"Attica! In here!" The sternness in his voice was unmistakable, leaving me no choice but to obey and enter the study where I found my father sitting at the desk. "Where have you been?"

"I took a walk up on deck, I needed some fresh air." Well, it was partly true; I had been on deck, but for other reasons entirely.

"Attica, what got into you this evening?" His eyes were full of disappointment and rage, and although it was something that I had expected, the tone and the delivery in question or demand left me stunned and unable to retort, but I was not allowed to remain speechless for long. "I asked you a question and I demand an answer along with an explanation." His tone left no room for argument and eventually I had no choice but to tell him the truth.

"I am sorry, father, but I do not think it is right that those men speak about such hard-working men in that way."

Then it came, the slap that I knew would be any Edwardian man's response to such a statement from a woman. But the sting of the slap was something that no one could have prepared me for. It shot through my skull like thunder striking down a tree that came in its way, and it truly left me paralyzed and speechless.

"Attica, I am disappointed, I was sure that I had brought you up to know better. This is a man's world and women have no right to question them. You are never to humiliate me like that again, EVER!" He paused to let the message sink in. "Are we clear?"

"Yes."

"Yes, what?" he demanded.

"Yes, sir," I replied quietly.

"Good. Now I want you to go to your room and stay there, that is an order!" With that he turned back to what he had been doing before I came in and I had no choice but to return to my room.

It was only when I got to my room that I truly noticed just how wet and cold I really was. The humour and the camaraderie of the Officers had taken away the bitterness of the night and of April in general. Knowing that there was no way of getting out again tonight, and considering that sneaking out of the window was out of the question due to obvious reasons, I decided that there was no point anyway in staying in the dress. So with that in mind I called for Bryony to help me get out of it and into something a lot more comfortable.

Once I had managed to get out of the wet dress and finally able to slip into a nightgown in which I could actually breathe. "Thank you, Bryony, that would be all," I said, dismissing the maid.

"Yes, miss." When she had actually left I turned my attention to the trunks which had been placed in the corner of my room, almost out of sight. It was time for me to try and find out something about this life that I had been thrown into. I could only hope that there would actually be some kind of clue within those trunks.

After searching for the longest time I finally came across a photograph and a letter. The picture was that of Damion Cooper, and I was surprised that for once he was not an old goon: rather he was a handsome young man, to the point that he actually looked to be younger than Will. He was a wiry man with dark hair, the very image of handsome. But those eyes were as cold as the ice from which they had been carved. Not anything like the kind warm, blue, eyes of Will. I knew that as a young woman I should have no problem with marrying this man. But my heart said that there was no way in which I could love a man that cold.

Putting the photograph of Damion down I moved on to the letter which I had also found in the trunk.

My dearest Attica,

I have tried to guide your father into not going through with the arrangement, but my darling it seems to be that he is set on his decision and assures me that it will be a divine match. I am afraid that it is never fair as to whom we are to marry, but we are women, who are we to say.

Yet there is always a ray of light in the darkness, and should you ever need a sanctuary you will always be welcome to stay with us.

Yours affectionately

Your Aunt

Aunt Margret Stewart

Picking up the photograph of Damion I realized that I was not actually out of my mind. That even before I came into this life Attica really did not want to marry this man. There was also another thing; I now knew that I had one kind and loving family member. With this new knowledge I went to bed and wondered what the future held for me and possibly also for Will.

A/N: I have created a soundtrack for "Chance in Time" which can be seen on my profile and as the story continues more songs will be added, I hope you like it.