The woods melted away, revealing the pleasant face of the lodge and less pleasant face of Winters, who had one hand on one of the larger suitcases (now neatly stacked in a small cityscape of luggage) and the other on his wireless phone. He turned to see the approaching Lady just as his thumb reached for the last digit between moving in or vacating the premises. He breathed a quiet sigh of relief, returned the phone to his vest pocket and bowed to her Ladyship.

"Ah, Lady Jane. You have excellent timing."

Amie was again forced to admire the assistant's patience. Whatever frustrations he held, he was keeping them safely out of view (in her presence, anyway). She caught sight of her reflection in the windshield of the car and winced. Her journey through the forest and close encounter with combat had left more than a few marks on her person, mainly in dirt smudges and sweat stains. Calming her breathing, she elevated her chin and assumed the posture of a Jane. First order of business: put down on Winters for something he didn't do.

[color=aba000]"Indeed. I see you have succeeded in removing the luggage from the vehicle. May I ask why it did not complete its voyage to the interior of the lodge?"[/color]

"The door is locked and we do not have a key, my Lady," Winters replied quickly. He was at the very least thankful he had a good reason for only doing half of the job (which, in the Jane household, is considered not doing a job at all). "We believe it is in the possession of a man named Justin, who joined your ladyship in her forest venture. He has not returned."

[color=aba000]"Forest venture, hmph!"[/color] she responded sharply. [color=aba000]"I believe I met the man, though he said nothing of a key. We shall have to wait for him to return, as I have quit myself of the business in the forest."[/color]

"Your Ladyship is unharmed, I presume?"

[color=aba000]"Do not fret, Winters. I do not feel half as bad as I appear."[/color] She paused. [color=aba000]"I must say, Winters. Today was perhaps the most unusual day I have ever entertained, and it is not yet evening. I haven't the will to recount the...details, I suppose, at the moment, but I will do you the pleasure of telling you the whole tale on the ride."[/color]

"The ride, my Lady?"

[color=aba000]"Yes Winters, the ride to your hotel room, where you will be residing for the duration of my stay at the lodge,"[/color] she replied with a lump in her throat. She had been structuring this part of the conversation for the duration of her journey back to the lodge. The best approach, she had determined, was to play aggressively. The more time Winters had to think, the more time he would have to give her excellent reasons why her plan was a bad idea. And he was right. But he was also wrong. Winters was always wrong. His eyes opened in shock and he was halfway to asking her to repeat herself when Amie launched a counteroffensive.

[color=aba000]"I have examined all aspects of this expedition quite thoroughly and have reached the conclusion that it is physically and morally impossible for two individuals of our social tier (you serve the Jane household and are entitled to a standard, Winters, you know this) to occupy this facility at once. I regret to inform you that I have packed too much luggage and likely have room for half that which I brought. I regret further to inform you that I will be staying as ambassador of the house, as is my duty, and you will be staying elsewhere. There is an upscale hotel not fourty-five minutes from here. I will transport you there in my vehicle and return to the lodge with it. The Jane household will as is customary sponsor your stay, and you shall want of nothing save my presence until the days of my stay have expired.

"And I regret further still to inform you that you have no say in the matter,"[/color] she said firmly, and for a moment Winters was completely out of character. His jaw dropped and he stared directly into her ladyship's eyes. She noticed and pressed her advantage.

[color=aba000]"Winters, you are staring at me. Refrain,"[/color] Amie said coldly, giving him a harsh look. He immediately snapped his mouth closed and ceased eye contact, choosing to instead stare at the lodge in disbelief. He had so many objections to give that he couldn't decide on one. After coughing a few times and trying unsuccessfully to clear his mind, he managed to produce only one reply:

"Your ladyship's family will not approve."

[color=aba000]"My family will not be informed. You may report my insubordination when we get home...if you dare,"[/color] she said, gritting her teeth for the last three words. Amie was going all-in, riding every chip she had on this one power play, which reluctantly involved a good bit of malice. Winters was used to this form of treatment, but not from her, and he found himself at a complete loss of words. Amie turned to face him, snapped her fingers and told him to reload the luggage. Nothing motivated an assistant of the Jane house like the snapping of fingers, and nearly without realizing it Winters found himself bowing and moving the carefully-stacked luggage back into the vehicle. She waved curtly at the remaining residents, still gathered outside the lodge.

[color=aba000]"My assistant and I have business in the city. Please give word to the others that I will return within two hours, and until then, I bid you good day,"[/color] she said as Winters opened the door for her, started the car, and escorted the both of them away.