Part Two: Alexa   "I was the one who said papa shouldn't be alone, yet I've kept you here for so long. Is it so bad that I never want you to leave?" I laughed heartily at Gwen.  "It's not so bad, even I wish I could stay more but it's really time I get going." I replied, setting down Elliott in the cradle beside his sleeping twin.  "I suppose it is..." She trailed off, looking really sad. Who would have thought one crazy event would bring us so close to each other? I walked over to hold her shoulders. "You will do fine without me, Gwen. And of course I could visit sometimes to see my lovely nephews. You have given me so much even though we are not really related; this opportunity could change my life..." "Oh please, don't start that again. I told you already, we are sisters now so you don't have to feel any different. And you are right, I should let you create your own path in life. Who knows, you may send me a w

The Countess? Does that mean she is a noble lady? I didn't know how the hierarchy worked, so I had no idea how important a Countess was. If I do remember correctly, Gwen's cousin was also a Countess and she was lower than Gwen in rank. So, Bridget should also be lower than Gwen in noble rankings."Oh..." I muttered, not sure what to say."I know you are a little startled, but don't be, Durnca is a small town, I'm not that mighty.""When you say you are the Countess of Durnca, what do you mean? There is only one?""Yes, just myself. Other towns have their Dukes and Duchess, including their Earls and Countesses, but the highest nobles in Durnca are myself and my husband.""I see, that is admirable. And I get to be the Countess' friend, it is an honour." Bridget chuckled."Don't be like that, I'm not really special. But I do crave some companionship from a lady I can be free with. I have a feeling that it can be you; you wouldn't mind visiting

Since the boy mentioned soup and I had a few ingredients to make Pease-soup, I did just that. I thought about waiting for Pa to get his permission, I mean, he would want the fireplace to be running as well but he didn't get home on time, even when the soup was ready. So, I put the Hallewell's portion of soup in a smaller different pot, wore my coat Gwen had given me and I made my way to the next house which the boy said was theirs. The house was rundown, like no one paid it any attention at all, it needed a lot of fixing. The roof over the porch was shaky, the porch stairs was missing two layers, the fence had a lot of holes in them and the lock was broken. You'd think a farmer would be bothered about keeping his property off limits to strangers. "There you are!" I heard the boy squeaked from inside the house as he threw open the doors and ran out to meet me. "Is that the food? What did you cook? Something smells so good." He tried reaching for the po

I made a stop at the market to buy some candles and potatoes, all the while wondering if I should sew a few pairs of socks for Papa and myself because of the cold; he would like that. And our new fireplace will help as well.Then I began to worry, I left Papa alone with Christopher; not that I thought Christopher was harmful but because I know Papa doesn't like him. What if they get into an argument? Maybe Christopher wouldn't want to fix the fireplace anymore...I walked faster, my heart was beating loudly in my chest; all the excitement of the new gown was gone.As I got closer to the house, I heard raised male voices and I panicked, running into the house."...yes, but I have to grow different crops, that is different methods on one farm." I heard Christopher say before drinking deeply from a mug of... rum? They were both grinning, so they were really arguing as I had thought. And they ignored my presence, lost in their conversation."It doesn't make my work easier. After growing t

Feeling happy with my visit, I rejected Bridget's offer to let the coachman take me home, I preferred to walk home; after all I didn't have to protect the gown from getting wet and walking helped me relax and collect my thoughts.It was a good thing Lance was there, even though he was a charming man, I was only interested in the attention he got me when he let me cut his hair, he was nice though and he keep staring at me from across the table. That was rude but like he said, he has been at sea too long and has lost his manners.All in all, I enjoyed breakfast with Bridget's family. Now, it was time for me to return to my task at hand. Now that we had the fireplace up and running, I had to do something nice for Christopher and his son. I wonder if his visit to the Jones went well, goodness knows he needs a wife and..."Get off, you crazy pimp!" I snapped out of my thoughts and came to a halt when I saw a group of boys fighting, it was three against one... Christopher's son. They were f