Frances borrowed a royal carriage to drop her home. Marcus had promised he would call on her tomorrow, to request her father's permission for his hand. Frances informed her parents that Marcus wanted to meet them both.

Anne squealed, 'Did he propose to you?' When Frances nodded,

'What did you say? Tell me everything,' asked Anne.

Frances thought how Marcus proposed to her without his shirt and she with only his shirt, the treacle tart and the kiss. She blushed and told he proposed to her as they rode through Richmond park.

Mrs. Sophia Hill visited Frances at her bedchamber that night.

'Mama' said Frances as she sat up.

Mrs. Sophia came and sat near Frances. Mrs. Sophia looked at Frances for a long time, but she didn't say anything.

'What is it mama?' asked Frances.

Mrs. Sophia let out a sigh and said, 'Usually mother and daughter have this talk before the wedding. I know you are green and things I tell may come as a shock to you.'

Frances didn't know what it was, but the tone of her mother made her worry.

Mrs. Sophia continued, 'Once you are married, your husband, I mean Lord Marcus will want to do things.'

Frances interrupted, 'What things?'

Mrs. Sophia reprimanded, 'Please don't interrupt, this is hard as it is.'

She continued 'Where was I? Yes, Lord Marcus will want to do things to you. I am sure he will be kind and gentle, but it may hurt at the beginning. I promise, it will get better.'

Mrs. Sophia proceeded to explain what the things were, Frances listened in silence. The things her mother was telling didn't even scratch the surface of what Marcus and she were doing.

Mrs. Sophia finished saying 'and that's how babies are born.'

'What?' Frances asked, sitting up straight.

'I thought you need to be married to have kids. You said god puts the baby in the stomach, when married women sleep,' said Frances in outrage.

'Well Frances, I wasn't lying. Not everyone who does it has a child. It's God who blesses with a child,' Mrs. Sophia said.

'I'm talking about the part about being married; you can have children without marrying if you do the thing right' asked Frances.

'Goodness girl! Just because I told you, it doesn't give you the license to do it. I told you, so you could act appropriately,' snapped Mrs. Sophia as she stood up.

Frances lay that night wondering whether she had been blessed with a child. A child, how wonderful that would be, if she had her own child she could play all day.

Marcus usually avoided dinner at home, although his parents never spoke with each other, they had their dinner together. And he hated dinner, if Marcus' mother wanted to say something, she conveyed it to the footman, the footman relayed it to his father and vice versa. Both acted as if they could not hear each other, though they sat barely 3 feet apart.

However, today was an exception, he wanted to tell his parents of his intention to marry Frances.

When Marcus entered the formal dining room, his parents were already seated and having their first course. Marcus sat, when the footman bought out dinner for him, Marcus waved him off.

Marcus didn't know how to tell his parents, it was easier to propose to Frances. But, telling his parents was an entirely different story, his mother is likely to explode and after the insulting thing he said to his father, he was not sure of his reaction either.

Lord Winston was eyeing him with gleam as he asked, 'Are you engaged to Miss. Frances yet, son?'

Marcus looked at his father in surprise.

Lady Martha said, 'Frankly, I am amused that it had taken you so long to propose.'

Marcus eyed both his parents suspiciously. This was not the reaction he was expecting. What are you both up to, Marcus wondered; this was unlike them.

'I am meeting Frances' parents tomorrow,' said Marcus.

'Good for you Marcus,' wished Lord Winston. Marcus bid farewell and left for the smaller wing of his residence in Brent Castle.

Marcus arrived at Chestnut house, Frances' whole family was waiting for him in the sitting room. Frances prepared him tea, she already knew how he took it.

Marcus said without preamble, 'I would like your blessing, I want Frances to be my wife.'

Mr. Harry considered Marcus for some time and asked him, 'Are you sure? You know our Frances is careless and mischievous.'

Marcus replied even before he could finish, 'Yes sir, I am well aware of it, but she is also honest and kind.'

Frances beamed at him. 'I know being Frances' husband will not be an easy one, I will cherish her for all her carelessness and mischievousness.'

Mrs. Sophia sniffed and wiped her eyes, even Frances looked like she might cry.

Marcus found himself alone with Frances, sitting on a garden bench.

'I have a present for you,' he pulled a small box from his coat and handed it to Frances.

Frances opened it, it had a ring with a large emerald on the center with small diamonds surrounding it..

Frances' voice was choked as she said, 'Marcus! It's so beautiful, you should put it on,' and held out her hand.

Marcus took her hand and put on the ring. He didn't let her hands go, he drew circles on her hand as they spoke.

'Did you know, we could have a child from what we have been doing? Mama told me yesterday,' Frances said.

'You told your mother? About what we did?' asked Marcus in alarm.

'No I didn't tell her. I asked you, whether you knew,' asked Frances again.

'Yes, I knew,' replied Marcus.

Frances blushed thinking of the first time Marcus did his thing, as her mother had put it. However, Marcus said that was love.

Frances gasped as she understood his question that time. She pulled her hands away from him and got up. Without a backward glance she marched towards the house.

Marcus called 'Frances,' but she didn't stop. Marcus got up and followed her.

When Marcus caught Frances by her arm, she yanked her hands back. Marcus placed his hand on his hip as he asked 'Frances, what happened?' his tone condescending.

She was so furious, she punched him in his gut as she said, 'I am furious at you, God! I have been a fool.'

'Will you at least tell me what you are furious about,' asked Marcus, he didn't even wince at her punch.

'You already know why I am angry and don't pretend otherwise,' shouted Frances as she landed another punch. This time he said 'Ouch.'

'It has started already' mumbled Marcus in a stage whisper.

'And what's that supposed to mean?' retorted Frances.

'You already know and don't pretend otherwise,' said Marcus, mimicking her sarcastically.

Frances advanced to punch Marcus again but he expertly side stepped and caught her hand. Before Frances knew, he had pinned both her hands behind her back with his and pulled her close.

Mrs. Sophia watched Frances punch Marcus in his stomach. 'Harry!' she shrieked.

Mr. Harry came to Mrs. Sophia's side in an instant. 'What is it Sophia?.'

'Harry you got to go and stop that, that girl is out of control' she said in hysterics, as Frances punched Marcus again.

Mr. Harry peared out, when Frances made to punch Marcus for the third time he expertly manoeuvred and caught Frances' hands behind her back.

'I think he got it under control. Sophia, you should stop worrying.'

'If you say so,' Mrs.Sophia went with Mr.Harry.

'Do you know, you look cute when you are angry.' Saying that Marcus kissed her.

Frances could feel her anger melting away. She was kissing him back with more vigour. When they broke apart, Frances was not angry anymore, she felt her heart ache.

Marcus put his arms in her cheek and asked. 'Frances, what is bothering you?'

She looked sad, she opened her mouth but couldn't speak. Marcus pulled her closer and held her.

After some time she said, 'I didn't mind at first, I didn't know. But it's painful now,' she gulped, 'It's painful to think that I have to share you, you said you made love to me. I just realised I wasn't the only one.' A single tear escaped her eyes, she wiped it surreptitiously.

Marcus didn't know what to tell, He didn't know what to do. Marcus felt his heart squeeze seeing Frances hurt and vulnerable. He just held her.

After a pause her voice became even more painful. 'Do you have any children with any of them? I won't reject them I promise, how can I, when they are part of you. But, I would rather know it from you.'

Marcus's hold on her tightened as he replied 'No I don't.'

'Frances, I can't undo what I did in the past -'

Before he could finish Frances nodded and said 'I understand, I'm sorry for punching you. Can we go in? I feel cold.'

Marcus could tell, she was still hurt. So without a word he led her inside the Chestnut House.

Marcus felt awful that night, when he closed his eyes, all he could see was the hurt face of Frances. When the morning came, all he wanted to see was Frances.

Marcus found himself in Chestnut House at 10 in the morning. It was a bit early to call on someone, damn! He can't wait any longer; when he arrived, Frances and Mr. Harry had gone to a nearby workshop and would only return by evening, informed a disgruntled Mrs. Sophia.

Marcus gathered Mrs. Sophia didn't approve of Frances accompanying Mr. Harry to the workshop, and apart from it he couldn't gather any information. Mrs. Sophia wouldn't even reveal the nature of the workshop.

Marcus penned a note to Frances and handed it to Mrs. Sophia. There were many things he wanted to tell Frances, but he couldn't explain them in a note, so wrote 'I am sorry. I miss you - Love Marcus.'

Frances returned from the workshop with her Father in the evening. According to Mrs. Sophia both looked dishevelled and dirty. She looked at the pair in disdain.

Mrs.Sophia turned to Frances and said 'Lord Vandam came calling in the morning, I didn't know what to tell him. He left you a message.'

She handed Frances the note. 'What does he say? Is he angry?' Mrs. Sophia asked.

'No mama, he says -' Frances hesitated. She repeated '- he says,' but didn't complete her sentence.

Mrs. Sophia pulled the letter from Frances frantically, placed her hand over her heart and said 'Ho! Frances! Isn't he the most thoughtful.'

Mr. Harry who read the note over Mrs. Sophia said, 'You better send him a note informing your plans tomorrow. I can finish up if you want.'

'No papa, it's my work and I need to finish it. If it's ok with you, may I ask him to call on the workshop?' asked Frances.

'What! Don't tell me you are planning to go tomorrow too!' scolded Mrs. Sophia.

Both father and daughter suddenly remembered they needed a bath and scurried away.

Frances sent a messenger to Marcus saying she had errands tomorrow too.

Mrs. Sophia disapproved, point-blank to inform Marcus where Frances was going. So she had no choice but to be vague about her plans. And promised they would meet on the day of the auction.

Frances knew Marcus must be worried about her to call on her so early, but she was really alright. As Marcus had said, he can't undo what he has done in the past.

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