It was mid December with only a slight chill to the air as Catherine stepped outside. After checking, again, on her carefully packed parcel of homemade confections, she looked at her watch hoping her automaton buggy would arrive quickly. Just as she began to feel her nerves rise, she heard the bumping and pulling of the buggy along the cobblestone bricks of her parents’ drive.
This was her first time riding in a ‘ton buggy and she was not sure of the protocol with the automaton driver. Once stopped, the driver hopped down with the ease befitting his metal joints, bowed graciously and introduced himself as An’ton with an elaborate eyebrow wiggle that included cogs and pipes moving in a circular fashion. Catherine giggled, easing some of her nerves, and accepted the introduction with a curtsy. Once fastened into the buggy An’ton closed the carriage door with a clunky wink, climbed onto the front, and they were off.
This wasn’t a particularly fast ‘ton buggy as the high efficient ones were too expensive to travel in, but Catherine knew it was important to make this journey. As she settled in she found a cover to keep her warm. She snuggled in, and quickly lost time in both her absolute favorite and most hated memory…
Three years ago she received an invitation to the Zappa Manor to view the town’s Christmas lights. It was a wonderful and joyful evening, that was full of laughter, family, and comfort – something that at that time Catherine was missing in her day to day life. Zappa Manor was always filled with sunshine and it was Catherine’s favorite place to visit. There was Lord Baron and his wife the Baroness; their daughter Lady Sissy, her husband Lord Wilkin and their four boys – Sweet Boy, Brilliant Boy, Angel Child, and Bookie. Lastly, was the Baron. The Baron and Catherine had been friends for several years – both always enraptured in each other’s company, and yet completely oblivious to the other’s heart.
This particular visit, however wonderful, was tinged with great longing and sadness. After combing the town amazed from the lights and full of joy, the family of the Manor along with Catherine settled in for their traditional telling of A Christmas Carol – retold by Lady Sissy’s boys with the help of a visual projection machine. As the hot chocolate was being prepared, Catherine and the Baroness chatted in the parlor nibbling on the Christmas confections Catherine made every year. They talked about the coming festivities and their favorite parts of the holiday and family. The Baroness caught her up on all of Lady Sissy’s boys’ activities and she expressed how glad she was that Catherine was there to enjoy this small tradition with them. And as they chatted, Catherine started to feel a pang of longing, wishing she would never have to leave the warmth and sunshine of this Manor and the people that dwelled within it. Soon the room filled with the family and the next round of festivities began. Catherine was painfully struck when she caught sight of the Baron cuddled up with one of the boys as the retelling began. In that moment she realized why this manor and the people that dwelt within were so special to her, but she knew it could never be…
Shaking the memory from her thoughts Catherine decided that this year would be different. The invitation to Zappa Manor had come two weeks prior and she knew that she had to get there no matter what.
It had been a tough year as a plague had struck the world marking anyone in its path. More and more people were having to rely on automatons; having less and less interactions with the human people they loved, so it was vital to Catherine that she physically get to the Manor to see the family she so dearly missed. Of course this had nothing to do with her recent visitor nor the nagging desire to be near the Baron. She had to go because, well, she just had to.
Catherine reached for the curtain to see how far they had traveled. She was surprised to realize how close she was to the Manor already. Either the ‘ton buggy moved much faster than anticipated or she had really lost herself in the thoughts and dreams that were once unobtainable. The anticipation was agonizing, but soon enough she would be bumping and bouncing up the drive holding her breath in hopes to have just one stolen moment with one particular person…
The Manor was abuzz with the coming festivities and the Baron could not help but have a little hope that this year might just bring some joy back to his life; and boy could he use that. One year prior his beloved mother, the Baroness Susanne, passed away– leaving a gaping hole behind her. Anyone who knew her knew she had been the heart and hearth of the Manor. He had felt lost and weighed down for far too long.
Recently, the Baron had heard that Catherine had moved back to Oxford where her father, the Reverend Dr. presided. Although he never had the courage to admit it to anyone, he had been pining over Catherine for the last few years. Three years ago, Sissy had invited Catherine to come see the holiday festivities with them, and unbeknownst to Catherine, the Baron had been secretly watching her from the doorway as she laughed and chatted with his mother. There was something about this woman that always struck him right in the heart. It was not just her physical beauty nor her uncanny ability to always know how to put him at ease, but the grace of which she seamlessly fit within his family and the joy she seemed to always bring with her.
As he looked out the window of the study, he could see the ‘ton buggy coming up the long drive. She would be in his presence in a matter of minutes. And while his mind told him there was no way she could ever feel the same way about him, he could only feel somehow this year was different and found himself hoping…
As the ‘ton buggy slowed to a halt, Catherine became more excited and anxious, wishing she could have just a few more minutes to calm herself. She peered out the window to see that all four boys and Lady Sissy were standing on the porch ready to greet her. With a deep breath and a fleeting thought of her unexpected visitor and their wild idea, Catherine steeled herself to exit the buggy. Even with her nerves the sight of them immediately filled her with joy and she knew that however this day panned out, it would still be one that was filled with laughter and happiness.
The Baron watched as his sister and her boys greeted Catherine with big smiles and hugs. Brilliant Boy and the Angel Child, helping her from the buggy and carrying her things, while Sweet Boy and Bookie checked on the ‘ton driver to see if he needed any care before making his return journey.
As the Baron stood there– frozen in time he watched the scenes play out before him– he knew what he wanted to do, but was still just so unsure. It wasn’t until he felt the comforting strength of his father’s hand on his shoulder that the Baron was able to rejoin the present and together they descended downstairs to greet their welcomed traveler.
The afternoon was busy with conversation, catching up on lost time together. After the sun began to set, the residents of the Manor and Catherine prepared to begin their annual holiday venture around the town. This year Lord Baron had arranged for hors’ton carriages to escort the family. Luckily when the carriages arrived the Baron and Catherine were deep in conversation and the Lord Baron and Lady Sissy were able to quickly usher everyone into one carriage.
After some time the Baron realized that his family had gone, leaving one of the carriages for him and Catherine. Did they know? Was he that obvious? Did Catherine know? Trying to settle himself enough to invite her to the carriage he began to have this unnerving feeling. It was almost like his mother was standing beside him, prodding him into action. With a deep breath he looked down at Catherine, offered his hand and said, “It would make me the happiest man alive if you would sit by my side.” Beaming and taking his hand Catherine quipped, “Well then, I guess you should prepare yourself to be the happiest man alive.”
Shocked by his own brazenness and brimming with joy he pulled her up onto the carriage and into his arms.
Time wound and sprang forward. An eternal and breathless pendulum of two lives coming together in a harmonious rhythmic movement. As the winding gears and cogs of life ticked away at their whirlwind romance, the Baron and Catherine found themselves blissfully happy.
And it was soon time for the Baron to take the next step, with his father’s and sister’s blessing, he began the preparations for a journey to Oxford where Catherine’s father dwelled.
With blessings from both families, the Baron began scheming up a day he and Catherine would never forget…
Catherine’s life looked completely fulfilled. It was as if, all of a sudden, all the cogs and gears aligned together– newly greased and turning seamlessly. Life with the Baron was more than she could have ever imagined and she thanked God everyday for this precious gift. Today, she was told, was going to be an eventful day. The Baron, always so full of excitement, decided he wanted to take her to the Funfair in Hyde Park. Apparently, the theme was dragons and there was said to be a working drago’ton that could fly and breathe fire. Catherine loved going on adventures together, as it was always filled with childlike delight.
Upon entering the park, Catherine noticed the Baron seemed distracted. He was fidgeting and very talkative. Silently, she wondered what might be bothering him. Before she even had the chance to query, the Baron took hold of her hand and they were off onto the grounds. Catherine was amazed by all the sights to see at the Funfair. The Baron seemed on a mission to find a particular stand, he explained to Catherine that the drago’ton could not only fly and breathe fire, but you could interact with it if you purchased a wand from a special vendor. After a time, they finally found the vendor and the Baron encouraged Catherine to pick herself out a wand. Now it was time to find the dragon! They raced around the park like children, Catherine could not imagine this day getting any better.
When they reached the drago’ton they were both amazed. It was so large! And while it was very clearly made from cogs and pipes powered by steam – it still appeared so life-like. Catherine was truly mesmerized and did not notice the shift in tone from the Baron nor the sparkling object he began reaching for. The Baron asked Catherine to show him her wand, but she was so engrossed in watching the drago’ton she didn’t want to bother opening the package and tried to hand it to him. He prodded her to open it herself and show him. Begrudgingly, Catherine opened the package and whipped out the wand, then turned to wave it in the Baron’s face only to be met with the sight of the Baron holding a beautifully crafted diamond ring.
Shocked to her core, Catherine’s mind and body stood frozen to the spot, shaking her head back and forth trying to clear the fog. Finally, her mind cleared and she saw the man she loved staring at her with a nervous smile and she realized she hadn’t responded and blurted, “Yes, of course, Yes!” The Baron confused and now laughing, “I haven’t even asked yet…” He got down on one knee, telling her how magical she made his life, “Will you marry me?”
And just as she said, “Yes!” the drago’ton rose up into the sky breathing the most beautiful fire…11/12/22
The Baron and Catherine cannot wait to share this momentous day with you!
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11.12.22 a most GLORIOUS DAY!!