Donum Ex Vicis

Latin Translation: "Gift From Time."

Title of Story

2010 July 23

A/N: Explanation of title and its translation. In addition, the prologue will follow this. Do enjoy! And remember, please R/R! Thank you kindly.

The Baroness

~~WT~~

Prologue

Lady Georgiana Tavington opened the huge oak door to see two men standing upon the steps. She studied both for a moment, then nodded and allowed them to enter into the Hall. Between them, they carried a massive wooden crate.

"What would this be?" She asked the man closest to her.

"For you, madam." He replied.

"And from whom would it be?"

They both shrugged.

"Madam, I do not ask who sends these, I just bring them to their destinations." The larger of the two answered in a thick Yorkshire accent.

Georgiana nodded.

"You may go." She motioned to the door.

Neither moved at first.

"Might you want one of us to open it, madam?"

She shook her head.

"That is what I have servants for. As I said, you may go."

Both men nodded. They left quickly, slamming the oak door behind them.

Georgiana stood there for a long time, staring at the crate. What could possibly be in it? Who could have sent her this? And, why?

After a moment, she went to the bell pull that hung near the fireplace. She tugged on it twice, and returned the crate.

Seconds later, a male servant appeared from out of nowhere. He bowed deeply to Georgiana.

"Madam."

She pointed at the crate.

"I wish for you to open it, Henry."

"Of course, madam. I must find the right tool to open it."

Georgiana nodded. Henry disappeared thru a door in the massive entrance hall. Shortly thereafter, he returned carrying a small bar.

"Madam?" He looked to her.

"Open it, Henry. I am eager to see what is in it."

He smiled and set to work. Minutes later, after much straining and cursing, he had removed the lid of the crate. He stood back to allow Georgiana to have access.

She peered inside the crate. She could see the gilt edges of what looked to be a frame. Where there was a frame, there would be a painting.

"Henry, please remove the object from this crate. However, do be careful with it. I believe it to be a painting of some sort."

"Yes, madam."

Henry slowly began to remove the object from its nest. Once removed, he turned it to face Georgiana.

She gasped in surprise.

"My God." She whispered.

Henry stood holding the massive painting. He looked vaguely surprised.

"Madam?"

Georgiana moved closer to the painting. She reached out to touch it, but quickly drew back her hand. She stepped back from it, and motioned to Henry to follow her.

She entered the library swiftly and went to stand before the huge marble fireplace. She tilted her head slightly, studying the painting that hung over the mantle.

"Henry, I want that painting removed, and the new one hung in its place."

Henry shifted his weight beneath the painting he still carried.

"Now, madam?"

"Yes, now."

"Of course." He leaned the painting carefully against the chaise and disappeared from the room. Moments later he returned, and with him, another male servant.

They set to work immediately. They carefully removed the painting from above the fireplace, and in its place, they hung the new one.

Georgiana stood back and admired the new painting. Again, she gasped.

"Madam?" Henry asked softly.

"Do you know who that is, Henry?"

The old servant turned and studied the man in the painting. He did look familiar, but a name eluded Henry.

"No, madam."

Georgiana smiled slowly.

"That is the Tavington family's illustrious ancestor."

Henry once again studied the man in the painting. He wore the uniform of the Royal Dragoons. He held his helmet tucked under his right arm, his left hand resting on an open map. The man's ice blue eyes seemed to glitter ominously even in the painting.

He had heard about this man often enough. He knew his Lady's habits…he knew where she went every other evening.

Henry tilted his head slightly and continued to stare at the painting.

When the old servant did not answer, Georgiana laughed.

"Ah yes, I do see that you know of him. You do, know his name?"

Henry nodded.

"He is the Colonel, is he not?"

Georgiana clapped her hands together softly.

"Oh he is indeed the Colonel!"

The servant smiled.

"Who could have sent this madam?"

She shook her head sadly.

"I cannot tell you that, Henry. But whoever did, I am quite thankful."

"Yes, I can see that you are." Henry turned to leave. "I shall just take away the crate, we can use it for firewood."

Georgiana nodded absently at him. When she did not reply, Henry left the room.

Moments later, he had returned.

"Madam?"

She turned to look at him.

"What is it, Henry?"

He held out a folded piece of parchment.

"This was inside the crate, madam."

Georgiana took it from him.

"Thank you. You may go."

He nodded and left.

She studied the parchment for a long time. It looked very old, not parchment from this particular year. In fact, as she turned it over in her hands, it became quite clear to her, that this parchment came from a different century altogether.

She broke the wax seal and opened the parchment. She stared down at it for what seemed like an eternity.

Finally, she tore her gaze from the letter, and looked up at the painting. She smiled slowly and coldly, and returned her gaze to the parchment in her hands.

"My Beautiful Lady Georgiana,

It has been quite some time since you last saw me. How thoughtless of me! I do hope you find this painting in its proper condition, as it took me considerable amounts of time to send it. I feel that it is now the time for you to have it. You came of age several years ago, and the painting is rightfully yours.

Georgiana smiled. He was thoughtless! He should have come to visit her before now! Her mother had her first visit when she was younger then Georgiana, her grandmother still younger.

I do hope you will receive me kindly, my dear? I am looking forward to visiting with you, as we have much to discuss.

She grinned faintly and glanced at the painting.

Of great importance, my lady, is that concerning your future granddaughter…

She stared at it.

and, my future betrothed.

She knew this would be coming. Her mother had explained it all some years ago.

Once the painting is in your possession, I shall arrive shortly thereafter. I look forward to spending ample time with you.

Your Servant,

Colonel William Tavington

She looked up at the painting and smiled slowly.

"I eagerly await your arrival, you handsome man!"

She heard the brass knocker on the oak doors, and turned to stare in its direction. Her smile was now cold and excited.

The devil had come home again.