The March Cousin!

Chapter 10 ➼︎ White Gloves

Chapter 10, White Gloves

I had made up my mind. I wanted to court Laurie! I really wanted this more than anything. I wanted a marriage. I wanted to have kids. I would inherit my parents money. And I could help the March family out here. They would never be in debt ever again! If everything worked out and we wanted to wed one another.

Did he really want to move on with me? Was he finally over Jo? It all sounded really lovely. I was excited about it. I wanted to be with him. I cared a great deal. I admit it. It was my own fault for growing attached to him so fast. But he was so kind to me. Ever since I moved here.

I was going over to his grandfathers house to have tea today. And I was supposed to give Laurie my answer. About the courtship.

My heart was racing in my chest. I thought once I said yes to a boy on this subject then I would truly know if I was going to be marrying him. That there were nothing but promises of love between us for me to give into saying yes to courting a boy.

I was so unsure. My heart was sure. My heart wanted Laurie. But my soul was unsure he wanted me. If Jo were around here then things would be easier to see. But Jo was not home any longer. Jo was out of the picture. How could I really know if I was making a huge mistake or not?

•✿︎︎•

"Fiona tell me are you going to agree to court Laurie?" wonders Meg curiously as I check my image in the mirror that day.

"I can't say until I talk to him alone first Meg" I softly answer. "It would not be proper"

"I remember when John asked to court me. We did not tell Jo. She would have been upset. Jo found out when John took Marmee to Papa when he fell ill. And John went to see my father to ask for my hand in marriage. I had no idea" giggles Meg as she reflects on her love for her husband.

"That is romantic" I agree.

"Indeed!" she adds. "you know I never thought Laurie would get over Jo. But he has with you! I can tell he cares such a great deal about you!" she brags on me.

I beam a happy smile hearing her say those things.

"But can you be sure? Maybe he wants to be with me to help him get over her?" I point out.

"Laurie is not that type of boy. I could not see him doing that sort of thing" she scoffs as she helps me touch my hair up.

The clock dings on the wall.

•✿︎︎•

"Oh my it is time for me to go! Or I shall be late" I fret.

"Good luck! I hope things work out! I would love for Laurie to be a part of our family" Meg tells me with a happy smile. I nod.

I head downstairs as she follows after me. My aunt stops me.

"I baked some of Mr. Laurences favorite scones. From us" she says with a wink as she hands me a basket of treats.

"The way to a man's heart is his stomach" jokes Hannah.

I laugh. "I have not said yes yet!" I head on over to visit Laurie and his grandfather. When I arrive his grandfather opens the door to greet me.

"Welcome, do come on in" he says sweetly to me.

I come in.

Making sure not to track in fall leaves into the parlor.

"Auntie baked these for our tea" I inform him as I hand him the basket. No way was I going to take credit for something I did not bake myself.

"Noble girl you could have easily claimed these as your baking!" he chuckles. He smiles.

"I am not that type of a lady" I answer.

"I can see why my grandson has taken to you" he remarks as he shows me to his living room. There was tea set up and ready for us. As well as many delightful cookies spread out already!

"Ginger tea? Or peppermint?" he asks me.

"Ginger please" I answer him. I fold my hands into my lap.

"This room is so lovely. Reminds me of my home overseas" I wistfully say. I glance around.

"That is right you lived overseas. I have not been since Laurence came to stay with me. " says his grandfather. "had no reason to since my daughter passed away"

"I am sure you miss her dearly. I miss my parents everyday" I admit to him softly.

"We have that alike don't we my dear?" he asks me.

"Grief is hard to endure. I hope I shall not have to do it for some time" I sigh.

"Agreed!" he adds with a smile.

We sit down and sip our tea. I wondered when Laurie would be joining us.

•✿︎︎•

"My grandson went to town for me. He shall be back soon" mentions his grandfather.

"I see, thank you" I say before I sip the warm tea.

"Is is odd for you to be back home here?" he asks me.

"It is a change. But I love living with the March's. Back home I was so lonely. I had no one but servants tending to me until I came here" I explain to him.

"Very interesting. That happened with my boy as well until he came home here with me" says his grandfather.

"We are a lot a like then" I remark.

He nods then smiles. "Indeed"

"Grandfather they were out of lemons" Laurie says as he comes into the living room.

His eyes light up when he sees that I am there already.

"Fiona hello" he says greeting me.

His cheeks turn a rosy shade of pink as do mine.

"Hello, Theodore" I answer him softly.

"Laurie" he reminds to correct me.

I laugh. "Sorry Laurie"

"I might have lemons for our tea. Let me double check" his grandfather says as he leaves the room.

"I am so happy you came today" Laurie greets me with a handsome smile.

"I am to" I answer shyly.

"So, about what we discussed before....." he begins.

"I did have one lemon left!" his grandfather comes back in the room.

We break apart. Laurie sits on the other end of the sofa.

"Wonderful grandfather" sighs Laurie. He looks frustrated.

•✿︎︎•

I giggle.

We have a nice tea and a long visit. Then it was getting to be dinner time.

"I better head back home" I tell them. "aunt March will send Meg over to look for me" I chuckle.

"We have been so happy to have you join us you do have to come again" his grandfather says to me.

"I would certainly love to" I reply.

"Let me see you out" Laurie says.

He walks me to the door. So many people coming in and out of the room. Servants here and his grandfather.

"Never a dull moment here" says Laurie.

He looked like he had given up on my answer. He looked sad. My heart went out to him.

He opens the door for me to head on my way home.

"Do come see us any time" he softly says to me. Like a gentleman.

"I shall have to. Since we are courting now" I answer. I flash a smile his way.

He looks shocked then a very happy smile crosses his face. He's pleased.

"That we are" he says with a grin. I smile back at him. He touches my arm with is hand. Not sure what to say we are both happy with the moment.

He places his hands on mine as I hold my gloves in my hand. Then he surprises me. Leaning in and kisses me only on the cheek. He smiles my way.

"I will see you very soon" he softly says. I nod yes. Then smile.

I head on my way home. And Meg was at the door when I get there.

I shut the door behind me and smile.

•✿︎︎•

"So?" Meg asks me.

"I am courting Laurie! I said yes!" I announce to everyone.

Meg squeals with joy. Everyone hugs me. They are thrilled for me. I notice something once I put away my things and take off my hat so I could go have dinner. I was missing one of my white gloves. I check to make sure I did not drop it.

"MEG! Have you saw the gloves I wore today? I am missing one" I tell her before we eat dinner.

"No dear I have not saw it but I will keep watch for it" she promises me.

"Odd" I say. I know I had it when I was leaving Laurie's then it was gone.

Maybe I dropped it outside. I would have to look later on for it. I was happy though. I knew I agreed to do the right thing.

It felt right in my heart. I planned to tell Jo that I was going to court Laurie. I hope she would be alright with us being together. Family was all I had. I could not hurt Jo. No matter how much I wanted to be with Laurie.

•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~