Painswick? Rosamund had never heard of that name- and she had been to enough seasons and parties to know everyone.

"He is new money, a banker." Violet answered her unspoken question. "You can go now."

Rosamund nodded her thanks and left the room, walking towards the front door where the Butler, Poe, was waiting with her coat.

"Thank you, Poe." She told him as he placed the coat on her arms.

"M'lady." He bowed.

Rosamund made her way out the doors and began to walk into town. She wrapped her hands around herself. She knew she would have to get married eventually, but she didn't want to, not to anyone she had the ability to marry. And who is this Marmaduke person? Who does he think he is?

Rosamund was lost deep in her thoughts as her feet took her on an all to familiar root to the bakery. She often collected the bread of the Abbey, helping out the cook. She loved the bakery and the owners daughter. Even though it was a well worn path and she could walk it in her sleep, she misjudged how far away the door in front of her was; thoughts elsewhere.

She was silently cursing her mother when she walked directly into the bakery doors which caused the people inside to instantly turn around and gasp. Rosamund opened the door and the two customers and the owner of the shop swarmed her instantly asking if she was alright.

She waved them off, telling them that she was ok and she made her way to the counter.

"What would you like M'lady?"

Rosamund slid some paper across the table "Could I possibly have a basket of these breads to collect in an hour?" She asked with a smile.

"Of course M'lady, it will be ready."

"Thank you" She told him with a nod before she turned around and left.

Rosamund left the shop and was brought back to the crisp late summer air. Smiling softly and with quickened pace she headed to the small filed behind the bakery. She stood looking over the fence, lost in her own mind, that's how she didn't hear anyone come behind her.

Rosamund groaned softly, "Damn Painswick, Damn mama and damn this stupid season!" She spoke allowed before her head fell into her hands. "Damn me for being like this." Her voice was quieter for that sentence, nails digging into her forehead, this is how she became unaware of the figure that appeared next to her.

"Damn three of those in a bad way, the other one is more of a" Her voice changed slightly dropping in tone and sounding more seductive, "Damn".

Rosamund lifted her head and smiled lightly, "You scared me"

Delilah turned to face her partner towards her and she began to trace her finger of the fresh marks on her hairline looking at them rather than at her eyes, "Penny for your thoughts?" Her eyes finally fell to her eyes.

Rosamund sighed and sighed, she didn't want to talk about it but she knew she would burst if she didn't. Her eyes opened again "My mother-"

"Ah, you have said enough!" Delilah laughed.

Rosamund nodded in agreement while laughing, "You are correct, and this time it's the worst possible thing she could do." Her joy quickly diminished.

"What has she done?"

"She has presented me with someone who I am to court." This was the first time she had said its out loud and she hated the way the words sounded on her tongue.

"And you are scared you will instantly fall in love?" She cheeked.

Rosamund rolled her eyes and said sarcastically "Totally." They both shared quiet laugh, "I don't want to leave you."

"Can you just say no?"

"My mother would kill me."

"And you were the one saying damn her."

"Delilah!" Annoyed, Rosamund turned around and put her back against the fence and her hand pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Alright, alright sorry. Would you have to live with however you unfortunately married? Because if so I can always move with you, I'm not going to abandon you but it goes both ways."

"That… would be nice, you would be far better company."

"Who is this guy anyway?" Delilah asked, coping her partners position but laying her head on her partners arm.

Rosamund moved her arm and Delilah buried her face in her side as she held her close with her arm, playing with the shorter girls loose hairs.

"His name is Marmaduke Painswick, he is a banker. Apparently, I don't know anything about him other than that."

"Rosamund Crawley? Not knowing something? Impossible!"

Rosamund laughed and lightly pulled on Delilah"s hair to make her face her "Cheeky." She said with a smirk which got returned.

"You love me"

"I do" The Rosamund bent down, kissing her soundly on the lips, Delilah moved herself to give her easy access. Rosamund's hands started to travel up the inside of her shirt as they fell to the ground, lips never parting only for brief intervals to allow them to breathe.

~~~

An hour later, Rosamund and Delilah were stood, still slightly out of breath, getting dressed again. "We should probably stop doing this in public places" Rosamund laughed.

"Where else could we possibly do it."

"Once again the genius spoke only the truth." This caused Delilah to laugh.

"Why thank you, Ma'am." She smirked and Rosamund rolled her eyes trying to repress a smirk.

When the two were dressed and hair tided, they shared a final kiss. "Goodbye Delilah."

"Goodbye Rosamund, I'll see you tommorow?"

"Always. Love you, beautiful."

"I love you too."

Delilah watched as Rosamund walked around the bakery, back to the busy street and she walked into the bakery where a basket awaited her on the table.

"I apologise for being late, Mr Mellark" She apologised as she walked towards the counter, getting her money out the pocket and placing it on the counter.

"Don't worry M'lady. Everything is here for you." He took the money, "Thank you very much." As she took the basket he counted the money and he paused.

Rosamund had just reached the door when he spoke, "M'lady? I'm very sorry but but you are three shillings short."

Rosamund panicked and turned around, placing the basket on the floor, and she reached into her bag and her pockets only to draw up empty, "Oh I am very sorry, it must of fell out my pocket, let me check again."

As Rosamund checked her pockets again footsteps sounded from the back room, and a soft voice floated through, "Papa? Has Lady Rosamund-" The figure appeared and stopped.

It was Delilah.

"Oh! M'lady! I was walking past where you were before and I noticed some money fell out your pocket. It's only three shillings."

"Why thank you Miss Mellark! Please pass them to your father, it was meant for him." It took everything in Rosamund not to openly flirt with her.

Delilah passed it over as Rosamund picked up her basket. Mr Mellark turned his back and Delilah winked at her and Rosamund blew her a kiss.

"Thank you again, and goodbye."

The door shut, separating the door two, yet the shared the same smile.

~~~

Arriving back at Downton, Rosamund went through the servants entrance to pass over the bread to an empty kitchen and she proceeded to walk up the stairs and towards the library for tea time.

Calmly, she entered the room which was only graced by her mother and father, her brother and his wife arrived ten minutes later, looking refreshed.

"Papa? Have you sent out the furniture report yet?"

"No, I haven't yet. Why do you ask?" Patrick put down his tea.

"We need a new settee for Cora's bedroom."

"Was that necessary Robert?"

"Excuse me?"

Violet interrupted, "That's the second settee in a year, why do you need a new one?"

Cora and Robert's face grew more red than a tomato.

"And Rosamund, dear, You have a leaf in your ear." Violet told her.

Rosamund tried to hide her smirk as she removed it, cheeks becoming hot.

Cora was the only one to catch the smirk and instantly grew curious, making a a mental note to ask her about it later.