Demons'll Charm You

Chapter 8: The Proposal

Belle sighed happily as she walked arm-in-arm with Toby through the park, overjoyed to be in his company. The air was crisp with the promise of rain later on; the perfect sort of weather, she thought. Toby's note asking her to meet him at the park was a welcome surprise, but she couldn't help but wonder what the occasion was. What made it even more suspicious was that her aunt had been eyeing her differently as of late, as if she knew something Belle didn't. Her heart wanted to believe that this was a possible proposal, but reality encouraged her to believe, rather, that her aunt was finally through with Toby and had asked him to end their courtship, despite seeming to accept him.

"And how are you feeling today, Miss Marsden?" Toby asked, pulling Belle out of her thoughts, as the two walked toward the shade of a nearby tree.

Belle smiled at his propriety. "Quite well, thank you for asking. And yourself?"

Toby waited until they were under the tree to answer, and Belle recognized his umbrella leaning against it. She glanced back to see Beth walking slowly at a distance as she had promised Belle to do during her chaperoned time with Toby.

"I'm very well, Belle... Very... Very well," and he chuckled nervously before shoving one hand into his coat pocket. "Shall we remain here and talk for a while or would you prefer to walk?"

"Oh, we could stay here. We should sit at that bench over there, actually," Belle answered, gesturing to a nearby empty bench by the tree. Toby nodded and escorted her. She could sense Toby's nervousness next to her, which did not bring her much comfort, but he did seem to be in good spirits.

Beth occupied a nearby bench and pretended to read while Toby and Belle spoke to one another. They spoke of Toby's work and what Belle had been occupying herself with as of late, but there was an anxiousness to the way Toby sped the conversations along. He then announced that the two should go for a stroll around the park, to which Belle agreed. With one arm offered to Belle and the other hand in his pocket, touching the awaiting ring, Toby could only hope that he would have the courage to ask her his question at the end of their stroll.

They walked by the small dark pond, where a couple stood with their young child, and the sight made both Belle and Toby smile. Toby could only wish to have exactly that with Belle; bliss and peace.

Once their tour of the park was through, Toby suggested they return to the shade of the tree where they had begun. When they arrived at it, Toby took a deep breath and took a step away from Belle. His heart hammered in his chest and he felt a bit lightheaded, but he mentally encouraged himself onward.

"Belle, I have something for you," Toby announced as he placed a hand over his coat pocket.

Belle eyed him curiously. "Oh, yes? What is it?"

Toby responded with that boyish smile she adored so much, and he took her hand in his. "I have to talk to you about something very important first."

She gave him a playful pout and gently squeezed his hand. "Alright, let's talk then."

"Belle, you know that I love you dearly," Toby began. He felt his face warm as he met her eyes, which seemed to twinkle with emotion.

"And I love you dearly, as well, Tobias."

Toby kissed her hand, not caring who saw them. He wasn't afraid of scandal at this moment.

"And do you remember recently, I told you that I wished to share my future with you?"

Belle nodded, her own heart beginning to thump loudly in her chest from anticipation. She stared as Toby took a step closer to her, his fingers now intertwining with hers.