Author's note: This chapter is full of plot development (a little reward for those of you who have been patiently waiting), and hopefully you find it as entertaining to read as it was for me to write.
*
"I want you to pack your things tonight, Gerard. It is time for us to go home."
Mrs. St. Claire was standing in the doorway of Gerard's room, looking somber. Gerard was preparing to meet Elizabeth at market that morning, and at the sound of his mother's voice he popped a button off his crisp white shirt.
"What?" he said irritatedly, turning around to face her. "What do you mean?"
"Darling," Mrs. St. Claire said, "when we first came here we only intended to stay for a week, remember? I do think it's time for us to get back to London." She fiddled with the lace on the sleeves of her dress, and without looking at her son added, "There are a few suitable young ladies there I've arranged for you to meet..."
She got no further before Gerard angrily cut her off. "Mother, I cannot believe your gall," he spat. He ripped off his now ruined shirt, leaving his upper body bare, much to his mother's chagrin. Striding to the armoire to retrieve a new one, he said, "You only wish to leave now because I have met a girl that you deem as inappropriate."
"Well, Gerard, you can hardly blame me," Mrs. St. Claire replied, feeling her own anger rising to the surface. Gerard may have received his looks from his father, but he most certainly had inherited his volatile temperament from his mother. "You gallivant around like some sort of country boy, and you take up with a farmer's daughter!"
"Do you realize how condescending you sound, Mother?" Gerard said in disbelief. Having put on another shirt, he sat on the edge of the bed and pulled on a pair of black riding boots. "You speak like people from the country are simple minded and uncultured." Standing, he strode over to his mother and looked her in the eye. "And I would thank you to not speak unkindly of Elizabeth in my presence. You don't even know her."
Mrs. St. Claire stared up at her son, refusing to back down. "And how would I know her?" she asked. "I've never met her!"
Gerard squinted and cocked his head, as if in thought. "You know, Mother, you are right," he said finally. "I think you should meet her. It's only proper that you get to know the woman I am courting."
His mother went a bit pale. "Courting?" she asked, reaching for the doorknob to steady herself.
"Yes, courting," Gerard answered. "I really do like her, Mother." Taking one of her small hands in his larger ones, he met his mother's eyes and said, "It would mean the world to me if I could bring her to dinner tonight and have you give her a chance."
Mrs. St. Claire sighed, unable to deny her son when he asked her so sincerely. "Alright, Gerard," she acquiesced after a few moments of thought. "She may come for dinner."
"Thank you, Mother," Gerard said, stooping to kiss her on the cheek. "I appreciate it." And with that he moved past her and down the stairs, eager to see Elizabeth once again.
Mrs. St. Claire watched as her son walked out the front door. She shook her head and frowned. "I hope you know what you're doing, son," she murmured.
*
"You look far too fancy to be selling wool, Lizzie," Theodore said, grinning teasingly at his sister.
They were sitting on their usual stools, at their usual table, at their usual place at market. Elizabeth elbowed her brother, blushing even as she smiled. She had taken extra care in dressing that morning, knowing that Gerard intended to pay a visit. She had chosen a red gown that was fairly new, and it fit her perfectly. The color was the perfect contrast to her creamy pale skin. The neckline plunged just low enough to show a decent amount of cleavage, without being too scandalous. There was a matching red ribbon holding her hair back, which tumbled in shiny dark curls down her back. She was drawing the attention of many men (and the jealous stares of a few women), but she failed to notice.
"I guess it's for that Gerard fellow, isn't it?" Theodore continued, grinning even more widely. Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh now. "You really are obnoxious, Teddy, you know that?" she said.
"Yes, I know," Theodore said. "But it's fun."
Elizabeth laughed again. She was in a very good mood, the best mood she'd been in for a long time. She found that the mere thought of Gerard was enough to put her in better spirits. I do believe the man is growing on me, she thought.
"So are you going to marry him?" Theodore asked, interrupting her thoughts.
Startled, Elizabeth frowned. "I have no idea, Teddy," she said. "And what business is that of yours, anyway?"
Theodore shrugged. "Well, as much as Mama and Papa talk about it, I figure it's everyone's business."
Elizabeth sighed. "I suppose you have a point." She used a hand to shield her eyes from the sunlight and scanned the crowd. They had been there for an hour, and still no sight of Gerard.
"I don't think I ever want to get married," Theodore said suddenly, catching Elizabeth off guard.
"What makes you say that?" she asked, confused. "And why are you even thinking of marriage? You're only twelve!"
Theodore shrugged again, toying with a pile of wool. "I don't know," he said. "If you find the idea of marriage so bad, it can't be that good."
Elizabeth stared at her brother, contemplating what he was saying. He was a young man now, tanned from spending most of the day in the sun. His hair was dark like her own, and curled down to the nape of his neck. His brown eyes were serious at the moment, and it was evident that when he grew up he was going to be a striking gentleman. "Oh Teddy," she said. "You shouldn't let what I think and say affect you so."
"I suppose," Theodore said.
"Look at me, Teddy," Elizabeth said sternly, waiting until her brother met her eyes. "You will make some lucky woman incredibly happy one day. Don't listen to your fussy hen of a sister. You live your own life the way you want to live it, do you hear me?"
Theodore smiled, then said, "You know what, Lizzie? For a hen, you're not too bad."
Elizabeth smirked. "And for an obnoxious little brother, you're not too bad yourself."
*
Gerard tied Lucifer to a post and delved into the crowd at market. He chided himself for being so late; he had overslept that morning, and with his mother springing on him earlier his day had not gotten off to a good start. He perked up as he spotted Elizabeth, and he sped up as he headed toward her table.
His heart sped up as well as he took in the vision that was before him. She was captivating -- she looked good enough to devour in her red dress, and he gulped as he tried to wipe away the dirty thoughts that immediately came to his mind.
Gerard then noticed that she and her brother appeared to be deep in conversation. He neared the table cautiously, then cleared his throat.
"Oh!" Elizabeth yelped, looking up to see Gerard chuckling. "You startled me, you cad!"
