Jesse stood stoic, his eyes glued to Lydia's face. But Jessica jumped out from behind her brother, a smile on her face. "Lyly?" she yelled.
Lydia laughed and quickly swiped the tear that escaped her at the familiarity of her pet name. "Yes, Lyly."
Jessica shrieked and ran to her, diving at Lydia.
Lydia placed one hand behind her to hold herself steady, while the other wrapped around her sister's small frame.
"I knew it was you, I just knew it!" Jessica's giggles filled the room and warmed Lydia's heart.
Lydia hugged her tightly against her. How was it possible she still had such cheer after their ill fate?
"Are you here to help us?" Jesse mumbled.
Lydia stared at him. With his guard dropped, she could easily see the exhaustion and fear on his face. Lydia felt the tears burn the back of her eyes. How could she have thought of turning her back on them, causing him more suffering and strain that his little body clearly could not handle? He had done enough to protect their little sister and now it was her turn.
"Yes, Jesse, I'm here to help."
The words showed his relief as he fell to his knees, his face buried in his hands. His shoulders shook as he sobbed quietly. Lydia bit her lips shut to hold back her sob. How could a parent do this to their own child? What kind of monsters had they been cursed with?
She moved closer to him and pulled him to her side. He buried his face in her lap, wrapped his arms tightly around her waist and cried harder. Lydia rubbed his back, not knowing what else to do. How does one go about relieving a child of the pain that consumed his heart?
Jessica pulled away, tears in her own eyes. "Please, Lyly, get us out of here." She whispered.
She nodded. "How long have you been here?"
Jessica lifted her tiny shoulder in a shrug. "Very many days. We stopped counting once we reached fifty-five."
Lydia gasped. They had been here for months all alone in the dark! She felt the rage consume her. Peter and Geraldine were going to pay for what they have done. She would make sure of it!
"I'll do everything I can, Jessica, I promise."
She nodded, fell on Lydia's shoulder and began to cry. Lydia held them tight against her, offering the little comfort she could. It wasn't long before her own quiet tears joined theirs.
*****
It took a while before they fell asleep that night. She had seen the little meals they were fed and it angered her. They ate once a day and it wasn't even enough for a sewer rat let alone two children.
She spoke to the woman who brought their meals and struck a deal. Luckily, she had more than enough coin hidden in her petticoat to bribe for three ample meals a day for the next two to three months. She hoped it would not take so long to pay off the debt but she needed to be sure they would be well fed and cared for if it did.
The next few days were happier days considering their circumstances. With a fuller belly, a bath every two days and new clothing, they spoke without pause about their lives—both good and bad. Some of it angered her, others made her smile and most made her envious. Lanie, Jesse and Jessica had each other while she had no one. Then she would feel guilt for being envious now that Lanie was all alone, suffering unimaginable pain. She couldn't permit her siblings to suffer the same ill fate!
She sat under the moonlight, their heads on her laps as they slept soundly wrapped up in their new blankets. Lydia's thoughts were full, mostly of revenge and the debt she had to pay. It had been a week since she spoke to the fat Englishman and it both worried and annoyed her that he hadn't made his demand yet.
As if on cue, the door opened and his fat body blocked the light from behind him. "I hope your stay has been enlightening?"
Lydia looked down at her siblings, peacefully asleep. It was then that she realised she loved them and it was then that she realised she would do what she had to, to save them.
Holding strongly to her resolve, she turned a seething gaze at him. "I'm not one to beat about the bush. State what you want and when you want it done.
Chapter Three
Lydia strolled in through the service entrance, her hands tightly clutched around her parcel. She felt like she would collapse any minute from the anxiety. How did she get into this mess? She knew how, her selfish witch of a mother, that's how!
She felt her rage temporarily take her over; wishing there had been some other way to fix the mess her family had been drag into.
Ten years had passed without seeing them or receiving their slight concern for her and now she was shouldered with the responsibility to protect her siblings.
What a mess her mother had created!
And now her two siblings she had spent the past week with depended on her to save them from the clutches of a slave trader. All four of them could not suffer the same fate, she would not allow it!
"Lydia Parker!"
She jumped at the booming voice. The large man stalked to her and it took all she could not to retreat. "Are you Lydia Parker?"
Now was not the time to quiver. She needed her wits and survivor's courage now more than ever to stay at the forefront if she was to accomplish her mission and save her siblings.
She allowed her racing heart to settle before she spoke. "Yes, I am," she answered plainly with a steady voice.
He gave her a onceover—an act to try and intimidate her. She'd met bigger and scarier men. His glare did nothing to make her quiver. She returned his glare and tapped her foot to show her impatience and was glad to be rewarded with a shocked then annoyed expression.
"You will work with the Countess's maid to attend to her, do you understand?" He barked.
She felt her chest tighten and her defiance crumbled. She was to tend to the woman she was about to betray. "Yes, sir," she whispered.
Just then, a maid walked towards Lincoln sparing her a smile before she spoke, "Mr. Lincoln, the Master would like to see you."
Lydia looked at her, the smile she had managed a few moments early faltered. The Master... her target! She felt her chest tighten even more. She tried to push her guilt away and concentrate on saving her siblings. She couldn't also care about the Ashworth's emotions.
"Wait here," Lincoln ordered then left.
Lydia paused for a moment before she went after him, careful to stay out of sight. She needed to set her eyes on Ashworth before she received the grand tour.
She hid behind the door and watched Lincoln with a tall dark haired man. His back was to her, but it wasn't hard to sum that he had a face to match his body. His broad shoulders filled his jacket and his breeches looked like second skin on him.
She was glad her mission wouldn't be extremely repulsive. Thank goodness he isn't an old disgusting man! she thought to herself.
She jumped when she heard someone clear her throat behind her. She turned, her face flushed with embarrassment after being caught. "Forgive me... I was just..."
The girl laughed. "No worries. We all ogle at them whenever we can!"
Lydia straightened. "All... them?"
She nodded. "Two Earls and a solicitor. Come with me, I'll show you around."
She wasn't told about the two extra gentlemen in the house. This could cause a complication if the Master was to share his exciting indiscretions with his wife's maid to the other gentlemen. They may also want a turn with her.
Good!
It would serve as punishment for breaking one of her scared rules! A home wrecker, that was what she