If one had lived in Watson Hold for the last couple of years, life would have been good. Crop yields had been abundant, so tummies were full. Business had been good, prosperity grew and so purses and pantries were full. The populace was content and thankful for the kingdom's peaceful times. For the royals, not much had changed since the birth of the Prince Regent's heirs. There was peace and love and joy at the castle, and everyday something new and wonderful happened. Optimism abounded.

It was a warm morning in the Spring. The Prince Regent John's toddler heirs, Locksley and Johonna, have very recently celebrated their third birthdays with a small but the "most jolliest party in the whole world," that world being the fast-becoming famous Watson Castle Child Care and Day School. They, and many of the realm's most precocious youngsters, spent most of their waking hours in the "nursery," playing and learning.

All the realm's children were welcome to the school, no matter age, gender, or physical ability; activities supervised by a series of nannies, mannies, and nurses, and, as time passed and scholarly pursuits became more important, taught by the kingdom's most competent instructors.

On this particular day, the Watson toddlers were mightily resisting a much-needed nap. Proudly, they sported miniature versions of their parents' court dress, Locksley in a blue and gold doublet and tights with royal accoutrements like his Papa's: epaulets, Medals, and braids. Johonna wore a flouncy little skirt that just reached her calves, layered in a dark blue with red petticoats. She described herself as a "'ittle girl Cherlock," and dressed to look like her Daddy, when she could. At her insistence, the skirt was topped by a military-cut loose blouse in white with red and blue accents: buttons, bows, and a waist sash.

The daddies thought they were the cutest things that ever were, and could do no wrong, but, at times like this, their vow to never apply corporal punishment was sorely tested. The nannies had given up on getting the babies to cooperate and called for paternal reinforcement. The Prince Regent was otherwise engaged on business of the realm, which under the circumstances, he embraced with more enthusiasm than usual, so the Prince Consort, Sherlock, (...generally known as Locke...) was recruited to enforce the much-despised nap time.

Locke sauntered into the nursery, appearing as beautifully perfect in his immaculate uniform as he always did. He had his hands clasped behind his back and one brow cocked high, a moue of faux annoyance on his well-formed lips. Walking over to where the two little rebels were seated on miniature ladder-backed chairs, their chubby little arms crossed on their chests and their pretty baby faces screwed into defiant little frowns, he paused and stood facing them at full attention.

Locke spoke softly but with firm command in his deep voice. "What is this I hear about my children refusing to follow the rules?"

"Iss not fair, Daddy." Locksley stood and spoke up, (...much as he usually did...He was always the leader of the "gang." There were a couple of occasions where other little ones would be in cahoots with the Watson kids, but with Locksley always understood to be the spokesman...) "'Uncle' Petie nor Lido nor Arielle have to take naps. It ain't fair, 'cause we're not tired." This speech would have been much more effective had not Johonna at just that moment, yawned widely and noisily, her blue eyes drooping. Both Locke's brows shot up, and he lowered his chin to express his skepticism.

Locksley turned to Johonna with his chubby little fists on his hips, his eyes in a squint at her, and threw up his hands. "Honny!" he pouted in frustration. Turning back to his father, he apologized, "I'm sorry, Daddy. The Nanny shouldn't oughta 'volved you." Looking disgusted, he added, "I guess we'll be lying down now." Locke had to bite his lip to keep from laughing at his son's mature acquiescence. Dropping down to one knee, and opening his arms, Locke accepted a hug and a kiss from both children.

Solemnly he told Locksley, "Thank you for being so grown up about this, sir. I'm proud of you...both of you." He stroked Johonna's cheek.

She reached up to Locke. "Up, Daddy...Up...p'ease..." Locke scooped her up onto one arm, and she promptly laid her head on his shoulder, her fist pushed against her mouth. Locke choked up, his eyes misting. He opened his other arm and Locksley leaned into his father's chest, waiting to be picked up also. Standing carefully, Locke carried them both to their pallets in the "Nap Corner" and deposited them onto their sleep pads. Johonna was already fast asleep, blonde lashes fanned across her cheeks, Locksley manfully resisting his own exhaustion.

Locke whispered softly to Locksley his assurances that he'd see him after class in the Prince's rooms. Turning promptly on his heel, he winked at the nearest nanny (...whose hands were clasped to her breast in blatant infatuation with the gorgeous Sherlock...) Totally oblivious to the fluttering feminine hearts he left in his wake, Locke strode out of the nursery, and down the hall to his "office" (...which more resembled a library than a workplace...), situated a few doors down the hall on that same castle level.

Not really having many actual duties, Locke had started to feel restless and not a little useless. When it became evident that the daycare/nursery was going to be as enormously popular with kiddies and their parents as it was, Locke (...Sherlock to his intimates...), the Prince Regent's Consort, had assumed the management and development of the school as his personal duty. He took his responsibilities seriously, as he did everything he attempted.

Having studied the needs of the children, he immediately instituted several major changes. First, he had the facility relocated to a spacious suite in the south-facing hall on the ground floor, managing all the logistics and remodeling himself. An extra large double-paned glass sliding door was added to provide access to the out of doors, opening on a hedge-wall enclosed playground and "natural" landscaped garden, sporting swings, a seesaw, a large sandbox, and a large well-groomed grassy patch for cricket and croquet.

At the little persons' requests, allowing the introduction of pets of any species to class was encouraged, as long as their owners could control their behavior. For instance, Lido's snake was strongly discouraged from consuming Arielle's rats. Puppies and such made daily messes, so their respective owners were responsible for cleaning up after their own pets, as well.

In addition to playing and fun times, Locke made sure that there were continuous learning opportunities for children of all ages. Classes were voluntary and open to anyone who might be interested. The eldest frequent classmate of the Prince's babies' was their "Uncle" Petie Haroldsson, who had completed his formal paging studies, but who was very interested in furthering his education. The newest member was their favorite playmate, Geoffy, who would attain two years of age in a couple weeks, and was the much beloved firstborn of Geoffrey and Darwinia. 

All in all, a day in the nursery was considered a good day by most of its habitues.

Much to Locke's personal disappointment, remaining clustered mostly in one corner of the main hall, a small selection of musical instruments was collecting dust. Since the majority of the youngsters were too small to embark on a musical journey as yet, the instruments saw little use. The few toddlers in-house would play "music" with noise makers such as drums and whistles, but didn't attempt anything as sophisticated as a piano or a violin.

There were a couple of the older children who did want to learn an instrument, each for his own personal reasons. A young lady was enamored of the harp, having been exposed to the celestial music by her mother who played the harp for the queen as one of her Ladies in Waiting. A young gentleman had developed an interested in the guitar. It seemed that the young man had started to notice the opposite sex, and had read about serenading the fair sex while accompanying oneself on guitar. He was twelve years old and highly motivated.

Poor Sherlock was taxing his brain to find other incentives to encourage more children to develop an interest in music. He thought that maybe he should introduce dance. Perhaps the terpsichorean arts would engender a love for music as well. Other than himself, he was also hard-pressed to discover adequate music instructors.

One morning as Locke was observing the new harp teacher with a slight frown, Petie asked Locke, "Is something wrong, sir?"

Locke answered distractedly, "Hi, Petie. No, not really...It's just that, well...we need more music teachers. Good ones seem to be hard to find, and I don't really know where to look..."

Petie looked uncertain for a moment, and working up his courage, asked, "May I make a suggestion, Sir Sherlock?"

"Certainly, Petie." He put his arm around Petie's shoulder, squeezing his arm encouragingly. Petie looked up at Locke and described a troupe of traveling players, Romany Gypsies, who presented skits and dancing revues, and most of whom could sing and/or play an instrument. "M'pater took me to see them perform last season." He continued, "I was pretty impressed." 

"You were?"

"Yes, sir." He went on to describe some of their talents and their overall professionalism. He added, "I think that they're supposed to come back to Watson Hold in a couple of weeks."

Locke looked interested and grinned at Petie. "Is there some way I can find them?"

Petie promised Locke that he would check with his father to see if he might know the colorful troupe's schedule. After classes that day, Petie ran home, excited with the fervor of a mission. He approached his dad for more precise information. It turned out that Mr. Haroldsson not only knew the troupe's schedule, he was proud to be able to provide Sir Sherlock with the name of the Gypsy Patriarch/Chieftain and a way to contact him.

Before classes started the next morning, Petie sought out Locke in the schoolroom. Proudly, he presented Locke with a handwritten note from his father. In his usual effusive manner, Locke dropped to one knee and hugged Petie affectionately to his chest. "Thank you so much, Petie. You've been a big help."

Petie blushed furiously, hugging Sherlock back, but was inordinately happy to have pleased his hero. Petie threw his arms around Locke's neck and grinned foolishly. "You're welcome, sir."

Locke was much encouraged with Petie's information. He felt he was finally able to make headway in his music school project.

An expected but gratifying problem arose during that same spring. As the day care center gained renown, students were coming from farther and farther afield, including neighboring kingdoms, making class size and overnight accommodations a serious consideration. Again, Locke began devising plans for a move to a separate, more permanent, and much larger location, to allow still more growth.

He conferred with the Watson family, including his Prince John. Ever conscious of the good of the realm, the king and queen suggested charging tuition for "out-of-town-ers." Locke, having been a commoner, was ever aware of the need for an education and the great likelihood of an inability to pay for it. Locke, the royals, and the king's financial advisers, began developing a plan to allow qualified students to attend, paying a tuition based on their true financial situation. There were princes out there with not two farthings to rub together and commoners with an envious fortune at their disposal.

He was investigating whether it was more economically feasible to build a new site from scratch or find a nearby estate that could be adapted. He met with Mr. Haroldsson, the in-house Master Carpenter and enlisted him as the main architect/designer.  Mr.Haroldsson suggested a gentleman he knew that was familiar with the surrounding properties. Initially these two gentlemen spent a lot of time observing the school to become familiar with the needs of the school itself.

It was at this point in his planning that Locke was sidetracked by the needs of his prince.