Critically differentiate between the psychodynamic and cognitive Essay

Critically differentiate between the psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural therapy theories and critically evaluate their role in clinical hypnosis - Essay Example mer (mesmerism), and opined that neurypnosis is a condition where the central nervous system of an individual enters a stage of paralysis during an almost ‘sleep-like’ condition, which is a form of bodily relaxation brought on by abstraction (concentration of the mind) (Braid, 1843). Since its origin, the term has been defined and redefined many times, and various theories at later stages suggest that hypnosis is a state of control over one’s mind, while some suggest that it is a symptomizing hysteria. The current popular and a more realistic form of deï ¬ nition however identiï ¬ es hypnosis as a systematic measure used for therapeutic purposes (James, 2010). Clinical hypnosis, as a medical subject, even though had existed for quite some years, always remained on the fringes with not much importance associated with its actual application on patients. However, the subject is now gaining a great deal of attention owing to technological innovations in the field of CAT and fMRI scanning. Modern day researchers are considering hypnosis as being a viable, cost-effective and time saving form of therapeutic intervention, without any probable side-eï ¬â‚¬ects. Contrary to the older theories that suggest hypnosis as a state where the human mind remains unconsciousness (akin to sleeping), recent researches propose that individual under hypnosis remain completely awake, with concentrated and focussed attention, however with a complementary fall in the level of tangential and exoteric awareness (Spiegel and Spiegel, 1978). The subjects under hypnosis tend to show elevated levels of ripostes to the suggestions as provided by the hypnotiser (Lyda, 200 5). Traditionally hypnosis has had always been delineated as changed state of human consciousness, (trance like), where besides heightened responses to suggestions, hidden memories of the subject can also be worked upon, by the hypnotiser (Hilgard, 1986). In clinical hypnotic therapy, the exposition for its application is that

Retail Project on Pizza Hut Essay Example for Free

Retail Project on Pizza Hut Essay Pizza Hut is one of the flagship brands of Yum! Restaurant Int. which also has KFC, Taco Bell, AW and Long John Silver’s under its umbrella. It is the world’s largest pizza chain with over 12,500 restaurants across 91 countries. Pizza Hut was started in 1958, by two brothers Frank and Dan Carney in Wichita, Kansas. They had the idea to open a pizza parlor. They borrowed $600 from their mother, and opened the very first Pizza Hut. In 1959, the first franchise unit opened in Topeka, Kansas. Almost ten years later, Pizza Hut was serving one million customers a week in their 310 locations. In 1970, Pizza Hut was put on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PIZ. In 1986, Pizza Hut introduced delivery service, something no other restaurant was doing. By the 1990s Pizza Hut sales had reached $4 billion worldwide. In 1998, Pizza Hut celebrated their 40th anniversary, and launched their famous campaign The Best Pizzas Under One Roof. In 1996, Pizza Hut sales in the United States were over $5 million. The first Indian outlet was opened in June 1996 in Bangalore. In India, Pizza Hut has 139 restaurants across 36 cities. Pizza Hut has been voted the â€Å"best family restaurant† for the second year running at the 2007 Tommy’s Parent Friendly Awards. Pizza Hut is known for quality, innovation and category leadership. 2 RETAIL ENVIRONMENT Out of all the existing pizza chains such as Dominos, Smokin Joe’s, Papa John’s, Pizza Corner, U. S Pizza, Pizza Hut has a dominating market share of 48% of the total market share. However, this forced competitors to look for new methods of increasing their customer bases. They all try to come up with some newer, bigger, better pizza for a low price. But Pizza Hut has always had the first mover advantage. Their marketing strategy in the past has always been to be the first. One of their main strategies, that they still follow today is the diversification of the products they offer. The market has become greatly competitive and the customer has become more discerning and adventurous. This however has not affected Pizza Huts comfortable reign over the Indian pizza industry and the ever increasing number of loyal customers who have made it possible for Pizza Hut to aggressively extend its presence. Pizza Hut is always adding something new to their menu, trying to reach new markets. For example, in 1992 the famous buffet was launched in Pizza Hut restaurants worldwide. They were trying to offer many different food items for customers who didnt necessarily want pizza. Another strategy they used in the past and are still using is the diversification of their pizzas. Pizza Hut is always trying to make a pizza into something slightly different so that customers will think it’s a whole new product. E. g., in 1983, Pizza Hut introduced Pan Pizza, which had a guarantee of being ready to eat in 5 minutes when dining at Pizza Hut restaurants. In 1993, they introduced the BigFoot, which was two square feet of pizza cut into 21 slices. In 1995, they introduced Stuffed Crust Pizza, where the crust would be filled with cheese. Currently, they are marketing The Big New Yorker, trying to bring the famous New York style pizza to the whole country. 3 POSITIONING Pizza Hut was among the first multinational brands to enter the food retail sector in India. When the first Pizza Hut restaurant opened in Bangalore the quick service industry was at a nascent stage and the pizza category was dominated by a sole regional player who had a marginal presence. Pizza Hut went on to play a significant role in pioneering and developing this category in India. Worldwide and in India, Pizza Hut has come to become synonymous with the best pizzas under one roof. This is because at Pizza Hut the belief is that every pizza has its own magic, thus making it a destination product – which everyone seeks. It is this belief that has ignited the passion to create, innovate and serve the finest product the industry has to offer, while setting standards for others to strive to replicate. Pizza Hut is committed to providing uncompromising product quality, offering customers the highest value for money and giving service that is warm, friendly and personal. A critical factor in Pizza Huts success has been its unique dining experience. Crewmembers at Pizza Hut strive each day to provide customer mania the kind of service that ensures that every visit of the customer is a memorable one. Pizza Huts constant endeavor to provide extra value – whether it is pizzas which are available to suit every price range, new promotions or the introduction of innovative product ranges that puts a Yum on every customers face has allowed it to increase its presence in India to the current 139 restaurants across 36 cities. 4 MARKETING STRATEGY Pizza Hut’s marketing strategy is very simple: â€Å"we want to satisfy our customer by offering them the best. † Pizza Hut has always valued customer service and satisfaction. In 1995, Pizza Hut began two customer satisfaction programs: a 1-800 number customer hotline, and a customer call-back program. These were implemented to make sure their customers were happy, and always wanted to return. Another big strength and even a competitive advantage is the fact that they have a full service restaurant as well as delivery services. Most of Pizza Huts competitors do not have restaurants. Because of the restaurant, Pizza Hut can market to different segments that other pizza chains cannot. For example, Pizza Hut can market to families much easier than Dominos or Little Caesars. Pizza Hut offers a sit-down, conversational type restaurant where families can take their children for birthday parties for example. Pizza Huts broad selection of products also makes it easier for them to market to different market segments. The other two strategies followed by Pizza Hut is C. H. A. M. P. S (Cleanliness, Hospitality, Accuracy, Maintenance, Product quality and Speed) and 3F’s (Fun, Friendly and Familiar). These two strategies have really helped Pizza hut to evolve out as a market leader with a competitive advantage. 5 PRODUCT ASSORTMENT Pizza Hut will offer a new product called The Extreme pizza. The Extreme is a twenty-inch pizza with twice as much cheese and toppings as Pizza Huts other pizzas. This new pizza will have many different competitive advantages. The first competitive advantage of The Extreme is that it is the largest pizza on the market. No other pizza restaurant offers a twenty-inch pizza. The second competitive advantage is that it has more cheese and toppings than any other pizza on the market. Another competitive advantage is the Pizza Hut brand name. Pizza Hut has built a brand name that means quality products and services. Since Pizza Hut will be introducing The Extreme, customers will automatically think this is a high quality product. The final competitive advantage is that this product will be the first pizza to target Americas youth. The Extreme pizza will target Generation X and Generation Y or people between the ages of 12 and 30. This market purchases a lot of pizza each year, but very few pizza restaurants actually target them. The Extreme will be introduced on Super Bowl Sunday, 2001. During the introduction stage of the product life cycle, Pizza Hut will try to establish a market for the product and persuade early adopters to buy. During the growth stage, Pizza Hut will try to build sales and develop a preference for the product. Pizza Hut will try to seek differentiation during the maturity stage. The Extreme is expected to begin to decline after one year on the market. 6 PRICE POSITIONING In the past, Pizza Hut has successfully used the high/low pricing strategy when setting the retail price of its products. The high/low retail pricing strategy allows Pizza Hut to charge a price that is above the competition, but also promote frequent sales to lower the price below them. The retail price of The Extreme pizza should be set at $9. 99, which is higher than Pizza Huts competitors. Several sales promotions and coupons will be used to lower the price below those competitors. Since both Pizza Hut and the beverage Mountain Dew are Pepsi subsidiaries, bundle pricing will be used. Customers can purchase The Extreme for $9. 99 and receive a two-liter bottle of Mountain Dew for free. Pizza Hut will be able to sell two products together at a single price to suggest a good value. The high/low pricing strategy has several advantages. First, this pricing strategy will help segment the market. Different groups of customers are willing to pay different prices for the same product. Pizza Hut can sell The Extreme to the customers who will pay the higher price to be the first to buy and also to the bargain hunters. The high/low pricing strategy will also create excitement. Customers will be able to try something new when they purchase The Extreme and this exciting experience may bring those customers back to purchase other products. Finally, this strategy will emphasize product and service quality. Pizza Hut sets a high initial price for its products to send a signal to customers that its products are quality and the service is excellent. 7 CUSTOMER PROFILE This target profile provides a comparison of Pizza Hut’s customers compared to: a) Total Population 14+ b) Total Purchased from Fast Food Places/Restaurants in the Last 4 Weeks. This target profile provides you with instant access to some of the worlds most insightful, robust consumer research, with unmatched accuracy, integrity and sheer power. Armed with a complete picture of your customers or your competitor’s customers, you are in the best position to fine tune you product strategy, focus your communication, and thereby optimize your marketing budget. Don’t rely on unconfirmed reports; buy this target profile to get all that data, over 400 variables, everything from attitudes and activities to media consumption. 8 CONSUMER PULL FACTORS †¢A critical factor in Pizza Huts success has been a menu that has constantly evolved and expanded to cater to the changing needs and specific preferences of customers in different parts of the world. In having understood the pulse of the customers in India, Pizza Hut has clearly established itself as a brand with an Indian heart. †¢Besides offering an extensive range of vegetarian pizzas, it was the first pizza chain to open a 100% vegetarian restaurant in India in Surat and later in Ahmedabad and Chowpatty, where it offers a Jain menu sans all root-based ingredients. †¢Over the years Pizza Hut has also developed and successfully introduced a range of products especially suited to the Indian palate. These products like Chicken Tikka, Spicy Korma, Spicy Paneer and the Masala and Tandoori pizzas have been a tremendous success. What has also given Pizza Hut a competitive edge is that in addition to an extensive range of internationally renowned pizzas like The Italian, the proprietary Pan Pizza and Stuffed Crust, in India the menu offers the option of a complete meal. It includes appetizers, a Salad Bar where the customers can make their own fresh salads, a range of soups, pastas and desserts. †¢Pizza Hut has a unique tradition. A bell hangs at each Pizza Hut restaurant, which is rung by customers who as they leave wish to thank the servers for yet another memorable visit. 9 COMPARISION 10 LONG TERM PROGNOSIS. With competition being so strong in this industry the threat of imitation products will surely be a problem to be dealt with. Pizza Hut will however have the first mover advantage with this product. With the entry of imitation products into the market, Pizza Hut will have to adjust its mixes to accommodate change. The promotions may have to be bigger and better than the competition, or the product may need to be altered to give it that little bit of an edge over the competition. For example stuffing the crust with cheese or giving a free topping with the purchase would help give Pizza Hut an edge over the competition. Pizza Hut is moving beyond big cities. While consolidating its presence in the metropolitans, this aggressive expansion will involve Pizza Hut entering smaller cities like Cochi, Nasik, Bhubaneswar, Lucknow and Madurai . It is strengthening its roots in the Indian market by tying up with local and popular brands such as Reliance Communication. Apart from this it is also developing local supply chain. Basically, Pizza Hut will need to remain flexible in the maturity stages of the product life cycle in an attempt to continue to be the market leader. Overall, this is a product that is not much unlike any of the other new pizzas that Pizza Hut has introduced. What makes this new product so exciting is the marketing plan that is directing the product at a new segment. We are taking a large pizza with a lot of toppings and marketing it as an Extreme Pizza to a generation of younger adults that are consumed by this marketing tool. This is what will make this a success. The mix of promotion and advertising we will be using will target a very profitable.

Animal farm essay

Animal farm essay Animal Farm Essay Animal Farm by George Orwell is a compelling book that represents the Russian revolution. Although viewing through the eyes of animals may seem like a childish concept, George does well into making sure that the book carries out the message of revolution. I, t  believe that George showed that Animal Farm was influence of the Russian revolution by the naming of the naming of the three pigshe condition of the farm, and because of the storys plot. Many of the animals in Animal Farm show some sort of connection with the Russian revolution. Most animals either represent a group of people, or an in/famous person. As the story starts to evolve from the rebellion to the Battle for the Windmill, the reader notices how the animals start to change. When Mr. Jones gets expelled for the farm, 3 smart pigs take of the farm: Squealer, Snowball, and Napoleon. These three animals all represent dictators the had a part in the Russian revolution. The most significant part about the names given to the pigs is that they all symbolize the dictators perfectly. Napoleon was a tough, fierce looking boar but was not much of a talker. This would symbolize Vladimir Lenin., the man who took the place as dictator after Tsar Nikolas II stepped down. Squealers name was the identity of Joseph Stalin, the man who kept on stalling the people by giving quick, persuasive speeches on how Lenin was improving the country. Snowball is then given to Trotsky because like Snowball, Trotsky split up with Lenin. In Animal Farm, these three pigs basically reenact what took place during the Russian revolution: betrayal, propaganda, and communism. Perhaps the best device Orwell used here was how he portrayed the three dictators as pigs, which shows how the name and appearance of the characters in this book are significant and related to the revolution. A reason I believe Animal Farm is about the Russian Revolution, was the choice of naming for the pigs During the whole book, Animal Farm was in very poor condition. During the beginning, Manor farm was a horrid place to live: with little food and lots of work everyday, it portrayed what Russia looked like during the time of revolution. Only during the early stages of the revolution was the economy slightly better than once before. Each time that Orwell describes the farm, it is always in a different condition, one which usually matched the condition of Russia. When Napoleon was ruling, the farm was in great economic trouble: the animals were always hungry while the pigs and dogs had enough to eat. This shows that the economy did not actually improve the animals lives, but instead started to benefit the other, higher members of society which is exactly what the Russian revolution resulted in. The condition of the house was a symbol of Russias state which shows how Animal Farm is connected with the Russian revolution. The final way that Orwell connects both Animal Farm and the Russian revolution, was by the plot of the story. During the entire book, all of the events that took place had at least some little significance with the Russian revolution. When Napoleon oppressed the animals by killing them, it was portraying what was known as Bloody Sunday. At the beginning of the novel, when Old Major is giving the speech about rebellion, it was all inspired by the old man known as Karl Marx. Even the event in which Mollie leaves shows the connection between the two. The easiest event to determine the the two, was most likely the scene were Boxer is taking away. If you think back to the revolution and back to Boxers motto ( I will try harder), you can easily see the Boxer is representing Russias working class. Because Russias working class was so loyal to Napoleon, most of them ended up for worse then before, and even worse, is the fact that Napoleon tossed away these people as if they were tools. The e xact same can be said for the Russian revolution. Lenin abused his people and Orwell demonstrates it very clearly and profoundly. I believe that George showed that Animal Farm was influence of the Russian revolution by the naming of the naming of the three pigs, the condition of the farm, and because of the storys plot. By renaming and reassigning of few characters and events, George Orwell has described the revolution into a book that can is comprehensive to both little kids and young adults.

The Basics of Economics :: Economics

Economics is the study and understanding of the economy or the system of government and people that deals with money and financial things. Because the government officials did not understand my report about the economic reforms that are supposed to help stimulate the economy, I have decided to teach them about few concepts about the economy and how it works and how they can benefit from me and use these concepts to make wise and good decisions to stimulate the economy. The first thing I decided to teach the government officials about is economic freedom. People highly care about their economic freedom, thus, the government needs to give the consumers or people some freedom. People want to make their economic choices; their job or occupation, what they are going to do with their money, what to produce and how to produce it. Another important concept concerning the people is economic equity; people greatly value equality. Treating people fairly without discriminating between them is an important rule. Thus, discriminating on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, or disability is illegal. An example for economic equity would be minimal wage; the lowest legal wage that can be paid to a worker. People who are not very rich get affected dramatically by inflation; therefore, people prefer to have price stability. Price stability is important because inflation can damage a lot of business and people, discouraging them to get in business and this lead the people to poverty and hating the government and doing riots and strikes. Inflation can also at the end result in increasing the percent of unemployment. Full employments is when most of the society or nearly all of it are employed or have jobs, people wish for this but it will never properly be implemented. Competition is the result of having freedom in an economic system. Competition is the opposite of the monopoly; competition is when the sellers struggle to attract the buyers or consumers. Competition exists because the individual entrepreneurs have the freedom to choose their products. Competition benefits both the seller and the buyer. Many people recognize scarcity and they want to know how to deal with it. People know that if the resources are wasted then the number of products will decrease and thus efficiency in economic decisions is a definite thing. The government must be efficient in solving the people's problems. People hope for the economic growth to increase because everyone wants to have a luxurious and enjoyable life.

Plathos myth

The Myth of the Cave and a Rose for Emily The stories â€Å"Myth of the Cave† by Plates and â€Å"A Rose for Emily† by William Faulkner reveal how people are compelled to live their life In an Illusion or a different way rather than to live in reality, thinking that's how life is supposed to be, not knowing what life really looks like, they make this illusion seem real, at least to them. Even though the plots of the stories are different, they both share similar themes that can elate to each other, such as isolation.In the story â€Å"A Rose for Emily' the characters have similar settings in Plat&s Myth. To begin with Plat's Myth and a Rose for Emily both stories share the theme of isolation. In Plat's Myth prisoners are attached with chains to their necks not allowing them to look sideward, only towards what Is directly in front of them. Behind them there Is a burning fire with people holding up puppets that cast shadows on the wall, making the prisoners believe that the shadows that they are seeing are real people rather than Just shadows.What It really convinces the prisoners are the echoes and the sounds that fit the shadows. That Is what truly makes them believe that the shadows are real people rather than just an illusion. The prisoners live isolated in the cave from the real world, being accustomed to the darkness already. If they would peek out the bright rays of the sun would without doubt harm the prisoners eyes, they would ever let loose. In â€Å"A Rose for Emily her house plays a big role because when she was younger her father withheld her from suitors which are hat made her get used to staying inside of her house.Even when her father died, she still stayed inside her house. She feels safe within those walls and believes her world inside that home Is reality. Emily like the prisoners, also lives isolated from reality. Both stories share the theme of Isolation or â€Å"the state of being separated from other people, or a situation In which you do not have the support of other people†. Characters In both stories are Isolated from the outside, from reality. Also in â€Å"A Rose for Email' she has a servant name Toby that goes in and out of the house.Toby is the only one that knows what is going on inside the house but yet does not talk to anybody about it. When Emily dies, after the funeral, and after Emily is buried, the townspeople go upstairs to break into the room, they knew was closed for years. Inside, they found the body of â€Å"Homer Barron† a guy that the townspeople thought it was her partner, dead in the bed. After Emily died the townspeople find out the mystery inside the house. Just like in Plat's Myth, Socrates released one of the prisoners; we can compare the free prisoner with Toby in â€Å"A Rose for Emily'.When the prisoner goes out of the cave the light burned his eyes because he was used to the darkness In the cave. The prisoner, after he realized what was outside, finds out that everything he saw inside In the cave was an Illusion. He finally realized what reality Is. Comparing both stones they finally discover what was hidden. The prisoner discovered the real world outside of the cave, and the townspeople in â€Å"A Furthermore the prisoner that was set free in Plat's Myth decides to go back to the cave to tell the other prisoners that what they see in the cave is not real is Just an illusion.That what was outside the cave is reality, but the prisoners don't believe him and laugh at him. The prisoners weren't interested of what it was outside of the cave. They also talk about killing the freed prisoner if he tries to set them free. In â€Å"A Rose for Emily', even after her father's dead, she still separates herself from the townspeople. She refuses to have a social life out of her house. With the only person that the townspeople saw her with was with Homer, which they believe it was her boyfriend.In both stories we see house both characters are sca red to get out of their comfort zone because they are already dependent of one place. They feel secure being inside the same place. In the â€Å"Myth of the Cave† by Plato and â€Å"A Rose for Emily' by William Faulkner both stories shows similarities in their characters how they isolate themselves in their comfort zone because both of them relay in a place where they don't go away from. For example in Plat's Myth is the cave and in â€Å"A Rose for Emily' is the house where she spends her life.It also shows in Plat's how one of the prisoners is set free and he discovers that what he sees in the cave was Just an illusion. Like in â€Å"A Rose for Emily', when she dies the townspeople finally discovers what was hidden in her house. In both stories the characters discover reality but some others refuse to know what reality is. Emily died without knowing the reality outside her house, and the prisoners refused to believe that there is something else outside the cave.

The Lost Duke of Wyndham Chapter Six

Jack had always prided himself on being able to spot the irony in any situation, but as he stood in the Belgrave drawing room – correction, one of the Belgrave drawing rooms, surely there were dozens – he could find nothing but stark, cold reality. He'd spent six years as an officer in His Majesty's army, and if he'd learned one thing from his years on the battlefield, it was that life could, and frequently did, turn on a single moment. One wrong turn, one missed clue, and he could lose an entire company of men. But once he returned to Britain, he'd somehow lost sight of that. His life was a series of small decisions and insignificant encounters. It was true that he was living a life of crime, which meant he was always dancing a few steps ahead of the hangman's noose, but it wasn't the same. No one's life depended upon his actions. No one's livelihood, even. There was nothing serious about robbing coaches. It was a game, really, played by men with too much education and too little direction. Who would have thought that one of his insignificant decisions – to take the Lincoln road north instead of south – would lead to this? Because one thing was for certain, his carefree life on the road was over. He suspected that Wyndham would be more than happy to watch him ride away without a word, but the dowager would not be so accommodating. Miss Eversleigh's assurances aside, he was quite certain the old bat would go to extensive lengths to keep him on a leash. Maybe she would not turn him over to the authorities, but she could certainly tell the world that her long-lost grandson was gadding about the countryside robbing coaches. Which would make it damned difficult to continue in his chosen profession. And if he was truly the Duke of Wyndham†¦ God help them all. He was beginning to hope that his aunt had lied. Because no one wanted him in a position of such authority, least of all himself. â€Å"Could someone please explain†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He took a breath and stopped, pressing his fingers against his temples. It felt as if an entire battalion had marched across his forehead. â€Å"Could someone explain the family tree?† Because shouldn't someone have known if his father had been the heir to a dukedom? His aunt? His mother? Himself? â€Å"I had three sons,† the dowager said crisply. â€Å"Charles was the eldest; John, the middle; and Reginald the last. Your father left for Ireland just after Reginald married† – her face took on a visible expression of distaste, and she jerked her head toward Wyndham – â€Å"his mother.† â€Å"She was a Cit,† Wyndham said, with no expression whatsoever. â€Å"Her father owned factories. Piles and piles of them.† One of his brows lifted. Very slightly. â€Å"We own them now.† The dowager's lips tightened, but she did not acknowledge his interruption. â€Å"We were notified of your father's death in July of 1790.† Jack nodded tightly. He had been told the same. â€Å"One year after that, my husband and my eldest son died of a fever. I did not contract the ailment. My youngest son was no longer living at Belgrave, so he, too, was spared. Charles had not yet married, and we believed John to have died without issue. Thus Reginald became duke.† She paused, but other than that expressed no emotion. â€Å"It was not expected.† Everyone looked at Wyndham. He said nothing, â€Å"I will remain,† Jack said quietly, because he didn't see as he had any other choice. And maybe it wouldn't hurt to learn a thing or two of his father. A man ought to know where he comes from. That was what his uncle had always said. Jack was beginning to wonder if he'd been offering forgiveness – in advance. Just in case he decided one day that he wished to be a Cavendish. Of course, Uncle William hadn't met these Cavendishes. If he had, he might've revised that statement entirely. â€Å"Most judicious of you,† the dowager said, clapping her hands together. â€Å"Now then, we – â€Å" â€Å"But first,† Jack cut in, â€Å"I must return to the inn to collect my belongings.† He glanced around the drawing room, almost laughing at the opulence. â€Å"Meager though they are.† â€Å"Nonsense,† the dowager said briskly. â€Å"Your things will be replaced.† She looked down her nose at his traveling costume. â€Å"With items of far greater quality, I might add.† â€Å"I wasn't asking your permission,† Jack said lightly. He did not like to allow his anger to reveal itself in his voice. It did put a man at a disadvantage. â€Å"Nonethe – â€Å" â€Å"Furthermore,† Jack added, because really, he didn't wish to hear her voice any more than he had to, â€Å"I must make explanations to my associates.† At that he looked over at Wyndham. â€Å"Nothing approaching the truth,† he added dryly, lest the duke assume that he intended to spread rumors throughout the county. â€Å"Don't disappear,† the dowager directed. â€Å"I assure you, you will regret it.† â€Å"There's no worry of that,† Wyndham said blandly. â€Å"Who would disappear with the promise of a dukedom?† Jack's jaw tightened, but he forced himself to let it pass. The afternoon did not need another fistfight. And then – bloody hell – the duke abruptly added, â€Å"I will accompany you.† Oh, good God. That was the last thing he needed. Jack swung around to face him, lifting one dubious brow. â€Å"Need I worry for my safety?† Wyndham stiffened visibly, and Jack, who had been trained to notice even the smallest of details, saw that both of his fists clenched at his sides. So he'd insulted the duke. At this point, and considering the bruises he was likely to find staining his throat, he didn't care. He turned to Miss Eversleigh, offering her his most self-effacing smile. â€Å"I am a threat to his very identity. Surely any reasonable man would question his safety.† â€Å"No, you're wrong!† she cried out. â€Å"You misjudge him. The duke – â€Å" She shot a horrified look at Wyndham, and they all were forced to share her discomfort when she realized what she'd said. But she plowed on, determined girl that she was. â€Å"He is as honorable a man as I have ever met,† she continued, her voice low and fervent. â€Å"You would never come to harm in his company.† Her cheeks had flushed with passion, and Jack was struck by the most acidic thought. Was there something between Miss Eversleigh and the duke? They resided in the same house, or castle, as it were, with only an embittered old lady for company. And while the dowager was anything but senile, Jack could not imagine that there was any lack of opportunity to engage in a dalliance under her nose. He watched Miss Eversleigh closely, his eyes falling to her lips. He'd surprised himself when he kissed her the night before. He hadn't meant to, and he certainly had never done such a thing before whilst attempting to rob a coach. It had seemed the most natural thing in the world – to touch her chin, tilt her face up toward his, and brush his lips against hers. It had been soft, and fleeting, and it had taken him until this moment to realize just how deeply he wanted more. He looked at Wyndham, and his jealousy must have shown on his face because his newly discovered cousin looked coolly amused as he said, â€Å"I assure you, whatever violent urges I possess, I shall not act upon them.† â€Å"That is a terrible thing to say,† Miss Eversleigh responded. â€Å"But honest,† Jack acknowledged with a nod. He did not like this man, this duke who had been brought up to view the world as his private domain. But he appreciated honesty, no matter the source. And as Jack looked him in the eye, there seemed to develop an unspoken agreement. They did not have to be friends. They did not even have to be friendly. But they would be honest. Which suited Jack just fine. By Grace's calculations, the men ought to have returned within ninety minutes, two hours at most. She had not spent much time in a saddle, so she was not the best judge of speed, but she was fairly certain that two men on horseback could reach the posting inn in something less than an hour. Then Mr. Audley would need to retrieve his belongings, which could not take very long, could it? And then – â€Å"Get away from the window,† the dowager snapped. Grace's lips tightened with irritation, but she managed to return her expression to one of placidity before she turned around. â€Å"Make yourself useful,† the dowager said. Grace glanced this way and that, trying to decode the dowager's order. She always had something specific in mind, and Grace hated it when she was forced to guess. â€Å"Would you like me to read to you?† she asked. It was the most pleasant of her duties; they were currently reading Pride and Prejudice, which Grace was enjoying immensely, and the dowager was pretending not to like at all. The dowager grunted. It was a no grunt. Grace was fluent in this method of communication. She took no particular pride in this skill. â€Å"I could pen a letter,† she suggested. â€Å"Weren't you planning to respond to the recent missive from your sister?† â€Å"I can write my own letters,† the dowager said sharply, even though they both knew her spelling was atrocious. Grace always ended up rewriting all of her correspondence before it was posted. Grace took a deep breath and then let it out slowly, the exhale shuddering through her. She did not have the energy to untangle the inner workings of the dowager's mind. Not today. â€Å"I'm hot,† the dowager announced. Grace did not respond. She was hoping none was necessary. And then the dowager picked something up off a nearby table. A fan, Grace realized with dismay, just as the dowager snapped it open. Oh, please, no. Not now. The dowager regarded the fan, a rather festive blue one, with Chinese paintings in black and gold. Then she snapped it back shut, clearly just to make it easier for her to hold it before her like a baton. â€Å"You may make me more comfortable,† she said. Grace paused. It was only for a moment, probably not even a full second, but it was her only means of rebellion. She could not say no, and she could not even allow her distaste to show in her expression. But she could pause. She could hold her body still for just enough time to make the dowager wonder. And then, of course, she stepped forward. â€Å"I find the air quite pleasant,† she said once she had assumed her position at the dowager's side. â€Å"That is because you are pushing it about with the fan.† Grace looked down at her employer's pinched face. Some of the lines were due to age, but not the ones near her mouth, pulling her lips into a perpetual frown. What had happened to this woman to make her so bitter? Had it been the deaths of her children? The loss of her youth? Or had she simply been born with a sour disposition? â€Å"What do you think of my new grandson?† the dowager asked abruptly. Grace froze, then quickly regained her composure and resumed fanning. â€Å"I do not know him well enough to form an opinion,† she answered carefully. The dowager continued to look straight ahead as she answered, â€Å"Nonsense. All of the best opinions are formed in an instant. You know that very well. ‘Else you'd be married to that repulsive little cousin of yours, wouldn't you?† Grace thought of Miles, ensconced in her old home. She had to admit, every now and then the dowager got things exactly right. â€Å"Surely you have something to say, Miss Eversleigh.† The fan rose and fell three times before Grace decided upon, â€Å"He seems to have a buoyant sense of humor.† â€Å"Buoyant.† The dowager repeated the word, her voice curious, as if she were testing it out on her tongue. â€Å"An apt adjective. I should not have thought of it, but it is fitting.† It was about as close to a compliment as the dowager ever got. â€Å"He is rather like his father,† the dowager continued. Grace moved the fan from one hand to the other, murmuring, â€Å"Is he?† â€Å"Indeed. Although if his father had been a bit more†¦ buoyant, we'd not be in this mess, would we?† Grace choked on air. â€Å"I'm so sorry, ma'am. I should have chosen my words more carefully.† The dowager did not bother to acknowledge the apology. â€Å"His levity is much like his father. My John was never one to allow a serious moment to pass him by. He had the most cutting wit.† â€Å"I would not say that Mr. Audley is cutting,† Grace said. His humor was far too sly. â€Å"His name is not Mr. Audley, and of course he is,† the dowager said sharply. â€Å"You're too besotted to see it.† â€Å"I am not besotted,† Grace protested. â€Å"Of course you are. Any girl would be. He is most handsome. Pity about the eyes, though.† â€Å"What I am,† Grace said, resisting the urge to point out that there was nothing wrong with green eyes, â€Å"is overset. It has been a most exhausting day. And night,† she added after a thought. The dowager shrugged. â€Å"My son's wit was legendary,† she said, setting the conversation back to where she wished it. â€Å"You wouldn't have thought it cutting, either, but that was simply because he was far too clever. It is a brilliant man who can make insult without the recipient even realizing.† Grace thought that rather sad. â€Å"What is the point, then?† â€Å"The point?† The dowager blinked several times in rapid succession. â€Å"Of what?† â€Å"Of insulting someone.† Grace shifted the fan again, then shook out her free hand; her fingers were cramped from clutching the handle. â€Å"Or I should say,† she amended, since she was quite sure the dowager could find many good reasons to cut someone down, â€Å"of insulting someone with intention of their not noticing it?† The dowager still did not look at her, but Grace could see that she rolled her eyes. â€Å"It is a source of pride, Miss Eversleigh. I wouldn't expect you to understand.† â€Å"No,† Grace said softly. â€Å"I wouldn't.† â€Å"You don't know what it means to excel at something.† The dowager pursed her lips and stretched her neck slightly from side to side. â€Å"You couldn't know.† Which had to be as cutting an insult as any, except that the dowager seemed completely unaware she'd done it. There was irony in there somewhere. There had to be. â€Å"We live in interesting times, Miss Eversleigh,† the dowager commented. Grace nodded silently, turning her head to the side so that the dowager, should she ever choose to turn her head in her direction, would not see the tears in her eyes. Her parents had lacked the funds to travel, but theirs had been wandering hearts, and the Eversleigh home had been filled with maps and books about faraway places. Like it was yesterday, Grace remembered the time they had all been sitting in front of the fire, engrossed in their own reading, and her father looked up from his book and exclaimed, â€Å"Isn't this marvelous? In China, if you wish to insult someone, you say, ‘May you live in interesting times.'† Grace suddenly did not know if the tears in her eyes were of sorrow or mirth. â€Å"That is enough, Miss Eversleigh,† the dowager said suddenly. â€Å"I am quite cooled.† Grace shut the fan, then decided to set it down on the table by the window so she would have a reason to cross the room. Dusk hung only lightly in the air, so it was not difficult to see down the drive. She was not certain why she was so eager to have the two men back – possibly just as proof that they had not killed each other on the trip. Despite defending Thomas's sense of honor, she had not liked the look in his eyes. And she had certainly never known him to attack someone. He'd looked positively feral when he lunged for Mr. Audley. If Mr. Audley had been less of a fighting man himself, she was quite certain Thomas would have done him permanent harm. â€Å"Do you think it will rain, Miss Eversleigh?† Grace turned. â€Å"No.† â€Å"The wind is picking up.† â€Å"Yes.† Grace waited until the dowager turned her attention to a trinket on the table next to her, and then she turned back to the window. Of course the moment she did, she heard – â€Å"I hope it rains.† She held still. And then she turned. â€Å"I beg your pardon?† â€Å"I hope it rains.† The dowager said it again, so very matter-of-fact, as if anyone would wish for precipitation while two gentlemen were out on horseback. â€Å"They will be drenched,† Grace pointed out. â€Å"They will be forced to take each other's measure. Which they will have to do sooner or later. Besides, my John never minded riding in the rain. In fact, he rather enjoyed it.† â€Å"That does not mean that Mr. – â€Å" â€Å"Cavendish,† the dowager inserted. Grace swallowed. It helped her catch her patience. â€Å"Whatever he wishes to be called, I don't think we may assume that he enjoys riding in the rain just because his father did. Most people do not.† The dowager did not seem to wish to consider this. But she acknowledged the statement with, â€Å"I know nothing of the mother, that is true. She could be responsible for any number of adulterations.† â€Å"Would you care for tea, ma'am?† Grace asked. â€Å"I could ring for it.† â€Å"What do we know of her, after all? Almost certainly Irish, which could mean any number of things, all of them dreadful.† â€Å"The wind is picking up,† Grace said. â€Å"I shouldn't want you to get chilled.† â€Å"Did he even tell us her name?† â€Å"I don't believe so.† Grace sighed, because direct questions made it difficult to pretend she wasn't a part of this conversation. â€Å"Dear Lord.† The dowager shuddered, and her eyes took on an expression of utter horror. â€Å"She could be Catholic.† â€Å"I have met several Catholics,† Grace said, now that it was clear that her attempts to divert the subject had failed. â€Å"It was strange,† she murmured. â€Å"None had horns.† â€Å"What did you say?† â€Å"Just that I know very little about the Catholic faith,† Grace said lightly. There was a reason she often directed her comments to a window or wall. The dowager made a noise that Grace could not quite identify. It sounded like a sigh, but it was probably more of a snort, because the next words from her mouth were: â€Å"We shall have to get that taken care of.† She leaned forward, pinching the bridge of her nose with her fingers and looking extremely put out. â€Å"I suppose I shall have to contact the archbishop.† â€Å"Is that a problem?† Grace asked. The dowager's head shook with distaste. â€Å"He is a beady little man who will be lording this over me for years.† Grace leaned forward. Was that movement she saw in the distance? â€Å"Heaven knows what sorts of favors he shall demand,† the dowager muttered. â€Å"I suppose I shall have to let him sleep in the State Bedroom, just so he can say he slept on Queen Elizabeth's sheets.† Grace watched as the two men on horseback came into view. â€Å"They are back,† she said, and not for the first time that evening, wondered just what role she was meant to play in this drama. She was not family; the dowager was certainly correct in that. And despite Grace's relatively lofty position within the household, she was not included in matters pertaining to family or title. She did not expect it, and indeed she did not want it. The dowager was at her worst when matters of dynasty arose, and Thomas was at his worst when he had to deal with the dowager. She should excuse herself. It did not matter that Mr. Audley had insisted upon her presence. Grace knew her position, and she knew her place, and it was not in the middle of a family affair. But every time she told herself it was time to go, that she ought to turn from the window and inform the dowager that she would leave her to talk with her grandsons in private, she could not make herself move. She kept hearing – no, feeling – Mr. Audley's voice. She stays. Did he need her? He might. He knew nothing of the Wyndhams, nothing of their history and the tensions that ran through the house like a vicious, intractable spiderweb. He could not be expected to navigate his new life on his own, at least not right away. Grace shivered, hugging her arms to her chest as she watched the men dismount in the drive. How strange it was to feel needed. Thomas liked to say he needed her, but they both knew that was untrue. He could hire anyone to put up with his grandmother. Thomas needed no one. Nothing. He was marvelously self-contained. Confident and proud, all he really needed was the occasional pinprick to burst the bubble that surrounded him. He knew this, too, which was what saved him from being entirely insufferable. He'd never said as much, but Grace knew it was why they had become friends. She was possibly the only person in Lincolnshire who did not bow and scrape and say only what she thought he wished to hear. But he didn't need her. Grace heard footsteps in the hall and turned, stiffening nervously. She waited for the dowager to order her gone. She even looked at her, raising her brows ever so slightly as if in a dare, but the dowager was staring at the door, determinedly ignoring her. When the men arrived, Thomas walked in first. â€Å"Wyndham,† the dowager said briskly. She never called him anything but his title. He nodded in response. â€Å"I had Mr. Audley's belongings sent up to the blue silk bedroom.† Grace shot a careful look over at the dowager to gauge her reaction. The blue silk bedroom was one of the nicer guest bedchambers, but it was not the largest or most prestigious. It was, however, just down the hall from the dowager. â€Å"Excellent choice,† the dowager replied. â€Å"But I must repeat. Do not refer to him as Mr. Audley in my presence. I don't know these Audleys, and I don't care to know them.† â€Å"I don't know that they would care to know you, either,† commented Mr. Audley, who had entered the room behind Thomas. The dowager lifted a brow, as if to point out her own magnificence. â€Å"Mary Audley is my late mother's sister,† Mr. Audley stated. â€Å"She and her husband, William Audley, took me in at my birth. They raised me as their own and, at my request, gave me their name. I don't care to relinquish it.† He looked coolly at the dowager, as if daring her to comment. She did not, much to Grace's surprise. And then he turned to her, offering her an elegant bow. â€Å"You may refer to me as Mr. Audley if you wish, Miss Eversleigh.† Grace bobbed a curtsy. She was not certain if this was a requirement, since no one had any clue as to his rank, but it seemed only polite. He had bowed, after all. She glanced at the dowager, who was glaring at her, and then at Thomas, who somehow managed to look amused and annoyed at the same time. â€Å"She can't sack you for using his legal name,† Thomas said with his usual hint of impatience. â€Å"And if she does, I shall retire you with a lifelong bequest and have her sent off to some far-flung property.† Mr. Audley looked at Thomas with surprise and approval before turning to Grace and smiling. â€Å"It's tempting,† he murmured. â€Å"How far can she be flung?† â€Å"I am considering adding to our holdings,† Thomas replied. â€Å"The Outer Hebrides are lovely this time of year.† â€Å"You're despicable,† the dowager hissed. â€Å"Why do I keep her on?† Thomas wondered aloud. He walked over to a cabinet and poured himself a drink. â€Å"She is your grandmother,† Grace said, since someone had to be the voice of reason. â€Å"Ah yes, blood.† Thomas sighed. â€Å"I'm told it's thicker than water. Pity.† He looked over at Mr. Audley. â€Å"You'll soon learn.† Grace half expected Mr. Audley to bristle at Thomas's tone of condescension, but his face remained blandly unconcerned. Curious. It seemed the two men had forged some sort of truce. â€Å"And now,† Thomas announced, looking squarely at his grandmother, â€Å"my work here is done. I have returned the prodigal son to your loving bosom, and all is right with the world. Not my world,† he added, â€Å"but someone's world, I'm sure.† â€Å"Not mine,† Mr. Audley said, when no one else seemed inclined to comment. And then he unleashed a smile – slow, lazy, and meant to paint himself as the careless rogue he was. â€Å"In case you were interested.† Thomas looked at him, his nose crinkling in an expression of vague indifference. â€Å"I wasn't.† Grace's head bobbed back to Mr. Audley. He was still smiling. She looked to Thomas, waiting for him to say something more. He dipped his head toward her in wry salute, then tossed back his liquor in one shockingly large swallow. â€Å"I am going out.† â€Å"Where?† demanded the dowager. Thomas paused in the doorway. â€Å"I have not yet decided.† Which meant, Grace was sure, anywhere but here.