New York December 1891
Elizabeth Stark was standing next to her brother standing there quietly as people passed giving their condolences. Dressed in black to show the sign mourning the fine lace was itching and really uncomfortable. She was scratch the neck trying to unjust the collar but no matter how she tried it bothered her. "Miss Elizabeth Stark stand still and act more lady like" hissed her governess Miss Jones a sour faced woman who always looked like she smelled something awful under her nose.

Elizabeth turned around and snapped "Well I would if this bloody collar didn't inch like hell" she yelled. There were several gasps in the room. Elizabeth felt a grip on her arm and she looked up to see her older brother Anthony glaring down at her "Elizabeth watch yourself" he whispered in annoyed tone. "Miss Jones please escort my sister to the nursery till she can behave herself" he snapped. Miss Jones stepped forward gave a small curtsy "Of course Sir" she answered and gripped Elizabeth and guided her out of room.

"You will remain here till can behave and act like a lady and hold up the Stark name your parents have built instead of acting like a common rift raft from the street" snapped Miss. Jones as she slammed the nursery door. Elizabeth winced and tears forming her eyes at the mentioning of her parents. Howard and Maria Stark who had been lost in a carriage accident 10 days ago. It had left her orphaned and in the care of her 21 year brother who now had to step take of their family business of iron mines, railroad and shiping company. He was her guardian but he hardly interacted with her they had little in common being ten years apart. He love the party scene and Mrs. Hogan their housekeeper called him a rake and gambler whatever that meant. "He's going to ruin the work that their father work so hard for wasted on drink and women" whispered Mrs. Hogan to Mrs. Barnes her mother's ladies maid who came to collect her things and was having tea with Mrs. Hogan. Elizabeth just shook her head and wiped her tears. At remembering Mrs. Barnes she remembered that her son James or Bucky would be downstairs in the kitchen at this time along with Steve they were a little older than her and worked for her family but they were her best friends so much better than the prissy young ladies she were supposed to be friends with. She hated those girls with their noses stuck the air and always having to sit still and act lady like drinking tea and doing needle point. Elizabeth just shook her head she rather just play like the boys and run around in the fresh air climbing trees. The only time Elizabeth was quiet was reading and she went through books so fast and her father was always giving new books. Tears formed at her eyes as she remembered her father's last gift was a set of Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, Elizabeth stood up walked over to the table and picked up one of the volumes and ran her hand along the brown leather binding and it's golden lettering her father had told that these had belonged to her grandmother and she had actually known the author Jane Austen before she had died. Books and Bucky and Steve were her only comfort now that her parents were gone.

Elizabeth snuck downstairs to the kitchens to find it mostly empty but she found exactly who wanted Bucky and Steve both who were under footmen for the family. Bucky was 14 and Steve was 13 compared to her 11 but they still didn't mind her around. She would read to them while they did their chores and at times she would help also well. Bucky was tall and strong with dark hair and deep blue eyes that were full of mischief and Steve was small and blue with beautiful blue eyes like the ocean on a sunny day. Elizabeth blushed at the thought of Steve he was so different from most boys she was as tall him but he was so kind to her and would let her in on their games. "Bucky! Steve!" Elizabeth called out. Both boys looked up from and saw Elizabeth in the doorway of the staff kitchen.

"Lizzie you should be upstairs with all the other guests" said Bucky getting up from the table. Elizabeth just shook her head "My dress was itchy and I was fixing it Miss. Jones was scolding me so I swore at her and my brother sent me away" said Elizabeth. Bucky shook his head "I never should have taught you to swear my little Lizzie doll that's something little ladies should never do" he laughed. Elizabeth just wrinkled up her nose "I don't understand why the hell not it's is so much more fun" snapped Elizabeth. Both boys shook their head but said nothing. Steve tilted his head "Is that another book Lizzie which one is it Persuasion ?" asked Steve quietly. Elizabeth just smiled and nodded "Do want me to read more to you"she asked excitedly. "Yes please I want to hear more of Captain Wentworth I so want to be a Captain of my own ship someday" answered Steve with huge grin. Elizabeth smiled "I will give you one of my father's ship and I can be your first mate and we can sail around the world together" said Elizabeth excitedly. Steve's eye widened "You couldn't be my first mate silly" said Steve shaking his head. Elizabeth narrowed her eyes "Why could I? My father took me on several of his ships and taught me everything how to run it" snapped Elizabeth.
"But you're a girl and ..... we couldn't be on a ship together without being..." mumbled Steve his cheeks blazing red. Elizabeth tilted her head in confusion "Without being what?"asked Elizabeth. Bucky just laughed "You and Steve would have to be married" he answered laughing. Elizabeth just smiled and blushed "Oh well we will just get married then" she responded.

Both boys eyes just widened with surprise "I can't marry you Lizzie" mumbled Steve. Elizabeth just shook her head "Why not don't you like me or it's because I am not pretty enough" asked Elizabeth with tears in her eyes. Both boys rushed forward "No Lizzie you are so pretty with your dark hair and browns eyes I would love to marry  you but..." answered Bucky. Elizabeth just looked at both boys "But what why can't I marry one of you?" she asked. Steve just shook his head and looked down Bucky stepped forward "Because doll you are a daughter of a rich man and we're sons of servants so classes don't mix when it comes to marriage" he answered solemnly. Elizabeth just shook her head stood there quietly it wasn't fair just because her father had money and they didn't. Steve stepped forward " Don't worry about it Lizzie let's just read the book okay" he said lightly.

They snuck off to their spot in the corner of the library and Elizabeth was reading out loud when the door opened. In walked in her cousin Lady Margaret Carter or Peggy as most of the family called her but Elizabeth would call her Piggy cause of all of snorting she would do around her and her nose was always scrunched up. Elizabeth groaned at the sight of her cousin, "There you are Elizabeth and why am I not surprised to find you in here reading to servants" said Peggy with disgusted tone as she looked at Bucky and Steve. Elizabeth just narrowed her eyes at Peggy. "They're my friends and we're reading together there is nothing wrong with that" snapped Elizabeth. Peggy held her head up higher "Why I am not surprised that you Elizabeth are friends with the servants you have no class" snorted Peggy. Elizabeth walked over to Peggy " The only one that doesn't have class is you Miss Piggy with you snorting and suck up nose" yelled Elizabeth waving the book in front of her cousin. Peggy narrowed her eye then smirked and snatched the book of Elizabeth's hand.

Peggy just gripped the book tighter and stuck out her tough as Elizabeth tried to get the book back "Give me my book back Peggy" yelled Elizabeth. Peggy just shook her head and Steve "Please Miss just give Lizzie her book back that's the last one her father gave her" said Steve quietly. Peggy looked at Steve with disgust "That's Lady Margaret to you boy and I will not it's mine now and now I know a servant has touch this I think it should be trashed just like the orphan nobody wants" snapped Peggy and with a evil grin Peggy tore out several pages from the book. Elizabeth saw red and without thinking she tackled Peggy to the ground and was pulling and punching and her cousin. Peggy started screaming as Elizabeth was attacking her. Both boys ran to try to pull the girls apart but Elizabeth was quick and strong and would get out of Bucky's arms.

The commotion brought a whole crowd of people to the library. Elizabeth was so focused and furious at Peggy all she wanted to was rip her hair out that when she felt to strong arms pulled off her of Peggy. "Elisabeth Maria Stark" yelled a loud male voice this snapped Elizabeth back she looked around and her uncle Lord Henry Carter the Earl of Wyndham clinging to Peggy who was sobbing she had a black eye and swollen and bleeding lip and scratches all over her face. Elizabeth smirked but than the arms holding her flipped her around and she saw her brother glaring down at her. "Elizabeth what were you thinking attacking Margaret like that?" he yelled shaking her. Elizabeth was so frightened she was speechless she had never seen her brother so mad. Bucky step forward "Sir, Elizabeth was just reading to us when Lady Margaret came in and took the book called Lizzie trash and tore her book" said Bucky quietly. Steve stepped forward "It's true sir Lizzie just was being nice" said Steve humbly.

"They're lying that's my book Elizabeth stole was just taking it back and these servants were helping her" wailed Peggy. Elizabeth tore from her brother's arms get at Peggy "Piggy you lying bitch that's my book my father gave to me" screamed Elizabeth. Tony grabbed his sister "Elizabeth stop now" said Tony gently. Lord Henry grunted "Tony you have no control over your sister she runs around like a wild animal and is keeping company with servants who harm my daughter" he said with sneer towards Elizabeth. Tony shakes his head "Margaret what's the name of the book?" asked Tony. Peggy eyes go wide and looks around frantically but says nothing. Tony turn towards Elizabeth who is now hugging Steve "It was Grandmother Stark's copy of Persuasion and she tore it Tony it was the last book father gave to me" cried Elizabeth as she cried into Steve's neck who just held her tight.

Tony turned to his little cousin "Peggy why did do you that?" asked Tony firmly. Peggy just pulled a a face "It's just a stupid book and she a brat she doesn't act like lady should besides she an orphan nobody likes orphans" snapped Peggy. Tony narrowed his eyes at little girl "That is no excuse to do something that isn't your property or to treat people badly Margaret that's isn't very lady like at all." snapped Tony. Lord Carter stepped forward "My daughter was attacked and since you have no control over your sister neither does her governess I suggest you send her to Miss. Vostokoff's school for fine ladies it's in London so your Aunt and I will be close to keep an eye out for her" said Lord Henry. Elizabeth snapped her head up and looked at her brother who looked grim. She stepped away from Steve "Brother please..don't send me away I will be behave please don't send to that school I ..." started Elizabeth but Tony just held up his hand "Is this school any good?" asked Tony. Lord Henry just nodded "It is known to help even the most hopeless of cases" answered Lord Henry as he looked at Elizabeth with a sneer. Tony just nodded "I will giving it a great deal of thought" said Tony with a nod.

Peggy who had moved towards Elizabeth who had to moved back into Steve's arms. "Look like little orphan is being sent away" said Peggy smug. Bucky moved in front of Lizzie and Steve. "Miss I think you have done and said enough" said Bucky. Peggy screamed and back way Lord Henry moved towards the group with a raised hand "You little basta..." he screamed but Tony caught his arm "Lord Henry that is enough your daughter has been acting like a brat so I suggest you take your leave with her and teach how to treat people better" snapped Tony. Lord Henry pulled his arm out of Tony's grip and pulled Peggy out them room.

Elizabeth knew one thing was for sure that her whole world was about to change and it was like the gilded cage that held her mother's parakeet. But she now was the bird and the freedom she once knew would be closed off and gone forever and she felt trapped.

Author note: Should I make this into a full story?