Of Night and Dark Obscurity

“Yes. Each room has a dressing room and a stairway to the attic for storage. The servants’ quarters are completely separate and have a stairway to the kitchen.”

They walked together through each of the bedrooms passing the bathrooms, which Val admired for their indoor plumbing. He turned on the water and it rushed out. Caroline smiled as they continued to move through the rooms making a second circular motion. At the last bedroom there was a deck and they stepped out into the sunshine.

An older couple was passing by with their dog and the man doffed his hat off to them.

“You’ll love the neighborhood,” he said smiling up at them. “My wife thoroughly enjoys it. I’ll wager a guinea your wife will do the same,” he said moving on his way.

Leaning against the railing he gazed at Caroline softly.

“The house is too large for one person.” He began.

“You’ll have a Cook, a valet and a maid no doubt,” she countered.

“They will see to my needs, but only a wife can assuage other needs,” he said lowly.

Caroline looked away. “Indecent,” she muttered.

“You said you would make me a good wife in the carriage ride home,” he told her.

“I did not!” She gasped.

“You did.”

“You also said you would cook my favorite meals.” He recalled.

“Now I know you’re lying. I don’t cook.” She smiled.

“That’s what I said. Then you said, we should plan our engagement,” he told her coolly.

“Our engagement? I don’t remember you asking me to marry you.”

He pulled her towards him holding her in his arms. “Caroline. If I take this house in my next step towards becoming a member of society, it’s with the intent that one day you’ll be mistress of it.”

She felt her heart flip at his words. “Val you shouldn’t—“ she pressed a hand to his chest.

“I don’t need an answer because there’s no question. I want you to know. I want you to understand that my intent is such. You don’t need to do anything.”

“You don’t want to know what I think about this?” She asked him.

“I do want to know. Someday. Just not today,” he said smiling.

He kissed the tip of her nose and released her. “It seems like Mr. Davies has a buyer.”

“It is beautiful.” She looked out about them at the new houses being built and the lawns of green.

They left the deck and walked back into the room. “So, what do you say, desk and chair there,” he pointed, “two tables there,” he pointed, “and the bed here.”

“I’m not indulging you.” She returned.

“How cruel! To be so insensitive to your fiancée,” he teased her.

“I’m sure you must get back to the office,” she said as they walked down the intricately carved stairs.

“And you? What plans do you have?”

“Visit the tenants, check on the plans for the second house and tea with my friend Prudence at Claridge’s.”

“It sounds like a day well spent,” he nodded.