A/N: Hello again, lovelies! SO, lots of thanks to everyone who reviewed, its means alot to me! Well,on with chapter 2!

The next morning, Nellie had gotten dressed in one of the pretty dresses that her new mum had picked out for her. It was a deep blue with pretty purple streaks shining through. After she had dressed, Hattie had even come and brushed her hair for her. It reminded Nellie of when her mum used to braid her hair every morning before they started to work in the bakery. Nellie carefully made her way down the large staircase and into the dining room, where her mum and Benjamin, whom she had yet to meet, were waiting for her.

"Good morning, Nellie.", Diana greeted her cheerfully, grinning at her daughter.

Nellie smiled sheepishly. "Good morning, mum.", she said softly, keeping her gaze averted.

"This is Benjamin. He's the one who brought you here.",

Nellie observed the boy who was sitting in front of her. He had tousled brown hair and hazel eyes, a sheepish grin that complimented his good looks.

"Thank you, Benjamin. If not for you, I'd probably be dead by now.", Nellie said softly, giving a slight curtsey to the boy. Diana smiled at how polite the girl was, especially at her young age. Benjamin blushed slightly before replying,

"It was my pleasure, Nellie."

She sat and Hattie served her some eggs and toast, along with a cup of hot chocolate. "Thank you, Hattie.", she murmured softly. Hattie grinned. This girl really did have impeccable manners.

"How old are you, Nellie?", Diana asked, sipping her tea.

"10.", came the soft reply.

"Ah, so you're only a year younger than Ben, I see. I hope that means you two will get along well, then.", Diana said, smiling at the two children.

"Don't worry, mum! We'll get along! Right Nellie?", Ben said enthusiastically.

Nellie smiled sheepishly before nodding.

After breakfast, Nellie was wandering around the new house she now called home. She came across a large sitting room that held a beautiful grand piano. She remembers her mother's piano lessons as she sat at the bench and ran her fingers over the flawless ivory keys. Carefully, she started to play a song her mother had once played for her before she died. She was so caught up in her piece that she didn't notice the other three occupants who stood in the doorway, listening with awe as she played with the ease and air that only comes with a seasoned player. Her hands softly slid from the keys as the song ended, and she was startled when she heard clapping from behind her. She spun and blushed a deep red noticing that everybody had been standing there and looking at her as she played.

"That was simply beautiful, Nellie.", Diana exclaimed. She couldn't have hoped for a better daughter. She was polite and respectful and talented as well. Oh yes, Diana was very happy with her daughter indeed.

Over the next few years, Nellie had grown and matured into a wonderful young woman. She was a polite child and managed to be respectful and she knew how a lady was supposed to behave but at the same point, everyone knew that she was also a headstrong child who wasn't afraid to get down and dirty like one of the boys. Ben remembers that she could often outrace the other boys her age and climb trees higher. Neither of the sexes her age enjoyed her company. The girls her age frowned upon her, why didn't she like dressing up and playing with dolls? And the boys disliked her for being able to outshine them. Diana Barker on the other hand, was thoroughly happy with her child. She got along well with Benjamin and she was also able to do all the things that a mother and daughter could do together. She especially enjoyed listening to her sing and play the piano. Nellie had an amazing talent for music and her mother was joyous to have such a talented child living with her. Nellie also had a fantastic knack for baking. She told them it was because she used to work in her mother's bakery and was taught much there. Often times, Nellie could be found in the kitchen with Hattie, making everything from bread to cookies to birthday cakes to meat pies.

Benjamin was very happy with his sister. She was his best friend, his confidante, his shoulder to cry on, his accomplice in mischief. On one particular day, when Nellie was 13, Benjamin was gathered around a group of boys his age, where they were socializing in the park. Nellie was sitting under a tree, quietly reading a book, not disturbing anyone. One of the boys, who was a year older than Ben himself had decided it would be funny to throw rocks at Nellie.

"Oi! Pearce! No mum to hide behind now, eh? Oh yeah, she's dead!", the boy, whose name was Nathanial Turpin, cackled.

Nellie looked up and glared at him, before shaking her head and returning to her book.

"Pearce! I'm talking to you!"

Rolling her eyes, Nellie made a rather rude hand gesture at the boy, again returning to her book.

"Bugger off, Turpin, leave Nellie alone. She isn't doing anything.", Ben said angrily, his fists clenched at his sides.

"Ooh, look, Barker's trying to intimidate me, boys.", Nathanial sneered, cracking his knuckles menacingly.

"No. I just told you to leave my sister alone. She hasn't done anything to you.", Ben replied.

"Whatever, Barker. All I'm saying is that the little bitch doesn't belong in the upper class. She's a servant and is no better than the whores in the streets.", Turpin snarled nastily.

That did it. Ben blew a fuse.

"Take that back you pompous bastard!", he yelled, launching himself at the older boy.

Unfortunately, Nathanial Turpin was much taller and stronger than poor Ben Barker. Pushing the younger boy to the ground, he proceeded to deliver a few swift kicks to his ribcage and legs. He bent down low in Benjamin's face, punching and scratching. Benjamin groaned in pain, but took the beating .

And then the pain stopped. He looked up just in time to see Nellie raise her knee and connect it with Turpin's groin. The teenager collapsed on the grass, rolling and clutching his crotch, tears of pain springing to his eyes.

Nellie helped Ben up before turning back to Nathanial.

"The only way you know the whores on the street, love, is because you're a frequent customer.", she said bluntly, leaving the older boy on the ground.

And so, it would come as no surprise when a few years later, Nathanial Turpin had his eye set on Nellie. It was Nellie's 16th birthday party and naturally, their mother had invited all the becoming upper class of London.

"I must say, Barker, you're sister has grown into quite the lady.", the pervert commented.

"Paws off, Turpin. Besides, last I checked, Nellie doesn't court bastards that call her a whore.", 17 year old Benjamin sneered.

"But that was years ago," he waved it off, "I'm sure she would love to court a man becoming of her status."

Benjamin snorted and held back a guffaw as Turpin went to ask Nellie to dance and she shamelessly blew him off to dance with a lawyer's son.

Neither knew of the trials that would face them in the coming years.

A/N: Like it? Hate it? Drop me a review? Pretty please? With a meat pie on top? =D

~Ele