Several Weeks later

The days had passed swiftly, leading towards fall and bringing a chill.

Lord Haven had brought a tutor for me and I honestly thought she wasn't so bad. Also Aiden's tutor returned.

My tutor was called Lady Rodella and she was a plump little thing with rosy cheeks and a smile a mile wide. Her dark curls frame her cute face and what was even more shocking, to me, was that she was a year older than I and already a Lady.

"Now, Miss Crimson," she said one day as we were walking in the garden, "I know you don't come from noble standing but you seem to have a natural poise and grace that most nobles have to learn. Do you have any guesses why this is so?"

I could guess accurately but I wasn't about to tell Lady Rodie, as I'd nicknamed her. "I'm afraid I don't, Lady Rodella." The nickname was private, she didn't know I called her Rodie. She'd probably be horrified to learn that I'd nicknamed her.

"Well I wish I knew the secret because I have no poise and forget grace," she laughed sweetly before she led me around the garden in what she considered exercise, "but I understand that your manners are a little rustic."

Rustic, indeed. They were rough, hardly what one could call manners. "Lady Rodella, please state clearly what you intend to say. We aren't at court yet." I pleaded.

"You need to work hard with your manners, Miss Crimson. It is vital that in manners, speech, behavior, and clothing that you excell above all others."

"Why?" This was a surprise. I had to surpass everyone who'd be brought up on manners as children? What possible reason could there be for such a demand?

"Because you are, pardon my bluntness, a commoner."

Ah, that sad old tune again. "I am aware of the fact, Lady Rodella." I said without malice.

"And as such, you have to prove yourself worthy of being a Lady by marriage. It is not an easy thing, several marriages have collapsed because of public disapproval and lack of manners."

I could easily believe that.

"So what you are trying to say, politely, is that I need to be so good at what you teach me that no one could have room to criticize?"

Rodie nodded. "There will always be criticism, if not from your peers than from the lower classes as well. Manners, dance, speech, and behavior aren't lessons to learn but weapons to use against the hordes." She said eloquently. "Prove them wrong, Miss Crimson and you will become a greater woman than many noblewomen are by birth."

I was beginning to like Rodella a lot.

Two days later

"So how are your lessons coming along?" I asked Aiden as we danced a quadrille.

"Not very well, I'm still struggling through Plato," he paused as the dance steps broke us apart and he waited till we were again near enough to talk without Rodella overhearing, "but finding Shakespear a breeze."

I couldn't shake the feeling of concern even after all this time that something was going to happen. The worry hung over me like a cloud that wouldn't blow away. "And how are your lessons?" He asked shaking me out of my meloncholy thoughts.

"Sharpening." I retorted. A look of confusion spread along his face and I smiled at him. "Rodie told me that lessons were weapons to use against society."

"Ah," he glanced over at Rodella who was playing the dance on the piano, "she's wise."

"Indeed. I'm quite fond of her."

The dance ended with a polite bow to each other and I turned to Rodella for constructive criticism.

"Nicely kept beat, Miss Crimson. Sir Aiden, I must admit your dancing far surpasses that of my own brother." She smiled.

Aiden smiled and bowed in response to Rodella's words but I didn't expect the twinge of envy at his actions towards her.

Stop being stupid! She's just being polite and she's married anyway!

Aiden turned back to me and I managed to look as normal as possible. "You've improved." He said.

I could have danced for joy. A word of praise! And then I remembered that he was doomed to die. Happy feeling gone.

"My tutor, Hilsworth, would like to meet you and talk about all things logical." Aiden's smile hadn't left his face though he raised an eyebrow at the expression on my face.

Gathering my composure, I cleared my face. "I'll go see him."

I had to get myself in order. And this tutor. . . Maybe Hilsworth could help me. Maybe.

It all depended on the tutor himself.