Chapter 3

Ciel guided Giana through the beds of daffodils and tulips. The brilliant purples, reds, and yellows of the flowers and her dress alike reminded him of bright butterflies. If only she could see how beautiful she was, he thought. His admiration was cut short by a woman's scream.

"Is that your companion?" inquired Ciel frantically. Giana shook her head, but grabbed her cane and Ciel's hand. When they reached the house, a skinny chambermaid cowered on the floor, a cut above her eye bleeding. Owen was facing Sebastian and Bethany, panting.

"Lady Giana!" said Bethany. "I advise you to leave. Sebastian, I believe this situation is under control. You may escort the children to a safer location."

"But, Madam!" protested Sebastian. Eyes flashing, Bethany easily deflected a blow from Owen. Eyes still focused on Sebastian, she kicked his brother in the stomach.

"Don't contradict your elders, young man!" Bethany reprimanded. "You may be old, but I am older still. I have fought more than a few times in my line of service. Please evacuate the children. And the maid, while you're at it."

"Yes, Madam." Sebastian turned on his heel and led the others out the door.

Chapter 4

Ciel, Giana, Sebastian, and Ella (the maid) rode in the stagecoach, which had, as the driver complained, 'waited for a time and likely made the mail late'. His grumbling stopped when Sebastian flipped him a fat gold coin.

"Like bones to dogs," Sebastian said in disgust. He hated dogs.

"Oh, but my dog is lovely!" exclaimed Giana. "A bit of a psychopath, but lovely all the same!" A small dog noise came from under her voluminous skirts, and a tiny black dachshund's face peeped out. It immediately ran across the coach to Sebastian and jumped on his lap. It licked the butler's face lovingly, while he tolerated it with a frown. The dachshund glimpsed Ciel, and started a low growl. Then yapping. The dog lunged.

"Gertrude, no!" shouted Giana.

"Gertrude?" The dog heard her name from two places at once, but was too furious to be confused. She opened wide her tiny jaws and clamped down on Ciel's nose. As they exited the carriage, the driver cracked his long whip and the horses drove away.

"That's where the psychopath piece comes into play," explained Giana as she pried away Gertrude. "I'm sorry." She was suppressing giggles. Finally, she burst into laughter. For a fleeting moment, she looked exactly like Ciel's former fiancée.

Elizabeth.

He remembered seeing her fall. Hearing her scream. Holding her broken body in his arms as she whispered her last words.

Remember me.

"Ciel?" asked Giana. "Is everything all right?"

"Yes, it's fine. Let's have some tea."

Chapter 5

A while later, Giana and Ciel were chatting over tea. Suddenly, Pluto appeared at the window, whining. Gertrude growled, but that turned into furious barking as the door to the room flew open with a bang and Grell Sutcliff launched himself into Sebastian's arms. Tanaka, who was sitting in the corner, sipped some tea and did that random 'ho! ho! ho!' thing he always does. Ciel was having sensory overload.

"Enough!" he shouted. "You are driving me mad!" Gertrude yelped and scampered out the door. Giana frowned.

"Well, that was productive. Ciel, please help me find her." She took his arm and hurried outside. Sebastian followed close behind after throwing Grell out the window. In a clearing in the woods, Gertrude sat in the lap of a black-haired girl. The girl's fingers were being nibbled by the dog, but she didn't seem to mind.

"Is this your dog?" she asked in a melodious voice. Ciel nodded. "She's a sweet dog."

"Oh, yes," Ciel replied sarcastically. "A sweet dog who nearly bit my face off. Who are you, anyway? You do realize you're trespassing."

"My apologies. I am Hepzibah Smith. You're blind, aren't you?" Hepzibah said to Giana.

"Well, yes," she replied. "Do you have a problem with that?"

"Of course not." Hepzibah smiled. "But I know who can help you see again."