Janet woke in the middle of night, drenched with sweat and breathing heavy. The dream had come again. This was the first time the dream had come to her at Balinor, and it frightened her. She was supposed to be safe here. This was where she had always felt safe. She got out of bed and lit a candle, and not giving it a second thought went out into the hall. She was barefoot and hadn't even bothered to put on a dressing gown. She crept down the stairs to the 2nd floor where Lord and Lady Mountbatten's bed chambers as well as, Kate's and Leopold's were. She stood outside Leopold's door far to long, what was she thinking. She was confused and distraught and felt very alone here in the place she once called home. She quickly went down the stairs and out the kitchen door, heading for the stables.



Kate had heard noises on the landing and had gone to her door, when she looked out the corridor was empty but she thought she saw something on the stairs. It was probably just her imagination. Who would be up at this hour? It had to be about 2am. She went back into her room and looked out the window. Her window faced the back of the house, and she saw a scantily clad figure running across the grass towards the stable. Kate couldn't make out who it was, she had only briefly met the staff today, and from this distance it could have been anyone. The moonlight on the figure gave it an eerie feel and she felt like she was part of a gothic mystery. It was so quiet, except for the wind. She was so use to cars and trucks in the streets at all hours, and this stillness made your imagination run wild. She decided she needed to go straight back to bed before she really started to get creeped out.



Jack's room was right off the stables. It was small but adequate for him. He was rarely in it, only to sleep. And Jack liked his sleep. He was only likely to wake up when he heard disturbance in the stables. So it was strange when he felt something move beside him. He started to stir and realized he had company, "What in god's name…"

Janet put her hand over his mouth, "It's only me, Jack."

How many times had Jack thought about Janet in his bed? He quickly changed this thought and tried to think properly, "What's happened now?"

"I couldn't sleep, I had that dream again, the one I told you about, and I couldn't stay in my room. I didn't know where to go."

"So you came to me."

"I feel safe with you."

"If anyone catches you here, we could both lose our jobs, you do realize that don't you?"

"No one will catch me here. Please let me stay. I don't want to go back to the house." He knew she was frightened and she felt cold.

"You are cold. What were you thinking coming out in the cold night air without anything on your feet or a dressing gown."

"As usual I wasn't thinking."

He pulled the covers up around her and she cuddled up close to him. She had no idea the effect she had on him. She never had. She was always following Leopold like a puppy dog, oblivious to what Jack felt for her. "You can stay, but you have to leave at sunrise. Leopold is planning to ride in the morning, and he can't find you here."

"It would be rather funny, wouldn't it? Me in your bed. I wonder what he would think?"

" He will not find out. Now, shut up, and go to sleep."

Lying in his arms made her feel secure again, and she was asleep in a matter of minutes. But that was not to be the case for Jack, who lay awake holding her, and thought of what could be.



Leopold was up at the crack of dawn, Otis helped into his riding gear and when he arrived at the stables, he was surprised the horses were not bridled and saddled. This was not like Jack. He was always so efficient. He walked through the stables and called out his name, Jack was awoken from his sleep, Janet still lying beside him. He hadn't slept much so he was disoriented until he heard his name again. "Oh, dear, God…Leopold."

He shook Janet, she stirred and opened her eyes, "You need to get out of here, we have overslept and Leopold is in the stables."

"How am I suppose to get out of here without him seeing me?"

"Why did I ever allow you to stay here last night?"

"Because you are a true friend, the only one I have."

He climbed out of bed, "I will distract Leopold, while you make your way up to the house, and don't even think about going through the kitchen, Cook will see you."

She pulled him back down on the bed and kissed his cheek, which totally took him by surprise. "You are the best, Jack."

He pulled on a pair of pants and his boots, and quickly grabbed a shirt that was draped over a chair, he was still buttoning his shirt when he opened the door and ran straight into Leopold, "Your grace, I am truly sorry, about this inconvenience, I will have the horses saddled and bridled in no time."

Jack closed the door behind him quickly before Leopold had a chance to see inside. Leopold was curious about Jack's behavior, normally Jack was calm and collected, he was definitely on edge this morning and Leopold assumed it had something to do with Janet and the incident in the stables yesterday.

"I can help."

"You sure, you don't mind?"

"I am perfectly capable of saddling my own horse."

"Of course you are, your grace."

"Jack, please refrain from calling me that. I realize in the presence of others it is expected, but as long as we are alone, there is no need."

"Certainly, sir, if that is what you wish."

He was glad to get Leopold to the stalls in the back, where Mordrid and Guinevere were kept, this would give Janet the opportunity to get out of his room. He handed Leopold the saddle and bridle, then got Guinevere's and they headed back towards the stalls. Jack was quiet, but Leopold had plenty on his mind and was determined to find some answers.

"I know you don't believe it is my concern, but I find Janet's behavior yesterday very troubling. I know she has been away a long time, and the adjustment to life here from what she experienced in Scotland will take some time for her to get used to, but it is not like her to have such outbursts."

"Sir, Janet was in India, not Scotland."

"India? What was she doing in India?"

Jack helped Leopold tighten the saddle and stopped looking over at him, "The Earl had business there. He took the whole family."

"And what about her impending marriage?"

"I really shouldn't be discussing this matter with you. Janet has confided in me, Leopold, I mean sir." There was a loud noise coming from the front of the stable, and Leopold turned. Jack put his hand to his head, she had let the door slam shut, and Leopold caught glimpse of her as she ran up towards the house. He moved to the entrance of the stable, and realized it was Janet in her nightclothes. He then turned back to Jack.

"I believe it is my business now, don't you think?"

"It isn't what you think, sir."

"And what do you believe I am thinking?"

"Janet has no feeling for me what so ever."

"And when has that ever stopped other men from taking advantage of women." He could tell Leopold was cross with him.

"I think you know me better than that, sir. She came to me in the night after a disturbing nightmare. I knew it was a bad idea, but I couldn't turn her away. Nothing happened. She slept, I didn't. That is why; I didn't have the horses ready this morning. I must have dozed off at some point, and then I overslept."

Leopold lightened up, "You are a good friend to her, Jack. And I am sure having her in your bed was very tempting." Leopold knew Jack had always fancied her, even the years she was away. They had kept in touch.

"More than you will ever know, but it is not to be. So is it safe to say, I have not jeopardized mine and hers position?"

"I would be daft if I ever let you go. No one has the skills with horses that you have, and I enjoy your company on my rides. Your position is not in jeopardy. As for, Janet, she always has a place here at Balinor, but I think it's imperative I know what is going on."

"All I can say is that she got in with the wrong company in India. She made bad choices."

"This man, she was to marry, he withdrew his proposal?"

"I am afraid so."

"On what grounds?"

"I really am not inclined to say anything else. It was for the best. She would've been miserable with him, but she is ashamed of the whole incident. That is why she was in tears yesterday. She feels she has let her mother down." Jack was leaving out a lot of the story, "It took her a long time, to finally come home."

"And that is all?" Leopold felt he was leaving something out.

"Yes. I am sure your upcoming marriage, is not helping matters. It is only a reminder of what could've been. She is having an extremely difficult time."

"I should talk to her."

"That isn't a good idea. She is not the same girl that left here 12 years ago." Jack didn't know what else to say. Just like Janet was oblivious to Jack's feelings for her, Leopold had no idea how Janet felt about him. In Janet's state at this time, it was best Leopold was kept as far away from her as possible.

"I do know what you are saying. It was so easy when we were children. Our friendship was accepted. I now am expected to mix with my boring stuffy neighbors, or attend galas with other members of royalty. This is not the life I have chosen, Jack. I consider you a friend, and I will always consider you a friend. I don't really give a damn who looks down their nose at it. What the 3 of us had together growing up was incredibly important to me. And I know when I went away to University, things changed but I have never forgotten what you and Janet meant to me."

Jack was silent for a minute. "It can never be the way it was, Leopold. It just can't. I accept that, and I know you are still a friend, as well as my employer. And a might good one at that. I love what I do and the people I work with. You have made this place what it is and we are all grateful to be working for you."

"But Janet has not accepted it."

"She has been away a long time. She will accept it. She was only 15 when she left here. I have no doubt in my mind she will adjust." As he said this, he felt differently. Could she adjust? He wasn't so sure.

Both horses were saddled and they lead them out of the stables. Once mounted, Leopold let go of his concerns and gave Mordrid a swift kick and was off. Jack followed on Guinevere.

The ride proved invigorating and he stopped at the top of a hill to survey the estate below him. It was a sight he never tired of. This was all his, and he would not let anything happen to it. There was a sound of horse hoofs behind them and Jack and Leopold turned to find they had company.

Edgar Spencer sat proudly on his stallion and smiled. A smile that always irritated Leopold, because it always seemed wicked. "Well, if it isn't the Duke of Albany returned from his quest for a bride in America. And I heard you were successful. I do believe, we all had given up on you. Rumor had it you were not interested in the eligible females thrown your way, because you just weren't interested in females of any sort."

Leopold was not about to rise to his bait. Something Edgar was fond of throwing his way. "Edgar, as always a joy to see you." He said sarcastically.

"Oh, come, now Leopold, we are grown ups now, and what is past is past, we should put aside our differences and be civil to one another. We are neighbors, for the time being." Leopold did not like the tone of his voice one bit and did not like his choice of words.

"I have no intention of leaving Balinor, so I can assume by that comment you are looking for residence elsewhere."

"I could never leave my family home, Leopold. I was just making comment on the financial difficulty your family has found themselves in and there is a possibility of losing Balinor."

"You can be assured that will never happen, as long as I am alive."

Edgar chuckled, "Same old, Leopold. So proud and honorable. I would be careful of your choice of words. I have known many a gentleman who have lost their lives for some noble and gallant deed. Is Balinor really worth that, Leopold?"

"I will not be discussing my families financial situation with you now, or at anytime in the present. If that is all you have to say, we will excuse ourselves and continue with our ride."

"Don't get all in a huff, for god's sake. I was just making light conversation. In fact, I was on my way to Balinor to invite you to a ball in your honor at Westlake this Saturday. Millicent thought it was appropriate to give you a proper welcome home and to celebrate your engagement. We are both anxious to meet your fiancé."

"How is Millicent?"

"Well, I must say she is not the raving beauty you will remember. She has deteriorated considerably in the past few years. A shame really. And she has been unable to give me an heir. She has not turned out to be the wife I had imagined, but she is with child now, and there is hope that I will have the son I long for at long last."

Leopold found the way he talked about her disgraceful. But Edgar was always like that. "Kate and I would love to attend the ball. Please give Millicent, my love and tell her I look forward to seeing her on Saturday."

"Of course your aunt and uncle are invited as well. It should be a night to remember." He then turned to Jack, "Jack, I have heard rumor that Mrs. Collins' daughter has returned to Balinor."

Jack looked surprised. "Yes, my lord, she has."

Edgar then looked at Leopold, "I am amazed that you would even think of offering her a position under the circumstances, Leopold."

"Janet will always have a place in my home."

"Then you obviously do not know what has taken place in the last few years. I happen to know the gentleman she was engaged to."

"Edgar, I really don't have time for this, and I will not listen to gossip of any sort."

"I can assure you this is not gossip."

"Jack, we will be on our way now. Edgar, it was a pleasure and I will see you on Saturday." He gave Mordrid a kick and didn't look back. Jack looked at Edgar, and Edgar warned him, "You watch yourself, Jack and I advice you watch out for your friend as well. That one is trouble."

Jack wanted to say something back, but decided against it and headed down the hill after Leopold.