Written and edited with the collaboration and inspiration of a good friend and favourite naughty mouse.


Sir Richard Grey was taking his afternoon walk one glorious summer’s day, strolling down the lanes a few miles from his estate. As he approached a cross roads around the corner, a young lady came riding side saddle. Her horse was startled to see him, and reared a little, but she brought him under control quickly with a few flicks of her riding crop.
“Sir, do you make it a habit of yours to disturb riders while you are strolling out”?
“Young miss surely you should be taking more care, have you never been given proper instructions in how to behave”.
The young lady looked upon Sir Richard in a haughty manner, stating to him that she had attended one of the country’s finest schools for young ladies. Sir Richard stated that maybe she should ask her father to send her to the Grange tomorrow for further instructions. Again she replied in a haughty manner, that her father had died during a voyage to the African colonies.
“Well I’m sorry to hear that young miss, but you should ask your mother then, I will expect you for luncheon before the staff are dismissed for the weekend”.
“Your name sir then I may attend, but I would know your name first”.
“Sir Richard Gray, young miss tell your coachman to bring you to the grange”.
Sir Richard turned on his heels and strolled off without a backwards glance. The young lady narrowed her eyes and continued on her way.
The next day as noon was approaching a carriage arrived at the entrance to the grange; Sir Richard was waiting for it at the doors, he had dismissed most of his staff; the carriage halted and the coachman helped two ladies down from it.
“See Lillian Sir Richard is awaiting us, I told you he was a gentleman, Sir Richard I am here as you requested, but mamma insisted I bring along a chaperone, so my cousin has kindly agreed to attend with me”.
“Well young miss that meets with my expectations of you, but surely you should allow me to know your name”.
“How amiss of me, I am the Lady Charlotte”.
“Well ladies come in and you may dismiss your coachman, I will have mine return you to your home when we have finished”.
Charlotte dismissed her driver and followed Sir Richard to the door; he held it open and escorted the ladies inside.