Entrance Hall

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Henry Manox paces anxiously beside the grand staircase, waiting... At last the patter of many footsteps upon the wooden floor send him dashing back behind it... Peering around it, he watches as the young ladies of the house make their way from the garden to the staircase and up to their dormitory chambers... He picks Catherine out of the gaggle of laughing, chatting girls and as they approach the stairs, he emerges and makes his presence known .

"Catherine" Manox says, startling her. "Catherine I beg of you, please speak to me... I shan't keep you but a moment, I swear".

Henry's sudden appearance embarrassed me a little, and I smiled to the other girls, assuring them with a nod of my head. I waited until they all passed so I could talk to him. I pulled him into an alcove, fearing our voices would reverberate out in the open. "What do you want?" I asked quietly, my eyes wide, chewing my lip as I hoped he would not scare me again.

"I implore you hear me out, Catherine..." I say calmly, in a soft voice. "Please... when I heard rumours of you being seen alone with Dereham, and on one occasion actually seeing this for myself" Catherine turns to leave, and I hold out my hand. "No wait! Please!...I know... I know it was wrong to spy... but Catherine, you've no idea how much you mean to me... I became sullen and insufferable thinking of you with another man... I thought by behaving as I did I may dissuade you from seeing Dereham by showing you just how envious I was... 'twas foolish, I now realize and I ask only now that you grant me the chance to make it up to you".

I shifted nervously on my feet, becoming too afraid to hold his gaze. This was what love does to a person, I thought. I knew I would never be able to describe the strange relationship between Henry and myself, and I wondered how my insatiable curiosity of him had led me here, to this very moment. "Just how do you think to make it up to me?" I asked, my voice still a whisper.

I smile warmly at her wishing that the sincere expression upon my boyish countenance and the sparkle in my eyes shall convince her of my honesty.

"I've something to show you Catherine. Something very rare and... wondrous. Sneak out and come to my chambers tonight at bedtime... I promise, you shall not be disappointed".

I search her eyes, my own pleading for redemption in her heart.

I let myself believe his words, the sparkle in his eyes reminded me of the gentleman who first arrived at Lambeth, the one to whom I gave myself. A slow smile spread over my lips as I contemplated his offer. "Perhaps...I will try," was my teasing reply.

With just a few mere words in Catherine's lilting voice, my heart is instantly set to flame... I feel as a man with renewed strength, ebullience, and cannot restrain myself but to speak with animated gesture and excitation.

"Marvelous! Then I shall see you tonight". Thoughtlessly I reach out and take Catherine's slender, delicate hand and bring it to my lips. Kissing it with such passion, I fear for a moment we may get caught. Yet I could care not... For the pure bliss it affords me clouds any thoughts or considerations in my mind, save those of her.

I felt the beginnings of a fluttering in my stomach as he kissed my hand, and gracefully pulled back, my lips smiling to show no insult. "Tonight, then." I whirled around and raced upstairs, eager to catch up with the others.

I had been gone far too long but she was never too far from my mind, I needed to see her again the entrance hall was silent, walking in I tossed my coat to the floor and stood there for a brief moment hands in my pockets, letting my mind wonder and memories flood my mind, wondering where she was or even if she was here. After a moment a servant walked by startled to see me I greeted her with my well known nod and half smile picking up my coat and heading to my chambers.

I had seen the carriage drive up as I'd been staring out the window, hoping the rain would stay away longer. When I saw Henry come out and enter the house, I thought my heart would burst from my chest! I  silently raced to the stairwell and waited, crouching behind the banister, watching as he made his entrance. As he came near the stairs I couldn't move in time. I stood, heart hammering in my chest, as I awaited him.

As I looked around behind me headed to the stairs wondering just where she was I was surprised for before I knew it there she was like a ghost standing right in front of me, beautiful as ever "Katherine I could not stay away my mind is filled with you I had to see you again" I quietly whispered towards her.

I'd waited so long to hear these words, and they meant more than gold to me! "I have awaited you too Henry," I said quietly. "There is no one I long for more than you," I whispered, my lips aching desperately to kiss him.