Ashmore Kitchen, Tuesday February 2nd 1900

Emily threw herself into the nearest chair and sighed loudly.

James; the kitchen hand, smiled. "What's the matter girl?" He asked softly pulling up the chair next to her.

"Oh, you know, Alice is back, and her mother. Just two more people to serve I guess."

James smiled again, "Yes, I know. I was getting quite accustomed to only cooking for three."

Emily smiled, "Yes, well, no point complaining really. There is not really anything we can do about it."

James rose again, "We cannot. But when we die, our spirit will live on and fight!"

He stood with one foot on the chair and one firmly on the floor, Emily laughed, "Oh, James! You are daft! Get down!"

She pulled his hand and he leapt down and into the seat again.

"What the devil are you doing?" The old cook stormed in from his quarters, his great belly heaving with every step. "I swear; you could wake the dead with the noise you two are making!"

"Sorry, sir," Emily replied, attempting to stifle her giggles with her hand.

"Humph." The old man huffed as he waddled back to his bed.

Behind him, James mimicked his walk; the skinny boy pulled his baggy clothes out to the size of the man. Emily laughed as he scrunched his normally handsome face into a grotesque mask.

"Hush James!" She laughed as he sprung on her and mussed her tight bun into a tangle of red curls.

"James! Get off!" Emily pushed him onto the chair next to her laughing happily.

James winked at his young friend, "You're just jealous."

Emily scrunched up her nose, "About what might I ask?"

He sat up straighter and spoke with a pompous accent, "That I can be Cook and you can't!" He announced trying to keep a straight face.

Emily leapt from her chair, "Well, if that is how you are going to be, I will leave!"

She began to storm out of the kitchen, well aware that James was sneaking up behind her.

"Ha!" She exclaimed, turning quickly to catch him off guard as he prepared to attack.

"Hey! Not fair Em!" He replied grumpily.

"Oh, James, you really are a princess." The girl answered fondly.

The loud clock in the parlour rang loudly eleven times and the two servants jumped, "Oh no!" Emily exclaimed, "It's eleven o'clock! I have to go to bed!"

James smiled knowingly, "Very well, g'night Em."

Emily threw him a fleeting smile and ran from the kitchen and to her bed in the small room next door. James stood in the empty kitchen for a while longer before sighing softly, turning out the light and slipping like a ghost to his miniscule room at the back of the mansion.

Liberty and Co, Wednesday, February 3rd, 1900

"Alice? What do you think of this gown?" Margaret called, holding out a pale pink gown; frills covered the skirt and jewels dripped from each point.

Alice scrunched up her small nose, "Depends, Maggie, for you or for me?"

Margaret smiled, "For me, I heard Charles Mackson will be there."

Alice smiled at her sister's flushed, hopeful face.

"Yes Margaret. However I don't really think he will be dancing with you darling." Margaret whipped around to stare directly into the harsh green eyes of Lillian Anne Michaels.

"Lillian, hello." Alice strode quickly around her sister and bowed her head.

"Alice? I didn't know you were back. I trust you had an enjoyable journey?" The blonde girl sneered, "You appear to have enjoyed the local, delicacies, at least."

Alice smiled, playing her role perfectly, "Yes, America was stunning. Did I miss any fabulous parties?"

Lillian smiled, parting her pale pink lips to reveal straight white teeth.

"Of course Alice, I ALWAYS throw fabulous parties." She insisted.

"Yes, well, we must be getting on. We have to find FABULOUS dresses for the Haydon's party."

Margaret smiled, "Yes, good bye Lillian."

Alice looped her elbow through Margaret's and the two girls walked towards the rack of gowns on the other side of the store, leaving Lillian to drape a hand over her waist and walk in the opposite direction.

"That girl is horrendous!"

Margaret whispered to Alice, "Yes Alice, but we can't make a scene. You know how Mother dislikes it when we do so."

Alice nodded and turned her attention back to the hundreds of gowns lined up in front of them.

"What about this one Alice?" Margaret pulled a deep blue gown off the rack. It had small diamonds across the top of the bust and fell from the waist in a bell skirt.

Alice nodded happily, "Yes, that one is beautiful Maggie!"

Margaret turned around and a salesclerk arrived behind her. "Oh, yes, would we be able to fix this one to fit my sister please?"

"Yes of course madam. And might I say an excellent choice," The small man bowed his head and led the two women to a small fitting room.

"Up here please my dear." He helped Alice up onto a small podium and called in a frail looking old woman.

"Maria? Would you be a dear and help this young lady into her gown?" He left the room and Alice was helped into the beautiful dress.

"Ah, lovely," He said as he re-entered into the small room. "Hmmmm," He hummed to himself as he pulled and pinned and adjusted the gown around Alice's hips, waist and bust.

"And, there we are. When shall I have the dress sent over?" He asked quickly,

"Maggie, when is the party?" Alice asked, smiling at the clerk.

"Oh, this coming Sunday I think. Have it sent on Friday."

"Friday?" The man inquired.

Margaret nodded; "Friday is perfect. Thank you."

As the two young ladies walked out Alice stopped in her tracks, "Oh Margaret! We didn't find you a gown!"

She knew how her sister hated to miss out on a new dress, "Oh, yes, well, that is ok, I have a new one that Daddy bought me while you and Mother were away. I shall wear that one."

Alice was puzzled but asked no more questions, "Oh, very well then." She replied accepting the hand of the coachman and stepping into the coach.