I felt something like happiness when I saw how poor a rider Lord Sanditon was. He had a fine horse — nothing on my own beast but still, a fine horse — but the poor animal was obviously confused by his poor instructions.

We rode around the park for a couple of hours and I could see Lin's frustration at our companion's skill too.

Unfortunately, Lady Mai was nowhere to be seen. Surely she would never agree to a marriage with someone who could not ride a horse. Even if they did have a title and wealth and was educated and begrudgingly good company when not paired in conversation with Lord Mallin.

Who would want that?

We finished our ride and changed straight for the ball. Lady Mai had bought both Lin and myself new cravats, which we wore. She had presented them to us at breakfast, wrapped neatly in decorated paper.

The carriage was crowded, to the point where I thought of calling for my own. But as the journey was not a long one, we suffered listening to Lord Mallin and Lord Sanditon natter on to each other.

The public ball, like most public balls, was packed. I scanned the crowd and determined quickly that no one present was as pleasant as Lady Mai. So naturally if I was going to dance, I would have to ask—

"Lady Mai, might I have this first dance?" Lord Sanditon asked.

"Oh, well, um…"

She was hesitating. I smirked and took a chance on my next statement.

"I must apologise, Lord Sanditon, but I already asked for the first dance," I said quickly.

"Yes, he did," Lady Mai readily agreed. "Perhaps later?"

Before Lord Sanditon could reply, the first dance was announced. We had been a little late to the ball. I took Lady Mai's hand and lead her to the floor. The dance began.

"I must ask," I said as we twirled, "why you do not want to dance with Lord Sanditon?"

"Because, to tell the truth, he is an awful dancer."

I refrained from smiling too much at this statement.

"I am happy to dance with you for the rest of the evening, if you so wish," I said. "Knights of the realm, traditionally, are supposed to rescue damsels in distress."

"If only," Lady Mai said. "But my governess and my Uncle will never stand for that. They are insistent on how suited I would be to marry Lord Sanditon."

Happiness blossomed in my chest at her tone.

"And you think otherwise?"

"I am sure we would do quite nicely but… Perhaps I have read too many books. We have no spark."

No spark… Did we have this spark of which she spoke?

A horrific thought struck me. What if she flirted with my attentions just to divert her attentions away from Lord Sanditon? What did it matter? I did not like her like that.

Don't be ridiculous.

"I must introduce you to my friend, Miss Hara, after this dance," Lady Mai said. "She was most interested in meeting you after I told her all about you yesterday."

I nodded my consent and we continued to dance. I lost myself in Lady Mai's smile until the end of the song and then bowed before leaving to get a drink.

Sometime between the end of the first dance and the beginning of the second, Lady Mai dragged another young woman towards me.

"Miss Hara, I presume?"

"Yes, a pleasure to meet you, Sir Davis. Lady Mai has told me so much about you."

"So much? How did she describe me?"

"She mentioned that you were highly educated and very hand—"

"Masako!" Lady Mai interrupted. "Why don't you find a partner for the next dance, hmm?"

I noticed the blush on Lady Mai's cheeks and took matters into my own hands.

"Miss Hara, I am without a partner for the next dance if you would do me the honour?"

"Oh no, you can't possibly—" Lady Mai began.

"I would be delighted," Miss Hara said, smirking at her friend.

Lady Mai was swept off by Lord Sanditon before she could protest any further.

I guided Miss Hara to the dance floor and prompted her to continue.

"Oh that, yes Lady Mai thinks you very handsome," Miss Hara said. "If you would like to drive her quite wild, then I would advise you to flirt with me during this dance. She is most definitely looking at us."

I daren't look around to see if her words were true, but smiled at the lady in front of me.

"I hardly think she would pick a mere knight over the heir to a march," I said.

"She cares nothing for rank," Miss Hara said. "She can afford not to. In truth, she was quite set on marrying some stable boy that she took a fancy to in her childhood for the longest time. I never did understand that one. But then again, I suppose her attention to you might just be a distraction from Lord Sanditon."

I kept a smile fixed on my face.

"You think that likely?"

"If it were any other woman, I might. But this is Lady Mai. You seem pleasant enough to me and not unworthy of her attentions. Where it goes from here is up to you, I think."

The dance came to an end. I thanked my partner and escaped the crowds. I found Lin stood outside, also taking a breather from the masses.

"Have you danced enough?" I asked him.

"You quite enraged Miss Matsuzaki by dancing with her student," Lin answered. "She was distracted through the entirety of the first dance. She refused to introduce me to anyone else after that."

"Are you that bothered by it?"

"No," he admitted. "But her rudeness was unbecoming for a governess."

"Yes, it's quite unfortunate really. I believe her to be the youngest daughter of a rather stupid Baron who squandered his wealth," I said.

Lin did not question how I knew this.

"We ought to rejoin the festivities," he said. "But if we do, will you cause a scandal by asking the young Lady to dance a second time?"

I furrowed my brows. My concerns regarding Lady Mai's intentions surfaced. In her eyes, we had only known each other two days. Hardly enough time to determine whether we were a suited match. If only she remembered me…

"We will only be here a few more days," Lin went on. "If you want to enjoy her smiles… Perhaps you should while you still can. I doubt we will meet again until we deliver the finished product."

I cast my eyes upwards to the starry night and sighed.

"I am but a distraction. Lord Sanditon would be a good match for her," I said. "Come on, we must play our parts."

We rejoined the ball. Lin was quickly accosted by Lord Mallin for a conversation with another gentleman regarding their chess game a few days ago. I walked in the opposite direction in search of a drink.

I spotted Lady Mai and Lord Sanditon dancing. She was beaming as she spun around.

"By all accounts," a familiar voice said beside me, "you have known my friend a mere two days, but you stare at her as if you are long lost lovers."

"Miss Hara," I replied, "it is only by the accounts of some that I have known her two days. Do you think Lord Sanditon will make her happy?"

"He is a good man," she replied. "My mother insists that Lady Mai does not deserve him because she has fortune of her own. But that is only her annoyance that I did not snatch him up."

"Do you wish to marry him?"

"Marry him? It is neither here nor there. I only wish to marry to escape the clutches of my mother," Miss Hara muttered. "Had I the fortune to do so, I would have married a stable boy long ago."

I frowned at her choice of words.

"Are you trying to imply something?" I ask lightly.

"Only that perhaps if you told my friend who you really are, you might receive a warmer reception."

I had no idea how she worked it out, but I could not afford for it to become public knowledge.

"If her Uncle found that out, I do not think I would be allowed to remain in the house, let alone speak to his neice," I replied. "What must I do for you to remain silent on this matter?"

Miss Hara sighed.

"I cannot dance with you again without causing a stir," she said, "and my mother is glaring at me because I am not dancing now. Can you introduce me to your friend? Perhaps he will save me from her glares."

I nodded my assent and led her through the crowds to where Lin was still talking to Lord Mallin. I made the introduction.

"Lin, this is Lady Mai's friend, Miss Masako Hara. Miss Hara, this is Mr Koujo Lin."

"A pleasure," Lin said, bowing his a head a little.

"Likewise," Miss Hara said.

"Miss Hara is without a dance partner for the next dance," I prompted.

Lin took the hint and offered to dance. I excused myself again and walked around the exterior of the hall. The dance ended and I saw Lady Mai searching for something as she walked away from her partner. She spotted me and weaved through the crowd.

"I have had to suffer through two dances with Lord Sanditon," she said by way of a greeting.

"Will no one else dance with you?" I asked.

"You are the only other person to offer," she replied. "I am free for the next one if…"

"I think some people would get the wrong idea about my intentions if I danced with you again." Her face fell, and I went on. "Surely you know others in this hall."

"Many, but I had hoped…"

"I must return to London tomorrow," I stated. "Lin will remain here to finish the designs."

"So soon? But why? You said you need not be so involved in your business," she complained. "I had hoped you would stay much longer…"

"I doubt it is considered proper for a young lady such as yourself to wishing for another gentleman to be staying when you have someone vying for your hand."

She frowned.

"I… Have I done something to offend you, sir?"

"No, Madam, you have not."

"Then why are you acting—"

"Like a lowly Knight speaking to a daughter of an Earl?" I interrupted.

"I had thought we had got past that formality," she said. "I apologise for intruding on you. Excuse me."

I closed my eyes and turned away as she left.

True to my word, I told Lord Mallin of my intentions to return to London the next morning at breakfast. Lin frowned a little, but did not question my choice.

"I will order a coach and leave my own here for Lin to return in," I said. "I have seen enough to know that he is doing an excellent job."

"Are you quite sure you must leave?" Lord Mallin said. "I have most enjoyed your company."

"Yes, it is out of my hands I am afraid."

He accepted this and asked Mr Brown to assist me in ordering a coach, which he did. I had a little time before I could depart, and so I wandered the grounds. I visited the stables and jaunts of my childhood.

I thought of my brother and wiped away a stray tear. The wind had made my eyes water.

I returned to the house, collected my things together and found the package containing the sheet music.

"Sir Davis, are you ready to leave?" Mr Brown said. "The coach is waiting now?"

"Yes, quite ready. Could you do something for me, once I have left?"

"Of course, sir."

"Could you put this in Lady Mai's room? It is some sheet music she leant to me to read, I do not want to disturb her day."

I handed over the package.

"Of course, sir."

I nodded my thanks and departed, finding myself trundling along in a coach before I knew it.

I had barely been back in London for half a day before Mrs Davis insisted on visiting me. Since the death of her husband, she had doubled her level of interest in my life.

"You're back too soon," she said, by way of a greeting. "Where is Mr Lin? Did he find a wife?"

I rolled my eyes and called for refreshments.

"No, he is completing the job for which we went."

"And you left him to it?"

"Of course, he is perfectly capable."

"So why did you leave so early? It is not like you to waste money on a coach when another option was available…"

"I saw that it was best to leave, so I did."

Mrs Davis frowned.

"Best to leave? What did you say this time? Who did you upset?"

"I did not— It was just in everyone's best interests if I left."

"Oliver, you know I will not accept that as answer," Mrs Davis said. "You know I care about you and your exploits. Now what happened?"

I sighed and decided to amend the truth.

"The young Lady of the house was starting to form an attachment to me, despite being betrothed to another. For the sake of her long term happiness, I decided to leave."

Mrs Davis looked somewhat taken aback.

"Is she happily betrothed?"

"I think she was merely having momentary doubts, I imagine it is not uncommon," I told her.

"Perhaps. A shame either way, I would have been most pleased if you had returned with a wife."

"I thought you were still set on Miss Mori and Lin."

"Oh I am, they are perfect for each other, I am certain," Mrs Davis said. "Miss Mori has been most distraught since you sent Mr Lin away. I think even her father is coming around to the idea. Old as she is, it's a wonder he will not accept any offers."

"I am going to make him my business partner, if he will take the position. He has definitely proven himself."

"That may help their cause," Mrs Davis said happily. "Now, have you been down to the workshop yet?"

"Of course not, I only retur—"

"Well one of your apprentices, Thomas, has made a little mistake—"

"With a product?"

"Oh no, he met a girl and well… She's in the family way now."

"He's an apprentice, he is not allowed to—" I started, but she interrupted.

"They're young and foolish, but he can't marry the girl until he is no longer an apprentice, is there anything you could do for the lad?"

I rolled my eyes.

"I will meet with him tomorrow," I said. "I will think of something."

"You're such a good boy," Mrs Davis said with a smile.

"I am a grown man," I argued.

"Yes, you are, but as the closest thing I have to a son, I fear I will always view you as such. Accept the compliment."

I sighed, and did not argue any further.

"...finish this and then I'll see what I can do," I told Thomas. "This needs to be your finest work."

"Yes sir."

"Once you are no longer an apprentice, you will need lodgings, do you have somewhere in mind?"

"No sir," Thomas replied. He was staring at his shoes.

"And where does this Nancy of yours live currently?"

"With her mother, who's sick…"

I rolled my eyes.

"And how do they live?"

"Nancy has a job at a pub."

"And that's where you met her?"

"Yes, sir."

"If you married her, would you be able to live there too?" I asked.

"Oh, yes, I suppose so," Thomas said. "If her mother approves."

"And does her mother approve?"

"I've never met her."

I sighed, heavily.

"Right, once you've finished your work for today, you will go and meet her mother and gain her permission to marry her daughter."

I walk away, ignoring his echoing cry of 'yes sir'. Thomas is a good carpenter, he as a real knack for working with wood. But he can be a little dense otherwise.

He's only a year off officially finishing his apprenticeship, which makes releasing him from it a little easier. Once he's finished this order — a racing curricle — I will release him from his apprenticeship, employ him as a qualified carpenter and arrange for the marriage to take place.

Mrs Davis will be quite thrilled.

Author's note: If you read 'Monster' don't read the chapter I put out today because it's horrible, especially if you read this first. Please review :)