Lord Pembridge did not speak at all at breakfast. He excused himself straight after, leaving Mai to dine alone. Madoka had yet to be seen and Mai assumed she was still asleep.

Despite this, Mai kept to her routine. She went for her daily walk. She read in the drawing room. She chose her dress for Mr Brown's dinner.

The house was quiet. The servants were subdued.

Eventually, it was time to leave. Mai dressed and headed down to the entrance hall, where she found Lin waiting for her.

"Miss Mori has asked me to tell you that she is feeling unwell and will remain here."

"Oh no, do we need to call for a doctor?"

"No, my Lady, I believe rest alone will cure Miss Mori's ailment," he said, then lowered his voice. "I believe she drank a lot more wine than she let on last night and is now suffering the consequences."

Mai hid her laugh behind her hand.

"I see, so I am travelling alone?"

"No, you're not," Lord Pembridge said as he walked down the grand staircase, throwing his own coat around his shoulders. "I will be joining you."

"But—"

"After I joined you at Mrs Sakauchi's infernal ball, other members of society will expect me at their events or see it as a snub. And Mr Brown is a good man and not someone I wish to snub."

"And Mrs Sakauchi is?"

"She is higher up that list, yes. Come on, or else we'll be late."

Lord Pembridge swept out of the house leaving Mai to follow in his wake. She thanked Lin for his assistance as he helped her into the carriage and waved as they set off. Lin did not return the wave, but he gave a slight smile.

"I think we ought to talk about what happened last night," Lord Pembridge said.

"Go on."

"I apologise for the lapse in security. I did not know that he was able to get out of the Wing. I have remedied that."

"I was more concerned with how you got into my locked bedroom," Mai commented, staring out of the window.

"It used to be my bedroom, I have an old key. If I had not then… I do not know what would have happened."

"I think we both know what he would have done to me. But we both know that you value his life over all else."

Lord Pembridge did not speak for several minutes.

"I am sorry."

"He also told me you refer to me quite familiarly when you're alone with him. I want you to stop that."

"Yes."

"Is that yes you do or yes you will stop?"

"Both," he said. "I did not ever expect you to meet so I did—"

"Did not think he would reveal it? That you have so little respect for me that—"

"It is not a lack of respect," Lord Pembridge insisted.

"Is it not? Is it not a sign of disrespect to refuse to use someone's title?"

"Well, yes, it could be but—"

"Then you agree," Mai said.

"No, I do not agree. Do you not call those that you are intimately acquainted with by their christian name?"

Mai looked away from the window.

"Everyone with whom I am intimately acquainted with is now dead," she said. "And I hasten to add, we are not intimately acquainted."

"You have seen me in casual clothing and I have seen you in your nightgown. We have danced several times! How are we not—"

"You value a creature that would drain me of my lifeforce, who wants to damn your soul for eternity and who assaulted me only last night over my life and yours!"

"You are jealous of my brother?"

"No! I…" Mai faltered. "Perhaps I am jealous that I do not have someone in my life that would fight for me as you do for him. But I do not want what he has. I would never want to be that way. I spoke to him and he is not of sane mind and body."

"But he had just fed, he promised me he drank before meeting you, he—"

"He was irrational, his thoughts were all over the place. He began kind and you saw how it ended up."

"It's getting worse," Lord Pembridge muttered. "I need another source…"

Mai ignored this, and returned to looking out of the window.

"What do you mean that he wants to damn my soul?"

"He told me he wanted to turn you into a creature like him," Mai said, still gazing out of the carriage window. "So you could be together forever."

"Oh."

"Had he not told you this?"

"No."

"Well I have read there is one main way to turn someone into a vampire," Mai said. "He will bite you and drink your blood, then bite himself and pour his blood into your body. His blood will then spread through your body and you will turn."

"I know."

"Do you want to turn?"

"No."

"Then perhaps you ought to talk to him. I have found that not wanting the same things is not conducive to a good relationship."

Lord Pembridge was not given the chance to say anything else, as they had arrived at Mr Brown's humble abode.

The house had a small piece of land attached to it, where the clergyman kept chickens and a small vegetable plot. The house itself was a relatively new stone structure, with some fine workmanship that Mai thought above the income of a clergyman.

"It is a lovely house," she commented.

"My father had it built for Mr Brown's father, who died about a year before mine did."

"Your father has good taste."

"My father knew how to pick good tradesmen," Lord Pembridge corrected. "He had no taste for himself, my mother decorated the house, but he had a good sense for who was trustworthy and who was attempting to swindle him."

They entered the house and were greeted by Mr Brown, who showed them to a dining room fit for about ten people.

"I have hired a cook for the evening," he told them, "she has prepared the most wonderful food and I wish I had cause to keep her on. Perhaps when I marry I shall see if she is still seeking employment."

"I can smell the food from here," Mai commented. "She could rival Miss Matsuzaki with those smells!"

"I shall tell Miss Matsuzaki," Lord Pembridge said.

"Don't you dare! I do not deserve her ire!"

Mr Brown laughed.

"Come, take a seat. You are not the first to arrive but Mrs Sakauchi had to freshen up. She is sat there by the head of the table. Perhaps you would like to sit at the head, Lord Pembridge, it is only fitting—"

"I will not force a man out of his own seat in his own home, Mr Brown. In fact I shall sit in the very middle. Tonight is not a night for rank."

"You are only doing that because you do not want to sit next to me," Mrs Sakauchi said as she entered. "But you are right, we are here to celebrate the new year. Lady Astley, please take the seat between Lord Pembridge and myself or else we shall squabble all evening."

Mai sighed dramatically.

"I suppose to save the evening I shall have to," she said with a smile.

Mr Brown provided them with drinks as the remainder of his guests turned up. There was the bookkeeper and his wife, the doctor and his wife, and finally the new Captain of the local militia and one of his soldiers who had only moved to the area in the past few weeks.

"I did not realise we had a new Captain," the doctor said as they all took their seats.

"It was a rather sudden change," the Captain admitted. "My predecessor disgraced himself and so matters were dealt with rather quickly, as I am sure you can imagine."

The cook and a maid then began serving the dinner; venison with potatoes and various other vegetables.

"Venison!" Mrs Sakauchi cried, "You really are treating us tonight, Mr Brown."

"It was a gift," Mr Brown answered. "And I could think of no better way to use it than to share it with friends."

Mrs Sakauchi turned to Mai and whispered into her ear.

"And we all know who owns the biggest deer park around here."

Mai smiled as if she did know this fact, waiting until Mrs Sakauchi had struck up conversation with the doctor's wife before turning to Lord Pembridge.

"Who owns the deer park near here?" she asked in a hushed voice.

Lord Pembridge only rolled his eyes at her, Mai scowled at him and turned back to join Mrs Sakauchi's conversation with the doctor's wife, who's name Mai soon learnt to be Mary.

"Our eldest has just started at Oxford, we are so proud of him, he is so bright," Mary said.

"He takes after his father, no doubt, though I remember him having your eyes. A very handsome young man, he will do well," Mrs Sakauchi said. "If I had a daughter, no doubt I would have to keep her away from him."

"And why have you no daughters, Mrs Sakauchi? You have been married quite some time now. I was expecting to be called to assist with the birth."

"We have yet to be blessed with children," Mrs Sakauchi said, a tone of sadness in her voice. "But when God is willing."

"And you, Lady Astley, you had no children with your husband?"

"No, we were also unlucky in that regard," Mai said. "But I intend to marry again. I very much want a family."

"Then I shall pray for you both," Mary said. "This is a new year, hopefully it will bring new and better things for us all. My own daughter has had eyes on one of the stable boys at Harker Hall and I have warned her against such things. I am sure he's a lovely young man but that's not the sort of profession I want my daughter marrying into, if you understand me. She is educated."

"How old is she?"

"Fifteen, she will turn sixteen around Easter."

"And will you present her at court?" Mai asked.

Mary blushed.

"I am not able to present my daughter," she said in a quieter voice.

Mai, embarrassed, hastily apologised.

"It is quite all right, you did not know. I am flattered to think you thought I had been," Mary said.

"Your husband is a physician, is he not? So your daughter would be eligible. Perhaps we can find another woman who could present her on your behalf. Then you could attend the rest of the season with her, no doubt," Mai suggested. "Perhaps Lady Pembridge would do it. I know she likes meddling in the affairs of young people."

"You sound as if you have experience in this matter?" Mrs Sakauchi prompted.

"Yes, in the two weeks I was there in London she tried very hard to have me married off to everyone eligible. But she is a kind woman, she meant no harm."

Dinner finished and dessert was brought out; a plum pudding.

"Oh wonderful," Mai said upon being handed a large piece on a plate. "This smells divine."

"I must agree," Mrs Sakauchi said. "Most delightful."

New conversations broke out.

"Do you have any plans for the coming year?" Mr Brown asked of Mai and Mrs Sakauchi.

Mai, who had just taken a large bite of the pudding, gestured to Mrs Sakauchi to answer first.

"I suppose the only thing I truly wish for is a child," she admitted. "But only time will tell."

"I see no reason why you should not be confined by the end of the year," Mai said. "I envy you your wish, as you are one step closer to such things than me."

"Do you intend to return to London to find a husband?" Mr Brown asked.

"I may do, it seems to be the place to find one, don't you think?"

Beside her, Mai felt Lord Pembridge stiffen. She chose to ignore him.

"There are not many handsome young men here," Mrs Sakauchi agreed. "What about you, Mr Brown? Do you have any plans for the coming year?"

"Well my chickens have been doing very well. I am considering expanding my vegetable garden a little."

"Oh come now, Mr Brown, we want to know if you are looking for a wife!"

He blushed.

"If the right young lady crossed my path, then I would propose on the spot. But I am in no rush. I have a great many duties already, and I fear I would neglect a wife."

"I cannot imagine you neglecting anything," Mai said kindly. "And I am sure the right wife for you would assist in your duties."

"You are correct, of course, Lady Astley. If you happen upon such a young lady while in London, send her my way, won't you?"

"Of course. I shall declare I am in London for my own marriage prospects, but in truth, I shall be vetting all the educated young ladies to find the perfect wife for you."

Mr Brown laughed heartily.

After dessert was finished and more wine had been poured, the Captain called for some music. Mrs Sakauchi asked after Mr Brown's piano forte.

"It is in the small drawing room, shall we relocate?" he suggested.

The guests followed him through to a cosy room. Mrs Sakauchi took a seat at the piano forte and began playing. Mai offered to turn pages for her and strongly declined the suggestion that she sing.

"My husband loved me for a great many things, but my singing voice was not one of them," she said.

Mrs Sakauchi played a gentle tune as some of the men took up a game of cards. Mai flittered between turning pages and joining in the conversation of the various wives, who were discussing some of the newest fashions from London. Mai had a little to input, having seen them less than a month ago, and they were keen to hear her opinion.

The conversation of fashion also prevented Lord Pembridge from joining her, as he knew nothing of the topic and would also have been bored stiff by it. Instead, he chose to brood in a corner, occasionally sharing a word with the doctor, who also looked tired by proceedings.

After some time, Mrs Sakauchi owned to her fingers hurting and the bookkeeper's wife took over providing the music.

"It has been some time since I have played for that long," she admitted.

"It does not seem like it," Mai replied. "You play so beautifully."

"Thank you, my governess would be pleased to hear you say that. She had me practising daily in my youth."

"Ah yes, governesses will do that to a young woman and forget about how much they hated it themselves when they were young."

"I am convinced governesses were never young. They sprout into existence at the ripe age of thirty five and only become more disagreeable from that point onwards."

Mai laughed at her friend and they took a seat by the window to overlook the card game, though neither had a great interest in it.

"Will you have a governess for your children?" Mai asked.

"My husband will insist upon it. He is rather traditional in that sense. At the moment I would long to spend every minute with my children, should I have them. But perhaps when they are born I shall change my mind and wish for a moment's peace."

"I do not see any good reason why you cannot have a governess and upon occasion dismiss her for the day when you do want to spend time with them," Mai said. "That way, they will have the structure they need from her, and all the love they need from you."

"You sound as if you have considered this yourself."

"It is what my mother did for me. I was fortunate, my governess was a kind young woman. But my mother would often steal me away from my studies for a day and we would go for a walk or play cards… They are some of my fondest memories."

"It is no wonder you are a fearsome whist player then."

"You flatter me. But my mother is no doubt the reason for my love of the game."

The two women glanced over at the game the gentlemen were playing for a few minutes before Mrs Sakauchi spoke again.

"In truth, I have thought I was with child a few times these last few years. My monthly comings would be missed and I would be so hopeful and then… Well it was not to be."

Mai reached over and placed a hand on top of her friends, in an attempt to comfort her.

"It was not the right time," she said gently.

"My husband is growing impatient. His brother already has four children and is several years his junior. He…"

"Stress will not help you," Mai said. "It will happen when it happens. His brother is fortunate, yes."

"He thinks I am broken," Mrs Sakauchi whispered, then clasped a hand over her mouth as if she had spoken a dreadful profanity.

"Come, let's take a quick walk."

Mai led her friend from the room and back to the dining room, the only other room she knew the location of in the house, and dismissed the maid who had been cleaning.

"I am sorry, Lady Astley, I should not not impose upon you in this way," Mrs Sakauchi said, tears streaming down her face.

"Hush now, it is natural for you to be upset. Though I have not been in your exact position, I can understand it a little. Who has not wanted for something in their life only to find it is impossible for some unknown reason? My mother was like you. She wanted a large family, but it was not to be. Only one of my siblings survived past the first year, and he died at the age of five. My mother lost many children before they were born. But she never gave up."

"Your mother sounds like an inspiring woman," Mrs Sakauchi said. "I wish I could have met her."

"I wish you could have too, no doubt she would have some more helpful advice than I can give you."

"Your kindness is enough."

"Perhaps you ought to travel. Bath's waters are supposed to be good for your health? Or perhaps the sea air would help. No doubt your husband might also benefit from the time away, if he is also anxious."

"I have not been to Bath, and I have not taken the sea air in many years. It is a sound suggestion. Thank you, Lady Astley."

"And if you do go, I beg you to write to me and tell me about it all. The ladies of Bath are supposed to be quite fashionable, though behind London no doubt."

"I promise to write to you, if my husband agrees to it. But you are right, a change of scenery may do me some good."

The door opened, and Mr Brown stuck his head through it.

"Are you both well?"

"Yes," Mai said quickly. "Quite well, Mrs Sakauchi's fingers were sore and the card game became a little rowdy, so we sought a quieter space for conversation. I apologise for disrupting the evening, I am quite to blame."

Mr Brown perhaps caught Mrs Sakauchi's tear stained face, as he accepted the apology without any further questions.

"It did indeed get a little loud in there, stay here as long as you need," he said. "Though some of the carriages have begun to arrive, the bookkeeper and his wife just left."

"Thank you, Mr Brown. We will be through shortly."

Mr Brown left.

"How are you feeling, Mrs Sakauchi?"

"Much better, Lady Astley."

"Then why don't you freshen up a little, and then we will return to the drawing room."

Mrs Sakauchi smiled and nodded. She excused herself to wash her face, then rejoined Mai outside of the drawing room so they could enter together.

The conversation had died down a little as the other guests began to leave. Mrs Sakauchi's carriage turned up not long after they had rejoined the other guests. She embraced Mai before leaving and thanked her again for her kindness.

"You appear to have made a good friend there," Mr Brown commented to Mai as they waved Mrs Sakauchi's carriage off.

"Yes, I do believe I have. I did not realise she considered me such a close friend."

"You inspire confidence and openness, Lady Astley. I am not surprised Mrs Sakauchi was drawn to you."