A/N: So after a year, I am (hopefully) back on track. You're probably wondering what got me updating suddenly after sooo long. Well, yesterday I got an email from fanfiction with a review on this story.. and it made me remember it and all the ideas I had for it. And the fact that I am home sick also helps.. haha
So here's another long awaited chapter! It's a bit short compared to the rest but I hope you enjoy it :) more interesting chapters will come soon…
And of course, thanks chasingdreamz for the review!
CHAPTER SIX
-Lies-
_/_/_/
Genalyn, as expected, is furious.
It is late when I finally enter the house with Uncle Tom. The family is gathered in the lounge. I spot Sharol standing guiltily by the window. I tell them I lost my way and had someone take me to the hospital Tom works at. I leave out all the following strangers into dark alleys and sketchy places part.
"Oh, Dawn!" I am suddenly embraced by Genalyn. She then goes on and lectures me about the things a young lady mustn't do. One of them is walk alone in the streets, especially when I am not familiar with them. According to her I could've been lost, hurt, killed or even worse – had my reputation tainted.
Thankfully she is too preoccupied to notice her missing fur coat, and I hid the boy's brown jacket before she could see it. I have a feeling giving your fur coat to a beggar girl is on the lists of things a young lady mustn't do.
Mother just sighs and tells me to be more careful and watch where I am going so I won't get lost again. She probably would've said something else but I think she figured I've had enough of a lecture from Genalyn .
Meanwhile, Genalyn ventures her anger on Sharol. She blames her for letting me go on my own. Guilt creeps up in my stomach. Sharol has gotten it much worse than I have.
"Genalyn, don't blame Miss Sharol. I was the one who convinced her to let me – "
Genalyn interrupts me, telling me that it is a matter between the governess and herself. I make up in my mind to apologize to Sharol once I get a chance.
We eat dinner in silence. Later, I go upstairs, wanting no more than a hot bath to warm my still cold fingers. I place the brown jacket, which was tucked inside my dress, under my bed.
In the bathroom I take off my clothes. My hand strays automatically to the back of my neck to release the pendent. It grazes bare skin.
My heart skips a beat. Panicking, I place my hand on the back of my neck again. No, it can't be…
It's not there. I search my clothes; it is not there either. My mind starts racing with questions. Where could it be? I clearly remember wearing it when I left the house. I remember clutching it in my hand as I usually do when we were in the last store. I rack my brain to think off all the places I've been in. Surely I would've felt it fall off! Unless…
I remember sitting earlier today on the bench. Could I have fallen asleep on the bench for a few moments while Sharol was beside me? And I clearly remember Genalyn's warning before I left the house in the morning. Could it be?
I force the thought out of my brain. No! I mustn't blame Miss Sharol for such an act. She is practically my age and I have just started to befriend her. Moreover, she has taken a lot of the blame for my little detour today. Surely she wouldn't steal the pendant when I am asleep…
I take a bath quickly and let the water numb my thoughts. When I finish I search my room for he pendant, but it is no where to be found.
_/_/_/
Before I know it, morning arrives, and Sharol knocks on the door and wakes me up.
"Miss Dawn, breakfast is waiting for you downstairs," she says. I dress quickly and exit the room. Sharol is still standing behind my door; she seems lost for words.
"Miss Sharol, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked you to let –"
"Its okay, Miss Dawn, do not worry about it," she say.
I stare at her guiltily and nod. But then I remember the missing pendant. Should I ask her about it?
"You better go down and eat your breakfast, the porridge will get cold. Amanda and Elizabeth are waiting for you," she adds with a smile.
Again I feel a pang of guilt. I am acting just like Genalyn, suspecting Sharol just because she happens to be the governess. For all I know, it is probably my carelessness that needs to be blamed.
_/_/_/
At lunch Genalyn sits with a few of her friends. They are gossiping about the latest events and scandals. It seems the most spoken-of topic is the scarcity of metal in the region, and how it affects the corsets.
"Oh, I cannot dare to imagine what would happen if I could not purchase any corsets!" one of them exclaims.
"I heard there are new designs for corsets that are made of less metal."
"Less metal? Then what are they made of?"
"Elastic, perhaps?"
"Will they work as well as the old ones?"
"I have already ordered some," Genalyn announces.
Mother is sitting on the couch. She seems to be engrossed in her book as much as the ladies at the table are engrossed in their conversation. I am surprised to see her home. Lately, while I've been spending the day studying and reading books, Mother's been out of the house, going out on errands. She told Genalyn it was Christmas preparations, but I know she's been going on meetings regarding the Order and the Realms. I suspect Uncle Tom knows of it, too.
Surprisingly, Mother looks up from her book and notices me. She smiles and I sit by her side.
"How's your studying going, love?"
I roll my eyes. "Some of it's boring, especially etiquettes and French. But I like reading the books in Uncle Tom's library."
"That's good," she says.
There is a moment of silence and I remember the lost pendant. What would Mother say if she knew it was lost? I could imagine her reaction – disappointment. She will be angry, too. But most of all she will be sad, for it is the only reminder she has of her mother, my grandmother…
For the sixteen years that I've been living with my mother there was one thing that caused me the most pain – and that is when I made Mother sad. That is also the reason why, when I was old enough to understand, I stopped asking her about my father. It made her too sad.
Mother must read my face, for she says, "Dawn, is there something you're not telling me?"
I think of the stranger and his nobleman master, of the slums, of the pendant and of her sad face. I think of the words she told me when we were at Spence. "You are ready… You've been ready for years"
"No," I lie.
It is the first time I've ever lied to her.
_/_/_/
Reviews will be very much accepted (and will also motivate me to write hint hint)
Mariaty
