Lenore sat under a large oak in a clearing hidden by foliage. Her numerous skirts were tucked around her comfortably. Her eyes roamed over the bushes and trees surrounding the clearing. No one would find her out here any time soon, as no one would be able to see her.

She couldn’t believe Pierre’s audacity! To even suggest that she had acted like anything less than a lady was absolutely preposterous. Today, due to the Duke’s and Duchesses’ visit she had been on her best behavior. Her manners had been splendid.

But, of course, that had not been enough for Pierre. Ever since Father had died, Pierre (as her elder brother) had taken it upon himself to become her father figure - and that included the scoldings. That was the reason she had run out the house; he had just infuriated her when he pulled her aside before the meal and told her what to do. Sit up straight and proper like a lady should. Do not speak out of turn, if you must speak at all. And of course she knew this dinner meeting was very important to him, so she followed his instructions to her best. But Pierre just couldn’t leave it alone, and he had nudged her leg under the table all through dinner, and the worst thing was, after the meal, after the Duke and Duchess left, he pulled her aside again and scowled as he told her everything went wrong because of her. It was infuriating! He was infuriating!

“Oh!” She fumed aloud, scowling to herself. She turned her head when she heard a sweet little birdsong coming from the bush next to her. A sparrow rested on a thin branch, cocking its head at her and singing, it seemed, to her. She smiled.

“O, little sparrow. Would that I had a carefree life such as yours, and needn’t worry over complications such as this insufferable brother of mine.” The sparrow looked at her, stilling its movements. It hopped onto her arm, then into her hand. She stroked its head lightly and it chirped. She smiled. “Can you believe my brother thinks I acted unladylike?” The sparrow simply stared up at her.

Lenore frowned suddenly, wanting to hurt the sparrow and transfer all her hurt and frustration with Pierre into its little body. She wanted to do something she had seen the young boys do, to break the little bird’s wings, pull its head off, and laugh as its body twitched on the ground and the blood seeped into the earth and stained the grass scarlet.

But no. That would most definitely not be ladylike. She sighed again and nudged the sparrow out of her hand. “Off you go, now.” The sparrow chirped at her one last time and hopped off her outstretched arm and back onto the bush. Lenore stood and shook out her skirts, shaking her head at how cumbersome they were. After some straightening and smoothing, Lenore walked out of the clearing. She marked some trees on the way back, wanting to bring James out here sometime. It was a nice secluded spot, away from prying eyes. It was perfect. Because she had to uphold her ladylike image, of course.