The following morning Rose hastened herself to reach her friend, before her mother had a chance to inform the entire household in an outcry of pleasurable announcements. She therefore walked the few miles to Glamorgan House and arrived merely a few minutes before her mothers carriage.

She quickly paid her respects to Mr. and Mrs. Jones, prior to hurrying towards the library, where her friend was studying some books of biology and such. Martha had always taken a great interest in the study of human and animal life. Had she been born a man, she would have endeavoured to become a physician.

From walking and rushing, a healthy exciting glow had appeared on Rose's cheeks and she did not need to tell her friend there was good news. The smile on her face and the sparkle in her eyes made Rose light up and the moment Martha rose from her seat with a cry of joy, Rose burst out laughing.

"He did, did he not? Oh, I am so happy for you. You positively shine. I cannot say how happy I am for you and how I envy you. Now tell me all about it."

Their embrace almost became a jumping contest and they both giggled madly before composing themselves enough to be seated.

"Where did he propose and how? It's so soon, he must be head over heals for you. I knew it from the moment you danced together, that look in his eyes. Pray tell me everything."

Rose was silent for a few seconds, pondering her desire to indeed tell her friend all her secrets. However she decided it was to soon, so she set about to relate the details her friend was eager to be informed off, without speaking about the unusual.

After a few minutes of apprising and reliving the previous day, they were startled on hearing Mrs. Tyler's voice bellowing the news of her daughters engagement. Rose's cheeks burned from embarrassment and she was grateful to be away from her mother at the moment.

"Come, let's away, there is a back door in the library we can use. I am sure your mother will not leave us be, once she learns you are here."

The young ladies left the room quickly and made for a particular overgrown part of the park, alongside the house.

Arms entwined, they walked, unaware of the surroundings, whispering and giggling, over thinking and musing about all that was said by the gentleman.

When Rose mentioned the kiss, Martha squealed and slapped her friends arm. "You sly thing, was he not offended?"

"Oh no, do not be alarmed, it was nothing scandalous. It was either that or throwing my arms around him. I dare say this was the safest choice."

Rose laughed gleefully and her friend shook her head in amazement.

"I did not think it possible, yet I see it with my own two eyes: four days have past and you are truly in love with this man."

"I am," Rose breathed and laughed again, thoroughly amazed herself.

"There is no way I can explain it, yet he is so wonderful, astonishing, handsome-"

"How very convenient."

Rose chuckled. "He is, is he not? Yet, that was not what made me fall for him. Of course his looks were what spiked my interest at first, but it is his wit, his boundless intelligence, his way of expressing himself so freely that made me realize I wanted to be near him. He is a man of strange habits, unusual pursuits and curious interests and I find myself eager to join his enterprise. You know my disposition, I do not care at all for sowing, cooking, drawing or whatever and he does not desire me to excel in those."

"Then what does he desire from you?"

"I don't know, he has not named or showed me anything up till now, other than his wish for me to be with him on his travels. He seeks a companion, not a housekeeper."

"That sounds so cold."

"No, do not worry. If he merely needed a friend, I am sure he would have asked Mr. Smith to join him, but he came in search of a wife. Like he informed me that day of the dance. I have told you, he would have remained as long as it would take for him to be certain of his feelings and that of the lady of his choice. None of us could have foreseen the time needed would only be four days."

"To some four years may not be enough, to others four days are all that is required."

At this, Rose noticed a slight increase in reddish colour on her friends cheeks and a smile formed on her lips as she playfully inquired: "And you, my dear madam? How long would a gentleman, the right gentleman of course, need to win your heart?"

Martha looked away abashed, unable to hide the shy smile from her childhood friend.

"You, who called me sly, you have been neglecting your part. When did all this happen then, has he been here these past few days?"

"Are you so sure of the object of my affection, that you need not ask me for his name?"

"Indeed, I am. For I have seen you with him, and there could not have been two men in such a short period of time, to have made you so fidgety, when around."

"I think you are correct," Martha acknowledged softly. "Yet we are still a long way away from where you already stand. I do not even pretend to know his sentiments on the matter."

"I have it on good authority, that he happens to think very highly of you."

"You have? Who's authority, pray tell?"

Rose smiled warmly and replied: "The Doctor and Mr. Smith have become quite on friendly terms as well these past days and the Doctor is a great judge of character."

"You still call him the Doctor?" Martha was so surprised by this, she even forgot to be apprehensive about Mr. Smith's alleged interest in her.

"He goes by the name of Sir John Lungbarrow. There, you have a name now. Yet he prefers to be called the Doctor and I think it rather suits him. Now, enough about me, tell me about your Mr. Smith."

They spent the whole morning in the park, chatting and laughing until elevenses and they had to return to the house.

Remembering how equally hoarse she was after spending the night at the Doctor's side when he invited her stargazing, Rose almost told her friend of the metal Thermos the Doctor had shown. Saddening a little in not being able to disclose everything to her dear friend, Rose entered the house, where they made for the sitting room and found themselves a pleasant surprise.

"Doctor?"

Rose's joyous exclamation brought forth a happy grin on the person in question. He rose and bowed to the ladies entering, followed suit by his friend Mr. Smith.

The ladies curtsied and they sat down, all dreadfully aware of the presence of both mothers and Martha's sister, who had been entertaining both men for the better part of an hour, while the young ladies were outside, unaware of their visitors.

Elevenses had never lasted this long before.

At the earliest, appropriate minute, the Doctor stood and proclaimed the heartfelt wish of himself and Mr. Smith to become acquainted with the lovely grounds. He proposed the two friends, were they not to tired from their previous walk, would do them the honour of their company.

Martha and Rose almost jumped up. Eagerly professing their ability to walk for many more miles, should the gentlemen be thus inclined.

The gentlemen bade their farewell to the other ladies and all four of them set out for a nice long stroll.

The Doctor and Rose ahead, very gratified of their being entitled to walk arm in arm. And Mr. Smith and Martha following, both somewhat eager to share that same intimacy.

The paths were not equipped to welcome a party of four in a row, so distance had to be kept. The Doctor being an enthusiastic walker, made a quicker pace than Mr. Smith. Who, however, did not look upon the increasing distance with an alarming eye. Quite the contrary. Martha bit her lip in nervous anticipation.

Rounding a corner and thus becoming out of sight, the Doctor softly spoke: "Do you reckon your friends to make such a swift time as we did?"

Rose, comprehending his direction, replied: "Martha is totally amenable to Michael's affections. Yet they do not share our, how to say this; our abundance of surprising revelations. Which have provided us with a frankness and openness to become intimate in a much easier manner. And I dare say he does not share your eagerness and is retained by many inhibitions."

"You think I should have displayed more of those inhibitions in my behaviour towards you?" The Doctor inquired, a twitch apparent at the corner of his mouth.

Rose laughed. "Not at all, I appreciate your frankness very much. I consider myself in grave danger to make your habits my own and thus becoming an improper young woman in the eyes of all my acquaintances."

The Doctor's gaze softened and toughing her cheek gently, he assured her: "You will never be considered improper. You will enrapture the universe itself by your beauty and amiable conduct."

Rose blushed delightfully and they walked in silence for a while. Both simply enjoying the lush surroundings and amicable company.

"Doctor?"

"Yes, Rose?"

She inhaled deeply and sought boldness deep within to put forward her question without stutters.

"Do you wish to be on your way again quickly? Do you-"

She failed.

The Doctor made for a bench and motioned her to take a seat. He sat down beside her and asked: "You wish to know when I plan to take you away from your home?"

Rose thought about his words for a while, then answered: "Before I knew you; this place, the few miles that surround our house, the village, Martha's house; they were all I knew. This was home. The place I always came back to, where I sought refuge and where I found my dear friends. Of course I always knew that, should I marry, there was the possibility that I would not be near my home any more. But since that occasion had not arisen prior to your arrival, there was no feeling of dread to leave here."

"And there is now?"

"No. That is: yes, I will leave here, but this no longer feels like home."

Rose fought to overcome her apprehension and looked the Doctor in the eye.

"Never be worried that I will feel remorse of being so far away from here. For as long as I am with you, there will be no need for me to feel homesick. You have become, and for as long as I shall live, will be my home."

On this, the Doctor could no longer contain himself and, grabbing her by the arms, he kissed Rose with full conviction and she lost herself in his touch.