It was a beautiful day. The first truly hot day of the year. The sky was blue and the first brave blooms of summer were stretching out their petals under a blazing sun. A perfect day then to sit and breathe in the delicious scents that carried on the warm breeze and rejoice in the fact that the long harsh winter was at last merely a memory.

Archibald Craven was doing exactly that and he was also daydreaming for he was a man much given to being lost in his thoughts. There had been a time when those thoughts had been dark and poisonous and driven him to the brink of self-slaughter however that time had passed and Archie, as he was known to his contemporaries, was now a happy and contended man.

He was dimly aware that he was not alone as a servant was clearing away the remnants of the tea another servant had brought to him a while ago, but, as was the custom, he'd not looked at her and she'd not looked at him. A good servant was an almost invisible one. And so Archie was surprised when instead of withdrawing silently the servant boldly stood in front of him and unbidden began to speak.

'If you please, my lord.'

Archie stared at her.

'What is it, Hettie?'

The girl coloured slightly. 'Oh yes,' thought Archie. 'I know your name. A good master knows the names and more besides of all his servants and I am a good master.'

'If you'll pardon me...'

Archie feared that the girl's nervousness was going to result in her taking an age to get to whatever point it was she was so desperate to make that she had broken protocol and addressed him directly without permission. If he chose to make Mrs Medlock aware of this transgression it would signal the end of Hettie's career as an above-stairs servant.

'It's about Dickon, Dickon Sowerberry and...and Miss Mary.'

'Ah.'

'You should know that he's been taking liberties, with her, that is. It isn't right and I thought you should be told.'

'What a uniquely spiteful act,' said Archie. 'No doubt you have your reasons.'

'Lust probably,' he thought. Hettie was seventeen, a year younger than Dickon who was an undeniably handsome lad as well as an exceptionally kind and steady one. Perhaps she had made her affections known and on finding them unrequited was now trying to cause harm.

'You should say to him-' Hettie recklessly threw caution to the wind and began dictating to Archie who held up a hand.

'Enough. Carry on with your work. And tell Mrs Medlock I wish to see her immediately.'

Hettie hurriedly withdrew but not before Archie noticed how much her hands were shaking as she picked up the tray.

As he let his eyes settle once more on the glorious view of the gardens before him Archie heard a happy yelling then Colin burst through the trees at the furthest edge of the lawn followed by Dickon and then Mary. All three of them were laughing. Archie smiled indulgently. They were too old for chase games really but their spirits were always high when Colin was home from the school he attended for many weeks at a time.

He watched them play and shout, heartened by their youthful exuberance and their joyful affection for one another: his humorous, energetic son, his kind, carefree niece and their remarkable friend. To Archie's pleasure when Colin spotted him sat on the terrace he immediately grinned and called out a greeting then began sprinting towards him. Mary stood back with Dickon and threaded her arm through his.

'To hell with propriety,' thought Archie. 'The only thing I ever have any intention of saying to Dickon is thank you.'