The horses walk slowly away from Mirabelle's house. Eliza waits until they are quite a way away from the house before she speaks.

"What is the actual story then?"

"What do you mean?" Jasper looks over at her.

"Well, Mirabelle told one story, what's the other?"

He rolls his eyes and is silent for a moment. "She told truth for the most part. We did grow up together as children, our parents did arrange a marriage between us which was to happen when Mirabelle turned 16. I left England two years before that time, with James and we joined the king's army." He pauses and sighs. "I came back a few times and I did bring her gifts from my travels on my father's insistence. He was greatly in favour of the match for reasons I still do not know. When he died I felt no obligation to for fill the agreement and when I returned, a year before I met you, I was informed she was married happily and have not thought of her since."

"But you grew up together?" Eliza says confused,

"My childhood is a period of time I would rather forget," Jasper says shortly, he switches the conversation round to her. "Tell me about your sister."

She tilts her head to look at him.

"What was she like?" He says softly.

Eliza smiles sadly, "Her name was Eloise, she was an angel, prettier than me, with a fairer temperament. She was the perfect lady, elegant and talented. My mother doted on her and provided her with all the equipment to succeed in society while I was left to fight with swords and climb trees. I loved her more than anything, she was my best friend." Eliza laughs wryly, "She would have made a better wife than I."

"You must miss her."

"Everyday I see something that reminds me of her." Her eyes glaze over with grief.

Jasper reaches across and takes her hand. Eliza looks at his warm kind face.

"Tis odd to think that if she was alive how different things would have been."

"There is no happiness in looking behind when your future is waiting," Jasper comments bluntly.

"You speak as if you know more than you reveal."

"My father wasn't a good man, he craved power and as you know he manipulated all around him, including my mother. I stood by while he ruined my family, his death was a relief and I felt no guilt in the satisfaction upon hearing of his death." His words are so bitter that Eliza winces. "His blood runs through my veins and I curse his ver

"You are afraid."

Jasper whips his head around sharply, his expression is stony.

"You are afraid you are like your father." Eliza realises, "You are hash to people to stop them from seeing what you see."

"You do not understand." He cuts her off.

"I do." Eliza insists. "Do you not think that I worry about becoming my mother, the type of woman that abandons their only child. There is a constant fear I will wake up one day and I will be my mother." Her voice has become more emotional. "But I think the fear of becoming our parents make us not like them at all."

Jasper looks at her, contemplating what she has said, he opens his mouth to speak but he notices the town in front of him.

"We are here." He clicks his horse on faster. They have entered the north side of Oxford. The light cobbled streets are lined with family-owned shops and businesses. The air seems to be cleaner than in London and the atmosphere more bright, people stop to chat with friends and most seem content. Jasper takes the main high street down towards the public-house, people recognise him and the whisper and point. He seems oblivious to the stares and continues his path. Eliza steers her horse closer to his.

"They talk of you." She tells him quietly.

"The effect of my father has not been forgotten so easily."

Eliza burns to ask him what he means but dismounts and approaches a forty-year-old man in a dirty tunic and leggings who is sweeping outside the smithy.

"Master Lewin, it has been a long time." Jasper shakes hands with him, "How have you been?"

"Duke Harrington," The man grins and shows a missing tooth, "It's good to see you."

"You seem well Lewin, how is your daughter, Ella?"

"Bright as ever, she works at the bakery now, it's been good for the family to have some extra money." Lewin leans around Jasper and notices Eliza, "Who's this gorgeous girl?"

"Hello," Eliza steps in front of him and offers her hand. "I am Eliza Tur.....Harrington."

Lewin takes her hand unsure, "It's lovely to meet you." He looks questioningly at Jasper.

"She's my wife."

"That as well." Eliza rolls her eyes. Lewin smiles at her amused.

"Lewin, I need the staff to ready the house, we shall be living in it for a few weeks." Jasper orders.

"Of course sir," Lewin scratches his bald patch, "I can everyone at the house at 11 if that will be alright?"

"That's fine, I'll see you then."Jasper turns to Eliza. "What would you like to do now?"

"Can we explore the town?" She asks looking around. "On foot?"

"Of course." He collects the reins of both horses. "Could you return the horses to the house or stable." He hands them to Lewin who nods.

Eliza takes Jasper's arm and they wave goodbye to Lewin. They slowly walk down through the town, she stops in front of a bakery, the heavenly smell of baked dough and sweet buns reaches her nose and she closes her eyes in delight.

"I didn't bring any money." She sighs annoyed after checking her pockets, Jasper slips a hand into his coat and hands her a few coins. Eliza looks at the money and smiles gratefully.

"I'll pay you back." She promises, she enters the shop and marvels at the baked goods. Sticky buns, cherry tarts, apricot plaits, fruit buns, almond biscuits and frangipane all laid out on the wooden counter.

"Good morning." A red-cheeked girl with short brunette hair greets her, she has flour on her apron.

"Good morning." She replies, "Could I have two sticky buns please?"

"Of course miss." The girl picks up the sweet treats and places them in a paper bag, Eliza hands her the correct money.

"Can I ask miss, are you new in town?" The girl's eyes dart uncomfortably as she puts the money away.

"Tianna, don't bother the lady." An older woman walks behind the counter holding a tray of fresh bread.

"Oh I am so sorry my lady," Tianna does a half curtsey and hands her the paper bag.

"Tis no bother, I am new in town, I only arrived with my husband last evening, he wants to show me his childhood town for our honeymoon."

"Your Jasper Harrington's wife? Son of the late Duke Harrington?" The older woman asks now curious.

"Yes..." Eliza senses a shift in the atmosphere, she glances outside to where he waiting. The two servers follow her gaze to him.

"Well good day my lady." The older woman lowers her head and Eliza feels like she has been dismissed, she leaves the shop glancing behind. Jasper walks up to her as she steps into the street.

"Got what you wanted?" He asks but he frowns when he notices her confused expression. "Are you alright?"

"Yes...I just...never mind." She opens the paper bag and offers him a sticky bun. "Here I bought you one."

Jasper takes the bun reluctantly, Eliza takes a bite of hers. The dough is light, airy and sweet. He copies her and surprisingly enjoys the bun.

"This is good." He says taking another bite.

"Haven't you had one before, when you were younger?" She asks relishing hers.

His face clouds over, "My father never let me visit the village alone, it was always with him."

Eliza falls silent, she licks her sticky fingers thoughtfully.

"I have something to show you," Jasper says taking her hand but she pulls away quickly.

"Your hand is sticky." She complains.

"Oh sorry."

"And you have it all over your face." Eliza laughs, she pulls a lace handkerchief out and passes it to him.

"Thanks," Jasper says gruffly, he wipes his face clean and tucks her dirty lace handkerchief into his coat.

"What are you going to show me?" She asks amused, Jasper just smiles and takes a side alley away from the hubbub of town, it leads out onto the hills.

"Where are we going?" She laughs. He remains quiet but leads her up a hill until they reach the very top. The landscape stretches out, you can see for serval miles, miles of rolling green hills and patches of dancing flowers and fauna. The land has a mysterious aura, it is half covered by dense cloud and the light from the sky makes the hills darker and seem more dangerous.

"Wow." Eliza breathes in the sight.

"I used to come up here when my father went out of town, there is a shortcut from the house."

"It's beautiful."

"It is."

"Which way is the house?" Eliza asks. Jasper points northeast.

"A few minutes walk that way."

Eliza grins cheekily, she winks at him, "Catch me."

She picks up her skirt and dashes in that direction, Jasper stares after her in shock. He thinks for a second before sprinting after her. She disappears from sight and he slows down, searching between the thorns.

"Ahhhhh!!" Eliza springs out from behind a tree and throws her arms around him, he catches her.

"Hello," Jasper laughs and he swings her around in a circle. The laugh together and then he sets her back on the ground.

"Thank you for showing me this place." She says seriously.

"My pleasure."