Teresa walked to the entrance, even though she was in good spirits her mood was already souring

  Robert, her eldest brother, and truthfully most annoying

  She already knew he was going to be a headache for her, especially as she had company.

  She paused at the corner rubbing her face “ God help me, sigh” she said as she peeked around

  Robert was dressed in full military garb, his black hair put up in a rather colorful hat his servants bringing trunks of items in as he boasted of his trip to the English

  “ He's been home all of a minute and already I can't wait for him to leave” she thought to herself

  The Duke who had been following her peeked over as well listening to Teresa annoyance

  Then she stood up looked at the Duke “ well I'm going to pre apologize for my brother Robert, he well he is…aah you'll figure it out after talking to him “ she said as she turned putting on a smile

  “ Oh my dear brother has returned to us” she said arms out

  “ Aah oh course dear sister it will take more than some Spanish ships to kill Robert the dragon “ he boasted

  Teresa had to stop herself from rolling her eyes” well I am glad you are well, though I didn't know you were planning on staying here “ she said watching the cases be brought in

  “ Oh yes well it will only be for a week or so till I get word back from the English, then I'm off to the Coast to greet them “ he said as he looked” oh and their he is oh my dear Philip “ he said hugging his brother as the two laughed

  Teresa watched with a small smile looking over at the Duke watching from the hall as she gestured for him to come over

  “ Robert, I also have a acquaintance of my staying I'm sure you are familiar with the Duke of Mosion” she said pointing to him

  Robert looked at the Duke as long paused followed Robert staring at the Duke with a hard glare

  The Duke kinda just stood there looking back at him before finally breaking the silence “ the pleasure is mine good sir” he said offering his hand

  Robert continue to glare at him, much to Teresa annoyance as she gave him a look to which Robert finally shook his hand “ hmm it is good to meet you I trust my sister has been a good host” he said

  The Duke kept a friendly tone “ yes quite and your home is quite lovely, your sister and brother are great company

  Robert however glare never broke only letting out a hmm as he turned to Teresa “ well sister we have much to talk about…. I'm sure your….. friend Will understand “ he said

  “ Of course of course I would hate to intrude, i have to send a letter back to Mosion anyway” the Duke said as he began to walk

  As he passed Teresa” well talk more in a bit alright “ she said as he passed her hand on his arm to make him pause in his step

  After the Duke left them

  Teresa turned back to her now scowling brother

  “ So, how long has the mosioner been here “ he asked

  Teresa looked at him confused “ why are you being strange, Robert, he is a guest, and lest you forget this is my house not yours” she said annoyed

  She sighed “ alright just go settle in, and well have lunch

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  But you better behave yourself, I mean it Robert” she pointed a finger at him in warning

  “ Ok ok sister I will be civil”he said

  Teresa would go find the Duke in the writing room

  “ I apologize for Robert rudeness, he loves acting like we're still children” she said standing behind him leaning over his shoulder to look at what he was writing

  “ Oh its quite alright, just a little of brotherly protection” he chuckled

  Teresa sighed “ yes but it's rather bothersome, and for no reason, I am allowed to have guest on my house, especially allies in the cause, i swear he's worse then Gerald, thank god you haven't met him he's like a dog wanting scraps he'll follow you around oh a whole thing “ she sighed as she leaned slightly on the chair

  He looked at her as he patted her hand” well either way they have nothing to worry about….now how about a new topic less you wish to continue on with your brothers“ he said standing up so she could sit as he grabbed another chair

  Teresa sat smoothing down her dress sighing “ no if I did we'd be here all day, you know Robert he loves to act as this great chivalrous knight, but when we were kids he got himself stuck in a tree hole it took hour's to get him out…when they finally did he sobbed like a babe because he got a scrap “ she laughed

  The Duke chuckled” hmm sound's about right…though I am curious if you're willing to give me more insight on your brothers “ he said curious

  Teresa tapped the chair arm thoughtfully

  “ Well Robert was the first, though course father was a very superstition man he thought Robert was bad luck because he was born under a full moon silly nonsense

  Then course they had me, which father was so excited I'm told everything was set up all that apparently even got some saint relic I don't know, course he was beyond disappointed that I was of fairer sex” she sighed” ironic in retrospect, then it was Gerald, Thomas, Asen , Clement, Ernst oh Ernst you probably would like, and of course Philip” she said

  “ Course they are all about, and have a tendency to come to my home without warning “ she said with annoyance

  The Duke listen intently as he smiled” you truly are a amazing woman “ he said

  Teresa went quiet” huh”

  The Duke continue “ dealing with your father who sounds like such an unpleasant man, having to restore your family estate, being the only woman in a family of men of varrying tempers, most would have just jumped ship and left it to rot but you, truly amazing “ he said

  Teresa turned redder at his compliments as she cleared her throat” um…thank you…my lord you are to kind ehm what about you did you have any family I know you mention your son “ she said

  The Duke smiled looking down for a moment “ well I was a only child, funny enough actually my training is in Smithing, my father he was the local Smith mostly repairs and such though he did dabble in everything as well when you're surrounded by forest you tend not to travel much”

  “ Peter oh Peter was a good lad, poor boy I found him passing by a plague village I heard a baby crying, his poor mother was taken by the reaper, they told me to leave the boy but I couldn't….aah he was such a bundle of life, when he was 6 he got out of the maids sight and we found him trying to mount my horse ha ha thank god she was a very calm horse but can you imagine a boy this tall trying to climb onto a horse “ he gesture to show how tall was Peter was

  Teresa laughed at the image as she listened

  “ Hmm sounds like he was quite the character…hes really blessed to have had you “ she said

  They would continue on with stories Teresa of dealing with her brothers

  Such as having to hide Thomas in a chest after his affairs finally caught up with him

  “ Truthfully they came and left but well he didn't need to know that “ she snickered

  The Duke laughed “ oh you are such a michevous woman” he said

  Tersa finished laughing as she looked at the clock “ Potverdikkie nog aan toe” she said standing up “ we're late for dinner, oh come on” she said grabbing him pulling him along

  She was rushing more so because she didn't want her brothers to take it the wrong way

  Course when they came in with Teresa Huffing from running holding the Dukes hand

  She kinda realized she made this worse

  As she let go of his hand patting down her skirt “ well em apologies we lost track of time, discussing important politics war and such yeah

  Oh Eleanor what's for dinner” she clapped sitting down at the head of the table talking to her maid

  Phillip and Robert stared at them as they took their seats

  Philip while before joking with his wife about his sister romantic interest

  Now seeing his sister exasperated well he was bothered by it.

  This only heightened Robert suspicion

  Dinner was rather quiet only broken by clinking of forks

  After the table was clear, Phillip turned to his wife Thedora saying something to her and after a short back and forth of Thedora scoffing until eventually accepting as she stood up

  “ Teresa dear, why don't we leave the men to talk, i have been dying for you to show me your jewelry remember you were telling me about that necklace you have “ she said kinda ushering Teresa out

  “ Well I but I suppose “ Teresa said confused looking back and forth as she was pushed out by Thedora

  Now the three men sat there the brothers staring at the Duke

  The Duke tapped his foot looking between them” so…what shall we discuss gentlemen “ he said

  After a beat “ what's your game, Mosioner “ Robert said

  “ How do you mean sir “ the Duke asked

  “ Oh don't be coy, sir what's your intent with my sister, shes not some harlot for your sick perversion”

  “ Yeah, it was funny originally but sir I do not approve with how fast your moving.” Phillip interjected

  The Duke shook his head confused “ sirs i promise I don't know what your talking about. Yes your sister is a…lovely woman, I hold only respect for her that is all, i can assure you nothing is between us “ he said

  Course Robert and Philip were not convinced

  “ Well we will have are eye on you, ill get all my brother's here if i need to I promise you that Mosioner “ Robert said as the brothers stood up leaving

  “ Yeah, I'll even get my wife's brothers l, and the Greeks are like hawks with these things “Phillip said

  Leaving the rather confused Duke at the large table