A/N Thank you soooooo much to everyone reading, and everyone that's voted or fanned!!! :)

“It is such a secret place, the land of tears” –Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Liverpool-

Muffled voices sounded around her; she couldn’t make out what anyone was saying. A bright light caused her already half-closed eyes to squint until she decided it wasn’t worth the effort and closed her eyes. Yes, she thought, she would rest.

Her head was pounding. Loud voices sounded in her ear. Was someone yelling? She tried to lift her hand to her ears to shut out the noise but it felt as if someone had tied them to a load of bricks.

“Stop yelling,” she mumbled incoherently. Silence. She sighed with true contentment and relaxed, but suddenly forgot about her pounding head as anger set in.

“Who has tied my hands? Unbind me,” she demanded. “I can’t see…I can’t see.” Muffled voices surrounded her again. Some sounded worried and urgent, others…well; she didn’t want to think of the others.

“What have I done to be tied this time?” she mumbled. “I’ve done nothing wrong….nothing.”

A worried expression dominated Breanne’s features as she watched her friend fall silent again. The doctor said that Alla had a slight concussion, and if that were not enough, she had a horrible fever that had lasted two days thus far. Tearing her eyes from Alla, she turned to Godfrey who stood at the bedroom door.

“Godfrey, please thank his grace for allowing me to visit Katrina.”

“You may thank his grace yourself mum, but I will oblige you if you do not get the opportunity.”

Breanne nodded once and sat in the chair situated near Alla’s bed, grasping her cold hands. When she heard the door click shut she turned around. He left. She sighed with relief. She certainly did not want to thank his grace on her own, and freely admitted that when it came to the duke, she was a coward. Thankfully, the Viscount Torrington had escorted her over to the manor so she had been spared from speaking with him.

“Please...,” Alla mumbled. “No, no!” Her head turned back and forth on the pillow. Beads of sweat came shone on her forehead, and tears streamed down her eyes. Breanne squeezed her hand, and brushed Alla’s hair from her face. After squeezing water out of the bowl resting on her nightstand, she gently dabbed at Alla’s forehead. 

“Amos, I’ll save you. Mama, mama…”

Breanne’s eyebrows scrunched in confusion at her words.

“Miss Crabtree.”

Breanne turned to see the viscount and duke in the doorway, although she avoided focusing at the latter.

“We should be off. I promised your parents we would return at this very hour,” the viscount stated. Breanne turned towards Alla. Bending down towards her, she kissed her forehead and returned the cloth to the bowl. She walked towards the two men, keeping her focus on Torrington. When she reached them, she managed to focus on the duke’s chin.

“Will you...will you allow me to return; to check on her?”

The duke inclined his head in agreement.

Breanne took the offered arm of the viscount, and departed, leaving the Duke of Manchester in the doorway.

“I’m not a coward, I’m not!” Alla cried. “I’m sorry I left you…I can climb it, I can do it. I have to fly.” He stared at her a minute longer; gave instructions to the servants, and left the room.

The next day, Alla’s eyes slowly opened. Where was she? Using her elbows, she tried to hoist herself to an upright position so she could look around, but the action immediately sent a wave of pain through her head, and she quickly lay down again.  She supposed she didn’t have the strength to keep herself upright anyhow; she felt so weak. Alla slowly looked around, trying to peer at her surroundings through the darkness. The room was grand. It appeared larger than any of the rooms that were in the big house, and to think, she was resting in it!

Although the curtains were drawn closed, she could see that it was daylight. The curtains looked as if they went from ceiling to floor. She had never been in such a grand place. Daylight inched its’ way through the bottom of the curtains. Alla longed to have them open, but standing up was out of the question.

When the door opened, she immediately closed her eyes, loathing the prospect of speaking to anyone.

After a while, a finger poked her cheek.

Who would—?

“Are you dead?” a small voice whispered.

Alla opened her eyes and turned her head, weakly smiling at the little boy who stood before her. The little light coming in through the open door allowed her to see that he had brown wavy hair; and his big brown eyes were looking at her anxiously.

“No,” she whispered back to him.

His smile revealed two perfect dimples on both cheeks, and a missing front tooth.

“I knew you weren’t gonna die,” he boasted. “My daddy wouldn’t let you.”

Her smile widened. “You must be William.”

“Yep,” he yelled in confirmation, making Alla wince. He held out his hand, wiggling all fingers.

“And you’re five?”

“Yep,” he repeated, grinning.

“So your father thinks he could stop me from dying?”

The little boy nodded solemnly. “You hafta listen to daddy. If daddy says you mustn’t die, then you mustn’t.”

She hurried to reassure the boy. “I’m not going to die; I’ll soon be as fit as a fat fox.”

The boy laughed at her description. When she chuckled in response to his giggle, she winced again.

“Does it hurt a lot?” The worry showed through William’s voice, and he pointed to her head. Alla lifted her hand up to touch it, and found that it was bandaged.

“Just a little,” she lied.

“Well ‘least your arms ain’t hurted.”

“Aren’t hurting,” she corrected. “What would make you say that?”

“Cause daddy didn’t let the damn doctor put leeches on you.”

“Don’t say damn,” she instructed. The boy’s father must be the worst influence. Leeches!?

“Why would the doctor put leeches on me?” she asked, trying to filter the disbelief and astonishment out of her voice.

William cocked his head to the side, as if she asked a silly question. “He does it to get rid of the bad blood. You had a fever. Nobody told me that,” he leaned to whisper into her ear, “I snuck around and heard the servants talking ‘bout it.”

“Well thank goodness your father didn’t let him do it.”

“Nope, and he yelled too.” William nodded as if to confirm his own statement. “He called the doctor bad names, and told him to take his bloody arse out of here. You talk funny.”

Alla’s head began to spin at the change of subjects. How could the man be so rude to a doctor?!

Alla sighed. “Don’t say bloody, or arse,” she told him offhandedly.

“Well, what can I say, then?” he asked, in a full pout. He looked pitiful, as if she had taken away all of his vocabulary.

“You can say nice words.”

“Nice?” He acted as if he didn’t know the meaning of the word. Alla gave up.

 “Why was your father so mean to the doctor?”

“Cause he didn’t listen. Daddy said no leeches and he did it anyway. So daddy got a new doctor. See, I told ya you hafta listen to daddy.”

Alla slightly smiled and nodded at him. Her head pounded harder. Voices sounded outside the room.  William frantically looked towards the open doorway.

“I’m not s’posed to be in here,” he confided. “Don’t tell!” He ran to what Alla assumed was her closet, and closed the door behind him.

When the voices sounded louder, Alla immediately closed her eyes. She didn’t mind young William so much, but her head was getting worse, and at the moment, she wanted to relax.

“She’s still sleepin, that one,” an older woman’s voice chimed. “I do hope she comes to, soon.”

The sound of the curtains sliding across the rod almost made Alla smile in anticipation. Her eyes remained closed as the sunlight warmed her face.

“I heard the girl is from the colonies, such a savage place,” a different woman said. “Probably hasn’t any manner’s at all. I tell you this Aunt Edith; the girl is likely to get snobbish with us after living ‘ere a while. We are best served keepin’ to ourselves.” Alla heard footsteps come near her bed. “She’s surprisingly pretty. I guarantee she will try and make a go for the master.”

“Hush that nonsense,” Edith chided. “You don’t know when the girl will waken. You’d best mind your tongue, Brawna.”

“Hmmph!”

 Flurried movement sounded all around the large room until finally, footsteps faded and the bedroom door was pulled closed. She opened her eyes and almost gasped in wonder. Daylight revealed burgundy tapestries and enormous paintings which hung on the dark intricately designed walls. As she thought; the curtains stretched from ceiling to floor, and when pulled apart, revealed large windows which allowed rays of sunlight to filter through and light up the entire room. The floors were covered with plush rugs, and her bedding was the finest she had ever seen. She was happy to discover that she actually was lying upon silk sheets. She could probably slide across them. She smiled at the thought.

A door creaked open. Surprised, her head jerked in the direction the noise came from, and she almost immediately sighed in relief when she saw it was only the boy.

“You are pretty,” he said in surprise when he reached her bedside.

“And you are handsome,” she returned.

He cocked his head. “What does make a go mean?”

 She had forgotten the boy had heard everything those darned women were discussing. “It means to give something a try.”

“Are you gonna give daddy a try?”

Alla choked back her laugh. “I am going to try to work for your father, yes.”

“Why do you talk like that?”

Alla was thankful he was done with the former subject. “How do I talk?”

“Not like me, or daddy.”

“I probably talk like I’m from a different land, because I am.”

His eyes grew big. “What is it like?”

It’s a horrible, painful place. “I’m tired William, could you leave me in peace for a little while?”

He nodded. “Are you gonna tell on me?”

“What? No, William. I’ll not tell you were in here, if you’ll not tell I’m awake.”

He smiled and quickly nodded his agreement as he ran out of the room. The boy had already somehow endeared himself to her. She sighed. Peace at last. Fatigue overwhelmed her and then her stomach growled. Well make up your mind, body. Do you want to eat or sleep?!

Longingly, she looked towards the windows. Disappointment settled within her as she realized that she had missed her entrance to England. She didn’t get to see any of the sights it afforded.

Thinking back, she remembered how she’d climbed the mast, the fall she took. Hopefully Braggs wasn’t too angry, and the men were still employed. The only way to find out what became of them was to investigate the situation, herself.

She didn’t even know where she was exactly. Well, sure she was in England, but where? Breanne had mentioned it, hadn’t she? Another wave of dizziness overcame her as she shook her head in confusion.

The perfect remedy, the only remedy that she could think of to cure dizziness, was sleep. Closing her eyes, she felt even more dizzy than before, but after a while, sleep finally came. 

Alla slept until late the next morning. Brawna and Edith had already come into her room, opening the curtains again, and chattering away as she feigned sleep. When the two women left she looked around her room once more from her position. It didn’t take long for boredom to set in. How long was she supposed to remain in bed? Admittedly, she was partially to blame for her current position since she’d been feigning sleep every time someone entered the room.

 She struggled to sit up once more and felt pain shoot through her leg. The dizziness accompanying the pain caused her to quickly lie back down with a disappointed sigh. She vowed that when she was finally able to get up, she would walk all over England. She never wanted to sleep again!

Boredom eventually caused her to doze off once more.

Sometime later, a gentle tap on her bedroom door caused her to wake. The door slowly cracked open, and in walked Breanne.

She gasped at seeing Alla. “You’re awake!” She literally flew over to where Alla lay. “They told me that you have been asleep this whole time.”

Alla smiled at her accusing tone. She held her hand out, and Breanne grasped it. “How are you feeling? Are you warm enough? Cold? Goodness, there is a lot of light coming through those windows! Is it too bright in the room? Do you want me to close the curtains?”

“Breanne,” Alla smiled at her, “breathe.”

“Well, you really cannot blame me. You gave us all quite the fright. So don’t dare laugh at me.”

Alla nodded, biting the inside of her cheek.

“Katrina,” she warned.

“I apologize for giving you a fright.”

“Your smile would suggest otherwise.”

“Really Breanne, I didn’t realize that I caused anyone to become frightened over me.”

“What did you expect, Katrina?” she said, removing her hat and placing it on the nightstand. “What in heaven possessed you to climb that mast, and in trousers, no less?!”

Alla sighed. “Everyone knows,” she stated, grimly.

“Well yes, of course everyone knows. How you could go up there, only to fall and injure yourself…” she chided, shaking her head.

“I promise to fall a bit more carefully next time,” Alla cheekily responded.

Breanne raised a brow at her.

“My, my, Breanne, you have mastered the brow raise. Has the viscount been teaching you?”

Breanne’s cheeks became tinged with pink, as she smiled. “Hush,” she responded, pulling a nearby chair next to Alla’s bed.

“I think he likes me, Katrina,” she grinned.

“Yes,” Alla teased, “I suspected that he still did since you last mentioned it.”

Breanne dismissed her comment with a wave of her hand, paused, and really looked at her.

“Breanne—?”

“Katrina, I do believe that you have changed somewhat.”

Alla didn’t bother to hide her confusion. “I have?”

 Breanne slowly nodded. “You seem more carefree…and…do not take this the wrong way, but…lively.”

“I do not know what to say to that,” Alla admitted.

“You needn’t say a thing, for I have much to say.”

 Alla chuckled softly, and was grateful for the lessened pain that pulsed through her head. “The past few days have been a whirlwind, Katrina. You should have seen the look on the duke’s face when you were brought here unconscious!”

“You were here when they brought me?”

“Well, for heaven’s sake, yes! You couldn’t be left alone, unconscious with two men in the house, nobility or not.”

“But I wouldn’t have really been alone…”

“Whatever do you mean?” Breanne shook her head, baffled.

“The duke’s wife; the dukess or whatever she is called—,” Alla explained, waving her hand in the air.

Breanne burst out laughing. “Duchess, Katrina, and don’t you already know?”

“Know what?”

“There isn’t a duchess.”

 “Breanne, do not make me keep asking you questions, tell me.”

“Patience, patience,” she muttered. “The duchess died about four years ago of consumption.”

“How sad,” Alla said almost to herself.

“So as I was saying, you couldn’t very well be brought here alone. My parents and I came here, along with your very unconscious body—“

“I’m sure you don’t have to say it quite like that, Breanne.”

She shrugged. “I know. Anyhow, we came here with you. The duke allowed us to stay the first night and then mother and father wanted to return to our home the next day, so of course I had to go with them. In the end we had to leave you to the care of the servants,” she finished guiltily.

“I seriously doubt that I would pose any kind of temptation to the duke, Breanne, so there is no need to become so guilt-stricken.”

“You are completely clueless,” Breanne announced. Before Alla could address that odd statement, Breanne rushed on. “So after explaining everything to the duke, we sent for a doctor and the duke took over from there. I do believe he actually sat in here with you for a bit,” she informed her, nodding. “That is what Torrington told me, anyhow. Oh, but you mustn’t mention it to anyone. He’s such an intimidating man. I think he does it purposely.”

“Torrington?”

Breanne looked at her impatiently. “No, not Torrington, I’m speaking of the Duke of Manchester.

“What does he do purposely?” Alla asked, as she tried to process all of the information.

“Intimidate. Truly, Katrina, you must start paying attention.”

Here we go again. “I shall endeavor to concentrate harder,” she pacified, hiding a smile.

Breanne looked as if she didn’t believe her. “Anyhow,” she continued, “The duke sent away the first doctor for going against his orders on your care. I did think it quite nice that he took such an interest in your well-being, but when he heard how you became injured,” she visibly shivered. “I don’t think I have seen anyone that angry before.”

“Does he intend on ending my employment, Breanne,” Alla questioned, suddenly concerned.

Breanne looked upwards and put a finger to her chin, as if pondering the question.  When she returned her gaze to Alla, there was helplessness in her eyes. “I do not know, Katrina. I am sorry.”

“I’ll be turned out on my ear,” Alla groaned.

“You shall not,” Breanne contradicted. “If anything were to happen you could come and live with me.”

Alla looked at her flatly. “I’m quite sure your parents would object, Breanne.”

“You don’t know that. Mother may wish for a servant. We could take you in under those pretenses, and before long, you shall be joining me at parties and will be more like a sister than a servant,” she finished with a dainty shrug.

 Breanne seemed to allow her imagination to run away with her. Alla couldn’t afford that luxury. Allowing herself to think that she would, that she could, come into a family that would show her unconditional love, was ludicrous. Yet, Breanne seemed so pleased with herself, as if she had just solved all of Alla’s problems. Rather than disappointing Breanne with her own ideas on the matter, she chose to change the subject.

“I wonder what could make him become as angry as you say. After all, he didn’t fall from the mast,” Alla said indignantly. “His body didn’t hit the-,” she looked to Breanne for help.

“Rail,” Breanne supplied.

“The rail…really? I hit the rail? It’s a wonder I didn’t break my neck. Anyhow, really, how unreasonable can a person be?”

“I don’t believe that his anger was directed solely at you, Katrina. He was also unhappy with the sailors…”

“The sailors? Well it’s a very good thing that he isn’t acquainted with the men. A person of his stature wouldn’t be associated with…” She trailed off at the look on Breanne’s face.

“Katrina, he knows the men.”

Perfect. Her day continued to get better and better with each passing moment. “Are you sure, Breanne? I assumed that since there is a class distinction between you and myself, that there would definitely be one between a duke and some sailors.” She threw up her hands. “Well, that’s no matter. He can become angry with them as much as it pleases him. As long as he can’t do anything about it—for the love of god, why are you shaking your head at me now?”

Breanne sighed. “Katrina, he owns the ship.”

“What?” Alla whispered hoarsely.

“He owns it.”

Alla pinched the bridge of her nose with two fingers. Her head was beginning to pound again.

“I’m sorry that displeases you,” Breanne inserted. “I assumed you had become close with the men on the ship. It’s a relationship I do not understand.” Alla looked up at her. “But it is also one that I’m certainly not going to judge you on. A person should never be judged by who they choose to befriend.”

Alla exhaled. “Thank you, Breanne. Do you know what became of the men?”

Breanne shook her head.  “I am sorry to say that I don’t. If you like, I could make inquiries into the matter.”

“No, no. You needn’t concern yourself with it. I’ll try to figure it out. Are you sure he owns that particular ship, Breanne? There are many ships here, aren’t there?”

“Tis the truth Katrina, he owns all of the ships docked here in Liverpool.”

Alla didn’t know whether to break her own moral code and voice the profanities that flitted through her head; or to rejoice at the fact that she finally knew what town she lived in.

“I’ll figure something out,” she repeated. “I suppose there is nothing to do, but face the duke and ask him about the men myself.”

“You cannot do that, Katrina.”

 “Why can’t I? He’s a flesh and blood person, just like anyone else. I am not afraid of him solely because he holds some kind of position in society. Or are you thinking that it isn’t my place to question him since I am but a lowly servant?”

“No need for sarcasm, Katrina. I implied nothing of the sort!”

Alla sighed. She was imposing her views of herself upon others. If it continued, she would not retain what little friends that she had made.

“I’m sorry, Breanne. Of course you couldn’t have meant that. I don’t know what came over me.” Lies, lies, and more lies.

Breanne placed her hand on Alla’s arm. “You are forgiven. Now, to clear this up, I only meant that the duke has left on business for a couple of days.”

“I feel very ridiculous,” Alla told her. “I again apologize. I have to admit I am slightly grateful that he’s gone. I would love to explore this place, and to go down to the port to see the sights I missed when we docked.” And see how the sailors fared.

 “What now?” she cried when Breanne shook her head once more.

 “I’m afraid that is simply out of the question,” she supplied regretfully.

Alla let her head fall back against the headboard in defeat, and automatically winced in pain. When the pain receded she finally spoke. “Why is it out of the question to simply explore?” Really, whoever had started the rumor that there was no slavery in England couldn’t have been further from the truth. At least back in Charleston she could walk around the big house. Granted, she walked to serve, but at least she explored.

“The duke has forbidden you to get up from this very bed until he returns.”

That caught her attention. She lifted her head up and looked Breanne square in the eye.  “Did you just say that the man forbade me to explore.” Breanne quickly nodded and her ire rose.

She absolutely refused to adhere to any demand like that coming from him, from anyone. This was to be a new start. She would not cower again like the mouse she was in the colonies. They couldn’t hang her here, right? No. There was no reason for the man to forbid her to—

“I do believe he has your interests at heart, Katrina,” Breanne said, interrupting her thoughts. “I think he was concerned over your head wound.”

“Concerned or not, he’s not my Mas-, he’s not my father,” she quickly corrected. “If I get an urge to explore then I am going to do just that.”

Breanne leaned forward, towards Alla. “You don’t understand, because you do not know him. Let me make you aware. There is not a person in Liverpool, or in England, for that matter; that would go against the Duke of Manchester. He is a very powerful man. I do not say this simply because he is a duke. I say this because his whole family, including his ancestors, played an enormous role in not only building Liverpool to the city it has become, but also in funding the construction of many other cities, homes, and factories. Everyone relies upon him. There isn’t a person on this green earth that defies him, Katrina. It simply isn’t done.”

“It’s about to be ‘done’, Breanne,” Alla said defiantly. “He doesn’t know me well enough to make decisions as to my welfare. I cannot understand why anyone, you included, should bend to him.”

“Katrina, the man scares the life out of me,” Breanne stated bluntly. “You will see what I mean when you meet him. I cannot even look him in the eye! Like you, he doesn’t adhere to society in dress or grooming either, he’s shabby. I mean no offense to you by that statement, it’s only…he answers to no one. He doesn’t care a whit for anyone’s opinion but his own, and sometimes, Torrington’s. I do not understand why Torrington is such good friends with him. He looks at you and can slice you in half with only a glare!”

Alla laughed. She had been through too many atrocities in her life, so holding her own with this man would not be an issue. If she could remain steadfast whenever facing the whip or being beaten, then she had nothing to worry about. What is more, she survived her childhood, something that was so horrible that she couldn’t even think about it. She was certain, positive; that a look would not make her cower.

“I am not laughing at you, Breanne,” she hastened to say. “I just really believe that I will be able to survive the looks of the DUKE,” she stated in a heavy, mocking voice.

 “Well I certainly hope so, Katrina,” Breanne laughed. “You will find though, that making your escape from the manor will be somewhat difficult.”

“Why is that?”

“He has given command to everyone working here at the manor, even the gardeners, to retain you if you were to waken. He has given orders that you are to remain here. No one will dare let you go, Katrina, especially after witnessing his reaction when he found out about your incident on the ship.”

Blasted man! “Well, if I sneak out—“

“Would you risk the jobs of everyone in his employ?”

She sighed, defeated. “No.” Guilt overwhelmed her. If she followed through, she would be repeating what happened on the ship. Only more people would get in trouble. Truthfully, that seemed as if it was all she was good for…getting people in trouble, starting with her brother. Tears blurred her vision at the thought.

“Don’t be upset, Katrina,” Breanne consoled, mistaking the reason for her sadness. “When the duke returns, you can ask to see him and speak to him about your sailor friends. When he returns he will no doubt lift the ban for you to leave the premises and then you may sneak out to your heart’s content and he shall have no one to blame for the oversight, but himself,” she finished with a smile.

A reluctant grin tugged at the corners of Alla’s mouth.

“But you mustn’t sneak out without me,” she qualified.

“I’ll not be responsible for getting you into trouble, Breanne.”

“Oh, Posh! You cannot have any sort of fun without having some sort of trouble. Please, won’t you confide in me? What sort of things did you want to do, or see?”

Alla smiled excitedly, and her eyes lit up. “I want to walk the streets at night.” Breanne’s grin began to fade. “I want to dance a jig in one of the taverns the sailors told me about.” Breanne frowned. “I want to sneak into a cigar room at a party and listen in on the men’s conversations.”

When Breanne opened her mouth to speak, Alla burst out laughing. Breanne snapped her mouth shut, and a tiny smile broke out.

“You were teasing me?”

“Partially.”

Her smile faded back into a frown. “What part of partial?” she demanded.

Alla laughed again. “I do not care what men talk about in cigar rooms.”

“That was the only one I was hoping you were serious about!” Breanne cried.

“You do not have to join me, Breanne,” Alla pacified. “These are things that I really want to do. I want to see the sights, to enjoy life. For once, I have come into my own. I realize there is a risk taken in doing these things; so I’ll not ask you to join me.”

“I’ll not let you do them alone, Katrina.” She shook her head in defeat. “If you go; I shall go with you.”

“The perfect martyr,” Alla teased.

A peculiar rumbling noise caught Breanne’s attention. “Katrina,” she began slowly, “when was the last time you had something to eat?”

“I haven’t eaten a thing since we were on the ship,” Alla admitted. “I am slightly hungry,” she said, placing her hand over her stomach. The loud rumble coming forth from her stomach after she had made the statement implied that great exception was taken to the term, “slightly.”

Breanne laughed at Alla’s embarrassed expression. “Well, you must have something to eat at once,” she said, reaching for the cord that dangled next to the bed.

Alla put her hand on Breanne’s arm, stopping her. “What are you doing?”

“I’m calling for a servant, Katrina, to fetch some food for you,” she responded. “Do you not have these in the colonies?”

“I’ve never had one,” she evaded. “I really didn’t want anyone to know I was awake, yet, Breanne.”

“I knew it!” she exclaimed. “You’re afraid to face anyone after what happened on the ship, aren’t you?”

“Not afraid,” Alla insisted. “Careful.”

“And so your plan is to… carefully starve yourself, so as to not face a thing but the grave?”

Alla laughed. “I know you are right. I guess I will eat something.”

“Thank you,” Breanne said, inclining her head triumphantly. She pulled the cord and turned once more to Alla. “Goodness, we have spent hours talking in here. I do believe that it is evening. I am a bit hungry myself, do you mind if we dine together?”

“Of course not,” Alla responded, smiling.

A few minutes later there was a light tapping on the bedroom door. Breanne rose from her chair and answered the door.

“You rang, miss?” Alla deciphered that the voice belonged to the young woman, Brawna.

“Yes, we would greatly appreciate it if we could have some food brought to us.”

Brawna stood up on tip toe and tried to look over Breanne. When her eyes fell upon Alla, she stared at her until Breanne cleared her throat. Brawna’s eyes snapped back to Breanne.

 “Thank you…we appreciate it,” Breanne blurted.  Brawna bobbed quickly, turned and left. Breanne closed the door and returned to her chair.

“She really wanted to get a good look at you, Katrina. She’s probably never seen anyone from the colonies, before.”

“I don’t know, Breanne. I have doubts as to whether she even likes me. I know it’s a strange thing to say since she hasn’t really met me, but it’s just a feeling I have.”

            Breanne looked at her curiously. “What gives you that feeling? How could she not like you, Katrina?”

Alla smiled genuinely at Breanne and then looked down, fiddling with her coverlet. “Believe it or not, in my experience, I haven’t been much of a likeable person. In fact, some may say that I’m a nuisance,” she finished with a shrug. “Besides, you would be surprised at the things you can hear when people think you are fast asleep.”

“Who gives a whit what she thinks?” Breanne asked indignantly. “She is naught but a—“

 “Servant?” Alla interrupted, smiling grimly. She waved her hand to stop the apology she knew was coming from Breanne. “I know what you meant, Breanne. I’m not upset with you. It only means that you forget we are of different stations and I suppose that is a compliment.”

“Katrina,” Breanne placed her hand on Alla’s. “I don’t see you as a walking status. I see you as a person, and as my friend. That is all. As for the rest, you aren’t a servant, really. You are a —well, what are you, Katrina?” she asked baffled.

Alla smiled at her. “Apparently I am a governess part of the day, and a secretary-“ Drat. She wasn’t to mention that she was a secretary.

“A what?! Did you just say you will be the duke’s secretary?”

“Please, Breanne, I wasn’t supposed to mention that. You can’t tell anyone.”

“Of course you were not to mention it. What would everyone think? Well, they would certainly think that the duke has for sure lost all of his senses,” she said answering her own question. “I do not say that in offense to you,” she rushed. “It’s just not done. You must have had some extraordinary skills back in the colonies.”

A knock at the door saved Alla from having to form a response to Breanne.

After opening the door for Brawna and pointing to the table the tray should be placed, Breanne turned to Alla.

 “I will return shortly, Katrina, I have a question to inquire of Godfrey.” At Alla’s quick nod, Breanne left the room.

 Brawna set the tray down a bit hard, causing the glasses and silverware on the tray to make a clinking-clattering noise. She then sauntered over to Alla’s bedside.

Alla observed the girl who so blatantly stared back at her. What does she want? Biting her tongue to keep the rude question from coming out, she waited, and waited. Is the girl touched?

“I hear you come from the colonies,” the girl finally said.

Alla’s guard instantly came up. She loved the accents of the Irish, but this girl’s voice immediately grated on her nerves. There was something about her that she did not trust. Alla inclined her head in response, but remained silent.

 “What kind of work did you do exactly, if you don’t mind my askin’?” The Irish red-headed girl was about Alla’s age. Her blue eyes bore into Alla’s and her hand rested on her hip as she awaited her response.

Alla cleared her throat. “I did many a thing, none of which is your concern.”

Brawna’s pale freckled skin lightly stained pink and fire ignited in her eyes. “I suppose whatever you did is none of my concern. Mayhap whatever you did is not fit for me ears.”

Alla gasped; but the girl continued on as if she didn’t notice. “I don’t know whatcha did to get into the position that you are into, as secretary to a duke,” she sneered. “Let me correct any assumptions you may have,…Brandon…whom you may know as the Duke of Manchester, is not interested in pitiful women trying to get a rich—“

“Enough!” Both Alla and Brawna’s heads quickly turned to Breanne, who quickly walked through the door and over to where Brawna stood. “How dare you speak to another person in such a way? Leave this room at once! The duke shall know of your insolence,” she stated firmly.

Brawna’s mouth opened and closed several times, apparently trying to decide if she should plead her case or not. She chose instead to run out of the room, her red hair flying behind her.

Breanne turned to Alla, anger and surprise evident in her features. “Katrina! Why did you let her speak to you in such a dreadful way?”

Alla shrugged. “She caught me by surprise. I hadn’t a clue those words were going to come from her mouth and when they did…” she shook her head. “I didn’t know what to say, Breanne.”

Certainly, even if she did know what to say; if she weren’t caught off guard, chances are that she would still keep her mouth closed. Obviously, Brawna didn’t stimulate whatever it was that held her anger at bay. She would become provoked back in the colonies, of course, and was called willful and stubborn by people who actually cared for her. She never took it personally, but those traits were apparently recognized in her and she hoped it meant that there was something about her that inspired interest, that she wasn’t just an empty shell of a person.

Though sometimes, she wondered if she lacked passion. She was born with nothing, told that she was nothing, and was owed nothing.  Her blood, tears and sorrow were birthed in that land, and they had molded her into the person that she had presently become. She was aware that, to a point, she had it easier than others on the plantation. Nonetheless, she was born and bred to believe that she could not, and should not, ever question anything or anyone. She wasn’t to feel anger toward her masters because it wasn’t her place. She was a nothing. This was simply how things were. This was the life she was born into.

She had noticed that little bits of …rebelliousness, for lack of a better word, seemed to be breaking their way through her personality. But now she felt unbalanced. Already, she’d misjudged Breanne’s statement about not questioning the duke; so how was she to know if her anger was valid since it was an emotion she never acted on and always kept buried within her?

Breanne stared at her. “Did you hear a word I just spoke to you?”

Alla smiled sheepishly. “I’m sorry, Breanne, I was…daydreaming.”

“Mmm, yes. Godfrey told us all about that flaw.” she jested, looking at her pointedly.

“Yes, I’m sure he’s quick to tell everyone, everything about me,” Alla exaggerated, rolling her eyes. Then she changed the subject. “Did you hear that Brawna called him by his given name, Breanne? Could that mean that they are on first name basis with each other? Maybe the duke won’t think she was insolent at all.”

“What are you implying, Katrina? I highly doubt that the two are in some sort of relationship if that is what you’re thinking. The girl was being insolent, and the duke shall hear about it, now-”

“But was it really insolence if I am in a serving position just as she is?”

Breanne sighed, exasperated. “First of all, you are quite a bit higher than she is; socially speaking. Second of all, it was insolent for her to even call him by his given name, unless he gave her permission to do so, a fact I highly doubt. Third of all, stop this nonsense of questioning me to death and let me finish what I was going to tell you.”

Alla smiled. “Shall we talk while we dine?”

“Yes,” Breanne walked over to the tray, put food on their plates, and came back over to her bedside.

“Breanne, really, this is unnecessary. I should be allowed to get out of this bed. I could have at least walked or hobbled over to the table.”

Breanne shrugged. “Duke’s orders,” she quipped with a grin. “Besides, you aren’t really in the position to walk around. I’m sure that you are still in considerable pain since you fell quite the distance. Additionally, you probably haven’t the strength to get up from bed since you haven’t eaten a thing in days.” When Alla opened her mouth to protest, Breanne held up a hand. “Don’t argue with me, Katrina, my opinion shall remain unchanged.”

Alla crossed her arms. “You would go mad were you in my position, Breanne. Mark my words.”

“I do not doubt it,” Breanne stated handing Alla her plate. “But you will be able to walk around when the-”

“Doctor says?” Alla interrupted, dryly.

“Or duke,” Breanne inserted, smiling at Alla’s quick frown. “Now, do you remember when I left you after Brawna came in because I had a question to ask of Godfrey?”

“No, I don’t.  I was daydreaming.”

“Katrina.”

Alla’s laughter rang out through the room. “Very well, yes I remember, of course I do. It was only a few moments ago.”

 “Well, you did in fact hit your head a bit hard…”

“Breanne,” Alla laughingly warned.

“Yes, well, I asked him about the carriages.”

Alla gave her a blank look. “What carriages? What are you talking about?”

“The duke. He has many carriages, and I simply asked him if they were guarded. I thought it would be a good piece of information to know since you plan on sneaking out at night…and meeting up with me,” she pointedly added.

“Breanne, you most assuredly gave us away. I’m sure he thinks it odd that you asked him a strange question such as that.”

“Oh for heaven’s sake, I wasn’t that obvious. It happened to come up in conversation, one that I guided him to bring up, mind you. I was very secret about it, Katrina.”        

“I hope so. Well, what did he say?”

“They are guarded...”

Alla groaned.

“But only by one servant,” she finished.  “The grounds are so large here! When you are able to get out of bed you will be able to see for yourself. No one would dare come all of the way onto the duke’s property without permission, steal one of his carriages, and take themselves off with it. It would be too much trouble, and there are large gates anyhow at the entrance of the property.”

“Large gates? I see this will be quite the adventure,” Alla observed. “We somehow have to sneak past a guard, steal—“

“Not steal, Katrina, borrow.”

“Alright, borrow a carriage; although if we were ever caught I’m sure the term would change back to steal, and then we have to get through the entrance gates. Yes, just getting out of this grand prison shall indeed be quite the adventure.”      

Breanne dabbed her mouth with a linen napkin when she had finished her dinner. “If you wish to bow out, Katrina, I’ll not fault you. In fact, I’ll completely understand,” she stated, nodding vigorously.

“I’m not changing my mind on this, Breanne,” Alla smiled knowingly. “But as I said before, you may if you wish.”

“No, I don’t wish to at all.”

Breanne was lying, Alla was sure of it. Though she had to admit, she might do something similar were she in Breanne’s position. The two women had formed an unbreakable alliance, a strong friendship. It’s too bad our friendship is based on a lie. Every time Breanne called her by a different name, she was stabbed by little pangs of guilt.

A knock sounded at the door, and at Breanne’s call for the person to enter, it swung open. An older woman came into the room. Her silver hair was tied back in a tight knot, and she was a bit on the heavy side. Alla noticed that as she walked she favored her right leg. As soon as she spoke, Alla recognized her voice as belonging to Edith, another servant of the manor. Edith curtsied in front of the two women. “Beggin’ your pardon miss,” she addressed Breanne, “but you have a caller in the drawing room.”

“Me?” Breanne asked, baffled. “I shall return shortly, Katrina,” she said, rising from her chair.

“Alright.”

Breanne left the room and Edith remained standing near Alla’s bedside, staring at her in silence. Please, lord, not again.

 Edith’s mouth opened and closed several times, as if she didn’t quite know what to say. “My name is Edith, miss,” she finally choked out, putting her hand on her hefty bosom.

“I am Katrina,” Alla stated, inwardly cringing at the lie.

Edith took her introduction as a form of encouragement and shuffled closer to Alla’s bedside. “Miss,” she began, fiddling her fingers. “I was made aware that my niece, Brawna, came into your room and said inappropriate things to ya. I come to beg that you keep what she said to yourself. She’ll not be botherin’ you anymore, I promise,” she rushed. “I’ve watched over the girl since her parents died when she was a wee babe. If somethin’ was said to the master,” she continued, not recognizing Alla’s flinch at the title she gave the duke, “I’m afraid we’ll be split apart.” Tears ran down the older woman’s face. “I’m knowin’ that you don’t owe me a thing, but I’m beggin’ you to keep silent on the matter.”

Alla shook her head. “Please, don’t worry. I won’t say a thing to the duke.” She would make sure that Breanne didn’t either. It was actually a relief. She didn’t want to cause trouble and dissension in the household, especially after she’d just arrived to the place.

“I thank you miss,” Edith said smiling and patting Alla’s leg. “You’re an angel.”

Edith turned and shuffled out of the room, closing the door behind her. Not a minute after the door closed, Breanne came through. Her cheeks were flushed a rosy color, as if she had just been outside.

“Is everything alright?” Alla questioned, worried.

“Yes, yes, everything is fine. I was only…I went to…Torrington is waiting downstairs,” she finally admitted.

“Breanne, what are you not telling me?”

She rushed to the side of the bed and quickly sat in the chair. “Katrina, he kissed me,” she whispered loudly, apparently still excited. Her eyes were wide with shock and she looked surprised.

“He kissed you? Is that proper? What was he doing here?” Hadn’t Torrington lectured her a while ago about the dangers in hugging someone? Now, he had kissed her friend?

“Yes. Not quite, and he arrived here to escort me home.”

“Were you….glad to receive the affection?” Alla asked, timidly.

“I was. It only took me by surprise. One moment we were speaking of the late hour, I didn’t realize he was here waiting. I thought that he had gone. Well, he did actually, but he came back.  I figured that a footman would give me a ride home. Anyhow, the next thing I knew, he kissed me. I won’t allow that again though, Katrina. I’ll not be a conquest.”

“Do you think Torrington is like that?”

“I don’t know,” Breanne said, in thought. “But I’m better safe than sorry, am I not?”

“You are,” Alla hurried to agree. “Does this mean you are leaving, Breanne?” Alla asked, clearly disappointed.

Breanne rose. “I’m afraid I am, Katrina. Fear not though, I’ll return to save you from boredom tomorrow.”

Alla grinned and inclined her head. These English traits were beginning to rub off on her already, she realized. She was now inclining her head, as if she were one of them, imagine that. Breanne bent low, kissing her cheek, and then turned to leave. “Don’t forget,” she called out over her shoulder, “you have one more day of bed rest before the duke returns.”

“Thank you, Breanne, for that thoughtful reminder,” Alla sarcastically responded. The bedroom door closed on Breanne’s responding chuckle. Alla grinned at the sound, than shifted her position to lie down, leaving her oil lamp on.  She curled up in fetal position, surprised when she realized that, although she was still in pain, it wasn’t as severe as before.

A frown appeared on her face. She hadn’t been alone all day, and now that it was night, a time when she actually preferred to have company, she was alone. Her mind returned to her predicament. No matter how many times she told herself that she would be positive about where she was in her life, and would make the best of it, she constantly proved herself a liar.

Was she was a traitor to her race, to her people? Here she was inclining her head like an Englishwoman; had even begun speaking like an Englishwoman. What would her mama think? She was in a different country, sleeping in comfort while her people slept on the ground, or on broke down cots.

Tears formed in her eyes. She didn’t know if she was strong enough to continue the charade, and wondered if leaving all she knew behind was possibly one of the biggest mistakes she could have made in her life.