The next day once i'd finished getting ready, i joined my family for breakfast in the parlour. It was pretty normal, and of course Francis was reading the news that normally goes around Kent.

Suddenly Petunia came in holding a flower basket, that covered all of her face and most of her upper half. "Miss Haywood, these have come for you." She mumbled from behind the flowers. I looked around at my family who were equally as confused as i was. I got up out of my chair and Matthew followed so that he could take the basket out of Petunia's arms who was clearly struggling. Once we'd got them settled down on a table i managed to finally see the note that was hidden inside. It said...

Dear Miss Haywood,

I hope these flowers find you well. Think of them as an invitation to promenade with me in the early afternoon.

Yours truly, Daniel Fitzwilliam

It was only a small note, but the thought of the flowers made me smile.

"Well, Diana? Who are they from?" My mother asked. I put the note back in the flowers and turned around to face her and the rest of my family who also all seemed eager to know. I furrowed my brows "not that it's any of your buisness, but they are from Daniel, Daniel Fitzwilliam." i answered, holding my head high.

"Of course it's my buisness Diana, as your mother i must be aware of all your options." She answered finally sitting back down again. I laughed in disbelief at how much she'd just degraded me. "options? Mother as far as i'm concerend if Francis had multiple women wanting to court him you'd be very specific as to which one he married." I objected walking closer to her slowly. "Well of course, she'd be the next lady of this house Diana." she argued. "Yes, but it would be the same with Ambrose and Matthew. Just because i am a woman doesn't give you the right to talk about my future of such low standard!" I added raising my voice slightly out of frustration.

"Diana that is quite enough." Francis said in a passive aggressive tone standing up from his seat. "Of course Francis must come in and save the day because he's the head of this house. Oh and he's a MANNNNN. A strong, brave, charming, wealthy man in which women would trip over their feet for because they have no self respect." I mocked him, and i wasn't going to stay silent anymore. "I've had it up to here with the fact that my ONLY purpose on this earth anymore is to find my husband and bear his children." I finally yelled, before storming out of the room and heading straight up the stairs for mine.

I wasn't sure what had come over me, and why i had gotten so sensitive over a word. I guess that was i all i needed to finally snap. I wasn't really mad at anyone, i was more mad at myself. I was overcome with confusion about feelings and emotions, and i'm the kind of person who has to figure something out once the questions in my head. However, right now that wasn't going very well for me as i had no ideo what was going on.

I sat down on my bed and laid my back against the headboard. I then heard a knock at the door, but couldn't be bothered to put up a fight so i simply just allowed them to come in. It was Ambrose and he came and sat beside me.

"What on earth happened downstairs little sister." He said putting his arm around me. I shook my head and looked down from slight embarrassment. "I'm not sure, i just- lost control." I muttered. "Well, i suppose it wasn't fair of mother to talk of you in such a manner." He replied looking down at me. "Though i don't think any of us were expecting you to have that reaction." He laughed and i nudged him in the side while laughing aswell. "Why don't we go for a stroll, before i so generously hand you to Mr Fitzwilliam." He also said in a mocking tone. "For goodness sake, why do you and Francis both mock his name?" I asked. He laughed and stood up, "he's just a little bit of a snob is all, now come on sister." he replied leaving.

I knew that wasn't the whole truth, but they wouldn't let me court him if he was dangerous or anything, so i'm sure i'll find out soon enough. i got out of bed and fixed my hair a bit before going back downstairs again, making sure to avoid any eye contact with the people left in the parlour, i headed straight down the hallway and to the front door as quickly as i could.

Ambrose was waiting outside and i held onto his arm. "So where are you taking me?" I asked trying to entertain myself. "Don't get your hopes up Diana, town square." He replied. I curled my lips inwards trying to stop myself from laughing which he could clearly see. "be grateful i haven't abandoned you upstairs." He argued before also trying to not laugh.

Once we were there i'd realised what a beautiful day it was. The sky was a beautiful light blue and i couldn't see any clouds. Trees had bloomed all around us and flowers had sprouted from the grounds.

"It's a lovely day, isn't it?" Ambrose said to me looking around. "I was just thinking the exact same thing, everything seems to look so perfect."I replied. "You only get a view like this once in a while." he added.

Looking around me in 1814, reminded me of how much a shit show the 21st century is. Grey, dull and dirty were the only connotations i could think of to describe it. I embraced the warm air and listened to the birds, everytime they chirped it was the equivalent of one of my worries fleeting from my body and into the surroundings.

"Diana i've just spotted a the Penbrooke's by the lake, we must say hello to them." he announced. Worry immediately filled my face, i couldn't see James, not now. I'm too confused to even look at him and talk. "I'm not sure it's such a good idea Ambrose." I told him trying to pull him back slightly. "Don't be silly Diana, we are familiar with them." He replied being painfully oblivious to little situation.

When we'd caught up with them enough for Ambrose to be able to get their attention, James had turned around in one swift movement and was looking straight at me. His perfect posture and slightly puffed out chest, not too much to make him look proud. His hair wasn't perfectly back, more loose and light on the top of his head. A small smile tugged at the left side of his lips when looking at me, which made a very large pit form at the bottom of my stomach. aghh help me pleaseeeee.

"Miss Haywood" He said slowly taking my hand and placing the softest, most delicate kiss on my hand. In that moment i was slightly annoyed that i was wearing gloves, because from what i could gather from that peck, there was such passion and security in everything he did. He let my hand drop to my side again and i replied to his greeting, "your grace, it is truly wonderful to see you." i tried to emphasise specific words so he could be aware of my sincerity without being to obvious. "Mr Haywood, may i walk with your sister?" He asked my brother.

As much as i was wishing for a no and trying to avoid feeling anymore sick than i alrwady was, part of me wanted him to also say yes. Time that i spent alone with James always brought me such joy and comfort. "Why of course, please walk ahead." He replied beaming down at me...proudly? I held onto James's arm and we started to walk.

"So Miss Haywood, how is your courtship with Mr Fitzwilliam?" He obviously wanted to ask that jokingly, but to me it came across as curiousity and some what jealousy. "He sent me flowers this morning." I smiled up at him.

James's POV:

I wasn't entirely sure why i was so angry at Daniel buying her flowers that i found myself clenching my jaw. Maybe i was envious. In my defence, when you get to know someone and spend alot of your time with them... you...feel something?

I'd been trying to avoid Diana purely because i was unsure of my affections towards her. I wanted to keep my mind only on Letitia, but in truthfulness, i hadn't though about her in days. Diana's eyes, smile, laugh, skin, hands and pretty much everything occupied my mind since our last dance, but i could never tell her that. Letitia is my love and this is just a test. it's a test to see if i'd betray her, and i won't. never.

But a part of me is pulling me towards her, telling me to hold her, kiss her, be hers. there was a little section of my heart that would only beat for her. That would increase in speed when i saw her, like it was taking over me.

Unfortunately that had never been the case with the woman i was going to marry, and that worried me. Goosebumps never covered my skin and my face didn't glow just at the sight of her. So now that Daniel was buying her flowers, of course i am angry. She'll fall for him and they will be happy together and i'll of course be happy, but never fulfilled.

Fulfilled like i would've been with Diana.