Love, the True Test of Time Chapter 7 by Lady Jane T
All characters in this fan fiction are the property of Miramax. . . this is all in good fun and I hope you enjoy. This is dedicated to all those women out there hoping that their Leopold will come riding in on a white horse, swoop them off their feet and live happily ever after. Keep believing!
With the dress fittings over, Margaret took hold of Kate's hand. "I think I have kept you from Leopold long enough. If I know Leopold, he will be found with his uncle."
"But they weren't speaking. I think Leopold would be smart to stay away from his uncle."
"Oh, dear sweet, Kate. You do have a lot to learn about our Leopold. The relationship he has with Millard is extremely complicated. They may not see eye to eye all the time, in fact, they very rarely see eye to eye, but Millard has been like a father to him and Leopold never stays angry with him for long."
They walked out into the hall, and ran into Otis. "Your ladyship, your husband and his grace are having tea in his lordships quarters. I will have Sophie bring up two extra cups."
"That would be lovely, Otis."
As they approached the doors to Millard's quarters, they could hear laughter and when Margaret opened the door, Kate was surprised to see both men in high spirits.
Margaret smiled at both of them and Kate just stared in amazement.
Leopold headed toward her, putting his arm around her waist and drawing her near to him, kissing her cheek. She was leery of his change in moods. "I am hoping you will forgive me for the last few hours of torture that I allowed my aunt to put you through."
"I will think about it. Why are you so happy? Either your tea is spiked, or the spring air has had some bizarre effect on you while you were riding."
"I am happy because I have you. . . how can you even question me in such a way? Shouldn't I be happy? And yes, the ride was exhilarating and caused me to rethink a few things. But I am not sure what you mean by spiked tea. . . "
"It isn't important. But obviously something that happened in here is. Are you going to let me in on it?"
"Uncle, Aunt, I think I will take Kate out for a stroll, if you don't mind. I haven't had any time alone with my bride-to-be since she arrived."
"I think that is a lovely idea, Leopold, the fitting was a bit tiring, and Katherine could probably use the fresh air."
He took hold of her hand and they headed down the stairs. As they stepped outside, Kate realized she hadn't been out of the house since she arrived in 1876. Horse and buggies lined the streets, there were others out for strolls, and Kate looked in awe at her surroundings. Leopold had mentioned the slower pace and now she was experiencing it,
"I have something to show you." His face lit up like a child in a candy store. She loved how things were so simple for him. He loved her and that was all that mattered. He got excited about riding a horse, or just having a peek at her through the bedroom door, like earlier when she was having her fitting. He put his arm out for her to take, and she gave him a funny look, "This is how it is done here, Kate. Holding hands is slightly too intimate for being out in public."
"This will take some getting use to."
She took his arm and smiled up at him, whatever doubts she had, when she was with him they went away. They continued to stroll towards the waterfront and Leopold knew Kate had the same sensation he did when she looked up at the bridge. They continued walking towards the docks and Kate noticed the steamliner. She also realized Leopold had stopped.
"I remember you said you had lived in New York for years and had never crossed any of the bridges."
"That's right, I have never been anywhere."
"I've done something frivolous, but it's done now. And I believe I have made the right choice. I am hoping you will feel the same way."
"Will you just tell me?"
"Well, you are going to cross a bridge, Kate. In fact, you are going to cross an ocean."
She looked at him and then at the ship, "That boat. That boat has something to do with what you are talking about."
"It is the only way to cross an ocean."
"Oh, right, there are no transatlantic flights or anything yet. So where are we going on this boat?"
"I am going to take you home. My home in England. I booked passage for us today. I want us to be married there."
"England. . . Leopold, I don't know. I am thrown into 1876, with enough on my plate to deal with. At least this is New York and I know something about Americans and this city. But England, it's a foreign country. How am I going to fit in there? And it's cold and drafty, and muddy. It rains all the time, and the food. . . it's stodgy. How can I eat stodgy British food?"
"You are being awfully negative about this. What about your sense of adventure? Obviously you had some of that when you jumped off the bridge."
"I was following my heart."
"And now do you feel you have made a mistake?"
"No, I didn't mean it that way. I didn't make a mistake, I want to be with you."
"Then you can be with me in England, just as well as here. It is my home, where I was raised. It isn't perfect, but we can make it perfect. And yes, it can be muddy, and it rains quite a bit. . . but I can't think of anything more perfect than to be cooped up in bed all day with you during a English rainstorm." He raised his eyebrows. "And, as for cold and drafty, you have nothing to worry about there as well. I believe I am perfectly capable of keeping you warm under any circumstances."
She smiled at him, "I see. It is sounding a bit more interesting. But what about your uncle and aunt? Will I ever have any time alone with you?"
"The house is huge, you won't even know there is anyone else there. It is very easy to get lost at Balinor."
"I would love to see where you grew up."
"I know you will agree it is the perfect place to raise children. The grounds stretch out forever. And the summers are glorious. You won't be disappointed."
She was still at the word children. "Children. You said children."
"Yes, I did say children. Kate, what is it?"
"We have never talked about children. You just assumed I wanted children."
"What woman doesn't want children?"
"Plenty of women in the 21st century. Leopold, you can't just assume I will have your children because I am going to marry you."
"I am expected to have a child, Kate."
"I won't be expected to do anything. I may be in 1876, but I am not going to be this subservient woman who will do as her husband says. I am my own person, Leopold. And when I marry you I will still be that person."
"And I do not want you any other way."
"Well, from now on, decisions that affect both of us need to be addressed together. I don't want to be told that I'm leaving on a boat in a few days, or that I'll be having a baby in nine months. A marriage isn't like that. It's two people working together, making decisions together."
He put his arms around her and looked down at her. "I have a lot to learn as well."
"Yes, you do."
"So do you think you could be happy in England? Do you think you could live there with me?"
"I think I could and I'm willing to give it a try."
She smiled at him and brushed his hair off his face, looking into his eyes, he smiled at her, a sweet cockeyed smile she adored and he stroked the side of her face, "You realize, this is highly inappropriate behavior. I suppose we can get away with it in America, but in England, well, it would be frowned upon. Kate McKay you are going to turn heads. What am I saying? I am sure it will be more than turning heads. And frankly, I look forward to it. My country could use a little kick up the backside."
"I think I am capable of that."
He was quiet for a minute. "And, about the other matter. . . "
"What other matter?"
"Would you even consider having my child?"
"Leopold, we've known each other a few days. This isn't a conversation we should be having now."
"I want to know where you stand on the subject."
"Of course I would consider it, but I want us to have some time together. Please let's not rush this."
He had gotten the answer he wanted and smiled triumphantly.
"You look incredibly pleased with yourself."
"Shouldn't I be? I have the woman of my dreams in my arms, I am going back to my homeland to marry her and she is considering having my child in the future. . . hopefully not to distance future. But yes, I am pleased, extremely pleased."
"You do need to remember something, Leopold."
"And what is that."
"I'm not here just to please you."
"Really? I was under the distinct impression that was your sole purpose. And being a duke, I am used to having my way and having people please me."
She could tell by the twinkle in his eye, he was teasing. "And I'm expecting when I become duchess I'll have the same privileges."
"That is not how it works at all, but under the circumstances I do believe that I might be able to accommodate you in some respects. Pleasing you is something I am very willing to take part in. In fact, I believe it might even become my sole purpose in life. So you see, I may be a duke and I may be a 19th century gentleman, but I have come back from the 2lst century knowing, it is not all about me."
"You know, Leopold, I have got me one hell of a 19th century English duke, 2lst century new man and I don't think I'm going to be the only one turning heads back in England."
Leopold knew this was possibly the truth. His brief encounter with the 2lst century had changed him and England was not a country that accepted change very well.
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