The carriage ride lost its novelty for Kate shortly after leaving the city center of Liverpool. She enjoyed the countryside briefly, but soon it all looked the same to her and she was desperate for something cool to drink, and a bathroom would be nice. Much to her surprise, the carriage stopped along the roadside, close to a clump of trees where Leopold, Millard, Otis and the coachman made their way to the small forest and managed to relieve themselves. When Margaret followed suit, Kate felt a bit uncomfortable. Was that really what ladies did in 19th century England? Kate did not get out of the carriage, while the others stretched their legs along the roadside. Leopold leaned through the window, "Kate, we still have a few hours before we reach Leicestershire, we will not be stopping again until we reach my great aunt's house, are you sure you do not have to relieve yourself?"

"I think I would know if I had to, Leopold."

"I realize you are use to modern conveniences but when you have to go you make do with the resources you have. We are all gentlemen here and we will turn the other way. I assure you no one will see you."

"No, I don't have to go for the last time."

"Suit yourself. At least come out and stretch your legs a bit."

She managed to get out of the carriage and watched Margaret coming back from the woods, holding her head up, like a lady would. She couldn't picture this woman squatting in the forest one bit.

Leopold watched with amusement Kate's puzzled face and leaned over whispering in her ear, "Yes, Kate, even ladies have bladders. They drop their drawers like everyone else when the urge comes to them."

She playfully hit him, "Stop making fun of me."

"You have to go don't you?"

"I told you before I don't."

"You are behaving like a child. It isn't a big deal."

She stormed back into the carriage. As the others got back in she turned away from them, but just as the coachman was ready to leave, she nearly jumped over Leopold, Margaret and Millard, getting out of the carriage picking up her skirt and running towards the clump of trees as fast as she could, Leopold couldn't stop laughing. Margaret poked him, "Leopold, behave yourself, Katherine is not used to the country. You should not make fun of her.'

"She refuses to listen to me. She is willful and stubborn. She had to go all along, Aunt Margaret. Afraid of looking like a fool, well who is the fool now."

"Willful, stubborn, refuses to listen… sounds very much like someone we know."

She smiled at Leopold, "Yes, I admit I can be those things."

"All the more reason, to be sympathetic."

"Your Aunt is right, Leopold. When Miss McKay rejoins the carriage, you will refrain from any comments on the matter. She is having a hard enough time, without you laughing about this incident. It is infantile, something I would expect of a young schoolboy, not a grown man. Not a Duke."

"Since when do you care about Miss McKay's feelings?"

"I am making an effort, Leopold. I suggest you do the same."

Leopold stepped out of the carriage, when he saw Kate heading back, her head low. When she reached him, she put her hand up before he could speak, "I don't need your comments right now. You and your family can laugh all you want about this one, but I don't want to hear it. I never thought I would be squatting in the forest alongside a road, why didn't you warn me about that."

"I just assumed you would know. I never thought…"

"Right, Leopold, you never thought. The only time I have ever done that was when I was 4 and we were driving to New Jersey and I couldn't wait till the next gas station. Please tell me there are bathrooms at Balinor."

"Of course there are bathrooms, where you take a bath. I am afraid our toilets are not up to your standards and they are not in the bathrooms."

"Where are they?"

"They are located in the outhouse."

"But the house in New York, had a toilet in the house."

"Those Americans are quite clever, I must say."

"I will have to go outside, to go the bathroom, sorry, I mean the toilet, is that correct?"

"That is correct."

"Anything else you have failed to mention to me about the living arrangements?"

"I can't think of anything at this time, no."

"You will let me know, before I make an even bigger fool of myself."

"You will be the first informed when I think of something."

"Good."

He took hold of her hand, "I don't like when you are cross with me." God, he was doing it again. That look. Kate tried to avoid his eyes, but it was next to impossible.

"I am not cross at you. I just feel stupid.'

He lifted her chin so she was looking straight at him, "I want to apologize for my rude behavior earlier and for the fact that I neglected to tell you about the roadside toilets, it will not happen again…at least for today." He managed to get a smile out of her.

"Alright, you are forgiven." She started to walk towards the carriage and he pulled her towards him, "Leopold, everyone is staring."

Leopold looked towards the carriage and found both Millard and Margaret looking out the window. Millard yelled at him," Leopold, we must get on the road, if we want to get to Leicestershire by nightfall. Once again, you are holding us up."

"I have some unfinished business here, Uncle. I will be with you shortly."

"What unfinished business is that?"

He swept her in his arms and dipped her as if they were dancing, and she began to laugh, "For god's sake, Leopold, what are you doing?"

"I am making you smile." He smiled at her, "And I am giving our audience something to stare at."

"You never cease to surprise me. One minute you are reserved and serious, like a Duke should be. Then the next minute you are playful and funny, like a schoolboy."

"How boring and dull would I be if I behaved like I was suppose to all the time, that is not in my nature. Be prepared, my dear sweet Kate, I am full of surprises. You bring out the boy in me, and that is a good thing."

He passionately kissed her in front of the others and smiled triumphantly as he let her go. She was a bit taken a back, "This is definitely a change from your behavior on the ship. I am not sure how I am suppose to take this sudden change."

"I can easily become the boring stiff shirt Duke, if you prefer. It would be quite a laugh actually. It drives Uncle Millard mad, because he knows I am mocking everything the title stands for. You know I am very disrespectful to the privilege I was born with, but that is a story for another day and we have many days ahead of us."

"Come on, I for one would like to arrive in Leicestershire as soon as possible. Just a question, why didn't we travel by train? Wouldn't we have arrived at Balinor sooner."

"My great aunt has requested our presence. My uncle and myself are her only living relatives. And Uncle Millard tries to remain in good graces with her. She is a character, my great aunt Agnes. Never married, no children. My father and uncle were practically raised by her. I am sure she wants to look you over and make sure you are suitable to marry into the family."

"I am going to be interrogate again."

"She is harmless. You might find you like her. Everyone says I have her spirit. Millard will tell you that is nothing to be proud of. My father was her favorite, and it has annoyed Millard greatly. I am quite assured you will enjoy our brief visit with Aunt Agnes. Maybe even so much, the journey to Balinor tomorrow will not look as pleasing."

"Now you have me curious."

"Then let's not dawdle, Kate, our carriage is waiting."

He gave her a little pat on the behind and she picked up her skirt and ran, Leopold hot on her heals. When they got back to the carriage, they were both laughing and Millard was looking disgusted. "Maybe I should have had Mrs. Collins air out the nursery, Leopold. I am sure we could find your rocking horse and toy soldiers."

He smiled at him as he climbed in, "Sounds like a brilliant idea, Uncle. I think Kate might enjoy them as well."

She tried to hide the laughter and scooted into the carriage. Leopold and Kate looked at each other, and Millard was annoyed about how pleased they were with themselves. He sighed and looked at Margaret, "Children." The coachman cracked his whip and the carriage was on it's way to Leicestershire.