[Baron William Howard]

Will climbed off his horse when he reached the front of the Carstairs Estate. Reaching in the back carrying pouch, he pulled out two pheasants. It was a nice little gift for Victoria; a reason to stop by. Of course, he could have made the excuse of seeing her son and seeing how he's settling into his new position. But, he had wanted to see Victoria on her own. Ever since that conversation with Elaine, he had been thinking about Victoria.

With the pheasants tossed over shoulders, a valet ran up to greet him. "Be sure to give him some water," Will said to the valet. It was not a long trip. But, Will was not sure how long his visit would be. He wanted to be sure that his horse would be rested for the way back. "I'm here to see the Marchioness Dowager," Will said to another valet, who ran off to make his presence known.

He turned to see the rest of the courtyard. The Marquesate was a much nicer place than the Barony. However, he did his best to keep up appearances. To be sure that his estate kept up with the Pemberton fashion. However, these appearances was starting to cost him. The family would be able to survive for another six months. But, after that, they would have to start cutting back. They already stopped Anne's tutor. She was upset, but they couldn't afford to have the tutoring coming around.

Will continued to stay out here, waiting for someone to greet him.

[Lady Victoria Smith]

Victoria had listened, silently as her daughter had told her almost every detail about the Monarchy Day Ball. From the collision with Josephine, to the dance with Elric, and the meeting of a Lord Tobias. She even mentioned Richard, the young Lord Clerval, and a few others. But it was not those people that stuck out in her mind. Even the planned visit of the King and Queen did not phase her. It was the conversation that Elaine had had with Baron William Howard that went through her mind.

Her daughter had seemed appalled by the idea that William had thought that Victoria should remarry. However, Victoria felt a little differently. No, she was not looking to replace Adrian in her life. NEVER! There was no possible way that any one could replace her best friend, and one true love. However, his absence put a hole in her life, and the life of her children, that needed to be filled. A male role model. Especially Matthew, who was only ten years of age. Richard needed some one to help him in choosing a wife, and Elaine needed some one to take the responsibility of taking care of her family.

Victoria recalled that William had still not remarried, which had always surprised Vicki. His children had been so young. They needed a mother, way before now. Anne had grown up with only the memories of her mother. And Victoria knew how Henry felt; she had never known her mother. As she thought about it more, there was much that she could get out of a marriage, even to William. And there was much she could offer him in return.

With how he had been so forward, and spoken to Elaine about this, Victoria assumed that he would come talk to her about it, more. Maybe even the idea of him asking her hand, had run through his mind, too. So, it was no surprise when she saw him riding up the path to the Carstairs Estate. She was still not feeling much for company, but she was doing more standing, and walking. She was not as often laying in her bed, throughout the day. However, she was not back to her full health.

When the servant came to her room, and told her maid that Baron William Howard was there to see her, it was Victoria who answered. Having not spoken for a few days, her once melodic voice was a bit scratchy. “Bring him to the sitting room. I will join him in a moment.” She stood from her window viewing seat, and approached the young man. “And tell him, that if he wishes, Cook with prepare his pheasants for this evening’s meal.”

As the valet went running back down the hall, Victoria made her way from her room, to the sitting room. She soon was seated in a high backed, well cushioned, red velvet chair, with an empty one positioned nearby, for the Baron. Her raven black dress contrasted it greatly. However, even in morning, and not even trying to impress, Victoria was not hard on the eyes. Her skin was pale, due to the lack of sun the past 7 months. Her green eyes had darkened some, but not framed in red for a change. Her medium brown curls were worn up in a wire net, and the sheer veil, which was usually over her face, was draped down the back of her head.

She fingered the black roses that were stitched onto the sleeve of her gown, as she waited for William to join her. Maybe some good would come of this meeting. However, she hoped that Howard would be easy with her. The slightest reference to Adrian, or even the slightest thing that could remind her of him, could send her to tears. She had not yet cried today, so she was trying not to. This was not going to be easy.

[Baron William Howard]

Someone had finally ran back out after what felt like forever. He handed the pheasants off so that it could be cooked for dinner that night. Then, Will followed another servant into a sitting room. It was one he had been to a million times to see Adrian on meetings and such. But, now he was here to see his wife. William was shy and quiet as a young man, but he had big dreams. It was only now that he was able to find ways to get what he wanted, when he needed it.

Entering the room, he spotted Victoria sitting in a majestic chair, still wearing the colors of mourning. Even though she had not made an effort, she looked very handsome. For a woman with three children and in her middle age, she was still quite lovely. She still had a few years left of her looks. Elaine looked very much like her mother. And, if the saying was true, Elaine will age very finely.

William walked up to Victoria, then got down on one knee, and bent his head down, to greet the woman. "My lady," he said, holding his riding cape back with his free hand. His knees cracked a bit. At his old age, he shouldn't be kneeling for too long, but it was only proper for him to greet the Marchioness Dowager in such a manner. She was of higher rank, and he must act in accordance. "Thank you for seeing me." Then, he lifted his head to look at her.

[Lady Victoria Smith]

Victoria tried to smile as she saw the Baron enter her sitting room. It was not like the times she had seen him at Llyn. No, he was not here for business with Adrian. It used to be that when Adrian was in Carson, business with him would have to wait until he got back to the marquisate. Victoria usually had made it so that only Carson business was conducted in the Carstairs Manor. However, times change, and with her unable to travel, she would make this exception. Besides, she almost had called this meeting herself.

As he knelt down, Victoria bowed her head to him. ”Kind Lord, please rise.” She motioned with her right hand for him to do so. She might be a rank, or two, higher than him, but in her state she did not feel so noble. ”Baron Howard, please, take a seat.” She used the same hand to motion to the matching chair near her.

”I believe I know what you are here about. However, I was not expecting you so soon.” She motioned her maid nearer, and then looked back to William. ”Would you like something to drink?” She waited for his response, and then sent Maria to fetch his drink, and a glass of water. Having already spoken more in one minute than she had for a few days, her throat was already feeling dry.

”How are your children faring?” She had heard, from Elaine, that the Baron might be sending his son to Marcheford for school. Elaine had also said that Anne has been introduced to society. Well, at least she was at the masquerade. Then, she thought about her own answer to that question. She truly did not know. Other than that Elaine appeared to be healthy, and had a great time at the ball. Now she was feeling a little ashamed of herself. Maybe it would be William who helped her be the mother she should be.

[Baron William Howard]

Will stood up and smiled at Victoria. Then, he took the seat next to Victoria and goet himself situated into the seat. It was actually a very nice chair. The chairs at his place was just as majestic, but the cushions needed to be re-feathered. After all of those months of sitting on them, the feather had seem to lose life. He must remember to tell Gabriel to fix those cushion. "Thank you, my lady," he said. taking a hold of the armrest.

Victoria was expecting him? Why? He didn't seem to question it because at least she was prepared of his arrival. "Yes, I'll have whatever you have," he said, when offered for something to drink. "They are fine. Well, as fine as any young folks can be. I could hardly get Anne out of the library. She has finally be introduced into society and could go out and find a potential husband, but I can't get her to put down her book long enough to consider possible marriage prospect."

If only his wife was still alive. This wouldn't have happened. Anne needed a motherly figure in her life. Maybe that was the problem. "And, Henry... He's a good lad. Growing up strong and clever. He's prepared to go to Marcheford next year. How are your children?"