Count Ellery stalked toward the tea house, seeking a break from the morning's tedious and exhausting amount of work. Yearlings needed schooling, several horses needed making, many more had to be sorted for future sales, the growing number of dogs to be managed, the clients attended to and yet he must make social appearances of pleasantries later tonight. The sleek Doberman bitch at his heel was just finishing the last of her training and he wanted to complete it in an unfamiliar setting. 

Ah tea was in sight! And maybe a light snack--his vivid blue eyes abruptly ascertained an exquisite morsel of feminine beauty and he slowed his walk to a saunter as he grew closer. Impeccably dressed in an eye-catching fashion and her jewels flashing in the sun, her accouterments were the perfect accents to a rare beauty. Classy, well bred and quite obviously a Lady of redoubtable nobility. His restless gaze caught for a brief moment at her clear brown eyes admiring the color like fine brandy and he smiled his appreciation. She was absolutely stunning! 

Anslem instantly removed his hat and bowed to the Baroness politely, "My Lady." he greeted her pleasantly before taking a seat facing Severine at the table adjacent to hers. With a signal to Snap, the dog dropped to lay by his feet and stared up at his face, waiting. The Count lay his hat on the table beside him and removed both gloves to neatly place them in his pocket. This would be decidedly awkward now to attempt training Snap when such a Lady was present, as it would put certain behaviors on display with the dog's training, not quite complete. There was a strong possibility that it could make him look bad in light of things, but the dog's problem behavior, could be ignored no longer-lovely Lady or not. 

Once she sat down, she pulled her shawl closer around her. Despite the sun being out for the day, the sharp Hiems air was still quite chilly. Her dress, though long-sleeved, was accented with lace and therefore let the cool in around her arms and chest. As she waited, she reached up idly to play with her necklace, moving the simple charm from one side to the other. When you were waiting for someone to do something, time seemed to slip by so slowly. After only a minute or so of sitting there, she was already glancing around impatiently to see where Monica was with the tea.

As she glanced about, she spotted a man with a dog walking toward the tables. They sat mostly empty, besides her, and she'd liked it that way. Adding someone, even just one man, was irritating enough. But some dirty mutt as well? Wonderful.

She might have rolled her eyes if she didn't meet his, striking blue catching her attention briefly, but more so because they seemed to be looking right back at her. His looks hadn't caught her attention initially, but once she'd given him a once over, she could see that he was objectively attractive. Certainly a catch compared to many of the other nobles, but less than exciting all the same.

When he approached, he removed his hat - which, at the very least, he knew his manner - and bowed to her. She nodded her acknowledgement to him as well, obviously not getting out of her seat, but leaning in just enough for it to be a respectful and polite greeting. "My lord," she responded, somewhat less pleasantly and more business-like. For a moment she thought he intended to sit with her, and she parted her lips, ready to object, when he took a seat across from her instead. The single snap brought her attention back to the dog, and she watched it for a few moments. It seemed well trained enough, she supposed. It did bring about the slightest of smiles to her lips, but she was thinking of other things that could be trained. Like the man.

"Here we are, my lady," Monica arrived shortly after, resting a teacup and saucer in front of her and another at the table where she intended to sit.

"Thank you, Monica," Severine said, her eyes meeting Monica's and then sliding back over to the man, specifically to draw the lady-in-waiting's attention to him.

"Oh, excuse me, my lord. How do you do?" She said in greeting, a quick curtsy before taking her seat to Severine's right. "Goodness, my lady. The line for tea was terribly long, I apologize for your wait."

"You couldn't possibly have helped it, Monica," Severine said, sipping at the tea. Not a single indication on her face would give it away, but once she sat the cup back down on it's saucer, she slid it somewhat away from her. "It is also unlikely that this is your fault, Monica, but they've given me the wrong tea."

Monica was mid-sip when her eyes grew wide and she immediately stood up. "I should have checked. I wondered why I could not smell the jasmine. My deepest apologies, my lady, I'll have them fix it right away."

"Ah, take yours as well, Monica, or it will be cold by the time you return. It's rather frigid today."

"Yes, of course."

Picking up both saucers, Monica returned to the cafe. A little embarrassed, Severine looked across the tables to the other man. "I apologize for the back and forth, my lord. I do hope we're not distracting you from your business."

The Lady's prompt response was proper but needed nothing more and he was glad for it as he had to get things done. As much as he would have loved to dally, this wasn't the time to linger over personal wants. 

Abruptly, a strange woman addressed him as though familiar and her arrival must be that she was a Lady in Waiting, doing her duty. Anslem was already in the process of standing and so he gave her the briefest of nods in acknowledgment. With the dog on a down stay, he left to purchase some bergamot black tea and toast and swiftly returned to bring it back to his table. 

And now to begin this tricky business. The dog had already started to drool at the mere scent of toast and he knew she'd live up to her name far sooner than later. Anslem broke off a piece of toast and held it in the flat of his hand by the side of the table, hovering carefully a foot above the dog's head. 

The moment the Lady's voice addressed him, his gaze went to her and he clasped his hand shut just in time. The dog snapped upwards rapidly at the food held just out of reach, her teeth grazing at the back of the man's hand again, trying to knock the food out. Anslem brought up his bleeding hand back over to the table, keeping it out of sight of the dog. He turned a blue eyed gaze on her, and kept his countenance vaguely pleasant. 

"No, of course not My Lady." He denied smoothly, though the torn hand and the Doberman's reaction were already proof positive of the direct opposite. One did not rub a Lady's nose in a faux pas; it simply wasn't done.

"My Lady, I am sorely remiss in introducing myself, and beg you to forgive me my rudeness. I am Count Ellery and it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He smiled politely, though his face flushed slightly at the situation. 

"I do rather suppose we all have our reasons to visit the Tea Shoppe today. And which particular one do I have to thank for you gracing me with your presence today?" 

Of course she'd interrupted him at the worst possible bloody moment! That's the very reason why he was here without his valet and the problematic dog. The Count took a soothing sip of hot black fragrant tea in his right hand and set it down again on the saucer. Dreadfully embarrassing to do in public but the dog had to be relied upon to obey no matter what. She was fine at home, with no strangers and in public with friends. But to combine her weakness with strangers in public, had to be challenged and mastered. He'd spent years of training in any animal he allowed near him on a daily basis and if their obedience was not as it should be, it was corrected instantly. 

"This one needs some correction on an issue that's almost gone excepting this circumstance in public, with unfamiliar people My Lady. Your mere presence is a great help." he explained, though there was no excuse for Snap's literal snap, other than bad manners. 

As he spoke, he leaned down toward the dog again with his left hand openly holding the bit of toast in his palm. The dog almost made it until it was in front of her nose and again, he closed his hand to a fist rapidly as she snapped at the out of reach food. She growled at the food held just out of reach and he gave a sharp, brief "EH!" in reprimand. 

This time, he moved his closed hand to just in front of the dog's nose and she stared at it until her eyes crossed. Slowly, he opened his hand half way and the dog tried to cram her nose into the hand to take the food. Again, he closed his bleeding hand but didn't move it, holding it steadily in front of her nose. This time Snap moved her nose back just a fraction, and Anslem opened his hand for the dog to instantly take the toast. Success! 

Normally Severine wouldn't have bothered to talk to the man at all, but his close proximity had reinforced the societal expectations of propriety. It was rude to distract someone else in public, and Monica's back and forth had surely done just that. And had done so much so that the dog he seemed to be attempting to train had snapped at some food in his hand and caused the man to bleed.

"Oh, goodness," she said, reaching for her napkin and bringing it up to her mouth as if she were a bit shocked by the display. "No, no rudeness at all, my lord," she said, sitting more upright in the chair so that she could give him (and the dog) her full attention. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Count Ellery. I am Baroness Snow. I merely wanted to get away from the crowded market. I do dislike fighting the flow of civilians, I much prefer a peaceful sit, but --" she frowned, replacing her look of disgust at the blood with a look of concern. "Are you quite sure you're alright? Doesn't your hand hurt?"

She looked down at the dog as he spoke of the correction she needed, and nodded. "I see. I've never witnessed a dog being trained before. You must be very devoted, to continue working at it even after being injured." She watched the dog from her own table while he went through the motions, opening and closing his hand until the dog was forced to do as he wanted her to do in order to get the bread. Finally it worked, and she exhaled a deep breath as if she'd been holding it for some time. "What a quick change, you're very good."

Standing up, she lifted a fresh linen napkin from her table and began to walk over, careful of the dog. "May I approach? You seem to have her very much under control." If he allowed her to, Severine would stand in front of Anslem's table and reach for his hand, hoping he would give it to her. "My brother was quite reckless as a child," she would say, wrapping the cloth carefully around his hand. "I had to do this for him many times." She covered the cut with the napkin and turned his hand over, palm up, to tie it. Then tucked the little knot inside so it would not prevent him from holding the bread in his hand. "There, now you won't be giving any squeamish ladies a shock. They'll faint right in the street, you know, and it will become a whole ordeal."

The Lady appeared distraught at the happenstance but there was naught to be done for it! Maybe if he tried to explain it to her? Perhaps. But there was something in her gesture of bringing the napkin to her mouth that caught his vivid blue eyes. The gracefulness of her hand? Was it her expression that was so appealing or the flawless skin that came only with the best breeding? Anslem thought it might be the entire picture of her demeanor-confident but not brash, feminine without artifice, that was what he saw. 

"Baroness Snow, while it is indeed a pleasure to make your acquaintance, I do beg your forgiveness at this unseemly display! Etiquette demands that I remove my gloves to touch food, but I cannot guard my hands with them while teaching the dog with food." Count Ellery flushed at being caught out of countenance so grossly. To have shown violence from his dog and injury in front of a Lady's sensibilities, was unforgivable! He'd thought that his hand was hidden by the table so his actions would not disturb anyone, but really there was no acceptable excuse!  

The Lady stood abruptly and Count Ellery swiftly rose to his feet as all gentlemen should and bowed courteously to her as she approached. 

"Oh no, Lady Snow, it's nothing, it's only a small scrape. I'm terribly sorry to have disturbed you so grievously. I could just put my glove back on.."

Bloody hell and bollocks! The Baroness might be nervous to approach Snap now, not understanding and this was the result that he knew would make the dog, and himself by extension, look very ill-mannered. The tall young man did his best to both dissemble and reassure her as quickly as possible.

"Snap is quite safe to approach, My Lady, you have my word." But while Anslem was blundering his apologies, the Lady had calmly and properly wrapped up his hand before he'd even realized it! Such self possession despite the awkward interactions, evidenced her as someone of true noble blood. 

"Thank you Baroness." he managed in polite reply to both the latter and former comments. Her smooth and calmly confident joke had him laughing despite the incident. 

"Well then indeed, you have saved the delicate sensibilities of all the gentler sex today with your good deed! May I buy you some more tea or perhaps a bite to eat My Lady?" His blue eyes stayed on her face as he spoke, drawn in by the scent of Jasmine and her playful tone.

Severine's gaze had softened by now, her polite smile returning quickly as he apologized again and again as etiquette might dictate him to do. Even standing as she stood, and bowing to her. "Please, my lord, there is no disturbance and nothing to forgive, but if you must ask it, I will certainly forgive you."

As he had assured her, the dog did nothing as she approached. In fact, she seemed quite at ease and laid there the whole time Severine wrapped his hand, merely watching and, the lady assumed, waiting for another morsel of food to be hovered in front of her nose. "You're very welcome, my lord. Now you do not have to sully such quality gloves." Her smile remained as she took a step or two back from him, a respectable distance, holding her hands neatly in front of her. "Snap, is that the hounds name? What a coincidence." A quiet, restrained laugh escaped her lips as she looked down at the now obedient pup, the chuckle a clear indication that she was attempting to break the tension, and his concern that he had somehow offended her. "I suppose I know now why you've given it to her."

Turning to see Monica approaching once more with two fresh cups of tea, she gestured to the table behind herself, the one she had been sitting at before, with her eyes alone. Monica understood the gesture and moved to sit down at the table without a word of interruption. Then Severine turned back to the man before her. "I already have tea, my lord, but I could not deny such a gracious offer. Perhaps a teacake to go along with my beverage? I will trust in your judgement for the flavor. Should you like to join me, you would be more than welcome."

Then, she looked back down at Snap and frowned, her lips protruding in somewhat of a pout. "Oh, but I've already forgotten that you were busy, Count Ellery. My apologies. Please do not feel obligated to do so. You've been more than fair."

"Indeed it is. She and her brother were snapping and snarling at each other while playing as puppies so that's how I named them. Now Snarl 'talks' a lot and Snap is a food hound." 

When the lady's maid returned, the Baroness commanded her with just a look and Anslem's esteem for her grew in consummate measure. Anyone could order someone about, but for both the employer and employee to communicate effectively, they didn't need to waste extra words. Another evidence of old money versus nouveau riche. Her manner with Monica reminded him strongly of his training with not just his staff, but the horses and dogs as well. You were either born to lead and command, or get out of the way so someone qualified could step in and get it done right.

His blue eyes gleamed at Severine's regal look and posture; her confident presence was proof positive that she was a force to be reckoned with, which he liked very much indeed. Her invitation to join her had him smiling with an almost predatory look and he glanced down at Snap. The dog stood and walked with him to the Baroness' table and Anslem kept a hand at his side to point at the ground near the extra chair. The Doberman lay down by the chair with half of her beneath the table and watched with an intelligent, steady gaze. 

He bowed to Severine and gave a courteous nod to Monica.

"I do hope to find something we can both enjoy Baroness Snow. And don't worry about Snap's training right now. She's on to the next step which she already knows well. She'll not bother anyone, Baroness. If you'll excuse me, I'll be right back." 

 Anslem left and returned with three plates of orange cake on a tray and another cup of tea with a tea cozy. 

"Hopefully you don't mind orange cake My Lady?" he asked as he sat, setting down the tray on the table with a smile. 

"Snap and Snarl," Severine repeated the names again as the right side of her lips quirked up into a little smirk. "That's rather adorable, my lord."

As Count Ellery settled the dog down by the chair he intended to take, Severine walked back around to take her own chair once more. Settling down in it, she resting her hands in her lap and glanced back up to the man as he continued. "If you say she'll not bother anyone, then I'll trust you. She does seem very well behaved, thanks to your training, no doubt." She nodded her head to him as he excused himself to retrieve their cakes, and Monica looked up to her with a smile as Severine took her teacup in her hand and lifted it to her nose.

"I do hope it was correct this time, my lady," Monica said.

"Indeed, it is" she replied as she breathed in the aroma of jasmine, but she put the teacup back down without taking a sip.

"He seems very upstanding, my lady," Monica added then, taking a sip of her tea.

"He does seem that way, doesn't he?" She glanced by the table to see the dog still sitting there, looking back at her calmly. Then she turned her eyes back on Monica, lifting a brow. The woman looked up and met her eyes, smiled, looked down, and looked back up again.

"Would you like me to sit elsewhere, my lady?" Monica said, already standing up.

"This table right behind us would be fine. You can still see and hear us, but you wouldn't be right between us."

"Of course, of course," she picked up her teacup and saucer and pushed her chair in, then moved to the table just behind them. She was literally still within arms reach, and was pulling her chair up and retrieving a book from her bag when Anslem returned.

"Orange is wonderful, thank you kindly, my lord," Severine said, inclining her head. "Oh, is the third for Monica? How kind of you. She wanted to read while we converse so she's moved just behind us. I hope that isn't too rude, Count Ellery?"

Once they were settled only then did she take the first sip of her tea. It had, by then, gotten a bit cooler, but it was still warm enough to be acceptable. A pleased sigh, just the slightest, pleasant noise, escaped her lips as she sat the teacup back on the table in front of her. "May I ask what you do for a living, my lord? Do you breed and train dogs, like Snap and Snarl?" She reached for the dainty fork and sliced a bite-sized piece of her cake, pulling the fork out through her closed lips slowly. "That is delightful, by the way," she commented after finishing chewing. "You chose well."

With marked aplomb despite the bandaged hand and recent incident with Snap, Count Ellery lifted the cozy from the small tea pot and the scent of Jasmine wafted enticingly from it. The silver tray held the heat of all the items on it, and displayed each one to perfection. Places like this were often patronized by nobles, so they knew the importance of presentation. Quality of food and service always guaranteed repeat customers to their establishment.

"I could not but help notice your overt tea preference Baroness, and do hope you'll find this hotter and more pleasant in these temperatures." 

His own cup had the black tea with Bergamot which suited him just fine. Graciously he nodded to Lady Snow's comment, placing forward the third plate closer to the women. New money might think of servants as temporary waiters but to the well bred, they were excellently paid caretakers who worked hard at being loyal and courteous to an extreme. Servants in upper class households were hired for their discretion and loyalty to their employers and simply weren't treated as some common scullery worker in the back of an eatery. It took years of training and caring on both sides to become a trusted servant in an elevated household. 

"It is very much my pleasure, Baroness Snow. Servants take care of us and we should always do likewise. It's most certainly not rude in the slightest." For just the briefest moment, his blue eyed gaze drifted casually to his Valet Reginald drinking a cup of tea and standing by the tea shoppe, looking like any other patron near the place, before returning his attention to the Lady before him.

Taking a sip of his own tea, it was impossible not to notice the small sound of happiness from the Baroness enjoying her own cup. Ah! Another tea fancier! There were very few things that a nice hot cup of tea wouldn't cure! Anslem responded swiftly to the Lady,

"I am the owner of Ellery Equines. In large part, I supply Destrier horses to the Marshall. The rest of the horses, I breed, own, sell, trade, train, teach riding and sell them. However all the dogs, I train and own, are for my own personal usage. Although I have given away a few horses and dogs as gifts, when their quality is merited to the bestowed." 

Anslem took a couple small bites of the orange cake before purposely dropping a piece to the ground, directly on top of Snap's paw.
"Wait." he said in a quiet but firm voice, glancing down at the dog by his chair. His face and eyes returned back to the Lady's face, watching the delicate display of her fine features.

"I feel remiss in not yet asking you, what it is that you do Baroness Snow? What particular activities most occupy your time?"

Lord Ellery listened to Severine as she spoke, and again turned to glance down at Snap. 
"Okay."

The Doberman snapped up the tempting piece of food, drooled and kept a steady gaze on Anslem as he returned his gaze fully back to the Lady before him.

When she'd first seen the teapot he brought out, she'd expected it to be for him. The orange teacakes had been more than enough, but when he refreshed her tea with a hot replacement, both brows lifted ever so slightly. "Count Ellery, you're very perceptive. I'm grateful to have my tea refreshed, thank you. It does warm the heart and soul on chilly, Hiems days, doesn't it?"

Severine took the plate with the third teacake and turned to pass it along to Monica. The woman quickly stood, bowing once again to Anslem. "I'm grateful for your kindness as well, my lord." She said as she took the plate, and returned to her seat at the table next to theirs.

Now that the three of them were settled with their respective teas and teacakes, Severine let her eyes meander back toward the bright eyed man. She allowed him to speak of his business and career, an expression of interest touching the corners of her mouth as she took one more sip of her tea and then rested the cup on it's saucer. "I apologize for not having heard of Ellery Equines before. In truth, I know little of horses and have interacted with them even less, but if you supply to any of the marshals than I'm certain I can assume that your horses are of the utmost quality in kind and training."

Cutting into the soft cake once again with her spoon, she took another dainty bite and once more waited to finish chewing it entirely before speaking again. "Is training horses and hounds very similar? I feel as though they are capable of having a similar demeanor. Both make wonderful companions, of course, but I'd never considered the possible similarities until just now. You've made me ponder something new, Count Ellery." The words were spoken as her smile grew, as if she were grateful to have even been given the idea.

"As for myself, I teach music. I'm proficient with the harp, the lute, the fiddle, the lyre, the flute, and the organ. Oh, and singing, of course. Most of my work consists of teaching the children of the nobility. I find that it brings a richness to their lives, and an appreciation for art in all of it's forms. Life would be so very dull without it." She took another sip of her tea, glancing at him over the rim of the cup, before turning her eyes back to the liquid as she sat her cup down. "I have very little time to spare thanks to my busy work schedule, but I do enjoy reading and painting in my spare time."

From her vantage point, she couldn't see the dog. It seemed to be listening to him just fine, though, now that he had corrected the singular behavior that had caused it to snap at him before. "I cannot imagine you would have very much spare time, my lord. I would think your work would keep your time in very high demand. Is that so?"

"Indeed it does Baroness." He answered smoothly, the conversation seemed to be going well enough until he saw the Lady's Maid bow like a man instead of curtsy like a woman. Keeping his countenance at such an unusual faux pas, he merely raised an eyebrow in Monica's direction. Peculiar for a woman not to even know how to curtsy, but most likely, she was just a nervous sort and it was dismissed from his attentions almost immediately. 

Ah the not so subtle flattery of trying to make polite conversation! She handled it gracefully, with what topics she had though. Count Ellery took a couple of quick, neat bites of the cake and set down the fork to reply.

"No need for apologies My Lady Snow. It would be rather difficult for one to know absolutely everything about everyone, now wouldn't it?"

He sipped his tea, lingering for a long moment over the rich hot scents of both his bergamot teas and her jasmine tea combined together. Her movements, deft and elegant, Anslem watched as she ate the dessert with feminine daintiness. His blue eyes remained on her face, as she spoke, liking the gently lilting tone of her voice. The gentleman stopped sipping his tea and thought for a bit on her insightful, intelligent comment and question, giving the Lady a second look. She was more than what she first appeared to be--just another lovely, titled, noble jewel; a finely dressed, well-mannered mindless trophy wife for the offering. Baroness Snow had a keen mind, and she was confident enough to show it. What a delightful surprise! In the tiresome circles of society were divided between the eccentric and the air headed space holders of rank and nobility--but not she. It was rare for a woman to be both beautiful and smart. He watched her eyes again and there was no mistaking a sharp intellect behind that lovely gaze. This woman appeared to be far more than met the eye at first glance and Anslem subconsciously leaned forward toward her a bit. His interest was piqued and it showed.

"Indeed My Lady, they are both mammals and as such, respond to many of the same instincts that I work to channel in both of them. The one main difference is that while horses are prey animals, dogs are most definitely not." He responded with an answering smile to hers. 

The next comment from her had him working to control his distaste at the word children. Vile disgusting inhuman heathens! And she subjected herself to them often? The woman must have the patience of a saint to do so! Was it purely a feminine interest to fawn over children or was it merely a societal role expected of a woman? Either way, the discussion of music itself was far more interesting. 

"You teach music? How admirable! Now that takes a bit of talent and diplomacy while being quite a challenge isn't it? How long have you been teaching? Do you prefer singing to any particular instrument?" 

Ah yes, reading and painting--an accomplished Lady, as she should be! So few actual Ladies existed any longer and he lamented it greatly. For a woman to speak a few languages and have knowledge of music and art were the hallmarks of an Accomplished Lady in every sense. His instinct to get to know her further had most certainly borne fruit. 

Anslem gave a genuine laugh in answer to her query and shook his head as he smiled in amusement.
"No My Lady, I don't find myself having much free time to spend as I would normally wish. This encounter though, has me glad that my time is so well spent in your charming company Baroness Snow."


 

Severine, too, had noticed her lady-in-waiting's mistake. To call her out and embarrass her in front of the Count would have been rude, of course, and might have made things awkward. Instead, Severine tucked it away for the time being. If there was no chance to defend the woman during the conversation, she would speak to her about it after Count Ellery left. For the moment, he hadn't spoken up about it. Severine was glad he hadn't, but as strict a man as he seemed to be about etiquette, she couldn't imagine it would have gone unrecognized.

"Yes, it would be difficult indeed, my lord," she said with the slightest chuckle, a sound that would be nothing if not smooth and pleasant to Anslem's ears, a bit like music itself. Naturally the woman was conscious of every noise she made. All sounds played a role in the opinions of others, no matter how quiet or loud.

"Oh, I believe I understand your meaning. As prey animals, they may be more easily unnerved or frightened, and being such large animals, I'm sure that sudden panic could bring harm to both you and the horse." She nodded, taking a short breath, clearly still in thought. "So you must make them feel very secure and safe in order to train them. Dogs are much more confident. Food would be their main concern, and you offer it during training, so their focus is easier to ensure.” She paused, a modest smile. “Well, if I got any of that correct at all, it's all very fascinating. I see why you would devote your life to them."

Drawing the teacup back upward, she took a moment to inhale the smell of it before indulging in another sip, following by another bite of the cake. The flavors really did go well together, but then, she enjoyed orange flavored treats anyway. The Count seemed to know his teas and what to pair them with, if nothing else.

Taking her napkin, she tapped at the edges of her lips with it as she finished chewing, meeting his eyes once again as she folded the napkin neatly once again. "It can be very challenging, yes," she agreed, years of temper tantrums from both parent and child flashing before her eyes like a montage of irritation and rage. "Children are...children, of course. They will not always appreciate learning what their parents hope for them to learn." And the parents rarely blame that on their precious child, but their teacher instead. "But it is worth it nonetheless."

He asked her how long she had been teaching, and she lifted her index finger to her chin and tapped it twice, gently, as she thought about it. "Five years now. I began as soon as my brother and I moved back to Loren. Time passes so quickly. It truly doesn't seem like it's been that long." She gave the slightest shrug with her right shoulder, accompanied with a smile. "I do prefer to sing, though. Instruments are lovely and make such beautiful sounds, but there is nothing that breaches human emotion quite like the sound of another persons voice." Which people often took for granted.

"Oh, goodness, you flatter me, my lord," she said with a wide smile that she stifled by covering it with her hand, hovering just in front of her lips. Only after she regained control of the smile did she drop her hand. "I really must return the compliment, though, Count Ellery. My initial intention had been to come here for a quiet cup of tea, but I find myself pleasantly surprised by the turn of events."

Anslem didn't even quite recognize it consciously but there was some indefinable quality that held his attention with Severine. Her laughter had indeed a low pleasing, musical sound that made it difficult if not impossible to smile back at. Her manners were highly polished and graceful enough to make even the most mundane movement, interesting to watch. But her conversation--the easy diplomacy with impeccable decorum and a keen mind were not something Count Ellery could easily walk away from. He'd only meant to polish up the dog's training while enjoying a bit of tea and yet here he was, whiling away the time with a truly accomplished intelligent woman. He nodded, agreeing with much of what she'd correctly asserted.

"For the most part, yes horses in general can be easily frightened in most cases, however the stallions and Destriers-war horses, are the opposite with a fighting and even killing instinct that must be channeled and refined into strict training. Making a horse accept you as their herd leader is how to establish trust with them. If you are calm and they look to you for cues on how to act as a herd animal, they will willingly trust you to keep them safe."

Once he'd finished the cake, he paused to wipe his mouth with the napkin and finished his cup of tea with a contented sigh. 

"The dogs are not all confident and it's not always wise to use purely, only food as motivation. For most types you're correct. But in terriers, they have a different mindset that food will either make them only do commands when bribed, or ignore the treat entirely. No one method works for all horse, dogs or .. children for that matter." Anslem joked, finding himself really enjoying the subject with her. Few people asked outside of needing his services, much less asked. Although he was admittedly not a Duke or royalty, so earning his own money and adding to the wealth of his family name, was a strong point of pride for Anslem.

"I can't tell you how many times I've had to correct the rider and owner at fault when the horse wasn't the problem at all! I imagine it might be a bit similar in that a parent could never believe that their child was less than perfectly ideal." He grinned at her, finding the uncanny similarity of teaching children and animals when their parents were thinking it must be the teacher's or trainer's faults.

"I can't imagine teaching children to be an easy task for anyone Baroness! I know my own childhood piano teacher certainly plagued me to practice nearly morning, noon and night until she was satisfied that I would at least not embarrass the family name." He smiled at her openly as he shared his own musical memory, as scant as it was. 

"So five years back in Loren? I imagine you must be finding things a bit different now after returning? Even small holidays and vacations can make things seem a bit strange to get acclimated to again. Are you and your brother close then, if you don't find that too impertinent of me to inquire My Lady?" 

The Baroness Snow's reaction to his earlier comment was very pleasing and something glinted in his blue eyes as he watched her daintily cover her smile, lest it appear unseemly. 

"It is my most distinct pleasure to enjoy such a lively discourse Baroness."