13 comments/ 24019 views/ 8 favorites A Love out of Time Ch. 01 By: cellophanesmile Wes stuffed his hands in the back pockets of his jeans as he followed the monotone man around the old house. Sam, his best friend, stood beside him, acutely hanging on every word the tour guide said. "This is a portrait of Charles's wife, Cynara Stanmore. There's actually..." but Wes wasn't listening. He hadn't wanted to come to this stupid house to look at old furniture and paintings, but Sam had dragged him along. She had always been into history, costume dramas, and the like. He indulgently went, for he found that it was hard to say no to her, especially when she was threatening him with refusing to go see the new Star Wars movie with him. He rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet, his mind wondering to other things. His boredom, though, quickly turned to a sort of nausea. He felt dizzy, and wondered how he had gotten sick so quickly. "I'm going to go wait outside," he whispered in Sam's ear, thinking he would feel better if he could get some fresh air. Sam gave him a glare, but then just shrugged her shoulders. Wes left the tour group and back tracked down the stairs and outside the front door. The sun was shining brightly, and he walked down the little stone steps at the front of the house. He kicked some of the gravel when he reached it, staring off into the parking lot. He contemplated just going to wait by the car, but found himself circling the house instead. It wasn't too bad looking, he had to admit to himself, rather large. There were gargoyles topping the roof, which he thought was pretty awesome. He could enjoy himself much better without that tour guide prattling information down his ear. The house was surrounded by large oak trees on either side. In the back there was a large yard filled with green grass. Wes would have been tempted to run through it if he hadn't felt so sick, the fresh air was helping, though. The house had several gardens he knew. He decided to stop by the one closest to him. The garden was on a lower level than the rest of the yard, and Wes walked down the stone steps to get into it. Heads spewing water into a fountain greeted him upon his entrance. The garden was filled with fragrant flowers, but he walked by them rather quickly, walking up the identical stone steps on the far side. Following the dirt path further, he was led into some more trees. It was darker there, with the green canopy above only letting in scattered light onto the smooth dirt path. He walked by another stone statue, a figure of a robed woman. He came to an abrupt stop. He hadn't noticed anyone else close by, but just a few feet ahead there was a girl sitting on a stone bench, crying quietly into her hands. The first thing Wes noticed about her was her clothes. She was wearing a long, flowing dress that went all the way to her feet, which were just barely popping out from underneath it. Her brown hair was piled on top of her head in a fancy do. Wes debated for a minute if he should just leave her alone, but something made him go up to her. "Hey," he said gently, "What's wrong?" The girl looked up in surprise, and then she screamed. Wes jumped back in surprise, he hadn't been expecting that reaction. The girl jumped off the bench and stood behind if, as if the thing placed between them gave her some sort of protection. "Who are you?" she asked suspiciously, looking as though she were poised to fight. Now that he could see her face, he saw that she was quite pretty. A couple tendrils of hair escaped their pins and were framing her face. Judging by how messy and uneven they were, it was not done on purpose, but the effect was still charming. Her bangs were wispy and sticking to her forehead; her tears were drying on her cheeks. Wes couldn't believe this girl. "Relax," he held up placating hands, "You're acting like you're afraid I'm going to attack you or something. I simply wanted to know why you were so upset." "My brothers are inside. They'll be out looking for me any minute now," she warned, as if he were some crazed murderer or something. Wes sighed in frustration. "Hey," he said a little angrily, "I just said I'm not going to hurt you or anything. Geesh." "Then what are you doing here?" she demanded. "I was on a tour," Wes explained easily, "I just came out here for some fresh air. What did you think I was doing here?" "What tour? I don't know what you're talking about. I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave." She looked braver now, standing up regally. "Well I'm not going anywhere, missy," Wes snapped at her. Judging by her outfit, he guessed she worked her or something, but he didn't care. He had paid for his ticket, and he had a right to look at any goddamn garden he wanted to. "You don't own this place." The girl crossed her arms stubbornly. "Yes I do, or at least my family does. And I demand that you leave at once." "You don't own this place," Wes shook his head, wondering if the girl were crazy. "The historical preservation society owns it." "The what?" she was staring at him like he was crazy. Wes snorted at her. Now apparently they both thought the other was insane, and one of them obviously was--and it wasn't him. "Look," Wes said, "I'm sorry I frightened you. I'm just going to be on my way now, okay?" He turned to leave. Though he was still curious about the girl and why she had been crying, he didn't need to deal with this sort of thing right now. Not while he was feeling do sick. Then as he thought it, he realized that he didn't feel sick at all anymore. That was odd, he thought. "What are you wearing?" he heard her ask. She had come from behind the bench and was now standing next to him. "I've never seen clothes like that before," she was looking over him curiously. "Just jeans and a t-shirt," he said incredulously. What did she mean she had never seen clothes like these before? Then it hit him. She was teasing him. She's playing the character of some nineteenth century lady. Wes laughed now. "I guess not what you're used to," he said, playing along. He didn't mind being teased, and if this pretty girl wanted to play some game with him, who was he to object? She shook her head and stepped back. "I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier," she said lightly, "I'm sure this is all just a misunderstanding. You're at Margrave Manor, sir," she said by way of explanation. "Oh, I know," Wes assured her. "What's you're name?" "Katherine Stanmore," she answered, looking at him a little warily now. "Hello. I'm Wesley Rubens, nice to meet you," he held out his hand. Katherine placed hers in his, and looked surprised when he shook it. "Please tell me what you are doing here?" she asked again. "Just admiring the view," he stared at her, flirting a little. "I-I must be getting back inside," she told him, trying to step around him, but Wesley playfully stepped with her, blocking her way. "Please, Mr. Rubens, I really have to get inside," she stepped past him and walked briskly away. She seemed frightened again, Wes thought. What an odd girl he had come across, the though, someone he wanted to get to know better. He turned and started following her back into this house. "Why are you following me?" she demanded, stopping and turning to face him. "I'm not," he asserted, "I just happen to be going the same way you are." "I don't believe you. I demand you stop following me." "Fine," he said, walking around her and continuing on his path back to the house. "Hey," Katherine trotted after him, "Where do you think you're going?" "Inside," Wesley stated easily. "I told you to stop following me!" Katherine said irately. "I believe it is you who is following me," Wes said, pointedly glancing at how she was a few paces behind him. Katherine made a small sound of frustration and quickened her steps until she was a step ahead of him. Wesley smiled at her spunk, and easily widened his steps so he was in front of her again. Katherine had to practically jog to keep her smaller steps in pace with his larger ones, and it had turned into a full out race by the time they reached the front door of the house. Wesley opened it, then stepped back and waved his arm. "After you," he told her, and Katherine glared before stepping inside. Wesley was surprised by what he found. Everything looked the same, but different—newer, and there was no one about except a maid on the far side of the room. What was going on? Was this some sort of elaborate practical joke Sam was playing on him? But how could she have pulled it off? "Katherine--" a man walked into the room. He was also dressed in nineteenth century clothes. "Who is this?" Finley asked her, upon spotting Wes. "I don't know," Katherine said, "He was just outside." The other man looked to him. He wore a fearsome scowl that made Wesley less sure of himself. "Well," the man asked, "Who are you?" And then as if in answer to his question, a voice came from the top of the stairs. "Wesley!" *** "Nice going, Finley," Cynara was leaning against the wall, watching Katherine's retreating back as she ran out of the room. Katherine had come home for hers and Charles' wedding, and she and Cynara had become fast friends. Katherine wasn't as delicate and polite as she looked, and had a bit of an obstinate nature. The two girls had gravitated toward each other instantly, and Cynara was a bit upset with Finley for yelling at her new friend and sister. "You didn't even ask what happened," she accused. Katherine had spent two pleasant weeks at home celebrating the marriage, but when it came time for her to leave for school again, she had to finally make her confession. She had been kicked out. Finley had been furious, not only that she had been kicked out, but that she had hid if for so long. He immediately started complaining about finding her a new school, but Katherine had protested, saying she wanted to stay home, she was too old for school. Finley said that was out of the question, she couldn't come home until she learned to act like a lady. Katherine had run off. Finley quickly turned to his anger to Cynara. "You don't know anything about it. You haven't known Katherine for more than a week," he growled out in his most intimidating voice. Cynara was immune, though. She had been the recipient of his anger about a month ago when she had tried to set him up with Jane Withurby. Finley had a bit of a temper, but his bark was worse than his bite, and he always calmed down quickly. And just as predicted, the scowl left Finley's face to be replaced with one of mild exasperation and just a touch of guilt. "I didn't mean to insult her," he explained to Cynara, raking his hand through his hair, "I just don't know what to do with her sometimes. I swear she loves nothing more than to make me fret." Cynara giggled. "You should just let her stay home, Finley," she implored, not only for Katherine's sake, but for her own. "Apparently sending her away hasn't worked to change her so far, and I don't think it magically will start. Plus, her four brothers aren't the most polite, well-mannered bunch of nobles in existence, why do you expect Katherine to be?" "I suppose you're right," Finley agreed. "Here you are," Charles walked into the room, spotting Cynara. "Hey, Charlie," Cynara greeted her husband, wrapping her arm around his waist. "What is the matter with you?" Charles asked is brother, upon seeing his face. Cynara answered for him, "Katherine got kicked out of boarding school." Charles laughed good naturedly, "What for this time?" "We don't know," Cynara informed him, sending an accusatory glance at Finley, "She didn't really get the chance to tell us." Charles nodded knowingly, "Ah Finley, and his temper, no doubt." "You guessed it," Cynara confirmed Charles's assumption that Finley had not taken Katherine's expulsion with the best of manners. Well, Katherine was never one to let these sorts of things get to her. "I do believe we just might have run out of schools to send her to," Charles laughed. "That won't be a problem," Cynara didn't try to hide the pleasure in her voice, "Katherine is going to be staying here!" "Ahh," Charles nodded, "Now I know the real reason for that permanent scowl plastered on Finley's face," Charles informed Cynara, while really teasing his brother. "When Katherine was younger, she took great pleasure in torturing her older brothers, the minx," he smiled fondly, leaving no doubt that he loved his sister very much. "No doubt Finley is afraid that she has not grown out of her trouble-making ways. And with you around, my love," he addressed the girl who was smilingly innocently enough up at him, "I fear we do not stand a chance." "Who? Me?" Cynara asked cherubically, while her eyes held a twinkle of mischief. "Yes, you," Finley whispered, giving her a gentle squeeze. Cynara couldn't help but grinning, being perfectly in love. Her smile faded slightly though when she happened to glance over at Finley, who was sitting, scowling in his chair. She knew that it wasn't just about Katherine and her dismissal from school. Poor guy, he always had that miserable look about him. "Come along now," Charles urged, tugging Cynara out of the room. "Where are we going?" Cynara asked even as she let herself be led into the hallway and toward the staircase. "I think you know," Charles said suggestively. It had only been two weeks since their marriage, and Charles would often refuse to even let Cynara out of their bed. And even more often, it was the other way around, with Cynara clinging all her weight to Charles's body when he tried to get up in the morning. Between the two of them, it was a wonder that they made an appearance in the outside world at all. "I feel bad leaving Finley to sit stewing all by himself, though," Cynara said guiltily, even as her body jumped at the idea of crawling into to bed with Charles. "He'll survive," he assured her, grabbing her hand in tugging her toward their room. Something down stairs caught her attention, though, and she was turning to look over the balcony and glance down at the people below. Katherine and Finley were standing next to each other, but there was a third person with them. Cynara immediately recognized that his clothes were familiarly out of place. He was standing with his back to her, and all she could see was his floppy blonde hair. Even without recognizing him, she knew who it was. Ever since her second trip back in time, she had been wondering if she would see him. "Wes!" she shouted confidently. All three faces turned to gaze up at her. A Love out of Time Ch. 02 Cynara ran down the stairs, happily greeting the astounded Wesley with a friendly hug. "Um, do I know you?" he asked, staring down at the girl who was dressed in the old fashioned garb of her companions, but who didn't seem to be playing the part of a regency lady. "I guess I have a lot of explaining to do," she said, still flashing her pretty smile. Turning to Katherine and the men who Wesley assumed were playing her brothers, she announced, "Everyone, this is my dear friend Wesley Rubens. Wes, this is Katherine, Finley, and my husband, Charles, Stanmore." Wes nodded stupidly, "Did Sam put you up to this?" he asked the woman who was pretending to know him. "Who? No," she shook her head, then leaned in close to whisper, "Just play along." Charles looked a bit confused, but didn't say anything about it. By this time he was used to his wife's crazy surprises. Katherine was grinning, ready to follow Cynara's lead, but Finley was scowling suspiciously. "He is your friend? Then why does he not seem to know you?" Cynara giggled it off, "Oh, that's just a joke we have," she shrugged. Finely turned to Wes, who nodded and smiled. Cynara was thankful he had decided to follow her advise and go with the flow. "Are you going to be staying with us for a while then, Wes?" Cynara asked innocently. "Um, yes?" "Perfect. I'll just have someone set you up in a guest room, come along," she grabbed his wrist and started walking off with him. Charles, knowing that he would be let in on the secret, followed them. "So what's going on?" Wes trailed after the girl. "Okay, you're probably not going to believe this at first, but it's the truth, so you're just going to have to trust me, okay?" Wes sighed and nodded. "You traveled in time. You're in the 1800's." Cynara paused to gauge his reaction, which was one of disbelief. "I know it's hard to believe, but you will undoubtedly be convinced in no time at all, especially when you see the surrounding area." "And you are?" Cynara couldn't quite get over the fact that she was talking to Wes again, and he was so young. Also it was strange that she remembered him, yet he didn't know who she was. "I'm Cynara Stanmore. I traveled here from the year 2007, which was where I met you." Wes looked at her like she was crazy. "Here, let me explain. I was living in the year 2007, when I came to Margrave Manor for a tour." "That's why I was here!" Wes said excitedly. Cynara nodded impatiently, "Yes, I know. I was transported back into this time and lived here for a while. Then, for an unknown reason, I was transported back into the future, 2007. There, I met you, except you were older. You told me how you went to this time period in 1980 and lived her for a while, but then you were also transported back into your own time. You follow?" Cynara decided to leave out the details of everything she knew. If you told someone that they were supposed to fall in love with someone else, it would only complicate matters, and Cynara didn't want to ruin anything. "So I'll be going home soon?" Wes asked. Though he was playing along, Cynara got the feeling that he wasn't really buying her story and was more humoring her than anything else. "Well, perhaps not. You see, on your first time travel trip, well the one that never actually happened, well you know what I mean. Anyway, on that trip, I wasn't here, so the fact that I'm here now, might change things." "I see," he said, though Cynara suspected he really didn't. He glanced warily over at Charles, who was standing and grinning patiently a few feet away from them, listening to their conversation. "Who's he?" "I told you, this is my husband Charlie," Cynara held out her hand to him, and he stepped forward to take it. "It's a pleasure to meet you," Charles said to his odd guest. Though his wife seemed crazy on the surface, he was actually starting to believe her whole story about time travel. While it was quite fantastical, what other explanation could there be? He was believing her more and more with every new strange thing that popped up with her. "Nice to meet you, too," Wes said cordially, then turning to Cynara, "And nice meet you." Cynara giggled, "Nice to meet you," she stated, though she already knew him, "Though to the others we have to act like we are old friends. They don't know about the time travel thing, and I don't think they are as open-minded as Charlie is, so we probably shouldn't tell them." "You think they bought the whole us being old friends thing?" he asked her incredulously. Cynara shrugged. "Sure." Charlie snorted, giving his opinion on the whole matter. Cynara squeezed his hand. "Well, I guess you can stay here," she said, glancing at Charlie for confirmation. Charles nodded, and Cynara smiled, opening the door for Wes and allowing him to lead her in. Wes looked around the room. "Nice. This part of the house wasn't open for visitors...back in 1980." "I guess we should get you some different clothes," Cynara commented, turning to Charles. Charles nodded and pulled a call cord on the nearby wall. Soon a servant came to the door, "Will you please fetch our guest enough proper attire for an extended visit, as well as a tailor." "Of course, sir," the man bowed and swiftly and gracefully exited the room. Wes was staring in surprise. "Wicked," he commented his approval, and Charles looked at him in confusion. "He means it's cool," Cynara explained. "Ah." Charles had grown used to Cynara expressing her approval for things with the, in his opinion, completely inappropriate word "cool." It was just yet another of her quirks that she explained away as a future thing. Charles was used to just accepting these "future things," so he didn't question why a word like "wicked," that held such a bad connotation, was being used as a positive. Cynara had also explained to him that in the future there was a significant rise of the middle class, and most people didn't have servants, so he also accepted without question Wesley's surprise at his manservant. Charles was used to even the less wealthy families in the area having at least one servant, and had asked why the middle class in the future didn't think this necessary. Cynara had gone on to explain the rise in technology and fanciful machines that would do the work for you. Her ready responses to his questions of the future were just another item in the growing list of reasons that Charles had actually started to believe her. Either she was telling the truth, or she had an amazing and quick imagination. Now with the appearance of her "friend," Charles wasn't even fighting it anymore. "Hello," Ashton appeared out of nowhere, stepping into the room. "I heard that Cynara had a guest, so I thought I would drop by and introduce myself." He turned to Wes, taking in his jeans and t-shirt. "Where do you people come from?" he half laughed his question, turning to Cynara. "And what ever possesses you to where such ridiculous clothes?" Cynara giggled, but did not deem it important to answer his question, instead she turned to Wesley. "Wesley, this is Ashton Stanmore, Ashton, this is my old friend Wesley Rubens." "Hey," Wesley nodded at Ashton. "It's a pleasure to meet you," Ashton said politely, in a contradiction to his earlier outburst. "How do you know our Cynara?" "Uhh," was Wesley's only reply, glancing in Cynara's direction. "He's a family friend. I've known him for practically forever," Cynara replied. "So your memory has returned then?" Ashton asked pointedly. Oh crap. Cynara had all but forgotten about her amnesia. "Oh, bits and pieces here and there," she shrugged off Ashton's suspicion. Ashton raised his eyebrow, but didn't comment further. Cynara abruptly looked over to Charles. "I think I'll go find Katie. You stay and help Wes with his clothes and stuff." Charles scowled at the suggestion, but didn't say anything to contradict it, while following his wife longingly with his eyes as she walked out the door. It didn't take long for Cynara to find Katherine, who immediately accosted her with questions about their new guest. Cynara laughed and waived it off with a dismissive flick of her hand. "Oh, just an old family friend, you know," she shrugged. Katherine didn't look pleased with such a vague answer. "But why was he wearing such strange clothes?" she insisted. "Why so curious?" Cynara teased, "Do you like him or something?" she asked, knowing that if Katherine already didn't like Wesley, she soon would. She secretly smiled when she saw Katie blush. "You do!" Cynara accused in a shouted whisper. "Don't be ridiculous," it was Katherine's turn to give a dismissive wave of her hand. "I find him to be utterly insufferable." Cynara was shaking her head. "Utterly insufferable means you like him." "I most certainly do not!" Katherine said indignantly. Cynara gave and exaggerated shrug of her shoulders, "All right, all right, if you say so," she conceded with a smirk, deciding to let the point go for the time being. Katherine narrowed eyes and crossed her arms, her cheeks in a blush. Thinking of her matchmaking plans for Katherine and Wesley reminded her of her need to help Finley and Jane get together. She needed reinforcements, and while Charles grudgingly helped her when she asked, she needed a new recruit. "Katherine," she said, looping her arm through the other girl's and walking her out toward the garden, "There is something that I've been meaning to talk to you about." "Oh?" Katherine said, eager for the subject change Cynara was bringing on. "It's about you're brother," she started. "Which one?" "Finley." Katherine narrowed her eyes at the name, their recent fight fresh in her memory. Cynara knew that Katherine was a little annoyed with Finley at the moment, but she also knew that she love him dearly. She needed to persuade her help on the basis of sisterly affection. "He's in love," she blurted out, hoping to gain some sympathy for him. Katherine stopped walking, "What?" she stared at her new sister like she just grew horns. "It's true." Katherine stared disbelieving at Cynara for a few seconds, but was eventually satisfied that she wasn't joking. "I, for some reason, just never pictured Finley in love. With who? And why did no one tell me this before?" "Jane Withurby." "Jane Withurby?" Katherine stopped the casual stroll the two women had started again. She knew that Cynara and Miss Withurby were friends, although she herself hadn't seen much of the girl in the weeks she'd been home. "I thought it was assumed that she was to be soon engaged to Mr. Trahern?" "There's the problem," Cynara explained. Katherine looked thoughtful for a time. "We need to convince Jane that Finley is the right man for her," Cynara continued. Katherine, looking mildly exited now, "How are we going to do that?" Cynara sighed, "I don't know. We certainly aren't going to get any help from Finley." Katherine nodded knowingly, her brother wasn't exactly a charmer, and wasn't adept at making friends too easily. "We should invite her over, and throw the two of them together. They'll at least have to talk to each other then, won't they?" Katherine suggested. Cynara shook her head, "I've already tried that, and it didn't really work. Though I don't know what else we could do." "If she could only get to know him like we know him, she would see how wonderful he is. Finley just doesn't make good first impressions." "That's it!" Cynara said excitedly. "What is?" Katherine stared at her completely confused, she didn't think she had come up with anything that Cynara didn't already know. "We just need to teach Finley how to act to get a girl!" Katherine looked skeptical. "I don't think Finley is going to like that." "You're probably right," Cynara conceded, "But that just means that we have to make him." Katherine giggled and Cynara smiled triumphantly. Everything was working out wonderfully. She had Charlie, Finley would have Jane, and Katherine and Wesley would fall in love as fate intended it. Thinking of fate, though, worried Cynara. She had assumed that since she was back, she could prevent Katherine's murder, but what if there was nothing she could do. Cynara tried not to let her worried thoughts show on her face, and instead smiled at her friend. She would just have to keep an eye on Katherine, and though she dreaded doing it, she would have to tell Charlie so he could watch out to. A Love out of Time Ch. 03 Finley sat pouring over his finances. He could hear his brother, Sanford, in his head, teasing him about working too hard, about not having any fun, but it was his responsibility. If he didn't take care of paying the wages and monitoring the income, then the whole house would fall apart. His brother wouldn't be teasing him then, if he suddenly lost his tidy sum of allowance to play with. "Ooh Finley," he heard the voice from the hallway, knowing exactly who it was: Cynara. She glided happily into his study, Katherine—who now seemed to be her shadow—close behind. "How did I know you would be in here?" she asked, a mischievous smile playing on her face. "What is it now?" he asked, leaning back in his chair. He loved Cynara, he really did. She made Charles happy, which was the most important thing, but he had to admit that he had a soft spot for her as well. She was so unlike anyone he had ever met before, and was fun and interesting. What he had trouble dealing with, though, was the effect she had on their little sister, the baby of the family. Ever since she was little, Katherine had seemed to take to the brothers' influence of troublemaking like a mouse takes to a pantry of cheese. The brothers, in their younger years, had humored and even encouraged Katherine's riotous behavior, but Finley had had a change of heart ever since the passing of their father. He was responsible for Katherine now, and he wanted her to make a good match and have a happy life in society, but he feared that he would have trouble doing that if she insisted on acting more like the ragamuffin street child than the proper young lady she was. And despite all her bravado and outward defiance, he knew that Katherine had a tender and easily bruised heart. Cynara, who was a spitfire core to core, Finley wasn't worried about. If some jealous young women her whispering rumors behind her back, or if she was snubbed from some tea party, Cynara would whole-heartedly laugh it off, if she even noticed or cared. But Katherine, Katherine, he could see her feelings getting hurt. She might admire Cynara and want to be like her, but Finley worried she might not be able to handle the consequences of her actions in the same way. "Finley, we've decided, since we are such generous, kind-hearted individuals," Cynara brought him out of his reverie by perching herself on his desk, "To offer our expert advise to you, in your time of need." "What are you talking about?" Finley said warily, knowing Cynara, whatever she was up to, wasn't going to be something he would enjoy. "Finley," this time Katherine spoke, "We've decided to offer some advise in the area of... pursuing a woman," Katherine tried to put delicately. "And what do you know about pursuing a woman?" he asked Katherine, who in his mind, was too young to dealing with such matters. Cynara scoffed, "We are women, give us some credit." "I don't know what suddenly brought this on, nor do I want to. I'm perfectly fine pursuing women, if in fact that is what I want to do, and I don't need your help." "Finley," Cynara said, leaning forward to put her hand on his shoulder, "I hate to be the one to break it to you, but yeah, you need our help." "This is absurd, I'm not listening to a thing you are saying to me," Finley said, moving to stand up, but Katherine stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. "Finley," she pleaded, "We only want to help you." Katherine was tempted to confront him with his love for Jane Withurby, but held back. Cynara had warned her that bringing up the other woman's name would only serve to aggravate Finley more, and it was best not to do so. Finley looked at his sister, and rolled his eyes. "Fine," he said, sitting back down. "Just hurry up and get this over with." "Oh goody," Cynara said, clapping her hands. "Okay," she started, turning to face Finley more directly. "Say you like someone, and your alone with her, on a walk or something and the conversation had lagged, what do you do?" Finley shrugged. "Okay, no," Cynara shook her head, "You could give her a compliment." "Tell her something truthful," Katherine chimed in, "Not just any old thing. Tell her what you really like about her." Cynara nodded her approval at Katherine, "That's good," she turned back to Finley, "Or you could bring up something you have in common, or the surroundings." "But not the weather," came from Katherine. "Oh, so true," Cynara agreed, shaking her head like bringing up the weather would be the worst possible thing Finley could do, "Everyone talks about the weather, and it is always so boring." "You could also ask her something about herself," Katherine added, "Show that you're interested in her." "You should try and get close to her and see how she responds," Cynara pulled from all the women's magazines she ever read, "If you walk close by her, does she come closer to you or does she pull away?" "Try to make her laugh," Katherine said, "Women love to laugh, but don't be too overzealous about it, then you could turn into the annoying clown." "Don't be too personal right away, but don't be too distant either, you don't want her to think that you just want to be friends." "You should be thoughtful, too, see if she needs anything, or if she's cold." "Don't come on too strong, don't let her think you like her, but just that you're open to the idea of liking her." "And be charming, but not in the cheesy way." "Alright alright," Finley said, holding up his hands, "I get it. Be funny, but not too funny, and charming but not too charming, and so on and so forth. Thank you for all your help ladies, but I really must get back to work. Katherine and Cynara exchanged looks with each other, before they both left his study. Finley was actually surprised that they left so easily. He sat back down, looking over his papers, only to find that he could no longer concentrate. He was thinking about Jane, and wondering if she would agree with the things Katherine and Cynara had just told him. Outside the study, the two women were discussing the next step in their plan. "Do you think he really got any of that?" Katherine asked, worried that if they did throw Finley and Jane together, Finley would blow it. "Oh, I'm sure he'll be fine," Cynara said, waving her hand dismissively, but looking at Katherine's unsure face, she started to feel a bit doubtful. "What are you two troublemakers up to?" Sanford asked, as he casually strolled past them. Cynara got a bit of a gleam in her eye, and she glanced conspiratorially with Katherine. "Sanford, what a lucky surprise," Cynara grinned. "Oh no," Sanford said jokingly, although he was curious to know what she was up to. Things had gotten more exciting since Cynara had arrived, and Sanford didn't mind that at all. And it was good to have Katherine home to. He had missed her teasing and cavorting about. "We were just talking to Finley," Cynara explained. "Uh huh," Sanford said, crossing his arms. "We've been trying to teach him how to talk to girls," Katherine said helpfully. Sanford looked surprised for a moment, but then threw his head backward and laughed. "And he let you?" he asked with a disbelieving chuckle. "Not without reservations," Cynara stated, "And we're still aren't sure if he is truly prepared." "Prepared for what?" "We're going to get him together with Jane Withurby, so that they can fall in love," Katherine explained. Sanford raised his eyebrows. "Just because you teach him to flirt a little, then throw him in a room with Miss Withurby, doesn't mean that she's going to automatically fall in love with him and throw away Trahern." "We know that," Katherine huffed, crossing her arms. "Well, it's worth a shot. If we don't do something, Finley could be miserable for the rest of his life. Is that what you want?" Cynara asked. "No," Sanford said, "But I also don't want him angry with me for the rest of his life for messing with him." "Fine, don't help us," Cynara said, grabbing Katherine's arm and turning away, "But when Jane and Finley are together, you will get none of the credit." "Hey, hey," Sanford stopped them, "I didn't say I wouldn't help you, only that it is highly unlikely that this little scheme will work. What do you want me to do anyway." "Good," Cynara grinned at getting her way, which she almost always did, "You're the ladies' man, right?" Cynara asked, but continued before Sanford could answer, "You obviously know how to woo women, you just need to help Finley a little bit." Sanford appeared to think seriously about what she had just said for a couple of seconds. "I don't know. Finley seems to be a bit beyond help," he joked. Cynara rolled her eyes. "Come on," she said, grabbing Sanford by the elbow and dragging him back into the office they had exited only moments before. "We brought reinforcements," Cynara said as she entered. "Oh here we go again," Finley sat back, throwing his hands in the air. "Just shut up and listen," Cynara said, then turned to Sanford, "Go ahead," she encouraged, "Teach away." "Uhh, hello Finley," Sanford said to his older brother before turning to Cynara, "I'm not really sure what to say." "Tell him how you get women," Cynara instructed, waiting for Finley to continue. Sanford scrunched his eyebrows in thought, "I don't really know how I do it," he said shrugging after a moment, "I guess it's just a gift." "Urgh," Cynara let out a frustrated noise. "Here, pretend that I'm a lady that you want to woo," she cocked her hip a bit and flipped her hair. Finley looked incredulously at her as she made eyes at Sanford. "What would you do?" Cynara said, batting her eyelashes at him. "I would run for the hills," Sanford joked. "Come on, Sanford," Cynara stomped her foot, "Woo me." "Alright, alright," Sanford took a few steps forward. "You look beautiful today, Cynara," he said, kissing her hand. "What is going on in here?" Charles voice came from the doorway and Katherine couldn't hold in her giggles. Cynara laughed as well at Charles' slightly confused, slightly angry face. "Hey Charlie," she greeted her husband, walking over to him to kiss him on the cheek. "Hey Wesley," she greeted the man who was with him. "What are you four doing?" Charles repeated, less angry now, and only confused. "We were just teaching Finley how to get a woman," Cynara explained. "And your idea of doing that was by having Sanford compliment you inappropriately?" Charles asked, his tone telling just how well he though their plan would work. "It was Katherine's idea, too," Cynara pouted. Katherine, who had been surreptitiously looking at Wesley suddenly started and turned her attention to Cynara. "Yes," she hurriedly agreed. "It'll never work," Charles hummed in Cynara's ear, having just lectured her earlier that day about her matchmaking schemes and how they were ridiculous and ill-advised. Cynara had since become determined to prove him wrong, not just to rub it in Charles's face later on, but also for Finley's sake. "Miss Cynara," their conversation was interrupted by the butler, "A Miss Withurby is here to see you," he said professionally. "Well speak of the devil," Wesley said, as Cynara exited the room, followed by Katherine then Charles, Wesley, and Sanford, and finally by a nervous and reluctant Finley. "Oh my, I didn't expect so many of you to be here," Jane said upon seeing three of the brothers and Katherine as well as the family friend, Mr. Rubens, who had been visiting for less than a fortnight. She felt a bit overwhelmed at all the faces looking expectantly at her, when she had really just come to visit Cynara. "Why don't you sit down," Cynara offered her a seat in the sitting area, as she sat down on the small couch next to her. The rest of the family also sat down, waiting for the reason of the unexpected visit. "Well, I have some news," Jane smiled shyly, looking to Cynara for approval. "Well, what is it?" she asked. "I am engaged." Jane might have expected congratulations from her friend, but all she got was open-mouthed shock. Looking around, the shy young woman saw the expression echoed on three other faces. Some of their shock turned to underlying expressions of disappointment, and even a hint of anger. Wesley was the only one who seemed happy. Only Finley's face remained stonily expressionless. "Congratulations," Cynara forced at with a grimace/smile. "Thank you," Jane politely replied. If she and Cynara had been alone, she would have asked what the matter was, if there was something about Randall Trahern that she didn't like, but she felt awkward asking that in front of so many people, she didn't want to seem rude. "Well, I just wanted to tell you that. I thought you might want to hear the news from me," Jane shrugged, "Yes, yes of course," Cynara seemed to be recovering her shock, "I'm so glad you came to tell me...us," then after a long awkward moment, "Would you like to stay for dinner?" "Oh no," Jane excused herself, "I really can't, but thank you." She stood up, wanting to talk to Cynara alone, but not quite sure how to, "I really should be going now. Mother will be expecting me. This was only intended to be a short visit." "Yes, of course," Cynara said, standing as well. The whole room had such a tense atmosphere, that Jane was actually glad to be leaving it. She usually dreaded when her visits with Cynara ended and she had to go back home. "It was nice seeing you," she said to the rest of the room, although all she really did was see them, not having spoken a single word to them. "It was nice of you to come by," Katherine said graciously, hoping to relieve some of the tension. Wesley, who had no idea what was going on, and who seemed oblivious to the tension, smiled brightly at her. "See you later then, Miss Withurby," he said, waving his hand. Jane couldn't help but smile at the dear man. He reminded her of Cynara in a way. "Goodbye," she said, leaving through the front door. After she was gone, after such a short visit, no one knew what to say. It was Finley who broke the silence. "I'm going back to my study to actually get some work done. Please no more nonsensical interruptions," he said curtly, leaving the room. Katherine was staring at Cynara with a guilty look on her face, as though it was somehow her fault. "Don't look so discouraged people," Cynara said, though not with the same amount of carefree excitement she usually spoke with, "We can still make this work. Engaged is not married." Charlie shook his head and wrapped his arm around his wife. "I know you're just trying to help, Cynara, but perhaps it is time to let it go. It will only hurt Finley more if you get his hopes up, or keep bringing it up." Cynara frowned as she looked at him. "I'm sure he'll find another girl and get over Miss Withurby," Charles said, hoping that for his brother, and at the same time trying to cheer Cynara up, who seemed so invested in her role as matchmaker. Cynara looked around at the other faces. Wesley seemed to be grasping the situation now, from their conversation, and he looked confused and a little sad. Katherine, who was always ready to jump on Cynara's bandwagon, had an expression on her face that said she was going to agree with Charlie on this one. Sanford seemed to have found something suddenly interesting on the floor to look at. Cynara opened her mouth to speak, but realized that she didn't know what to say. "Come on," Charles continued in his quest to cheer her up and get her scheming again, "You can find another girl to fix Charlie up with. I'm sure you'll love to do that. We can go to the dance on Saturday and scout her out." Cynara couldn't help but smile at Charlie. He was ever the loving husband, and he knew her so well. He knew exactly what would cheer her up. She only hoped that he was right, about Finley. After all, he didn't know Jane that well anyway. Perhaps they could find someone that Finley could love and that would love him back. "You're right," Cynara said to Charlie, who looked quite surprised at her assessment. "There are plenty of fish in the sea, and we just have to find Finley the right trout for him. There will be plenty of lovely girls Saturday." "I'll help," Katherine quickly agreed to the new plan. "No one tells Finley," Cynara said, pointing her finger warningly at everyone in the room. "Scouts honor," Wesley said, holding up three fingers when she glared warningly at him. "What's that?" Katherine wondered. "Don't ask," Cynara and Wesley both said at the same time, then burst our laughing. They had both become accustomed to their standard response for not having to explain future things to the members of the house. They were both laughing so hard that neither noticed the way Katherine pouted at being left out of the joke, or the way Charlie wrapped his arm more possessively around Cynara. * (Sorry it took so long for this story to continue. I can't even believe how long it's been. Hope that you are all still interested, and I'll try to continue in a timely fashion. ~love cellophanesmile:) A Love out of Time Ch. 04 "What about her?" Cynara asked Ashton, who was standing next to her in the crowded ballroom. He had his hands clasped behind his back, and had an air of brisk unaffectedness about him. Next to him, Cynara was the complete opposite, all her emotions showing on her face, her eyes quite obviously surveying everyone in the room, lingering a bit to long and with too much blatant appraisal over the spattering of pretty girls in the room. "That is Miss Mary Turner," Ashton said without even a pause. Though Finley was probably the most proper member of the Stanmore family, which would normally make him the most socially acceptable, Ashton was the one who was deemed by society to be the unfortunate brother who could have really been a gentleman if not for his awful relations. Ashton had the sort of social flair that attracted people despite his family's reputation, and he was often engaged in society. Though he participated with ease, he didn't care about any of it. He would stick up for his brothers above his own reputation and place in society. He could lose all social standing, devastation to anyone else in his position, and be perfectly fine with it. Cynara liked him for this. "She was a guest at a dinner party I also attended one evening, though I can't remember whose. She seemed nice enough, a bit bland, but then again, we are looking for someone for Finley," Ashton gave his brief account of the girl as he had been doing for a variety of different females for the past fifteen minutes. "Do you think she would like Finley?" Cynara asked. The girl was rather pretty with dark eyes and hair, slender shoulders and an elegantly tall body. "I happen to know that she is the eldest of five daughters, and her mother has been making perfectly clear that she is very eligible. She would not bring much dowry to a marriage, due to her father having to split it up, so I think the family would be very happy with her attachment to any one of the Stanmores, especially the eldest and richest of us." Ashton explained before he noticed Cynara scowling at him. "I hate it when you talk that way," she complained, "As if marriage were a business transaction. Marriage is supposed to be between people who love each other." Ashton looked at her curiously, "I am convinced, Cynara, that the place you come from doesn't really exist. It is too perfect to be true. I..." but he trailed off for a moment. "What?" Cynara prompted him, "What do you mean by that?" and now she was painfully intrigued. Ashton always presented an easy, comfortable companionship, but this new side of himself, it was something that Cynara had never seen before. Worry, written across Ashton's brow was so foreign it was like seeing palm tree growing in the tundra. "You act as though you could do anything you wanted. You could be yourself, and people wouldn't hate you. You don't believe that women are inferior to men and have never been treated that way, I can tell by the way you act. You judge people based on themselves, not their social standing or their wealth. You're so foreign, but not as though from a different country. I can't explain it." Ashton looked pensive and entirely inside himself. If you only knew...Cynara thought to herself. She felt as though she were seeing a side of Ashton that few people got to see, and she didn't know what to say. "The way you speak of marriage, as though it should be for love and all other things don't matter," Ashton looked at her intently, "Was that the way it was where you came from?" "Not all the time. Some people married for money, but not like it is here." Cynara knew that she was running a risk by talking about the future to Ashton, who didn't know her secret and couldn't possibly understand, but she was tempted. Ashton had shared something of himself with her, and now she wanted to share something with him. And not only that, as much as she loved this world, there were things she just couldn't accept about it because that had not been the way she was raised. There were things she missed about her old home, and she couldn't resist the urge to talk about it and remember. "You could marry without your parents permission," she added, "It happens all the time. And no one would think it was unacceptable for a woman to propose to a man. No one would think it was unacceptable for an unmarried couple to live together." Ashton looked at her incredulously, and not without a bit of discomfort. "Surely that isn't true?" Cynara only nodded. "It isn't like there aren't any morals," Cynara added, "And there are always going to be people who judge and criticize you, but you don't have to associate with those people. You can always go someplace to find people who will accept you." Ashton was looking at her intensely, and his mouth was perched open and Cynara could just tell something important was about to come out, but just then, Katherine and Wesley came up to them having just finished a dance. Ashton composed himself again quickly, and Katherine and Wesley appeared to be oblivious to his momentary discomfiture. "What were you talking about?" Katherine asked, "Any prospects?" she looked at Cynara significantly. Cynara didn't want to let it slip that they had been talking about something else when they interrupted, so she quickly said, "Mary Turner. Ashton seems to think that she is the best prospect, and she is pretty." "Which one is she?" Katherine asked eagerly, stretching her neck out and looking over the crowded ballroom. Cynara gestured to the girl who was speaking to an older, hefty woman with a strong, broad face. "She doesn't look like anything special," Katherine shrugged, "But I suppose if Ashton thinks that she will be compatible with Finley...What shall we do now, Cynara?" she asked eagerly, grasping the other girl's hand affectionately. Wes had been appraising the dark haired girl as well, "Nothing special?" he asked incredulously to Katherine. "She's very beautiful." Katherine shot a quick look at him before turning her gaze back to Mary Turner, her eyes narrowing, "She's far to tall," she declared abruptly, "And her face is scrunchy. She's perfectly adequate, but never beautiful." "I think she is beautiful," Cynara put in, and Katherine looked suddenly pained to have disagreed with the girl she so admired. "Well, are we just going to stand her talking about her all night or are we going to put our plan into action?" he asked, looking at Cynara. "Let's go talk to her," she said to Ashton, "You can introduce me. Why don't you two dance again?" she said suggestively to Katherine and Wes just as Katherine was about to follow Cynara, "How are old Wesley's dancing skills?" she asked Katherine, preparing to leave. "Awful," Katherine pouted, and Cynara only laughed as she was escorted away by Ashton. "I'm not that bad," Wes said happily, "I only stepped on your toes two or three times, though I did almost take out that bloke with the moustache." Katherine laughed despite herself. She might have felt badly about being rude to him, but she had never met anyone who took an insult more happily and heartily in her life, and now she found it quite fun to tease him. It was much easier to talk to someone who wasn't judging your every word and who wouldn't be insulted at the slightest provocation. Katherine remembered back to earlier that evening, when they were waiting for the carriages to be prepared to take them to the ball. "You really got your hair all dolled up," Wesley had said to her, reaching out and bouncing a curl that had been strategically placed to lay on her cheek. Katherine, not quite sure what to make of the statement, and taking it as an insult, had huffily replied. "Well what about your hair? It is such an odd length and strangely cut. I'm sure that I've never seen a man with hair like yours before. It is very odd." Katherine, sure that she had insulted him terribly, immediately felt both ashamed and more than just a bit proud. To her disconcertment, though, Wes had only laughed. "Don't you like it?" he asked, "I'm surprised, I've only gotten compliments on my hair so far from the ladies." Katherine, despite herself, felt a blush stain her cheeks because she did like it. She liked his hair very much and had even imagined running her fingers through its tousseled length, that was not too short and not too long. Katherine drug her mind from the embarrassing memory, not wanting to blush again, and instead said, "In any case, I don't feel like dancing again." "Good," Wes replied unabashedly, "I hate doing that lining up and walking around each other, that's not real dancing." "What do you mean?" Katherine was confused, "If that's not real dancing, what is?" "I'll show you sometime," Wes promised, "but not here, people would be scandalized," he looked around at the crowded ballroom while Katherine looked at him doubtfully. "I'm perfectly certain that I have no idea what you could possibly mean," Katherine said, making Wesley laugh. "What?" she asked, having no idea what was so funny, but secretly liking the fact that he laughed so easily. "I'm perfectly certain that I have no idea what you could possibly mean," he mocked Katherine in high-pitched voice. "It's just the way you talk sometimes," he spoke normally again, "It makes me laugh." Katherine felt as though she should be insulted, but all she felt was pleased. It was amazing how casual Wes was being with her after only knowing her for such a short time, but it was nice. She smiled inwardly to herself, shyly looking down at her feet. "Finally I get away from the endless droning of that odious man," Charles said as he came up to Wesley and Katherine after elbowing his way through the crowd of people standing directly in front of them. He was referring to their elderly neighbor who always took it upon himself, with the best of intentions of course, to tell everyone around him how to better keep their health. If it were up to him, everyone would sit alone in their houses, never going out if their was even the slightest bit of wind or draft, never mind that he never took his own advise either. "I've been looking for you for nearly a quarter of an hour," Charlie complained, "Now where is my wife?" Katherine could easily guess why Charles was so irritated, as he had been almost immediately separated from Cynara upon arriving at the ball, and Charles always grew more irritated when he did not have her by his side. "She's talking to Miss Mary Turner. They've chosen her as a prospective match for Finley," Katherine explained. Charles had the fullest intention of stalking through the crowd to continue his search for his wife when he was stopped by his sister's hand on his arm, "Oh, do stay here Charles and leave them alone for another quarter hour," she pleaded, "We don't want to scare her away." "And I'm so frightening am I?" he asked. "Oh, you're a perfect boor," she replied. Charles, however anxious he might be about it, submitted to her request and stayed talking with them, although he often sent furtive glances about the room. *** The sun was bright as it shone down on the two women walking through the grassy meadow, bonnets protectively on their heads, long, thin dresses brushing against their ankles. "So..." Cynara drew the word out suggestively, "How do you feel about your upcoming wedding?" She turned to her closest friend in this new and strange time. This was the first chance the two had to be alone with each other since Jane had delivered the news of her engagement. Jane smiled encouragingly at Cynara, which only gave Cynara more questions than it answered, the smile being not sad, but not happy either. Sometimes it was so hard to get her friend to say what she really felt. "I'm very pleased with the match, of course, Randall Trahern is a most respectable gentleman. I don't know how I could not be pleased." Jane shrugged her shoulders, but then furrowed her eyebrows as she looked over at Cynara, "But I suspect you aren't." Cynara let out a nervous little laugh, "No, no," she shook her head, "I'm happy if you're happy." The women reached some trees as the meadow slowly turned into woods, and Cynara took a seat against and old oak, taking advantage of its shade. "I just want to make sure you are, happy I mean." "Of course I am," Jane said as she sat down next to Cynara. "I'll still be able to visit with you often enough. And I do so long to have children." She smiled sweetly, serenely. Her answer seemed to trouble Cynara. "Do you love him?" She turned to Jane, staring her in the eye with an intensity that gave a certain graveness to the question. Jane looked up, at first simply startled by the question, but upon seeing the look in Cynara's eyes, became rather nervous. It wasn't like Jane to talk about her feelings in such a manner, and Cynara knew that, yet she still pushed. The matter was too important, the stakes too high. "I seem to remember having this conversation before," Jane laughed out nervously, referring to Cynara's bold questions about Jane's love when the two had first met. She was trying to put the question off with a simple joke. Cynara was having none of it though. "Feelings change and that was a long time ago," Cynara admonished her friend gently yet sternly, her tone of voice clearly stating her intention of not being put off, the subject was not going to change. "What is love anyway?" Jane questioned, her frustration giving her voice more force than it usually carried, "I have affection for Randall. The match makes sense. Why must you harp on endlessly about love? It's nice fore poetry, but real life isn't like that." "It can be if you let it. No, strike that, if you make it that way," the passion filling Cynara pushed her to her feet as she looked down at her friend. "You can't just go through life letting things take advantage of you. Jane," she threw her hands up in frustration, "The way I feel for Charlie... it's like when I kiss him, the whole world stops, and as cliché as that sounds, it's true. I would give up anything, my whole life. And I know he would do the same for me. And he understands me and accepts me in a way no one else ever has or ever will," Cynara looked down at her friend, "I just don't want you to go through a vanilla life, with no passion or love or romance. Don't you want to have someone to love, and who loves you? Madly, irrationally?" "You talk about love like that is all there is to life," Jane spoke up quickly as soon as Cynara stopped talking for a moment, her thoughts too scattered to continue her speech, "But what's wrong with having a rational relationship. It may not be some crazy, passion filled affair, but can't love grow between two people from mutual affection and time spent together? Can't that also be love?" Cynara groaned. "So you're telling me that you're going to grow to love Randall? That you're going to marry him on the chance that you might grow to love him?" "Yes, Cynara," Jane stood up too. Despite the closeness of the two women's friendship, they were at this moment standing revealingly far away from each other. There views on the subject were so different. Jane loved Cynara for her individuality and free spirit, an attribute that Jane secretly longed to have in herself, but also something she felt she could never really possess. At the same time, though, Jane resented Cynara trying to push these ideals onto her. When Cynara talked about passion and true love, Jane did want those things for herself, but in her deepest of hearts, she didn't think she was ever going to get them. They were for wild, astonishingly beautiful people like Cynara. Those people who seemed to always have things work out for them. Jane, however, felt plain, average, on a whole different plane from her friend. Those things weren't for her. Yet Jane didn't even really know she felt this way. Her feelings were too deep inside her to properly form into thoughts, even in her own mind, so all she knew was the anger she felt at Cynara for trying to make her feel bad about her engagement, which should be a joyous affair. "Well it can work both ways you know," Cynara pointed out, "You could grow to hate him. You could marry him and find out he is an awful, egotistical, mean-hearted person." "You don't even know him," Jane said accusingly, sticking up for Randall on pure principle. "No, but I only meant it hypothetically. Look, I hope that I'm wrong. I hope you do grow to love him, Jane. I just wanted to, as your friend...oh I don't know what I wanted to do." Cynara fell silent and so did Jane. "I just want you to be happy," Cynara said helplessly after minutes of silence. "You're my dearest friend, Cynara, you know that right?" Jane took a step toward her, yearning in a way for things not to end on this note, for their "You're my best friend, too," Cynara stepped over some roots to reach Jane and wrap her arms around the shorter woman in a friendly hug. *** "Cynara!" Katherine called out as she stepped over a small green hedge. "Cynara!" "She went on a walk with Jane about a half an hour ago," Wesley informed her from behind. "Oh!" Katherine jumped around, startled by the voice behind her. Her quick movement caused her to step on the plant she had just carefully maneuvered a second before, her foot getting caught in its branches, propelling her backwards on to her bottom right on top of the wretched thing. "Oh," Katherine said again, this time with more of a groan in her voice. "Are you okay?" Wes asked as he held out his hand to her, the grin on his face contradicting the truly unfortunate nature of the humiliating accident in her opinion. Katherine blushed a deep red as she ignored the proffered hand, instead opting to propel herself up on her own. Unfortunately, her foot was trapped in an awkward angle, and in her hurry to stand up, she didn't take the time to properly untangle her foot, causing her to lose her balance once again. This time however, when all she had time to do was gasp, Wesley reached out and caught her around the waist before she could fall completely on her but. He was now outright laughing! The ungentlemanly cad, as he bodily pulled her out of the bush. Katherine, despite her anger at his rude laughter, couldn't help but appreciate the strength in his arms as he simply lifted her up into the air and onto her feet, or how nice they felt wrapped around her. All too soon, though, he had set her down and was standing a step back from her. "You're a graceful one you know that?" Wes teased, making Katherine blush even redder. "What?...How?...I" Katherine sputtered out as she shook her head. "How can you mock me in such a way after you cause me to trip?" she accused, putting her hands on her hips, staring him down? "What? It's my fault?" Wesley laughed. "It most certainly is." "It most certainly is not," Wes mocked her. "You tripped all by yourself, dearie, I was even trying to help you!" "You startled me and caused me to trip. You can't deny it." Katherine concluded. "And don't call me dearie," she whispered the last word in a scandalized tone as though it were something quite unseemly and improper to say at all in polite society. "Yeah and why not?" Wes asked. "You are a dear, you know?" Katherine was quite unsure how to respond to that, stared at him with mouth agape for a moment before turning and hurrying inside as quickly as possible without running.