***

Shilla walked into Lucy's room and curtsied to Lucy, who seemed engrossed in a book.

“What is it?” Lucy asked. She had instructed all the maids to leave while she relaxed. Shilla coming in when the others had left was not without cause.

“I had done as you asked and told a maid in Lady Fontaine's household, that Lady Steinhouse had a man. I heard that Lady Fontaine had rushed to go join the tea session Lady Steinhouse was holding,” Shilla reported. She was confused why her Lady had asked her to do this.

“Lady Fontaine is the core of all rumours in the capital. She knows all that is to be known behind closed doors. She is also one to spread gossip quite well. A woman of society that cannot keep her mouth silent is not one that can walk with head high amongst her peers, yet Lady Fontaine has managed to be seen as the quietest and most loving woman in society,” Lucy explained.

“So, she is hiding her true face then?” Shilla asked.

“No. Lady Fontaine's ability is a talent, one might say. What she does not know is that when one needed a rumour started, they just had to slip it to a maid or servant around the Lady and it would be the talk of the town the next day,” Lucy flipped through the pages of her book.

“A talent for gossip? How is it that good?” Shilla scoffed before recalling herself. She immediate apologized to Lucy.

“I’m sorry, my Lady. I should talk less,” she immediately knelt.

“Get up, It's alright. One would not truly understand Lady Fontaine's skill. Let's just say, that a rumour started by Lady Fontaine is almost impossible to clear, no matter how ridiculous it may seem. That is true skill,” Lucy said in appreciation.

“But My Lady, why would you start a rumour such as that? I thought you were okay with Lady Steinhouse's plans and had no intention of interfering?” Shilla asked standing up.

“Oh no, this will not disturb their plans, instead it will help it. Whatever she may do, people would think she is just a woman in love. No one would think she is up to no good. Besides, rumours are not only good for the one saying it. Sometimes, it is good for the ones talked about. When you want to put an idea in someone's head, it's the best way to go about it,”

“So, my lady intends her to find a man. The rumours may influence her to see someone she may have liked in a deeper light?” Shilla asked.

“Lady Steinhouse has only been known to talk or relate with three lords; all of whom, she grew up with. A new person hanging around is like dangling sweet before a child. This lady has offered her a man,” Lucy chuckled.

***

Walter had headed back home, awaiting night. He was unsure why he had offered to help her, but when he returned, he was sure it was the right decision. Lady Wickshire had instructed him to help Lady Steinhouse with whatever she wanted and he could not seem to fit in with the idle lifestyle at home. He returned that afternoon, with nothing to do. Only a few hours in and he had had enough of the lifestyle. His mother, on the other hand, was having a filled day. She could finally talk with educated women. Though they were not nobility, they had a high standing in the countryside; especially after she had accidentally made it known that her son circles nobility. It was a risk she had taken, even though she knew her son never talked about work and she did not have the stomach to ask. Something about his silence made every other person avoid the topic. She wondered if he would scold her when he returned, but he did not. She had waited around all day after sending off all of her guests, yet he had not approached her.

She took a cup of tea to his room and knocked.

“Enter,” she heard him say and her breathe stifled. This was her son; when had she begun to be wary of his fury? Taking in deep breaths, she entered.

“Walter, it is mother,” she smiled gently as she approached his bed. He was lying down with his eyes closed, so she put down the tray beside his bed.

“I brought you some tea. I had some samples from the local store around. It's really good,” she said.

“Thanks, Ma,” he answered.

“You are not allowed to call me that. I may have let such unsophisticated speech pass back in the village, but I will not anymore,” she cautioned him. Only then did he open his eyes. Seeing that she had his attention, her smile deepened.

“Okay, mother,” he corrected himself.

“Are you angry with me, Walter?” she asked cautiously, yet he just stared. He understood her point. He had instructed that she stay low, but she had gone and announced to the entire countryside that they had arrived.

“Think about it Walter, you cannot hide the fact that noblemen enter and leave as they liked for long. The servants talk, you know. This way, we answer all questions. We are a merchant family from the south of the kingdom moving here for business opportunities and to make sure we get a good marriage match for Amie. Your work makes you interact with some of noble society. That way, anyone who sees you outside does not think it wrong,” she explained herself, but Walter only sighed. Unable to understand the meaning behind his sigh, she went ahead to explain.

“As we are now living in this household, we must play the part well. That way, no one would be too curious about us,” she said but Walter had yet to answer. He understood her point; and seriously, he thought she was right. At the time, he had only thought of the implications of having the lady's gold and diamonds locked in his vault and would have preferred if they were hiding under a rock. Now that it had come to this, he saw nothing wrong with what she did.

But he knew his mother well; she was not one to come all the way up to explain herself. She would have said something during lunch or dinner, yet she waited this long. She wanted something.

“What is it, mother? Do you want to do something?” he asked.

“Your father is really strict and has not allowed me to take money for other things. I know we've not been here a while, but there are still a lot of things needed to be done. I understand his point; it's not right for us to use too much money when we are just getting to understand the farm, but your sister needs clothes and the house needs better cutlery and tea sets. I basically had to beg your father to give me the money I used to buy the necessities I needed to host my guests. I...” she complained.

“Mother, get to the point,” Walter felt his head start to spin.

“I want to take Amie and some servants and head into the city and I need money,” she smiled.

“We will talk tomorrow,” he said and she nodded. That may not have been confirmation, but it was enough. She could see a glimmer of hope.

“Have a good sleep,” she said as she slowly left.

“I have something to do this night. I will leave soon,” he said and she paused before nodding and leaving with her candle, allowing the room to descend into semi-darkness. Walter could not deal with this at the moment. He had in his possession the gold Lady Wickshire had sent her maid to deliver to him the last time, and the diamonds he had bought from that Barney when he delivered to him information about the Townsdale land while investigating the Mclears.

Honestly, he had enough money to give his mother to go wild in the city. But he had a feeling that he should not overindulge her. She may come to love this lifestyle a little too much and it would take a few months before they could comfortably start using money from the plantation.

He understood his father was taking time to understand the villagers, the work done so far, making repairs and preparing for the harvest season arriving the next week. Added to the fact that he had to get the stock sold before the white cold arrives, His father's plate was full. He was contemplating helping out, But he understood that he could only do so when he was not on orders.

Orders; that sent chills down his spine. The lady was very vague the last time she talked to him; he was not sure what she wanted him to do. All he was told was to help Lady Steinhouse out. Walter shook away the thoughts and got up to change. Wearing a heavy coat to keep him warm, he rode out of the estate under the cover of night.

Walter made his way to the metal shed as agreed. The night was cold, making him grateful he had dressed the part; an indication that the windy quarter was near. As the windy quarter was the shortest of all; lasting at most a few weeks, the white cold was not far behind. He was not sure why she had chosen this location and he truly did not care. The guard watching out saw him arrive and let him pass. Taking a closer look, he noticed the guard was familiar, answering the question of how he was recognized that easily. He was led towards the lady who stood by the corner waiting. She was wearing a simple grey satin gown; though thick and heavy, it did nothing to guard against the cold air. Seeing Walter's figure approach, she unconsciously smiled. For some reason, she could recognize his form and could tell the coming figure was Walter.

“You came,” she said.

“Mn” Walter nodded. Without wasting time, she led them into the inner room. The abandoned building was dark save the lanterns carried by the guards as they led the way. Entering the room, Walter felt the shift of darkness to brightness sharply, as the inner room was brightly lit. At the centre, was an elderly man tied to a chair. Looking around, Walter took a seat by the side and watch what the lady intended to do.