KATARIN WAS YELLING ABOUT REGENCY! SHEA WEBER AND THIS HAPPENED
(this is entirely un-beta'd and not researched and off the cuff.)
Sad Shea Weber and the Unexpected Proposal:
Shea looked up from his paper when his butler announced that he had a visitor. It was most unusual for any but a dear friend to be let in while he was breaking his fast, and his brow knit with confusion for a moment, before he recognized the immaculately tailored form of Count Rinne. Putting his paper down swiftly, he rose to his feet and went to embrace his friend. However, Rinne was slow to return the embrace, and his face was uncharacteristically somber.
Drawing back, Shea frowned, and asked his friend, "Dear Pekka, why are you so dour? What troubles you so?"
Rinne sighed heavily, and smoothed his coat fretfully. Eventually, he looked back up and met Shea's eyes.
"Lord Nash, I must confess I fear I have done you a terrible wrong. I have," he insisted, pushing past Shea's instinctive head-shake, and pacing in front of the bay window. "I had only intended to offer you the comfort friends share with each other, after," Pekka pursed his lips, and diplomatically continued "Your troubles, but I fear that our names have been linked. No less than the Duchess of Underwood has stopped to call on me, to congratulate me on 'our understanding'."
Shea was taken aback. He had never considered Lord Rinne as a marriage prospect, or at least never seriously, although his mother had often commented on what a dashing figure the Finnish Count cut. They had been at Eton together, where they had become fast friends, and Rinne had spent several holidays and school breaks with them at Weber Hall.
Rinne took one knee in front of Shea and continued. "But in good conscience, I cannot leave you to weather the cruelly wagging tongues of society alone again-- I would be greatly honored if you would let me make you my husband."
Shea stared in sheer disbelief.
Rinne looked unsure of himself, and continued, "I know that you might have concerns about linking yourself to a foreign noble, but--"
"Lord Rinne," Shea interrupted, bringing him up short. "It's not to you or your family I object, but to the fact that I do not believe you truly wish to marry me. In fact, I was under the distinct impression that you were spending your time with Captain Klein of late."
Rinne looked more and more unhappy with this reminder. "It is true, I had some hopes in that direction, but you are one of my oldest and very best friends." he said, "I could not bear to leave you to face them alone."
Shea pursed his lips. "There must be some way out of this conundrum we find ourselves in. Come, up off the floor, there's still some breakfast left. I bet you haven't had any yet."
Accepting Shea's hand up, Rinne looked rueful. "Indeed, I have not."
Shea rolled his eyes. "However did I guess."
