The first time it was beheld by Miss Rose Tyler, the eldest child and only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tyler of Powell estate, it gave quite the opposite effect of what it's intentions were. Where there was a distinct need to blend in and be unnoticed, this was clearly not the result when stumbled upon by the aforementioned young lady.

Said young lady of course was known to be a little more curious than other young women her age; her not being twenty yet. She was highly thought off, well spoken off and certainly agreeable in all good society, as well as in lesser circles. However some found her independence to be of such a nature; fit for young boys and not at all appropriate for eligible females.

It might be due to the fact that she was an only daughter, used to spending a great deal of her time with her only sibling: a young boy named Antony, more than ten years her junior.

So there it was, in the middle of summer; a hot day, on which most people of some affluence did absolutely nothing; Miss Rose Tyler found a blue box.

There were words written on it and even though Miss Tyler understood their designation, the total meaning was utterly lost to her. She therefore read the sign on the front, but was afterwards even more confused. The last sentence was however abundantly clear, and she made for the small handle.

The door was closed.

Afterwards Miss Tyler concluded that her time was a little wasted, since there were so many other places that could have been visited, in the half hour she attempted to open the box in any way she could think off.

The blond curls that had made their way out of the white linen bonnet, were involuntarily sticking against her forehead by the time she reached the estate. Calling upon a maid for assistance, she decided to wash herself thoroughly, before entering the parlour downstairs; where her mother and father undoubtedly sat, since it was by far the coolest room in the house. In doing so however, she missed the stranger that had visited them quite unexpectedly.

On entering the parlour, gratefully refreshed, Miss Tyler found herself in a somewhat excited assembly. Her mother: Mrs. Tyler, stood up at the sight of her and began her report with the words: "On my honour, Rose, you have just missed the most remarkable and strange man that has ever set foot in this house. So handsome one has ever seen; undoubtedly partial to a large fortune, for he was all charm and confidence and such good manners too. His attire was somewhat vague, he might be from abroad, but it displeases me that you were out during his visit here. He might have taken a fancy to you my dear, I dare say."

Here Mr. Tyler stepped up and said: "We know nothing substantial of the man, my dear. He had the manners of good breeding, but nothing to say that pointed in any direction of him being well off. I very much doubt he is a gentleman in the usual sense of the word, he seemed to be a bit of a wanderer. Also he introduced himself in a rather peculiar fashion; he merely announced himself by being the Doctor."

It was not for another four days that the Tylers had the chance to see the oft bespoken gentleman again. The occasion however gave Miss Tyler great hopes of becoming acquainted with the man, since it was at a ball they were to attend. In the house of her best friend: Miss Martha Jones. She was a girl of great beauty, and in many a view: made for a match way above her station. Her sweet disposition and intellect assured her, not only of the friendship of Miss Tyler, but also of the attentions of many a suitor. Which up until now, she had all declined. Much to the vexation of her mother, whose petitions grew by the day; veining the fear of her daughter becoming an old maid.

There had been ample occasion for the young ladies of both estates, to discuss the peculiarities of the gentleman calling himself the Doctor. Neither one of the families had heard anyone mention his name anywhere. Nobody knew where he resided; or even came from, for that matter. He had called upon all the great houses in the county, but had left no card, and therefore no one was able to pay their respects in return.

None of the young ladies wanted to admit it, but all of them had made meeting the Doctor their top priority. And therefore the first course of action to Miss Tyler, after greeting her friend and paying the usual compliments, was to inquire if said gentleman was in the room. Her friend disappointed her.

Still, the night was young and being so closely acquainted, gave the Tylers the honour of being among the first of the party. So there was reason enough to expect the young man to attend.

That he was young indeed, was among the first things that had been observed. Not so young however that fear of there being a lady in waiting somewhere was very real.

That he was unmarried was inquired in the first half hour of his visit to the Powell estate and answered favourably.

So there it was, that half an hour after commencement of the festivities, all eyes were turned towards the doors, in which a tall, handsome man appeared, whom Miss Tyler had never laid eyes on before. Therefore, the very enthusiastic, but highly unladylike whisper of her friend; pointing him out as being 'him', was rather unnecessary.

Accompanied by Mr. Jones, he made a short round, letting himself be introduced to any he had not had the privilege of meeting before. Thus his soliciting ended him up bowing to the two young ladies, who had watched him draw near with great expectation.

"Sir Doctor, might I introduce to you: Miss Tyler from Powell Estate. My daughter, Martha, you have met."

"Charmed, to be sure."

His wide smile was genuine, something Miss Tyler found most refreshing and after curtsying, she returned his regard, which brought forth a rather amusing twinkle in his eyes.

He then turned to Miss Jones, honouring her, in being the daughter of his host, by asking her for the first two dances.

"And may I also take the opportunity hereby, as to ask the following two of Miss Tyler, if she is not otherwise engaged?"

"I am not engaged," Miss Tyler replied, conveying more of her situation than was required, but which seemed to satisfy the gentleman immensely.

In recalling the mention of the Doctor being a Sir, Miss Tyler took even more notice of the man's actions. His manner certainly suited his title. He was a formidable dancer and outshone all the other man in the room. Miss Tyler, being quite partial to dancing herself, found herself rather looking forward to dance with the man. Awaiting her chance in stillness was however not her trade and she happily accepted the offer of a dear friend of the family: Mr. Smith. Whose unfortunate childhood loss of both his parents, made him the proud and well established owner of Downing Hall.

During the first dance, Miss Tyler perceived her not being the only one glancing in direction of the Doctor and his partner. The tall, handsome gentleman was very pleasing to one's eye and many a young lady found herself unable not to stare from time to time. However it was his dancing partner that made the most impression on Mr. Smith.

"It will be my pleasure to introduce her to you after the dance." She informed her friend, more than a little amused.

Clearing his throat, Mr. Smith replied: "I should very much like the opportunity. Am I correct in understanding she is a friend of yours?"

"My closest. She is as dear to me, as a sister would have been."

"Then I should very much like to meet her, indeed. Any friend of yours is well worth getting acquainted with."

On their completing the dances, Miss Tyler moved herself and her partner towards where the Doctor and Miss Jones stood, already awaiting their approach.

When bowing and curtsying had taken place, Miss Tyler turned towards her friend and performed the introductions.

"Miss Jones, might I introduce to you: Mr. Michael Smith of Downing Hall. Mr. Smith: Miss Martha Jones."

Her mentioning of the first names, made it apparent to both parties that she was well acquainted with either person and on friendly terms. Which made it a great deal easier for all to forgo some civilities, at times deemed so wholly unnecessary by the youth.

Miss Joneses introduction of the Doctor hereafter following, clarified to Miss Tyler her failure in ascertaining the gentleman's real name. It should therefore fall upon her to complete that task, to which the two young ladies had agreed earlier.

After the exchange of some companionable pleasantries, the music recommenced and the Doctor, offering Miss Tyler his hand, proposed: "Shall we?"

In preparation of the dance, Miss Tyler had been determined to appear at her very best. The light pink dress added to her fair complexion, and the burgundy silk ribbon, tied around her small waist, just below her breasts, drew attention; as was it's purpose. Her golden hair was done up in a complicated high coupe, the curls held tight with little burgundy flowers.

That all the hard work was well worth it, was obvious as proven by the Doctor's admirable look he bestowed on her, whilst leading her to the centre of the ballroom.

It was not often Miss Tyler had the advantage of dancing with such a superior dancer, and for the first minutes she simply enjoyed being his partner. Her design however, to become acquainted with the gentlemen, made it impossible for her to remain silent long. So, when next their hands met, she ventured: "With fear of being thought off ill-willed, I have to ask of you however, to enlighten me as to where you reside, when not entertaining us with great prospects of gathering rumours."

Miss Tyler afterwards often spoke of it with her friends, deeming it impossible for a gentleman of such stature, however she was convinced she had heard the man chuckle.

"My dear Miss Tyler," he began, before they were separated by the next figure of the quadrille they were dancing. He continued his sentence on being reunited and so his explanations became somewhat of a faltering conversation.

All the same, Miss Tyler managed to form a clear enough picture of the man's story, in which he answered none of her questions satisfactory. Her interest was nonetheless sparked.

His statements were the following: "As to the question of my being the owner of an estate, hall or lodge, I must disappoint, I own none of the sort and I dare say the residence in which I reside at present is not mine by endowment. I do however travel a great deal and therefore a house in one or other part of the world is not exactly, shall I say, desirable."

"You are a Doctor, are you not?"

"Not in any medical sense, although I do have a fair share of knowledge on the subject."

"If you don't mind me saying; I suffer to be a bit mystified by your wish to remain nameless. Do you care so little for it, that you do not deem it worthy of mentioning, or are you on the run from the authorities?"

This last sentence was spoken in a teasing manner and Miss Tyler felt great relief upon seeing her impertinence being taken well. The Doctor laughed.

"I can assure you, Miss Tyler, that I stand before you without fear of being discovered. It is merely a question of ... discomfort, for the receiver. One could be a little shocked on discovering certain aspects of my personality."

"I dare say I am quite intrigued, I think I can stand a little shock now and then. Life will be quite dull, if we should forgo all shock, don't you agree?"

"I could not agree more."

The Doctor further remained silent on the matter and Miss Tyler took that as a hint to change the subject.

"Are you here to visit friends, Sir Doctor?"

"Just Doctor please, the title makes me seem like someone I'm not."

"Very well, Doctor, I restate my question: are you?"

"I am here to form such acquaintances, which have a very good chance of becoming on intimate terms."

"So, you are here to stay for a while, then?"

"If I find what I seek, I shall endeavour to remain in close proximity, until such a time as when staying is no longer required. On the other hand, if I find what I seek, I could also be well on my way again within a fortnight."

"You are a strange man!" cried Miss Tyler. "You elude all my questions. Is there not one thing you can tell me without any contemplation on how to be as evasive as possible?"

The smile which followed this exclamation, spread across the whole of the Doctor's face.

Breaking the quadrille in taking her hand and standing still in the middle of the ballroom, the Doctor bend forward a little and spoke in a quiet voice: "I am looking for a wife."