AMBROSE...

I looked down at the map of the island chain before me, my forefinger pointing to the places I intended to go.

Four years ago, slavery in all the British colonies in the West had been abolished, and all the plantations' slaves were set free. The loss of forced free labor caused a decline in the British Empire's wealth, and as a result, my own.

But of course I had a plan to remedy this, and it involved me visiting the islands of the Caribbean.

Though slavery was over, there was an apprenticeship law in place, keeping most of the blacks still working on the plantations. Not as slaves, but normal laborers who were able to buy their way out. They claimed it was a way to ease the transition into freedom, but I knew a money scheme when I saw one. If they could use the apprenticeship to get money, why couldn't I?

"Our best bet is here," I said to Karim, pointing to the island called Jamaica "It's the most active of the islands. We can..."

I had stopped when I heard the door to my office open. I looked up to the door, wondering who in their sane mind would just enter my office without permission. When I saw who it was, I cursed myself for not knowing better.

"Mr. Linton, you're two hours late," I said before looking down at the map again "This will be deducted from your wages, as I'm sure you already know"

No witty response came. Instead, I heard...

"We need to talk Sir"

I looked back up at her...him? She was in her trousers, vest and tail coat. Her now longer hair was tucked under the top hat. I wondered why she let it grow out that long. The usual playful look was gone. This was something serious.

I looked over at Karim, but he didn't wait for my instructions. He quickly nodded and left the room.

"What is this about?" I asked once he was out, trying to ignore the worry I felt, my face as emotionless as always

"I'm leaving" she stated, her face still serious

"You're resigning?" I asked after taking in her words, was that what she meant?

"No...well yes...but no, that's not what I mean" she tried to clarify

"Then what do you mean Mr. Linton?"

"I'm leaving London"

"You mean for our trip to the Caribbean"

"No!" she seemed annoyed "I'm just leaving London, for good"

I ignored the sudden pain in my chest.

She looked uneasy for a moment before speaking again.

"Or maybe I'm not...I don't know"

"Why are you leaving London? Or maybe not leaving?"

"My aunt has found another suitor to marry me off to. This one is very persistent and doing everything he can to make things work. He's showing up unexpected for walks and dinners, which by the way is harder to get out of..." I listened, acting as if this information was new to me "...and now he's asked my aunt for my hand in marriage. And because she wants me out of her house, she didn't hesitate to say yes"

That part I didn't know.

"He's coming back from a trip tomorrow night. He's sure to show up at my house the morning after to ask for my hand in marriage. And I don't know what to do!"

I looked at her confused. What did she mean by she didn't know what to do? Even I knew what she was going to do. Not marry that man.

"Before I was thinking that there's no way I'm going to accept, but what would that lead to? I've turned down so many men, my aunt wouldn't allow this decline. She would force this marriage, and I don't want a forced marriage. So I'll have to run away...but could I even survive out there alone?"

She was capable. Years of working for me had taught her some things. But I wouldn't admit that to her.

"But would marrying him be that bad? He was no trump, but his face was pleasant looking enough"

Where was this coming from? She would never consider marrying a man before. What has changed now?

"I...I don't know what I'm going to do. I...I just thought I should let you know"

I was stuck. What was I supposed to say now? Admit that I would have Karim on it, having him rid her of her suitor like I've done so many times before? I was not doing that.

"Well..." I began "...you must do what you have to"

It was a front, this would all be over once Karim is on it. And she wouldn't have to make a choice.

Her face fell in disappointment. Was she expecting more?

Yes you imbecile!

I ignored the voice in my head.

"Is that all you're going to say?" she finally asked

"What else is there for me to say?"

The disappointment was on her face again, and I ignored the feeling in my chest once more.

She stayed quiet for a while, something that she never did.

"Can't you help me, with my decision?" she finally asked

"And how am I to do that?" I coolly asked

"You're Rikkard Ambrose, second richest man..."

"Richest" I quickly corrected

"We have yet to confirm that sir," she said back before continuing "Second richest man and maybe the smartest man in London. There's surely something you can do to help your trusted secretary?"

Her playfulness had reared its head for the first time since she stepped into my office, but the seriousness of the matter wasn't gone.

"Well...I can have Karim..."

"No!" she quickly cut me off "I don't need Karim disposing of any more suitors"

That wasn't what I was supposed to say and my eyes threatened to widen at her words. Did she know all this time? Did she know why? The look on her face made me feel like she did.

"There has to be something you can do right?" she took a step forward "Something you can say..." the last part was more of a suggestion than a question

I kept my face as stone cold as possible, trying not to visibly react to her words.

Something I can do? SAY?

There are many things. The most important being a three-word phrase.

Again I ignored the voice in my head. It knew nothing!

Those brown eyes were stuck on me, giving me that look that always led to the physical contact of the openings on the lower portion of our faces and the entangling of our limbs, and our fingers with hair strands.

Passionate kissing. That's all you had to say.

She was pushing it, further than she had before. And I was in a position where I didn't know what to do.

Liar! You know.

Ok, I knew. But I couldn't say it, I just couldn't.

"I'm sorry Mr. Linton, but there is nothing I can do" I finally said

Her face dropped, and the light in her eyes seemed to vanish.

But I kept myself still, my face emotionless as ever.

"Good luck with your endeavors Mr. Linton," I said picking up a small pouch off my desk "This is your wages for the month. I reckon it may be of importance due to your situation"

Her jaw dropped in surprise like she wasn't expecting those words. The rest of her face was filled with confusion and disgust like I had insulted her and her family lineage, which I had done before.

I continued to stay calm, I wasn't going to break, not now.

Her jaw closed, and those lips of hers turned into a frown. The confusion left her face and glossy eyes joined the disgust. My chest tightened and all my fingers twitched. It hadn't done that before. By the look on her face, I knew what was coming next.

She swiftly turned and ran out of the office, slamming the door behind her.

I would normally comment about the money that would be needed to repair the door if she damaged it and that it would be deducted from her wages. But I was too busy trying to control the twitching in my fingers. It was much easier when it was just one.

What was happening to me? What have I done?

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

This is my first ever Storm and Silence fanfic, so bear with me readers. If you liked it, don't forget to vote and/or leave a comment!