Meet Herbert

Lily and I were sitting on the veranda when a maid entered.

"Mr Peters for you ma'am," she said, curtsying.

Lily blushed deeply.

"Send him in," she said.

A tall gentleman with brown eyes and blonde hair stepped into the veranda.

"Good evening, Miss Morgans and Miss Kingsley."

"Good evening Herb.. Mr Peters," said Lily, rising at his entrance.

"Good evening. How do your parents fare?" I said, also standing.

Herbert looked at Lily while he spoke.

"Very well. And I hope I find your parents in good health, Lily?" he asked.

"Do not speak in such an improper manner towards my daughter!" Lady Kingsley's voice boomed. "That's Miss Kingsley to you."

"Lady Kingsley," I said.

"Yes, sweet child," she said fondly.

"I was wondering if you would show me were Freddy is."

"Oh, yes, of course." She gave a hostile glance in Hebert's direction and led me out of the room.

We found Freddy on his small pony, receiving a riding lesson.

"Look at me, I'm riding!" he shouted at me when I arrived, jumping up and down in the saddle.

"Very good, Freddy," I said.

He dismounted, hurried over to me and gave me a big hug.

"So how are you?" I asked picking him up.

"I am good. Papa is coming home today!" he said.

John had left on a business trip to London and, as soon as a house for us was secured, we were going to be married.

A black mare trotted down the drive. I placed Freddy back on solid ground, and turned towards the rider of the mare.

"John!" I exclaimed.

John dismounted, smiling at me.

"Good to be home," he said, looking down at my face.

"Papa!" Freddy shouted exuberantly.

John gave Freddy a big hug, then instructed him to go prepare for tea.

"Herbert is here," I said, when Freddy had headed towards the house.

"What? He is here?"

"Yes."

"Good. I need to talk to that boy before he gets into trouble."

"What do you mean?"

"I ran into Edward Hornburg and Herbert yesterday."

"Herbert with Edward?" I asked, my voice somewhat worried.