Chapter 3 Speeches & little Secrets

Cat took a sip of tea and sighed in relief as the dinner was coming to an end. Finally. Only the dancing part of this engagement party to get through and then she could relax. 

A screech tore through the area as all eyes snapped toward the platform where her sister was standing. Jacob was down on one knee with a box opened in front of Silvia. She had her hands over her mouth as though she was trying to contain the wounded animal scream that she had already graced everybody's ears with. Tears seemed to be forming in her eyes as she looked at the contents of the box.

"Oh Jake!! You shouldn't have!!"Silvia wiped the tears from her eyes, "But I'm so glad you did! Oh it's beautiful! I'll wear it while we dance together. It'll go so well my outfit!"

"My darling, this simple necklace doesn't do your loveliness justice. If I could grab the moon and stars I'd have them crafted into earrings and a necklace, for only those would be worthy of you my dearest." He gushed.

Silvia's expression changed from one of elation to one of confusion as she tilted her head a bit.

"What about the Sun?" 

Surprisingly, Jacob didn't miss a beat with his reply "Only the Sun would be worthy of sitting a top your head my sweetheart."

Silvia's expression shifted back to one of elation as, while squealing, she pulled Jacob in for a hug while rubbing noses with him.

"You just make me the happiest person ever Jakey!" 

It came as no surprise when as a collective whole everyone in attendance was sharing mixed expressions of disturbance and exasperation. It seems this would be a long evening for all. 

"How many times do you think he's said something like that to other women?" Cyrus pondered aloud.

"Enough times for him to be able to say it naturally without pause." Mary-Anne answered.

"So at least fifteen before our sister." Curtis added.

"Celibacy is starting to look more like an option than marriage." Cat commented as her face took on a look unsettlement.

Their mother rolled her eyes as she stood up with Lucy in hand, "I can only hope that one day you all find a love like that. Someone who thinks so highly of you."

The four siblings shared a look.

"No thank you."

"I'd rather not."

"I'd think I'd puke."

"Huh. Celibacy it is then."

"We'll see. You never know." Baroness Margaretta pulled Lucy along as she followed her husband and eldest son to go see their daughter.

"...Do you think the necklace Silvie is wearing will blind anyone while she dances tonight?" Cyrus questioned.

Catalina gave him an amused look.

"Quiet!" Cat whispered. He laughed as she hit him on the shoulder.

The four of them made their way over to their parents and siblings.

"Sister, the necklace suites you." Garrett complimented. As to whether the compliment was genuine or just lip service was up for determination.

"Look at the size of that rock!! You can tell he wanted to find you only the best dear daughter. He must have spent a fortune on it." Martin exclaimed, looking at her necklace in glee.

"Oh father! You exaggerate haha. Jake just wanted to give me a small gift to show how much he loves and cares about me. It's really quite modest when you consider how well the Carter family business is doing and what he really can afford. To think I'll be the lady of that house one day." She mused.

"It's... lovely dear. I'm sure Jacob had only the sincerest feelings when he bought it for you." Margaretta replied hesitantly.

"It's so beautiful! You'll let me try it on later right?" Lucy begged.

"Absolutely not Lucy! This will be a treasured heirloom that I'll pass down to my daughters." Silvia admonished.

"Oh...okay." she mumbled.

Cyrus leaned down and whispered into her ear, "Luce, someday you'll have shinier jewels. So don't be sad."

She giggled at him.

Silvia gave them an annoyed look before glancing at her other three siblings. She beckoned them closer with her hands.

"Well, come on. What do you three think of it? You haven't told me your opinions and I simple must have them on such a wonderful gift." Silvia demanded.

Mary-Anne was the first to answer.

"It's...well. It is certainly big. And bright. Very bright."

"You might have to pay for several people's optometry bills if you wear that under bright lights. You should think if you can afford that." Curtis remarked.

"With that on your neck, dear sister, no one will ever think your poor. It is very..... eye-catching to say the least. "Cat offered.

And she was not wrong. It was a very eye-catching necklace, with two inch square purple jewels circling her neck and a six inch wide jewel sitting on her chest in a waterdrop shape. It would certain catch people's attention. The good and the bad kind.

Silvia tilted her head as though she was in thought. She then smiled happily at Catalina. 

"Do you really think so?"

"...Think what?" Catalina asked in confusion. The rest of the family and Jacob looked at Silvia with questioning eyes as well.

"Silly sister haha. Do you think that it makes me look wealthy of course!" Silvia chortled.

There was mixed reactions from the family. 

"Ah, yes Silvie. You look like a very fancy lady with that on." Cat appeased her.

Silvia clapped her hands, "Marvelous!" Laughing, she looked toward the crowd of people who had gathered in their own little groups chattering away, "Everyone! It's time for the last bit of the evening. Dancing! Before we get to that though, my fiancé and I would like to say a few words to everyone that came to celebrate this happy occasion with us. Especially our surprise guests that graced us earlier today with their presence! We're so very happy that you came. That all of you came! It means the world to us that you want to celebrate us not just on our wedding day, but today as well. And now, I'll let Jake say a few words."

Jacob went to stand beside Silvia, "Yes, it's exactly as Silvia says. I'm so grateful for everyone who came today. Especially our surprise guest. Hopefully later I can talk to you gentlemen in private? Haha. But anyway, I wanted to thank my and Silvia's parents for making this engagement party AND, in three weeks, our wedding, a possibility. Most importantly, I want thank my bride to be, Silvia Priscilla Windsworth, for saying yes to my request to marry her. I'm an only child so I have no siblings. It's just my parents and I. So, I've never known what it felt like to be part of a big family or squabble with siblings. Lucky for me, Silvia has six haha! My point is, I got lucky when I met Silvia. I know already she's going to make me the happiest husband in the world, but Silvia I hope I make you the happiest wife in the future."

He cleared his throat, as though it were hard for him to continue on after that speech "Anyway, on to the dancing! Everybody head into the ballroom please!" 

And with that he whisked their sister off to the ballroom, the people following in behind.

As their family headed in to celebrate with their sister Catalina and Curtis lagged behind a bit. Both were really more the wallflower types rather than ones to ask for a dance.

"That was, well to be honest, quite the engagement speech. I didn't think he was capable of making one with that amount of depth." Cat stated.

Curtis had his arms behind his head while walking in, trying to dissuade any eager ladies that may want to dance.

"Well, you know how he and his family came over a few days ago to discus details about today's engagement party?" 

A thoughtful look passed Cat's face before she answered, "Yes? what of it?"

He sent her a secretive grin, "He may have been practicing his speech aloud in the horse stalls while I was passing by to the library. And, I may have edited and given him some advice on how to make it better."

Cat's eyes went big and her mouth gaped open a bit, "Curtis! I didn't think you a romantic. Or willing to help him if I'm being frank."

He shrugged, "If my presence is mandatory, then I'd rather listen to a half decent speech rather than a love vomit fest. I think I made the right call."

She gave him a cheeky look, "Well, mister helpful romantic I thought the speech was lovely. You edited to perfection."

"Thank you thank you," He told her with a pleased smile, "You know though, there is something that is still bothering from earlier today."

Catalina gave him concerned look, "What?"

"How in the name of Kalus did Silvie come up with the word "marvelous"? She's never picked up a book in her life I don't believe! At least not one that didn't involve the latest dressing trends." He laughed. 

 Catalina bumped his shoulder while she laughed with him as they were ushered into the ballroom.