Yay! Another chapter! I have decided to make my writing a priority this year, with the blessing of my family. Though I am actually working on my own book (sorry, its non-fiction), writing for my many, many (you should see how many I haven't started posting) stories is good downtime and you all get to reap the benefits of it! This chapter is shorter, but I hope you enjoy it none the less!

Kitty stared out the window, bored. She has never traveled farther than London, and that was only a half day's ride. They had traveled all day the day before, stopped at an inn she had no idea where, and they had traveled all that day as well. She had finished her book and wanted to get out and stretch her legs, but her husband had already informed her that there were certain places he preferred to stop. It would have to be a real emergency for him to have the carriage stopped for any other reason. She glared at him. He had his head laid back resting, as though he hadn't a care in the world. She supposed he didn't.

Sighing, she turned back to the window. It would be dark soon.

"We'll be there in another hour."

Kitty jumped at the sound of his voice. A glance across from her revealed that he was still in the same resting position, but she knew she had heard him speak. She was proven right when he spoke again.

"I am not overly found of the drive either, but you get used to it. We'll be there before nightfall."

"Do you make this drive often?"

He opened his eyes and looked at her. "Maybe three or four times a year. It depends. If I leave or return it is because I know I will be staying for a while. I'm not overly fond of short trips that find me traveling too often, unless it is entirely imperative that I do so."

"Will I ever go with you?"

"Yes. As I said, I do not venture somewhere I do not plan to remain at for some time. It would only be appropriate that you join me. I am sure that will change in time. Most of my traveling involved staying with friends. Marriage tends to change those kinds of trends, or at least it will for us, especially when children are involved. It is my wish that they grow up largely at Dalton."

Kitty blushed, but made no reply. She was happy to hear that she would not be expected to always stay at Dalton alone, as she had heard some women did.

"I shall give you a tour of the house and grounds tomorrow. Tonight, you shall meet the essential staff and my grandmother. I imagine she shall have dinner waiting for us once we arrive."

He then began telling her a little about the people she would meet. Mr. and Mrs. Croft were his steward and housekeeper. His grandmother's name was Margret Andrews, and that she would inform her as to how she would like to be addressed. She would also be meeting her personal maid. She and her sisters had always shared the services of Betsy, when it was required, which is why the sisters became proficient at doing each other's hair and dress. Having her own lady's maid was the best news she had received throughout the whole ordeal.

Oliver leaned back to rest once more and Kitty went back to staring at the landscape.

The sun was beginning to set when she first caught sight of Dalton. Oliver had told her that it was coming up on her right. It was most impressive. Netherfield was one of the finer estates in Hertfordshire, and Dalton rivaled it, to be sure. Kitty thought she might prefer the gray stone of Dalton to the red brick of Netherfield. They turned into the circle drive. She saw to the left a path she was sure led to the stables. As soon as they stopped, a groom opened the door and Oliver exited the vehicle. He turned and waited for her, offering his hand to help her down. The black doors to the house opened and three people, as well as a passel of footmen, poured out of the house; Kitty felt all their eyes upon her person. Oliver stepped in her line of sight and offered her his arm. She took it as they walked towards the group.

"Welcome home, Oliver," said a finely dressed matron, as she approached.

"Grandmother," he said, accepting her embrace. He stepped back and gestured for her to come closer. "Grandmother, this is my wife, Catherine. Catherine, this is my grandmother, Mrs. Margret Andrews."

"It is a pleasure, dear," said the matron. "You may address me as Grandmother."

Kitty did her best to return the greeting, though she felt she may have been lacking something. Activity was going on all around her as the servants gathered their things and took them into the house. She was then introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Croft. They seemed to be a very merry couple with friendly smiles; Kitty liked them immediately. They went into the house and were met by two more people. There was an older woman who appeared to be the same age as Oliver's grandmother; she was introduced as Mrs. Agnes Smith, Mrs. Andrews' companion. The other was her own maid, Millicent Paige. She seemed to be at least ten years older than herself.

She was taken to see to her personal needs, and then to the dining room. What she had seen of the house had stunned her. It was a beautiful home. They sat at the dining table, her at Oliver's right and his grandmother at his left, and Mrs. Smith seated to her left. As her husband and his grandmother chatted, Kitty looked around the room and thought that it was clearly used for family dinners. By the size of the house, she was sure there must be a more formal dining room somewhere. The colors were nice. She had always liked the contrasts of light and dark.

"Catherine."

Kitty turned to her husband. "Sorry, I was admiring the room."

"It is a beautiful room," smiled his grandmother. "I was going over the plans we have for this week. Oliver informed me that you are aware of my role in helping you to adjust to being the mistress of Dalton. My grandson has also informed me that he will give you a tour of the house and grounds tomorrow, and afterwards, you and I shall become more acquainted and cover your new responsibilities. Thursday we shall travel to Norwood, the village you passed through a little while ago, and visit the dressmaker. You will need some things for the winter, and you can get an idea for your wardrobe in the spring. Friday we shall begin practical application."

Kitty felt overwhelmed, but she was excited at the prospect of new clothes. She wondered if she would now be required to replace her wardrobe seasonally; the idea was certainly not repugnant to her. Nodding her understanding, she returned to her meal.

"Oliver, I feel I should warn you that I encountered your mother's brother before I left Town. Archibald was determined to know your affairs, and I felt no other recourse than to inform him that you were to wed and that you would be bringing her home to Dalton not long after. Expect a letter or surprise visit soon."

Oliver groaned. She was glad that she was already aware of his estrangement from his mother's family. There was a part of her that wanted to ask what all had happened to cause the distance, but she didn't feel secure enough to ask.

"Also, you should know that I secured us about three weeks' worth of time from our neighbors. Mrs. Green came to call yesterday. I informed her, as well, of your nuptials and that you were bringing your bride home directly, not wanting to travel in the winter. So, even though we shall be seen in the village Thursday, we can still avoid any invitations or visits for a little while."

They finished, and wishing to make it an early night, Oliver escorted her to her new room. He took her up to the second floor and down two hallways. He opened a door for her and followed after her. She found it a little had to breathe as she took in the details of her rooms as he gave her a small tour of them.

"Feel free to change anything you wish. Mrs. Croft shall be able to assist in acquiring what you desire. My room can be accessed through those doors there," he said, nodding to a set of doors in her bedroom. "Should you need something, you may seek me out."

He bid her goodnight and used the doors he had indicated to get to his room. Kitty looked about the room. It was very nice, the dark blue, grey, and white making a great contrast against the dark wood of the furniture, but shades of blue had always been Jane's favorites, while she much preferred light shades of green, pinks, and crèmes. She asked Millicent what she thought about her selections, and upon gaining her agreement on the matter, also took the maid's idea to write it down so she didn't forget anything.

Millicent prepared her for bed and as she drifted off, Kitty's last thought was that she had never slept in a softer bed.

Look for the next chapter to be put up soon!