hole in the cushion! He thought, a blush tainting his cheeks as he thought about her. . .cheeks.

“Well, darling, they are coming. Visiting, I mean. They shall be here in but a few days. They’ll be staying for a month. A full month with my family! It’s absolutely wonderful, and I haven’t seen them in quite a few years.”

“Since you were six. Right, pet?”

“Why, yes. But how did you—”

“I’m going to marry you, luv. It may come as a shock to you, but I do pay attention when you speak, even when you lose your concentration on that tongue of yours.”

“William, what exactly do you mean?” she asked shyly, lowering her head.

“When you ramble, my darling. When you ramble, and your thoughts spill out like water.”

“No, darling. The other part.” She whispered softly, peeking up at him through her lowered lashes, heart racing.

“Wot? You ramble, and—oh. Let that slip, did I?” he asked with an embarrassed smile. He tilted her head up, placing his knuckles beneath her chin to meet his gaze.

“Yes, yes, I believe you did.” Her voice shook as she met his gaze, peering into his blue eyes beyond his spectacles. “You had never mentioned that you wanted to marry me, William. I just thought—”

He swooped down, planting his mouth overtop of her own. She could feel the smile that pulled at the corners of her mouth as he kissed her. She felt it widen at her startled gasp as she felt his tongue try to tease her mouth open. She sighed as she relented, allowing him what he wanted.

He smiled into the kiss; he could practically feel all of their eyes on them. Idiots, the lot of them. He finally broke the kiss, grinning at her startled expression as her chest heaved, pushing her young breasts forward. He went to kneel in front of her, grasping at her hand. Shielding her body from view, or at least the top of her dress.

“Elizabeth, I love you. I always have, and I always will. Now, you have no choice but to marry me! I know you want to, as we have spoken of it briefly before. Now, I was going to do this the proper way—by asking your father for his permission—but I’ll be leaving with Mother in two days for a few months, there’s a doctor in Brighton who may be able to help her. But, Elizabeth—” he fumbled in his jacket pocket, searching for the velvet box. “Elizabeth, will you marry me? I love you, and I want you as my wife. Will you wear my grandmother’s ring?” he whispered, opening up the box encased in scarlet velvet to reveal the ring. It was gold, with an emerald at its center surrounded by diamonds and rubies.

She gasped as he opened the box, staring in wide-eyed amazement at the beautiful ring. All of her dreams were coming true.

“Yes! Yes, a thousand times yes!” She whispered as she threw her arms around his neck. She was crying from happiness, and she almost swore that she felt a drop of water hit her shoulder. She looked up at him, searching his gaze for any hint of apprehension or regret. All she saw was the love and happiness that she knew was reflected back in her own eyes.

“Thank you,” he whispered, holding her to him tight. Everything was going according to plan. She said yes! He didn’t even care about the muttering coming from the other people in the room, or that he’d proposed in front of them. All that mattered was that she’d said yes. They were going to be married! Him, to Elizabeth Edith O’Connor! She would be Mrs. Elizabeth Edith Giles. And that was all that mattered.

“I love you, Elizabeth.”

She looked up at him, pulling away from him slightly to meet his gaze, a serious expression on her face. “And I love you. Always,” she whispered.

He rested his forehead to her own, still meeting her gaze as he whispered back just one word.

“Forever.”

AN: Hey guys, I just wanted to get this out, I know that it’s pretty short. As for her name- it’s really Elizabeth Anna O’Riley, but society—including William— know her as Elizabeth Edith O’Connor. Remember, they’re trying to keep her safe from the Council, who’d want to study her, and demons who think she’d make a nice snack. Please leave a review! They help me write faster. *wink*