After everyone rose and greeted us, we took our seats and began the normal chatter and banter of how do you do, etc. I was able to inform Mrs. Stargo and Evangeline that I had just picked up their orders earlier and would get them sent to their homes tomorrow. They both said to not worry, to send them on Monday, that way I could enjoy my time with Bav since he just returned. I thanked them for their thoughtfulness and we continued our conversations, only pausing when a glance or look was exchanged between me and Bav as we were seated across from one another at the table.
There was plenty of job well done and looking to the future speeches, full of great plans to further the future of our world and relationship with the Fae. I realized at that moment, that if Bav was banished from his royal family, was our government really making a relationship with the Fae's monarchy? My guard went up with that. How did this all work, especially since he was making it in a place his father could not control or do anything to mess with the supply?
There is more to Bav that I need to know.
Even with these doubts running through me, I still enjoy the dinner with different local and foreign delicacies presented. As desert came out, Evangeline leaned closer to me and began inquiring about purchasing some more of the 'lovely' tea sets she had purchased already for the tea social she would be having soon.
Bav and I are exchanging a smile as we eat our fried ice cream, as our first date we had the same when I hear whispering.
"You two are so in love, I am jealous." Evangeline's smile that crosses her face when I turn my shocked eyes to her, speaks that she knows what she's talking about.
"Do not deny it, Rakara. You will see, once you realize it." She speaks low enough that her comments were for me only, which I appreciated. However, all I could focus on now was, are we in love?
As soon as dessert is over, the time is only ten in the evening but Bav keeps his word and asks that everyone should go home, as I must go home soon to appease my family members. Good nights were given, hands were shaken, Mrs. Porter who had not spoke much at all, gave me a quick hug before leaving with Mr. Porter, in a hurry.
My jaw dropped at the unexpected gesture, Evangeline and Mrs. Stargo merely chuckled.
"She is merely trying to get into your good books, since she knows she messed up insulting you at her soiree. I heard Mr. Porter was going to divorce her if she messed up one more time." Evangeline smirked making Mrs. Stargo gasp.
"Oh my! She'd be without even a copper coin to her name! No wonder she would hug you. Well, good night Ms. Langridge." Mrs. Stargo kisses my cheek and the rest of the guests are gone.
Turning to Bav, I feel extremely shy suddenly, my thoughts still focused on 'are we in love?'
"Are you ready for your tour, Kara?" Bav offers his arm to me, which I take, wishing I could stop smiling like a fool, my cheeks were beginning to hurt from the constant strain.
We walk calmly as he shows me the great hall, that doubles as the ball room, the music room next to it, his library, kitchen, and office and arboretum on the ground floor. All beautiful and done in the same style as the foyer. Bav explains the organic style is called, 'Art Nouveau' and mimics the natural designs of nature. The next story had guest rooms and open terraces to lounge in and relax.
The third story had the entrance to the fourth floor where the staff's quarters are and the entrance to the observatory held in the glass dome turret also on the fourth floor. The main room of the third floor was Bav's bedroom.
He directed me into his room, even though I hesitated, "I saved the best for last, come and see the view from the balcony."
His coaxing moved my feet and I looked around his room, surprised that it was large but still felt more like a home than the rest of the house. He opened up the double doors to the balcony and stepped out.
I'm greeted by the light of the moon that bathes the area in its soft pale light, letting me see out, not just over the Gilded district, but to the farmlands that surround the city of Lagford and even the mountains far off in the distance can be seen. I've only heard of them, I had never seen them before. Their beautiful snow capped peaks looked formidable even from this distance. The thought of how tall they must have been frightened me, making my breath catch.
"Everything alright?" Bav asked me, a brow arched in concern as he leaned on the railing next to me.
Finding my breath, "Yes, why do you ask?"
"You are clutching the rail as if to anchor yourself from falling." Bav points down to my hands where my knuckles have paled from gripping.
"oh ..." I loosen my grip and drop my hands and gaze, ashamed at my thoughts scaring me so.
"What were you thinking?" Bav slides closer along the rail, nudging my shoulder lightly.
"You'll think I'm silly." I shyly look away as I nudge his shoulder back.
"It's too late if you are worried about that." He chuckles as my mouth falls open in shock at him.
"You tease! I was just imagining how tall the mountains were, considering how far away they are from here. It was a frightening thought of being near the peak looking down." I shuddered at the thought again.
"Well that is understandable, I thought it was about something different." Bav turns to face me, moving a loose curl that had worked itself loose from it's pin and was flapping against my forehead.
The soft simple gesture sent a chill down my body, making my heart flutter and my stomach tighten. I turn to face him and have to inquire what he was thinking.
"What did you assume I was deep in thought about, that I would be clutching the rail?" I sound breathy even to myself, only making it more obvious about what this man did to me.
"I thought your thoughts were preoccupied with a certain promise I made, the day before I left." His gaze darkens slightly as his eyes go back to his natural form, his hands go to my waist and pull me closer to leave no gap between our bodies.
My mind confused as my senses become overwhelmed like the rapid beating of my heart, feeling his arousal now pressed against me. Promise...
"Oh!" My memory comes back and my eyes flick to Bav's bed and back to him.
Was I ready to go all the way with him?
We're not married, he has asked me, but I have no ring.
I was drunk the night before he left, so my inhibitions were lowered.
Bav seems to follow my train of thought and my nervousness.
"Yes, oh. Don't worry I did not forget, I have something for you, now that I can do it the right way." He takes a step back from me and I feel like I am about to start to panic.
He bends to one knee and it confuses me. "Bav? What..?"
Bav pulls out a little black box and opens it, revealing a ring, adorned with a beautiful diamond ring.
"Rakara Langridge, I have never met anyone who has drawn me to them the way you do. Who has ever made me as happy and content with my life, who completes me even though, I myself, am not whole. I want to wake up to you everyday and go to sleep with you every night. Being away from you only confirmed how I felt apart from you. I can not think of anything that would make me happier than you being my first and last love. I love you, Will you marry me?"
.....
Stunned stupid, I stand there, processing his declaration of love, tears start to form in my eyes as I look at his heart felt emotions written all over his face. The hope starts to fall from his face as I remain quiet, thinking that he had been referring to intimacy and not marriage.
"I..." Starting to respond to him, I recall he had already asked me, and I had answered, yes. I felt the need to tease him a little back.
"I thought you already had your answer to that question?" I smiled and blinked, two tears slowly running from the corners of my eyes.
He stood up and placed the ring upon my finger. He pulled me close and kissed my forehead, holding me tightly as I felt his body shudder in relief.
"Did you think I would say no?" I ask pushing myself away to look up at him, noticing his own face has a tear running from the corner of his eye. I reach out and wipe it away, as he composes him self.
"Silly man, I love you. Of course I will marry you." I stand on my tip toes and kiss his lips softly.