Andrew walked up to the reception desk of City Hall. The man behind the desk gave him an indifferent look before he helped him. "Can I help you, sir?"

"Yes. I'm Andrew St. James, Duke of Wentwroth, and I need to know if you have a listing for a Constance St. James." Andrew didn't know why, but asking for a listing under that name was wrong, and he couldn't remember for the life of him what Connie's husband's name was.

The receptionist gave him an unimpressed look when it came to the title. "I have a listing for a Connie James, but it is well over six years old. We have no way of knowing if that person still lives there."

Andrew nodded. "Thank you." The receptionist handed him the address, and he left. Connie James. The name sounded familiar. Why did it sound so familiar? He would have to ask Veronica if she knew it. And doing that depended on if she was even speaking to him by this point. The longer Amanda was gone the less his wife spoke to him.

"Do you have any idea how badly you scared me? I didn't know what to think when you weren't in your room this morning. Don't ever scare me like that again." Connie scolded her niece with the expertise only a mother possesses.

"I'm sorry, Aunt Connie. I really am. I won't do it again." Amanda felt worse than she did when her father scolded her, but of course that was because she didn't have the respect for her father that she did for her aunt.

"I don't expect you too." Connie then gave a stern look to Skittery that said she wanted to talk to Amanda in private. Skittery kissed Connie on the top of her head and left the main room of the apartment. As soon as he was gone, the stern look on Connie's face faded into a smile. "So, tell me what brought you and Jack together?"

"Jealousy. Pure and simple." Amanda said with a sly smile. "He was jealous of me and Les, and he couldn't take it." Connie nodded. She knew Jack too well, and she knew that Les and Amanda being together would drive him crazy.

"So what did he say to make you change your mind about Les?" Connie felt like a teenager again.

"Well, he barged into the washroom while I was still in the tub, and began babbling about what he's felt since the moment he saw me that first day. He was so adorable as he babbled to the wall. I made him turn around while I got out of the tub and put my wrap on."

"He went into the washroom after I told him not to?" Amanda nodded. Connie crossed her arms and put her stern expression back on. "I'm going to have a talk with him." Amanda smiled. Jack should have a talking to. She shouldn't be the only one to get in trouble for last night. Connie's expression once again faded, and her smile returned. "So, what happened?"

"I told him to stop babbling and kiss me. When he did, I felt. . . ." Amanda didn't know how to express it.

"Magic?"

"Yes. Magic." Amanda absently touched her lips. It was almost as if she could feel Jack's lips again.

"What did you do about Les?"

Amanda instantly looked mad, but it was only for a fleeting moment. "Well, I told Jack I was going to break it off with him last night. Jack asked me to stop by his place to talk, and he left. I waited for Les to show up for our date, but he never did. I went to his apartment on my way to Jack's. It turns out he came by early to tell me something and saw me and Jack kissing. He already knew it was over." Connie gave a horrified and sad look.

"Oh, poor Les." Amanda shook her head.

"Not really. He was coming by to tell me that he liked a girl from school and she likes him too. Plus he knew I had feelings for Jack before we started seeing each other. He was fine with it. I then went to Jack's and we talked till almost four this morning."

Connie smiled. She was glad Amanda was happy and that Jack was too. "That was so sweet, but," Connie grew serious again, "you still should have called."

"I know."

"When will you see Jack again?" Amanda shrugged. She then realized that they hadn't set a time to meet. "If I know Jack, he won't wait too long before you see him again. I knew he cared for you from the moment he laid eyes on you, Puss." Amanda blushed as Connie said that. Connie suddenly became serious again as Skittery entered the kitchen again. "I don't want you over there after dark without a chaperone. Do you understand me, young lady?"

"But that is so. . . ."

Skittery stopped the fight that was about to begin. "Ya can lay off da act, Connie. I know ya stopped lecturing 'er aftah I left da room." He kissed the top of her head. "I do know ya, remember?" Connie nodded.

"And that's why I love you."

Skittery laughed. "An' I t'ought it was because I saved ya from starvin' when you were eleven. Boy, I've been wrong all dese years." Connie gave him a playful jab in his side as he walked away.

Veronica had said that the address was where they had found Constance six years ago when she had been working in what Andrew always thought was a brothel. He entered Irving Hall and found who he was looking for. She was up on stage and singing. She hadn't changed that much. She finished her act and gracefully walked off stage.

Andrew made his way backstage. He had to know where Constance was now living. If the girl had any sense, she would have moved out of this brothel and into a nice apartment. He spotted the woman he needed to talk to about Constance. She had just handed one of the young girls her feather boa and was heading down a corridor in the back of the building.

Medda handed her boa to the newest girl under her employment. "I'm going to lie down. My head is killing me." She started down the back corridor that lead to the upstairs and her apartment. She stopped when she felt someone touch her arm. She turned to see a face she had thought she would never see again.

Medda looked over Andrew rather disgustedly. "What do you want? Are you here to take another one of my girls away?"

Andrew was appalled by the attack he just received. "No. I'm looking for Constance." Medda shook her head. She hated the way he insisted on calling Connie Constance. It sounded so ridged, and nothing like Connie.

"Why? What do you want from her? She's happily married. She has a son. Why don't you leave her alone? She won't go back to England with you."

Andrew was growing redder by the second. "I don't want to take Constance and that street urchin she married back to England. I need to talk to her. Could you please just give me her address, and I'll let you go back to running your low scale brothel."

"Brothel? Brothel?" That had been the wrong thing to say. Medda lost her temper, which wasn't a good thing to do with her head the way it was. "This is one of the best Vaudeville Halls in this city. My girls are all upstanding citizens." Medda began to walk away. She stopped a few feet away and turned back to Andrew. "I believe you know your way out, Andy." She knew that would get his goat. She remembered Jack and Skittery telling her how he had nearly exploded when they called him that.

"It's Your Grace to you, Miss Larkson." Medda rolled her eyes. "Listen. I need to talk to Constance because my daughter ran away and we think she came here. I need to know if she's seen her. Please? If I don't get find her, my wife will never forgive me."

Medda rubbed her eyes. "Fine. I'll give you her address. Just please stop yelling." He hadn't been yelling, but to Medda he had been screaming. She swore that last night would be the last time she tried to drink Snoddy under the table.

Andrew left moments later with Connie's new address.

Connie smiled as she opened the door to see Jack standing in the hall. "I was wondering how long you would wait before you came by."

"So, ya ain't mad?" He sounded like a child who had gotten caught in a lie.

"No. I was wondering how long it would take you to come to your senses about Mandy and realize that Amanda is better for you."

"It didn't take me too long. Is she in?" Connie moved aside and let Jack in.

"Yes. She's taking a nap. She was exhausted. She said she didn't sleep well, so she laid down about an hour ago."

Jack nodded. "I can come back later." He started to leave.

"Actually, I think she's been asleep long enough. She won't sleep tonight if she sleeps much longer. Why don't you go and wake her up?" Jack smiled at the idea.

He walked back to Amanda's room. The door was shut. He opened it quietly as not to wake her. He saw her lying on her side with her back to the door. That had been the same way she had slept last night when he had gone in to check on her. In actuality, he had gone in to crawl in bed with her, but he had decided both times that it wouldn't be wise. He walked around the bed and knelt down beside her. A stray curl had fallen in her face. He gently pushed it behind her ear. His soft touch made her move, but she didn't awake. Jack looked at her for a minute before he did anything else. She looked like such an angel, but her red hair proved different. It showed the fire and passion she had inside her. It showed the determination she had to be her own person. Jack was glad Andrew had never broken the spirit that had captivated him, even when she had been eleven. He remembered how she had stood up to Andrew when he found out that Jack and Skittery were there to see Connie, and that Amanda had invited them. Despite her father's anger, she had never faltered in her saying they were guests and would stay as long as they liked.

Jack leaned in and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips. He kiss did wake her. She nearly jumped out of her skin. She rolled onto her back and closed her eyes. She opened them again to see Jack kneeling beside the bed. "Blast it, Jack! You scared me to death." She sounded mad, but the smile that played on her lips showed otherwise. "I was just thinking about you."

Jack raised an eyebrow. "Really?" She nodded. "What were you thinking?"

"How you can be so rotten." She teased. She had actually been reliving last night in her mind.

"Rotten? I'll show ya rotten." He tickled her till she rolled into his arms. He kissed her deeply when she did. Amanda was so new to the entire relationship experience she didn't know what she was doing, but she liked what she was doing right then; and she liked what she had done thus far. Jack broke the kiss a minute later. "I came ta see if I could give ya a tour a da city."

Amanda looked puzzled. "But, I've already had a tour."

Jack shrugged. "Yeah, but ya ain't had one Jack Kelly style."

Amanda smiled at his cockiness. "And what style is that?"

Jack couldn't keep his face straight much longer. "Wid me. Dat's all."

Amanda laughed. "It's sounds smashing." She sat up. "Just let me get ready, and I'll. . . ." Jack looked her up and down as she tried to get out of the bed without running into him. She wasn't having much luck. "Ya look fine ta me." He looked down at her feet. "Jus' put on some shoes." Jack gave her another quick kiss before he left the room. Amanda set about to find her shoes.

Jack entered the front room again. Connie was dusting the shelves of books she owned. She had given up on getting Skittery to read them. He swears that all he needs to know he can find out from the newspaper. She just figured it was the newsie in him.

"I'm takin' 'er on a tour of da city."

"But she's. . . ."

"Yeah, but not wid me. You and Skittery wanna meet us at Tibby's tanight?"

"Sure. We'll see you then." Amanda walked out of the room. She hugged her aunt. "Have fun, Puss."

"I will." Amanda walked out with Jack following her. Connie shook her head as it seemed that both were floating a few inches above the ground.

Mandy looked from the piece of paper in her hand to the rundown building in front of her. She had spent most of the morning searching the brothels and bars looking for anyone who knew Oscar and Morris Delancy. She had finally found a bar tender that said they were frequents. He had given her directions to their tenement in Queens. She knew they had been out of jail for a little over a month now. Jack and the others had commented on seeing them around Manhattan. They had been in jail because they had attacked an innocent young girl. The girl had nearly been killed by the attack. They said it had all been a mistake. They had thought she was someone else, but the judge didn't believe them. They had been sentenced to four years in the New York State Prison.

Mandy took a deep breath as she entered the dilapidated building. The bottom floor was dark. No light shown through the windows from the grime that was on them. She paused just inside the door. She looked back at the piece of paper. Apartment four-sixteen. She looked at the stairs that looked as if they were barely standing and cringed. She started up the stairs, but nearly fell down them as a rat ran across the toe of her shoe. She gasped, barely holding in the scream that rose in her throat. She turned to look down the stairs when she heard a throaty laugh from behind her.

"Did 'e scare ya, doll?" An old man asked as he swatted a broom at the rat.

Mandy didn't answer. She turned around and slowly began to climb the stairs. She wanted to run up them, but her legs wouldn't' move that fast. She wanted to get this over with, so she could get out of that hell hole of a building. Why was she even doing this? She was beginning to doubt her motives when she remembered. The memory of Amanda St. James leaving Jack's apartment this morning flashed through her mind. She then heard Jack's all too painful words, "We ain't nothin' ta each other anymore." He was everything to her, and she was going to have him. All she needed to do was get that little chit out of his life.

She looked at the door that she was now standing in front of. She took a deep breath to calm herself. She needed to appear in control if this was going to work. She knocked on the door and waited. It only took a second for her to get a response.

"We's already paid da rent, Sam."

Mandy cleared her throat. "I'm not Sam. I need to talk to you."

There was a long pause from behind the door. "We ain't buyin' what evah it is your sellin', lady."

"Unless, your sellin' yourself." Another voice came from behind the door.

"Oscar, would ya shut up?" So, Morris Delancy was the one in control? At least she now knew who to talk to.

"Morris, I'm not selling anything. I do have a job proposition for you. It will pay well if you can pull it off."

"Listen, lady, we don't want no trouble."

"Really?" She was getting tired of talking to a door. She needed to find a way for them to open the door. Then suddenly it hit her. "Not even if it turns Jack Kelly's life upside down?"

She didn't have to wait long before the door was flung open. That had done it. Yes! Her excitement was short lived as she looked into the disgusting face of Morris Delancy. She actually felt sick when she looked at him. "An' how do ya propose ta do that?" The sick feeling was made worse when she smelled the strong scent of whiskey on his breath.

She sighed. Mostly to calm her stomach, but some what out of frustration. "Do you want to let me in, or do you want me to stand out in the hall where anybody could hear?" Morris thought about it for a second. Mandy could tell that he wouldn't be coming to an answer anytime soon. "Would you just let me in!" She practically yelled it. Morris moved aside to let her in. She stood in the center of the room and waited till he shut the door before she said anything. "I know you have a past with Jack, and I want a future with him. I need you two to help me get it." Morris nodded as she went on to tell her plan.

Jack walked with his arm around Amanda's waist. They strolled silently through the shaded paths of Central Park. It was gorgeous with the fall leaves changing into bright hues of red, orange, yellow and subtle browns. Jack had given her a pretty good tour of the upper section of Manhattan. She didn't have the heart to tell him that he had shown her everything that Les had shown her two weeks ago. Jack had been right. He had shown Les everything about the city. Les and Jack hadn't missed a beat when it came to a thorough tour.

They cleared the wooded paths and stopped in front of the pond in the center of the park. On the other side they saw a small orchestra playing in a gazebo. Around the gazebo, chairs were set up for whatever audience may want to stop and listen. Amanda looked up at Jack and smiled. The music was slightly audible considering the distance that was between them and the orchestra. It was an amazing swirl of Mozart that caught Amanda's attention.

"Jack, could we please go and listen to them. I love Mozart." Jack smiled as he made eye contact with her. Her blue eyes sparkled as she awaited his answer. He was amazed at how full of life she was.

"Sure. I've nevah hoid Mozart." She took his hand and lead them to the audience. Jack instantly went to take one of the chairs in the back row. Amanda pulled on his hand as he started to sit down. He looked up at her. "What?" Confusion was clear in his voice.

"Let's not sit with everybody." Amanda looked around and noticed a small hill just past the audience that lined one side of the gazebo. "Let's sit on the hill. That way we have a clear view of everything." Jack was amazed at the sparks in her eyes. She seemed to absolutely ecstatic about the chance to watch the orchestra from the hill, alone. He followed her to the hill, and joined her. She was laying on her stomach with her face placed in her small hands. Jack sat beside her. He reclined back and crossed his legs at his ankles. He had never really paid attention to any of the bands, orchestras or plays that took place in the park. They had always been an easier way for him to sell his papers when he had been younger. He listened as the music swelled to a slightly faster beat. He only looked over at Amanda when he heard her sigh.

"Ya like dis song?" He asked in a whisper. He didn't know why, but he felt whispering was in order. Maybe he thought that he talked in a normal tone, it would disturb the musicians.

"Oh, it is my favorite. Mother would take me to London Symphony Orchestra every season. I would imagine a prince sweeping his princess up and taking back to their castle in the mountains to live happily ever after when I would hear this song." She smiled broadly. "I still do, I guess." Jack was amazed at how open she was. She seemed as if she was seeing everything for the first time. Was she? Had her life at Wentwroth been so sheltered that she hadn't been able to experience anything?

Jack was torn from his thoughts when he felt water suddenly hit him. He looked up as a fall rainstorm opened up on the park. The small audience that had gathered began to scatter as they searched for shelter. Some of the audience joined the orchestra under the gazebo. Jack stood and offered his hand for Amanda. She took it, but instead of starting to run for shelter she began swaying back and forth to a tune she was humming. Jack looked at her in confusion. He was still holding her hand.

"Come on. Let's get outta dis rain."

Amanda laughed as she shook herhead. "No." She took Jack's hand, the one she was holding, and placed it on her waist. She slowly took his other hand in hers. She looked up at Jack and smiled in what he would later look back on as an impish grin. "Dance with me, Jack?"

He looked around and saw that they were the only ones left in the park. "'Ave ya gone mad? It's pouring."

Amanda only shrugged. "So. I danced with you at Aunt Connie and Uncle Skitts wedding, but I was too small to actually dance with you. You held me up as we spun around the dance floor. I want to really dance with you, Jacky." Jacky. When she called him that, it made a chill run up his spine. For some reason, it affected him more than anything to hear her call him by the nickname only a few affectionately called him. He smiled as he took her hand in his and led her in a clumsy dance. They slipped with each turn as they worked their way down the wet slope of the small hill. Jack spun her as they reached the bottom. They were both laughing so hard that it took all of their concentration to not fall down. After several minutes, they finally stopped. Jack pulled her close and kissed her forehead. The small crowd in the gazebo applauded and laughed. Amanda turned and curtsy to them. Jack laughed as she stood up from her curtsy and fell right in a puddle. Amanda laughed as she stood up. "I didn't see you rushing to help."

Jack shrugged. "I kinda enjoyed see ya land on your backside." At that Amanda kicked a wave of water at him. As if it mattered. They were already drenched to the bone. Jack grabbed her by the waist and spun her around. She laughed as he lost his balance, and they both ended up in the same puddle she had just crawled out of. They stood and hugged each other. The rain stopped and the samll crowd slowly left the gazebo. Amanda heard every sort of comment as the members of New York's high society walked passed them. The comments ranged from "That behavior was totally disgraceful" to "They are going to be the happiest couple if they always have fun like that". Most of the disparaging remarks were from old women and their husbands. The ones about them always being happy came from younger women. She even heard one woman say to her husband, "Remember when we danced in the rain like that." She smiled broadly as Jack kissed her on the forehead again.

She snapped from her thoughts as Jack said something to her. "Let's head back ta my place, so we can dry off before we hafta meet Connie an' Skittery at Tibby's." Amanda nodded. Jack took her hand as they headed back down the wooded paths.