Alex had instructed her chauffeur, Alfie to drive up from Dencotte the day before so he could drive them down today, the Bentley having more room for Beth's luggage and boxes. They had made very good time, after being waved off by Agnes, who Poni and Lotty were bringing up with them on Thursday. They were now being greeted by Mrs Mcklusey and Foster at the front entrance.

"You made good time m'lord." said Foster.

"Indeed we did, the roads were fairly clear. How goes the preparations?" Alex asked Mrs Mckluskey.

"Everything is under control don't you worry, but I will talk it all over with the new Mistress." Annie smiled.

"Oh, alright then." Alex noticed the clear shift in jurisdiction over household affairs and it secretly warmed her heart.

Welcome home Miss Beth." Beth took her hand.

Home. 'Thought Beth. I really have found a home at last.

"I'm delighted to be here." She beamed with happiness.

"Charlie, Samuel, help Alfie with the luggage." said Foster.

"Come in and we'll serve tea. You must be famished." Mrs Mcklusey said.

"Yes, starving."

Foster approached Alex. "Where do you wish us to put Miss Bentley's things m'lord?"

"If you just take it to the oriental room for the moment, then we'll have them moved to my bedroom after the wedding."

"Yes m'lord." They butler followed the two women into the house.


Beth and Laura were going through Beth things, deciding which things to hang up, and which to leave stored until she was moved into Alex's room.

Beth would sort throughout the suitcases, and lay the things to be hung up or put away in drawers, and Laura would hang them.

"When does your new clothing come down from London Miss?"

"Wednesday. I can't wait to see it all finished. There are some beautiful things and a lot of things I'm not used to wearing; you will have keep me right Laura."

"I'll try my best Miss." Laura beamed, excited by her new role.

Beth stopped trawling through her suitcase and turned to Laura.

"Are you happy with your new position with me? I never thought to ask. When Alex mentioned that I would need a ladies maid, I knew it could only be you. I trust you."

"Thank you for your kind words Miss. This new position is a big step up for me; normally it would go to someone a bit older. My family is very proud. I get a rise in wages and I get to go some travel with you and the Master."

"Travel? You know where I'm going on my honeymoon don't you! Please tell me?" She pleaded.

"I'm sorry Miss. I'm sworn to secrecy, but I think you will just enjoy it."

"Spoilsport." She pouted and Laura giggled.

They both turned as there was a knock at the door.

"Beth? Are you decent?" Alex's voice filtered throughout the door.

"Yes darling, come in."

The door opened and there stood Alex in her riding clothes. Black riding boots, brown jodhpurs, checked shirt with wool green tie, over that she had a brown waistcoat and tweed jacket. The outfit would be topped off with a brown flat cap, which at the moment was held under her arm, over her other arm she had a large bag of some sort.

Alex felt Beth's eyes caress her body from top to toe.

Very dashing Alex!' Beth thought. Hmmm. I can't wait till Friday!

Beth walked over and kissed her Fianc é .

"What can we do for you darling?"

"Well, I thought before the rest of the week starts getting full of flowers, dresses and weddings, we could take a ride around the estate, so I can show you what you haven't seen yet. What do you think?"

"I would love to, but I've never ridden a horse in my life, and I haven't anything to wear."

"Well as to the first thing, I know you can't ride. That's why you'll ride up with me and for the second, I brought these for you." She handed Beth the large canvas bag she had brought with her.

Beth opened and began to pull out some jodhpurs and other riding gear.

"It was my Mother's riding things. I think they'll fit you; she had a similar petite build. Once we come back from our honeymoon I'll start to teach you to ride yourself and we'll get you your own things, but I hope these will do for the moment."

"Of course they will. Thank you for allowing me to wear your mother's things."

Alex gave a thoughtful look then said. "I'll let you get dressed then. I'll wait for you at the stables." She leant down and gave her a soft kiss, then left to allow the young woman to dress.

Beth pulled out all the clothes from the bag, looking a little perplexed. She then looked at up at Laura.

"I hope you know how to put all this together?" She smiled.

"Of course Miss. Let's get you dressed."

The two women giggled and laughed like school girls, putting the outfit together.


Alex stood with her horse Skylla. She was stroking the horse's nose, as it whinnied in pleasure.

All around her the stables were all hustle and bustle, as the stable boys went about their work. Cleaning out stalls, taking horses out for exercise and mending tack.

"Good girl Skylla. Now I want you to be on your best behaviour today. You've met Beth before; remember she brought you out some apples when she visited the first time. Remember? She was nice."

The big horse whinnied as in response.

"Good girl. Well that woman is going to be my wife on Friday, and I want you two to get on. She's never been around horses before so we need to give a good impression so that she will want to learn, and that way we can all spend more time together. Alight?"

The horse snorted through its nostrils.

Alex scratched behind her ears. "Good girl."

"I'm ready My Lord." Alex turned to find Beth dressed in the riding gear. It consisted of a pair of figure hugging jodhpurs, black riding boots, cream blouse and short green jacket. Laura had pinned her blonde hair up out of the way.

Alex felt the heat rise in her body.

She looked simply delightful. Alex stroked her fianc é e's cheek. "Is there anything you don't look good in little bit?"

"You like this?" She pointed to herself.

Alex simply nodded with a huge grin on her face.

"You my Lord are simply incorrigible!" She laughed.

"No doubt, only for you though sweetheart. But enough of this, we have places to go, people to see!"

Beth's gaze up toward Skylla, who was towering over her, and gulped.

"Emm...Alex don't you think we'll be too heavy for Skylla?" She sounded worried.

"Not at all, Skylla and I had a chat before you came out and she's looking forward to showing you around."

Beth smiled. "Oh did she now?"

"Of course, Skylla's been my horse since she was a foal and we communicate very well and besides, I'll hold you tight. Oh hang on.

She went over to the where some of the tack was hanging up.

"You better wear this riding hat. Come on, I promise I won't let you fall."

"John! Can you bring over the block?" She shouted to the young stable lad.

He marched over with a large block designed to help riders mount a horse.

"Ere you ar m'lord."

"Right I'll get up first then I'll pull you up while John helps you use the block. Now stand back sweetheart."

Alex didn't use the block; she simply put her booted foot in the stirrup and pulled herself up with ease. She reached her hand down ready to pull Beth up.

"Now stand on the block and John will help push you up."

Reluctantly she stood on the block and as John held her steady Alex pulled her up into the front part of the saddle quite easily.

"Oh it's very high, I feel a little dizzy." complained Beth.

Alex wrapped her arms around Beth's waist and took up the reins.

"Just relax, I've got you alright." Alex made a clicking noise with her mouth and they trotted off gently.


They trotted slowly round the left hand side of the house, and then made their past the front. Beth looked over as the gravel turned to grass on the right hand side of the house, where the French doors came out onto the terrace area where Alex had proposed.

She was still wary of riding on Skylla and she sat ramrod straight, not daring to move.

Alex felt the tension in her body. She leant over and kissed her neck, whispering.

"Relax for me sweetheart. You'll be fine."

Beth felt a shiver run down her spine, at the touch of Alex's lips. She took a deep breath tried to relax a little.

As they rounded the right hand side of the house, she could see a swimming pool come into view, with tables and chairs around it. Further down she could see a fenced in tennis court.

"Wow, you have a swimming pool and a tennis court?"

"We have a swimming pool and tennis court little bit." She corrected.

"Sorry, it's hard to get used to."

"Do you like swimming?"

"Oh yes, very much, but I haven't had much chance of it over the years, I would love to have a go at tennis as well. Do you use the pool?"

"When I'm down in the summer months, it's very good exercise. I can't wait for you to see the estate in the summer, it's wonderful now, but in summer the colours and the woodland are just breathtaking. We can have lazy breakfasts and afternoon teas on the terrace, picnics at the lake and the stream, go boating." Alex said excitedly.

"Sounds wonderful darling. I can't believe all this is my home now."

"Well it is. All yours."

"Hmm." Beth cuddled in tighter to Alex.

"Have you ever had a dog Alex? I was surprised a country gent like yourself didn't have one trailing after you."

"I did, all the time I was growing up, I love dogs. My father had his own dogs and I had mine. We ran all over the estate together. After my last dog, Flash died, I had started work in London, and I didn't think it was fair to leave a dog here all week for the servants to take care of as well as the hunting hounds the estate keeps. What about you?"

"I haven't ever had one, always wanted one."

"Oh that's a shame. Well perhaps when we get back from honeymoon we should look into it." Alex said with a smile.

"Right let's get on. We can't cover every blade of grass, but I'll show you the highlights. Skylla's going to go a bit faster alright? But I won't let anything happen to you."

Beth just gulped and nodded. Alex turned Skylla away from the side of the fence and set off at a gallop towards woodland that began at the perimeter of the open grass land.

They didn't see the whole estate, but they gave it a pretty good try. They went through some of the woodland, meeting the gamekeeper and some forestry workers. Next they visited some of the farms, where they were invited in for tea and homemade cakes. Beth was delighted at how welcoming the locals were to her. They seemed genuinely delighted Alex had found someone.

Then the two inspected the rows of terrace houses and cottages inhabited by the estate workers.

Alex pointed out the renovations ongoing on the buildings.

"Were making sure all the accommodations have indoor plumbing, heating, things like that. We have to ensure the housing has the equal facilities to houses in the town. Jobs in rural areas are becoming scarce, and the younger generation are migrating to the town in hope of more jobs and better wages. If that happens, village life will die and I can't allow that to happen."

"I never thought of it that way. You have a bigger job here than I thought." said Beth.

"Yes. It's never ending. The next phase is to start building some new accommodations."

The residents were curious to meet the new Lady of the manor and extracted promises from her to attend committees for village shows, garden fetes and all manner of things.

"You're becoming very popular sweetheart." Alex joked.

"It seems I'll have a lot of work to do, when we come back from our honeymoon. I'm looking forward to being useful and helping you run the estate."

"I think the ladies are delighted to have someone of like mind for all these events, I sadly have never been very good at that sort of thing."

Beth laughed. "Yes, I can imagine your face, stuck in a committee talking about cake stalls and flower shows."

"Quite. Now I think it's time you met Mrs Roberts."

"Who's Mrs Roberts?" Beth said as they trotted down to the village.

"She's the postmistress and runs the village shop, and knows everything and everyone in the village and the county, it feels like! Once you've met her, everyone will know all about you. She is the biggest gossip in the county, but a nice woman. She's known me all my life."

They trotted down through the village, turning heads as they went. A lot of people doffed their cap as they trotted by. Beth could hear a lot of m'lord's and lord Dalton's as they passed by.

They rode into the village square. At the far corner was a pretty church and then both sides of the streets were lined with houses, buildings, and a smithy and finally she could see a post office.

Alex pulled stopped Skylla and jumped down.

"Sweetheart, just bring your leg round and slide down, I'll catch you." She raised her arms and beckoned to the nervous girl to come down.

Beth was scared, but she would rather be on solid ground, so she forced herself to swing her leg round, and while holding onto the saddle, slid her way down. She felt Alex's hands on her hips and sliding up her body. She felt her feet reach the ground and she turned to find Alex smirking.

"That worked out well for you, My Lord, didn't it?"

With a cheeky smile she said. "I have no idea what you mean! Let's go and meet Mrs Roberts."

Alex took her by the hand and pulled her into the shop. Beth looked around as they crossed the threshold. It wasn't large. There was a small rectangular floor space, and round the three sides of the space ran the shop counter. Behind there was shelving, which had all manner of goods on them. Tins, packets boxes, cigarettes and tobacco, breads and even children's toys. On the counter tops themselves there were cakes, special offers and other items. Off in the far corner counter there was a sectioned off area that had a metal grate in front and above was a sign saying 'Post Office.'

At the front counter, a grey haired woman, who had her hair up in a bun, and had little brown round glasses, was serving a woman at the till.

The grey haired woman looked up to see who had entered the shop, and suddenly a huge smile erupted onto her face.

"Lord Dalton! Get yourself over here and introduce your young friend." She called.

Alex took off her cap and walked over, still holding Beth's hand tightly.

"Mrs Roberts! I missed your lovely face, if I wasn't already engaged you'd be in trouble." Alex bantered with the old woman.

"I don't think so young Master. Well introduce your friend."

"Mrs Roberts, may I present my Fianc é e Elizabeth Bentley."

Mrs Roberts reached over the counter to shake the girl's hand.

"Oh I'm so pleased to meet you at last, we've heard so much about you from Mrs Mckluskey up at the big house. Were so happy this young ruffian, has settled down at last."

"It's wonderful to meet you. I can't wait to get to know you all."

"I can't tell you how delighted we are that Dencotte will have a Lady of the Manor again. Our lord here has never been much good at helping organise village events, when you come back from honeymoon, I must get you to attend our sale of works committee."

"Mrs Roberts, my future wife has already been accosted by the ladies at the estate workers houses for committees, and we've still to visit the cottage hospital and the church. Try not to frighten my bride off before I get her down the aisle old woman!"

"Alex! It's quite alright." She said chastising her Fianc é . Then she turned to Mrs Roberts. "Don't listen to this one, I'll be delighted to help in any way I can."

"Oh don't worry my Miss Beth. I don't listen to anything this scallywag says. Do you know I caught her when she was eight, stealing apples from the vicarage orchard? Pulled her by the ear right up to her mother. We didn't see her in the village for two weeks after that!"

Beth giggled and laughed at the image of a young Alex being dragged by the ear.

"Alright, alright! I knew it was a mistake to come in here. I think we better move on to the cottage hospital."

Mrs Roberts took Beth's hand and said "Good luck for the wedding on Friday and rest assured, you are very welcome my dear."

"Thank you very much Mrs Roberts." Beth said.

After they left the post office, they visited the hospital and the church, where they promised to come for tea when they got back from their honeymoon. Alex thought that was quite enough for today and rode them back up to the house.


That night, Alex and Beth sat eating dinner by the fire in the drawing room. It had seemed silly to them to sit at the larger table in the dining room, so Mrs Mckluskey set out supper on a small table by the fire.

Just as they finished, a young footman Beth didn't know, and Liz the maid, came in to clear the table.

"Hmmm. That was delicious; please send my compliments to Mrs Read Liz." Beth said.

"I will be sure to Miss Beth." She said smiling.

"Would you like coffee and port served here m'lord?" asked the tall, dark haired footman.

"We'll have it on the sofa William. Thank you." Replied Alex.

The servants retreated and the two made their way over to the sofa, by the fire.

"So that's William? There are so many servants to get to know. I wouldn't want to be impolite and not know who I'm talking to."

"You'll soon get to everyone sweetheart, once your around the house every day."

"I suppose. That dinner was delicious darling. There is such a difference between the food in town and the food here. Is it all made here?"

"Everything, apart from obvious things like the more exotic fruits and the like. We have a nice apple orchard and some of the things villagers have grown and we buy from them. The whole village is a little self contained industry." Explained Alex.

William came back with the coffee tray and set it out on the serving table in front of them; meanwhile Charlie was pouring Alex a glass of brandy, and Beth a small liqueur. He then brought over the drinks on a silver tray.

"Thank you." They both replied.

"Would you like a cigar this evening m'lord?" He asked, offering a silver box full of them, from the table.

"Yes. Thank you, Charlie. You don't mind the smoke so close to you sweetheart?"

"Oh no. I like the smell. It reminds me of my father." She smiled at Alex.

As the Charlie was about to leave the room, Alex called out. "Charlie, could you switch the big lights out? And that will be all. Tell foster to go ahead with the servants dinner, we'll ring if we need anything."

"Very good m'lord."

They were left in the big room, which was now quite dim, the only light coming from a couple of lamps, the fire and Alex's cigar.

Beth slipped her shoes off, brought her legs up on the sofa and cuddled in under Alex's arm, her head resting on her chest.

"This is so cosy. I much prefer this to those big formal dinners. Just you and I snuggling in."

Alex turned her head and kissed Beth. "I know little bit. We're going to have a life time of these nights now. Were nearly there, tomorrow your new clothes come from London, then Thursday all our friends arrive then your mine forever and you can't get away from me again!" Alex growled into Beth's ear playfully.

Beth laughed and said. "Well that's good, because I don't ever plan on leaving you, I promise. Now are you going to tell me about our honeymoon now?"

"Well since you asked so nicely and you promised never to leave me. Were going on the Queen Elizabeth bound for New York. We have the best suite on the ship, with rooms either side for Thomas and Laura to travel with us."

Beth through her arms round Alex. "Oh darling! America! I've always dreamed of travelling there. How wonderful! How long will it take us to get to New York?"

Alex's face was beaming with pride at being able to bring this sort of joy to Beth.

"The crossing takes us between 3and 4 days, when we arrive; we'll be staying at the Waldorf Astoria hotel."

"It just gets better and better. It'll just be like being in the American films! How long will we be away?"

"Three weeks. Once we get to New York I thought I could take you round the sites, go to a few clubs I know. We'll spend lots of money shopping. They have some great shops, I'm sure Lotty will tell you where the best ones are, the Woodward's have been a few times. We'll Travel back on the ship, and then l have a few weeks here to settle into married life. What do you think?"

"Alex Dalton, you always manage to take my breath away. I could never have imagined going on a trip like that."

"Do I get some kisses for that then?" Alex asked with a quirk of her eyebrow.

"Oh yes my lord! Many kisses. I love you." Beth leaned over to receive Alex's precious attentions.

Only the fire light illuminated the two dark figures lost in passion, lying together on the sofa.