Well, it seems Santa was too scared of the cold to give my friend ViolinRocker12 a present, so the cupids have come early to do so. I hope this lives up to your expectations my friend, oh, and yes, I was lying about the 'random curiosity'. Oh and since this will be multiple chapters…well you're not getting it all today sorry.

Whatever Souls Are Made of

The wind whipped my hair so that I wished I hadn't lost my pin off the side of the boat. For weeks, I'd been alone in my cabin as the sea rocked me back and forth. Alone with my thoughts.

"Miss Martin?" a voice called through the rain. I turned to see a young man about my age standing beside a carriage umbrella in hand.

"I don't believe you're holding that properly," I chastised when I came close enough to see the water droplets dripping from his hair. "It's supposed to keep you dry."

The man smiled as he opened the carriage door for me, "It's actually meant to keep you dry, but I see the flaw in my logic would be that your boat arrived early."

I gave the boy a look as I stepped into the carriage my Uncle had sent, "I do believe you actually are just late."

I heard the slightest of chuckles as the door slammed behind me.

"You've never been to your Uncle's estate I take it," my escort realized upon seeing my amazement of the sprawling fields and manor.

"I never got your name," I realized as he helped me out of the carriage and actually covered me with the umbrella this time. "Yet you know mine."

The boy's pale cheeks flushed red. "Fabian Rutter miss. I work for your Uncle." Well I assumed that from the way he'd been sent to pick me up. "But that doesn't mean you don't have to answer my question."

Well actually I was pretty sure it did, but I couldn't help but smile at his boldness. "No, I've never been here. My father's family has been in America since colonial times, and once my mother moved there she never returned to her family home. Her and my uncle never got along well."

"Yet you're coming to live with him now."

Yes. Yes I was. "It's a long story," I settled on with a smile. I didn't really feel like explaining to this stranger the state of my country, or numerous reasons my grandmother had sent me away. "It's very kind of my Uncle to take me in when we've never met."

"And you'll have to wait a bit longer to meet him," a woman, clearly a maid, called from the house door. "Master Victor is busy until supper. He requested I help you change into something a bit more dry."

I nodded my head in thanks to both the servants who'd been sent to help me. It was a strange new pace from what I had at home for Gran and I never had the money for any servants at all. "What's your name?" I asked the maid as she led me up the stairs of the ornate house.

"Patricia Williamson miss," she replied stiffly. I instantly wondered if I'd been too friendly and made her uncomfortable, but how was I supposed to know how close to get to these people? They were all my age, and in a way we came from the same world, but suddenly I was above them. How had that even happened? "Your room is this one here. I'll help you out of your dress."

I wanted to say I'd be more comfortable doing it myself, but I figured she'd just get offended again. "Thank you," I told her as she unlaced my ribbons and pulled out a pale blue dress from the closet.

"Your Uncle had these made for you. I hope they fit."

They didn't really; I could barely breathe they were so tight. "It's supposed to fit like that," Miss Williamson asked when she saw my grimace. "You'll be glad for it tonight; your waste looks very small."

I would imagine it would considering I'd probably pass out. "Why will I be grateful?"

The girl snorted a laugh, which wasn't very lady like, but technically I was the only lady here. "Did no one tell you? Master Victor has invited the neighbors, Edison and Eric Sweet over for dinner tonight. Mr. Edison is your age and your Uncle thinks he'd be a great suitor for you."

Of course. I should have known there'd be a catch to my Uncle's generous offer of a place to stay. He wanted to marry me off to increase his own status. Well, this wasn't the middle ages and I wasn't marrying anyone I didn't love. "He's quite handsome," Patricia praised. "You'd be lucky to have him."

Maybe so, but I wasn't going to 'have him' unless I wanted him. "That Fabian seems nice," I told the maid with a smile. "Are you and he…"

Patricia laughed, and I took that as a big no. "No, my sister Joy and him stepped out a few times, but Joy went to work out in the country a few weeks ago and they haven't stayed in contact."

Hmm. What a shame. Fabian seemed kind, and he was cute in his own little way. If only he'd come to live in America with me back where I was nothing more than a lady's maid myself. Maybe then he'd look my way, but here…. Well I doubted my Uncle would be slow to release him if he felt like I might marry down.

Oh Gran, what had you gotten me into?

"The Sweets are here," Fabian called knocking on my door a little bit later. "Your Uncle is requesting your presence."

"I'll be down in a minute," I called back as I read over my letter one more time before sealing it in an envelope.

Dear Gran,

I have safely arrived at Uncle Victor's estate. The journey was terrible and many times I wished I could turn back. Even now I wish I could return home with you, but I do believe I can have a better life here. I'm going to meet Uncle Victor now, along with some friends of his. One is my age, but I can't imagine having a suitor already. Not when I just got here. I'm sure I will be very happy whatever happens, but I do miss you dearly.

Love, Nina