Eliza jumped up and threw her arms around Trent’s neck, he leaned down and softly kissed away the tears on her cheeks. Then softly kissed her lips.

Lucas coughed loudly interrupting their moment. Abashed, they stepped away from each other’s embrace.

Trent looked at Lucas “with your permission and her consent, I’d very much like to marry her” Lucas laughed out loud “well when shall the wedding be then?”

“Tomorrow?” Eliza asked eagerly. Lucas laughed again “you will have to get a marriage licenses and I need to let father know. He did give me authorization to to act on his behalf , but especially since he knows Mr. Waters, I’d like to let him know. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled!”

“Really?” Eliza asked.

“Do you know how much he hated the thought of sending you off to marry someone he’d never met? Plus I can only guess how much trust and respect he must have for your man here, he’d never send you cross country with someone he didn’t wholeheartedly trust” Lucas added.

Trent smiled and put in “plus, I’d imagine you’d like a wedding dress made” Eliza lit up at the suggestion, but then added “I’d marry you in rags if I had to”

Lucas rolled his eyes, “well that won’t be necessary.”

The three of them made their way inside to continue their conversation. Trent suggested they leave for Philadelphia in the morning “it’s only a half days ride to the city and I’d very much like to introduce Eliza to my mother, sister and brother.”

“Splendid” Lucas said “we can take care of all our business there and shave a day off for travel, since I can see how eager you two are” he said with a raised brow at the couple sitting closely on the couch. Eliza’s face flushed with a hot blush.

That night just as they’d turned in for the night, Eliza heard a small knock at her door. Well this was bold of Trent she thought, her brother was in the room right next to hers. But upon opening the door she saw the cheery round face of Mrs. Stuart the housekeeper. “May I come in?” Mrs Stuart inquired when Eliza didn’t say anything. “Oh, of course yes, yes” Eliza managed to stammer out. Mrs Stuart went right to Eliza’s bed and sat down, then patting the bed next to her said “come and sit dear” Eliza complied and Mrs Stuart continued “your brother asked me to come chat with you, he says your mother passed when you were still very young and he wanted a woman to make sure you knew what to expect on your wedding night” her eye brow raised looking at Eliza. “I’ve been living in this house the last two weeks though and I’d say you probably don’t need any explaining from me.” Eliza’s face flushed red hot, she looked at Mrs. Stuart with panic in her eyes. The older woman laughed “oh dearie, don’t worry I didn’t say that to your brother.” Eliza sighed with relief but still felt quite embarrassed. “But since I’m here, I did think we might chat about what signs to look for to know when you’re with child” Mrs Stuart went on. Eliza blanched, she hadn’t even thought of that, they really had been reckless. Eliza nodded to confirm she did indeed need ‘that’ chat. As the housekeeper explained about missed courses, tender breasts, and nausea, Eliza felt quite relieved that her courses had arrived the morning of her brother’s visit. Mrs. Stuart ended with saying “it’s hard to resist the lust when you’re so in love dear and anyone with eyes can see you two love each other.” Then the older woman made her way out of the room.