New People, Same Love

Nicole was upset at Austin's departure but knew he would make an excellent soldier. She kept in touch with him but she knew he was being sent out and prayed for his safe return. 

Meanwhile, she stopped going to balls with Marie and they talked for hours when she got back. After only two meetings, Marie knew where Nicole's heart was and felt sorry for her friend. Francis wrote to her even though she had never seen him. One letter had her upset and she feared for her future.

                                                            My Dearest Fiance,

    I bring the sad news of my father's death. Sickness has taken him rather suddenly. My mother is beside herself. I am now the new Marquess and hope to see you soon. I want to tell you that my father and I had plans of taking our business to the Caribbean. I am going there and will either return to wed you once you are of age or I will send a ship for you to join me there. Until then, I wish you the best.

                                                                                        Francis Ravenport

She showed Marie and she cried with her. They would be separated and she didn't know if she could handle that. She showed her father and all he said was to hope Austin returned. She wrote to Austin and told him of what Francis had said. 

                                 Dearest Austin,

 I write to tell you bad news. Francis is now the Marquess and wants me as his wife. What's worse is that he has moved to the Caribbean. He wishes for me to join him there. Father says to hope you return to me to get out of this. I wish to have you, Austin. Please come back to me.

                                                                                           Yours Truly, Nic

His response made her cry long in the night and made her refuse to leave the estate. Marie tried to stay with her but soon she stopped receiving company.

                                                 Lady Bradshaw,

Things are worsening here. There is talk of war and we are being dispatched. There is no telling when I may return if I ever will. The Caribbean is a safe place and Francis is a fine match for a lady such as yourself. I will never promise myself to you because I will not leave a woman widowed. I wish you all the luck in the world. 

                                                                                  Leftenant Austin Duncan

For months, Nicole walked like a ghost. Her heart had been broken and she didn't know how to cope. She received no visitors and no letters. She didn't know what to do. She continued to send her letters to Austin, but he never responded. She almost got her hopes when she did receive a letter, but it was from Francis. 

                                  My Dearest Fiance,

The weather is warm here. I think you would enjoy yourself. The country is beautiful but I'm afraid it pales compared to you. The estate I am having built is a fine one I think you will be pleased with it. A stable is also being built behind the estate. The main house is close to the beach. I know how much you like to swim. Inside is a flower I preserved that I found on the grounds. I hope you like it and I hear from you soon.

                                                                                               Francis Ravenport

She pulled out the flower and stared at its beauty. She did much thinking and decided she needed to talk to Marie. She climbed on her horse and rode over, letter in hand. She knocked and was let it. She found Marie in the library and Marie greeted her with a hug as she dearly missed her friend. She showed her the letter and after she was done, she just stared at her in wonderment.

"What are you going to do?"

"Answer him."

"Really?"

"Why shouldn't I? I have tried to reach back out to Austin and he has said nothing. Francis is my intended. He cares for me already and why shouldn't I try to be happy with him. I've never seen him. What if I find him better than Austin?"

"That's true. You could."

"I'm going to respond and go on. Austin made his choice."

"I'm so happy for you. I've got my best friend back."

They spent the day together as they had before and Nicole felt like herself again. Once back home, she responded to Francis.

                            My dearest Francis,

 The flower is beautiful, thank you. I cant wait to see the estate you are building but did you have to build one for me? I am sorry I have been distant lately and apologize for my behavior early on. I look forward to hearing from you again.

                                                                                          Nicole Bradshaw

Things went like this for months between them and she actually thought it would work between them. She went back to London and saw all of Marie's admirers and laughed that she was torturing them and soon she was her old self again. She had discovered that in the year she closed herself off, Rebecca had married Ronald. She thought no two people deserved each other more. Marie was still picking a husband and was glad she had Nicole back to help her.

Austin was now back in London and knew his family was in London and went to visit them. He asked to be announced formally to see what his father would say. The butler announced him as Lieutenant-General Duncan. His father looked at him with pride at his advancement over the two years he was in the army. Now he was home.

"I am so proud of you son."

"Thank you, father."

"Are you home?"

"I'm afraid not, mother. I'm here on assignment. I've given my men leave for the day. We head to the jails tomorrow. There is a prisoner there that has information we need and I am being posted at Burley Castle by the end of the month."

"So far?"

"Have to keep an eye on the north."

They talked more and about his achievements when he saw Jason walk in with Claire. He dipped his head to her.

"Lady Claire. A pleasure again."

"It's nice to see you too, Austin."

"Jason."

"Come. I need a word."

"Of course."

They walked into the office and Jason shut the door. Austin sat down and waited for Jason to speak his mind.

"Problem?"

"Yes. You."

"I just got back."

"You stopped talking to Lady Nicole."

"Yes. I thought it best."

"After you did that, no one heard or saw her in a year. She kept herself locked up at the Havenshire estate."

"What? Is she still there?"

"No. Only recently did she come back to London with Marie. People say she has been getting many letters from Francis."

"Why doesn't he just got see her?"

"His father died. He is now the Marquess."

"Yes, she told me as much in the last letter I responded to."

"He is still in the Caribbean and is waiting for her there."

"She is accepting him?"

"You wanted nothing more to do with her."

"Wait, she's here in London, now?"

"Yes. She's with Marie at the Bradshaw Mansion."

"With her parents."

"No. She's almost eighteen. They stayed in Havenshire."

"She's not married, then?"

"No. Austin, you broke her heart. Try not to be so forward."

"Thank you, Jason."

Austin walked out and went straight out the door. He walked down the block and kept heading towards the mansion. He found himself outside the door and saw the balcony around the back. He decided to give it try once more. He stood on the outside holding the pebbles in his hand, He tossed one and then two and then three and was afraid she wasn't even there. He turned to leave and he was almost at the gate when he stopped.

Nicole had been writing another letter to Francis, asking when she could see him. Francis had been growing distant and she was unsure why. She started thinking about Austin again and how he always seemed to make her smile until he broke her heart. She was thinking she wished it would go back to the night he threw pebbles at her balcony window. As if thinking about it, she heard the pebbles hit the window. She thought she was hearing things and imagining it until the third one hit. She cautiously got up and looked out and her heart soared. There he was, Austin was back and was throwing pebbles again but he was walking away. She stepped out and called out to him.

"Why, Mr. Duncan, do you not use front doors?"

He turned and saw her. She was more of a woman now. It had only been two years, but she had changed so much. He didn't think it was possible for her to be more beautiful but she was. She saw him differently too. He was more of a man now and he was a decelerated officer now. A Lieutenant-General. He smiled and walked back to the balcony.

"I'm sorry, Lady Nicole, but I knew you weren't expecting me."

"Well, after your last letter, I never expected to see you again."

"I'm sorry. Jason told me what I did to you. I never meant to hurt you. I thought I was doing right by you."

"I understand. Francis and I got close for a time through our letters but it seems back to the way it was."

"Then he is a fool, as am I. Can you forgive me?"

"I'll be right down."

He waited and soon she was coming out the door right in front of him. She stood before him and he wanted to reach out and touch her. He did just that and caressed her face with his gloved hand. She took his hand and held it as she spoke.

"Of course I forgive you."

"Why?"

"You did what you thought was best. I can't blame you for that."

"I hurt you."

"You did but I hurt myself. I was promised and should have never led you on the way I did."

"That sounds like Francis, not you."

"It's both of us."

"I don't like that."

"What?"

"You referring to you and him as us."

"Oh. I want you for myself."

"Austin, the time for that..."

"It's not too late. You had before you were eighteen."

"I turn eighteen in two months."

"Let me court you for those two months."

"But aren't you here an assignment?"

"Yes. I have to go tomorrow but isn't there a ball tonight?"

"There is."

"You still owe me a dance, Lady Nicole."

"That I do, Mr. Duncan."

That night, they caused the stir of the season. She was dressed as elegant as ever and he was in his uniform. They danced most of the night and Marie couldn't be happier. She knew Austin was still in her heart and she was glad to see that they still felt the same for each other. They may now be different people but the love between them was the same. Marie just hoped Francis didn't get word. After his threat to her, she feared for her and hoped she would tell Austin about what he said.