Summary: Catherine does her best to avoid the advances of Edward Middleford, laugh off Bard's flirting and politely turn away from Finny's constant flattery.

Edward Middleford led his schoolmates through the halls of the Middleford Manor, casually but cheerily explaining and gesturing to the many treasures and heirlooms of the wealthy and noble family. They walked out onto a large field or more like a meadow now that Catherine and Elizabeth had magicked it to beautiful floral perfection. The young demon witch was feeling a lot of pride for her apprentice at the moment.

'This is my family's greatest treasure!' Edward proclaimed proudly, opening his arms to his sister. Lizzie beamed adorably, her green eyes sparkling and ran forward to her doting brother who picked her up and swung her around, making her giggle cutely.

'Welcome, young master. It is a beautiful day outside. Would you like me to serve tea in the gardens?' Catherine asked demurely, bowing her head slightly. It didn't do anything to hide her beauty and Edward's friends stared long at hard.

Edward broke out in smiles, grabbing Catherine's hand. 'This is Catherine, my sister's maid. She's the most beautiful and capable servant in the entire house.'

'There's no need for such high praise, young master, really.' She tried to discourage him politely. Edward brushed it off easily and Lizzie was still beaming at her brother's behaviour, not at all planning to intervene.

'Come now, Catherine, you look simply divine.' He complimented and his friends agreed whole-heartedly. Lizzie giggled at that and Catherine let the comment slide with a secretive smile. If only he knew how far she was from divine...

'Edward, won't you and your friends join us for tea? Catherine's made something special in the gardens.' Lizzie pleaded with large cute eyes.

'Only if we aren't intruding, Lizzie...'

Catherine choked down the irritated feeling. 'Not at all, young master.' Now she'd have to deal with more of Edward's unwanted attention.

PART TWO

'Sister?' Sebastian greeted his unexpected guest. Catherine didn't answer. She stepped into the house and collapsed, stirring concern in Sebastian.

'Freedom!' She gasped out, raising her eyes upwards in absolute relief. Lizzie skipped in the house with a laugh.

'Edward was chasing her again, she just managed to get away.' Lizzie giggled. Ciel chuckled along, feeling no sympathy whatsoever for the demon witch. Lizzie rushed forward at the sight of her fiancée and clasped her arms around his neck lovingly.

'You refused him?' Sebastian asked, surprised yet amused.

'A maid cannot refuse a lord.' She answered sourly, taking her brother's offered hand. 'I told him a maid is undeserving of her master's affections. And then we ran here.' She admitted as she got to her feet.

'Catherine!' A chorus of three voices exclaimed happily, entering the hall. Catherine spun around and smiled at them, at once thinking, she came to the wrong place.

Lizzie and Ciel retreated into his study to play some chess while they waited for the servants to finish making some desserts as requested by Ciel. Sebastian began instructing the servants immediately except Tanaka of course, he just sat there and drank green tea. Maylene was sent to get the dishes and cutlery while Finny was sent to gather some flowers that Lady Elizabeth would like. It was only because the demon butler had to go make chocolate sculptures that he left Bard and Catherine in the kitchen.

'You're doing this on purpose.' Catherine said, giving Bard a furtive glance.

'I assure you, I am not.' Sebastian calmed her down but smiled anyway. 'At least you're in charge.' And then before she could protest anymore, Sebastian left the room at demonic speeds. She clenched her fists for a second then relaxed them and turned to Bard with a smile.

Within the first five minutes, Bard had made his move. 'Here, let me help.' He encircled his arms from behind her and took her hands, helping her hands effectively stir the egg mixture. Catherine was surprised that he was actually doing it better than she had.

'You're not bad.' She complimented with a smile.

'You're not so bad yourself. I'm not Sebastian but I do have some skills.' He grinned, his breath close to her ear. She almost cringed. This felt like it was going elsewhere. 'You really are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.'

'I'm sure if you looked hard enough, you'd find a prettier woman.' She diverted frantically, thinking fast. This was getting gross.

'And you're so sweet, like an angel. Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?' Bard flattered even further, grinning nervously. What a lame line!

She burst into laughter. Good god, heaven and angels?! What was it with men today and holy crap? How ironic that a demon would be compared to an angel. 'I really wouldn't know, Bard.' She laughed. Yes, just laugh it off, pretend it's just a joke. Hopefully he'll leave it.

PART THREE

'I'm going to stab you in the...' Catherine attempted to threaten her brother. He merely smirked at her. She growled. 'Can't you at least give me Snake?'

'I can't have you bullying him again with your obsession to silver-haired men.' Sebastian denied firmly. 'Show Finny how to plant actual flowers.'

She fought back the urge to sulk... or tackle her brother. Finny was nice enough. He was very nice. A little too nice maybe? But he meant well and he was very sweet. He beamed at her, not hearing the brief conversation about him. She smiled back gently and they walked out into the vast gardens. There were many trees and she saw her brother's roses but there were no other flowers.

'Don't you like other flowers, Finny?' She asked, hitching up her skirt carefully and lowering herself onto the soft grass in front of an empty flower bed.

'I crush them by accident before I can plant them. I love flowers!' He said with enthusiasm. He really is a sweet boy. Catherine pulled off her gloves and sunk her fingers into the soft earth. It smelled fresh and the magic in her hands sensed life inside the moist soil.

'You did a good job taking care of the earth.' She complimented him so he wouldn't feel bad about his incapability to plant flowers. But when he didn't say anything in return she looked at him to find him staring curiously at her contract seal. How careless of her...

'Where did you get that tattoo? It looks pretty!' He asked with a bright smile.

I returned the smile easily. 'I got it before I came to England. No woman here can get a tattoo here without being stared at.' I lied, adding a little joke to it to make it believable.

'Yeah, lots of people don't get tattoos but you're really brave.' He flattered innocently. I picked up a small flowering plant that Sebastian had purchased. A pretty amaryllis. I tried to hand it to him but he hid his hands in apprehension.

'You can be brave too.' I coaxed, reaching over to take one of his hands to place it on the plastic that held the plant. I noticed the slight blush on his face and let go of his hand. It stayed on bag. I smiled in triumph. 'Just be gentle.'

After that reminder and a few tips here and there, he was a natural. He really did have green thumbs and I could tell he loved the outdoors. 'I love it when it's spring! All the flowers bloom and make everyone look prettier!' He said loud and happy.

I smiled in amusement. 'I like autumn better.'

He beamed too. 'Autumn suits you a lot. It's wild and bold and different and it's one of the most beautiful seasons!'

I blushed myself just slightly for his sake. How can he say things like that without shame? I turned away from him, choosing not to respond. He opened his mouth to proudly elaborate but he was cut off to Catherine's relief.

'This is very satisfactory, Finny. Come sister, you must dress Lady Elizabeth for dinner.' Sebastian excused, offering his hand to his little sister. She took it with her clean hand and hurried away successfully turning away from more of Finny's flattering.