He didn't have a chance to really talk with Low for the rest of the ride, not until they were approaching the manor house again. As they slowed to a walk up the gravel drive. Low joked about whether or not Trent would be awake yet, considering he had yet to wake before nearly noon hour since they arrived.

"He is rather a spoiled little rich boy. I am surprised that you do not feel he is a kindred spirit." Lord Hart joked back. Low shot him a rather secretive smile and shrugged.

"Who said I do not? I daresay we have much in common. Just not being an early riser." He emphasised the last part with a smirk. Lord Hart laughed and they dismounted in front of the door. Together they went back inside, and convivially mounted the grand staircase as they chatted together. They even moved down the hall closely together.

It was not until they reached the bedchambers that they moved apart. Each one stood for a few moments, as though loathe to finish their conversation, before finally going into their separate rooms. Then Low regaled the valet with his happiness and the exhilarating ride. It seemed Lord Low was smiling again. And it was all Lord Hart's fault.

The Duke, however, did not take this news with a relieved smile. He frowned darkly and paced with his hands behind his back. Something was wrong with his boy, and he fully blamed that damned older child for it. It had to be his fault. Ever since he had come back, his golden child had become withdrawn and surly.

He should never have let the abomination step foot back in his house. He sneered at the thought. Maybe he should have had the child disposed of. Now it would be messy if he got rid of him. He would just have to make sure he had no ties or holds on his younger son. He sat down at his desk and drafted a letter to his solicitor in London.

Best to just take care of these things legally. He grinned as he blotted the ink and folded the parchment when it was dry. He stamped it firmly with his seal and gave it to the footman at the door with instructions to send it as quickly as possible. He didn't want to take any chances. Not after seeing the way they came up the lane together.

Meanwhile, Margery and Aggs were in the sewing room picking at some embroidery while they yawned and tried to wake up. Not considered a grand idea while trying to hold onto needles, but one must attempt appearances of feminine industriousness they supposed. They were quite relieved when they heard the gentlemen come back downstairs. It gave them an excuse to abandon their task for company.

So they moved into the parlour, only to see Lord Hart and Lord Low whispering and laughing together like a bunch of gossiping women. They looked up guiltily when they noticed the women at the door. In fact, they stood and bowed gracefully before returning to their seat together on the small couch. Why they insisted on sitting there when there were so many other pieces of furniture escaped them.

"Good morrow, Duchess. Did you enjoy your entertainment last night?" Lord Low asked politely. Lord Hart groaned and made a funny face.

"Oh my, yes I did. It was quite funny. Lord Hart and Mr. Trent had to bear the brunt of your admirer's attentions instead of you. That girl is quite determined to catch herself a husband." She tittered behind one, now gloved, hand.

"In all the wrong ways." Lord Hart interjected at the end, with a rather hard-done-by sigh.

"Indeed." Miss Aggs piped up primly.

"You must tell me all about it." Lord Low insisted. Derry groaned and sat back against the couch.

"No, you mustn't." He argued. Margery was not one to refuse to gossip though.

"I must. It was quite droll. She followed the two of them around all night, like a shadow. Not even joining their circle for a chat, but standing behind them like an ominous statue." Her eyes became wide with humour. Low snickered.

"Now you know how I feel. She is a damned nuisance. She would do much better if she just spoke to us gents like a normal person. All this skulking about is just creepy." He argued. The other three agreed with him with a nod or smile.

"Maybe she's shy." Miss Aggs said in her usual whispery tone. The Duchess made a snorting noise that was far from elegant.

"Doubt it. Not the way she was looking at their backsides." She said in an instant with cruel honesty. The gentlemen chuckled and exchanged an embarrassed glance filled with subtle meaning that the other two could not catch.

A footman came into the room, bowed to the group and approached Lord Hart. The company was shocked when the boy leaned in and whispered something into his ear. It was done quite clandestine, whatever the boy said the others could not hear him. Then Lord Hart broke out into a rather large grin.

"And what, pray tell, has you so joyful? Hmm, Lord Hart?" The Duchess was regarding him with a twinkle of someone who smells good gossip. The footman scurried off with a wave of Lord Hart's hand.

"Ah, it is nothing stepmother. A project I am working on is coming along quite well." He replied vaguely. This of course simply made her itchy to find out what was going on. Especially since Lord Low exchanged a glance with him that looked like it was a short conversation.

"I do wish you would tell me what is going on, Derry. You know we can keep it a secret." He sighed after a moment. Lord Hart shook his head sternly.

"No, it is better that you don't know. I told you that. Pressuring me in front of our stepmother is not going to help any." He responded sternly. Margery was somewhat mollified by the fact that Low did not know everything either, but the whole mystery was bothering her. She resolved to ask her maid what was going on.

One thing could be counted on, the servants gossiped amongst themselves. She might at least find out what had happened that day at the manor, and perhaps come to some conclusions. She did so after lunch while changing into her gown to go for tea at the neighbour's manor. Her lady's maid did not disappoint.

She learned of the missive sent to London urgently by the Duke, and how the footman was paid to report any such notes and how they were delivered as soon as possible to the Lord Hart. The boy had earned himself five pounds for the message! He had been very happy at completing his mission and might have crowed about it to the other lads.

What was in the letter though? Why had Lord Hart wanted to be appraised of the matter? And why had he looked so pleased for the rest of the day?

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