VIVIENNE STARED OUT onto the cobblestone path, utterly bored out of her mind. There was not much for her to do around the house, and whenever she stepped out of her room, it felt as though she was a nuisance to everyone else. Hence why Vivienne confided herself to her chamber. She had however, snuck out in the dark to explore the house. Her trip had allowed her to locate the library but to her disappointment, the earl's collection was not as large as the duke's. It was mostly filled with history books and other mind-numbing topics such as arithmetic, vastly different from the gothic novels found at Chalcott manor. 

She missed being out is society, talking, laughing, and dancing. Lady Westmoreland had attended a couple of balls since her arrival, but she had made it extremely clear to Vivienne that she was not invited. Vivienne had not said anything, but she also missed Fiona dearly. She had sent her friend a letter asking her to come visit her at her new home, but Fiona had yet to respond. It was highly likely Fiona was busy with preparing for her upcoming nuptials and she had missed the letter.

Vivienne eyes shifted to her correspondence before landing on the one from Chalcott manor. She had written to Mrs. Shrine asking her if the cat could be delivered to her new home. The housekeeper had apologized saying that nobody was making a visit to London soon. Vivienne missed Ginger fiercely, and she was unsure when the next time she would be able to see the cat. Maybe it was for the best that Ginger remained at Chalcott manor where she could be loved and free to room the many hills. In contrast to the bright décor, it was awfully cold in the earl's home.

"My lady?"

Vivienne turned to see Millie walking towards her with a grim face. "What is it?"

"The housekeeper at the duke's house replied to my letter. Unfortunately, they did not find the pendant."

The crushing feeling around Vivienne's heart grew. She had truly lost the only heirloom that connected her to her parents. It was devastating.

"I'm sorry Lady Vivienne."

Vivienne's chin wobbled as she held in the tears, "Thank you for asking. If you don't mind, I'd like to be alone for a while now."

Her lady's maid looked at her for a moment longer, seemingly wanting to say something, but she quickly left the room. There was a moment of silence in which tears streamed down Vivienne's face for her loss before there was another knock.

Clearing her throat, she spoke. "I'm fine Millie! I told you I just needed a damn moment!"

There was a pause before a voice said from outside, "Your ladyship, there is a caller waiting for you in the parlour."

Vivienne immediately felt quite terrible for yelling at the poor maid. She wiped her tears, avoiding her reflection in the looking glance. Standing up, she took in a breath the calm her nerves before opening the door. The maid stood still upon seeing Vivienne, as if she expected a scolding.

Vivienne's heart softened, "I apologize for raising my voice."

Her eyes widened, "My lady, there is no need to apologize to me."

But there was. Lashing out at others was not a healthy way to express her feelings. She should have never let the necklace out of her sight. By placing it in the wrong hands, it was lost forever.

Sighing, she made her way to the parlour. She was not uncertain of who was calling upon her. It could not be Captain Gronow, he left the country weeks ago. Her stomach clinched, could it be one of the gentlemen she had danced with several weeks ago? But they would not have her new address as she had not been anywhere in that time.

She entered the room and smiled in what seemed like forever.

"Vivienne!" Fiona rushed towards her and engulfed her in a bone-tight hugged. "It's been forever."

Vivienne tugged Fiona tightly against her body. She relished in the sight of seeing a familiar face. Her friend's warmth gave her the comfort she had not received in some while. To her annoyance, tears began pricking in the corner of her eyes.

Fiona pulled back, alarm lining her face, "What is the matter?"

Vivienne quickly brushed away the tears with the back of her hand and smiled widely. "Nothing, I'm just glad to see you. It's been a rough couple of days."

Fiona led her to the chaise, and they both settled in, "Well then my dear friend, tell me all about it, starting with why on earth you are staying at Lord Westmorland's home!"

Vivienne glanced around the room nervously, for once she was glad that Lady Westmorland was not around. She could be as honest as possible to her friend. Opening her mouth, Vivienne shared everything, right from the beginning. She left no detail and even shared how the duke yelled at her when he found her identity and the harsh words they had exchanged. The only part Vivienne left out was her feeling like a burden at the earl's home as well.

When she was finished, she saw Fiona leaning back into her plush seat. "Well, I must say that's quite the tale Vivienne—"

Vivienne took Fiona's hand, "No, please continue calling me Vivienne. It is what I prefer."

Understanding filled Fiona's eyes and she nodded. "At least you've gotten closure about your parents Vivienne. It must have been haunting you to not know all those years."

It had haunted her, Vivienne realized. There was always that spark of hope that she would be reunited with her father, but now, it had been thoroughly extinguished. However, she did not feel quite ready to move on. She still did not know why her father had left her with Agatha in the first place. Only the governess held the answers to those secrets, and it prevented Vivienne from true peace.

"Thank you for listening to me Fiona," she said sincerely.

Fiona had demonstrated that Vivienne could truly lean on her and share everything. It almost felt like having a sister, Vivienne imagined.

Fiona squeezed her arm comfortingly, "Anytime," her eyes lit up. "Now, I must tell you some exciting news of my own."

***

"Preston, ensure that the reckless footmen do not jostle the trunks! Many of them contain pieces that are worth more than their measly salary."

James nearly avoided hitting his head on one of the trunks as the footman rushed to apologize quickly before fleeing out the door. Confused at all the ruckus, he walked towards his great aunt who stood on the steps of the house watching the footmen working in front of her. He joined her to the side and asked in bewilderment, "What exactly is going on here?"

Aunt-Esme looked at him beneath her grey eyes, "Good you are awake. Do tell one of the servants to make sure they are careful bringing down the items from upstairs."

James ignored his aunt's request and waved his hand at the circus in front of them. "Pray tell me where exactly all of these trunks are going?"

His great-aunt snapped at one of the footmen who was holding the trunk sideways, "What is with that atrocious posture? Shoulders back young man. I do believe you know what it means to hold something horizontally, do you not?"

The footman was intelligent enough to keep his mouth shut even as he straightened his frame and hold on the trunk.

"Will you tell me what is going on or am I going to be standing here all day?"

Aunt Esme turned to him, "Oh right, I almost forgot about your presence. These James, are my trunks."

"And why exactly are they being loaded?"

Aunt Esme clutched her walking cane with both hands, "That is because I am leaving—today actually."

"You cannot be serious," James said without thinking.

His aunt gave him a dried laugh. "I do believe I am quite serious. Or else I would not have all these footmen packing my belongings."

James moved to the other corner as he once again was nearly clipped by a wayward trunk "Why did nobody inform me of this?"

"Well, my dear, if you spend more time in your club than your house, it can be quite difficult for two people to have a conversation."

He ignored the rib. So, what if he had spent more time at White's? He enjoyed it more than attending some foolish soiree. He did not know why Aunt Esme leaving felt like a betrayal.

"But the season is not over yet?"

This time, Aunt Esme cackled, "Boy, when have you seem me stay for the entire duration of the season? My task was introducing Vivienne to society, and I've accomplished it. Frankly, I miss my own home where there is peace, and fresh air." She gave him a peculiar look, "I would have thought you would be delighted with my departure. It allows you to return this place to your bachelor lodging without two women in your way."

James clenched his jaw. He did not know why he was so irritated. Aunt Esme was right, he should be glad at her departure. He would no longer have to sit at tediously lengthy dinners or listen Aunt Esme scold him on a dozen of issues. Swallowing the bile that had risen, he looked at his Aunt and gave her a kiss on her textured cheek, "Well then, I hope you arrive safely back home. Do send me a letter when you do so."

With that, he entered back into his house, walking towards the study. He was aware that a pair of grey eyes followed his movement all the way back.

***

James took a sip of the wine and frowned. It just did not seem to have the dark flavours he was accustomed to.

"Preston, did we switch the wine?" he asked his butler.

Preston shook his head, "No Your Grace. It is the same wine that Lady Torrington selected when she first arrived here."

He put down the glass and took a bite of his meal. It did not seem to have the same hearty flavour that the food usually did. He hardly doubted that the cook had made any other adjustments and after the wine fiasco, he kept his mouth shut. His eyes however, lingered to the two empty seats.

How many meals had he spent with the two ladies that he took for granted? Prior to this season and his encounter with Vivienne, he had spent years eating alone. It should not bother him to be returning to the same routine. Ah, but the catch was in those moments, he had not known what he was missing. After months of having the warmth of Vivienne and the comfort of his great-aunt at the table, the evidence of their departure hit him much harder. The food felt bland, the wine too sour, and the room too gloomy. The two of them had unknowingly warmed his house, as well as his occasionally cold heart.

He should be afraid to say it, but he missed the companionship, the arguments, and everything in between. James felt the loneliness even more. It was astounding to see that a person could have such and impact on another soul. Pushing around his food, he took a few bites and stood up.

"Will you not have dessert Your Grace? The cook has prepared a carrot cake."

Images of Vivienne enjoying the carrot cake flooded his mind and he pushed them away. "No Preston, I will be retiring. Send up Hutton in a bit."

The butler bowed as James climbed the stairs with a heavy heart. His gaze filtered to the corner, where Vivienne's room had been. He had not seen it since she had left for her uncle's home. Maybe it was the nostalgia or the wine which prompted him to push the door open and step inside.

There was a cold draft in the air as the maids had not lit a fire in the room. The bed was made, showing no evidence that anyone had slept there for months. What James did catch was the scent of jasmine and honey. It was faint, but he could still smell it—her in the room.

Oh, he had been extremely foolish. In his anger he had uttered words that nobody wished to hear. How James wished he could take them back, but it was too late. She would be happier with the captain; they would probably announce the news of their betrothal soon. He had set her free and she had not returned, making her wishes abundantly clear to him.

James should hire a Bow Street Runner to investigate the man. Just as the thought arrive, he shook his head. Vivienne was no longer his to worry about. The Earl of Westmorland was her guardian and would take care of all her affairs from now on. He walked towards the dressing table when something caught his eye. Lifting it up, he frowned, it was Vivienne's emerald pendant. He had always seen her wearing it so how had she left it behind?

His fingers ran over the back of the necklace, and it jingled as he brought it closer to inspect. James held it at a length and then shook it, the pendant jingling again. He looked at the edges of the pendant, was it possible the something was hidden in it? He used his fingernails to try and pry it open to no avail. He could use a knife, but he risked damaging the jewel. Somehow, he doubted that Vivienne would be happy with him if he destroyed her pendant. Placing it in his pocket, he vowed to visit a jewelry shop tomorrow, he would definitely get to the bottom of this.

------------------   

It seems our dear duke is missing a certain lonely lady ;) What do you guys think the pendant holds?  Any ideas? Thank you so much for the 20K reads!