So there it was - I would ask Mary Jane Kelly to be my wife that night. The time was set and dinner was to be made at the Gregory's much like every night in the recent months. Now all that stood in my way was her fear - who knew how she would react after hearing that a man was arrested on suspicion for the murder of her uncle - James Hammond. It was news that nobody was expecting seeing as it had happened ten years ago but it was news all the same. Despite our dislike of Miss Pearcey, Hare and I were polite as always and were especially mindful of the subject; even though she claimed to not be phased by it all we could tell that indeed she was.
Hare, Harry and I spent the day in his drawing room discussing my proposal to Mary Jane Kelly and the scandal of Jack Hammond's death. Did this mean that his killer was the Ripper? Why did he kill him? Did they even know one another? Was his killer in love with Miss Pearcey? The matter arose many questions that could not be answered and so when the dinner bell tolled we put the matters to rest and waited in the hall for the women. Miss Pearcey and Louise met us at the bottom of the stairs dressed in their usual evening attire; by the look on Harry's face he believed his wife to be stunning - I nodded in agreement at is polite words and waited nervously for Mary Jane Kelly.
When she finally ascended the stair case every pair of eyes in the room turned to her and followed her down towards us in a trance. Her long curls lay softly across her waist and was half pinned back by a shining pin to resemble a bun at the back; her perfect curls framed her teardrop shaped face like a painting on the wall. Mary Jane Kelly's cheeks were naturally a light shade of pink and so did not appear to be deliberately pinched much like other girls - she looked exquisite. On meeting her at the base of the stairs I bowed before her and kissed her dainty hand before escorting her to the small, yet elegant, ballroom. We danced for an hour before settling to eat a fine dinner that had been prepared by Gordon that very day. When we continued to dance at the end of our meal I signalled for Gordon to stop playing so that I could do what I do desired. Everyone gathered around us and smiled knowingly up at Mary Jane Kelly's stunned expression.
Kneeling down on one knee I presented the ring that my mother had given me long ago to the woman whom I loved...