“Remarkable” said Sir Thomas as he waved a letter in his hand. “It would seem that his lordship the Earl of Waterford has decided that he needs to settle the matter of honor at the earliest convince,” he continued “Indeed husband I would have thought that you would be most pleased at this communication,” said Lady Ann.

“I will answer his letter directly I will also have to ask James to act as my second,” said Sir Thomas. “Pray why does that man in the Earls livery wait?” asked Lady Ann. “He has instruction from his lordship to wait for a reply, his lordship will be in Town till the end of next week and will be able to wait upon me on any day the following week I will write to him this instant I think Friday fortnight will be suitable,” said Sir Thomas.

“As you will sir you know best,” said Lady Ann Sir Thomas left the drawing room to go and write the letter to the Earl of Waterford. Lady Ann pondered for a moment then taking from a draw in the bureau inn and paper she began to write a letter of her own

Your Lordship,

I have thought long upon a certain matter and beg your indulgence... she began. Sir Thomas in the mean while had been writing his own letter when he returned he found Lady Ann gone and the messenger seated in the kitchen eating a small meal. Handing the letter over he watched as the man finished his meal and left.

“Sir Thomas and Lady Ann were in the drawing room he writing again she contemplation with a knowing smile some great matters which was playing upon her mind.

“Missive

To Captain James Aubrey
Great Witham
Surrey

From Sir Thomas Sterley
Oakland Park
Surrey
Saturday 18th March 1816

Dear James,
I fear that I must call upon you to stand once more as my second in the matter of his lordship the Earl of Waterford.
I have given him to understand that Friday fortnight would be a suitable time for him to wait upon me here at Oakland’s I believe that every thing can be arranged with the greatest circumspection. I think that we can arrange for doctor Barry of Notheringay to attend the field of honor and render any service which matters might arise from the settlement of the debit of honor.

I await your replay by return of post

Your obedient Servant
Thomas Sterley

Missive
From Sophia Aubrey
Great Wisham
Surrey

Dearest Papa,
I have just this moment come away from James’s bedside the doctor is hopeful for his recovery after eating some thing the other day while visiting the Reverend and Mrs. James.

I fear that James has begged me to write and express his most sincerely regrets that he is quite unable to wait upon you as a second in the matter between yourself and the Earl of Waterford.

The doctor has forbidden him from rising from his bed until he is completely recovered

James has expressed his sorrow for been unable to be of service to you and begs that you will not consider this as a slight for he is quite unwell. The doctor has bleed him and is hopeful for his recovery however he has stated that it will take time

Your Loving daughter
Sophia


“Remarkable, most remarkable I was not even aware that James was feeling poorly,” said Sir Thomas. “I have not heard of it what is amiss,” asked Lady Ann. It seems that some malady has affected James and he has taken to his bed,” said Sir Thomas.

A servant entered and announced a visitor “Mr Watson” said the servant. “Pray let him step in” said Sir Thomas his countenance lightening for here was an occasion to ask of the young man a service.

“Good day Sir Thomas I trust that you are well?” said Harry Watson “Indeed I am quite well and I hope that you have had a good result to your efforts?” asked Sir Thomas. “Indeed I have the most wonderful news the fair lady was much impressed and has expressed a wish that I call upon her and her father at an early convenience.

“I am exceedingly glad for it” said Sir Thomas pray may I ask a service of you?” enquired Sir Thomas. “I would be glad to be of service to you in any way that suits you Sir,” said Harry.


“Pray step this way,” said Sir Thomas as he lead the younger man away to the library to discuss the matter of acting as his second.

“Lady Ann had of late been very cold towards her husband the letter in his hand had startled her much. She was not a woman to be trifled with and had already set in motion the beginnings of a plan which if truth be told would have frightened Sir Thomas so much that he would have fretted and not slept a wink for Lady Ann would have her revenge she was a woman scorned she who was of an old and noble family would not let any man least of all her husband tread upon her heart for she had loved him through many trails and tribulations she had eaten humble pie and had always as the good book instructed a wife to be a meek and obedient wife but this latest insult was some thing she could not bear.

It was not that she had not had the opportunity to be unfaithful to him indeed in her youth and as a newly wed wife of a naval officer there had been many opportunities for her to have a dalliance but she had risen above every attempt at conquest from the males of the species for she considered such dalliances unseemly her honor meant much to her even though there had been times when she had been very lonely while her husband had been away at sea. Lady Ann’s temperament was not suited for unfaithfulness, thus she was unable to understand the latest infidelities of her husband for had she always tried to be most accommodating to what ever he desired?

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