"Hard night, Reverend?"

"Dr. Raven and I had more than the others, I suppose. Where did he waddle off to?"

"I haven't the foggiest."

"I am never drinking again! I made a promise to the Lord when I woke up with this throbbing head and aching gut!"

"You'll stay for breakfast?"

"If I can use your facilities first. I do need to get cleaned up."

"I'm sure Mr. Ash has something that can fit you, if you need a change of clothing."

"You're a saint, Mrs. Peacock. Thank you. Oh, and congratulations on your newfound joy."

"Isn't she precious?"

"She sure was eager to run and get some exercise. Does anyone ride the horses?"

"Hugh's sister Margaret used to years ago. I'm not sure about Brenda or Fivel."

"Dr. Black wasn't much of a rider?"

"I never saw him climb up on a horse. Then again, I really didn't see him over the past twenty years..."

"I'll ride them every day."

"I'd love to give it a try."

"Sorry. Just the thought of a lady such as yourself on a horse gives me a chuckle."

"Watch yourself, Reverend. I invited you to breakfast, don't make me regret it."

"Oh, very well. I'll be off."

"You really want to learn how to ride?"

"S-Sure, why not?"

"Really? That sounds like so much fun!"

"It's not every day you get to try something brand new with your daughter."

"Oh, mamma! That makes me so happy."

"You certainly are affectionate."

"I always have been. Aren't you?"

"I was never much of a hugger..."

"Oh. I'm sorry. I can tone it down..."

"No, it's fine! I don't mind with you, dear."

"You try the one I just rode. She's gentle and a bit worn out from the run we just had. I'll saddle up this big boy and give him a try."

"Good girl."

"How am I getting... up there."

"Well, it's a good think you are wearing pants!"

"Dear, these are brand new - only one boutique in Pratton that sells authentic labels. These are hardly fit for horseback riding."

"Would you like to go change? I can wait."

"Well..."

"At least I'm wearing my flats."

"I told you heels don't work in a stable."

"I'm glad I listened."

"You did it!"

"I've never been out to this end of the field. It's beautiful. Look at the way the trees separate and thicken as they go downhill."

"It's beautiful out here. I'd love to explore the woods. Are the trails large enough for the horses?"

"You'd have to ask Mr. Ash. Some of the trails are overgrown. Others are just worn into the ground from frequent footsteps."

"We could ask Mr. Ash and take the horses out later today."

"I'll take a pass on that. It's dreadfully uneven out there. Especially around the lake with all the tree roots."

"I'm a farm girl. I'm used to the uneven ground beneath my feet. Fitting, I suppose, seeing how my life turned out."

"Tell me about your home. I want to know about your life there. What kind of childhood did you have?"

"There isn't much to tell. It was a typical Georgia farm. Hot, sweaty. Livestock and crops mainly. Chickens, pigs, horses - corn, soybeans, cotton. My daddy comes from a rich family. He was knighted for his bravery during the war."

"He's a military man?"

"Not a formal war, and I suppose it wasn't a formal knighting."

"I see..."

"It's still a story to hear. He assisted in the burning down of a slave-owner's plantation and helping get all of the former slaves enough money and jobs to start lives. There's an annual festival in honor of the men and women that fought to burn that place to the ground."

"He sounds like a nobel man."

"When I found out about my adoption, I wasn't angry. It made me love him more. He has always been the man who takes people in and loves them and helps them grow up and move on to better things."

"I'd love to meet him one day."

"It's made me so happy. I haven't had an easy year. I lost my boyfriend, Hunter."

"Oh, my dear. I'm terribly sorry."

"It took me a while to get over it. But once I did, I realized that the people that leave us are never really gone if we continue to tell the stories of the good times we had together. They live on in those happy retellings."

"I loved your father, Amelia. I really did. I was obsessed with him for years after he left me. We would have had a beautiful life together - if things were different."

"I've been thinking about that often. Lately it's all that goes through my head when I'm trying to fall asleep. What it would have been like living in that big mansion with you and daddy. Growing up there with brothers and sister. Going to school. Riding horses out here. Swimming in the pool..."

"The farm was a good life for me because it kept my mind busy. I didn't have time to sit and feel sorry for the things I longed for in life."

"Hell, I didn't really have an idea of how big I could dream."

"I'm sorry, Amelia."

"Don't apologize. We're here now. That's all that matters. Pain makes us stronger. It makes us who we are. I could have been a spoiled little bitch with a posh accent if I grew up with mansions, money, and servants."

"Butler! I need poached eggs, salmon, and cranberry jam on toast."

"I'll run to the kitchen and see what I can do."

"See what you can do? My daddy said that Blackwell Grange is known for it's excellence and ability to cater to every whim. Don't see what you can do. Bring me what I asked for."

"Are your parents joining us for breakfast?"

"How should I know? Daddy was up late last night."

"Dr. Orchid is taking her breakfast in her room. She's a bit head-sick from the drinking last night."

"There was drinking last night? Why wasn't I invited?"

"A small group of us toasting to Hugh's memory."

"And to our futures! Don't forget that part."

"Jesus, I barely remember what empty promises I made."

"Something about your book. I don't remember."

"At least some people here know how to have a good time. Don't forget to me know next time."

"Unfortunately, Mrs. White isn't a skilled cook. We are using our late cook's cookbook to cook with."

"Stop talking. If you say cook one more time, I'm going to scream. Am I getting my poached eggs, or not?"

"Unfortunately, no."

"This is just great!"

"I can have Mrs. White hard boil some eggs."

"Don't bother. I'm going down to your local café to get some real food. I'm sure they'll be serving brunch by the time I get there since you have the longest goddamn driveway in the world."

"Morning Daddy, Mummy. Don't bother asking for anything edible. All they are serving is this motel food..."

"What was that all about?"

"I'm afraid we are short-staffed and have no official cook. So dining is a bit of a mess until the will is straightened out and we can fill out the staff properly again. There is a buffet style of eggs, bacon, sausage, and cheese covered hash browns."

"And toast?"

"There is rye, white, and wheat for toast. A selection of jams and preserves."

"Marmalade and crackers?"

"I do believe there is an untouched jar in the pantry. I'll go check."

"Is this all the fresh fruit you have?"

"The market was mostly cleared out when I got there this morning, ma'am. I am sorry."

"Well, you have to get there early to get the good things."

"That is excellent advice, ma'am."

"Ash, while you're in the kitchen, put another pot of coffee on."

"Of course, sir."

"Fix me more rye toast. Strawberry jam. And that coffee when you get to it."

"Right away, sir."

"How did everyone sleep?"

"I slept like a baby! Those mattresses are so soft. And the linens are too. I'm going to have to ask Mrs. White where they got theirs and have some shipped back home. Ours have always felt a little course."

"Good morning, Reverend. I hope you slept well! I certainly did."

"I spent the night in a barn. Haven't done that in many years."

"I told you not to sit down on the ground. You weren't going to get back up."

"I needed to rest."

"He was in the old buggy in the Carriage House pretending to steer horses a few hours before dawn."

"How juvenile."

"Moonshine brings out the kid in all of us."

"I don't partake in anything that influences my judgement immaturely."

"And you are always the life of every party."

"How are you doing, Colonel? I've heard you are quite fond of the poker tables and speakeasys."

"I'm doing just well, Lord Alfred. And yourself?"

"Indifferent."

"Reverend Green and I for some skeet shooting after breakfast. You are welcomed to join us, unless you are worried a bit of fun may impair your judgement."

"Heavens! I didn't agree to that, did I? I have to get down to the church."

"Just a couple shots, Reverend."

"Oh, the secretary can let people in if they want to light a candle. A few shots can't hurt."

"At any rate, Colonel, I will not be joining you. I have more pressing, serious matters to attend to."

"Yes, yes, of course! You are such a busy busy important man."

"Your leg will be fine after we get some ice on it."

"It was easier getting on than getting off. The horse wouldn't stop moving around. I wouldn't have fallen if she stayed still!"

"You spooked her because you wouldn't stop screaming."

"I suppose I did overreact a tiny bit?"

"A tiny bit?"

"I do not sound like that!"

"Vivienne, are you okay?"

"Greyson's dead."

"What? How?"

"It was an accident..."

"Goodness! Are you alright?"

"Who the hell are you?"

"Sorry. I didn't mean to barge in. Hi. I'm Amelia Peach. Patricia's daughter. I haven't met you yet, I don't think."

"Vivienne, please. Talk to me."

"Are you just going to ignore me? Vivienne, please. I need to talk to you. What happened?"

"I really don't want to talk to anyone right now. Especially not you - Definitely not you..."

"Oh, Jesus. I didn't mean to run you over. Oh, look at you! You look terrible. What happened?"

"I fell overboard... watched a man drown... I..."

"What? Oh, shit! You're serious..."

"Alright, well we need to get you cleaned up. You are leaving sand all over the floor. That stuff never cleans up. Come on, let's go."

"I really don't need a friend right now. Please, just leave me alone."

"I'm not your friend, I just can't stand seeing messy people around me. And besides, I hate eating alone. I'm going to the café, since this place is apparently a hotel for vampires from 1818 and nobody knows how to make a simple poached egg. Let's get you cleaned up and get a hot meal in you. You can tell me about the horrible night you had or you can just sit there silent and sad. I really do not care. Like I said, I just hate eating alone."

"Okay."

"You shower yourself off and get all pretty smelling. I'll look through your clothes and pick out something acceptable for you to wear."

"My husband will meet you in the lobby of Aquatine Vistas. The train ride shouldn't be more than two hours."

"And then I'm to report straight back to Hotel O'Range?"

"Yes. Mr. O'Range and Ms. Greenfield don't know you are doing this. Mr. Egret and I will keep Baron Bronze occupied all afternoon until you get back."

"Why don't they know about this?"

"Trust me, Joseph. You are going to come out on top of all of this."

"You better get to your seat."

"What d'you want?"

"I'm here to talk to your mother."

"She ain't gonna talk t'you."

"You best get walking back 'fore we make good on our promise last night."

"Haven't had a good burnin' in a while."

"Just let me speak with her. I think I can offer her a unique advantage."

"I don't think you heard what happened last night, mister."

"No, I listened very closely. And I'm looking to make amends. I am not as head-strong as Dante Egret. I'm willing to listen and come to a compromise that everyone likes."

"We don't compromise. We set the rules and we put our foot down if anyone challenges those rules."

"The worst she can say is no."

"Go on. Get yourself killed."

"You must have a death wish if you've come onto my land. What do you want, Mr. Green."

"O'Range still wants to do business with you."

"Did he tell you that himself? Have you spoken with him since our conversation last night?"

"No. But I know what he wants."

"You know nothing about Mr. O'Range."

"I know that he is a man that likes to prove a point. He's a man that likes to make money."

"Oh, Mr. O'Range is going to be making a lot of money very soon, Mr. Green. And your blood will be all over that money."

"I don't think so."

"I'll tell you what, Mr. Green. You see to it that this last shipment is received and sold smoothly without any complications and I will consider a private meeting to discuss your... how did you put it? Manners and business experience, was it?"

"I won't let you down, Ms. Greenfield. I'm a go-getter."

"Then go and get it done."

"One more thing, before I go."

"Dante Egret is not to be trusted."

"Thank you, Mr. Green. If you'll make your way off of my property. Oh, and tell Baron Bronze that if he ever gives out my personal information or home address to anyone else, he won't have a home or oil field to come home to."

"Bronze didn't tell me where you live. I'm a Green. Jasper and O'Range may be the loudest voices in this business, but don't forget that my family has been around since the beginning."

"I haven't forgotten your roots, Mr. Green. I also haven't forgotten the wedding between Lyman Green and Georgia Black - the massacre which cut the size of your family down to only you, your father, and his priest brother."

"Maybe I'll pop out a couple of kids before I die."

"You're a funny man, Mr. Green. It will get you killed."

"Good day, Ms. Greenfield."

"Is she settled in?"

"She didn't get back to the hotel until after three o'clock in the morning last night."

"She probably went to the Grange."

"You'll have to speak up, Kadin."

"She probably went home. She's going to get caught."

"She's visited Blackwell Grange dozens of times over the better part of a decade.

"That is my point. She is supposed to be dead. She doesn't need to be anywhere near that place!"

"The last time I heard from my sister, she said no one was suspicious."

"That was before Brenda killed those people. No one knows what thoughts are racing through their heads behind closed doors. Colonel Mustard could have told them the truth years ago."

"The woman that took the fall for Brenda is facing her trial soon. Colonel Mustard cares more about his life and own safety than he does about honesty. Everything will fall into place. Calm yourself, Kadin."

"But what about the will? If the wrong person inherits, then Blackwell Grange will fall anyway. Would anything we've been doing mean anything?"

"I'm some other third-party manages to steal Blackwell Grange from under Benedict Black's nose, then far be it for me to stand in their way."

"Hugh Black is dead. Brenda is hiding away somewhere safe. Isn't that enough of a victory for now? We really shouldn't rush things."

"Your love for that woman has cost so many lives, Your Highness."

"So be it."

"If you love her, you'll protect her. It's only a matter of time before someone sees her coming and going. She cannot go there anymore."

"I'm sorry, Your Highness, but Kadin is right. Margaret can't go rogue anymore. We have been lucky. The days ahead are going to be the most important. One small screw up could set us back indefinitely."

"There is no controlling Margaret. She does whatever she wants. She always has."

"She could have brought us something other than baked beans and canned fruit."

"It was nice of her to bring anything at all."

"I'd still prefer some meat. How long had it been since you'd seen her, anyway?"

"About a year. I never know if it's going to be the last time I see her each time she leaves... It's not the best way to feel about your own mother... but it's... I'm use to it... or getting used to it still."

"You really care about her?"

"She has always cared about me. I can't think of a time where she hasn't been there for me."

"Except for those eight or nine years when she settled down in America with Sam Boddy and gave you a little brother."

"I had my own things going on around that time."

"What about right now? She isn't exactly here for you in this cabin. She's in a comfy hotel with Prince Charming."

"My mother did was was best for me under the circumstances."

"I just don't see how someone can justify all the lying and deceiving. People have died over this..."

"And people will keep dying until Alfred Gray and Benedict Black are dead and their legacy is in ashes."

"Are you acting like you've never lied and deceived anyone, Captain Cherrywood?"

"I'm a con artist - true and proud. But you are a mother-figure and you are concerned for Fivel. Why else would you ask me to check on him?"

"Took you long enough to get changed."

"It's terribly bright out here."

"Come on, let's go."

"Go? Where are we going?"

"You are going home. Then I am signing some paperwork and settling another financial matter."

"I've bought a place to live in town."

"Oh, really? You've taken a liking to Pratton?"

"God, no! The brownstones are cheap, however."

"Then why are you staying..."

"The same reason I payed your bail. I am going to stop at nothing until you are the owner of Blackwell Grange and the Black Family Fortune."

"... you've talked to my father?"

"Benedict would never allow you to be in charge. I'm working on something with a crooked lawyer that will ensure our success."

"Is there a problem, Professor?"

"Forgive me, but I can't help but worry..."

"There is nothing to worry about. I'm on your side, Professor."

"Yes, and you were on John's side too until you quickly and inexplicably abandoned him."

"What do I have to gain from betraying you?"

"What do you have to gain from assisting me in my ascension to riches?"

"We both have similar tastes. Science, medicines, experiments, botany, chemistry..."

"That stuff is all behind me. Hugh ruined my taste for discovery."

"Professor..."

"I feel I would be better use in the museums. My knowledge of Egyptian and Sumerian timelines can be both astonishing and overwhelming."

"That's all good and well... but we both know your time in at the British History Museum has ruined your taste for archeology."

"My time... yes there were some issues with the old curator. He has a strong prejudice against me. But it was all baseless slander with no real merit."

"Sir Ube reported you almost made a killing in Paris when you produced what you swore were the missing appendages of the Venus de Milo."

"What do you want, Dr. Orchid?"

"You are out of options. You have burnt all your bridges. It is time to consider what type of future you want to have. I've given you a second chance a freedom. Perhaps we can work together for each of us to have a chance at riches?"

"You want the Black Fortune?"

"No, darling. I want to be your bride."

"I don't exactly... care for women."

"Yes, that much is obvious by the way you act, dress, and talk. Open your eyes, Professor. When is the last time someone in your family has married for love? We marry for power. We marry for the money that is rightfully yours."

"Is this the same proposal you gave to John?"

"Fine, turn it down. Turn away all that money. How long do you suppose Sir Benedict will let you stay in Blackwell Grange? What if he isn't able to claim Blackwell Grange? These things can get tied up in court, you know..."

"I am going to walk back home. Thank you for paying my bail, Dr. Orchid. I will pay you back for your gratitude. But unfortunately, the life you are offering isn't something I need. I am going to take care of my father in his ripe, old age and I will have a simple, comfortable life. Perhaps I'll start a collection."

"You know where to find me when you change your mind."

"Yes, your new place in the brownstones."

"Good bye, Professor."