Adelaide POV
"Apologies, Lady Waters" the maid says as she accidentally grabs a knot my hear
"So you kissed him? Cole?" Daphne says widening her eyes
"Yes I guess we did. And what's wrong with Cole?" I ask turning to look at her
"No nothing he's incredibly attractive I just didn't think he was one to settle down" Daphne says giggling
"Oh as if you're one to talk" I say as she blushes as the maid giggles behind us
"Well, our activities are quite... spirited. I admit, I did not even know it was possible. I believed his physical inability to have children would preclude him from..." Daphne says
"...causing such difficult entanglements?" I say and all three of us let out a laugh
"Yes." The maid giggles
"I am quite glad to say I was wrong." Daphne states raising an eyebrow suggestively. Later that day I was forced to head to some town event with Cole and the newly weds
"What is the prize for the winner?" I ask curiously watching the pigs in the pen
"Why, slaughter, of course." A towns boy responds
"Oh" I reply and look back at Cole who snorts before looking away
"As the duke has granted me the honor of opening our village fair with this contest, it is after careful consideration that I have decided... that all three pigs have tied! I hereby decree every pig such a winner that none should be slaughtered." Daphne says and I hear a man face plant next to me and I realise that Daphne must've made a mistake as I look up from the pigs I see a beautiful man with the darkest hair staring at me and when we shared eye-contact he gave me a small wave but I feel Cole nudge me
"I Suggest you stop looking at the commoners" he says and I turn to see his face set stone cold
"And why would that be? Are you jealous" I whisper and his cold face turns into a frown
"By all means lower yourself to their level" he hisses
"God you're a dick" I hiss back before walking away from him as I storm away I hear something crying and somehting grabs my dress I look down to see a young child clinging onto me
"There, there, child. No need to cry. All is well." I say picking her up "My! You have a strong set of lungs. They shall hear you all the way in London." I say as I hear her start to calm down
"If not all the way to France." A male voice says and I turn around to see the dark haired boy who couldn't be much older then me
"Oh, I must apologize, Your Grace. My sister has just discovered her own voice and likes to use it as often and loudly as she can." he says bowing down and I shake my head
"I'm not a Duchess just Adelaide" I say holding out my hand which he grabs to shake
"Nice to meet you Adelaide I'm Dylan" he replies and he holds out his hand to take the child back
"This right here is My sister Ada" he says and I hold out my hand to hers which she shyly grabs
"Nice to meet you Ada" I say and he smiles
"You're very pretty" he says observing me and I feel myself blush
"Thanks you're very handsome as well" I reply and I watch as he opens his mouth up again
"Lets go Addie" Cole yells from across the yard and I turn to see the angry look on his face
"I must go" I say turning to look back at Dylan he gives me a smile
"Nice to me you Adelaide" he says and I nod before I run off towards Cole who just glares at Dylan from behind me.
"You do realise you are glaring at a young man and his 3 year old sister" I say and it snaps him out of his glare as he grabs my arm and brings his face closer to his ear
"Let's go or I'll drag you out of here" he whispers and I glare at him
"Touch me and I'll cut your balls" I whisper before spinning around to walk away. When I returned home I had crashed and slept through the day when I finally woke up it was because the maid had walked in and told me it was time to rise
"Morning Cole" I say as I walk past him eating breakfast
"Morning dearest" he says and I see the smirk on his face
"What are you doing today?" I ask and he rolls his eyes as if he was dreading the question he throws his head onto the table and sighs
"Business" he mumbles "You?" he says peering up at me
"I believe Daphne is forcing me to hand out baskets to the villagers" I say and this seems to catch his attention
"Are you going to see that Villager boy?" he asks
"I don't know I mean he's probably going to be there" I say and he laughs
"Of course" he states
"what does that mean?" I question
"Just of course but if you don't come back before sunset I will drag you from wherever you are" is all he says before getting up and walking out and I sigh before walking out to help the maids pick the baskets for Daphne
"Are you missing home, My lady?" The maid says and I roll my eyes
"It's Adelaide and Of course I am" I say smirking she nods
"Do you think we have enough for all the baskets...Adelaide?" the maid asks
"Um, I should bloody think so. Daphne isn't here so I guess I'm going to make the decisions" I say and the maid smirks
"Lady Waters! Whatever are you..." she says trying to pick me up from where I kneel on the ground "I will have someone gather those on your behalf One of the kitchen maids or the gardener. Was no one available to assist you?" she says in a hurry
"There is no need to trouble anyone, Mrs. Colson. We have it all in hand." I say giving her a small smile and she scoffs at me
"Do you intend to collect honey from the hives in person as well?" she asks obviously sarcastically
"Oh... That might be a little beyond me." I say trying to keep polite
"If you simply tell me of your wants and needs, I will ensure everything is in order. I will ensure everything is done properly." she says and I nod
"I shall keep that in mind. But considering it was Grace Daphne that asked me to do this I think I should continue. Thank you, Mrs. Colson." I say and she shakes her head before walking away
"Faith, she despises me." I say to the maid once she disappears
"She despises everybody. Do not give it another thought." she says smiling
"Are you ready?" Daphne cries from a room in the house
"Yes" I shout back and I watch as she runs outside in a hurry. Soon enough we are back at the village. I watch as Daphne struggles to sell her baskets before she finally gives up
"Is something amiss? Mama taught me it was tradition for the new duchess to visit with gifts." She says turning towards me
"Well, I believe it is proper." I say giving her a smile
"Should I have worn a different dress? Or perhaps it signifies I am high in the instep." she says looking down at herself
"Adelaide!" a small childs voice cries and I turn to see Ada running towards me I pick her up in my arms before looking up to see Dylan walking towards me
"Would you like a basket from Clyvedon? There is bread and honey for the children." I say and he smiles
"Oh. You are too kind." he says and picks up a basket from Adelaide
"Well good day Ada" I say looking down at her and she grabs onto me tightly
"Well I do believe Ada will not let you leave so would you like to come to my home and drop Ada off?" he asks and I look up to see him smiling and Daphne looking like a deer in headlights behind him
"Well then I am determined to walk with you." I say as I get up holding Ada on my hip
"I'll meet you at home" I state to Daphne and she nods shocked we walk for a good minute before I get the guts to talk to him.
"Perhaps I might ask your opinion on something?" I ask and he lets out a laugh
"Of course. Though, how I might advise a Lady, I am not sure." he says
"I feel that Daphne has done something to offend the village. I know she is new to the role, but I cannot imagine what she had done wrong so soon." I state and I see him stop in his steps
"What?" I ask looking back at him
"It was the pigs. She said that all three pigs won." he states nervously
"At the fair? I mean she didnt mean anything by it I believe she just thought it the best outcome for everyone." I say and he shakes his head
"Of course but It is tradition that the winner is allowed to supply pork to Clyvedon for the next year. It's a great number of pigs, indeed. When she could not choose a winner, no farmer won the contract, nor the income to go along with it. Simply speaking, she, um..." he stutters nervously
"She snubbed them." I whisper
"I will correct her mistake at once. She had no idea" I say
"How could you have?" he says giving me a gentle smile
"How old are you Dylan?" I ask and he smiles
"21" he says nervously and I nod "Um...If i might ask you what is your age?" he asks and I dramatically stop dead in my tracks
"How dare you ask a woman her age" I say and I watch his face pale and he starts stuttering
"I'm joking" I whisper and I watch the relief cross his face
"Thank God" he says grabbing his chest
"I'm 19" I say and he looks at me with shock on his face
"I didn't realise you were so young I mean I have heard you are travelling with only the 3 Graces your parents must miss you" he says and I feel a sad smile fall across my face
"My parents are not alive unfortunately" I say and he gently nods his head in understanding
"My father is deceased as well, I am sorry for your loss" he says and I watch as he stops in front of a building
"Well looks like this is our stop" I say with a smile
"Would you like to come in?" he asks and I look back down at a sleeping Ada gently passing her back to him
"Unfortunately not, I believe if I stay any longer the Duke of Windsor will come and make a fuss" I say and he looks down nervously
"Are you and the Duke close?" he asks and I nod
"I guess in a sense" I say and he nods again
"Well goodnight Dylan I must say I am very glad to have an ally here" I say and he nods as I turn around to leave
"Adelaide?" he asks and I spin back to face him
"Yes?" I ask
"Just if you ever need anything a friend or just someone to talk too Ada and I are here" he says and I smile before I walk up to him and a press a kiss to his cheek
"Thank you a lot" I say and I look back to see him blushing. Finally I turn around and leave to head back home.