A/N: Hello everyone! After several years, I am pleased to present to you the further adventures of Serena Norton. This is, as is stated in the description, a sequel to Scandal's Daughter which can be found on my profile and should be read first , so that there is no confusion.

Enjoy!

Fall, 1902

"Miss Norton! Kindly pay attention!"

With a sigh, I pulled my gaze from the promise of freedom the window brought me. "Mrs. Stanhope, I'm listening," I protested, trying for an appealing tone as I looked at my governess. From the frown on her face, she didn't believe. I continued on, trying to convince her of my sincerity, "You are trying to impress on me the importance of shadowing in my drawings."

"I will not stand any sass from you, young lady! That is not what I was saying at all."

Sass? What had I just said that could be interpreted as sass? To be perfectly honest, Mrs. Stanhope simply did not like me. At least, that was what I believed. I didn't want or, in my opinion, need a governess. However, as my parents decided that boarding school was not the best environment for me, a governess was deemed the only other option to continue my education.

Thus, Mrs. Stanhope had come into my life, and nothing had been the same since then. She criticized my behavior. She swatted my hands whenever I spoke an opinion. She tutted at my wardrobe. And now even my sketches, my hobby, were not safe from her critical eye!

Complaints had done me no good. Both of my parents said that Mrs. Stanhope was looking out for my best interests. Father was the most insistent that I make the situation work. He undoubtedly feared that I would find another murderer and get into trouble if I were to set foot in another school. After all, that was what had gotten me sent home from my last school and had propelled me into an adventure.

Six months had passed since I had gone in search of my parents. I still had not been told what reason had had them in hiding, though I had begged on more occasions than I could count to know the truth of the matter. At fourteen I was considered too young to know the secret that had endangered not only my parents lives, but mine as well.

It was not fair!

"You should have advanced to water colors or oils by now! Are these truly your best work?" Mrs. Stanhope demanded, pulling my thoughts from the past. She was spreading my sketches out on the table in front of me. She pointed an accusing finger at one particular page. "And what, pray tell, is this?"

Leaning forward, I instantly recognized the page. "That, my dear Mrs Stanhope, is a marketplace in London," I answered. And one I knew rather well. I'd gone there many times when I had served as a maid for the residence at 221 Baker Street. I'd drawn it from memory a few weeks after I had returned home.

"A lady should not draw such things. You must be able to display tasteful scenes to your peers," Mrs. Stanhope decreed firmly. She lifted another page and glared at it. "Why have you drawn a violin and pipe together? They ought not share a page, and you should not be drawing a smoking pipe in the first place."

My cheeks flushed as I snatched the page back. "It is to remember a...friend," I said in defense of my work. Friend was stretching the acquaintance I had with Mr. Sherlock Holmes a bit. I decided that I had had enough of her criticism and went on the defensive. "My drawings are purely for my enjoyment, Mrs. Stanhope and I view them as private!"

"Private? Miss Norton, your artistry, or attempt at artistry, along with you musical skill, is the only proper accomplishment you seem to have!" Mrs. Stanhope responded, throwing her hands in the air. "However am I supposed to prepare you for marriage if you insist on acting like a bluestocking and persist in independent thinking?"

Marriage? This was the first I was hearing of this and I was not about to hear it. "I am fourteen years old, Mrs. Stanhope!" I objected, sweeping my drawings together. "Marriage is hardly important at the moment."

"But you are a young lady of gentle birth and rank!" Mrs Stanhope responded. "Your father has many political opportunities in front of him. You will be expected to display yourself as a proper young lady. Also, it is your duty to prepare yourself for the role you are to play as a gentleman's wife!"

"Perhaps I shall not marry at all!"

Really, I was too young to be having such a conversation! I knew full well that there was more to life than becoming someone's wife, but Mrs. Stanhope seemed to have old-fashioned values. She had done nothing but attempt to change my very self to conform to how she viewed a young lady ought to be! And I was growing very sick of the whole thing! School, with its rules and strictures, would have been a relief in comparison!

Mrs. Stanhope scoffed in disbelief. "And what would you do instead? Be a governess yourself?"

Terrifying thought! "No!" I said swiftly. I thought quickly for a reasonable, logical response. "Perhaps...a singer!" While hardly the gifted performer that my mother was, I was sure I could hold my own on the stage. After all, I had a few years to improve...

"Ridiculous! Young ladies of good family do not become professional singers, or have anything to do with the stage!"

Clearly she did not know the truth about my mother! "And if they do?" I challenged.

"They are ruined forever!" Mrs. Stanhope declared in an over dramatic way. "None of my charges have ever disgraced themselves in such a way and you will not be the first! Do you think that Miss Johanson or Miss Caroline Wetherby would behave in a manner such as that? They would not!"

She spoke the names of two parliament members' daughters as though they would matter to me. Perhaps my stubborn streak was kicking in, but I took her declaration as a challenge. I had just opened my mouth to say so when the door to the schoolroom opened. Mrs. Leigh came in, bearing a tray of tea. "Just as you requested, ma'am," she said to my governess, her tone cold and mocking. "Tea to end your lessons with Miss Serena."

Mrs. Leigh, who had known me my whole life, had taken an instant dislike to Mrs. Stanhope as well. She viewed my new governess as an intruder and had gone out of her way to show it. She even carried up tea to check in on me, when a maid should have done the work. I was simply relieved that at least someone agreed with me!

"I made your favorite pastries, Miss Serena," the housekeeper said to me, her tone softening as she turned to me.

"I believe I asked that Miss Norton not consume those french things," Mrs. Stanhope said in disapproval as I snatched up one of the flaky pastries. What did she have against such wonderful treats? I could only wonder. "I shall speak to Mrs. Norton-."

"I spoke to the mistress," Mrs. Leigh interrupted, surprising me with her rudeness. "She has said there is no reason to deprive Miss Serena of her favorite eats."

Mother had been completely occupied with arranging a new program for her singing that I was a bit doubtful that she'd taken the time to hear Mrs. Leigh out on the matter. Of course, I wouldn't say so with Mrs. Stanhope in earshot. What she didn't know wouldn't hurt her and I would continue eating what I wanted.

Selfish? A bit.

Petty? Absolutely!

Was I sorry? Not in the least!

"Mrs. Leigh, I would value your assistance," Mrs. Stanhope said suddenly. I gave her my full attention because not once had she ever showed any interest in another person's opinion. Why was she requesting Mrs. Leigh's? "I'm trying to impress upon Miss Norton that even speaking of a career on stage is quite improper. You have such an influence on her, and you must see as I do."

The housekeeper sent a sharp look at me and I clearly saw the conflict on her face. She did in fact agree with Mrs. Stanhope, but to actually voice an agreement with her? "Miss Serena knows what's expected of her," Mrs. Leigh hedged. She made a quick exit before she could get forced into agreeing with her enemy.

"You see, Miss Norton? You must stop this ridiculous idea of working for a living," Mrs. Stanhope said, pouring the tea.

"What is so wrong with it?" I demanded. "You are a governess. You must work to provide for yourself, do you not? Why should I not consider it as well?"

To my surprise, Mrs. Stanhope's cheeks flushed a bright red. "Why I am a governess is none of your business, you impertinent child!" she snapped. "Now, enough of this foolish talk. A young lady of your age should know better. This is what comes from sending children to schools where there is not the least bit of discipline!"

I laughed out loud at that. "You have not stepped foot into a boarding school, have you?" I said. "There is most certainly discipline."

"But not enough for the likes of you! Otherwise, you would not have run off and very nearly brought disgrace on your family!"

Is that all she'd taken from the reason behind my not returning to school? My father had disclosed the whole tale to her once she'd been hired. I would think the fact that I had nearly lost my life at the hands of a murderer would have been a bit more important than disgrace for my family. Of course, I may be a bit prejudiced on the subject.

Despite the attack on my life, and the time I'd spent as a maid, I had fond memories of London. Especially of Mr. Holmes, who had stimulated my mind in a way that I sorely missed. His monographs that had been sent to me were engaging and full of facts, but there was no one to keep me on my toes, as it were.

Mrs. Stanhope did not count, for she merely wanted to change me into a society puppet! Mr. Holmes had encouraged me to use my mind. The difference is obvious.

However, I had given my word that I would behave and appreciate what Mrs. Stanhope was doing for me. "I shall attempt a watercolor that will satisfy you," I offered as a sort of peace offering. I would keep my opinions to myself as I should have been doing from the start.

"Do that," Mrs. Stanhope responded, readily. She sipped her tea. "I will know what level you are at. And then I will show you how to improve. Perhaps in a year's time we will have you where you ought to be."

My jaw clenched as I kept from saying what I thought of that! Thankfully, there was a distraction. Mother came into the room. "How are you doing, darling?" she asked, bending down to kiss my cheek. "Is Mrs. Stanhope giving you lots to work on?"

"There are many areas your daughter has to improve in, Mrs. Norton," Mrs. Stanhope said before I could give my answer. "I believe we will have to add several hours to our school day to accommodate the necessary time needed to make progress."

What? Out of the question!

"I'm afraid you must hold off, Mrs. Stanhope," Mother responded, serenely. "For at the beginning of next week, we are all transferring to London."

"London!" I exclaimed in delight. How I had been longing to be back in the city and now it was to happen! "You are opening Briony Lodge?"

"Of course, you cannot mean you are taking Miss Serena with you," Mrs. Stanhope objected. "It simply isn't done!"

Mother's face became like stone. I had inherited a good portion of my stubbornness from her. "Well, it is how we are to do it," she answered. "My husband has much work to be looked into there, and I cannot bear to separated from him for long." She sent a smile at me. "And we know all too well what Serena will do when she is too long from us!"

Mrs. Stnahope sputtered in the most interesting of ways. "B-but I am here, Mrs. Norton!"

"Yes, and you will be a wonderful companion to Serena in London, as I am sure she will have many places she will wish to explore," Mother answered, once again serene. "The Leighs have already begun the preparations. And now, it is time for Serena's music lessons, if you excuse her?"

Mrs. Stanhope had no objection to voice, and I left the schoolroom with Mother. "She isn't happy," I commented.

"With you as a pupil, I don't see how any governess would be happy!" Mother teased lightly. "You will enjoy London properly."

Because before I had been in fear of my life and that of my family. "I would like to call on Mrs. Hudson," I told her. The dear housekeeper of 221 Baker Street had been like a grandmother to me while I was there. I have written to her once and had gotten a fond response. "Would that be proper, do you think?"

"Of course, Serena. I knew you would wish to do so," Mother answered, linking her arm with mine. She frowned. I had grown over the summer and was now as tall as her. "When did you grow so much? We will have to outfit you once again while we're in London. I cannot have any daughter of mine looking like a child when she has become a young lady!"

"You sound as bad as Mrs. Stanhope!"

In the music room, she sat next to me at the piano and my lesson began. My mind, though, was far from focused.

I was returning to London!