A proposal?

The day after the croquet game the ton was buzzing with gossip, the rumors we're both pleasing and harsh depending on which side of it you are on.

Josephine held the latest copy of Whistledown, her eyes scanning the words. The distaste clear in her green eyes.

Dearest gentle reader
It has caught this authors attention, that the Midnight Sun seems to have finished their brief attempt at the spotlight.
Well probably for the best as they couldn't hold a candle to yours truly.

A lot has happened in the past few days, Lord  Emilio Duñas and Lady Phoebe Flanagan appear to be growing closer with each passing day.

Lord Louis Rowlington seems to be positively enchanted by Duchess Estella Di Giovanni, the two seen conversing at every social event. It is very clear to this author that they have possible found a love match between them, that of course is if Lord Rowlington can realize.

Duke Brandon Edgerton still seems to have a attraction to Lady, if one could use that word, Josephine Rowlington.  Yet there are plenty of fine young ladies out there for him he has seem to pick the one who is the worst for him.

Josephine threw the paper aside when she heard the door start to open, she took a deep breath as she sat up taller. Her face looked as if carved from stone when all she wanted to do was cry.

The dreadful feeling increased when she saw it was Brandon, the young lady biting down on her lip to stop it from trembling. She waited to be scolded, to be told how awful she was the day before.

Yet he looked at her so softly. "Are you alright, Josie?" He asked in such a sweet manner, that is what broke her as a tear trailed down her cheek. Josephine rose from the chair she was seated on. She practically ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck. "I am sorry." She said in a soft sob.

Brandon though stunned instantly wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her tightly. "It is okay, you had every right to be upset." He brushed his hand through her hair. "But not at you, that was no way to treat a friend, you do not yell at those you care about." She said as she clung tighter to him.

It was the first time Josephine has admit he was anything but her brother's friend. Even if it was not the title he wanted he would bare it happily. A badge he wished to place upon his chest, a way to say "look! She cares about me, she really does!"

"I can take whatever you throw at me, Josephine Rowlington, I will never abandon you." He placed her back on her feet and saw the tears in her eyes still. His finger gently rubbing them away. "Now I have come to see Louis, do you know where I may find him?" He asked. "He's not here, he went out to town." She told him as she sniffled slightly.

Brandon nods his head slightly upon being told that. "I suppose I should be off then, I do not wish to impose.' He went to leave but her hand grabbing onto his stopped him. He looked down at their hands then back towards her. "Don't leave me.." she requested in such a soft tone he couldn't deny her.

"I would never." He walked with her over to the couch, the two sitting side by side. The smaller frame of Josephine leaning into Brandon. Her head tilted to rest on his shoulder with her eyes closed. "Josie..can I ask you something?" She hummed in response

Louis was out on the town, having finished with the meeting he had but he didn't want to head back to the estate quit yet so here he was, taking a nice stroller when a soft smile broke out across his face.

" Lady Estella." He said politely as he gave her a bow as he walked up. That caught the woman's attention and a smile crossed her face as she looked at him. "Hello, Lord Rowlington." She looked him over before meeting his eyes again. "You are dressed far to nicely to be just out on a stroll." She commented making him chuckle. "Meeting, I decided to take a walk after which I'm glad that I did."

A soft blush crossed Stella's face as his words. Was he glad to run into her? She hoped so, she was glad to see him. Estella could admit that he was a kind and good looking man, something that was rare to find both in a man. "Shall we walk together?" He asked pulling her away from her thoughts.

She nods her head as she gently took his arm. "I suppose." She had the air of confidence surrounding her and it was alluring. "What have you been?' he asked as they walked down the sidewalk, heading towards the Rowlington household, perhaps he would invite her in for tea.

"I have been well thank you, angry at that Lady Whistledown character." She added the last part with a light laugh. She didn't like the gossip mongrel who seemed to rare write the truth only damaging rumors.

A small smirk raised on her lips as she took this point in the conversation to tease him at what Lady Whistledown wrote. "So do you find me enchanting, Lord Rowlington?" He was confused by the question, unaware of what Lady Whistledown had written.

"I..I mean you are quit a lovely young woman." He said but anyone could have said that to her. She frowned slightly as she looked up at him. Maybe it was true, he either didn't realize how he felt or...or was she reading this all wrong or maybe he was aware but unsure how to act upon it. "May I ask you a question, Estella?"
"Of course.."

Thomas and Charles was at the Lockridge estate, the two alone in the house.  The two walking together up the stairs as they talked, the Rowlington boy had just arrived. The two hand in hand as there was no one to hide from in this house.

Once they had arrived in Charles' room said boy pushed the door closed behind them. He locked the bolt before looking over at Thomas, he admired the sweet, funny boy before walking over and taking his face gently in his hands pressing a kiss to his lips. That shocked Thomas at first but he quickly melted into it as he kissed back, Charles' hand run along his shoulder before pushing him back into his bed, crawling over him he looked down at Thomas. "Before we go any further Tommy, I have something I really want to ask you."
"Yes?"