Writen Hastily and Left with Frank

The work was done quickly and he read it over twice to make sure he did not miss represent himself. No. The letter was innocently charming enough, although he doubted that would be appreciated. No matter. Putting the pen back in the ink well, he turned swiftly forgetting all else and headed for yet another card room.

"Ribbon ribbon. Where is a ribbon?" He muttered softly. Moving over to a vase, he pulled forth a blade and cut the desired length. Tying it securely and not too hastily, he found Frank and offered the paper.

"This will have to do, circumstances being what they are."

"I'm sure it will do just as well as could be hoped sir. I will make any necessary excuses should the need arise." He silently hoped, for Percy's sake and for his own, that the note would not incur the wrath of Lady Blakeney, but he knew that was unlikely. Frank quietly crept to the bedroom where Lady Blakeney was sleeping and, careful not to disturb her, left the note on her dressing table. He silently shuddered to think of the anger that would surely flow from the beautiful sleeping creature upon reading the note. But for now, that would wait.

After tossing and turning during a restless night, Marguerite awoke in the early morning hours. When she turned and opened her eyes, she had hoped to find Percy laying beside her, but woke to find what she had expected - a half empty bed. She did notice a note address to her on his table.

Marguerite wanted to tear the paper to shreds, but couldn't force herself to do so. instead she tossed it aside and let it flutter down to the floor as she threw herself into the pillows and began to sob again.

Remember the picnic? Why would he want her to remember the picnic? Remember the only time she had heard him raise his voice to anyone when her yelled at her. Remember the jokes he made at the pain she was feeling inside. remember how he refused to take a piece of fruit from her hand as he used to do.

There were a few moments of tenderness during the picnic. When he brushed away her tears, when he allowed her to kiss the palms of his hands, but they were so few. Of course there was the event when Marguerite had woken him up, when he pulled her close and kissed her in a way that she hadn't been kissed in weeks, but when he woke up even then he seemed unnerved.

In pain and frustration, Marguerite began to sob again until she once more feel into a restless slumber.

As he busied himself with the preparations for the day he heard Percy's call bell ring. Knowing it must be Marguerite, having slept in Percy's bedroom, he went to answer it himself. He had to keep a close eye on her and it wouldn't do to slip up now. Hurrying down the hall he arrived at the large wooden door and, opening it slowly, took a single step into the room and said, "Is there something I can do for you milady?"

Marguerite had sat up in bed and pulled the covers tightly around her before frank had come up to answer the bell. When he came in, she wanted to lash out, though she knew it wasn't his fault she had been abandoned again by her husband. "Where is Sir Percy?"

He had thoroughly expected this question but it still took him a moment to answer. "He has been called away on unavoidable business, I'm afraid. He did ask me to send you his sincerest apologies though."

"I very much doubt his apologies were truly sincere." Marguerite said, "I want to know where he is."

Without a moment's pause Frank answered. "I'm afraid he has been called to Scotland on urgent business. It was quite unavoidable" He had done this enough times over now that he knew the standard excuses for Percy's absence. Scotland was one that hadn't been used in a few weeks...he only hoped it would satisfy Lady Blakeneny's curiosity.

"I see," Marguerite said as she nodded. "Tell me Frank, you've been at the manor long enough I'm sure you would have a better understanding than I, exactly what sort of business is Percy involved in."

Frank panicked momentarily. Lud, but she was a difficult woman when she wanted to be! "I dare say I am not quite certain. Sir Percy has so many business affairs to handle, I can hardly keep them all straight."

"Well," Marguerite continued, "surely you can tell me some of the things he is involved in business wise."

Grasping at something to calm the agitated woman before him he quickly said the first thing that came to mind. "Well I really do not know the specifics but I believe there are some old Blakeney family lands in Scotland that needed to be attended to."

"Family lands?" Marguerite thought, "where else is he involved Frank?"

This question was easier to deal with. He would merely list the places that were used in Percy's frequent excuses. "Oh I daresay all over Britain milady. In the past he has been called to Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and all corners of England. He is a very busy man, as I'm sure you realize."

"Of course, of course I realize he is a busy man." Marguerite yawned and stretched a bit. "And what is the nature of his business again Frank, I'm not sure Percy ever told me."

Good lord but the woman was full of questions. He knew he could not say anything too specific that Percy would have to follow up on, but he had to get her off the subject. "Well I don't really have much of a head for business but I do believe it has something to do with businesses that the Blakeney family owns a portion of. But as I said, I really don't know."

"Oh I'm sure you at least know overall what the family business is. I mean, is he involved in textiles, that would be something that Percy would be interested in. Oh did he once mention fishing ships used for harvesting, yes perhaps that was what he was involved in. What do you think Frank, does Percy's business involve fishing?"

He was beginning to dislike the direction this conversation was taking. He could only make excuses for so long. "I do believe that it involves ships, milady. Of the kind sometimes used by fishermen." Trying to change the subject he added, "Madame, was there something you needed?"

Marguerite let a sly smile cross her face. Fishing boats, hun? marguerite hated to lie to Frank, but Percy had told Marguerite about his business, and he never said anything abut fishing ships - that one she made up herself for Frank. "I think I have everything I need for now Frank, thank. Oh, but I do need to go into town this afternoon, can you see that a coach is prepared for me later?"

He was concerned by the look that came across Lady Blakeney's face, but it was too late to do anything about it. "Of course, milady. It will be ready for you after lunch." With that he gave her a slight bow and turned to leave.

Marguerite gave a soft sigh as she watched Frank leave the room. After a few moments she went to her own room and dressed herself for the day. In the early afternoon, when she was ready to go, Marguerite walked proudly down the main staircase to the front foyer to once more see Frank going about his business.

He saw Lady Blakeney descending the stairs and smiled at her blandly, prepared for another trying conversation. "Good day milady. Are you ready to depart for town?"

"Oh yes I am Frank, quite excited actually. I've only been into town once, and that was at night, it should be nice to see the town in the day." Marguerite said, "Frank, being that Percy isn't here, would you mind escorting me into town?"

Frank thought for a moment. It was a bit unusual, but it was certainly the best way to keep an eye on her. "I think I could manage Lady Blakeney. In fact I'd be honored."

"Thank you Frank, is the coach ready?" Marguerite said as she glanced out the window to see what the weather looked like outside.

"Yes, it should be. I sent Thomas to check on it a time ago. Shall we go see if it's waiting out front?" He smiled vaguely at Lady Blakeney and offered her his arm, all the while wondering what motives were at work behind this outing.

"Of course." Marguerite said as she took his arm and allowed Frank to led her down to the main entrance way. The coach was just pulling up to the bottom of the steps as they exited the front door. "Do you know of any bookshops in town?" Marguerite asked.

"I think I can remember one that was quite good. Are you looking for anything in particular?" He was intrigued by her question and wondered just what she needed at a bookstore.

"Well, when we attended the theatre the other night, we ran into an old friend of mine and Armand's who had fled from France. She came with nothing except a little girl she also managed to bring out of France. We offered her a position as a tutor for little Sarah and she will be coming here in about tow days. I wanted to get her books to get started with."

Frank remembered Percy telling him something about it now that she mentioned it. "Of course. That sounds like a perfectly lovely idea. How old is the girl?"

Marguerite stepped into the coach as they continued to talk. "I'm not exactly sure. I would say she's close to little Sarah's age, probably around eight or nine."

Frank followed her into the coach and told the driver as much as he could remember about the location of the bookstore. "Well that should be just lovely for the girls then. They can both have someone to play with."

"Yes, especially for little Louise, I'm sure she's still in a bit of a shock after being brought here so abruptly." Marguerite said as she settled into the carriage. "Frank, how long have you worked at Blakeney Manor?"

"Why, close on ten years Madame. Why do you ask?" She was clearly up to something and he intended to find out what.

"Just curious," Marguerite said. "I had hoped that Percy would introduce me to all of the staff, and show me the manor, and the grounds, and things like that, but he hasn't been home enough to do any of that. He hasn't spent much time with me at all since we've . . . I've been here." she said, almost sorrowfully.

"Well I will just have to show you around then. It will hardly do to have the mistress of the house not knowing half the manor." He made the offer both out of sympathy for her and, secondarily, because it would make his job of keeping track of her a bit easier.

"Thank you Frank, I would like that." Marguerite said. "I'm sure it's a bit odd for everyone else to have me around, not being used to a mistress of the house so to speak."

"Yes, I suppose it is. Sir Percy has always been gone quite a bit so many of the staff is used to having the house relatively empty. It will be an adjustment, but I'm sure we will all be just fine." She may not be entirely trustworthy as far as Percy was concerned but she was still the lady of the house and Frank did not see why she shouldn't be made comfortable.

"I'm not so used to an empty house, so to speak, either. I miss Percy, I wish he wouldn't go away so much." Marguerite said. "This past month, is the amount of time he has been away normal?"

Frank looked sympathetically at the lovely young woman. He knew that she had betrayed Percy, knew how much that had hurt him, but he saw in her as much pain as he saw in Percy. "I do believe Sir Percy has been gone more than usual the past few weeks, but I have no idea when things will slow down for him. Hopefully some time soon he will be able to spend more time at the manor." The coach had arrived at the bookshop and Frank exited first, offering his hand to Marguerite to help her down. "I believe this is the place Madame."

Marguerite glanced out the window. Richmond did seem like a lovely little city. Not quite as big or busy as Paris was, but tit was a nice change. Marguerite nodded and thanked frank as she stepped out of the carriage. Through the window Marguerite could see that the shop seemed small but packed full of books. "I just hope they have the kinds of books Helene will need. I never had any type of learning books of my own, I was not fortunate enough to receive any formal education, I don't even know where to begin."

"Well I'm afraid my experience with education is not terribly elaborate myself but I'm quite sure we can manage." He smiled and opened the door to the shop for Marguerite.

Marguerite nodded as she entered the store. An older man was seated behind a small counter and asked if they needed anything. Marguerite inquired about books that would be suitable for teaching children how to read and write in English and French, he directed them towards the back corner.

Marguerite walked towards the back corner and began searching through the many books there, picking out and flipping through some of them. "I'm not even sure what Helene would need. I'm sure Louise has had some education and can read and write in French, and her English seemed quite well considering she just began, although I would assume Sarah would need more help."

Picking up a few books he thought looked promising he turned to Marguerite and asked, "What do you think of these Madame? I seem to remember using books not unlike this when I was a boy and, though that was quite some ago, I think they did quite well."

Marguerite flipped through the books the Frank handed her. "Oh yes Frank, I think these would be very helpful. I suppose I should try and find an atlas or some history books too for the girls."

Looking through the stacks of books around him he nodded at Marguerite's suggestion. "Some books on history are a most excellent idea. Perhaps some on the English history. I'm not sure how much the girls would have learned about the subject but I do believe it's important."

"Not just English history, although that would be a good start." Marguerite said. "I don't want to make Louise feel bad about ignoring her own country. Besides, perhaps it would be good for the girls to learn about each other's countries. What do you think?"

Frank nodded his consent. "I think that is a positively lovely idea. Perhaps that would make it easier for the girls to become friends."

"Of course, Sarah needs a playmate and Louise needs about all she can get." Marguerite said, gathering a number of books in her arms. "I suppose I should get some books too for Helene. I'm sure she'd like something other then these school books for the girls for herself."

"Well, I don't have much knowledge of what young women like to read these days. Do you have any ideas what type of thing we should get for her?"

Marguerite just smiled, "I'm sure I can find something for her." She lead the way to the section with fiction books. After a few minutes of searching she had pulled out a few. "I think we are set."

She lead the way to the front counter, the man totaled up the cost and she paid the man as he placed the books in a few bags. "Frank, are there any shops nearby that would sell toys?"

He took the books of bags from the counter and turned towards the door. "I think there is one down the street a little ways." He pulled the door open with his free hand and gestured for Marguerite to exit. "After you Madame."

"Thank you Frank.," Marguerite said as she stepped through the door and opened the door to the coach so Frank could put the bags in, "it's a lovely day, if it's not to far, shall we take a walk to the toy shop?"

"Certainly Madame. It isn't very far if I remember correctly." He placed the bags into the coach and then offered her his arm.

Marguerite took his arm and they began walking down the street. After crossing several of the short blocks, they cam to a small toy shop on a street corner. "Is this the shop you were referring too?"

"I believe it is. They have some lovely things. I'm sure we can find some things for the girls." He opened the door to the shop and motioned for Marguerite to enter.

Marguerite entered in front of Frank and was immediately drawn to a table with a number of dolls on it. After a few minutes of fussing through them, she pulled one out of the back of the display. A small and simple doll with a little blue dress and bonnet. "This one is so cute." Marguerite commented, "I think Louise would like this one."

Perusing the doll with his eyes he finally rendered a verdict. "It is just lovely, milady." Glancing around the shop he turned to Lady Blakeney and asked, "Is there anything else you want for the girls? Some games perchance?"

"Oh that's a lovely idea Frank." Marguerite said as she began to explore the shop. She herself felt much like a child again, rarely ever having any toys or games of her own growing up. After searching through the store they found a few games suitable for the young girls.

"I think these will do for now." Marguerite said as they left the shop. "I believe that Helene and Louise will need some clothes, but we can't take care of that until we have them with us. Is there anything else that we might need for guests that wouldn't already be at the manor Frank?"

He paused briefly to think, then smiled lightly as he answered. "I think the manor should have everything else the girls would need. And of course you can bring them into town for some clothes and anything else they may need once they arrive."

"Alright then, I guess we're done here." Marguerite said. "this is hte first time I've really had a chance to see Richmond. It's a lovely little town, a nice change from Paris, even when Paris was peaceful. re most English hamlets like this?"

Laughing lightly he answered. "Well milady, not all are as lovely as Richmond but most of England is calm and peaceful. I do hope you come to feel at home here."

Marguerite sighed. "I hope so too. I also hope Percy will settle down for a while soon. We spent seven weeks barely leaving each other's side, and now . . . I think I saw more of him in that first week then I have in the first month of our marriage."

He looked sympathetically at Marguerite as he answered. "Well love is a tricky thing. I guess it cannot be the honeymoon forever. But I am quite certain that Sir Percy will be around more often just as soon as it is possible."

"I hope so. he won't even take me with him, saying it would be improper for a woman to join a man in business." Marguerite said, before mbbling a little louder then she shouls have perhaps, "it's not as if we never did anything improper during our courtship."

She continued on, hoping perhaps in the future Frank would let Percy know her feelings, being that he refused to listen to her, "I personally have little interest in his business dealings, but I would just like to accompany him. And I'm not some feeble minded woman, and he knows that. I am knowledgible enough to offer considerable opinions on such things once educated on the issues, he knows that too."

Realizing he had already raised the woman's hopes too much he tried to answer as non-committally as possible. "Well I am sure Sir Percy has his reasons madame. He takes his business terribly seriously, and probably just wants to try and keep business and home seperate."

Marguerite sighed, "Well, I wish he would understand that now he has a wife, and responsibilities at home."

He wasn't sure how to handle this. He felt bad for Marguerite, he could see how much she was hurting, but he also knew that there were very sound reasons for Percy's behavior. "I'm sure he is aware of that madame. I would imagine he simply believes that a woman as intelligent and capable as yourself can manage on her own for a bit."

"That may be so, but a woman in love denied the presence of her lover is hardly able to manage, intelligence and capability aside." Marguerite said, "and would you please stop calling me Madame. You can say milady, Lady Blakeney, you can even call me Marguerite if you'd like, but please just don't call me Madame."

He was somewhat surprised by her request but obeyed it easily, seeing the pain in her eyes and not wishing to cause her any more discomfort. "But of course ma...milady. However you wished to be addressed is fine."

"Thank you Frank, I just despise that title. I don't know why, I guess in a sense it makes me feel old." Marguerite said while adding in her mind, 'Among other reasons.' "And Frank, it is perfectly acceptable to me if you wish to call me Marguerite. I insist that all my ladies do and if you are comfortable calling me by my given name, you may."

"Well thank you...Marguerite." Frank was an old stickler for custom but he let it bend this time. "And rest assured Marguerite, no mere title could make you seem old."

Marguerite smiled and nodded. "Thank you Frank." She paused and searched out the sun, which was now lowering in the sky. "What time do you suppose it is. I would say well into the late afternoon."

"Why, it must be close on 4 o'clock by now. If there is nothing else you need in town we should probably start heading back to the manor." He smiled at Marguerite and added, "And the house is probably falling apart without me there."

Marguerite couldn't help but to laugh, "No doubt something is. Oh, I'm sorry I've kept you so, this means you've probably missed taking tea haven't you." Although Marguerite was still not used to the idea of afternoon tea, she was aware that many members of the staff took tea in the late afternoon.

Frank smiled at Marguerite and said, "Oh, do not worry about it milady. I am usually too busy to take tea with the rest of the staff anyway. And I was glad to be of service this afternoon."

"Well, I'm glad someone was willing to help me get all of these book for Helene and the girls." Marguerite said with another smile. Frank to her always seemed somewhat distant when she would see him in the manor, but she was happy to find that at least one person in the manor was friendly and open. "What did you do before coming to Blakeney Manor Frank? You seem so dedicated it's hard to imagine any employer letting you go."

Frank smiled lightly and answered, "My previous employer passed on 11 years ago and his family decided not to keep the manor open after that. They all had their own houses that they loved so no one wanted to move into the drafty old manor house. They offered to keep me on as a caretaker but the idea of living in that huge house alone did not appeal to me at all. The reason I love my job is that I get to be useful to people so being alone in a manor all the time was not appealing. So I came to Blakeney Manor and have been very happy here."

"Well, I'm glad you're here, and it seems that Percy is glad to have you as well." Marguerite thought for a moment and began to reconsider what she had done to poor Frank that morning. "It seems that Percy puts a lot of trust and confidence in you Frank."

"Yes I suppose he does. Percy is an amazing man and I have nothing but the utmost respect for him. We enjoy each other's company and I think we understand each other rather well. I am very lucky to work for a man like him." Frank glanced at Marguerite, trying to get some gauge of just how she felt about him and Percy.

"I'm glad to hear you say that Frank." Marguerite said. "I know most of the other servants gossip about him and about me. They do it when they don't know I'm near, but sometimes I catch bits of it. I know most people think of Percy as so odd fop, but I know better."

"There are some members of the staff that have no knowledge of respect or propriety. I tell them to cease their chattering constantly but as soon as I turn my back they're at it again." With a light sigh he looked at Marguerite and said, "They really don't know Percy at all. They don't understand him at all."

"It's alright Frank. It's natural for people to chatter and gossip, regardless of what is considered respectful or proper." marguerite said. "Come, I'm sure you are anxious to get home, now where is our coach."

"It should be down the street a little ways near the bookshop. Shall we?" Frank offered her his arm and prepared to head back to the coach.

"Of course," Marguerite said as she took his arm and they walked down the streets of Richmond. As they walked, Marguerite suddenly noticed something. A number of people seemed to be moving their glance to look at her. She suddenly grew rather tense and gripped tighter onto Frank's arm. "Frank, perhaps it's just me, but why are so many people looking at me?"

"No Marguerite it is not just you. People do seem to be looking at you." With a sigh he said, "People here sometimes thrive on gossip and you and Percy will likely be frequent topics. Percy always was before you married, so I would not be surprised if you got swept up in it as well. "I am sorry about this, perhaps we should just get to the coach quickly and get back to the manor."

"It's alright frank. Because of my, position, in France I was often the subject of much gossip, so I'm quiet used to it, I just assumed I wouldn't be such a target in my new life." Marguerite sighed as they walked along. "Frank, what kinds of things would people say, about Percy?"

"I believe I have heard just about everything you can imagine. Mostly it is about his parents and, prior to your marriage, rumors of his relationships with other women. Most of what is said is completely false but people do chatter so." They had reached the carriage and he opened the door for Marguerite, giving her his hand to help her in.

Marguerite took his hand and stepped into the carriage, thanking him as she did. She was aware of his parent's situation, and such things welcomed gossip, but the part about relationships made her curious. "What kinds of things would they say about Percy and other women Frank?" Marguerite asked, putting on her best act of innocence.

Nonchalantly Frank replied, "Oh you know how people are. Any rich, handsome young man is inevitably rumored to be involved with every pretty young thing under the sun, even when he is engaged."

Marguerite stopped as she heard what frank had said. Percy and Marguerite were engaged only a week and by the time word had made it from France, well, there was little time for gossip. "Even when he is engaged, Frank?"

Immediately Frank knew that Margot did not know about Percy's first engagement. How could he have been so stupid? There was much that Percy hadn't shared with her. "Well...ummm...I simply meant that as an example. It doesn't matter what is really going on in someone's life, the gossip will always continue." He glanced at Margot, hoping that she believed his mediocre lie.

"But surely there must be something that lead you to chose that particular situation. And between the time Percy and I got engaged and arrived here in England was only two weeks." Marguerite said, watching frank and waiting for him to fill in the blanks.

Trying desperately to back peddle Frank stammered, "Well, you know, gossip travels quickly, especially around here." Laughing a light, false laugh he concluded, "Why, rumors probably started before you two had even set foot in England."

Marguerite was well aware of the rumors of their relationship in Paris, but those were different and if there was gossip here, she expected it to be more of the same - that Percy had taken marguerite as a mistress. While a mistress was a believable position for a actress to be to an aristocrat, a fiancée was much more unlikely. Yet, she had the feeling frank was holding back something, "No doubt, although I'm sure there were such rumors even before Percy and I had met, isn't that right Frank?"

His brow was damp with sweat and his heart was beating quickly. "Well, of course there were. There always seemed to be one of every kind of rumor imaginable floating around about Percy." He knew that his statement did not really answer her question but he hoped she would accept it anyway.

"Including rumors long ago about Percy and his fiancée, frank?" Marguerite pushed. She knew she might be digging for nothing, but she suddenly had her suspicions. Percy seemed so innocent, so sheltered when it came to being with her, almost as if she was the first woman he had ever met. Where there other women before her?

With a sigh he gave in. As much as he hated to betray Percy's trust like this, he could not openly lie to Marguerite. "Yes Marguerite, there were rumors about Percy and his fiancée. But this was a long time ago. It is hardly of any importance now."

Marguerite now was very curious, "What other fiancée Frank, and what types of things were being said?" The man Marguerite had fallen in love with was so sheltered almost. That innocence quickly won her heart, but was it all an act to try and woo her? Marguerite could tell she was making Frank nervous, "Don't worry, I promise I will not tell Percy that you told me anything."

"Actually most of the rumors were true. Percy and Mary never loved each other, it was a marriage of convenience. Because of his social standing Percy felt he needed a wife, he and Mary were fond of each other, though by no means in love, so they were to be married. As it turned out Mary only agreed to marry him for his money. When Percy found out they had a fight of proportions that are not to be believed and never spoke again." Frank looked at Margot, hoping she was not too disturbed by what she was hearing. "He never loved her, indeed I don't believe he ever loved any woman besides his mother until he met you."

Marguerite could feel her eyes welling up with tears. "A, a marriage of convenience?" Marguerite though, was I just a marriage of convenience for him. He needs a wife to shut up in that building and I volunteered for the job. Marguerite turned her head to hide the tears.

"He was young and was just concerned about fitting into society. He wasn't looking for a wife to love, he was looking for someone to play hostess and to be on his arm at gatherings. He had a lot to learn but he did, and hopefully it will pay off for him this time." Frank looked at Marguerite sympathetically, her face hidden from him, and hoped that she would believe him.

Marguerite sniffled a bit and wiped a tear from her eye, "Well, I guess we should hope so, after all, the vows have been said, it's a little late to turn back now isn't it."

With a light laugh he looked at Marguerite and said, "I suppose it is a little late to turn back." He wished he could tell her that everything would be fine, but he wasn't sure if it would be. He knew they still loved each other, but there was a wall a mile high put up between them now and Frank was not certain that it would be torn down.

She had almost been able to regain control of herself, but couldn't, she finally began to cry openly in the carriage, "Why Frank?" she wailed, "Why won't he come home to me?"

Not able to answer her question he simply patted in Marguerite's arm in a comforting, brotherly manner and said, "I'm sorry." He saw the pain that both Percy and Marguerite were going through and he wished there was something he could do, but he knew it was not his place and that they were the only ones who could make this right.

Marguerite hastily wiped her eyes. "Don't be sorry Frank, it's not your fault, but perhaps you could help." Marguerite said with a bit of an idea. "If anything comes for him dealing with this business, could you not give it to him when he gets home. I don't mean get rid of it altogether, just hold it back for a day or so, so he'll stay with me for a bit."

Frank knew that was a bad idea, Percy's business was a matter of life and death, and there was no way for him to explain that to Marguerite. He hated to dash her hopes so instead he simply said, "I will see what I can do, Marguerite."

"I know his business is important frank, don't think I don't understand that. I just want a day or so of peace with my husband. Is that too much to ask?" Marguerite said.

Quietly he looked at her and said, "Of course not, milady. And I will try to make it possible, but I'm afraid I cannot guarantee anything."

"I understand Frank." Marguerite said softly as she sank quietly into the cushions of the coach.

He smiled gratefully and said, "Thank you, Marguerite. And I will do everything I can to get you those few days you wish for." He was being completely honest. He would try and get Percy to stay home for a few days, just not by hiding his mail.

Marguerite nodded and looked out the window as the coach left the town and headed out into the country side. "What is there between Richmond and the manor Frank?"

Looking out the window at the familiar English countryside he replied, "Mostly open fields. There are a few other manors closer to town, but not many."

"I'm so used to being in the busy city, being out in the country, it's odd being so quiet." Marguerite said, "the silence was almost eerie at times."

Frank laughed lightly and said, "I suppose it would be if you were used to the city. I can hardly imagine living anywhere as busy as Paris or London. I'm sure you will adapt to the quiet soon enough, just give it time."

Marguerite sighed. "I'm trying. It's just as hard to get used to the silence outside my window as it is to get used to the sound of people outside my bedroom door. It's hard to get used to having people around to work for me as opposed to friends and guests at my salon. that's why I insist that the ladies call me Marguerite, as you may too. I don't know if Percy would approve, but if it's just us, I don't see the difference."

"It can be our little secret then, if you'd like. And if there's anything I can do to make you more comfortable with the staff, please just ask." They were nearing the manor and Frank looked out the window at the familiar landscape as he thought.

Marguerite watched out the window, seeing the manor off in the distance. "Frank, I know you mentioned before about how the staff gossips about Percy, do they gossip about me?"

Frank sighed and said, "They gossip about everyone and everything Marguerite. They gossip and Percy, and you, and Lord Tony, and Sir Andrew, and even me for that matter. Just pay them no attention. They have nothing better to do than prattle on about other people's business."

Marguerite began to fidget a bit in her seat. She knew Frank was uncomfortable speaking to her on such subjects, maybe he felts as though he was betraying the other servants, but Marguerite had to ask. "What sorts of things do they say about me Frank?"

Frank was beginning to feel a bit uneasy about this conversation but he did feel like Marguerite had some right to know what the household thought of her. "Most of them are too ridiculous to be believed. I try not to pay attention to them but I do remember hearing something about you being some sort of sorceress or some such rot and that is how you made Percy marry you. That is I think one of the most amusing. I also do believe that there was something about you having lived with gypsies and wanting to run about the manor with bells tied to you. Most are not quite so colorful as that though. They are usually more run of the mill jealousy. Things about you not deserving Percy, about you just wanting to get out of France. Things that anyone who knows you at all would know aren't true."

"Well, given my behavior the first few days, I'm not surprised at the more colorful ones. Considering I yelled in French at Candice the day after I came to the manor and had an argument with the prince a few days later, it's not surprising, especially with younger ones in the manor." Marguerite sat back and pondered the other things for a moment. "I didn't marry Percy to leave France. Actually, nearly declined his offer because of it. I was madly in love and knew he was the one I wanted to be with the rest of my life, but, even with all the turmoil, and the bloodshed, and the suffering, it broke my heart to leave Paris."

Frank looked at Marguerite sympathetically and said, "I know, Marguerite. It is never easy to leave one's home, even if it is not perfect." He could hardly imagine what it must have been like for her to leave her home and marry a man whose life had been so different from her own, much less a man like Percy who, for all his wonderful qualities and the unflinching respect Frank felt for him, could be very difficult to understand.

"I gave up everything to be with him, and now, it's as if I gave everything up for nothing." Marguerite said with a sigh, "I do almost regret marrying Percy. If I knew it would have been like this, I would have remained in Paris, then I could have had my own life and he could visit me when he could make time for me, but I love him, and when I wavered that night he proposed, I knew how much pain I had caused him, I just couldn't say no."

"Well, it may not be my place to say this, but it sounds to me like you did the right thing. The heart wants what it wants and you cannot deny that, no matter how hard it is to listen to it." Frank sighed lightly and hoped that things would somehow, someway be better for Marguerite and Percy. They were both clearly in so much pain, and despite everything they had done to each other Frank could tell that love was not dead completely dead in either of them.

"Thank you Frank," Marguerite said sincerely. "I know that, having the mistress of the house confide in you is probably not only of your duties, but I appreciate you listening to me today."

"It was my pleasure, milady." Frank smiled lightly at her as the coach drew near to Blakeney Manor.

Marguerite smiled back at frank. "When we arrive, would you mind just helping me bring these things up to Helene's suite. After that I think I should be fine for the evening, I will probably even let any of the ladies around go for the evening."

His sense of duty once again taking over he said, "Certainly, milady. Are you sure there is not anything else you might need?" He did genuinely want to be helpful to her but he also knew that the more time they spent together the more he would be able to keep an eye on her for Percy, and as he was already feeling a bit guilty for all the things he had divulged to Marguerite this afternoon, he was determined to accomplish that small task for Percy.

Marguerite began to arrange the packages as they neared the manor. "I think I'm just going to arrange these things in their suite and make sure everything looks alright." she said. "Anything else could probably be taken care of tomorrow morning, I think most things have been looked after." Marguerite looked out the window as the coach came to a stop in front of the manor and the driver hopped down to open the door.

Frank helped Marguerite gather some of the packages and said, "Well, if there is anything you need, feel free to ask." As he descended the carriage he offered Marguerite his hand to assist her and made sure all the packages had been gathered up from the coach.

Marguerite took Franks hand and thanked him as she stepped out of the carriage, and together they brought Helene's things upstairs. "Frank," she asked as they entered the suite, "Do you think this is alright for Helene and Louise to be in the guest quarters? Technically, Helene is working here now, but she's a friend of mine and Armand, and even though the guest quarters seemed very nice, especially compared to what I had heard from friends I had that worked for aristos, aristocrats, in France, I thought she'd prefer a guest suite."

"It is your house milady, it is entirely up to you. But I think, given the circumstances, that the girls are probably best in the guest suite." Frank headed up the path ahead of Marguerite and paused when he got to the door.

Marguerite surveyed the suite once they entered it. She placed the books she held on the table in the sitting room. "This will do for now Frank, I think I will arrange them in the morning before they arrive."

"Of course Marguerite. Are you sure there is nothing else you need?" Frank looked at Marguerite, a bit reluctant, in light of Percy's instructions, to leave her without any of the staff for the evening.

Marguerite nodded as she began to survey the room. "I think that's about," she started to say when an odd feeling overtook her. She grabbed onto the back of a chair and fought to summon all the strength she could just to remain standing.

Rushing to her he placed an arm about her waist and said, "Come on, lets get you laying down." Frank supported Marguerite as he helped her over to the bed and got her to lie down. Once she was laying down he knelt down next to the bed and asked, "Marguerite, what just happened? Are you alright?"

Marguerite tried to fight of Frank, but easily gave in. "I'm fine Frank, fine, just tired." She looked over to him and took a deep breath, "just tired Frank. Would you mind helping me move, I don't want to disturb Helene's room. Would you just help me move, I'd rather stay in Percy's room."

"Of course, wherever you think you'd be most comfortable." Frank helped Marguerite to stand and supported her as they worked their way down the hall to Percy's room. Once there Frank made her lie down in Percy's bed and said, "Now you just stay right there. Anything you need, just ring and I'll come down. Are you sure you will be alright?" He was concerned, seriously concerned. She looked pale and weak and he was worried for her.

Marguerite nodded. She could guess restless nights combined with lack of food were leading to her weakness. "Could you just get one of the girls, they know where my nightgowns are, could you get one of them to bring me one and my robe, please?"

"Of course. You just stay here and rest." Frank stepped into the hallway, found one of Marguerite's ladies and told her to get some bedclothes for her before returning to Percy's room to check on Marguerite. "Is there anything I can get for you Marguerite?"

Marguerite sadly shook her head, "There's only one thing I want, and I'm afraid you can't give that to me."

Frank nodded and said, "I understand Marguerite. Call me if you need anything." With that he smiled gently at her and left the room.

Marguerite sat up as one of the girls fussed over her. She thought it was Candice, but she wasn't sure. The girl pulled Marguerite's clothes off her and adjusted the gown on her, and gently helped her under the covers. Marguerite sank into the soft bed, glancing over at the empty spot beside her, longing for Percy's simple presence. She never missed him more then the lonely nights when she slept alone. More then anything she longed just to lay in his arms and sleep, to know that there was someone there to look over her, to take care of her. She took one hand and let it wander over the empty space. Sleeping in his bed without him was one of the most difficult things she had done since coming to the manor, yet she now forced herself to do it. Being in his bed, she felt close to him, yet seeing the empty space, so far from him at the same time.

Hours passed and Frank let Marguerite sleep in peace, at least as much as she could. This time as he passed Percy's room he quietly tiptoed in to check on her, his old heart worried for the poor woman. As he entered the room he approached the bedside and saw that she was finally sleeping and stood for a moment looking about the room for anything that needed attending to.

Marguerite quickly fell into a troublesome and restless slumber. She tossed and turned in the large, empty bed. She dreamed she was alone, but in the distance she could see a figure, a man who she was sure was Percy. It wasn't dark or hazy, but she could barely make out his figure, and though nothing was holding her back, she could not go to him. She began to walk to him, but couldn't get any closer. In her dream she reached for him, but in her sleep she called out his name in a weeping cry.

As he stood looking around the room he heard Marguerite emit a desperate cry and rushed to her side, shaking her arm gently to wake her. "Marguerite, it was just a dream. Everything is all right."

Marguerite was roused by a gentle shaking. Slowly she began to awaken and she saw the shadow of a man gently leaning over her, trying to wake her. She immediately recognized Percy's room and grabbed for him, tightly wrapping her arms around the man, burying her head in his chest and weeping.

Frank was startled by her grasping at him and let out a soft surprised cry. Not quite sure how to deal with her he patted her head gently and said, "Shhh...You're alright Marguerite. You are safe in Percy's room. Everything is going to be just fine."

Marguerite pulled back once she heard his voice. She gave a startled look hen she realized she had been holding onto Frank and not Percy. "I'm sorry Frank, I shouldn't have, I mean, I didn't, I mean I was expecting Percy." She swallowed hard before lowering her eyes to avoid his gaze and her voice and said, "I should have known better, he wouldn't have comforted me after having a bad dream."

Smiling at her gently he said, "Do not worry about it, Marguerite." Glancing around the room he turned back to her and said, "Are you going to be alright now? Is there anything I can get you?"

Marguerite hastily wiped away the tears in her eyes, letting her breath slow as she let go of Frank and sank back into the soft bed. She slowly shook her head. "No, no Frank, there's nothing you can get me." she sad with a sigh. "I'm sorry if I disturbed you. Why aren't you in bed?"

"You didn't disturb me, Marguerite. I was just finishing up some things and thought I'd look in on you before I turned in." He smiled compassionately at her, seeing the pain in her eyes and knowing that upon Percy's return he would have to have a talk with him about her.

Marguerite nodded. "It must be very late by now. Please go to bed frank, you deserve some rest." she said letting a long, soft sigh.

"I will Marguerite. You should rest too. You need to regain some strength." He smiled at her once more, then turned saying, "Goodnight Marguerite," and turning to leave the room.

"Good night Frank," Marguerite said softly as he stepped out of the room. Quiet and alone, she sank back into the pillows of Percy's bed, and fell asleep.

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