My afternoon of studying is interrupted by the rumbling of a coach pulling up to the house. Elspeth alights from the interior, looking a little travel-weary, but beautiful as always. She looks around a bit before approaching the front door. Looks like my time for quiet study is about to be cut short.

I put down a book on the medicinal properties of herbal poisons, being careful to mark the chapter on wolf's bane, also known as monkshood being used to treat the insane. If I don't get information on my malaise from my father’s tomes, at least my patients will benefit. I exit the library, and make my way to the front door, reaching to top of the grand stairs in the foyer in time to hear Elspeth say, “"I would dearly love to go have a lie-down, Edmund. Will you show me to my room?"

I start down the stairs, saying, “Wouldn’t you rather that I show you your room, my sweet? See to Miss Elspeth’s bags Edmund.” I get two opposite reactions from the 2 in the foyer. Elspeth’s face lights up and she beams at me. She runs up half a flight of stairs to meet and embrace me on the landing. Edmund only looks on sourly.

“I missed you so much, I just couldn’t stand being without you for another day. I hope you’re not mad a me for coming so soon!” Elspeth pouts prettily at me, and I kiss her resoundingly on the lips.

“Of course not, my dear. I was going to send for you in another day or two anyways.” I smile at her, but all the while my mind is still on herbal medicine. “Now, let me show you to your rooms!” I turn and offer her my arm. She takes it, and we start up the rest of the stairs. I turn and pierce Edmund with a look over my shoulder. “Are you going to follow us with Elspeth’s trunks and bags?” I smile at his barely concealed anger at my treatment of him. He’s been far too long alone in this house. I love putting him back in his place as servant, not master of Drakesheath Hall. I return my attentions to Elspeth without waiting for a reply, “So tell me, how was the trip from London?”