[ It would be dishonest for William to say he didn't hold a bit of nervousness, himself. But showing that to Grell wouldn't have helped her anxiety over the situation, so he pushed the emotion down like he had with so many others in his life.
A bit of relief came when his father was fooled into believing who Grell was. He didn't seem entirety pleased that William had been hiding a lady away in his home but at last he did think it was a lady. It was when his mother pulled him aside that he felt that nervousness build up again. He took a stressing breath as he followed her to the empty kitchen. If anyone were to see through this, it would be her. She'd always been able to read him despite his attempts to cover up his emotions. Perhaps that's why he'd avoided her those last few days before he'd ridden to Beachy Head.
And she'd been correct in all her guesses about Grell, and fearful about what fate that would bring her son. Especially after she asked him if he loved her. The question left William thinking long enough that she had her answer before he spoke it. In the end, the only thing that kept her from outright forbidding it was his confession to her on how they'd met.
Finally, William emerged from the kitchen, and glancing around the hall briefly he spotted Grell looking rather uncomfortable at the side of the room. The dance that followed was an attempt to bring a smile back to her face, but also to give him some time to think over the pay few minutes.
With the song coming to its conclusion, William gives her a polite bow then takes her hand. ]
Come with me.
[ He leads her off to another quiet part of his childhood home. A barely used sitting room with large windows that look out over the front courtyard. It's begun to snow and a light dusting has settled over all, giving a rather magical glow to the yard. ]
no subject
A bit of relief came when his father was fooled into believing who Grell was. He didn't seem entirety pleased that William had been hiding a lady away in his home but at last he did think it was a lady. It was when his mother pulled him aside that he felt that nervousness build up again. He took a stressing breath as he followed her to the empty kitchen. If anyone were to see through this, it would be her. She'd always been able to read him despite his attempts to cover up his emotions. Perhaps that's why he'd avoided her those last few days before he'd ridden to Beachy Head.
And she'd been correct in all her guesses about Grell, and fearful about what fate that would bring her son. Especially after she asked him if he loved her. The question left William thinking long enough that she had her answer before he spoke it. In the end, the only thing that kept her from outright forbidding it was his confession to her on how they'd met.
Finally, William emerged from the kitchen, and glancing around the hall briefly he spotted Grell looking rather uncomfortable at the side of the room. The dance that followed was an attempt to bring a smile back to her face, but also to give him some time to think over the pay few minutes.
With the song coming to its conclusion, William gives her a polite bow then takes her hand. ]
Come with me.
[ He leads her off to another quiet part of his childhood home. A barely used sitting room with large windows that look out over the front courtyard. It's begun to snow and a light dusting has settled over all, giving a rather magical glow to the yard. ]
I need to speak with you about something.