After the evening when the couple had been told off by Lady Sophia. After they had retired to the Master bedroom, Mary had given Rycroft her own lecture. She had been so embarrassed by being caught but also that his mother had told them off in such a kind way, so unlike her own mother's lectures, that Mary wasn't sure how to react and so she blamed it mostly on his behaviour.

Samuel somehow understood that his wife was not really cross with him for their actions earlier in the day. He understood that her lecture had come more from her embarrassment she felt at the time. Rycroft was quite happy sit on the end of their bed, watching her pace slightly in front of him, while he listen to her lecture. Though he had unreadable expression, on the inside enjoying the side of her it brought out. It was the same kind of reaction he enjoyed from his wife and knew that she meant none of her words harshly. Being the man he was he apologised to his Mary as he took her wrapped in his arms for a gentle kiss before the two made love and slept peacefully in the master chambers of Rycroft Place.

It was now the next morning, as instructed the couple had awakened and eaten their breakfast in their married bed before getting dressed for the day. This was the first day that Mary had Gwen properly dress her for the day been as she would be with Lady Sophia and Georgina for the morning, the 'punishment' for her and her husband. Though Mary suspected Samuel knew that he would not be need for their 'ladies' morning, he did offer for the two of them to go for a ride in the park, now that her proper riding gear had been placed in her new wardrobe in the countess chambers.

It was then Mary reminded him that she was required to spend it with his mother and their cousin. The Lord had dramatic sighed in defeat, claiming to have 'forgotten' their punishment at her words. Rycroft kissed his wife before letting her leave though their connecting door to get dressed by Gwen while he had his man Wilber get him ready for his ride. He roughly knew how long it would take for Mary to bathe and get ready for the day so when he was finished, he knew that she could not be too far behind him. He instructed Wilber to let the stable hands know that he would be leaving in about half of the hour but would not be leaving until his wife was down stairs with the ladies.

Wilber just bowed his head and told his lord that he would carry out his instructions leaving the room just before Rycroft. With a spring in his step he made almost skipped down the stairs to see Morledge stood at the bottom.

"Good morning Morledge" he spoke cheerfully.

"Good Morning My Lord" the butler greeted with a bow. "I trust yours and the countess' breakfast was satisfactory this morning?" he inquired.

"Yes, perfectly so Morledge" Rycroft answered with a bright smile. "I will miss the days when it is acceptable to eat in bed with my lovely wife when the days come I have to bring myself downstairs while my lovely wife gets to eat hers in her comfortable bed" he spoke dramatically, causing the butler to smile on the inside but stay black on the outside.

"But such is the way of a gentleman and how else will I bring myself to rise in the morning if not to break my fast to start the day" he spoke with a genuine smile. He loved his life as a gentleman, he had respect for his father and the ways he ran his estate and all his ancestors before him. He knew the responsibilities that come with his earldom and though he had not seriously looked into finding his countess till before he met his Mary, he was kind to his staff and fair with the tenants of his estate and the running of it.

"Of course Lord Rycroft" the faithful butler replied.

"So which room are the lovely ladies to occupy this morning? Music room?" he inquired politely.

"I believe the dowager wished to spend the first half in the spring sitting room, to give the maids a chance to fully clean the green sitting room" Morledge replied, gesturing to the second of the sitting rooms in Rycroft Place.

"How thoughtful of her" Rycroft replied. "Well, I will pay my respects till my wife is down, then I will be heading out for a ride in the park to give the ladies some space, as I was instructed to do last night by my lovely mother" he explained with the purpose of letting the man know his whereabouts if something were to happen.

"Very well Lord Rycroft, should I let the stable groom know?" the butler questioned, already having an idea of what the answer would be.

"I've already instructed Wilber to do so, do not worry yourself, I'm sure I have taken enough of your time up already this morning" Rycroft explained politely.

"Never any trouble for you, My Lord" and with another bow to his Earl Master before Rycroft moved towards the indicated room his mother and cousin was in to let the butler get on with his day. As the gentleman walked into the room he saw his mother and Georgina sat on the coach, tea cups in their hands, resting in their laps.

"Good Morning Mother, Cousin" Rycroft greeted with a bright smile. The ladies turned towards him with puzzled expressions about his attire.

"Going somewhere this morning Samuel?" Lady Sophia asked with one of her brows lowed in question as he walked over to them.

"I am indeed" he replied, smile still on his face as he bowed to give his mother a kiss on the cheek. "I am going to a ride in the park this morning" he stated before turning to give Georgina a kiss on the cheek as well. "Been as you have commandeered my wife this morning" he said pointedly to his mother.

"As I'm sure Mary will be grateful for a morning of female company" Lady Sophia replied back, just as pointedly. Honestly, who did he think he learnt that trick from. "Will you have a cup of tea before you leave" she asked, changing the subject.

"No, thank you, Mary will be done soon" He replied with a shake of his head. "I will stay until she finds you and then I will head out" he explained.

"So, you no longer fear I will get lost in the house then dear husband?" Mary spoke as she entered the room, dressed in a plain patterned day gown, and a dark green colour shawl over her shoulders. Samuel smiled at the colour, remembering the first night she had stayed at Rycroft Place when she had sat with Georgina picking out designs. Dark green had been the colour he had chosen for her ball gown.

"I have no fear of that now darling Mary" Rycroft said as he moved from where he stood with his mother over to where she was stood. "For I know that even you are independent and stubborn, you are not prideful enough not to ask for help when lost" he finished as came to a halt in front of his wife, encircling her waist with his arm as he looked down into his eyes.

"That must be your influence, I am sure I would not have done before hand" Mary said with a smirk. Her words caused Rycroft to give a short chuckle.

"If that is my influence on you, then yours must be the idea of going to Darcy's to see if he is up for a ride this morning" he explained. "For I do not ever remember in the last few years wanting to head to Darcy House to call on my cousin to see if he wishes to go for a ride" Rycroft smirked.

"Are you sure it's not just to interrupt your cousins morning like your plans have been?" Mary asked teasingly. Again, her words causing him to chuckle.

"Maybe dear wife" he replied back. "You know me far too well already" he said softly, not removing his look from her eyes, forgetting they were in present company, until a throat cleared.

"Well then you plans are settled son" Lady Sophia interrupted. As much as she was enjoying the moment between the couple, a young lady was in their company and did not need to be influenced by their show of affection. "You will ride to Fitzwilliam and inquire if he wishes for a ride in the park, while Mary stays with us and keeps us company as Countess of the house" the dowager clarified. Something passed over Rycroft's eyes, showing Mary that he knew there time was being cut short, a silent look passed over her own in understanding.

"Almost like a caller practice session, but more fun because it's with Georgina and I" the dowager added. Rycroft smiled and broke eye contact with Mary to look towards his mother.

"Of course mother, I will see you all later" he spoke out to all before turning back to Mary, still in his arms. "much later when you will be just mine" he said at a lower volume so only she could hear him before pressing his lips to her forehead in a sweet kiss, Mary leaned into him before the two pulled back from each other.

"See you later husband, have a good ride" and with that goodbye Rycroft left the room to leave the ladies to their morning.

So that the next update. for those that want to know this now goes into the choice series book crossing over as it was orignanly inteed. let me know what you think in a reveiw and hope to have an update for you soon (though may have to wait till after my exam on 24 / 05 / 2018). Enjoy reading.

-MSW-