Brit blinked, surprised, but returned it after a moment. She'd waited two weeks for this, even if she had left of her own accord. But she'd always planned on coming back. Just not quite like this.

Seamus broke the kiss after a moment, but still held her close.

"You were gone too long," he said softly to her. "Don't leave like that again."

Brit nodded her agreement easily. She definitely wouldn't be leaving again anytime soon. After a moment she hugged him tightly again, nestling against him.

Seamus held her close, letting her cuddle. He'd missed her a lot, and it was good to have her in his arms again.

Brit had no intention of moving unless she absolutely had to. And right now she didn't have to.

"You might just have to head home," Kaladin said quietly. "Doesn't look like my little brother is going to let her go any time soon."

"Does your brother know how to help her out of the gown and corset?" Hazel replied just as quietly. "Without ruining either one?"

"No, but he can probably figure it out." Kaladin shrugged. Really, how hard could it be?

Hazel reluctantly nodded. It wasn't proper for a man to help a woman out of her clothes if they weren't married, but Hazel certainly didn't know how to work a corset. Just how to wear one.

"I suppose," she said.

Kaladin shrugged. "Hey, if you want, I'm sure I can get Seamus to let go of her and agree to wait to see her again until morning," he said. "It's your choice, really."

"Give me a moment," Hazel said. Carefully, she made her way to the couple. "Brit," she said. "Come on, we should get you to the manor so my maids can help you with your gown. We can store it with mine so it doesn't get ruined."

Seamus glanced at Hazel, and then at Brit. He didn't want to let Brit go, not at all, but he would (albeit reluctantly) do so if he had to.

Brit thought that over for a few moments before she nodded. Yeah, she had no idea how to get this thing off, it would probably be best to go back with Hazel so the maids could get it off. Very reluctantly, she let go of Seamus.

Seamus let her go, equally as reluctantly.

"You'll make sure to come back?" he asked softly.

Brit nodded emphatically. First thing in the morning, she'd be back. She smiled at him and kissed him again briefly.

Seamus grinned and returned the kiss. He hugged her tightly one more time, and then let her go.

Brit got back into the carriage and settled down there, although she was now anxious to get back to Hazel's so she could get undressed and get to sleep. She was getting tired now that she knew there was an end in sight.

Hazel gave Kaladin a quick hug.

"We'll be back in the morning," she said softly to him.

"Alright. Sleep well." Kaladin smiled at her, moving back after shutting the carriage door so they could be on their way.

"Glad you got to see her, little brother?"

"She was beautiful," Seamus commented as he watched the carriage go.

Kaladin grinned. "Maybe you can convince her to wear a dress more often. Not something like that with half a dozen layers and things, but something more simple." He shot a calculating look at his brother.

"She wouldn't go for that," Seamus replied, shaking his head a bit. "She's more comfortable in work clothes, it's obvious."

"There are work dresses. They don't have the corsets and things. Remember three jobs ago, the manager's wife used to wear them all the time."

"Those things?" Seamus replied. "She looked like she was wearing burlap sacks. Can you imagine Brit wearing those?" He shook his head. "If she wants to wear dresses, I won't complain. But I'm betting she won't." But she would still be beautiful. He just didn't say that aloud.

Kaladin shrugged. "Well, we'll see." He stretched a little and yawned. "Come on, let's go to bed." He grinned suddenly. "Although I doubt you'll sleep much as you are now."

Seamus made a vague, neutral sound and followed his brother back to the dorm building. No, he wasn't sure he would be able to sleep tonight. He was looking forward to the next morning too much.

Brit had been loaned a simple dress to wear back to the ranch. This one only had one corset, and that she could wrangle off herself once she got back to her room. And oh how anxious she was to get back to the ranch to check on everything for herself.