"What a perfect day for a picnic." Victoria found herself talking to her small cat. Lily was finding every little way to hinder Victoria's set up of the picnic she had planned to share with her uncle. When Victoria had spread out a blanket for them to sit on, Lily was under it, and attacking the corners. And every time Victoria would open the basket, Lily would try to get inside, to that wonderful smelling chicken in side. However, her plan was foiled every time, by Victoria's hand swatting her away.

Her plain red skirts rustled with every move she made, though she was used to it. The pastel pink roses on the red bodice showed she was not quite Pemberton royalty, but she was related. Any one on the Green would know who she was. Today, it did not bother her. So what if people knew that the Duke and his niece had a picnic? That did not hurt any thing. It was a simple, plain picnic, like any thing any one else would have. They were allowed to have normal lives too.

Once every thing was settled, and Lily was off chasing a butterfly, nearby, Victoria sat at the edge of the blanket. She pulled her flute out of the bag and began to play. The soft sweet music filled the air. She was taken to a time with her father, a time when life was simpler. Things were so much easier back then. She had been allowed to be carefree and wild, if she wanted to be. Now, this spirited child could only call on those memories to remind her of the way things used to be.

Every now and then, she would stop playing the flute, and sing to the notes she had just played. Her voice carried across the Green, but she did not get shy like she normally would. Not many had heard her lovely singing voice, just yet, but now was as good a time as any. The song was not sad, but it was calming. It was a song that her governess had taught to her and Maria, for when times were rough, and they needed a break. It was like a mini vacation in their minds, and in the minds of all who heard it. Victoria was glad to have a few minute before Edmund got there to sing like that.

Edmund had decided to walk on foot to where his niece had specified. He had arranged his servants to clear the immediate area, ensuring their picnic wasn’t intruded upon by courtiers wishing to gain some fluke or favor. It was a brilliant fall day, the kind that the duke most enjoyed. Warm days with much cooler evenings, that whisper of coming winter being heard with increasing promise as each day passed. Edmund was in good spirits as he strolled along, the faint scent of ale upon him but not overwhelmingly so. He actually hadn’t drank nearly as much today as he usually did. He had spent the morning with Catalina followed by a brief meeting concerning his coming trip to Marcheford. Duke Edmund was excited about the changes he planned to bring to Pemberton, those same plans that Duchess Madeline so strongly opposed.
As he walked, he heard a melody that was both catchy and reassuring. He strained to hear the actual words but couldn’t quite decipher them. It was a beautiful voice. Edmund had always liked listening to people who sang well. It had been a question he remembered asking Esabell all those years ago. She had laughed while she answered and the memory struck an image of her that was crystal clear. He could picture her on that very day, the day he had agreed to begin courting her. How much had changed since then. Edmund thought of the late duchess with mostly admiration though it was also tinged with remembered frustration. They had been over before they ever truly began.
The singing brought him back into focus, spotting the youthful Lady Victoria arranging the finishing touches for their picnic. He smiled as he approached her, calling out a greeting so that she wouldn’t be spooked. He was struck every time of how similar they looked. They could pass for blood relatives and he was instantly reminded of his sister Grace. He missed his sibling, not having had more than a handful of letters over the past few years. She never did make it to Pemberton and it was difficult for Edmund to leave.
“Lady Victoria,” he said kindly, “Your song is absolutely wonderful.” She was a charming young lady though a bit nosy at times. His smile turned to a grin as he thought of her fierce protectiveness concerning those she loved. She could be a mother bear at times. In some ways, she was very similar to how Esabell had been. Edmund glanced around the setting, tucking in his legs as he sat across from her."I trust you are well?" he asked her, concern evident as he looked her over as if assuring himself she was fine.

Victoria's mind was filled with memories as she sang. Memories of her father, her aunt, the late duke of Marcheford, and her dear friend Adrian. While accompanied with her song, however, they did not really make her sad. They were the good memories. Her eyes reflected the joy that she had while those times were really happening. Like the day her aunt welcomed her to Sutton and the Roseworth Manor, or the dances she shared with Alden. The stars that spanned the sky for her and Adrian, and the stories her father shared with her about the ocean, would always be thoughts to put smiles on her face.

When Victoria heard a familiar voice, she came out of her thoughts, and stopped singing. "Greetings Uncle Edmund!" Where she a girl a few years younger she would have gotten up, ran and hugged him. Though, she was a young woman now, and remembered to act accordingly. At least, for the most part. She blushed a little at the comment on her song. "Many thanks." She smiled at him as he sat down, though it wavered a little. Was that ale she smelled? She could not be sure, but if it was she was not sure how she liked him drinking so. She knew what could happen when you drink too much. She knew that not only by watching other, but by experience. She planned never to allow herself to become so careless as that again. As a matter of fact, she had not even touched a glass of wine since then.

"Well," the topic of her well being was something that could take some time to get into. There was so much going on in her life at the moment. "I am as well as any girl can be, after losing three people she cares about." She sighed deeply, but then a small smile came over her face. "Though, Adrian's return is more than reason enough to smile." She recalled the day she had found him on the side of the road, injured, hungry, and tired. She just thought it a miracle that he was home safe now.

"And you, Uncle? How fares the Duke of Pemberton?" She knew that there was much going on in his life as well. Surely it all had to be taking a toll on him. Her deep green eyes searched him for the answers. She worried about this man, she did not want any thing bad to happen. This whole thing with Aunt Madeline was not the easiest thing for him, she was positive.

She opened the lid to the basket, offering him a peek inside. There was chicken, a few sides, and, of course, cinnamon rolls. She knew he liked them, and she loved them herself. She could not refuse making them for this occasion. "Feel free to help yourself." She told him, just as she spotted movement in the grass again. Lily was preparing a pounce attack, and she was aimed for Edmund. She forced herself not to give the kitten away, knowing that the playful encounter would be amusing to see.

Edmund smiled as she greeted him, almost expecting her to come running toward him but she had matured over the last couple years. It was a realization that had been plaguing his mind lately, taking note of her efficient mannerisms and similar perspectives to those same beliefs Edmund valued so greatly. It was a bittersweet victory, noting for that flashing moment he missed the old Victoria, the one that would have had no boundaries. He felt almost as a father towards her. It was paternal affection mixed with pride. She was a delightful lady, one of the few women the duke found trustworthy enough to be directly involved within whatever political issues were at hand. Not only trustworthy but intelligent as well. His smile slowly faded as she spoke of bygone peoples. The plague had left a notable loss in many duchies, Pemberton not having been spared despite the temporary laws Edmund had enforced. If any, the laws had only delayed the inevitable. When the plague hit, it swept through mercilessly.
Hearing his niece’s sigh, Edmund glanced up watching her face as she smiled then. Adrian’s return was nothing short of miraculous and one that had helped the duke’s former plans for Pemberton once again take shape. Hope did that to people. Duke Edmund once again felt hopeful.

“Aye, Adrian’s survival is cause for celebration,” Edmund said, musing over the idea of having Madeline plan such event but dismissing it at once. He didn’t want her involved with the parliament and as long as she didn’t ask, he didn’t tell. It was better that way.
“I am holding steady,” he said honestly. Perseverance... that was what he had. If nothing else, Pemberton’s duke had the ambition to improve the duchy for the benefit of all of its citizens. It was his goal, one that had started with a small flicker and now had become a raging flame.
He peered at Victoria, the idea he had been dwelling on taking form once more, teasing the edges of his thoughts and pushing its way to the front, refusing to dwindle or be ignored. He shifted as he sat, reaching for one of her delicious cinnamon rolls first, the sweet much too tempting to eat last. He grinned as he took the baked good, knowing most women would chastise a man for eating dessert first. Shrugging his shoulders and feigning innocence, Edmund laughed as he leaned back, the picnic relaxing him so that he could speak more freely.
He hadn’t been watching the kitten, had dismissed the feline almost as soon as he’d first spotted it. Cats were good in the stables but beyond that, they were strange half wild creatures that refused obedience and acted as self appointed dictators. “Victoria,” he began,” how would you like to join me in a parliament meeting?” he asked her, the last word cut off as the kitten pounced, its sharp claws landing against the hand he had braced behind himself. Instinct brought his hand up sharply, the little cat tumbling backwards as Edmund looked at the three small claw marks that ran along his knuckles. Only when the kitten sat up again and meowed defiantly did he chuckle and toss it a drumstick.

Victoria could not help but smile at the talk of Adrian. One of her dearest friends, to say the least about him. "That day I found him on the side of the road..." She stopped, she still held mixed emotions about that day. She had been overjoyed to see him alive, but it also hurt her to see him so out of shape. He looked as if he had almost given up. Victoria refused to let herself imagine what would have happened if her villagers had succeeded in getting her to stay one more day. Surely some other traveler would have found him, she reassured herself, but deep inside knew that it was God who had sent her for that task. He had a plan for every thing, and that was only part of where Victoria fit into things.

Victoria watched her uncle as he spoke. She was worried about him, at least. That alcohol she had smelled, along with every thing else she knew about going on in his life, not to mention the stuff she did not know of, made her wonder if he would truly hold out on his ambitions. If it took a pep talk from her, she would keep her uncle on track. He had so many great ideas for the people of Pemberton, and she wanted to see them come into play. Unlike her aunt, Victoria saw the commoners as an essential part of the duchy. Without them there was really no need for nobles and leaders. However, this did not mean that they did not deserve to have better care taken of them. No, they deserved much more than even Edmund could possibly give them. Still, Victoria was determined to give them as much as she could, even if she feared it was not enough.

Victoria giggled when Edmund reached for a cinnamon roll first. She quickly reached out a hand like she planned to slap his wrist. A smirk crossed her face as she just as quickly dropped the act, and grabbed herself a roll. They did not need to be all proper and manners all the time. Where was the fun in that? And everyone needed to have some fun every now and then. Even the duke of Pemberton, especially with his niece. Not to mention that cinnamon rolls could not truly be enjoyed while being serious. It was impossible. The sugar, the cinnamon, the thing as a whole spoke of sweet and light enjoyment. Nothing dull could ever coexist.

At Edmund's question, Victoria stopped, the cinnamon roll half way to her mouth. She blinked, not sure she heard him right. Her mind thought over the words in her head, putting them back in order, as Lily had made her attack on Edmund. By the time she had come back out of her head, Victoria saw Lily walking to her, a chicken leg in her mouth. She smiled and pet the kitten's head as she sat a little to her side. She gave her next answer a bit of thought, before she spoke it.

Looking up at Edmund, she held in her eyes the look of pride, and confusion. "I would be honored to join you at a meeting of the parliament. But, Uncle Edmund, what use does parliament have for the orphaned niece of the Duchess?" Then a flash of worry came over her. "This is not about marriage plans, is it?" She had spoken her concern before she had thought about what could happen by her doing so. She so feared being married off to some man she did not love. She wanted to find the love of her life, she might have already, and then marry him, and only him. If there was ever any thing in her life she stood up for, this would be it. She did not like the idea of defying Edmund, but if her uncle thought for one second that he could force her to marry some one for military gain... He had another thing coming.

Taking a deep breath, and closing her eyes for a moment, Victoria calmed herself. There was a good chance that that was not on Edmund's mind at all in this. He might be asking her there for a totally different reason, and here she was assuming the worst. She looked back at him, her eyes apologetic, as she waited for his reply. If her fears came true she would not over react, that would only get her into more trouble. No, she would act like the proper Lady that she was. Think optimistic she told herself, praying that Edmund had something other than her marriage on his mind.

Edmund saw the confusion come over Victoria’s face followed immediately by concern. At first he wasn’t sure why she’d worry so until she mentioned the idea of marriage. It was then he recognized the sudden stiffness of her posture, how she peered at him as if already questioning his motives. He silently admitted he had entertained thoughts of securing a marriage for his late wife’s niece. Her royal blood along with the intelligence and persona she was composed of were valuable assets in terms of becoming one’s spouse and there was always the political play involved. Still he hadn’t yet proposed such an idea to her, finding an overwhelming feeling of protectiveness towards the vibrant Lady Victoria. Edmund had done some growing up himself as well in the last few years. He had found passion with Cecily, had seen his second child borne into the world knowing he had few days to actually hold his own flesh and blood. He had hid in the comfort of Catalina’s arms, ever so slowly falling in love with the foreign lady from Luna. So slow in fact he hadn’t realized the emotion until she had left Pemberton. Esabell’s return, her death, his marriage then to Madeline... all of these events revolving around his heart with brilliant slashes of color, bold or gray. Only when Catalina had come back and given not only herself but her children as well to him as a man, not as duke, did Edmund finally realize the cause for Victoria’s hesitation now. He understood. She wanted love, not merely passion or admiration and certainly not the tentative bond he shared with Madeline.
His roll was finished, the taste of it remaining upon his tongue as he smiled in reassurance. “No, Victoria, do not fret of marriage yet,” he said gently. His idea would indeed call for marriage but not now, not for years to come if she wanted to wait that long. “I simply ask to hear your standing on the matters being discussed,” he continued, “the issue of free education and reinforced security, both financial as well as physical. The growing alliance with Benthey... “ his voice trailed off, thinking then of Duchess Elspeth and his respect for her.
He leaned towards his niece by marriage then, their similar looks once again lending them a family resemblance. “No worries, not now. Just accept the invitation and soon enough, I will reveal the true reason,” he said quietly. He didn’t want to frighten her or give her false impression. “Until then, will you tell me more about your family?” he asked her as casually as if he asked her opinion on the weather. “I know the basics. Esabell explained enough of that to me but I’d like to hear more about you Victoria. When were you orphaned? And your parents, tell me of them.” He spoke easily, watching her face. He would stop if she seemed nervous. He didn’t want her to be though he knew her answers would help cement the idea already in place. Duke Edmund had some rather life changing plans... and not just for the commoners of Pemberton.

Yet, how she hated that word with a passion. It meant that the thing she feared most could still happen. It was not totally out of the picture. Meaning her fears were in the right place, just that they could be put on hold until further notice. Such a comforting thought, NOT. It only made the matter worse in her mind. If they were going to stick her in some marriage, she wanted to get it done and over with, before her heart was lost to some lesser man, forever. Though, it was almost too late for that.

"If all you are asking is for my opinions, then, yes. I will be glad to accept the invitation." She knew there was more to it, she could tell, but Victoria was a bit more at ease. Her worst fear did not lay in the hands of discussion for that particular meeting. She would survive it. Besides, she was very curious to see just all that the parliament had to say on the topics she has heard being discussed. She already had some opinions formed on the topics he stated. For instance, free education, some thing that she already tried to provide for in her own sea side village, was an idea she strongly supported. As for security in financial and physical means, Victoria needed to know how this was going to be achieved before she could really say. The topic of Benthey was one that sparked a little worry in her eyes. She knew that both duchies had very different cultures, and did not know who well they would mix, should the ally strength bring the people that close. Though, she did not mind that added military aid that Benthey could could provide to protect Pemberton.

The sudden topic change caught Victoria off guard. "My family, Edmund? What is there to know that you do not?" Her question soon was answered, and Victoria let out a small sigh. She finished the last bite of her roll, then took a piece of the chicken, her eyes keeping away from Edmund's as she thought for a moment. "You want to know about Victoria Sherbourne, and Stephen Carstairs..." It was the story of her life, but none the less this was going to be hard to tell. But, she was a big girl, she could do it. With confidence held in her eyes, Victoria looked back up at Edmund, and began her story.

"Victoria Sherbourne, my mother, was the oldest of the four Sherbourne siblings. She was followed by Esabell, Madeline, and then Mathias. Just coming of age Victoria fell in love with a young Lord Stephen Carstairs. As her parents had not yet really thought of who they would marry her off to, and he was rich and respectable enough, the marriage was allowed. It was not long before they soon found out that I was due to join their world. But when I did, my mother left it. I never knew her." Her eyes lowered for a second, before she continued.

"I am her name sake, and my father's only reason for living after that. He had promised her that he would see me grow up. Father and I lived in a village, his land, by the sea. Fourteen years we lived a happy life. My governess was all the mother I thought I needed, and her daughter, who is my maid, Maria, was, and still is, like a sister to me. Father never remarried, nor could he have found another woman that would be accepted into his life." She was able to hint at a smile, remembering how possessive she was over Stephen. She would not have let any other Lady come take her time with him away.

"I came of age, and that is when my life changed. My father took ill. A strange cough, fever, the like, but no one knows how. No one else around us was ill, or became ill. He died on the 14th anniversary of losing his beloved wife." She paused here, blinking back tears. "I stayed at Carstairs Manor for a year, sorting out my father's affairs, and establishing some sort of order in the village, so that I might be able to join the Court.

"I came here, to live with Esabell and Madeline, not long before you too came to Pemberton, upon Aunt Esabell's request." There it was, her life story, in a nutshell. She relaxed a bit, now that the hardest part was over. "Any thing else you want to know about my father? Any thing about Mother? I can tell you only what Father told me, but there is enough that I feel that I know her, as any daughter should." That was only half true, she felt she knew enough about her mother, to be able to tell her from the next woman, were her mother standing right before her, but matters of the heart, the stuff that really mattered, Victoria would never get to bond with her mother over.

Edmund munched on some chicken as Victoria spoke. He remained silent through her pauses though he would glance over to her and nod in that way of urging her on again. History wasn’t always easy to speak of though it was essential for him to hear. And the more he heard, the more excited he grew. This excitement was kept veiled though a gleam of it shown within his gaze.

Lady Victoria was the daughter of the eldest female Sherbourne offspring. Mathias, being the only son, had of course inherited the duchy despite being the last borne. When Mathias had died however, young Victoria’d been underage, her own mother deceased, and so the role of duchess had gone to Esabell, the second eldest female. Esabell had been forced to select a husband in order to keep her position thus entered Edmund into the picture. Once Pemberton had a duke, the matter of rightful heir was brushed aside once more. Even Edmund had hoped to secure children from his wedding to Esabell but it hadn’t happened due to their own unforeseen circumstances. Sadly, Esabell had passed away during the plague and once more the questioning of inherited ruler came into play. The years had brought much controversy, Edmund’s fair ruling welcomed by many of the less ranking nobles and the high majority of commoners. To force him to give up the throne of dukedom would have caused further civil upset, possibly even war in already a time of despair, and yet his blood was Duncan, not Sherbourne. The decision had been for Edmund and Madeline to marry, Madeline being the youngest sister to both Victoria’s mother and Esabell.

What no one had considered, until Edmund did now, was Lady Victoria.
It was she who was descended first from the trio of sisters and brother Mathias. It was she who was older than Madeline’s own children and daughter of a mother Madeline’s older sister. It was she, Edmund had come to accept, who was the true heir to the Sherbourne crown. It was she he held his hopes to, knowing she was fair and just, intelligent and open to new ideas for the duchy. He knew upon his death Madeline would declare her son duke of Pemberton, standing as Serenity did now until he came of age. Edmund knew the lad would be molded into the man Madeline would want him to be, flinging away the laws Edmund had spent such long hours in the making of. It was to Pemberton’s future that he thought of, knowing he grew older, feeling age creep upon him in the cold of night. He was once a fantastic swordsman, honorable and skilled, but now he would probably be bested in jousting tournaments though few would dare to compete against him due to his rank alone.

Edmund thought ahead to the future more and more now. It was funny what happened when you came to realize your own mortality. Though he’d not be considered old by any modern standards, Edmund was reaching a respected age, having already most likely passed middle age. He had seen good people die before him, burying his firstborn child, and holding his second with a sense of awe. He had been married three times but found love in the arms of a foreign Lunan woman. He had seen King Ambrose rise and fall, known sacrifice and dedication, loyalty and pride. He had not once loosened his faithful allegiance to Benthey, incorporating trusts that would benefit both his home duchy as well as Pemberton. He had created laws to offer the poor shelter and was struck once more with the desire to help those in poverty. Before his own demise came, Edmund was adamant he would leave Pemberton a better duchy for all of its citizens.

He smiled as he finished his chicken, wiping the cloth napkin across his face before answering Victoria’s question. He had no idea if she’d welcome his idea or want nothing at all to do with it. If all went well with parliament and he saw no reason for disagreement, Duke Edmund wanted to decree Lady Victoria as the next ruler of Pemberton, the next duchess to govern all of the population. He smiled again as he drank, his fingers tracing the rim of the mug before setting it back down.

“Thank you Victoria,” he said then. “I ask not for curiosity’s sake but my own selfish reasons and soon... as well as that of many others.” He spoke slowly, all of the thoughts still running rampant in his head. He knew Madeline would ferociously fight him every inch of the way. He knew the second he revealed this idea to anyone else, he would endanger the life of Lady Victoria, perhaps even himself. Until he was certain, until he was assured she could be kept safe, he would speak of it to no one else. No one save her and parliament.

“Parliament shall meet a fortnight from now. I pray you’ll attend then,” he told her, watching her face again. Before then, he’d propose the idea to the parliament members. He trusted each man who held a position, planning it that way now for a few years. Nathaniel and Adrian, his two dearest friends. Samuel and his rigid loyalty, Edmund knew he was a good man. In fact, it was the baroness who gave him cause for hesitation. It was she who recently held him with such hostility that Edmund was uncertain of her reaction. He would tread carefully. He had not only Victoria’s life to consider but his own and those of Catalina and her children. He wanted no one to suffer from revenge aimed against him.

“Now,” he said with a grin and obvious change of subject, “this food is delicious. I am assuming your maid Maria has helped prepare this? Perhaps she should give instructions to the cook at Roseworth,” he chuckled. He hadn’t eaten this well in days, maybe weeks. There never seemed to be enough time in a day. It was all about time anymore.
Spotting the kitten readying to pounce again, its own meal already eaten, Edmund admitted aloud, “I’m thinking of getting a pup.” He had wanted a dog for awhile now, picturing the noble wolfhounds and their towering height. He had met one once years ago, the dog’s image still playing in his mind now and again. “Bring some mischief to the manor,” he laughed, “what say you?”

"Uncle Edmund, you have successfully confused me." Victoria was honest. She had no idea what sort of scheme her uncle was plotting in that mind of his. She trusted him, so she did not worry about it too much. But, she still felt as if she was missing some thing very important in all of this. Edmund had a specific reason for asking her what he had, but he was not telling her.

"I will attend this meeting, just for the fact I am now extremely curious as to what the wheels of you mind have cranked out." She gave him a smile and a playful wink. Her mind quickly shifted the the thought of the different parliament members. Adrian was among them, and this also gave Victoria another reason for going. She wanted any and every reason she could find to be with him, even if only for a second.

Victoria was relieved with the topic change, especially since it was so light and fun. "Maria was not the only one in the kitchen helping prepare this meal." She spoke, raising her chin a bit. "I might be a Lady, but that does not mean I have to be a stranger from cooking." She gave a proud smile, then smirked. "Just, please, do not tell Aunt Madeline. You know she would look me away with "mannerisms" tutors for a month if she found out I was helping the staff." She winked and giggled, though, it was probably an understatement.

Looking to Lily as Edmund spoke again, Victoria's eyes grew wide. "A puppy would be fun, as long as it did not attack my Lily. I will feel no mercy in defending her from the beast." She stated matter of factly to Edmund, though her eyes were filled with merriment. "Mischief is always some thing good to have in the manor though." This was coming from the girl who had tricked and tried to trap Edmund the first time she met him, so it was from experience that she spoke. "We could always raise a pig much like a dog, they are just as smart, and the idea would cause quite a stir with most of the women of the manor, and some men too." She giggled, but the idea actually seemed like fun. A friend of her childhood had raised a pig much the same way, the animal was quite fun.

Edmund laughed when she admitted her confusion. “In due time,” was all he said, smiling as he reached for another chicken leg. He was suddenly hungry, the missed meals from the last few years seemingly caching up with him now and he ate more than he had in a long time.

When the chat turned Duchess Madeline, the duke’s smile lessened and his sight peered towards the manor as if he could spot the lady in question. “Your secret is safe with me,” he told Victoria quietly, a bit more serious than a moment ago. He used to head down to the stables and muck stalls in the early days of his reign here. It had always been done discreetly and he’d then taken his favorite horse out for a gallop across Pemberton’s terrain but it had been that simple task of working that Edmund had enjoyed most of all. The physical labor and sweet manure scent that lingered long after you finished your chores, that was why he had done it.
He had grown softer as time moved on, no longer finding time to escape as he had previously done. Instead he sat at his over-sized desk and poured through parchment after parchment. This had its own reasons and benefits as well though none were as personally rewarding as the feel of sore muscles after a few hours of solid physical labor. He worked for Pemberton now and whatever spare time he found, he mostly spent with Catalina.
“I used to go to the stables,” he recalled in fond memory. Esabell had known. She had never questioned him though, simply smiling in that certain knowledge of the fact her new husband hadn’t quite forgotten the ways of his earlier life. In reality, he had gone to work off the thoughts of Cecily as well as enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the barn.

Turning back to his niece, Edmund chuckled. “I have a feeling Lily here would be perfectly capable of defending herself.” He guffawed aloud when he pictured a pig running through the halls of Roseworth. “A pig eh?” he managed between laughs. “I’ve no idea where you get these notions Victoria but that one may take the cake. Perhaps that is the exact kind of mischief needed,” he said with a wink. “And when the fun wears off, we can have ourselves a roast,” he said, trying to sound serious. He was teasing her now, the glimmer of amusement unable to be hidden in his gaze. “I dare say if you can train a pig to fetch, I will hand over the duchy,” he said, a certain knowing look now entering his eyes, his smile slightly evening out. His words had been said in jest yet with the plan he now felt was indeed the right path, they ended on a much more serious note than he’d intended.
Watching her reaction, Edmund tore his bread in half before munching on the crust. He liked the crust; dry, tougher, the protective outer shell. He was the crust of Pemberton, having made decisions both past and future that jeopardized his own life or that of others but always done with the duchy’s best interests at heart. He knew with a conviction stronger than any he’d felt before that Lady Victoria needed to continue on as Duchess of Pemberton when he no longer could rule. He also knew Madeline would want nothing to do with it. He half smiled, forcing the bread down his throat without drink. “I am the crust,” he mumbled almost incoherently, not meaning to speak out loud. He would do what it took to pave the way for Pemberton.

Victoria was still very curious as to what the man had up his sleeve. But, she let the topic slip away into the other things that were more fun to talk about. Though, she knew that even with the best of intentions things might not stay happy. There was so much in their lives that was hard to talk about. However, she wanted to keep the topic as light as possible, they both needed to stay away from the harder topics as much as they could. She found that her uncle seemed to have a growing appetite, which made her feel it was okay to have more of the chicken herself.

She stopped just after she swallowed a bite, as he spoke more quietly when talk of Madeline came up. She knew that Edmund and Madeline were only married for the titles, the power. She did not agree with it, but she liked how it kept her uncle in Pemberton, helping the people as best he could. Victoria smiled, trying to keep the merry mood. His own little secret in return made Victoria smile more. "Isn't it great to accomplish something like that, with your own two hands?" She knew that the feeling she got when she created something in the kitchen was more than she could get from any thing else.

Edmund's compliment of Lily made Victoria smile. Then she laughed at her uncle's reaction to the pig idea. She grinned at him, knowing that it would be more mischief than some could handle. "If you plan to roast our pig, you better not name him." She playfully stuck her tongue out at him. His teasing was welcome, as it proved he was in bright spirits at the moment. There was nothing more she loved about her uncle, than when she could see him smile. A happy family made for a happy Victoria.

Victoria let her smile drop quickly at his last joke, though. She thought she heard an ounce of seriousness in his words, and it almost scared her. She ignored that part, and focused on how he joked about the ruling title of her duchy. "Edmund, no matter how much you are teasing me, or any one, never give the duchy up, even in a joke. One day, some one might take you seriously, and that would leave you with many problems. This duchy deserves more than that, it needs you, do not forsake that." She was very serious, which surprised herself. She then heard him mutter something, and she nodded. "But do not let something eat at you enough that they get through to the duchy."

"Now, I would teach a pig to play fetch without any incentive, accept maybe a few smiles from my uncle." She was again trying to put the topic on something lighter. She hated how serious they were getting. She wanted to forget that they were important people, and just wanted to be a girl with her uncle, having a pleasant picnic. The worries of tomorrow needed to wait until tomorrow. She prayed they would, at least.