VIVIENNE NEATLY SEALED the letter with wax before ringing for a maid. Moments later, it was Mrs. Shrine who appeared, and Vivienne handed her the letter, "Will you have this posted for me?"

Mrs. Shrine nodded, "Of course my lady."

"I will require assistance with dressing in an hour, please send someone up."

The housekeeper nodded once more and her foot padded across the floor to the hallways, however Vivienne stopped her once more. "Is everything alright with Chrissy, she has not tended to me the last couple of days?"

Mrs. Shrine froze before she turned around slowly, her fingers nervously interlacing with one another. "About that my lady, she was dismissed a few days ago."

Vivienne eyes jerked back in surprise, "Dismissed, by whom?"

"His Grace."

Vivienne let the information settle in. Although she hadn't quite liked Chrissy and she was sure the maid despised her, it didn't bring her any pleasure to learn that she had lost her livelihood. However, it was unnatural for James to interfere with the running of the household which meant that Chrissy must have made a grievous error to earn his ire. 

"Well, His Grace must know best then. Do you think she will be able to find employment easily?"

The housekeeper gave her an unsure smile, "Everything will be fine, my lady. Chrissy had several years of experience; somebody will hire her."

"I do hope so," Vivienne said sincerely. She didn't want anyone to go through what she had. Hunger, loneliness, and fear were the only things she'd known for weeks before arriving at Chalcott manor.

Mrs. Shrine curtsied before leaving the room and Vivienne slumped in her chair, playing with the feathers of the quill. It was awfully lonely since the guests left Chalcott manor. Vivienne truly missed Fiona's red hair and bright smile; the lady had a presence that made her feel warm. Exchanging letters just wasn't the same as laughing and talking together underneath the sun.

Lady Torrington had taken the extra time to train Vivienne as much as she could about the impending departure to London. The season would begin soon which excited Vivienne greatly. Currently though, she was bored. There wasn't much to do around the manor. 

The duke was busy in his own affairs and after lessons, Lady Torrington would retire to her room, stating that she was exhausted. Vivienne noticed the dowager seemed more fatigued after the departure of their guests but if anyone pointed it out, Lady Torrington would pitch a fit. Ever since her grand adventure to the village, Vivienne hadn't been allowed outside without the watchful eye of a servant and she found it quite annoying. When she brought it up to Lady Torrington, the dowager firmly stated that until she earned her trust back, she would be treated in the way she acted.

Vivienne sighed and picked out a dinner dress, maybe she would be able to convince the duke to let her go somewhere. A maid knocked on the door and Vivienne let her in. She sat silently as the maid grabbed her hair and jabbed pins in it. It was clear that the maid had no prior experience in hairstyling however, Vivienne didn't say anything. As Lady Torrington promised, in London she would get her own lady's maid and to endure a little right now, didn't bother her as much.

Making her way to the dining hall, she saw that Lady Torrington was already seated. Surprisingly enough, it was the duke who was missing.

"Will His Grace not be joining us?" she asked, taking the seat across from Lady Torrington.

The dowager looked at the empty chair and her lips turned down, "He should be here by now, James was gone earlier in the morning."

Just as Lady Torrington finished her sentence, the duke walked into the dining room, "My apologies for being late, I got caught up in some work."

He took a seat and Lady Torrington looked at him distastefully. James ignored his great-aunt as the first course was set before them.

"What were you working on?" Vivienne asked politely.

The duke's brown eyes flickered in the candlelight. "Well, we will be heading to London soon, so I wanted to speak with my steward and make sure everything is fine with the tenants."

A spark of excitement went through Vivienne's body. "I do remember you saying that I would be able to visit the farms and see the irrigation methods. Is it possible for us to go before we leave for London?"

If Vivienne was able to convince James, she would no longer be bored in Chalcott manor. Besides, being able to visit farmers was one of the reasons James had taught her how to ride in the first place.

The duke took a bite of his food and swallowed slowly. "I don't know about that Vivienne; I wouldn't want you to be exhausted before the season. Besides, Aunt Esme still has much to teach you."

Vivienne swallowed the disappointment. Unexpected tears welled in her eyes, but she didn't know why. Chalcott manor was beginning to feel like a prison, and she hated it. She needed to get out, even for a small bit. Vivienne felt Lady Torrington's gaze fall on her.

"James, take her with you. She's been progressing well in her lessons and anything she hasn't learned yet, I'll teach her in London."

Vivienne raised her head to meet Lady Torrington's grey eyes. "Really, you'll let me go?" she asked surprised.

The dowager nodded. "You've been stuck in the manor most of the days. Some fresh air will do you good."

"Well then," James said with a nod towards Vivienne. "It's settled. We shall leave tomorrow right after breakfast."

Vivienne smiled, and a sense of happiness filled her body, she would finally be able to see the farmland she helped fix!

***

Vivienne watched the scenery with wide eyes as the landscape changed. A breeze flew by, lightly caressing her bonnet and she sighed. From her peripheral vision, she watched James slow down his horse and come closer to her. "Are you doing well? I know you haven't ridden for such great length before."

Vivienne gave him a small smile. "I have loved the journey here but even I must admit the weariness and fatigue is beginning to creep in."

James nodded, "Worry not, we shall be dismounting soon enough," he pointed towards a patch of land, "that is where my lands begin."

Vivienne perked up on her horse and her gaze travelled to where James was pointing. She could see the farmers working in the field. It was excellent, she would be able to question the tenants and truly see the impact of her information. They rode in silence for a few more moments before James leapt off of his horse. He extended a gloved hand towards her, which she used to disembark Honeysuckle.

A dark-haired man in muddy clothing approached them. "Your Grace, I didn't know that you would be visiting."

"It was rather spontaneous," James said dryly.

Vivienne hid a smile beneath her gloves, she did not believe that the duke did anything spontaneously. He was more meticulous and calculating than any other person she had met before. The farmer looked at Vivienne curiously but didn't say anything.

"Might I introduce Lady Vivienne. She was the one to suggest the new irrigation system that was installed."

Immediately the man's demeanour switched to one which was much more pleasant and welcoming. He smiled at Vivienne. "Indeed, we are in your debt my lady."

"I'm assuming it is going well...?"

"Litton my lady," he filled in. "It has been quite the change; the crop yield has become much larger than the years prior."

Vivienne smiled, as a sense of warmth filled her. She was pleased that her suggestions had made a difference on the farm.

"I assume you might me tired my lady. The journey from Chalcott manor shan't easy. My wife and I would be pleased to welcome you to our home."

Vivienne shook her head, "Oh no, we wouldn't want to impose."

Litton chuckled, "Nothing would please my wife more than to be able to serve His Grace and a fine lady like you."

Vivienne saw how much it meant in the man's eyes and so she accepted with a polite nod. "Although I was wondering if you could give me a tour of the land before we visit your home. The land looks quite fertile and I would love to see what other methods you are using."

Litton looked at James for guidance, and when the duke nodded, the farmer smiled at her and gestured with his hand, "After you my lady."

Litton led her through the different fields and explained the various crops and methods that were being used. She found the conversation quite riveting and was surprised that she had plenty of questions to ask the man. The duke trailed behind them, his stony presence looming over them, but he didn't speak at all during the tour. When they ended up at the farmer's house, it was his wife Doretha who welcomed her inside.

"We are so pleased to have you here," Doretha said with a bright smile as she ushered Vivienne into their small home.

Vivienne's eyes scanned the place, it was quite different from Chalcott manor, but it gave her a sense of comfort. She realized that it reminded her of the cottage with Agatha, the placed of her childhood. She settled into a seat as Doretha set a cup of steaming tea in front of her.

"Are the men not going to come in?"

Doretha shook her head, "No, the duke never comes in."

Vivienne frowned, "That seems rather impolite after the invitation Litton extended."

Doretha shook her head, "Oh no it isn't. We know that if his Grace came into our home, the rest of the tenants would welcome him as well. There would be a never-ending list of invites. It is better for him to refrain from entering anyone's home."

Vivienne took a sip of her tea, it was delicious. "This is quite good," Vivienne commented.

Doretha's face brightened, "I'm glad you liked it my Lady. His Grace needs a strong lady by his side and I'm very joyful that I could meet you today."

Vivienne almost spit out the tea before shaking her head vehemently. "Oh no, His Grace and I are not courting one another."

"You're not?"

"No, he is merely extending his kindness and allowing me a place to stay. I'm actually travelling to London for my season in a couple of days."

"My apologies, I thought there might be something between the two of you since he brought you here."

Vivienne's cheeks warmed, "Well, that was me being quite annoying and bugging him until he agreed."

Doretha looked at Vivienne carefully, "If I might give you a piece of advice, my lady?"

Vivienne nodded.

"Sometimes the good ones are right under our nose and we can't see them until its too late."

Vivienne was saved from responding as there was a rush of activity in the house. Two young children came running towards her, their faces covered with mud and dirt.

"Jack and Anne, behave yourself!" Doretha admonished the children as she sent an apologizing gaze towards Vivienne.

The children stopped in their tracks and stared at her. It was Anne who spoke, "Are you a princess?"

Vivienne had to hide the smile from her face, "No, but you look like quite the princess."

Anne gazed at her suspiciously. "Mama said princesses don't play in the mud, but I like it," she said earnestly.

Vivienne couldn't contain her smile anymore, "I think your Mama might be right, but I'll let you in on a secret, princesses play in the mud once in a while, but they make sure that they are sparkling clean afterwards, so nobody knows their secret."

Jack snorted in disbelief, but Anne seemed enthralled. Doretha shot her a thankful glance. The door swung open once more and Litton walked in. "His Grace is waiting for you outside, my lady."

She stood up, suddenly aware how crowded the small space was, "Thank you for the tea and conversation. I had a splendid time."

"Will you be back?" Anne asked.

"Anne," her mother warned.

Vivienne turned back to the little girl, "I can't be sure but if you listen to your mother and are a good girl, I just might have to come back—possibly bearing gifts," she added with a wink.

Anne's eyes lit up and Vivienne smiled. While the children were dirty, they did seem like a good lot. She thanked the farmer and his wife once more before exiting their home. James stood outside, casually leaning against his horse, "did you enjoy it?"

She smiled at him, "Yes, I think I very much did."

-----------------

We are getting much closer to the London season. Aren't we glad that James took Vivienne with him to the farm?