"BE ON YOUR BEST BEHAVIOR children," Mrs Frederica Fleming instructed as her children, all snuggled in the carriage clad in their best clothes, departed for the Brockenhurst estate that breezy Friday morning in Portsmouth.

It was almost twelve pm, and the sun had taken its rightful place in the sky, although not much affecting the cold weather. Lady Diana Beaumont smiled as her little cousins nodded obediently, both of them dressed like tiny gentlemen. The maid, Marta, sat to the left of Aunt Frederica, and the boys sat on their mother's right.

Lady Alicia Kirkpatrick had her gaze fixed outside, and Diana observed her aunt, who held her new born baby in her lap and continuously kept smoothing her skirts with her free hand after touching her hair to make sure it hadn't shifted.

She reached and put her gloved hand over her aunt's, squeezing it in comfort as her aunt looked at her.

"Aunt Agnes will simply adore you," Diana spoke, her smile assuring.

Her father's elder sister was acquainted with everyone from her mother's side of the family, except Aunt Frederica and her children. Uncle Arthur had met the Countess on one occasion or two, in Southampton, but the rest of family hadn't had the pleasure since they were almost always in Portsmouth. But Aunt Frederica was honest, earnest and pure, and Diana was sure The Countess would love her company, anyone would. 

Mrs Fleming smiled and squeezed her niece's hand in return. Diana could tell that her aunt wouldn't have been as nervous if her uncle had come with them. The way Aunt Frederica had insisted before breakfast, and even after breakfast, earnestly asking him to join them; Diana had promised she would offer her consolation in every way she could during the weekend.

Mr Arthur Fleming had left for work, like every morning before. He was promised good wages for his effort on the weekends, and he hadn't had the means to refuse. He had, however, promised to come by at the Brockenhurst estate after he was done for the day, but he had also made it clear that he wouldn't be able to stay because his work the next morning would not permit him to.

Breathing deeply, Diana held her aunt's hand throughout the journey, and soon the Portsmouth landscape crowded with buildings, people and streets had turned into lush green rolling hills with brilliant green grass. Straightening herself up as she recognized the bend and how they were only minutes away before the estate came into view, she noticed Michael pulling at his cravat and immediately leaned in to assist him by loosening it a little, as Alicia fixed Theodore's sleeves that rolled up because of his childish inability to sit still.

Diana and Alicia had come to notice that the boys were not used to fully dressing like that. In Portsmouth, the boys' day to day attire was simple, consisting of full length high waisted trousers and undershirts with a solid colored coat. They weren't used to wearing tailcoats, high collared shirts and cravats. Their presentable clothing was very few, tucked away in a wardrobe safely, until it was needed in urgency. The only times their aunt and uncle dressed the boys in the presentable attire was when they visited Southampton, and even then Diana and Alicia's mothers and aunts would find most things faulty. Diana felt a sharp ache in her heart; Aunt Frederica was a wonderful parent, despite her circumstances.

"We are here," Alicia spoke, as everyone turned to look out the carriage window as the Brockenhurst estate's large rectangular figure came into view, growing larger every second until it seemed to tower before everything and everyone.

The carriage came to a halt in front of the estate and a footman hurried and approached. He opened the door and helped Diana out and then he turned to assist everyone else.

Before she too could help, The Countess's hearty laugh sounded in her ear as she saw her approach the carriage in all her regal splendor and her arms spread out for an embrace. The lady of the house was followed by Frank Templemore, who in turn had a big smile on his face yet his arms stayed pinned behind his back. Diana smiled and embraced her aunt, a delightful chuckle escaping her lips.

"Oh, how I missed you," The Countess beamed, slowly patting Diana's back before they separated.

"Mother, she was here only three days ago," Frank laughed as he approached and took Diana's gloved hand and kissed the top of it. "And besides, you haven't ever said that to me, and I've been away months on end."

"Well, that says a lot, does it not?" The Countess beamed again as Diana held bavk a laugh and Frank rolled his eyes playfully.

As the remaining party got off the carriage and joined them, Lady Diana Beaumont began the obligatory introductions.

"Allow me to introduce Uncle Arthur's wife, Mrs Frederica Fleming, and their tiny gentlemen, Michael and Theodore Fleming. The tinest has dozed off I believe," The lady finished with a chuckle, glancing at her new born cousin fast asleep in her aunt's hold.

"And how handsome they are," The Countess gushed, bending slowly to touch the boys' cheeks. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mrs Fleming, Diana has told me so much about you. Thank you for accepting my invitation to Brockenhurst, I look forward to the company you have to offer."

The Countess finished with a smile, an air of authority surrounding her as Frederica Fleming smiled in return, allowing herself to relax as a result of the Countess's comforting words.

"Now, let us go inside, you must be weary from the journey," The lady of the house continued as she motioned for everyone to follow her to the house.

Some footmen assisted the coachman in unloading the carriage and carried the party's luggage inside the house.

Lady Diana Beaumont affectionately wrapped her arm around Aunt Frederica's as she carried her baby and they walked alongside joined by Michael, following The Countess into the estate. Frank Templemore escorted Lady Alicia Kirkpatrick, who held little Theodore's hand, and Marta walked behind.

As they entered the estate, Frank cleared his throat. "I'm sure you're all ready to freshen up in your rooms after your journey but might I introduce you to the other company we are to be having this weekend first? They are in the east drawing room as we speak."

"No, Frank," His mother responded abruptly. "Your friends can wait, everyone is tired from the journey."

"Oh, we're all quietly lively at present, I'm sure we can afford introductions before we freshen up for lunch," Mrs Frederica Fleming spoke up smiling as Diana and Alicia managed hums of approval.

"Very well then," The Countess gushed as she steered the way to the east drawing room.

Entering the east drawing room, Frank took the lead from her mother with a nod and led the party to the corner of the lavish drawing room where two gentlemen appeared to be standing by the window engaged in deep conversation with a glass of drinks in both their right hands.

As Diana's eyes loomed over the intricate details of the room that reminded her so much of her own estate back home, her eyes met Alicia's frantic ones and she blinked in confusion. Alicia was still at Frank's side as he led the party, thus she was ahead of them, yet she turned back to look at her cousin with wide eyes. Diana could not think what the matter was when suddenly Frank had stopped and was now introducing all of them to two much too familiar faces.

The gentlemen's eyebrows rose, yet their expressions remained stoic, betraying the tiniest hint of being slightly caught off guard.

"Buxton, Algernon, allow me to introduce my wonderful cousin, Lady Diana Beaumont," Frank Templemore started the process, introducing Diana first, who slightly curtseyed as the men bowed their heads in turn.

She wondered if either of the men would say anything about their prior acquaintance in order to avoid the seemingly uncomfortable introductory process. After all, she hadn't been entirely honest with Frank. He thought she knew of the gentlemen's business because of her uncle's association with it—not that she knew them.

"This is Lady Alicia Kirkpatrick, Mrs Fleming and her boys, Michael and Theodore Fleming."

Lord Edward Buxton's expression widened slightly in realization as he caught onto the names and presences of his employee's wife and children. Diana bit her lip, frustration coursing through her. She hated the introduction, her uncle's family should not have been introduced to his wretched employer.

With the lack of words from the gentlemen, Diana also realized the men would rather have her or Alicia claim that the ladies were already acquainted with them, since Frank was her cousin and it seemed better for him to hear it from her. She suddenly panicked as she realized that this time they were not meeting these men alone, her aunt and her little boys were here too. Uncle Arthur's family wasn't aware that one of these two equally wicked men was the horrid employer they had all hated.

"And ladies these men are—,"

"We are already acquainted, Frank," Diana blurted out then, not wishing to hear the men's names spoken again, and that too from another cousin's tongue. 

No, she would tell her aunt herself in private, she would not allow anyone, especially men the likes of Lord Buxton, catch her poor blameless aunt off guard like that. Realization dawned on her that these two were the men that Frank had invited to spend the weekend at Brockenhurst with. Alicia, her and Aunt Frederica would be forced to be under the same roof as them. Oh, how shall we bear it? How shall Aunt Frederica bear it?

"Yes," Alicia quickly added as she turned to Frank, smiling her assured smile. "Oh look, The Countess calls us. Come Diana, Aunt Frederica."

Diana subtly sighed in relief as Alicia steered the party towards The Countess who had taken a seat on the sofas of the drawing room. Mrs Frederica Fleming's confusion at the encounter was obvious to her nieces, but she disguised it with her smile and joined The Countess. Frank, however, looked completely oblivious, happily discussing the weather with Alicia as he escorted her to his mother and joined the gentlemen in the back. Diana breathed another sigh of relief, grateful that Frank hadn't thought to question the acquaintance.

"Michael, Theodore, come," She spoke up happily as she reached out her hand for the boys to take. "Let us take a quick stroll in the gardens before the sun disappears for the day."

The boys nodded eagerly as they rushed to her, each of them taking one hand, the proper environment of the drawing room had clearly bored them at first glance.

"Alicia, join us?" Diana added and Alicia nodded and instantly got up, as if she had been eagerly waiting for the opportunity.

As they headed outside towards the gardens, the boys eagerly walked ahead, giving the girls some privacy to discuss the matters that weighed heavy on their minds.

"We have to tell Aunt Frederica that Lord Buxton is Uncle Arthur's employer," Alicia let out, anxiety evident in her voice. "What if she hears it from The Countess or Frank first? Now that we've said we're acquainted, Aunt Frederica will wonder the how or when and whys of the reason we didn't tell her."

Keeping an eye on her little cousins, Diana spoke, "Yes, we will tell her as soon as possible. She has to hear it from us."

"Ugh," Alicia sighed in frustration, "What are the odds of all this Diana? I cannot believe we are to spend three days with them."

"I cannot believe Frank invited them," Diana breathed out. "He doesn't even have any knowledge of these men except of their business. Oscar and Adam would never invite people associated with their business endeavors at Mansfield when there was family over. I am surprised The Countess permitted it, it is highly improper."

Alicia pursed her lips. "We cannot do anything but avoid them for the reminder of the weekend. We will tell Aunt Frederica and keep her and the boys away from those men, after all, Brockenhurst is a very big place."

"It will be hard if Aunt Agnes prefers their company, which I do doubt," Came Diana's disappointed reply. "But we'll try, nonetheless."