chapter 5

"I may have had something to do with that. Father was asking who the new child in the nursery was and all the commotion all night that kept waking him. I didn't want to tell him, but you can't lie to Father, he can smell one from a mile off, so I told him everything. I'm sorry." he raised pleading eyes up to Roderick, begging for forgiveness. Roderick's side and shook his head at his naive sibling

"I don't blame you for your honesty the father, for I could never lie to him myself." can embrace Darren and slapped his back to reassure him. "There's nothing to forgive. Come, let's sit and have a toast to my upcoming wedding. I might as well accept the inevitable and wed the chit." They went back to the respective seats and shared a toast. they spent the rest of the afternoon drinking companionably and catching up with one another.

************************************************************

Angie didn't want to remember the events of the night before, all she wanted to do was curl up into a tight and forget the terrible violation of her body.

"Sissy? Are you awake?" Michelle's sweet lisping voice asked from the doorway, "May I come in?" Without waiting for response, Michelle ran into the room, and jumped onto the bed next to her sister's still form. "Angie? Are you hurt?" She touched Angie's arm and giggled when Angie wrote over and tickled her ribs, dodging her innocent questions.

"Good morning, sweet pea. How did you sleep?" Angie pulled Michelle into her arms and curled her body around Michelle's small one, hugging her tight.

"I've made two new friends, their names are Brianna and bradley. Can you believe they are twins?" Michelle asked in a spiritual whisper. Angie gave an easy laugh, she could never stay depressed for long with her sister around. Michelle always brings out the best and everyone around her.

"Really? How old are your little friends?" She laid her chin on the top of Michelle's small head and sighed in contentment.

Michelle scrunched up her little nose and thought about the question long and hard, "They're 4 years old!" She exclaimed, proud of herself for remembering. There was a knock at the door and a young fresh looking girl poked her head around the door.

"Miss, my name is Ann, I am your personal maid. Is there anything I can get you? Would you like some breakfast or some warm chocolate?" She came the rest of the way into the room and curtsied to both Angie and Michelle.

"I'd love some chocolate and toast. Sweet pea, have you broken your fast?" Michelle nodded her head affirmative and gave a dimpled smile to Ann. She smiled back at the engaging child. "Right away miss." and left the room but the door never got a chance to shut before a petite aristocratic looking lady so through it.

"Hello, my dear, I know you don't remember me, so I'll reintroduce myself. I'm Lady Arlene, I'm roderick's mother and the lady of the house. If there's anything you need, all you need to do is ask and we'll do our best to get it for you. Oh, I see you escape the nursery and found your sister, little Michelle." Lady Arlene's face absolutely glowed when she addressed michelle, her smile was one of pure joy, making anti-relax into instantly like and trust her.