"You live here?" Victoria questioned her eyes wide with surprise at the sight of a white cottage in the midst of a garden. Vincent looked over at the flummoxed lady with a bemused expression.

"Is there a problem Miss Toria?" The mischievous grin on his face faded slightly when the young Victorian gave no indication that she had heard him. Vincent sighed.

"Yes, I will still show you my Hey Look at Me! I'm a Duke! Castle… but…THIS…. my lady… is my true home." The obvious sarcasm and the rolling of the young man's eyes quickly dissipated and replaced by pride and a warm smile.

"But is that wise?" Victoria couldn't help but wonder as she noted the worn path that ran directly in front of the little house. "If someone had ill intentions towards you..." The image of a Barkis like figure sidling up to the cottage door made her shiver.

Vincent though didn't seem to notice her apprehension. "I enjoy seeing people coming to and from my town." He said offhandedly while staring into space with a distant smile. Automatically he grasped the surprised girl's hand and gently pulled her into the flower filled garden.

"Seeing the looks of pleasure on their faces as they stroll through my garden…the child eagerly grabbing at the colorful bouquet under the watchful eye of her father…" Victoria let out a shriek as Vincent suddenly raced around the colored sea much as child would while dragging her in tow.

Just as quickly he let go sending her almost flying to the ground. Victoria glared at her companion darkly and opened her mouth to voice her opinion, only to discover the young duke was gone. She turned her head quickly from side to side before she spotted him kneeling next to a bush overflowing with roses. He was oblivious to the flustered look on her face as he continued to speak.

"To see a man reach out to take and take a rose…and present it to a blushing lady…" Vincent grinned roguishly as he held out the flower to a red faced Victoria. As she took it her face turned even redder. Once again before she could comment the smile turned serious as he gestured to the rose bush.

"But you mustn't be greedy. A single rose for example…can mean much more then a sea of them. For you see the more you have of something, the more likely your message will be lost in translation."

Victoria stared at the rose in her hands almost in wonder. "I've never thought of it that way." She said quietly as she turned the flower gently in her hands. As she continued to contemplate the gift she noticed something unusual.

"This rose…" She questioned as she held the rose out letting Vincent get a good look at the green stem. Vincent in response grinned. Only a few of the roses have the thorns removed…a good lesson for not taking more then you need no?"

Victoria stared at him stunned before she started to laugh. "It's certainly one I shall remember from now on." She laughed again before looking back towards the empty road. "Shouldn't Auntie Betsy and Hildegard be back by now?

"If my lady does not mind a bit of walking we could forego the carriage and meet up with our treasured companions later. Vincent suggested though his eyes were lit up in merriment. More and more Victoria found herself looking into those green eyes.

She snapped herself out of the hypnotic gaze and brought herself into a curtsy. "I suppose if we walk alongside the road it would be alright. And besides good sir…if anyone asks I'll tell them you're my husband."

The slightly naughty tone of the young Victorian's words had Vincent staring at her in absolute shock. At least until the lady giggled and quickly darted off. Vincent shook his head in astonishment.

"Well I'll be…she does have a sense of humor after all!" He grinned broadly before running after the girl. Once the pair had vanished from sight, the door to the little cottage opened revealing Hildegard and Auntie Betsy. The older ladies looked at the now empty path and then each other before smiling happily.

Imagi's Ramblings: Okay been along time since last update, but I've had so many ups and downs in my life right now I got dizzy. Lol.

The latest being my father is going to Branson on a bus for 8 hrs and lucky me I get to go with! 8 hrs on a bus…ugh will I need the advil! At least I can sleep hopefully. ;)

Ugh…4 hrs in counting before the be at the bus at 6 in the morning. Groan.

At least I updated:) If I'm lucky being on that bus that long with several notebooks will be fuel to write more and update when I get back. :) Wish me luck I have a feeling it will be crazy. ;)

Imagi