Hi Everyone! Thanks for you patience with me and my lack of new stories as I edit my brains out with my "real" novel. I miss you guys and the whole fandom but I'm glad I get to see all of the latest and greatest you are all cranking out! Anyways, This is my historical AU vic that I did for s2sl (stories to save lives) and I am now opening it up to the rest of the fandom! This will be a little more of an extended story than it was for s2sl so those who read it the first time around be sure to stick around! Anyways, without further ado, enjoy!

I was eleven years old when I fell in love with Lord Peter,the youngest son of the Duke of Baker.

He took my heart and has yet to return it...

The frigid winds nipped at my face as I made my way through the cobblestone streets in town. The rain began to seep into my slippers, chilling my toes. They were already threadbare and I had no desire to see my only pair of shoes set to ruin.

"I'm going to catch my death if I remain out here much longer." I mumbled to myself.

The journey to town was not very long but the weather made the routine task harrowing. I crossed the street, taking care to avoid the grooves and cracks that were slowly turning to puddles. The clopping of hooves brought my head out from beneath my hood. A horse let out a high-pitched whinny as it rounded the bend, pulling a carriage behind it much faster than was prudent for this weather. My focus was on the carriage and not my footing. My usually graceful steps failed and my toe caught on a jagged bit of rock in the road. I fell to the muddy floor. My basket soared from my arm and into the center of the street. The precious food parcels that I had bartered for rolled into the dirt. A sharp cry escaped my throat. The last of my coins now had gone to waste. I had nothing. The horse was pulled to a sharp stop and he reared back his powerful body in surprise. I closed my eyes. I hoped the blow would be quick. But nothing occurred. A carriage door opened and heavy feet jumped to the muddy ground.

"Miss, I am so sorry. Have you been harmed?" a male voice asked. I looked into the bright blue eyes of Lord Peter, the youngest brother to the Duke of Baker. I had only met him on one occasion but I recognized his yellow locks and his strong jaw.

"I-" I looked down at my dress. The hem was torn and the faded green cotton was covered with mud. My breath was harsh and my un-corseted frame was made visible by the soaked fabric. My cheeks heated and I had the unavoidable desire to run. I clamored to my feet ignoring his proffered hand. I stood quickly but let out a gasp of pain as I placed pressure on my right ankle.

"You're injured. Please allow me to assist you-"

"I'm quite well, I assure you." I attempted to limp from the center of the road but his hand on my arm detained me.

"Please Ms. Everdeen," Peter said. "Do not cause yourself further harm. I insist you join me in my carriage."

"Master Peter, we must be getting home before tea. We do not wish to anger the Duchess." Peter's Tutor emerged from the carriage and rushed to his side. The stout man had his shoulders hunched and held a hand above his triangle hat as though he was attempting to keep the silly thing dry.

Peter turned towards me. "Please come with me, Katniss."

The way he spoke my name was a poem, beautiful and pleading. It was the use of my Christian name that allowed me to surrender my pride and accompany him to his carriage. He placed a hand at the center of my back and another at my elbow. He guided me slowly taking a large amount of my weight. My chilled body warmed under his hands.

"Watch your step," he said. He assisted me into the carriage's black lacquered open door.

I gasped upon entering. It was pristine. The velvet cushion and leather trimmed details would be ruined beneath my muddy clothing. I couldn't possibly soil something as fine as the family carriage of the Duke of Baker. Peter entered behind me and immediately sat. He gestured for me to do the same. The tutor followed us in and closed the door behind us.

"Dear me, what a storm, what a storm, indeed." He gave a shudder that seemed exaggerated for his momentary appearance in this dreadful weather.

"Do pardon me, but may we have your name Miss?"

"I-" was shivering to severely to speak. Peter removed his coat and drew it around my shoulders. I savored the added heat from the dampened coat. It smelled of rain, cinnamon, and something distinctively masculine I could not name.

"Please allow me to make the introductions. Percy this is the honourable Katniss Everdeen, Daughter of the late Viscount of Seam. Ms. Everdeen, please allow me to introduce my tutor, Mister Perseus Beetee."

"P-Pleasure." I shivered.

"Percy, we are to escort Ms. Everdeen home immediately," Peter said to him. Percy turned around and opened the latch to have a word with the driver. "For your feet." Peter moved a large urn closer to me and I hesitantly placed my feet upon it. Heat instantly soothed them. They stung from the bitter cold slippers.

"Thank you, my Lord." I whispered. His smile and his eyes quickly shifted to Percy whose attention was still on the driver.

He placed his foot on the warmer beside mine and said, "Please, do call me Peter."

"Very well, Peter." I said clutching his warm coat tighter around me. "My name is Katniss."

"I know who you are." He blushed and looked at our intertwined feet. "I have always known who you are."

The carriage came to a halt when it reached the drive at Seam House. The footman opened the door and assisted me with my descent.

"Thank you for your kindness, my Lord. I am sorry for any inconvenience I may have caused." I said.

"The gratitude is misplaced, as it was I who was fortunate to receive your company. As for apologies, please accept this as a token of my apology for causing you to lose your valuables." The covered basket he held in his arms was twice the size mine had been and far more valuable.

"I couldn't-"

"But you must. I command it." He winked at me. My nostrils flared as I kept my lips from widening into a smile. I took the basket reluctantly and then moved swiftly to the covered entryway. I turned and gave a small curtsy as I met his eyes. He took in a deep breath and quickly alighted from the coach.

"What-?" I began. He was in front of me in the blink of an eye. He put a hand in his pocket and extracted a bright dandelion. He extended his hand towards me.

"It's not much but I hope it will make you smile," he said.

"It's lovely."

"May I... May I come to call on you? Ms. Everdeen?"

"Of course. Are you permitted?"

"With your blessing, I am."

"Very well." I smiled.

"I shall see you soon." He turned and bounded back up the steps. He waved just as the footmen shut the door. I watched the carriage as it drove off down the drive and out the gates. I wiped my feet on the threshold and went inside. The smile had not left my face. I put down the covered basket and removed my coat and slippers. I swiftly moved to the sitting room and warmed my feet by the fire. Mother was on the settee still dozing.

"Katniss, you're back!" Prim came dashing down the stairs. It's rug frayed at the edges.

"Did you manage to get the grocer to extend our account?"

"Not by much, little duck, but-" I turned my head to look at her. She was going through the covered basket.

"My goodness, Katniss! This is a feast! However did you manage?" She held a beautiful fresh loaf of bread in her hands and was pulling out all types of cured meats, jams, and jellies as well. A hand covered my mouth as I slowly moved towards her. There must have been some mistake. This was a fortune in fine cuisine. It would also keep us fed for a month. I took the basket in my arms and looked through its contents. With the dandelion in one hand and the basket of provisions in the other I finally felt something come alive inside of me. It was a feeling I had not born witness to since my father's death.

It was hope.

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