"Chatsworth? Chats, where are you?" Kate called over and over as she checked through the rest of the park, Charlie Wong's Ice Cream Parlor, down by the lake, the Bijou and even near Osborne Manor. But Chatsworth was nowhere to be found. "Oh, worms and snakes; where could he be?"

Suddenly, she remembered where the school was and she quickly made her way there. Sure enough, Chatsworth was sitting at a picnic table alone, head hanging down sadly.

"Go away," he called out miserably. "Whatever you have to say, I don't want to hear it."

Kate sat down beside him on the bench, her back against the table. "Chatsworth, I am so very sorry. I didn't mean what I said; honest!"

"Well then why on Earth would you say such hardhanded things about me to my friends? Or perhaps they are only pretending to be my friends, as you so brazenly put it," he replied bitterly, turning around to face the same direction as she.

Kate nervously played with the hem of her skirt. "Chats, I was angry with you. I just don't understand you, that's all. Ever since we were kids, you always said you would do anything to make me smile. But since I have been here, you've made me feel downright miserable. I'm not like you, Chats. I never have been. Yes, I am rich and live in a big mansion and receive all the perks that come with it. But none of that has ever made me happy. It doesn't define who I am. What makes me happy is just being part of the crowd. Getting to do all of the normal things that others take for granted: grabbing a sundae after school, going dancing and just being with people who don't care that I'm wealthy. I just don't understand how you can truly be happy reminding people how affluent you are."

Chatsworth looked at her. "Are you saying that you are indeed ashamed of our family?"

"No," Kate replied quickly, before biting her lip. "Well, sometimes. I must admit, there are times when I wish I truly were like everyone else. Having to come up with creative ways to access money to buy a burger or a pizza or tickets to a show. My friends back home know I'm well-to-do, but they never hear me brag about it or see me showing up to school wearing the best dresses and hats. They like me for me and they even forget that I'm an Osborne. Sometimes, that is."

"So, having little blue sports cars and yachts and rubbing elbows with other corps d'elite mean absolutely nothing to you?"

Kate giggled. "They are nice, but they're not everything. Sometimes, even us upper crust types need to stop and smell the roses sometime. It keeps us humble. And helps our sense of smell," she added with another giggle.

Chatsworth smiled. "I guess I can understand that. And I must admit, you did seem rather happy conversing with the hoi polloi yesterday. And they honestly all seemed rather taken with you, as well. Do you think my fellow chaps would perhaps like me more if I wasn't so increduously wealthy?"

"Well, you can't help that. We have gold-plated Osborne blood coursing through our veins," Kate admitted. "But you don't have to constantly show-off or remind everyone of said fact. Just because your last name is Osborne and you live in a 48 room mansion and a 50 acre estate surrounded by a 16 foot brick wall-"

"With broken glass embedded in the top," Chatsworth finished proudly.

"Yeah," she continued. "Well, just because you have all that doesn't mean you are better than everyone else. It just means that you have more room to share with others!"

"I see what you mean. I'll readily admit that it will be a challenge, but it is my heartfelt wish to be happier and to have as many friends as possible. And with you as my muse, I know I can and will be able to do it," he nodded firmly. "But I shall start with telling Mumsy that her punishment for you was much too harsh. You were only doing what you desired and no harm was done."

"Thank you, Chats. I really do appreciate that. So does that mean you will accept my apology?"

"Only if you will accept mine."

"Of course! I love you, Chatsworth," she hugged him tightly as they stood up.

"And I you, Katie baby. So what do you say we head over to Charlie Wong's Ice Cream Parlor for celebratory sundaes?"

"Do you really mean it? I was thinking afterwards, perhaps you and I could play a few games of tennis?"

"Well, only if Dobie-Doo and Krebs baby can keep up with us."

Kate linked her arm through his and smiled. "When it comes to sundaes? Probably so. But when it comes to tennis? We will knock their proverbial socks off!"

Chatsworth laughed. "Spoken like a true Osborne, Katie-Cuz. Spoken like a true Osborne."

THE END