"The solicitor is here to see you, milady."

My recent discovery of poor Lieutenant Angarano, and his subsequent confinement in my home left me with no choice but to ask that the solicitor visit me at Ravens Landing, rather than travel to his offices. Mister Warren arrived precisely at ten o'clock, making me grin and think of Herr Naumen's obsession with punctuality. Alas, he had returned to Germany, and with him, my lessons; but I had resolved to maintain the practice.

"You are in good spirits, Baroness. That is a relief."

I looked at him curiously and gestured that he should follow me outside. "I thought we might take some tea in the sun and fresh air. And seeing as you appear rather tense, I think that is a very good idea, indeed." I turned, hoping to replace his somber expression with amusement, but saw no change. Not a good sign, I thought.

Finally settled, a steaming cup before each of us, he began. "I have spent the entire journey trying to think of a way out of this, but as there appears to be none...." he paused "Forgive me, let me start at the beginning."

I leaned forward, my expression now as solemn as his, as it appeared that less than happy news was on the horizon. Noting my change in demeanor, he raised a hand, "Everything is.... is alright, Baroness. There has been, well, something of a discovery, which changes your position, but all is not lost."

The disclaimer failed to bring me relief and I sat looking at him, waiting.

"When we met some time ago, I was assured that the Baron had been quite successful, and that has not changed. However, we did find some..." his lips curled into an uncomfortable sneer "... other business dealings of a rather distasteful nature."

I sat, dumbfounded as Mister Warren detailed the treasonous acts of the Baron during the early stages of the colonies' revolution. He had set up a trade under the auspices of attaining provisions for the regiment, and all the while, he had been stockpiling weapons for the rebels.

I grew pale.

Mister Warren continued, "As such, under a writ of attainder, all of the estate of the Baron is being posthumously seized." I recoiled at the use of the word "attainder", the corruption of blood.

Before I could ask the question, Mister Warren consoled me "You have no involvement in this, but your title will of course be removed. As your father is a Duke, you shall revert to Lady Olivia, no mar or mark on your name or that of your parents..." Thankfully, he let the last of it remain unspoken.

The wind kicked up momentarily, sending leaves twirling and rattling. I sat, listening as he spoke of meeting with Papa, and that they had seen to the removal of my personal belongings from the estate at Portsmouth. I turned, looking out at the hills, seeing the shadows reach for the water's edge and sighed.

Mister Warren had done what he came to do. He apologized profusely, asking if there was anything in particular that he might do for me. I looked at him, then beyond him, upwards to the window of the room where Lieutenant Angarano rested and thanked him as gracefully as the moment would allow.

The solicitor gathered his things, bowing deeply "My lady...."

As he walked toward the house, I turned to look at the water. I was back to square one: in need of a husband, and an heir.

I reasoned that I was not worse off. I was being extricated from the soiled grasp of the Baron for good, and forever.

It dawned on me that I was sorry he was dead. I would have enjoyed seeing him hanged.