"Our seriousness prevents us from enjoying the circus of life."
― Mokokoma Mokhonoana

Oliver thought Hannah looked utterly beautiful pouting. She was annoyed at him which made him wanted to tease her even more. He didn't know her but he was attracted to her like a moth to fire. Despite having so many difficulties in life she exuded strength and none of the weaknesses.

Behind that stoic facade, he wanted to see if she was another person or she was cold till her veins. He kept studying her while she looked out of the window. A curl of her blonde hair falling on her beautifully curved neck stirring beastly emotions inside him. He gulped consciously.

"So, what is the first thing on our list?" He asked making sure his voice came out serious.

"Milord," She said puzzled.

"I came to know you couldn't complete your errands since you were taking care of me while I was ill, I would like to help you with them," He said sincerely.

Her baffled look made him laugh once again. He couldn't believe only watching someone can give him such joy. She was truly enigmatic.

After his laughter subsided, he noticed she was glaring at him. He realized he might not be welcomed as he thought he was. Every woman he came in contact with since the season started was batting her lashes at him trying to impress him, hell he never saw any woman ever glaring at him like the one in front of him was doing right now.

He was aware of the effect he had on the women even if he didn't live his life like Seb or Nick. But the woman in front of him seemed immune to him which was quite refreshing. She didn't see him for anything other than a nuisance.

"Have you ever been to London before?" He asked.

"No," She said curtly.

"Didn't Brown's shifted to London and moved all the children to the orphanage here?" He asked carefully assessing her reaction. Her face visibly softens her tongue darting to wet her lips.

"Yes," She whispered, "I do not know their address or the orphanage name."

The wheels in his brain started to rotate, why wouldn't the people who took care of her didn't tell her their address. Before he could say something she spoke up.

"I never thought I will come to London in this lifetime," She said looking straight at him, her face devoid of emotions, "it was no use to for me to know where the Brown's resided."

"Why did you think you will never come to London, Miss Hannah?" He asked curiously.

"I never thought of leaving the orphanage, it was my home, my safe place," She said smiling reminiscing the past.

"So, you never wished to visit London, which part of Great Britain did you wish to visit?" He asked.

"None," She said.

There wasn't sadness behind her words only conviction, she was someone who has accepted the hand fate dealt her. Her happy resignation of life bothered him. He wanted her to see and taste the world outside.

"Well, now that you are in London, which spot do you wish to visit first? London Tower? Hyde Garden? The Thames? The Palace?" He asked excitedly.

"I wish to complete the errands and go back to Raymond's estate, milord," She said with a twinkle in her eyes. She wasn't glaring at him or annoyed at him anymore. She was just as playful as he was but she wasn't jesting either when she said she wanted to return back.

The rest of the ride was spent in silence. He followed her around while she completed all the chores assigned to her. Thankful to the simple clothes and a big hat no one recognized him and he got to spent a day along with the life of servicemen.

Despite living together in the same place breathing the same air there was a vast difference in the lives of people. The difference between classes glaringly visible. Never before he ventured out of his comfort zone to look into the life of people who made everything effortless for them.

He was entranced by the simplicity of the folks, imagining how his life would have been if he wasn't the heir to Kentshire. He might have become a lawyer fighting in the court for justice, coming back to a small cottage with his wife waiting for him and one look at her all the tiredness would vanish. The wife he procured in his mind wasn't Caro but Hannah the woman who was currently scolding the store owner.

It was a beautiful dream which was never going to happen. He is and always will be the heir to Kentshire one day taking place of his father and driving the Kentshire name to the new heights, married to the woman he doesn't love hoping one day he will.

"Today's chores are completed, milord, we will head back to the estate now," Hannah said looking up at the lord who was lost in his own thoughts.

"Milord," She said nudging at his elbow bringing him out of his thoughts.

"Yes," He said, "Please be seated I will be inside in a moment."

"Is everything alright, milord?" She asked worriedly. He has been out of sorts since they paid a visit to the first store. She has been enjoying his quips but also noticed him being deep in thoughts. She was amazed she enjoyed his company while she expected him to frustrate her.

The carriage stopped earlier than she anticipated. She looked out of the window to see they were not in the estate but in front of a gigantic park.

"Ah, we are here," Oliver said and stepped out of the carriage as soon as they arrived.

He held his hand out to Hannah, while she looked at him like he was from a different species.

"My Lady," He said being the gentlemen he was, "would you please step out of the carriage?"

"No," She said.

Oliver stood wondering what happened while she looked another way folding her arms in front of her pouting. Oliver sat in front of her once again trying not to laugh.

"What is the problem, my lady," He asked taking a similar stance as her.

"I am not a lady," She said snapping.

 "Miss Hannah, what is wrong?" He asked once more patiently.

"Nothing, milord," She said, "I will stay inside the carriage till you run your errands and we can be on our way back to the estate."

"My errand requires you," He stopped watching her face morphed into horror.

"Why?" She squeaked.

Oliver was alerted in a moment about something horrible being happened to her. Her fears of not leaving her home, her lack of enthusiasm to visit new places all steamed from somewhere in her past.

"This is Hyde Park, Miss Hannah," He stated calmly, "One of the royal parks of London. On its edges are all the royal residences, the Buckingham Palace, the Kensington Palace and gardens, and many royal houses. It is open to everyone, nobility and common people alike. This is the place where the common people come closest to the royalty."

"Why are you telling me this?" She asked guarded.

"There is a small cream ice shop at the end of the path which sells the tastiest cream ice in the entire London. It put royal chefs' cream ice to shame. Would you like to accompany me there? I promise it will be worth your time," He said smiling sincerely.

He didn't know what she was searching for on his face but it seems like she found it when she said yes.

They soon were walking through the gravel path, the crimson of the setting sun illuminating everything around them. After paying for the cream ice, Oliver's plan was to sit beside the tree and enjoy the sunset but realizing she won't come here again, he took her on a tour as long as he can.

She soon realized he was intentionally eating his cream ice slowly to spend more time touring her and with every minute an unknown feeling was making a home in her.