. C h a p t e r . F o u r .

Buffy stood still and quiet, thinking of a way to escape. A man lurking around in the woods is probably not a very good man. And there was just something in the way he smiled that was dangerous. But his eyes…They were the bluest eyes she had ever seen…They called out to her, pulled her deeper into his gaze…enthralling…Enough! Think of a way to escape Buffy. If he was a dangerous man, it'd be a smart idea not to reveal her true identity, Buffy thought quickly.

Looking down at her muddy feet Buffy quietly spoke. "Excuse me sir, I must be getting back, if you'd be so kind as to step aside? My Lady will be wondering where her head servant girl has gone." Buffy said, her voice calm. No need to let this man know how terrified for her safety she was. Who knew what this stranger was capable of if he knew she was a Lady! Buffy had heard stories from Dawn. Men ruining the reputation of a noblewoman or stealing from their purses or perhaps even ransom!

The man didn't budge. Instead he bowed extravagantly, and mocked her with his eyes. His blue eyes sparkling in the sunlight. "My, my. They indeed look after their servants here at Devonshire, don't they? But what might a beautiful girl like yourself be doing in the middle of the woods? Besides, undressing of course?"

Buffy bit her tongue from a rather unladylike retort. This man was starting to get on her nerves. "Listen, I don't know who you think you are, but you have no manners sir!"

"And why might I be mannerful to a mere servant?" He jested.

That was the last straw. Buffy was in no mind to hear of mistreatment of the help. Servants of the manor in her own home were her very best friends. She tired of people like the man standing in front of her. Thinking themselves better just because of a title. "Just because you have money and blue blood does not make you any better than any other man or woman on the streets. I may have lived my life in the country but I am not so naïve to know about people like you. Now move aside!" Frustrated, Buffy walked past him, shoving him lightly to get him out of her way.

Spike stood all amazed at the fury of this woman. He was dressed like a nobleman, he said the things a nobleman said…and yet, here was a commoner, giving him instructions on how to act and speaking her opinion, rather pointedly at him! He wondered if she spoke like this to her Mistress, or was this just frustration built up? His eyes appreciatively watched her derrière as she stalked off, away from his sight…maybe this robbery was going to be more fun then he thought. Turning around he walked a whiles down to the stream, where Xander waited for him.

"So? Who was she?" Xander asked, gathering their belongings.

"A maid in the Duke's household." Frowning, he continued, "I do believe I may have upset her a bit. Although, I can't imagine what it was I did…"

Xander rolled his eyes. "Like you never got yourself into trouble before with that mouth of yours?"

"Oi! This mouth of mine and it's tongue is what's going to get us into that house."

"Yea, well, that tongue better think of one hell of a lie, cause I'm fresh out."

"Don't worry mate." Spike smiled and patted his friend on the back. "Now come on. We don't want to be rude and keep our hosts waiting now do we?"

Buffy still upset, stormed out of the woods, Oh! The nerve of him! "And why might I be mannerful to a mere servant?" Buffy mocked irritably. Reaching the gardens she lay in the grass tired. Stretching her legs she closed her eyes and began to let her mind wander. It wasn't long until she bore a mischievous grin on her face. He was a Lord, and he did mention that he was coming here. Which meant…that he was going to enter the games? Buffy's mind began to create some of the worse schemes she could possibly think of to make him want to go away. And with Dawn's help, a servant's help, she was sure she could find some way of making him feel sorry. She was so caught up in her own world that she didn't hear the red head's calls for help until the woman had reached her side. Buffy sat up, startled.

"Are you alright? Help!"

Buffy looked at the woman like she had grown wings. Why on earth was this woman shouting? "Have you gone mad? Why are you screaming for help? Is something the matter with you?"

Willow cocked her head confused, "With me? I-I thought you were in trouble. I saw you lying in the grass and well, your dress is muddy and your shoes are off…I only thought-"

Just then, Buffy's father came running down from the manor. A worried expression written plainly on his face. "Elizabeth? Elizabeth?" Dropping to his knees he grabbed Buffy by the shoulders and looked her in the eyes. "What happened? Did someone try to harm you?"

"What? No! I was just lying down when this woman startled me and started screaming!"

"Oh, thank God. Elizabeth, now is no time to be lying about in the mud! And look! You ruined one of your dresses! Thank heavens you listened to me when I said not to wear any of the dresses I bought for you until the first of the month. I would have been highly heartbroken if you ruined your new dresses. They were costly!" Standing up he collected himself before heading back to the manor, announcing to the curious onlookers that nothing was the matter, just his daughter enjoying nature.

Willow helped Buffy to her feet, embarrassed, she tried to make amends. "I'm terribly sorry for the trouble. It seems I let my imagination run wild and well…I do apologize."

Buffy smiled. "There's no need to apologize. You came running when you thought you saw a fallen lady. That's nothing to be sorry about. Besides, I do look like I've been ravished don't I?"

Willow gasped. "That's not something you should be joking about!"

Buffy's smile waned. "I'm sorry, are we not allowed to jest about things like that out loud? Sorry, I talk so freely here, sometimes I forget…" Collecting herself Buffy introduced herself. "I'm Elizabeth. But friends close to me call me Buffy. But you can't tell anyone. It's a secret. And I'm entrusting you with this secret. I can sense something about you-mmm?"

"Willow. Willow Rosenberg."

"I can sense something about you Willow. And I like it." Buffy and Willow smiled together, a new friendship created.

"Well, isn't this a surprise. Actually it's not."

Willow turned with a weary sigh, she knew that sarcastic tone anywhere… "Cordelia. What do you want now? Besides, making yourself the center of attention?"

Cordelia ignored Willow's remark and just smiled. "I was just mentioning to the girls of how Elizabeth, although had been residing here in the country all her life would still be able to act like a Lady. How embarrassing for me, after all this time of trying to defend a girl I didn't even know, to have been mistaken. For she sleeps in the dirt like a common street person." Turning on her heel, albeit gracefully, Cordelia started to walk away. Before leaving earshot of Buffy she paused and turned her head semi, and crudely added, "How silly of me to even consider Liam would want you." Laughing Cordelia walked back to her circle of friends, leaving a very infuriated Buffy behind.

"Oh Buffy, you needn't take any heed of her. Her foot tends to live in her mouth."

"I'm sorry?" Buffy had never heard of the expression, perhaps it was a London slang?

Willow gave her a weak smile. She didn't exactly know what that term meant herself. The words just sort of slipped out of her mouth. "Never mind, it just seemed fitting to say" Buffy nodded, inattentive. She was getting a headache. But how exciting all this was to her! First, she had to concoct a plan to make that conceited Lord go away, and now, she had a new task. To make Cordelia eat her words. But how was she going to do that? Asking her new friend for help the two walked back to the manor, arm in arm, planning out the perfect way to get Liam's attention, and to spite Buffy's new rival, Cordelia.

Willow and Buffy walked into the main hall of the house, Willow looked around confused. "Why is it so quiet? Where is everyone?"

"Oh, daddy is just probably showing them the gardens. It's one of his pride and joys you know." Buffy felt tears coming but held them back, "My mother loved nature. She was the one who created the landscape of the gardens. She would work in the gardens and the maze and on the flowers everyday…ever since she passed, father made it one of his life's work to keep them alive..."

"Buffy, I'm sorry, I don't mean to make you talk about these things. If you feel like we shouldn't be discussing this, I will understand perfectly."

"Nah, it's alright. I'll be fine. Now come on, I want to show you the dresses daddy bought me. They are absolutely beautiful-"

"Well, well. If it isn't my favorite servant girl." Buffy stopped dead in her tracks. The man! In the woods! He was standing at the top of the stairs. Looking down on her with his roguish eyes and devilish smile. Oh! How she just wanted to slap him for his snide remarks.

"Servant girl?" Willow looked at the two blonds confusingly.

"Yes, this maid likes to assume that she's to our level and speaks and gives orders like she's of noble birth. Odd, isn't it. I do think I might have to have a word with her Mistress about how free spirited her maid is. Anyhow, I feel I should take my leave before this young woman kills me with her glares." Giving the women a slight nod he laughed at Buffy as he walked away. "Oh and before I forget," Spike said turning to face them. He pulled out Buffy's stockings from within his pocket and threw it to her; Buffy caught them, her cheeks burning scarlet and hid the article behind her back shamefully. "You forgot these." Smiling he continued walking until he was finally out of their sight.

"That man irritates me so!" Buffy stomped her feet as hard as she could, Willow nervously grabbed her arm and pulled her up the stairs. Guiding her to a remote spot she whispered, in a motherly angry tone, "Are you out of your mind! Buffy! You cannot be giving articles of clothing away to men! Especially…undergarments. What would this have done to your reputation if someone had seen! And what was that man talking about…? Maid? Doesn't he know who you are?"

"Not exactly…"

"Well, I demand explanations."

"Me as well." Dawn seemed to have magically appeared from the shadows. Buffy looked down at her feet and the dirty hem of her dress. She knew what that look from Dawn meant. Disappointment. Anger…Buffy didn't like that look one bit.

"Buffy, I cannot believe this! Are you purposely trying to ruin your chances of being married? One of the men in this house is going to win your hand. Do you really think they'll marry you if they find out you've been out frolicking with some man in the mud? What could you have been thinking?"

"It wasn't like that."

"Well how was it then? And who is she?" Dawn stared at Willow irritably. She was not in the mood. All day socialites have been bossing her around. You there, get me some tea. You there, fetch me a coat. You there, fetch me something to eat. She was indeed in no mind to be bossed around by another one.

"Dawn, it's alright. She's a nice one." Buffy said reading her mind. "Her name is Willow Rosenberg, she's a friend."

Dawn turned her head to the red head, "Oh. Well in that case, please help me in talking some sense into this brat. She's always getting herself into trouble. So spill, what was that man doing with your stockings?"

Buffy told them of their encounter in the woods and how she must have forgotten them by accident. Looking down she apologized.

Dawn however found the story quite amusing, all traces of anger dissipating. "And so now, he thinks your some outspoken rude servant girl. How ironic! And you were at your mother's spot? Buffy love, when are you ever going to tell me where it is? I'm dying to know, even now, I'm more curious!"

"I'll show you one day I promise." Grabbing Dawn and Willow's hand Buffy smiled widely. "Now come on, you two must help me decide what I'm going to wear to the big dinner tomorrow night. It has to be stunning though for several reasons. One, daddy is going to be making the big announcement and I want to look my best. Two, I want to look better then that Cordelia girl and three…I want to shock Liam. I want to prove to him that not only am I sweeter, kinder, more innocent and three times a Lady then Cordelia, I want to prove to him that there's a side of me that he just simply cannot resist."

"Wow Buff. You really want this guy don't you?" Willow joked.

Buffy frowned. "Well, my dad has made up his mind. By the end of the month, I will be betrothed to someone here. And of the suitors so far that I have seen or had the chance to meet, Lord Connors is the most handsome."

"Well, your mystery Lord was quite fetching too." Dawn added quietly.

"Dawn! You cannot be serious! He's one of those nobleman who you hate with a passion! The one that treats servants like their nothing but dirt."

"His attitude may need some readjusting…but you cannot deny that he is quite handsome. What with those ice blue eyes, and his knowing smile…"

"Great. You can go marry him then." Buffy retorted.

Dawn laughed. "Teasing Buffy, teasing."

The three girls giggled and laughed the whole rest of the evening, planning and concocting away.