The Proposal

Chapter 10: The Proposal

When Fanny left on the Friday, Caroline lifted her keys. When her father went to collect some water from the brook – there were some closer ponds but the doctor did not trust standing water because of the insects – on Saturday evening she entered the sickroom.

“Thomas” she said with real feeling, having waited 3 days to address him that way “We have so little time together.”

“Have you brought the crop, then?”

“No.” she said somewhat disappointed with his response “This is important. Thomas … I think I love you.”

“Caroline.” He grasped her hand “Of course you do and the good news is that now I know I am a free man.”

“What do you mean?” she enquired with hope.

“I mean, according to my friend, there is no other girl in my life. Right now, you nestle alone in my heart. Kiss me.”

She pulled his hand towards her. “No, on my lips!” he corrected. Somehow she managed to get it right first time. Choirs of angels rang in her ears then wedding bells which she remembered from her childhood in London, when life was normal.

“Oh, Thomas”

Thomas was trying not to think of her bare buttocks, but then he had an overwhelming desire to own those ripe peaches. Yes that was it. He could have so much fun. She would always be grateful and obedient no matter what he did. That certainty engulfed him. She would become his wife; now how would he deal with the father?

“Dearest Caroline,” She almost fainted at those words, stronger than any kiss “I wish you to be my wife.” She yelped bringing an eye to keyhole and to the door.

“I shall have to ask your father to ask you and it is possible he will refuse.”

“Then he shall lose a daughter because I am saying yes, yes, and thrice yes!” and she kissed him with real passion.

“When I return to health, I shall visit using the pretence of talking about my injuries and recovery. I will shout to show it’s me and you must stay concealed downstairs until he rejects my proposal. Of course if he accepts then compose yourself and go back to your room.”

“You must come on a Saturday, or a Sunday.” Caroline calculated “Yes, Sunday morning. Even if Fanny is here, she will want to go to church.”

“It is vital that you hear me ask because the emotional jolt of your appearance might shock him into changing his mind … if not then, perhaps later.”

“How do you know so much when you don’t know your own name?”

“My memory is gone, but my wit remains intact.” explained Thomas without being convinced of his own assertion.

“Every Sunday morning I will stare out my window until your return.”

They kissed again for much longer this time.

“But how will you explain that we have even talked?”

“I won’t but until I saw your face, my world was blank. You became my world. It’s a convincing argument and one I expect Sir Nathaniel will believe.

They kissed again and once more her rotation before leaving was interrupted with a smack. She rubbed her arse in rapture. Caroline did not register the footsteps in the corridor before she left Thomas’s room and floated to her own.