Lady Bradford waited at the bottom of the staircase for her daughter to return, partly to say goodbye before she left, but mainly to ensure she did leave with Lord Harrington for certain. She wasn't going to allow her daughter to make a habit of leaving the house unattended. A shudder crawled down her spine at the horror it would do to her reputation.

Aurelia paid her mother no mind as she walked by in a powder green dress, not even ordaining her with a glance out of the side of her eyes, and headed straight towards Lord Harrington, who was patiently stood by the front door. He motioned for her to lead the way.

Lady Bradford still had no idea that they were going riding, so the pair kept their pretence all the way to Lord Harrington's estate, where his sister and her husband were tending to the horses. Before long, they were trotting around the Harrington estate, completely out of the prying eye of the ton, much to Aurelia's relief.

"I trust that you enjoyed your walk this morning," Lord Harrington said, making polite conversation.

"I did," Aurelia nodded, hoping the truth didn't seep onto her face. "I must apologise again for letting it run so late, I don't want you to think that I have no sense of priority."

"I think nothing of the sort," He assured her. "If anything, it pleases me to know you enjoy the outdoors. I grew up on my family estate in the countryside before moving back to London, I often miss it at times."

The thought warmed her heart. After so long in the Mediterranean countryside, she'd struggled to imagine spending all her time in the city once she was married. "You would love Italy. Whilst, I'd never admit it openly, their countryside does surpass our own in beauty."

"I would like to see it one day," He smiled.

"I hope you get the chance, my lord,"

"Please, call me Michael," He insisted. "I'm sure the girl who saved me from drowning has earned the right."

Aurelia took the opportunity to tease him. "Do people need to earn the right to use your first name?"

"No," He said in a slight panic, "but the majority like to follow the rules of society."

"I'm afraid I have never been one to follow the rules. Much to my parents' dismay," She replied, watching his response closely.

"I had gathered that," A small chuckle passed his lips.

"And that does not scare you?"

"It does not," He'd passed her test. The last thing she wanted was a man who thought he could set the rules for his wife and his word was final. "You're surprised?"

As far as she was aware, she hadn't made her feelings apparent, so how did he know her thoughts? "You are a very surprising man. Most gentlemen of the ton that I have encountered are all the same."

"Have you encountered many?"

Memories of the night before flashed in Aurelia's mind. Anthony's hands gripping her waist, his breath heavy on her face, his eyes drilling into hers. She had to snap herself back into reality and shake the thoughts from her head.

"A few," She replied.

"Any that I would know?" He wondered.

She could not help but feel like she was under interrogation. "None worth noting."

For a moment, he remained silent. Aurelia's heart beat hard against her chest as concern grew for what was going on in his head. Had he somehow found out about last night? Surely it was impossible, no one could know about it. Only she and Anthony.

"May I be frank, Aurelia?" Lord Harrington asked.

"Of course," She reluctantly answered as dread filled her body.

"I have reached an age in a man's life where I must consider my future," He informed her, trying to keep his voice firm. "I'd hoped that I would have had a year or two longer to contemplate such things, but my father's death changed that. I have duties. I want to marry, I want to start my own family, and I would rather do it sooner than later. I had been away from London for some time, and did not know anyone here I would find a suitable match. That was, until I heard you had returned from Italy unmarried."

Confused why he was educating her on the expectation of London society to her, she said, "Michael, you do not need to explain - "

"Even though we have not spoken in recent years, Aurelia, you have always been in the back of my mind," He announced, taking her completely off guard. "I do not believe in fate, but I do believe that we would work well together in marriage. It might be difficult at first, but I know if we gave it a chance..." His words trailed off before he could finish his sentence.

Aurelia stood stunned. Whilst she was not an idiot, a knew the conversation of marriage would eventually arise, she'd not expected it so soon. She thought she'd at least have a month or two to get to know the man, to figure out if she liked him or not. This was only the second time she'd conversed with him since childhood. It simply wasn't enough time.

"You do not need to answer me now," He sensed her panic, "but I would like you to give it thought."

"Of course," She nodded her head. "I will."

For the rest of their time together, the topic of marriage was not brought up again - much to Aurelia's relief. She wouldn't be able to tell her mother about it, she'd be furious if she found out that she didn't immediately accept his proposal, but she wanted someone to turn to.

Evelyn was out of the question, they'd not properly spoken since the night Athos returned, and her father was as much use as a two-legged chair when it came to affairs of the heart. For now, as much as it pained her, she'd need to keep the proposal to herself until she knew her answer.

Though, she feared Lord Harrington wasn't going to be patient.

Aurelia wanted to clear her head. Lord Harrington escorted her back home and kissed her hand at the door. She watched him leave, waving good bye as he disappeared around the street corner, before heading over to the Bridgerton's estate.