Opening her eyes, Hayley saw a pair of feet standing in front of her. Pulling herself up slightly, she looked up into Austin's face. She was happy to see that he wore a smile.
"My princess has been sleeping."
Had she heard him correctly? His princess? She raised herself to sitting position and then tried to stand.
Losing her balance, Austin reached out to steady her.
Hayley fell into one of his arms. Excitement filled her heart.
"Austin." It was all she could think of to say.
"Shall we go for a walk by the pond? As soon as you can get your walking legs, of course." Austin laughed as he spoke.
"You know I cannot go out of the garden."
"We are so far from the house now. What will it matter to go a little further away?"
Austin took her hand.
"We can stay here and talk." Hayley pulled away and turned toward the tree. Hayley motioned for Austin to sit down. He knelt down on his knees and reached for Hayley's hand, pulling her down to sit next to him.
"Did you find my letter?" She tried not to sound too eager.
"Yes, my mother gave it to me."
Hayley was embarrassed. "Oh no, Austin!"
"I came as quickly as I could."
"Is she holding to her threat to withhold your inheritance?"
"She is unrelenting but I will talk with her again."
"Are you still planning to marry the lady you were with at your party?"
"I will not marry anyone I do not love."
"So… you do not love her."
"No."
As they sat together, Hayley's head was spinning with delight. She wanted to throw herself into Austin's arms and tell him she loved him.
Austin picked up her hand and kissed it gently. "I love you, princess."
Hayley's arm went limp beneath the kiss. She had no words.
"Tell me you love me too, princess." He caressed her cheek, and leaning in, he kissed her softly.
She felt his lips touching her face time and time again, as his mouth touched her forehead, cheeks and eyelids.
She was overwhelmed, and could not find his lips to meet them with hers.
She opened her eyes and saw the familiar gray, cloudy sky, she had seen before she closed her eyes to sleep. Her face and body were becoming wet, as drizzle continued to pelt against her. Sadly, she realized the dream. The "kisses" were rain and Austin had not come.