- Chapter 14/15 -

Grandhill, in the opinion of any who layed eyes on the estate, certainly lived up to its name. Though not an overly large residence, the grounds were very fine and gardens groomed with an expert eye. The manor itself was well situated on slow rising ground, where sun could reach it at any time of day. The apple orchard stood in pretty lines behind Grandhill Manor, along the eastern slope. Here it was that the harvest picnic was held, on a bright Tuesday afternoon.

Two other families from Croydon were in attendance: A Mr and Mrs Overton with three children, two wild boys and an older girl who sat quiet and reserved; a young Mr and Mrs White with one boy. A single guest was also in attendance, and also hailing from Compton; Mrs Routley, who apparently came with the Overton family, being the elder sister, by ten years, of Mrs Adalia Overton. Katherine was thoroughly uncomfortable being in company with Mrs Routley again, though visibly she let none of these feeling show.

The footmen had laid out a large carpet and set up a tent for shade, under which held a table spread with all manner of apple baked goods and drinks. Seats and cushions were set in shade, and on a bit of level ground a croquet run was prepared. Katherine played a superlative game and knocked the winning hit with a cheer, the audience clapped and grinned. Miss Gray and Mr Gray were declared losers while Mr White claimed a close second. Two mallets were reliquished to the Overton children, and Katherine and Miss Gray walked a short way to where a few of the other ladies were sitting.

"Miss Wheaton!" Mrs White called, showing Katherine a seat between her and Mrs Gray "Well played, what a pleasure to see Mr White finally beaten. He always comes out the champion when we hold matches and it's quite taken the challenge out of the game!"

The ladies laughed and declared it true.

"I declare," Mrs Gray was adding "If it weren't quite so hot a day I would take a crack at it myself. I dare say I could take him down a few notches!" She laughed.

This appeared a humorous picture to Kat as Mrs Gray was usually a soft spoken, gentle woman, overly plump though pleasantly so, and to hear her speak as though she would go into battle seemed so out of character it made Katherine laugh. She entered in the conversation "I do love a lively game. Would you not play a round Mrs Overton, Mrs Routley?" She asked these ladies, who had been silent throughout.

"I would play with my sister perhaps," Mrs Overton smiled with an air of condescension "But we are not lively players, and would not offer a challenge to anyone. I, and I can speak for my sister too, do not wish to look a hoyden...unlike some."

"We have been deceived in believing the Spanish have passionate natures." Mrs White teased good-naturedly "For our Spanish sisters are all that is courtly and proper, and find any sport distasteful."

Mrs Routley and Mrs Overton merely smiled at eachother with arched brows, as though they took pride in these things being true and missed Mrs Whites tease entirely.

Young Mr George White then toddled over on the hand of his governess, reaching for his mother; and the attentions of all were then entirely occupied by all the charms a child of two can offer.

~~~

Over the course of the afternoon, Miss Wheaton found herself alone in repartee with Mrs White, a little way away from the rest. They were soon joined on their picnic mat by another.

"Mr Gray," Katherine patted a spot on the rug in invitation. "how fortunate for you to arrive just now. We were in debate whether Grandhill House was built in 1670, or much earlier, as Mrs White guesses, in the late 1500s?"

"You are both wrong," he grinned as he set himself beside them "but Miss Wheaton is the closer by far as it was built in 1677."

"Ah there! You see??" Katherine clapped as Mrs White sighed in defeat "I knew it was 1670-something, I heard you mention it at some point I'm certain Mr Gray."

"I have no doubt of it." He grinned, taking off his hat and gloves, and brushing through his dark chocolate locks. He added "It's becoming monstrous hot out this late afternoon." punctuating the observation with an uncomfortable pull at his cravate.

Katherine was about to reply the affirmative when a plaintive wail cut through the air, and Mrs White stood suddenly with a cry of distress "Oh dear Georgie that looked like quite a spill! Do excuse me Miss Wheaton, Mr Gray!" And she hurried off to comfort her poor youngster.

The two whom she abandoned looked on for a moment, then turned toward eachother with a mild degree of awkwardness. Mr Gray, now having the opportunity presented to him of a private audience with Miss Wheaton, yet, unsure of how to begin; and Katherine not believing herself to have anything of great interest to say.

She settled on praising the orchard once the silence stretched beyond her point of comfort. He gave an appropriate response, and changed his sitting position in a fidgety manner, tugging once again and the fabric about his neck. Attributing his restlessness to the heat of the day, she asked if they should move to join the others, for refreshments. He hastily declined, saying he was perfectly content as they were in the cool of the shade, and would not be moved, despite her kind urging, for the sake of his comfort; to her dismay they fell into silence once more.

"Katherine." He began after a moment, causing her to wonder, with some mild anxiety, at his using her name in so serious, yet gentle, a tone. "I do not rightly know how to begin...I have not yet prepared...but while we have this moment to ourselves I find I cannot bear to postpone..." he looked to her with much feeling, then back down at the glove he violently twisted between his fingers. "I wish...you are so good, so wise...so beautiful and modest, Miss Wheaton...Katherine...I have fallen for you, utterly." His voice caught, and his eyes, when met with hers, spoke such volumes of emotion she was struck quite breathless. So dearly wished for. So wholly unexpected. How was one to respond to such a declaration!

Mr Gray rubbed his brow with exasperation towards himself. "Excuse my indelicacy Miss Wheaton. I haven't the sensibilities, or fine ways with words, that some men have the fortune of possessing; I can only tell you I...love you...unconditionally...and hope that the depth of it may be heard and felt. I cannot bear envision a version of my life without you by my side. Do you think...could you find yourself happy -with me?"

He looked at a loss then, as if mortified of his speech; discontent to leave it, yet doubtful as to whether he should say more.

"My dear Benedict!" Gasped she, finally finding her voice "You must know my answer, I do not think you would have asked had you not been sure of it. Though we have known eachother but two or three months together, I felt, the moment I met you, so perfectly natural it was as though you had always been part of my life; and I feel, no, I quite know, you will forever be in my heart. Could I find myself happy? Indeed, I cannot dare imagine so bleak a future as one devoid of you."

Gray's countenance changed, through her speech, from anticipation and uncertainty to true elated joy. He reached  to clasp her hands, but let go again in remembrance of the group of picnickers, who were not so very great a distance from them. "Katherine you cannot know what great happiness you've given me! I did not know certainly, but I so hoped you felt the same! I only realized the extent of my own care for you, when my sister read your letter from Chatham. Never had I been so enraged, so frantic, in my life. That your good opinion of me might be forever marred by the designs of my brother.."

Katherine used this pause to speak with playfulness derived from pure ecstasy of spirit, "I can know what happiness, for I feel it myself! How could you not be certain of my regard for you, am I not open, too open in respect to my thoughts and emotions? How little you know me!" She teased.

"Then I shall endeavor to know you better." He grinned

She continued "As for the matter of your brother, that was badly done indeed, I am ashamed I did not realize the connection sooner. I knew you were too decent, to careful of a lady's comfort and reputation, to stoop to such conduct. There was no other explanation to be had. Although," She considered with sudden hesitation, looking up at him with doubtful expression "I am not technically a lady."

His thoughts, during her speech, we're a wish to put at rest any unfair blame she laid upon herself in not recognizing his brother was not he; but at this last melancholy statement, coupled with the look in her eye, the fear struck him she may retract her acceptance of his hand - for the sake of him not marrying below his station. Horror of her impending rejection spurred him to reassure in desperate haste, that all had been discussed with every one knowledgeable of her situation. For Miss Wheaton's own sake, he cared not for his standing in society, the matter of her parentage could be kept secret. He was content that she came to him with no fortune to her name, and spared her father any duty he may have felt towards the matter.

Katherine was all amazement and wonder, that she should secure the love of a man that, not only did she care for a great deal, but who was also so unpretentious, so unfeeling towards such things as wealth or rank or title. He chose her despite the expectations laid on him, and found a way they could be together without scandal or breaking off familial relations.

She then realized she was comparing her current situation to her experience with the Routleys, and how Routley was a lesser man for being unable to come up with a sensible solution as Mr Gray did...but she then gave Mr Routley the credit of having a family set much against her. That is all she thought on that matter, and focused again on her Benedict.

The pleasure of each other's company was soon thereafter intruded upon by Miss Gray and Mr Gray senior. Katherine saw a glint in the eye of Eloise, and sensed her observant friend had guessed the nature of the conversation they had inturrupted. Katherine merely smiled however and quickly picked up conversation with her jolly father-to-be.

~~~

Once the guests had all taken their leave late that evening, Miss Gray took Miss Wheaton aside to confirm whether she may wish her joy. At Katherine's laughing validation, Eloise Gray all but squealed with joy and declared her greatest wish to have come true! She pressed Katherine in an embrace and begged her for the details, which Kat blushed over and was hard pressed to give. Katherine Wheaton then felt overwhelmingly homesick, wanting dearly to tell her mother.

Her sisters, being her and Lady Compton's ladies maids, had naturally come with them. Betsey and Cecilia were then told the moment she had them alone. She had called them to her room once their few duties were accomplished, and they lay curled beneath the covers of Katherine's bed with her. Much girlish tittering and sisterly affection was shared and expressed that night. Katherine could only be more content once she had the pleasure of affording the rest of her family pleasure.

~~~

Speaking to Lady Mariah Compton a few days later, back at Rosforte, a peculiar and unbelievable request was made of her. They were conversing about her recent engagement, when Lady Compton asked if she had living grandparents; and as Katherine had none, Lady Compton then asked if Kat would be willing to consider herself as such a relation, in every respect. Katherine Wheaton was, naturally, struck thoroughly dumb.

"I see your amazement at me Miss Wheaton. Let me explain. You know already I have no family of my own, and there is no one within my circle I am truly close to. Anyone I might bestow my fortune on would be guaranteed to cherish the inheritance more than they would cherish me; but to be really loved is most important to a lonely old spinster of considerable wealth."

"It has already been proven to me that you and your family would value my friendship more than what I may leave behind. It is settled. Your father is to be named my heir, I have finally convinced he and your mother to agree to the arrangement this past week. I only wish to make you aware, and hope I may be allowed to treat you, your brothers, and your sisters, as the family I never had the pleasure of having; and perhaps you may begin calling me Aunt."

"Why of course Miss Compton! I do not wish to sound so eager that it may overwhelm my sincerity; But we have no close family so, if you truly wish it, nothing would delight me, or my siblings, more than to call you Aunt!"