The morning after their arrival, Daniel walked down from the west wing and found himself lost. The stairway did not lead to the hall as he expected. Following the sound of footsteps, he eventually found himself in the courtyard. With a frown, he looked back from where he came from. He had been to many households, some bigger than this one, but he had never come down a set of stairs and emerge in a courtyard.

And just as he heard from the stories, it was indeed an odd courtyard. There were at least a dozen ducks crossing the yard and not one soul sitting around batted an eye. There were six people there: Roxie and Freda lying on their stomachs, chins on their hands, reading a book open on the ground. A dog was lying next to them. Lydia was in a chair in front of a canvas, painting the two girls. Price and Gale were in one corner in their riding clothes, under a tree, drinking tea and reading the morning post. Two horses were tethered to a nearby tree, their presence dwarfing the courtyard. Simone was reading, her beautiful light brown waves clasped halfway with a small black ribbon.

The sight was quite odd, but at the same time, it looked...normal. For the first time, he could see them as what they should be. No accidents, no theatrics. No blood, no flying feathers.

"Good morning! Good morning!" Daniel flinched in alarm as a green parrot flew past him and settled on the bench beside Simone.

At the parrot's words, everyone turned in his direction.

Lydia was the first to stand. "Your Grace! Good morning!"

Simone stood as well, but only to offer a small curtsy. Gale and Price came over and asked if he had breakfast. They were just out riding, was actually considering inviting him earlier. "But we go out quite early. Mayhap tomorrow if you wish to join us, you can."

"You must have lost your way to the breakfast room," Gale said, leading him toward another wing across the courtyard. "Once you get used to the layout, you'll realize things are closer than they actually are."

As they passed, Simone bowed her head and sat back down beside the parrot.

"I hope you don't find us strange," Price said with a laugh. "Many people do."

"You have a talking parrot."

"Who doesn't?"

"He thinks we're odd," Gale told Price.

Daniel shook his head with a smile. "It's actually quite interesting."

"We act humans most of the time," Gale promised. "It's just that you seem to always find us in our worst. This way, Your Grace. From this day on, you'll realize that we don't always walk on fours."

His lips twitched just as Price cried out, "Ladies! Breakfast! And leave the parrot, Roxie, for God's sake!"

The breakfast room was bright. Large windows opened directly into the garden. And beyond that, the vast field and the edge of the woods. And even farther beyond that, he could see the mountains. It was a painting. But so was the breakfast room.

The table was round, which was not common. Everyone sat around it, with no proper distinction of which each one should seat. "You can take that seat, young man," the earl said. He was already sitting, his plate half-full. Daniel took the chair across from the earl and watched the Stratfords file into the room one at a time.

The two youngest, Roxie and Freda, sat next to their grandfather. They grinned at him while Price and Gale took their seats. "If Emmeline marries Harry, will they live here?" Roxie asked their grandfather.

"Of course," said Freda. "He's the heir."

"And when he's earl, they may want us gone," said Roxie.

"No, of course not," said Harry, striding into the room.

"A house is not a house without nasty rodents," said Gale as Price guffawed. The two girls scowled, then just as quickly turned their attention to Daniel again. Roxie, her curly dark brown hair all over the place, said, "Maybe you can marry one of our cousins, too, Your Grace."

"Interesting," said Price, looking at him. "Are you looking for a wife, Your Grace?"

"Stop it," said Web, walking into the room, already dressed for the day. "Daniel is here for a vacation. Let's not make it a circus."

"If we are, then maybe Gale and Price should leave the table," Freda said. "Monkeys, you see."

The earl laughed, patting Freda's hand. "That's a good one."

"I've always wondered if I'd ever get the chance to say that one," Freda proudly said.

Price said something, but Daniel was no longer listening. His attention was drawn to the two women walking arm in arm into the room. Simone and Lydia looked like they had been laughing just before they stepped inside. And in a fluid motion they must have done so many times in the past, they disengaged from each other and walked to their respective seats—Lydia beside Freda, and Simone beside Web.

"Where's Emmeline?" asked Lydia.

Someone answered, but their voice was muffled in his ears. He could not focus, his attention fully on Simone who was now talking. And even that he could not hear. It was just her and how she moved, the way her mouth smiled as she spoke to Web. And then, just as he realized what he was doing, her eyes accidentally landed on him and just as when he thought she would look away and ignore him like she did yesterday and earlier, she smiled at him, acknowledging him all of a sudden. Daniel was quite convinced it was a mocking smile.

Emmeline finally arrived and immediately became the focus of everyone's attention. They inquired how her night was. Did she sleep well? What did she want to do today?

There were too many activities. The list seemed endless, most of them absurd, if not tiresome. Suddenly, Daniel had a full day. Riding with Web, a trek in the woods with Price and Gale. Maybe some shooting if the gamekeeper could spare them some time. And a trip to the river or the nearby lake. Or they could camp in the woods, in one of the cabins the Stratfords built.

"It's also harvest time. You may be interested to look around the plantation," Harry added before breakfast was over.

Interestingly, Daniel noted that Simone had not said yes to all the activities Lydia planned with Emmeline. Did she have other plans?

***

Simone realized something during breakfast. She did not have to ignore the man. She did not have to act like a heartbroken fool because she was not. It wasn't his fault that he could not give their past the value she wanted. Nor was it her fault to think that he did—or hope that he did.

It was all in the past now.

And she should move on. And honestly, it was quite refreshing and exciting. No more thoughts of Daniel Cavendish, the exciting actor. There was just Daniel Cavendish, the boring duke. Surely, it would be easier to focus her energy on something more worthwhile.

But first, she had to survive the wager. With nearly all the household staff in on it, the next two months would be a challenge. She could already picture herself avoiding the attempts of the other team to get her together with the duke and she was already tired. Of course, she had the opposing team to help her, but it was only bound to end in trouble. She had to find a way to get around this because there was much at stake. For one, her pride. She would loathe for Daniel Cavendish to think she wanted the matchmaking. Oh, that would just be embarrassing! And two, she wagered two-hundred in favor for her not getting an engagement with the duke. She had to win. But she had to win against Price's strategy. Her brother was the most cunning man when it came to useless things.

The first step she should take is to act as though she was not in distress. That evening, she dressed and joined her cousins and Price on the deck, all the while acting like she was completely oblivious that they were planning something behind her back. It was their time on the deck at that hour, and they brought wine, cheese, and blankets.

Like many nights, they lay on their backs to watch the moon, Lydia and Simone in the center, Price and Gale on both sides.

"Sometimes, do you ever think if they're still here?" Lydia asked.

"Who?"

"You know, our parents," she said. Simone felt a pang in her chest, but like always, she suffered the pain alone. Because each of them was also enduring their own. "I believe in spirits. Don't you?"

"Well, maybe," said Price. "Do you reckon they float?"

"Can you imagine your father floating?" Gale asked.

Lydia chuckled, and as the four of them imagined Dexter Matson, a giant of a man with the weight of a mountain, floating in the air and looking down at them.

"If he's here," Price said, "he'd jest and tell us he caused the bloody ship to sink."

For a second or two, no one said anything. And then they all burst out in another fit of laughter.

"I can imagine Aunt Dorothy's tiny scowl," Lydia said. "That was a horrible joke, Price. Your mother would have disapproved."

"My mother was an angel. She could never even manage a scowl," Price loyally said.

"That was my mother's expertise, thank you," said Gale, chuckling.

Price sat up and drank straight from the wine bottle. He looked down at Simone with a grin, saying, "I can already hear Aunt Antonia's screams of delight if you become a duchess."

Lydia laughed. "I can picture Mama doing just that."

Simone snorted. "And I can see Mama restraining her."

A quiet reigned around them. There was nothing but the sound of crickets and the soft rustle of the trees. Gale let out a sigh. "I miss them. The manor will be a bit loud at this time of night, all of them playing cards and shouting at each other in the courtyard."

"And laughing," Simone added, eyes watering. After the accident, the courtyard was left empty for months. It just didn't feel right for them to be there because the courtyard had always been their parents' before it was theirs.

"While we sneak into the kitchen," Price said.

Lydia chuckled. "Remember that time Harry, Web, and Damon snuck out in the middle of the night?"

"They always used to sneak out, Lydia. Which one are you talking about?"

"The one that rose the entire village," Simone supplied, already shaking in silent laughter, a tear rolling down the side of her face.

"Oh, that," said Price, laughing. "Uncle Raymond was quite mad, wasn't he?"

"They raised the entire village awake thinking there was an abduction," Gale said. "If I remember correctly, they fought as to whose son was more valuable."

"Uncle Hilton said his sons were abducted because they were Priests."

"Uncle Raymond thought they were abducted because Harry is future earl."

"Even the vicar joined the search."

Simone laughed harder. "Found them in the next village foxed and dancing."

Price laid back down beside Simone. "They were not even invited to that party."

"They had the audacity to claim they got lost, the bastards," laughed Lydia.

Another quiet as the four of them pictured that night. "It was a storm," said Gale. "I don't think we're ever brave enough as the three of them."

"Roxie and Freda are," said Simone. "It's scary to think of what those two devils are capable of."

Gale turned to his side and wrapped his arm and leg over Lydia. "I'm sleepy."

Lydia sighed. "I'd push you off the deck if I haven't had enough wine."

"When you get married, Lydia," said Gale, "I'll pay for all the wine."

Price pulled Simone into an embrace, too. "When you get married, Sisi, I'll name all your children."

"I strip you of the privilege, brother," she said, wrapping her arm around his waist, pressing her face in his chest, inhaling his familiar and comforting scent. Not soon after, she was silently crying. But like always, she kept it to herself. Maybe they were crying, too, so she did not raise her head to see. Price absently caressed her hair as if he knew. No one uttered a word.

"Get off, the lot of you," Damon's voice said from the roof. The four of them looked up and sighed. Harry and Web were standing there as well. "It's our time on the deck."

"Not fair," said Lydia, pushing away from Gale. "When are you getting married so we can have this deck to ourselves?"

"Get moving," said Harry, pulling Gale to his feet. "Let's not be rude to our guest."

Simone snapped her head to the right and found Daniel Cavendish standing behind Web. She groaned and rolled her eyes, scrambling to her feet.

"Leave the wine," ordered Web when Price picked up the bottle. "And the cheese."

"And no walking into the woods," said Harry.

Simone prepared herself to greet their guest by hastily wiping her damp face. It was dark, and her tears may not show, but still she felt no one should see them. She forced a smile on her face and said, "Good evening, Your Grace. Be careful with these three. They're worse than us."

Web helped her out of the deck. "Careful," her brother said before he kissed the top of her head. "Straight to bed, my little dressmaker."

She kissed his cheek. "Good night, brother." Then she turned to Damon with the sweetest smile she could muster. "Don't drink too much. Last time, we found you sleeping on the deck."

He just gently patted her cheek and murmured good night. As she passed Daniel, she made a small and awkward curtsy. It was not easy to do on a roof with an injured foot. "Good night, Your Grace."

He nodded, stepping aside to let her pass. As she did, he murmured, "Good night, Miss Priest."

***

As Harry, Web, and Damon spread out their blankets on the deck, Daniel looked around. It was just as she had said in her letters. The silhouette of the mountains looked like a woman lying on her side. The moon looked bigger. And the wind was mild.

The deck is like sitting by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate on a winter night. At least for me, of course. I hope you will one day see it for yourself, Daniel.

"Watch the woods, Web," Harry said. "They might sneak out and transfer to one of the decks."

"They won't pass through that side if they would," said Damon wryly. "They'd pass through that side," he said, pointing somewhere west.

"They're not going out tonight," Web said matter-of-factly, picking up the wine bottle. "They emptied the wine."

"You read them well," Daniel noted.

Harry shrugged. "Price will stay up reading. Gale will go straight to sleep if Roxie and Freda don't camp in his room. Lydia will probably paint until sunrise. Sisi will be sewing."

"Sew?"

"Dresses," Web supplied, patting the space next to him.

We'll bring blankets because Roxie and Freda always carry mud when they get up there.

Mentally shaking her letters off his head, Daniel sat on the cloth-covered floor and accepted the decanter of brandy his friend offered. "She's getting terribly good at it, I must add."

The corner of his lips flinched. "She must be passionate about dresses."

Someday, I'll be making dresses everyone would want. Like you, Daniel, I'll live my dream. Maybe I'll also be sewing your costumes—for a fee, of course!

"The feathered dresses during the Hutchinson Ball were her idea," Harry supplied.

"And she and Lydia looked like bloody geese walking around the ballroom," Damon said with a sigh. "But you'll soon see the women fashion something similar."

"I'm sure they will."

"We'll have a flock of featherless winged creatures soon," said Web. "She's effective that way. She can make the most horrible dress—not that I'm saying they're horrible—and everyone will just follow."

Daniel made no comment. He looked ahead, at the shadows of the trees. They swayed with the wind and he soon became entranced, thinking of Simone behind a machine, sewing a dress.

"She's making Charity Poppet's dress, isn't she?" asked Harry. "Ara told me."

"Yes," Web replied, explaining to Daniel, "A wedding dress."

"She's been sewing another one for years," Damon said, before tipping his decanter. "A wedding dress."

"I heard she'll never finish it," Harry said.

"If she finds a man, she will," Web retorted wryly. "Sometimes I hope that never happens."

Daniel frowned. "Why?"

Web shrugged. "She's still twelve in my eyes."

Damon only snorted. Harry just shook his head.

"But Price is right," Web said with a sigh. "She needs to find a husband fast."

He remained quiet until the conversation shifted to more adult things. Crops, business, and even women. The Stratfords told him about the time they chased a man who left a friend of theirs on the altar, the older sister of the woman whose wedding dress Simone was sewing.

"Harry practically dragged the Royal Watchers to where the man was bound in one of our ships," Web said with a laugh.

"If you've seen Ara's face when she realized the bastard was not showing up in that chapel, Web, you would have thrown Haskett off the ship while he was bound," Harry said, tone acrid.

They stayed on the deck for more than an hour, talking and drinking brandy. After, Web invited him to walk around the courtyard to stretch their legs.

The three walls that surrounded the courtyard were lined with windows. Everything else in the household seemed asleep, but one window was still lit. He was about to ask when he noticed her bent over something. She was sewing, he gathered. When he looked away, he saw Web looking at him.

He smiled because what else was he to do? His friend just caught him staring up at his sister's window. "What?" he asked with a nervous chuckle.

Web tilted his head to the side, considering him with curiosity. "You're different."

"What do you mean?"

"Just that you don't smile as easily anymore. Can you even laugh?"

He did laugh. "Of course. What now? Can't a man change? Do you expect me to be the same as I was years ago?"

"Yes, in fact, I did."

"We've seen each other over the years, Web. You know I'm still the same man."

"We both know you're not," his friend said in a serious tone. "What do you plan to do after this?"

"After I've settled my sisters?"

"Yes."

"I don't know. Wait?" he asked with a dry laugh. "Just as they're waiting, I believe."

"You're not sure of that."

"I like to think of the worst."

"I wonder what your father would say to that," Web said, turning to face him. "He would say you're being bloody stupid."

"I can imagine him saying that, yes."

"You're his son, Daniel. Of course he would say that."

He smiled wanly. "He wanted me to be his son," he corrected.

"And he made sure it stays that way in the eyes of many."

Daniel sighed. "I'd rather not talk about this, Web."

"Good. Because I'm not enjoying it."

"You bastard," he said.

"No, you are." If it was someone else, Daniel might not have laughed. But this was Web, his one friend from Butler who knew his secrets. And kept it.