"PREPARE TO BE ATTACKED," MILES Kirkpatrick announced, with his brows raised as he entered the drawing room, his arms pinned behind his back. He looked very much his usual self, with his brown hair groomed to perfection and his attire as neat and presentable as his ever was.

"Brace yourselves," Henrietta Beaumont followed, her tone full of amusement as she entered alongside Miles. Dressed in a plain blue muslin gown, she looked as though she hadn't dressed to please company, but then again, Henrietta rarely ever dressed to please anyone.

"Oh, thank goodness," Lady Margaret Seymour gushed as she rushed inside the west drawing room of the Bellevue Hall just seconds after Miles and Henrietta, her voluminous gown knocking about at side tables and moving vases, only to have the porcelains stir a little before going back to their standing position, much to Lord Augustus Beaumont's relief.

Diana and Alicia stood from the sofas, Omph, only to be thrust in a suffocating and tight embrace that Diana was sure she'd barely survive from.

"I was terrified you'd both return looking far from yourselves, but my, you both look as radiant as ever," Lady Seymour cried, parting and lifting a hand to pat both of the ladies' cheeks as they smiled, "On second thought, you do look too flushed. Are you feeling well? Do you have a fever?"

"No, Aunt Margaret, we do not have fevers," Diana chuckled as she rolled her eyes, it was comforting to feel like they had just been away for a few days and not months, considering how everyone was just as Diana and Alicia had left them.

"It is the cold air, I had forgotten how Southampton weathers prepare for winter," Alicia added playfully. That was a lie; in fact, it really wasn't the weather or a fever. The words in the notes they had received on their journey were to blame for their red cheeks and skipped heart beats, but of course, Alicia was sure her aunt needn't know all that. One thing had become much clearer than it was before, the ladies were sure of the senders of their anonymous notes, but on their journey the cousins wondered why the gentlemen couldn't or wouldn't close the distance between them. It was a painful question, which lead to self doubt for Diana more so than Alicia, to the point where she was forced to take out the book of poems Uncle Arthur had given to her and distract herself.

"They look better than when they left, I dare say," Lady Charlotte Allan spoke, smiling as she approached and touched both her nieces' shoulders, a gesture that conveyed just how glad she was to have them back, "I guess it just proves that the Portsmouth air isn't all that terrible."

"Oh for heaven's sake, Charlotte, do not start an argument with me that you will surely lose," Lady Seymour dismissed, and Lady Charlotte rolled her eyes and shook her head in playful disbelief.

"How was the journey? Uneventful I hope," Lady Seymour cast her nieces another glance, observing them for any signs of distress on the mention of their journey. Alicia had come to realize that Aunt Margaret was always the one for not listening to a word a person said, but observing their expression keenly to then evaluate the answer herself. This was awfully tiring for the person being interrogated and Alicia would much rather be anything than that person.

"It was, as the girls gave me and Ruth a detailed recollection of it," Lady Kirkpatrick chimed in, smoothing her muslin skirts with her hands as she sat seated.

"Thank goodness for that," Lady Beaumont agreed, "Heaven knows they have had many horrible events in that dreadful part of Hampshire to recover from."

Diana and Alicia exchanged knowing glances, horrible certainly wasn't the right word at all to describe all that they had gone through.

"That is good to know," Lady Margaret Seymour relaxed, pressing her hands together, "I've called Oscar back from the gentlemen's club he disappeared off to this evening, so he will be here soon. And Rebecca apologizes for not being here to welcome you both, she has been fussing too much on some of the arrangements of her engagement ball. It is all beyond me, I must say. In my day, our parents would take care of the arrangements and we'd happily go along with it knowing that they had our best interests at heart. But, my daughter? Wild flowers for a wedding indeed, it is simply preposterous," she concluded, shaking her head at Rebecca Seymour's criminal audacity.

"Oh, come now, Aunt Margaret," Alicia spoke, a teasing smile on her lips, "Surely that is the least of your troubles."

Lady Seymour huffed as realization hit her and her gaze dazed to nothing in particular as she drifted into a thought, "Indeed, it is. I only hope I am left sane enough after this wedding, I tell you."

"Alicia," Lady Charlotte narrowed her eyes playfully, then turning towards her elder sister she continued, "Margaret, you worry too much. This wedding will be the wedding of season, and I for one, am so excited."

"Not unless Diana and Alicia get married this season as well," a voice interrupted, and everyone turned to face the speaker, an amused Adam Seymour who sat with his leg atop the other on an arm chair by the fireplace, his face peering above the newspaper he held in his hands.

Alicia bit her bottom lip from the inside, inwardly shooting daggers at Adam for probing such a subject. She'd too soon come to the realization that the welcome committee interrogation had indeed been going pleasanter than she had imagined, yet her cousins were always there and somehow she had managed to forget their talent for changing the weather of any of her parades.

"Speaking of which," Lady Seymour's tone sharpened in dangerous interrogation, and Alicia and Diana composed themselves and trained their faces before turning to face her again, "My, what a rescue."

"Mother said they risked their lives for you both, was it so heroic?" Henrietta burst out, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and excitement.

Lady Beaumont looked at her daughter, narrowing her eyes at her behaviour. Indeed she should've kept some details from some of the children as her husband had instructed. But Lady Beaumont had considered his instruction as more of a suggestion on her own accord.

"I don't know about that but to me it is as good as an offer," Lady Kirkpatrick added next, with a determined nod before her composure changed entirely, "Did they make a verbal offer?"

"Are you both engaged?" Lady Beaumont gasped, her hand on her chest as the other grabbed the sofa cushion next to her in surprise.

"No," Diana immediately let out, disguising the sudden drop of her heart with a smile.
"And yes indeed, we are certainly well after the daylong fever we endured after the accident, thank you so much for inquiring," Alicia spoofed, as she rolled her eyes; like every time, saving both herself and her cousin from the ailment of an exposed heart. 

"Well, I stand by what I said," Lady Kirkpatrick declared again, "The rescue is as good as an offer. I expect the gentlemen to show up in Southampton after our girls in no time."

Alicia sighed at her mother before shifting her gaze as she walked over to join Miles and Henrietta at the card table. To her, it didn't make sense to be feeling as she felt. Lord Algernon had not promised her anything, no words had been spoken, and if he thought written anonymous notes were as good as face to face confirmations, he was utterly mistaken. He hadn't even been there to see them off, and now she was back in Southampton. And everything in Southampton was worlds apart from Portsmouth. 

Glancing at Diana, she could tell from her fading smile and that look in her cousin's eyes that there was no comfort Alicia could offer to her. How was one to comfort another when going through the same predicament? It was an empty feeling, and Alicia hated it like she hadn't hated anything else in a long while. She had half a mind to teach those gentlemen a lesson for having such an effect on her and Diana. But they were in Southampton now, and Portsmouth and it;s happening were now a long time away. 

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

"Well gentlemen, I was wondering when you would both have the decency to appear in my presence again," The Countess spoke, her eyes on her tea cup as she leaned forward on the glass table to place it on the surface, before lifting her eyes to meet the guests that stood in the door way of the main hall of the Brockenhurst estate, waiting to be acknowledged. The Countess couldn't have just dropped it, she was in a resolute mind to converse with these gentlemen. Having sent them, despite her discomfort, two or three written sentiments probing them to instantly call upon her. 

"We had legal matters to take care of, my lady, the inconvenience caused by our absence was highly unintentional," Lord Algernon cleared his throat, taking his top hat off and nervously holding it in his hands as he exchanged glances with Edward.

"Ah, I assume we are speaking of the fugitive who held my niece and her companion hostage to be used against you," The lady of house mused, her expression stern and her tone accusatory as her eyes averted between the two gentlemen; getting right to the point, "Why, you mustn't stand and tire yourselves, please take a seat. I have matters to discuss as much as you both have matters to address."

Lord Edward Buxton swallowed a lump in his throat as he gathered the courage to say what he had to say, and to face what he had to face. It was alarming, being reminded of the gravity of the situation he had put Lady Diana Beaumont through. Every time he thought of it, or someone mentioned it, a shiver crept down his spine. Anger at himself, dominating everything he felt. Lord Isaac Algernon nudged his friend in the elbow, and they both made their way to the sofas opposite the lady of the house, slowly seating themselves.

"I would call for refreshments, but I can't pretend to be respectful and civil when I am certainly not feeling it at present. Perhaps we talk first, and then I call for refreshments," The Countess suggested, her words more a declaration than a suggestion.

"Yes," Isaac managed to squeak, before clearing his throat again and regaining composure, "Of course." 

"So, about the incident three days ago," The lady of the house began after a considerable length of silence. She was annoyed at the gentlemen's silence, but after all, The Countess was well aware that men are no good when addressing situations, "Three days, is a considerable period of time, my lords. Surely you did not suppose I'd forgotten about everything, the way you avoided my invitation after my niece left."

"We did not avoid anything, my lady," Lord Buxton spoke up, and Isaac was thankful for it, "We had matters to take care of. I assure you, we had every intention of facing you."

"I'm glad," The lady conceded, although she did not look convinced, "Are your legal matters quite settled?" 

"They are, most favourably," Lord Algernon responded, knowing just how their hostess wanted to be responded. The lady of the house had no use for details of the part of the matter that did not concern her or her own.  

"I— We," Edward started, exchanging glances with Isaac, "Are fully aware of the gravity of the danger that we unintentionally put Lady Beaumont and Lady Kirkpatrick in. The ladies got caught up in our business rivalry and I am mortified for it every passing day."

"As you should be," The Countess claimed, sounds of soft clinks echoing as she stirred the tea in her china, the silver spoon touching its surroundings, "But I suppose I can't hold you in as much contempt as I would like, since you managed to undo the mess and rescue the girls in the end. Although I suppose, the credit of the rescuing part of this whole story I should give to my niece and Lady Kirkpatrick since I know you have their bravery and cleverness to thank for having the chance to put your enemy behind bars."

"It is not every day that ladies get to save gentlemen from going bankrupt and I will be lying if I said that I'm not proud of the girls," The lady of the house smiled for the first time since her present company came through the doors.

"We are grateful to them, more than I can say," Lord Algernon agreed, all the muscles in his face straining to maintain composure and push back a mischievous smile from breaking through. 

"Just grateful? That is quite underwhelming," The Countess pointed out, narrowing her eyes at Isaac, "Do you, gentlemen, have no other convictions for the girls?"

"We do," Isaac let out quickly, and the lady raised her brow at his eagerness.

"In my day, gentlemen would individually speak on their feelings for a lady. And I suppose you will cater to my expectations and do the same," She spoke, her eyes shifting between the two men in front of her as they nodded.

"I care for Lady Kirkpatrick more than I can say, my lady," Isaac Algernon began with a deep breath, his eyes bearing earnest, "I find that I always have, ever since Southampton."

The Countess blinked slightly in approval without moving her face. It was true she wasn't quite concerned with the depth of Lord Algernon's feelings for Lady Kirkpatrick, since that was entirely the headache for the Kirkpatrick family. Her eyes then moved on in determination towards Lord Buxton, who's feelings for the Countess' niece however, were entirely the Countess' concerns. The latter expected the full wrath of her attention, "And what of your intentions with my niece, Lord Buxton?"

"My lady, I—,"

"I would have you know, Lord Buxton, that my niece means a great deal to me. Her happiness and well being matters more to me than you can possibly fathom. I consider her as much my daughter as she is my younger brother's. And thus you can assure me a rival as far as rivalry should go, were you to distress her," The Lady Templemore cast him a warning glance, her words coated with as much determination as he had ever heard.

"I wouldn't dream of it," Edward managed, his gaze conveying his sincerity and passion, "She means a lot to me as well, and I am in love with her more than I have ever loved anyone." There was more that he wanted to say, but somehow he felt at that moment, that words really haven't been invented enough to clearly convey all that he was feeling in his heart and mind.

"My son was in love with her as well, but my niece chose you, and for your sake; I hope she did not choose in vain," The Countess concluded, her words laced with a warning that made Edward nod in obedience. He had forgotten entirely about Frank Templemore's interest in Diana, and by The Countess' words, it seemed that she had turned him down before she departed for Southampton. It all made Edward's heart pound with hope.

"Do I have your blessing, to ask for her hand?" Edward Buxton asked after a brief silence, his words coming out more desperate than he had ever thought he could be. Isaac Algernon did not need The Countess' blessing or consent since Lady Kirkpatrick was no more related to her than he was to Edward, and Edward could not help but deem him lucky.

The lady of the house smoothed her skirts nonchalantly, her gaze wondering casually around the room until she decided to finally settle matters to her personal self and acknowledge her company and the question once again. "You have it. In two days' time, Lady Rebecca Seymour's engagement ball is to be celebrated in Southampton, and I would appreciate for my niece and Lady Kirkpatrick to have more things to celebrate too, after all the trouble they went through on your behalves during their last days here. I would advise you to make haste for your departure, and secure your engagements."

"With my blessing, I am forced to put my trust in you, Lord Buxton. I advise you not to violate it, as much as I advise you not to violate my nieces'," The lady of the house shot him a final glance, a look of warning in her eyes before she swiftly raised her hand and dismissed them, purposely choosing to forget the promise of refreshments. After all, The Countess believed these gentlemen would be much deserving of the delicacies her chef had to offer after they had secured the girls' hands. The gentlemen hastily stood up,and managing a curtsy and polite words of parting each, pivoted and exited the main hall.