Follow the woodland path.

Leaving the gentlemen behind with their maps and discussions, you followed one of the narrower paths that disappeared between the trees.

The woodland surrounding Kingsmere Hall was unlike the carefully arranged gardens near the house.

Here, nature had been allowed to grow freely.

Ancient trees stretched high above you, their branches forming a canopy that softened the morning sunlight. The sounds of the hunting party gradually faded until only birdsong and the occasional rustle of leaves remained.

For the first time since arriving at Kingsmere Hall, you found yourself completely away from the expectations of service.

No orders to anticipate.

No conversations to observe from the edges of the room.

Just the quiet of the estate.

You had wandered only a short distance when you noticed another figure ahead.

Lady Charlotte Ashcombe stood beside a small wooden gate at the edge of the path, looking out over the fields beyond.

She appeared surprised when she noticed you approaching.

"Mr. Thomas."

"My lady."

A small smile appeared on her face.

"I suppose I should not be surprised to find someone else escaping the gentlemen's endless discussions."

You glanced back towards the clearing.

"I feared I might be missed."

"I imagine they will survive without you for an hour."

There was a playful warmth in her voice that you had not heard during the formal introductions of the previous evening.

"You enjoy these walks?"

"I do."

She looked back towards the trees.

"I have known these grounds my entire life. Yet somehow I still find places I have never noticed before."

"That seems unlikely."

"Does it?"

She smiled.

"People often assume that because this is my home, I must know every corner of it."

She rested a hand lightly against the wooden gate.

"But a house this old always keeps something hidden."

The words lingered for a moment.

There was something almost wistful in the way she said them.

"You must have many memories here."

"I do."

Her expression softened.

"Some wonderful ones."

She looked towards the distant hills.

"And some that remind me that a place can change even when the walls remain the same."

You waited, but she did not elaborate.

Instead, she turned back towards you.

"Do you enjoy working for Sir Edward?"

The question caught you slightly off guard.

"I do, my lady."

"He speaks highly of you."

"He does?"

"Very much so. He is not a man who gives praise lightly."

You looked down briefly, unsure how to respond.

"I simply try to do my duty."

"I think that is exactly why he values you."

For a moment, the conversation became quieter.

Not uncomfortable. Just different.

Less like a servant speaking to his employer's friend.

More like two people sharing a moment away from everyone else.

"I sometimes wonder what it would be like," Charlotte said after a pause, "to experience the world beyond places like this."

"You wish to leave Kingsmere Hall?"

She considered the question.

"Not leave."

She smiled.

"Just see more of what exists beyond it."

The answer seemed to surprise even her.

"My father has always been kind to me. I have every comfort one could ask for."

Her fingers brushed against the wooden gate.

"But comfort and freedom are not always the same thing."

After af while, the distant sound of voices carried through the trees.

The hunting party was beginning to gather again.

Charlotte glanced back towards the sound.

"I suppose our hour is nearly over."

"It would seem so."

She offered you a gentle smile.

"Thank you for the company, Mr. Thomas."

"The pleasure was mine, my lady."

She turned to follow the path back towards the others.

After a few steps, she looked back.

"I hope we have another chance to speak like this."

Then she continued through the trees.

You remained where you stood for a moment longer.

You felt as though you had learned more about Lady Charlotte Ashcombe in that hour than you had during the entire formal gathering of the previous evening.