Winifred was, in fact, home that day. Her house which she affectionately called “her little cottage” was much too large to actually be considered a cottage. However, most of the nobility—Winnie included—could consider her home which consisted of 6 bedrooms, two sitting rooms, a music room, two dining areas, a sizable kitchen and an expansive garden. She was sitting in the sitting room that overlooked the garden. She sat by a window, her two kittens playing at her feet

Scout would be greeted by Winnie’s maid. The brunette’s eyes got a little wider as she recognized her, having seen her at the town meeting some time ago, “Are you here ta see Lady Whistlebottom, Lady Steward?” The maid’s voice was a touch scratchy, as if she’d won a screaming match a few weeks before. She would open the door wider to let her in. She didn’t remember seeing Lady Kane’s name on her employer’s schedule that day, but she knew that Winnie’s day was relatively free for the next few hours, “If you’ll follow me, I’m sure she’d be delighted ta have ya.” If Scout was amiable to it, she would lead the lady steward to the sitting room that Winnie was residing in.

The maid would enter the room and announce Scout, “Excuse me, my lady,” she said, “But Lady Scout Kane is here to see you.”

The old woman would have jumped up from her chair in delight, but she was far too cultured to do so, but her eyes did brighten quite a bit, “How delightful!” Winnie said cheerfully as she stood from her seat, “Let her in, Prudence. And do put on some tea, would you?”

“Yes Lady,” said the maid who would then make room for Scout to enter the room before vanishing to the kitchens.

“Lady Kane,” Winnie would gesture for her to come further into the room, “I am honored that you are here. Allow me to share my condolences about your husband,” she offered empathetically, “It’s never easy losing a loved one.”

Scout smiled at the maid, noticing the recognition and the fact that the maid hadn't expected to see the Lady Steward. "I am, yes, if she has the time. My apologies for showing up without an appointment, I-" The blonde chuckled. "I don't have an excuse, I'm afraid."

She had gotten a lot of sympathy lately, and it seemed like it was the case again, because she was shown inside although she had no appointment. She followed the maid, who announced her to Winifred. The old woman's excitement to see her was touching, and Scout smiled at her. For a moment she had expected her to jump up from her seat, but maybe her body didn't allow her to. Scout wouldn't have minded. Being cultured to her didn't mean having to hide your excitement and nature.

The maid was asked to get tea, and left the room shortly after.

Scout walked closer to Winifred when she gestured that it was alright. "Thank you, Lady Whistlebottom", she responded with a soft smile that had some sadness behind it. If the woman sat again, so would Scout. "My apologies for dropping by so unexpectedly. I- I'm in a tough spot." She chuckled but there was no joy in it.

"I know of your match-making gift, and although it is very soon after my husband's passing, I wanted to ask for your help." She was about to info-dump a bit, and she hoped the woman didn't mind. "I have a reputation and a family name to maintain. I need children, and you know how it is for us nobles. I need a good husband for that."

Winnifred sat and settled into her chair, “No need to apologize, my lady. I am always happy to be of service to anybody looking for a spouse. It gives me great pleasure. I am only happy that I am free to help you.”

Some would argue that it was perhaps too soon to look for a new husband, but it was also true that it was important to produce heirs. It saddened the old woman that Lady Kane was not able to grieve for as long as she surely wanted to, but she also thought it brave and commendable.

“Very wise, my lady,” she said, “Although it’s a shame that you cannot allow yourself more time, I do understand the importance of children. Why, I would be lost without mine,” Prudence came in with the tea things and Winnie would wait until the maid had left again before speaking, “With that in mind, we can both agree that you would like a man that likes children?” She poured them both a cup, “Sugar? Milk?” She asked, and would put some in the younger woman’s tea if prompted to, “What do you want in a man, my lady? Spare no detail, no matter how rakish it may appear,” the old woman chuckled as she lifted the teacup to her lips.

Winifred was such a lovely lady, and the way she talked put Scout at ease. The woman had that traditional grandmother vibe, which Scout wasn't completely unfamiliar with, but Helena was definitely more of an active and fierce grandmother.

She told Winnie that she was looking for a husband to carry on the Kane name, and explained herself a little at the same time.

Winifred was very understanding and nice about everything she said, which made Scout smile a bit, glad to be understood.

"Oh, yes. Children are very important to me", she said, which still felt weird to say out loud. Scout wasn't sure if she herself wanted children or if she wanted them because she was supposed to want them.

"Sugar, please." She would pick up her cup and take a little sip from it, careful not to burn her tongue.

What did she want in a man? She could feel herself turn a bit red. Describing what she wanted would be easier if she could say names. Someone she had found incredibly attractive was Dresden. Then there had been Astor, who's caring side was attractive, as well as the fact they had been friends for so long. And now... She didn't want to admit to herself that there were certain feelings for prince Augustus. Scout definitely knew how to pick out the unreachable and unavailable ones.

"I would like a kind and caring husband, but also one that is smart and opinionated", she said. "Someone who knows what it's like to be involved in politics or/and the military. An ambitious man, who wants to better the world for his children."

What she said was simply a combination of the three men she had thought of prior. She wanted to sigh a deep sigh, but refrained from doing so and instead took another sip of tea.

Winnie handed Scout the cup, sugar already stirred in before settling back and reaching for her notebook. She turned to a fresh page and started taking notes as Scout spoke of what she wanted in a man. Winnie thought she might have picked up an edge of sadness as the younger woman spoke, but she also knew that nerves could come off as any number of feelings.

She reached over and patted Scouts hand in a comforting manner, “Sounds like a fine man you’re after,” she said before pulling away to take a look at what she had written down, “My lady, I do think that I have two, perhaps three men in mind for you—if you don’t mind one never having been involved in the military.”

The first sip of tea made Scout relax and melt into the chair she was sitting in. Something about tea just felt like a cozy, warm blanket, and combined with the cozy, grandmotherly vibes Winifred radiated, it was almost as if she was a child again. Except a child wouldn't be here looking for a man.

Scout described what her ideal man would look like while Winnie scribbled down notes. After she was done talking, and the woman was done writing, she parted Scout's hand, who smiled softly at the touch. She was surprised to hear that Winifred didn't have one, but two or three men in mind.

"Hmm", she said, thinking about that military aspect that was lacking, "no, I don't mind." She smiled, feeling a little nervous now that it seemed like there were in fact men to meet.

Winnie smiled, pleased that Scout was open to the idea of a man that was not skilled in military issues. She took a moment to drink from her own cup, savoring the taste of the leaves. Ah! Prudence did brew a good pot of tea. She swore that that was the reason she hired the woman.

“The first man I have in mind for you comes from a very good family. There is no scandal as far as I have seen. He appears to be a very good sort of man, and he is very closely connected with the royal family, too” she leaned forward, “honestly, if I had any single daughters, I’d keep him for one of them!” She laughed as she leaned back in her chair, “Have you had a chance to make an aquaintence with Lord October Montgomery?”

“The second man that I think you may like is from a family that has gone through a little turmoil of late. But he seems a good sort, and very family oriented, and seeks to have some sort of peace between the gifted and non-gifted,” she did not mention that he also seemed like he was trying to find his way in life again. The old woman thought that he seemed rather sad, but would not divulge this. No need to spread rumors that didn’t need to be spread, “I believe you should be familiar with the surname, my lady. Are you familiar with Lord Remiel Allemeade?”

“And the last man…he is very mysterious, but also very charming,” she said, “He is a successful land owner, is well-spoken, and has a connection to a branch of the Windham family. Have you met, Lord Quinton Featherton?”

October Montgomery. It was a thought that had crossed her mind before as well. He was good looking and was a part of the same world she was. He would surely be able to relate to a lot of her concerns and Stress-Factors, but would they match personality wise? As a royal guard, he was a quiet observer, and Scout hadn't really had the chance to speak with him much. Scout would allow Winifred to name all her suggestions before responding to her.

Remiel was a surprising suggestion. Scout and Remiel had a rocky relationship, to say the least. She had been very direct and harsh with him when he had first come to her with the initiative that was his farm, during one of the community meetings. She had tried to smooth things over with him, but she wasn't so sure that had worked. A marriage between a Gifted and non-Gifted person would surely be a way to smooth things over with both communities, but Scout wasn't sure whether she was the right person to take on that responsibility.

The last name made her cringe physically, a little. Quinton was not her kind of man. His association with Anslem played a part in that, too.

"Very interesting suggestions, lady Whistlebottom", Scout replied kindly. "I do have to say that the last one, lord Featherton, isn't exactly my cup of tea, but lord Montgomery does sound promising. I'm not sure whether he's actually looking for a partner, though? He keeps to himself, mostly." She smiled. "Remiel and I... It could be possible, but we have some history." She would leave it at that.

Winifred made a note about Lord Featherton, “Very good to know, Lady Kane,” she looked up from her notes, “If I may be so bold, may I ask what specifically about him you do not like? This may be helpful with other matches I may procure for you.”

“I have it under good authority,” the old woman smiled slyly, “that Lord Montgomery is, indeed looking,” sure, it was his mother that sent him her way, but from her talk with him it sounded as if he were at least open to meeting ladies. Scout’s words about Remiel gave Winifred a little pause, and she would try to study the younger woman’s face, “A little history is not always a bad thing,” she said gently, “Are you feelings toward each other ill?”

Scout stuck out her bottom lip a bit, something she often did when she was thinking. "I heard that he was close friends with a very anti-Gifted man, and that's not something I want to be associated with." Was that polite enough, while still being the truth? She felt like she handled that answer diplomatically.

So October was looking? Scout hadn't thought of him that way, but he did seem like a nice man, and he was nice on the eyes too. "Well, I would be willing to meet with Lord Montgomery", she said. She had to be open to opportunities.

Then she sighed softly, with a little shrug. "I honestly don't know. I don't think the history we have would do us any good."

“Anti-gifted? Oh my!” She had not known that about Lord Featherton. It didn’t exactly make him completely undesirable to all, but it certainly would be considered a dealbreaker—especially in that day and age, “Well! We’ll cross him off the list for you then,” she made some marks in her little notebook.

“I will ask his lordship if he’d be open to a meeting with you then,” she made another mark in her book, “As for Lord Allemeade, I will feel him out for you. I will see if he appears to be open or hostile to the idea. However, if you truly do not wish to meet him, you do not have to."

Scout folded her hands in her lap and nodded as she listened to Winifred say she would ask October.

Then, about Remiel. "You can ask him, but I would have to think about meeting him. The Allemeades are a bit unpredictable, and I don't want to harm the Kane family name." She smiled, as to let her know she didn't mean it in a rude way towards the Allemeades.

"Thank you so much for your help, Lady Whistlebottom."

“Perfectly understandable, My Lady,” said Winnie, taking notes, “I will put out a tentative feeler for him. If it would make you more comfortable, I would be happy to attend that meeting between you and Remiel—just think of me as the invisible chaperone,” she laughed pleasantly.”

“You’re very welcome, Lady Kane,” Winnie smiled, “Is there anything else that you wish to discuss?”