A/N: please please please please please review after you read :-( i feel weirdly neglected when i see hits but no reviews (i know i sound like a whining child... but its true!).

oh and i've decided something i have no idea why byt the song 'The WHite One is Evil' by Eliot Minor weirdly rememinds me of Baa Baa Black Sheep as well as Twinkle Twinkle :P i don't know if you agree or not, but i think it does :-)

one last thing before i let you go to read the next chapter... is there anyone who good at drawing? i was just wandering if you could draw me how you see Dylan if you get half a chance :-) thanks

presenting chapter three :-D enjoy folks

3. Guests

Those two weeks past at a painful slow pace.

Day by day, Dylan went about with her usual chores of looking after the children as well as getting on with her own work with the official governess.

Often she was found in the gardens or in the centre of town. Though her elder brothers and father did not particularly like it, only Sebastian ever spoke his views; constantly reminding her of her family and duty to them. In reply, Dylan would only say she did not wish to be caged within four walls and therefore would not.

In that time, Christopher turned nine, and had been incredibly happy with his small birthday party Lily and Dylan had organised together for him. Although at the time the child only thanked his mother, treating Dylan with the same contempt as his older brother, later that evening as she read to him and Gwen, he wound his arms around her waist and curled up in her lap, muttering his thanks. The poor child had always been so confused as to how to treat his oldest sister.

Cain too came to call at the house, more than once. The first was a day when Dylan was not home, therefore unaware of his presence there. That was until dinner arrived, and Cain left. The two caught sight of each other as Dylan walked down the stairs with little Jonathan on her hip and Christopher holding onto her hand.

The two looked momentarily startled, Dylan for Cain's presence and Cain for how Dylan looked in general. He never expected to see her look so motherly in his life.

"My lord," she said, coming down the stairs, nodding her head towards him, "what an unexpected honour. What brings you here?"

"Sister!" came the squeaky, nosey voice of Christopher, "big sister!" She looked at him, an eye brow raised.

"What did I tell you Chris?" she demanded.

The child looked ashamed of him self mumbling, "never interrupt a guest."

"Good boy- now what do you want?"

"Who is he?" he asked.

"Ah… I'd forgotten you haven't met. Chris, Jonny, this is Cain, a… a friend of mine," she stated, "Cain, these are my two littlest brothers."

"A pleasure to meet you," Cain said finally, suppressing a smirk, bending to Chris' level, shaking his hand, the standing straighter and holding his hand out to 'Jonny'. Jonathan had other ideas, he instead hide his face in the mass of black known as Dylan's hair.

Adjusting him on her hip, Dylan chuckled. "Don't mind him," she told Cain, "he doesn't like new people." She kissed her brother's cheek and set him on the floor, the little child looking up at her with the most enormous brown eyes. "You two head to the kitchen ok? I need to talk to earl Cain here. Can you two do that for me?"

"Of coarse!" grinned Chris, "I'm not a baby any more."

"Well Jonny is, you look after him."

"Jonny no baby…" the smallest complained quietly.

"Then don't be so shy," Dylan teased.

"Come on Jonny! Maybe we can make Charlotte give us chocolate cake," cheered Chris, grasping his little brother's hand, walking off with him fast.

"No chocolate till after dinner!" ordered Dylan as the two disappeared down the corridor. She sighed heavily, "if they eat chocolate before dinner there'll be no calming them down enough eat properly," she added in explanation tiredly. "So what are you doing here? And why the hell do you look so shocked?"

"I… uh… never thought I'd see you like that," explained Cain, rubbing his forehead.

"Like what?"

"All… motherly and… sort of normal."

Dylan's hands went to her hips, an eye brow was raised and the weight went to one leg. She was back again. The normal… real Dylan. "You shuddup, kid," she stated, "I c'n still kick yerass."

Cain rubbed his chin a little. "I know… I remember… As for what I'm doing here. I'm asking for your hand in marriage."

Dylan laughed. "Really? What did father say? Go fuck yourself? Or sure have her!"

"The first one."

"Thought so…"

"All right all right. I came to ask him if it was all right for you to come and stay at the estates for a fortnight. Mary misses you a lot, she needs you. I told him I had already asked you, but you said to ask him."

"You saved my sorry butt adding that you know," Dylan told him sincerely, "he'd get all suspicious otherwise." She smiled softly. "Thanks."

"Any thing for my Queen of Beggers," he muttered bowing low, sweeping off his hat.

Dylan could not help but giggle at the outrageous gesture as she stifled her proper laughter.

"But I need to be off," Cain said as he straightened, "I'm seeing Oscar tonight, and Mary is already in his care… Crehador's with them, but I don't trust the insane one all too easily."

"Oh be nice… he's in love."

Cain raised an eye brow. "Really?"

She nodded. "I can tell. Now piss off and tell them I say hello. Crehador and I go back a long way."

"Now he must have some stories to tell…" he told her, though he did not appear to really be listening, his thoughts seemed to be more focused on the possibility of Oscar and Mary.

"Another time perhaps," he said suddenly, snapping out of his day dream, or perhaps 'daymare'.

He caught up her hand and pressed his lips to it gently. "Until next time, my lady time."

"Buh-bye master wolfie," she teased, taking her hand back and walking towards the kitchen where she knew her little brothers were causing havoc.

It was only when the large doors slammed did Dylan know he had left.

She always forgot how well she got on with Cain. But when ever she met him again, it was as though no time had passed. It was the same with Mary. The siblings did have quite a lot in common.

After then he came back a few times, though Dylan only twice had a chance to speak with him properly and only once without her parents or family listening.

She wandered what he was up to, it was clear he was suspicious of something. Though what was yet to show itself. However, she did not mind. His visits were a welcome break in an otherwise boring existence.

Somehow, since she had returned how, it was harder and harder to get out of the house. Her father, mother and oldest brother all seemed to be keeping an eye on her. Only Bert, Sebastian's younger twin, seemed not to mind if she left the premises.

On the day of her departure, Dylan's temper erupted. She and her father began another dispute. Unsurprisingly over her lack of freedom.

"For God sake father!" she snapped at him, bags packed, dress sorted, hair done, she was ready to go, yet here was her father almost threatening to stop the trip entirely.

"Why?!"

"I think it odd that the young man come here often, almost as if he wishes to see you… perhaps there is more to this visit than what is clear to me."

"You think…" she paused, and laughed cruelly, "you blind father! Hargreaves? And I?! That is a joke. I, who will almost inevitably cut a man's ego to shreds if he pushes me too far. That boy is fully capable of that, but has learned early not to upset me. Father- I have befriended his sister. He is a mere acquaintance. A friendly boy, I'll admit, charming and kind, to a certain extent, but otherwise… I do not know him." She smirked. "And as your wishes command… I shall know no man as such until my little sisters and older brothers have."

"Do not cheek me child," he snapped his large frame filling the door, "you are a child of this house and you will-"

"I NEVER ASKED TO BE!" she screamed, "you agreed to take me in- I had no choice in the matter. It's you who brought this upon yourself."

There was an all mighty slap as Alfred walked towards her and smacked the side of her face.

"You will be silent," he snarled.

Dylan held the side of her face. It was stinging, but hardly hurt. Her father was a big strong man, as were his sons, she understood his strength, but never really felt the pain that should have been inflicted.

She smirked. "Me? Silent? Ha! You jest, surely! You cannot silence me. No one can silence me. I talk! I talk and talk and talk and talk! Until I drive people mad!"

"You are driving me mad, Dylan!"

"Would hardly be the first time father."

"Don't make me hurt you again, daughter."

"Oh so you call me daughter now? A minute ago it was child. And hurt me again… you know me father… it takes a lot to hurt me."

"I know how, Dylan… don't make me…"

Her eyes narrowed at him. "You know what? I do not care. I am going. I shall leave. And I am not coming back! I refuse to come back to a house where I am treated as a criminal!"

"You have my leave!" snapped Alfred in reply, "stay with the cursed Hargreaves family- you are no daughter of mine."

He turned to leave, his entire body shaking.

"So finally you admit it," her tone sounded satisfied.

Though Alfred paused for a moment, he said nothing, only continuing to leave her room.

Scowling, Dylan flopped onto her bed, feeling ready to cry. As much as she resented being a lady, as much as she hated her father being so protective and as much as she hated it when he treated her so harshly… she could not help but love the harsh man so much.

She wandered for a moment if she really could leave them for good. Find else where to stay and never see them again. She wandered if she could truly bare it. Not seeing her little siblings… or her elder… even Sebastian… the servants… her friends…

There came a knock on the door.

She sat up, wiping her face, realising she had succeeded in holding back her tears.

"Dylan?" it was Lily, she swept in, sat beside her adoptive daughter and held her, "don't worry, child… Alfred he… he just worries about you. If anything happened to you… he would be devastated. He's just upset at the moment. He'll calm down soon."

"When I'm gone," Dylan replied, holding tightly to the older woman's sleeve.

"You can be so cruel to him."

"We are blood."

Lily laughed. "That is true… often those most alike argue so much."

Dylan scowled. "I hope your not insinuating father and I are very much alike."

"You are similar," chuckled Lily, "come come now, your carriage is here. We'll have the servants carry the bags down- and don't say you'll carry them down, you'll only antagonise your father and your brothers."

Sighing, Dylan nodded. Lily walked out of the room and called for Lee and Mark. Oddly enough, the two servant boys who were closest to Dylan.

"I shall wait down stairs," Lily told her as the boys came running up the stairs, "you grab your coat."

"Yes mama."

She walked out as Mark and Lee waited just outside, staring at the floor, then entered the room as Dylan called for them.

"Ma sez I gotta le' you guys carry my bags," Dylan explained, almost irritably, "do ya mind? Yer know I'd do i' myself-"

"We know," grinned Mark.

"C'mere," she smiled in reply, "I'll say g'bye naah so the family don' ge' annoyed. Father's pissed as i' is!"

Mark ran over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist, he was thirteen, but he had yet to get a growth spurt, though had his father been anything to go by, Mark would not stay short for long.

Leaning down, Dylan kissed the crown of his head.

"Be a good lad, yeah? And look after the horses, don' worry 'em."

"I won'," the lad promised, "I promise! You 'ave fun! An' tell Mary Mark sez hey."

"Will do," Dylan nodded.

Lee came over and hugged her tightly as well, accepting her kiss on the cheek quite happily.

"You remember wha' I said naah, girl," he told her seriously, "'e migh' be alrigh' bu' yer c'n never tell wi' these noble types."

"Yeah yeah… Jus' make sure yer keep an eye on every one, especially Mark."

"Hey!" the child complained.

Dylan just laughed. "Take my bags, before father or Seb get annoyed."

As they left, Dylan turned to her wardrobe and picked out her plainest coat; almost floor length, black, and thick enough to keep the chill out, but thin enough not to be a hindrance. As she pulled on the coat, she closed her bedroom door behind her, knowing that no one would be in that room again until she returned home.

Down stairs, her family waited for her. The only ones missing were Bert and her father.

Albert (or Bert) had said good bye to her earlier. Her older brother was the younger twin, and unfortunately the most sickly child in the family. The slightest breeze could give him pneumonia. As such, it was unsurprising that he had refused to come out of bed that day due to a sore throat, mild temperature and aching head.

The surprise was that Sebastian was waiting for her. Though admittedly he was glaring.

As soon as she came to the foot of the stairs the youngest three Sedgewells became almost attached to her, Jonathan was immediately settled onto his usual place of her hip, Chris hanging off her hand and Gwenaviere complaining.

"When will you be back," moaned Gwen, unhappily, as Dylan untangled herself from the reaching arms to hug them one by one.

Dylan hesitated. "Soon," she said finally.

"Why are you going?" demanded Chris, "you need to help me with my maths homework."

She laughed. "I'll help you when I get home. Maybe this time you can do them without getting me to do all the working out."

Chris' cheeks flushed.

Jonathan had still to be displaced from her hip, refusing to let go of her.

"Jonny, baby, please, Dylan has to go now," she pleaded, "I'll see you soon. And I'll try to write."

Jonny looked at her suspiciously, but plastered a sloppy wet kiss on her cheek and slid down her leg to the floor and sat on the stairs watching her. Which is where the other two joined him when the received their own kisses and hugs.

"Champagne?" asked Dylan, using her old nick name for her younger sister, "do I get a hug before I leave."

"But I'll get my dress all creased," complained the haughty girl, it was hard to believe this blonde girl was only fourteen. Though admittedly somewhat plainer compared to her older siblings, she still could pass for sixteen. Charmaine was the ultimate young lady, poised, polite, conscious of her dress, everything Dylan was not. Which also meant she was somewhat haughty and self centred. But Dylan knew better… Charmaine may have been a bit of a pampered brat, but that pampered brat had a heart of gold.

"All right," smiled Dylan, "give me a kiss good-bye then."

Charmaine grinned, for a moment it was as childish as it should have been, then she seemed to catch herself, and turned it into a more languid smile. She took her sisters hands and kissed her cheeks, as Dylan did the same to her.

Dylan turned to her oldest brother.

"Seb… please keep an eye on father and Albert… I'm worried for Albert's health… father's too."

Sebastian nodded curtly, and dutifully kissed her cheek as his mother watched.

Though she did not show it, Dylan was surprised. He never kissed her good bye. For any reason. This was the first time in years he'd ever touched her in such an affectionate way.

Finally she turned to her stepmother, who escorted her adoptive daughter outside.

"Now be good, and follow the rules," Lily warned, "don't do anything silly, and please have fun."

Dylan smiled gently.

"I will," she promised, "I'll be back… I'll back in at least a fortnight. I'll write home from time to time."

Lily hugged Dylan again, holding her tightly to her, as the younger girl did the same, before letting got and climbing into the carriage.

As the horses set off, Dylan leaned out for just a moment to wave good bye her stepmother, then settled back into her seat, picking up her book, getting ready for a very long journey.

A while after leaving the Sedgewell house, the carriage and its passenger arrived safely at the Hargreaves estate.

Dylan felt a sense of freedom at finally being able to step out of the warm, dark carriage into a cool, fresh breeze. She looked up at the house. It was beautiful… the architecture… the designs… the nature having climbed up the walls. She did like the place.

"Should I carry them in miss?" asked the carriage driver.

Dylan started, and turned around. "Oh dear me, I'm so sorry, I should have helped," she apologised, worriedly, jumping down from the carriage entirely, rushing over to her bags, "do you mind helping?" she asked, "I honestly don't like the idea of you carrying them in all on your own." She beamed up at the young man, as she bent over to pick up two bags.

"No no miss," stammered the driver, blushing under the attention she was giving him, "I couldn't possibly-"

"Just grab those two, if you be so kind," she told him, taking the two heaviest ones, as though they were simply bags of flour.

Surprised it took the man a moment to realise what was happening, then grabbed up the bags and jogged to catch up with this strange lady.

In the hall the driver set the bags down next to Dylan as she sat on the ones she brought in, she was rummaging through her purse.

"Thank you… uh… sorry, what's your name?"

"Moore, Teddy Moore," the driver said, standing straighter.

"Teddy," she smiled and held out a hand, "hand please. Hold it out."

Trying to hide his confusion, Teddy Moore held out a hand towards her. She took it with one hand, and with the other pressed something into his palm.

"Don't look until you get outside," she beamed up at him almost childishly, closing his fingers, "you'll get angry with me otherwise."

He frowned, bemused. "How do you…"

"I know people like you, very proud and very caring," she looked around and let go of his hand, "you'd better get going before the head of the house gets nosey. He's a decent guy… but very weirdly protective over girls under his care."

Teddy Moore nodded, bowed and turned to leave.

"See ya," waved Dylan happily, watching the figure of the young man leave.

Outside the house, Teddy Moore, opened his hand to see quite a few gold coins glinting in the dulled rays of sunlight. Startled, he looked back up to the house and shook his head, pocketing the money and climbing back onto the carriage.

Strange woman… Dylan Sedgewell…

Though Teddy Moore had taken many nobles to and from destinations, he could only just remember their faces, let alone the titles and names attached. Yet this one, this one he was sure he would remember.

Inside, Dylan waited for Cain and Mary to be notified of her arrival. Which was immediate. A moment after Teddy Moore left, there came the sound of little feet on wood, and Mary came into view and almost immediately after, flung her arms about her neck.

"Hello to you too," laughed Dylan, settling the girl more comfortably on her lap.

"You're evil!" Mary complained looking up at her, "pure pure evil! How dare you avoid me for so long! It wasn't fair! It wasn't right! I missed you!"

Still laughing, Dylan ruffled her golden hair. "I've been a little preoccupied. Charmaine had her birthday, so did I and so did Chris. Kinda hectic. As well as… well… you know," she shrugged and rolled her eyes, "at least father's the one telling them to get a life and not me."

Mary nodded solemnly. "Big brother might get a little jealous if you go off with someone else," she added, grinning.

Dylan glanced up at the slowly approaching figure of Cain Hargreaves, who clearly had heard everything that was being said.

"Oh really?" Dylan smirked, "did he say something?"

"No… but he doesn't need to. He-"

"Can hear every word you are saying, Mary-Weather," Cain's voice echoed about the hall, "are you going to make Dylan sit on her cases all day? Or will we have someone take up the cases and she can come in for something to eat and somewhere more comfortable to sit."

"Brother's just too scared to let you know the truth," whispered Mary, conspiritually, before jumping on the floor, tugging on Dylan's hand.

Cain meanwhile had called for a couple of the servants and was telling them which room to take the bags up to.

Pretty soon he caught up with Mary and Dylan.

"It's good to have you back, Dylan," he said softly, catching up with her.

"It's good to be back," she replied, smiling at him, then chased after Mary, calling after her happily.

Cain watched the girls screech and giggle down the hall, sound filling the space. It was the first time in a long time that any such sound had been heard.

All the servants, maids, kitchens boys, the butler… everyone came to see what the racket was about. All could not help but smile to see such pure joy.

Dylan seemed to have that effect on people.