A/N: K so the next couple of chapters might be a little dry... I'm trying to add more drama to them without it becoming a drama overload or without it getting confusing... Stick with it because I PROMISE it's gets better!

Thanks!


Leaving Maria's was sad. The day after the party was spent cleaning up the garden and setting everything back to where it had been. It took us a lot longer than expected, partly because someone had rolled a barrel of ale into the forest and smashed it to pieces and another had vomited all over the bench where Jane had confided in me.

The day when I was to leave arrived before I knew it and even Lucan knew that it was a sad day. I woke early and couldn't fall back to sleep. I started to pack my trunk with all the nice dresses, holding them close to my body with the fear that I would never wear them again. I decided though that I would not change back into my black dress. It was time for me to come out of mourning, especially since I was to marry Jesse.

As if he heard my brain whisper his name Jesse rolled over and grunted. I rolled my eyes and Lucan lifted his head and yawned. Then he got up and licked Jesse's face three times before he jumped off the bed and barked at the door.

"Jesse." I spoke softly as I nudged him. "You have to leave. I have to let the dog out." He blinked at me and smiled.

"No I think you need to come back to bed." He said pulling on my hand. I smiled but resisted him. Finally he groaned and pushed the covers away. "Alright."

"Besides we're leaving right after breakfast." I said. He had offered to take me home because the king was staying in London and Worcester is on the way. He saluted me and opened the window. He leaned over and kissed me before he disappeared out the window. After dressing quickly I set Lucan free and he bolted out the back door. He met Eleanor at the edge of the forest and the two raced through the woods.

"He's pretty taken with her." Spencer said appearing at my side. I smiled at him and nodded.

"He will be sad to leave here."

"Why don't you take her with you?"

"Eleanor?" I looked at him shocked. The dogs were like his children. "I couldn't take her away from you."

"I think she will be alright." He said looking at the shadows the two made in the forest. "Besides Maria is losing her patience with the amount of dogs running around and there's a new breed I want to get." He smiled at me and winked. "And having her living with you will give you incentive to come back and stay with us."

"It's been a great month. I have never had so much fun." I smiled, despite the tears in my eyes. Spencer pretended that he didn't see them and wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

"It has been good for Maria. She needs distractions and you were the perfect distraction." He said and I smiled.

"Well I will come back any time you want me too." I said giving him a hug. I called for Lucan and Eleanor followed him.

In the hallway Stewart was carrying my trunk out of my room and Maria stood by watching. She wiped the tear away and smiled at me.

"Ready for breakfast?" She asked clasping tightly to my hand and leading me out the doorway. I looked at Spencer and he shrugged.

"Susanna has agreed to take Eleanor."
"Oh?" She looked at him and then smiled. "Good that will be one less dog for me to kick out of the way." She smiled and winked at me as we sat at the table out on the patio. "Where is Jesse this morning?" She asked not even looking at me. I guess it was a good thing because my cheeks instantly heated and I looked at the table.

"I…I'm not sure. Doesn't he sleep in the parlor?"

"He wasn't there when I woke this morning." She unfolded the napkin and placed it over her dull blue dress. "His blankets were folded neatly at the edge where he leaves them every morning, but he wasn't there."

"I…I…"

"Susanna," Her voice was no louder than a whisper but it was sharp and sent chills down my spine. "You must be careful. One wrong move and your life could be changed, and not in a good way."

"We…I… We have not had sex." I whispered back, trying to be quiet so Spencer wouldn't hear. He was two feet away talking quietly to Mary, the Scottish terrier who weighed less than 6 pounds.

"Just be careful. There is a lot you don't know." She sighed and moved a fork so it was perfectly placed beside the plate. "He is dangerous territory." She said and smiled as Jesse came into view. "There you are. Susanna and I were wondering where you had disappeared to."

"Oh, I was just washing in the stream." He said smiling at Maria and looking at me hesitantly. I looked away quickly and watched the dogs run around the yard.

"Will you miss us?" Maria asked.

"I will. It's so peaceful here. And mother isn't nagging at me every three seconds." I said and everyone laughed.

"Well you must come back." Spencer said again and I smiled.

"How about Christmas." Maria said with a bright smile. "Bring your brother and your Mother-in-law."

"Maria, Susanna might want to spend time with her whole family." Spencer said gently when he saw my shocked expression.

"Bring them all too." She said with a smile that I had grown to know was false. Spencer looked at her with confusion.

"I wouldn't want to put you out like that." I said and she tutted.

"Where will everyone sleep?" Spencer asked, getting agitated.

"We would find room Spencer." She snapped and turned back to me. "Please come. It'll be a marvelous Christmas."

"Well, Christmas is many months away. I will go and tell my family that you have invited us, but seriously think about what you are asking for. A grumpy old man, three loud busy children and a bitter old widow."

"Sounds like a party." She said smiling and winking at me. I shook my head and Jesse smiled at me. Eliza placed a magnificent fry-up in front of me and all conversation was lost as we devoured the black pudding, the sausages and the scrambled eggs.

After breakfast we helped Eliza bring in the dishes and I did one last sweep of the room to make sure I didn't forget anything. When I left the room Maria and Spencer were outside talking with Jesse who was helping load the carriage. A boy sat in the driver's seat and I realized that he must've just arrived this morning, because he didn't look familiar.

"Is he certain?" Maria asked; her forehead creased with worry.

"Almost positive. I wont be surprised if he has already announced it." Jesse answered as they struggled to tie the trunk to the back of the carriage.

"Announced what?" I asked stepping into the bright sunlight. Everyone jumped and the boy smiled at me.

"Oh we're just talking about the next royal ball." Maria said with a high-pitched laugh. I looked at Jesse, but he avoided my gaze. She wrapped her arms around my shoulders and hugged me tightly. "I'm so sad that you are leaving already. It seems like you just arrived yesterday."

"I know." I said forgetting the conversation and holding onto her tightly.

"I will write to you frequently so we never lose touch and you must do the same."

"I will."

"Between milking cows and mucking stalls?" Spencer asked as Maria let me go. I smiled at him, but Maria shot him a death stare. I wrapped my arms around him, inhaling the familiar smells and smiled.

"Thank you for having me." I said as I climbed into the widow. Lucan and Eleanor were sitting on the opposite bench.

"Looks like she isn't having a problem leaving." Jesse laughed and Spencer smiled at he gently patted her head.

"Take care of her for me." He said sadly and I nodded.

"I will." He inhaled deeply and shut the door against Jesse's leg.

"Safe journey you two." He said and Maria waved as the carriage started off down the road. The dogs barked and chased the carriage, Isabelle the running as fast as I had ever seen her. Eleanor stood at the window and barked to her twin three times before the other dog slowed down and eventually stopped chasing the carriage. Eleanor stared at out the window her tail wagging slowly and when the house disappeared in the distance she sat back on the cushioned seat and panted happily.

"Well I'm sure your mother-in-law will have something to say about this." Jesse said holding my hand tightly.

"She'll be fine with it." I said. "She can't expect me to be a widow forever."

"What?" He said smiling at me and I blushed.

"Oh you mean Eleanor!" I laughed. "I thought you meant getting married."

"I don't care what she thinks about us marrying." He spoke with a smile but his voice was fierce. "If I want to marry you, there is no one that will stop me."

"Well that's alright with me." I said smiling and pulling his head to meet mine. His lips gently touched mine and my body reacted. I let go of his hand and propped myself up higher so I could deepen the kiss. There was a grunt and a small sigh and we broke apart and looked at the two dogs staring at us with unimpressed expressions.

"We're always being watched no matter where we go." He said and then patted Lucan's head that rested on the seat. I sat back and place my hand in Jesse's as I watched the trees and fields pass by. I don't know when it happened but I remember seeing the small town of Lancashire and when I woke it was pouring rain and lighting lit up the sky.

"I fell asleep." I said rubbing my eyes and lifting my head from Jesse's shoulder.

"About two hours ago." He said rubbing his shoulder. "And you took my arm with you." He said stretching it in front of him and clenching his fingers.

"Why didn't you say anything?" I asked.

"You looked so peaceful I thought I could tolerate it as long as you stayed the way you were." I shook my head although I loved it. I looked at the dogs and smiled. Eleanor was sprawled out over Lucan's head and he looked at me through sleepy eyes as if he too were suffering because of love.

"Where are we?" I asked trying to see through the pouring rain.

"Almost at your house." He said shifting slightly.

"Already? The journey there took so much longer."

"My brother knows all the short cuts." He said proudly.

"Your brother?"

"My half-brother Jerold." He said nodding to the boy now drenched in rain.

"Poor boy. We should stop and let him get out of the rain." I said.

"There is no point now." Jesse said pointing out my side of the carriage. Sure enough there was the tiny little house and the small barn both drenched with water. I sighed and sat back. I had missed it in a way, but at the same time I wished I never had to see it again.

"Home sweet home." Jesse said giving my hand a tight squeeze as the carriage came to a stop in front of the house. The door opened and a tall figure was outlined in the warm glow from the fire. Jesse opened the window and the figured raced towards us.

"Jacob!" I said smiling brightly at my brother's tired face.

"Hello sister." He said and jumped out of the way as the dogs raced from the carriage. "Acquired another pet is see?"

"You can't get between two creatures in love Jacob." I said, glancing quickly at Jesse before grabbing onto their hands and climbing out of the carriage.

"Quick get inside before you catch your death." Jacob said.

"You and Jerold can come in too." I said to Jesse and he smiled at me. He looked up at his younger brother and they exchanged words in a different tongue.

"So sister, how was your stay?" Jacob asked holding a coat above us as we rushed to the house.

"It was wonderful. How is everything here?"

"Fine, it's been raining for two days." He said as we got to the door. He shook off the coat and we stepped inside.

"Susanna!" Debbie said jumping up. She waddled towards me and wrapped her arms around me. Her stomach was slightly swollen and her face was pink and puffy.

"Look at you!" I said and held her out at arms length.

"Say it and I'll hit you." She said and I laughed hugging her close to me again.

"You look wonderful!"

"Wonderfully round."

"I think you look your prettiest when you're pregnant." I said.

"It doesn't work Susanna. I've told her that a million times and she never believes it." She rolled her eyes and turned away from me.

"Where are the kids?" I said taking in my smiling brother and his friend John. David hugged me tightly and then sat beside his friend. "And mother?"

"The kids are playing in your room with the baby." Debbie said.

"Your mother-in-law on the other hand has found a fancy man." Jacob grinned as my mouth fell open with shock.

"He's not a fancy man, he's a nice man." Debbie defended.

"Who?" Debbie looked up at Jacob and they smiled.

"Reverend Thomas."

"What?" I shrieked and instinctively put the kettle on the fire. A rush of cold air filled the warm room as Jesse and his brother came into the house, followed by the two soaked dogs.

"Ugh!" I said looking at them and grabbed the old blanket that hung on the coat rack where I had left it. Lucan trotted towards me expectantly but Eleanor sat back and watched.

"She's cute." Debbie said looking at Eleanor's perked ears and small tail wagging. "She's small compared to him."

"She's older too." I said with a smile. "She's almost a year old where as he's only 5 months, or at least Spencer McDonald seems to think so." I called her over and she sat down, copying Lucan and gave me her paws.

"So why is everyone here?" I asked looking around the room as their smiling faces faded. No one spoke and they looked everywhere but at each other and me. Even Jesse was acting funny. "What is it?"

"It's the king." Debbie said.

"Is he hurt?" I asked standing quickly.

"Not yet." She mumbled.

"He's declared war on France." Jacob said and I blinked at him. Jesse nodded his head and turned away, whispering to Jerold. His brother disappeared outside and I grabbed his arm.

"Where are you going?"

"I knew this was going to happen. He spoke to me about it at the party, but I didn't think it would happen this soon. Something has set him off." Jesse said.

"Can't you wait till the rain stops?"

"I must go to him. He'll be expecting me." Without thinking his kissed my forehead and pulled a hood over his head. "I'll visit soon." He whispered and left without another word. I stood in the doorway, with a dog on each side and watched Jesse take the reigns as Jerold jumped inside the carriage. When I could no longer see them I shut the door and turned to my family.

"Well that's an interesting development." Debbie said smiling. I blinked at her wondering what she was talking about and then blushed when I realized what had happened.

"Has he asked father yet?" Jacob asked.

"We just got back." I shook my head. "Did you not just mention that our country is going to war?"

"It's nothing that we can do Susanna." Jacob said.

"Yes, he's right. We shouldn't worry about it."

"Where are Bradley and Papa?" Everyone exchanged a glance and I sank to the floor. "They can't. Papa especially. He's too old."

"We tried telling him that but he has nothing to live for apparently." Jacob said bitterly. I sighed knowing that Papa would never be accepted for he would be the easiest casualty in his old age and the king wanted a strong army. "I'm glad that you too have seen sense and aren't enlisting." I said nodding to my brothers as Eleanor jumped onto my lap.

"For now." David mumbled and I looked at him, realizing that my baby brother was no longer a scrawny boy. He was turning into a man.

"What do you mean David?"

"The King will call for us when he finds out we haven't enlisted." Jacob said and explained what could happen if they didn't fight. Tears filled my eyes as I looked at them and realized that this time next year one or both of them could be gone.

"Don't cry Susana. You'll set Debbie off again." Jacob said, rubbing his face and turning towards the fire.

"I…I cant help it." I shook with silent sobs. "I…must…do…something." I said standing up.

"What can you do?" Debbie asked hopeful.

"The King and I are acquaintances. He will listen to me." I said grabbing my coat.

"Don't be stupid Susanna." Jacob snapped. He snatched the coat from my hands and stared at me fiercely. "This is war not some stupid tea party! You are not to get involved. Do your role and worry about taking care of the family while we are gone." His shouting caused a stir in the back of the house and a baby cried. Debbie looked at the door and debated leaving to tend to the children. I glared at my brother and pulled the coat from his hands.

"I'll check on the family for you. God only knows one of us should step outside of our roles and make a difference in this world!" I spat before marching through the living room into the back hallway. I took a deep breath before I opened the door.

"It's not my fault. Samuel was the one jumping on the bed." Aggie said without even looking at me. She was holding the sobbing baby in her arms trying to sooth him while Samuel stood in the corner with his hands over his ears. I smirked and thought of what their father had said about roles. Men were such cowards. They thought going to war was brave. Try raising baby after baby and making sure that everyone gets fed when you have no money.

"What's happened?" I asked holding my hands out to the baby.

"AUNT SUSANNA!" They two of them shrieked causing the baby to scream louder. I smiled slightly and took the bawling 6 month old and cuddled him close to my chest. He quieted after a moment and I sat on the bed. He had a red bump over his eye and Samuel looked at me with a guilty expression. I smiled and hugged them and decided to not worry about what had happened to little Nathaniel. There were more important things in this world.

"Did you miss us?" They asked sitting on each side of me.

"Of course. I missed you two the most." I said, resting my cheek on Nathaniel's blonde hair. "I brought something home with me, that I think you will like."

"Really?" Aggie asked her eyes bright.

"Is it a toy?" Samuel asked edging closer to me.

"Better." I whistled and the two dogs barreled into the room. Lucan lapped at their faces and caused them to break out laughing. Even Nathaniel giggled. When they saw Eleanor they started cooing at her and wanted to pick her up. Considering herself as Lucan's equal made Eleanor confused as to what they were doing and she snapped at them.

"You can't pick her up. She's doesn't like to be treated as a baby." I said and they smiled and gently patted her head. She sat in between them and gently licked their faces.

"Where did you find her?"

"My friend Maria gave her to me. She and Lucan are best friends." I said with a smile and patted Lucan's head as he panted and drooled all over the bed.

"Are they in love?" Aggie asked and Samuel groaned and rolled his eyes.

"Ugh!" He said. "You are always talking about love!" I smirked.

"Yea so? Everyone falls in love Samuel!"

"Not me!" He said standing up and making his chest stick out.

"Oh no?" I smiled at him and he shook his blonde curly hair.

"Nope never! Love is for sissies. I going to be a knight and fight for the king." He said pretending to stab Lucan with a sword. Lucan barked and wagged his tail. Samuel wrapped his arms around the puppy's neck and when he sat down Lucan was five inches taller.

"Well that's silly." Aggie said. "I'm going to get married and have lots of babies."

"Oh really?"

"Yes but I'll have to marry someone rich so I wont have to worry about feeding them." She frowned and I sat completely shocked. This was the future generation, stupid men and gold digging women. I looked at the baby and smiled.

"What about you Nathaniel? Will you get fall in love and get married?" He looked at me with bright blue eyes and gurgled as he smiled. I smiled and shook my head.

"Alright in here you three?" Debbie said appearing in the doorway?

"We were talking about getting married." I said and she nodded.

"They've told you have they?" I nodded and she sighed. "I swear they didn't get it from me." I smiled and passed her the baby. The kids let out a loud groan when she told them that it was time to go and the only way they would stop crying is when I said that they could come back over when it stopped raining to play with the dogs.

Jacob stood at the door with his coat and had the same guilty look Samuel had when he thought he was in trouble. I sighed and hugged my brother despite our argument.

"You're not angry?" He asked shocked at my embrace.

"There are more important things." I said and shrugged. "Besides you might not be here in a year anyways." He smirked down at me knowing I was joking, but Debbie overheard and gaped.

"What a thing to say Susanna." I laughed and hugged her.

"It'll be alright Deb. God has already punished you enough by giving you my brother as a husband, he wont punish you again by taking him away from you when you have four children." Jacob laughed and Debbie smiled, despite the tears. I kissed each of the children and waved as they rode quickly down the road to their home.

Around midnight I woke up and started to worry. Mother had not come home when I made dinner, and still hadn't come home for prayers. I had waited up for her but found myself falling asleep as I did my stitching. When I woke up I went to check on her and her bed was still empty. A low growl came from the kitchen and I went into see a small round figure sneaking into the house. The bright coals outlined David's sleeping body. I would have been able to see her face without the coals because she was glowing with happiness.

"And where were you miss?" I whispered and she jumped.

"Oh my! Susanna you startled me." She said with a smile and took off her cloak. "You're back. I thought you were supposed to be home tomorrow?"

"Yes I imagine that's why you weren't here but off gallivanting with a fancy man." I said crossing my arms and smirking.

"A what? He is nothing of the sort. He's a gentleman." She said and blushed.

"Well he must be quiet the gentleman to keep you out till the wee hours in the morning." I said and she sighed.

"I'm an old woman Susanna. No one cares about what I do any more." She said patting Lucan's head. "Who is this?"

"Eleanor. Don't change the subject. Who is he?"

"He's a nice man, who isn't married."

"I would hope not." I said with a shocked expression. "What's his name?"

"Reverend Thomas." She whispered and I stared at her. When I didn't answer she looked up at me and the expression on my face made her tut. "You knew already?" She said it more as a statement then a question but I answered it.

"I did. I just wanted to give you a hard time." I laughed and she swatted at me. I hugged her tightly and she held onto me just as tight.

"I am glad you are home. I hate to admit it but I missed you." She said and I chuckled.

"Well this man has changed you. I never thought I would ever hear such kind words from you." I said and she swatted at me again. "I'll bet you'll be needing your sleep after a night with a gentleman." I said giving her a wink. She shook her head and kissed my cheek.

"You have changed as well."

"Really?" I asked her shocked.

"You've gotten fat!" As I looked down at my flat stomach she laughed and walked into her room. "Good night Susanna." I shook my head and walked back to my room. As I watched the dogs settle themselves around me I thought of everything that had happened today. It figures that she would find love when a war begins.