Okay, let's see a few notes, cravat is the scarf-like cloth that men tied around their necks like ties. That's what the research tells me, and the dictionary clarified that. And references to "town" for the most part refers to London. Jane Austen does this a lot, so I kinda copied that. ^_^

Chapter 2

By Sailor Celaeno

The sun rose and a young gentleman made his way to the breakfast room. He was performing his daily ritual. With his valet attending to him, he dressed for the day. The young man was none other than the master of the house, Mr. Duo Maxwell and he had much business to accomplish this very day. His man presented his master various choices of shirt sleeves. After a few moments of reflection on each, Duo decided on an off white pair. He had recently returned from town and had purchased long pants, rather than breeches, as was the latest style of fashion. His cravat was a matching off white as he tied gracefully about his neck.

Duo Maxwell carefully examined his appearance in the mirror. He had long and neatly braided rich auburn hair, just as his mother had. Though it was against the proper sense of fashion at the time, Duo Maxwell was a man who had a very jovial nature. Whilst this made him popular, he was looked down upon among the more conservative-minded society. It was during in his school days that a friend had challenged him to grow his hair long and then wear it as a braid for a year. In return, Duo would receive £100. It had been nearly 5 years, and Duo found no need to cut his hair. He had grown quite fond of his long hair and was quite well-known for it. He gently brushed his long bangs and gave himself an encouraging smile. His violet eyes twinkled with the merriment of his countenance.

He soon nodded his servant to leave and he immediately left his room. He walked down the hallway and then down an mahogany staircase that was decorated with a dark, russet finish, and forest green carpeting. Within a few short moments, he made his way to the breakfast room. He greeted two gentlemen who had also just arrived and sat in his position at head of the table.

It was a wintry day nearly a week after Mr. Maxwell's letter had been dispatched to the Noins, when Mr. Maxwell received their reply. "Sir, this has just arrived for you," the butler bowed as he handed Mr. Maxwell the elegantly written and sealed letter.

"Thank you Peters," he nodded as he accepted the cream-colored envelope. There was a mahogany colored wax seal on the back. A quick observation of the envelope showed that a lady of some refinement had written the letter. He sat in place at the head of the dining table with breakfast displayed before him, and the two gentlemen, sitting either side of him.

"Another letter I see," noted one man. He had somewhat unruly, brunette hair, that was quite becoming for the gentleman. His Prussian blue eyes showed a great determination and strong conviction as he looks into another person's eyes. His voice was subdued, but hinted at his perseverance in all he did.

Mr. Maxwell nodded. "Indeed. It's addressed from Hillary Lodge, the country house I allowed my cousins to live in." He had a pleased, though a nervous countenance as he looked at the envelope. He was normally at ease with himself and all things concerning him. However, the business with the Noins was a delicate situation and he felt obliged to do the best he could towards them.

"Perhaps they have decided to respond to your letter after all, Maxwell," the man gave a slight smile.

"Perhaps Heero, but I'm not quite sure, how I should respond to this letter?"

"Perhaps, it would help, Duo, if you opened the letter and read what your cousins have to say first."

Mr. Duo Maxwell was the only son of a great gentleman, the master of Maxwell Hall. His mother was formerly a Miss Noin, sister to the late Mr. Noin of Emerly, the Noin property he recently inherited. Duo Maxwell had grown up knowing full well that he would one day usurp his uncle's property, as it soon became clear that he would have no male cousin to inherit before him. He had met his uncle only twice when they were in town together. He admired his uncle greatly, and Mr. Noin seemed impressed with young Maxwell's charismatic wit and good sense. It seemed to Mr. Noin, that he would be leaving Emerly to a good sort of man. Duo Maxwell pitied the idea of disinheriting his female cousins from their home. On his uncle's death, he immediately had Hillary Lodge near Buxted prepared for the surviving Noins' occupation. He was sad to realize that the granting the Noin ladies the permission to live in a country cottage wasn't the best reparation he could offer, but it would have to do for the moment.

"You are quite right Heero. I should read the content first." He gently pulled the seal and had the letter in his hands. He unfolded the contents and began reading aloud:

Dear Mr. Maxwell,

We have cordially received your letter two days prior to writing this letter and ask for your forgiveness in the delay. We sincerely regret not writing you more promptly. My mother and sister are doing nicely here in Hillary as am I. We are very grateful for your kindness in permitting us to stay in Hillary. Buxted is a lovely village and we are very pleased to have such good neighbors that have given us much kindness here. I will send you all our assurances that we are quite content here and that you needn't concern yourself too greatly for our well-being. We have recently made ourselves acquainted with the Darlians, as they live in the neighboring property, High Ridge. Miss Darlian has been a very good friend to my sister and I as we are always welcomed guests at High Ridge. Consequently Mr. Maxwell, Miss Darlian has decided that when you come to visit us, that she would like to invite you for dinner on the evening of the 20th. She also extends the invitation to Mr. Yuy and Mr. Barton, as they will join you in your visit with us this Christmas. If this is to your liking sir, then please reply as soon as it is convenient to you. We send you and your companions much good will and good tidings in your future travels.

Yours and truly,

Miss Noin

"I'm quite intrigued with these ladies. I have heard so much about them, but have not met the ladies. It would be rather disagreeable to decline such a gracious invitation," replied Duo as he finished reading the letter. His eyes regained the sparkle of amusement and his usual liveliness.

"I shall have no objection to this dinner. Miss Darlian is a very rich young woman, and not someone to be ignored. I have heard much about her, and I seem to have developed a curiosity for the country as well Duo," replied Heero Yuy. "She may be a proud young woman, now that she is the mistress of so much wealth."

"What about you, Trowa? Are you inclined to join?" smiled Duo at the silent companion.

"If you will go, then I shall have no objections as well."

"Good. It is settled. I will write them and have the reply sent out this afternoon."

Heero Yuy was a tall man whose features were universally agreed on as handsome. Despite his pleasing appearance, he was quite infamously known as a disagreeable sort of fellow. His fortune, and his good looks charmed many, but his aloofness towards the lower classes made him also universally agreed on as "proud and condescending." He was the only child of Mr. Yuy and his wife. They were both deceased just as the Maxwells were. Thus leaving their dear son the sole heir to a large estate in Derbyshire. Heero Yuy was away from Edenwood many months of the year in order to be with his good friend, Duo Maxwell. It seemed that men like Duo were the only sort of men he associated with. Men of high breeding and good fortunes. Most would say that Heero Yuy had deemed himself too good to be with other classes of people, but perhaps that isn't quite the truth. This is the sort of mystery left for the many, unmarried women of England to decide for themselves.

He had chosen white shirtsleeves, and a soft muslin cravat around his neck. Heero's light black waistcoat neatly pressed and with a straight cut. He wore a bottle green jacket that was a favorite of his. Despite the appearance of disorder in his hair, it was much tidier than would seem. He had soft, thick locks that forced him to accept the fact that his hair done in any other fashion would be impossible. In spite of initial doubts, Heero was more than satisfied with his hair than anyone else. He kept himself very neat as he had been around uncles and cousins who were military men, and were elder than himself. He was quite efficient in the same token with all his business dealings as his father was.

"You have never told us very much about these lady cousins, Duo." Heero poured a small cup of tea with his breakfast. He gradually took a small sip as his friend replied.

"I will confess Heero, that I know only a little about them."

"You have never met these ladies?" inquired Trowa from his relative silence.

Duo had a look of embarrassment on his face. "I have to admit that I never personally met Miss Noin and Miss Hilde. I did see Aunt Noin on two occasions I first met Mr. Noin so many years ago."

"How long ago would that be? You're not more than two and twenty," replied Heero.

"I believe I was only twelve at the time. So." Duo thought for a moment, ". perhaps I have exaggerated, but it was quite some time since I saw the gentleman. I suppose I'm being nervous for no real reason."

"You feel rather badly for disinheriting them. Much more than other men would, I think," noted Trowa as he ate quietly.

"That may be so Trowa, but I just don't feel right. Whether man or woman, it should not be right to force them out of their rightful home simply because of some rules."

"Rules are what proper society live by, Duo. Without these rules, there would be anarchy, and barbarism. Rules also set proper justice for people."

"That is true Heero. Rules can provide justice. But is it right to observe laws and rules that don't seem to be just for others?"

"How are you certain that a law isn't just? Perhaps, on one level it may not be right, but then it is a law that suits most circumstances."

"That is true. But I have always heard, after long periods of time, society forgets to follow the spirit of the law as the law was written. And instead chooses to follow the letter in order to make things easier. Society forgets the idea of the law. But then there are laws that should be changed because they can no longer function as well in the current state of society."

"Quite true Duo. I will grant that. But the law cannot simply be ignored because one is dissatisfied."

"Progress must me made. And sometimes progress is made through disobedience of such laws."

"Another debate, another stalemate. You do not convince each other. Perhaps there will be a circumstance that will present this debate again," replied Trowa.

"Perhaps there will be," Duo replied as he returned to his breakfast.

Trowa Barton was a tall slender man. He had dark auburn hair and dark green eyes that hid much. Trowa Barton rarely talked just as Heero Yuy rarely talked. However, people knew who Heero Yuy was. Many were quite perplexed on Trowa Barton. He was a young man that hardly discussed his past or from what place his family lived. However, he freely discussed political ideas of the day, and was quite knowledgeable of how to run a country estate with great efficiency. The elder Mr. Maxwell had hired the young lad as the steward shortly before his death. Duo had become good friends with Trowa since those early days.

Duo went to his writing desk and promptly began writing his reply to Miss Noin.

Dear Miss Noin,

I thank you for your reply. I was quite pleased to see your letter this morning at the breakfast table. My companions and I enjoyed hearing how your family has fared in Buxted. I accept your kind words of good-will and can honestly say that I was the one most pleased at hearing that your sister and mother have settled comfortably in Hillary. I was fond of the house when I was younger, and I hoped that your family would feel the same as well. My companions would like to meet Miss Darlian at her most convenient time during our stay. I send my regards to you my dear cousins.

Yours truly,

Mr. Duo Maxwell

Duo sealed the envelope and had the letter sent out immediately, hopefully to the Miss Noins before the week's end.