Truth Be Told (The Alvarez Duology Book 1)

Chapter 9: An Engagement and a Promenade

But somehow, the prospect of proposing marriage to a woman was enough to make the man nervous.

"Just breathe, Lionel," Alexander instructed. "Let the question come naturally."

"Oh, you try saying that when you're the one about to go down on one knee," Captain Lionel answered back.

Alexander laughed and became grateful that he hasn't yet found the woman before whom he will kneel down before to ask for her hand in marriage. He looked at his friend and wondered what on earth stirred up inside a man's heart when he was in love. People had often told him that it was like feeling butterflies in on's stomach or feeling as though time was slowing down. The captain, as nervous as he was, must be feeling all those things.

As they waited for their guests, the captain practically marched around half the park and kept polishing the ring. If that wasn't entertaining enough, he also kept practicing the proposal over and over again. The rest of the Lionel's didn't seem to mind.

Then, a carriage arrived and out came Mr. Dubois and the eldest son, Ivan Dubois. Captain Lionel ran to greet them and Alexander followed him.

"Thank you for coming today," he said. "And thank you once again for giving us your blessing."

Mr. Dubois smiled. "There's no need to thank me. I am happy to call you my son."

The four men exchanged greetings and then led them to the rest of the party where the conversations began. Alexander couldn't help but see how happy they all looked to be together. He secretly vowed that when the time came for him to marry, he would win over his future bride's family so that they could trust him to give them this kind of joy whenever they congregated.

Another carriage arrived and through the window they saw the rest of the Dubois family. Captain Lionel walked to the carriage and practically shooed away the footman so that he could assist the ladies- especially Ms. Dubois herself.

But Alexander's eyes suddenly darted towards Ms. Beatrice Alvarez. He certainly was not expecting to see her there. Alexander bowed respectfully, but he was only met with a slight glance.

He decided to approach her. "Good morning Miss Alvarez," he greeted as politely as he could.

Miss Alvarez curtsied. " Good morning, Mr. Stanton. I admit, I'm surprised to see you here."

"As am I," she replied. "That is, I'm surprised to see you hear as well."

"Captain Lionel is an old friend of mine. He invited me here today."

"Miss Dubois is my dear friend. She invited me here today."

Alexander smiled. "Then it seems that we are here for the same purpose."

"Yes," Miss Alvarez agreed. "Their engagement."

Alexander hesitated. The proposal was meant to be a secret. But he knew that he couldn't lie to her. "Yes," he whispered.

Miss Alvarez smiled and looked down at her cupped hands and Alexander couldn't help but notice.

"Pardon me, but you seem to look at your hands a lot," he observed. "Not that I am constantly looking at you, but whenever we converse, it's just..."