Season's Feather

Chapter Sixty-Seven

Lose her, he did not. He showed up at the Danbury estate with flowers. He walked through the halls and then he saw her. Through the doorway in the mirror. And he paused. There was a calm that washed over him. Then he walked in.

When she saw him, she sat up quickly, "Lord Aevery," Kate said.

He bowed, "I am glad to see you awake." He smiled and set the flowers down on a small table.

Kate nodded at him, "I hear it is you who found me and brought me home safe."

"I suppose I must be grateful for our very first race in the park." He replied, "If it were not for that fateful moment, who knows what else could have happened."

Kate nodded with a small hum. She nodded once more before looking down at the side table, then back to him, "Thank you for the flowers."

Williamson smiled, looking at her. She was alive, and she was beautiful. Kate was beautiful. And he loved her. But he could not act on it. But he did, he had, hadn't he?

"Was there something else, My Lord?" Kate asked.

He sat there for a moment. Don't lose her, Felicity had said. Don't lose her. He steeled himself as he spoke, "I called on you. The morning after. I called on you to apologize. You deserved so much more than that. I took liberties. I...I did not want it to happen like that, so...I came to apologize."

"Yes, you have said that already." Kate said softly.

Williamson felt his breath quicken, "And to ask you to marry me."

Kate's eyes flashed with confusion.

"Miss Sharma, I'm here, and I'm-"

"What are you doing?"

Williamson reached into his pocket and pulled out the Aevery ring, unclasping the box, he shoved in in the direction of Kate, "I'm asking-"

"No. No, My Lord, I do not need you to ask me anything at all." Kate said.

Williamson stuttered, "Kate. I-"

"I am returning to India." Kate said, "The moment I resolve matters with my sister, I am returning to India. It is decided."

Williamson felt his heart shatter. But, he nodded, and closed the ring box. He looked down at the woman in front of him, "And your family's financial affairs?"

"Lady Danbury has kindly offered to sponsor my mother and sister for another season. I am certain they will do perfectly fine on their own, as it is clear I am of no help."

Williamson shook his head at her confession. His lady. This woman. She was the most selfless and most selfish person ever. Doing exactly what he had been doing for years. He shook his head. He looked down at her, and his layers frayed, "You are running away."

Kate shook her head, "Please go."

He did go.