As they rode through the gates of the estate, Shay stared wide-eyed at the large house that stretched across the landscape in front of her. A staircase in the centre, with a tree standing guard on either side. Shay had never seen a house so big. She glanced up at the man and wondered if he was the King and if this was his palace. As she looked back at the building and long drive, his arm pressed tighter on her waist. He kicked the stallion into a canter, it lunged forward, causing her to squeal and grip his forearm.

Thomas chuckled.

By the time they had reached the stairs a footman was waiting to take the horse. He held its reins as Shay was placed on her feet.

The man dismounted, took her by the hand and led her up the stairs. The large coat she wore, dragged on the ground as she followed. Shay noted the footman's disgust as she almost tripped because this man's strides had her struggling to keep up. She wondered again if he was the king, and if he intended to chop off her head.

The large ornate door was swung opened by a butler. "Welcome home, master." Raising his eyebrows, the butler added, "I see we have a visitor, sir."

Thomas let go of her hand, chuckled, took the coat from her, passed it to the butler, and then turned to face her. She was looking at the walls with their elaborate paintings of his ancestors. When she realised he was watching her, she hung her head and pulled her thin shawl tighter.

"I found her near the woods, Emerson. With a peddler. Did he come here?"

Emerson looked her up and down. What was the master thinking bringing a road whore into the house, let alone through the front door? "Yes, master, the hawker did come here. He dealt with Mrs. Pavey."

Thomas chuckled again, this time at the butler's disapproval. He took hold of the child's chin, tilted her face upwards and brushed her hair away. "What do you think, Emerson? Pretty, isn't she?"

Emerson frowned and nodded reservedly. "Yes, master. Though a little dirty and if I might add, smelly."

Laughing wholeheartedly, Thomas slapped Emerson lightly on the back and said, "That could be me you can smell." He pushed the girl forward saying, "Take her to Pavey. Tell her I want this girl bathed and fed. She's to rest today. I'll let you know what to do with her tomorrow." He grinned and added, "After I've spoken with my wife, of course." Thomas spun Shay around and lifted the wrap. "As you can see, she hasn't been treated well."

The sound of laughter and running footsteps on the landing came to Thomas. He let go of Shay and turned to mount the staircase in front of them. "I'll need a bath myself, Emerson. Please tell Bailey I'm back and to see to it. I'll be in the nursery."

Emerson bowed his head at his master's back as the man took the stairs two at a time. He then focused on the girl. "You will do well to remember that this will be the only time you will ever set foot in this room or come into the house by that door. Do you understand me?"

Shay looked up at this tall thin man with sharp features. His eyes didn't match the sternness of his tone. She nodded and watched as his eyelids closed and his head tilt a fraction as if in acknowledgement of her understanding.

"Follow me," he said.

People were sitting at a table eating when Shay followed the butler into the kitchen. They stood suddenly. He waved them back into their seats. "Oh, dear me, Mr. Emerson. What's this raggedy thing you've got there?"

Emerson chuckled at this reference to the girl being a thing, rather than a person. Her appearance was like nothing any of them would have ever seen before. He stepped back so they could all take her in as she stood with her head hung. Emerson put a finger under her chin and lifted her face. "The master has found a stray on the estate. Near the woods. Apparently, she was with the peddler. As you can see, she hasn't been treated well." He glanced at the child's bruised face, and then back at the older woman who had spoken. "He would like you to take care of her, Pavey. Feed, bath and... dress her. She's to be put to bed for the rest of the day." Emerson raised his eyebrows, adding, "The master will let us know what's to become of her tomorrow, after he has spoken with the mistress."

Shay felt tears welling in her eyes once more. Though she hadn't looked at these people for long she sensed their disapproval. When this man Emerson had used the words, dress her, she heard them snicker.

"Oh dear, oh dear me." Katherine Pavey flapped her hands about. "Yes, yes, yes. Lily, fill the tub. She can't eat in that state. Poor little bunny."

Emerson watched them take her into the back chamber that the kitchen staff used as a wash room and once satisfied commanded, "Bailey. The master would like to bathe. He has gone to the nursery."

Bailey stood immediately and went to organise his master's bath water.

Well there we are. Hopefully things are on the up for Shay. What do you think?

Do you think Thomas is the king and will chop Shay's head off?

Photo copyright. North Wind Pictures.

Next week we'll see how Shay is fitting in at Lytton House.