He urged the horse forward until he found where he was going, before pulling the horse to a halt. He dismounted and reached up to help a very excited Gretchen down.

Settling on her feet, she reached up and smoothed her fiery locks. "That was nice, Ethan, really nice!" She wrapped her arms around herself to keep warm.

"I'm glad you liked it but it's quite uncomfortable riding in these trousers." He smiled, knowing he couldn't have changed his attire without raising her suspicion.

She turned from him briefly, her gaze sweeping the area. Then, as if realizing where they were, she turned wide eyes to him.

"Why are we here?"

"I thought it appropriate," he smiled, taking a step forward and taking captive of her hands. "I asked you to marry me right here."

She nodded. "I remember Ethan; it was barely two weeks ago."

"But I cannot help but think I didn't do it the right way." He said and she raised a brow in question. "Listen very carefully Love, because I'm going to need you to remember these words the next time you are confronted by a woman such as Lady Hall."At the mention of Henrietta, he watched as surprise flashed in Gretchen's eyes before being replaced with sadness. “I was married once to a woman I loved...”

She sighed, withdrawing her hands from his. "I know, Ethan, I know how much Juliet means to you..."

"But do you know how much you mean to me, Gretchen?" He touched her face. "After all I have been through, I can assure you that Juliet is in my past and poses no threat. I would not have asked you to marry me if I was not certain of what I was asking. If I didn't make it clear to you before, allow me;" he leaned forward. "I want to be with you," he whispered, inching closer to her. "I want to live with you," He inched closer again. "I want to marry you, Gretchen." He inched closer some more until he could feel her breath tickling his skin. "I know what I want," he said, burying his hands in his pocket until his fingers found what they were looking for. Pulling it out, he pulled open the box to reveal a gold engagement ring. Going to his knees yet again in less than two weeks on the road, he said, "Gretchen, do you know what you want? Do you want to marry me as well?"

"Ethan..." A drop of tear ran down her cheek. "Of course I want to marry you!"

A smile settled on his lips then as he slipped the ring into her empty ring finger and rose to his feet. Pulling her close, he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her nose."Now, I'm not one to promote pettiness, but the next time Lady Hall tries to corrupt your mind with her words, tell her I asked you to marry me twice, on the streets." The smile on his face faded as he stared into her eyes. "Tell her I shall ask every single day if I have to."