Quinton still hadn’t figured out what to do with Simmy’s body. He’d have to figure something out quick—preferably by that night. It wouldn’t do to haul around a rotting corps. The smell alone would give away what his people were toting around. He’d have to get one of his people to haul him around for him since his shoulder still throbbed from the altercation that had lead to Simmy’s death.

For now, Quinton needed to get into the estate and find that delightful thing that Simmy had promised him before his untimely and pathetic death. It had to be another collar and ring. Oh the possibilities of such device…well it was delicious. He was sure that if any staff remained at the estate that they would let him in. It was the sort of relationship he and his oldest friend had shared, and the staff would surely wonder what had happened to their master.

The count rode toward the estate and arrived as the sun was setting. He didn’t ride directly to the stables, but instead rode around the estate on horseback. It would surely have his old friend spinning in his grave…once he had a grave that is. Quinton almost laughed at the vision in his head, but managed to hold back that show of joy when he saw the figure of a woman skulking around the estate. He would have frowned, but he found the sight of the woman more interesting than disturbing. Had she heard of Simmy’s death as well? Or was she there for a different reason? She did not look like one of Simmy’s mistresses, although he was sure he might have found some interest in the woman as she was beautiful.

He saw her disappear into a paddock, and Quinton debated on approaching her, or ignoring her. If he were to approach her, he would seem less dangerous if he were off horseback, he decided, so he made his way to the stables. He didn’t see any stableboys. Odd. Simmy hired his stable staff based on their love and care of the beasts…but then he noticed a distinct lack of horses in the stable. Were they taking them out to pasture, or had they been stolen? Quinton thought it must be the former since not even two days had passed since Simmy’s death…although he wouldn’t be surprise if he were wrong though. Simmy’s horses were valuable, and his old friend was not the easiest person to get along with even if one was a part of the nobility. It had been something Quinton had liked about him.

He ended up stabling his own horse by just tying the reigns to a post and would exit on time to see the woman he had seen before approach. He would act surprised to see her, although no fear would show. He was a man and she was a woman, what did he have to fear? Instead, he would take pains to make himself appear as approachable as possible.

“Good evening,” he said with his most friendly smile, “Are you a friend of Count Ellery? I myself came to call on him, but his staff appears to have disappeared,” he gave a slight bow, “I am Count Quinton Featherton, by the way.”

Acacia stopped in her tracks when she saw someone only moments after she had left the building she was in. It was rather dark on the estate, but her enhanced night vision allowed her to see perfectly fine. She wasn't sure how well the man could see in the dark, but it was fair to say he would be able to make out her figure. This was confirmed when she heard his voice address her.

The woman was not easily afraid, and didn't care whether she encountered a man or a woman. She was most likely stronger than them anyway. Acacia stopped a meter or two from Quinton and studied his face. "Count Quinton Featherton", she repeated, as if she was tasting the name. "Baroness Acacia Barlowe. A pleasure to meet you. I'm not a friend of lord Ellery, but I was looking for him. I recently learned that my friend is seeing him, but as it turns out, another friend of mine is as well." She chuckled humourlessly. "I was held up on my way over here, otherwise I would have arrived before sundown." An excuse as to why she was here in the dark. "But lord Ellery doesn't seem to be home?"