"Well he said I had grown into quite a nice young man probably because my grandfather was present, and how we were sure to be matched equally. But I had never seen you and had no idea of who you were, how could I form any kind of attachment to you? Then Sir Paul showed me this picture of you," he took a small drawing of my face and showed it.

"He kept a picture of me?" It was always surprising to know my grandfather did love me, even if in his own way.

"Yes and he asked me to show it to you when it was time for me to ask for your hand."

"How could you agree to such a thing?"

"In all truth I thought I would meet you and if you revealed yourself to be unfit for marriage then you never had to know about this. But before I could get to you Joseph had monopolized your friendship and I did not know how to catch your attention."

"Of course."

"Joseph talked highly of you, as if you were my sister's equal and Lilly was the highest compliment he could offer. All of this to say your grandfather was right, marry me, you are my equal Alice," Henry put his hand on my dress surprising me with everything he said and did.

"You believe I am fit for marriage when yesterday you caught me dancing with the staff?"

"Yes that is what makes you special you are not these replicated society ladies, you know what freedom is and I enjoyed every minute of it with you," he came in for a kiss but I did not let him and ended the conversation.

"The fishes are waiting for you Henry," I reminded him of where he needed to go.

"Lady Alice..."

"If you go we might talk about this later."

"Do not think too hard if it will lead you to saying no."

"Go, there are people waiting for you."

"Fine, and you may keep the picture," I nodded putting it in my pocket and he just shook his head going out to fish the rest of the day.

It was much too quick Mr. Henry's proposal; we had been friends for some months, was it enough? Alas a decision was to be made and I could hear the arguments telling me to say yes, Mrs. Miller would deliver me to Mr. Henry within the minute. Mother would probably nod but I would not involve anyone who might sway me to accept based on the expectation of uniting titles and old money.

Marriage, I had been asked to think on it for the second time, and this time I was more disposed to accept it. Mr. Henry was not Mr. Howard's son, and he most likely would not be called back to Stanley Hall since Mr. Howard did not like his family and had only invited them for Joseph's sake to marry him off to Miss Lilly. And there was another good reason to marry Mr. Henry; he knew what he wanted, his intentions were clear and honorable unlike Mr. Howard who treated matters of the heart like a sport, yes this much was true.

"Lady Alice they are waiting for you outside to play tennis," Mrs. Hall said as I was found alone by the painting pondering on what to do next.

"Will you escort me Mrs. Hall?"

"Of course milady," she knew I needed to give the appearance that my disappearance was well excused from being in her company and she did not mind.

As the day went on I found myself earnestly wanting to believe Mr. Henry and I had enough affinities together to make a grand couple like my grandfather desired on his deathbed. From the outside this could not have been any more advantageously orchestrated and any female my age would be more than happy to accept it. Most ladies did not get much choice when it came to marriage, the men were scarce, or too old, or too brutal and most looked for a very proper, very high lady which I was not. So if there was only a small liking on a woman's behalf towards the suitor asking for the hand then most would proceed lickety-split to the altar and Mr. Henry was more than likable, handsome, with good connections.

After playing and basking in some sunlight we retired to the drawing room with the other ladies and Lady Walker, Mr. Henry's mother, sat at my side.

"Lady Alice may I?" She asked.

"Yes of course Lady Walker."

"My son seems quite taken with you," she was ridiculously direct.

"Well I..."

"And I believe due to his character he will make you an offer," she was right and I could only guess Henry had not told her he was going to ask me this morning.

"Yes Lady Walker."

"He has offered you hasn't he?"

"Yes," I said cautiously wondering if she would make a scandal of it.

"Of course he would try to keep the promise he made to your grandfather, my Henry has always been a dutiful son." Lady Walker sounded displeased with his choice but proud of his character, it was good to know his mother thought him a good man.

"I had no idea."

"Well neither did I until my father-in-law became sick and let out this absurd story."

"I do hope he gets better," there was no reason to take slight of what she was saying for it was absurd.

"That is doubtful but what matters is if you have accepted him or not?"

"I said I would give him an answer soon."

"Right... Well Lady Alice if I were you I would think about it for a while."

"Why?"

"Why?" She scoffed as if I was some dimwit, "entering into our family is not only an honor for any girl but quite the task to live with. So if you have plans to remain in the obscurity of high society then refuse him at once Lady Alice." I knew then she disliked if I were to be a part of her family with her being a traditionalist in the strictest manner though my title trumped hers she made it clear who was in advantage in such an arrangement.

Everyone knew of Lady Walker as a patroness of too many things surely one of the reasons why Mr. Howard benefited from selling to her some of his paintings. But none of what she did had caught my attention until she mentioned my future could be tied to everything she was.

"High society?"

"Yes, this only half of the people we know, the people we make calls to, you should be very aware that marrying my son will bring you into another life, he will not be pushed into yours do you understand me?"

"Yes Lady Walker."

"Good then refuse him now and get this over with."

Lady Walker got up demanding me to obey her though she was not my mother or anyone whose words mattered enough to take into consideration.

"Excuse me ladies, I shall go write a letter to Miss Campbell to tell her of this weekend she is expecting news," I nodded and went out to my room.

Turning one of the many corners to get to my room Mr. Howard bumped into me, "Alice."

"M'lord," I nodded right away to keep on going.

"I was looking for you," he surprised me with a nice and even tone of voice.

"I was off to write a letter to Martha excuse me sir," I went around him not caring for it.

"You ended the engagement with Joseph?"

"Yes," he asked and I stopped only to answer him then continued marching to my room.

"Why?"

"Really why?"

"Yes! Why?"

"Because he loves Miss Lilly, had this not been your plan all along? That Joseph would realize who he loved and end things with me."

"You resent me?" He walked to where I was.

"Yes but not because of this, I am glad Joseph discovered in time who he belonged with, I always wished him the best." Though I finally reached my door Mr. Howard did not quit his questions.

"And have you discovered who you belong with?"

"Yes I think this time at Stanley Hall has helped me see who I belong with."

"Oh really? Has it?"

"Yes, I think it was made clear when he asked me for my hand today."

The words were out and I could see the shock on Mr. Howard's face I had surprised him this time like never before, he calculated what I had said and I stood waiting for what would come out of his mouth next...

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No part, character, names, plot, setting, conflict or resolution, point of view, theme or symbolism of this story may be replicated.

Copyright: All Rights Reserved to A. Sena Gomes.