Uncas gazed out of his small window. He had hardly slept through the night; the exhaustion of the past few days seemed to have faded leaving sleep near impossible in his new and strange surroundings. He'd watched as the dawn sun had covered the decorative gardens in a pale glow.
The sun now rested high in the cold blue sky and Uncas guessed that noon fast approached.
His thoughts had been upon Aiyana and his heart ached with the guilt he felt. He was finally starting to mourn her loss, the woman that had been his wife, the wife he hardly knew. That whole part of his life felt like a distant dream, he found he could no longer recall her face, eyes or her laugh clearly anymore… they had had so little time together and Uncas wondered if he had felt love for her. His guilt was great as he knew the answer; it had not had the time it needed to bloom into love…
He rested his brow on his arm and breathed deeply, he longed to be home and away from this place, the walls seemed to suffocate him with each passing day.
He heard the familiar turn of the key in the door and turned to its sound. The door opened and Hinun entered. He grinned at Uncas and brought a sackcloth bag to the table.
"I was afraid they'd forget to feed you today… I was right to worry" he pulled a large piece of bread out of the bag and set it upon the table. He then took out of the bag cheese, an apple and finally, what looked to be slices of pork.
"I took some food from the kitchens, no one noticed because the house is in disarray after what happened"
Uncas looked at him quizzically and gestured for him to continue his tale.
Hinun sat on one of the wooden chairs.
"Well, Miss Munro rejected my Master's proposal of marriage, it put him in a frightful rage" he smiled as if this pleased him.
Uncas raised his brow at the news but said nothing.
Hinun offered Uncas some of the meat and Uncas took it gladly.
"And then their father Colonel Munro has been wounded in the Americas and the elder Miss Munro must go immediately to London and book passage on a ship" Hinun said.
Uncas finished the meat quickly and sucked his slightly greasy fingers.
"So, there are ships that still sail?" he asked
"Yes, the Majestic will take passages even while the war rages… my Master"
"Don't call him your Master, you are not his dog" Uncas snapped.
The boy bowed his head.
"I don't want to be here any more than you" Hinun said quietly "At least you know your people, I know nothing of my people's lives" he looked up "I belong nowhere"
Uncas studied the boy for a moment before standing up and walking to the table, he helped himself to some of the bread.
"You would be welcomed back by your people Hinun; they would know you belonged with them"
"How do you know this?" the boy asked.
"They are good people, they would teach you the ways of their lives and you would learn quickly, your spirit has never left them"
Hinun smiled "I wish to return, my heart longs for it"
Uncas nodded "Yes, we both shall return one day" Uncas said chewing the fresh bread.
A noise from outside made them both turn towards the door.
"I must go" Hinun said his eyes clouding with worry "I should not be here"
"Thank you my friend, for the food and company… and for risking yourself" Uncas clasped Hinun's arm and Hinun returned the gesture.
Hinun quickly gathered up the bag and left the room locking the door behind him.
Alice watched the young boy leave from the shadows at the end of the corridor. When he had descended the stairs far enough so that he would not hear her she let out the breath she had been holding and walked towards the door. She reached up onto her tiptoes and took the key from its hook.
She stared down at the key that lay in her palm… she didn't fully understand why she was here, why she had the overwhelming need to see him since reading the letter about her father. She had tried to shake the feeling and concentrate on her packing her own belongings but her mind would not let her be and told her she should at least say goodbye to the man that had rescued her. Finally she had relented and climbed the narrow staircase once again.
She had heard voices from within the room and hidden, unsure of who was inside. Now nothing stopped her entering the room but still she hesitated.
She took a deep breath and fumbled with the key in the lock for a moment before she heard it click then she quickly entered the room before her nerves could turn her back.
He stood by the table and turned as she entered his brow lifting in surprise.
She closed the door quietly and turned to look back at him, unsure of what she should do now she was here.
Uncas watched the young woman, she had come back… he studied her features; they had a strange sadness to them. Finally he broke the silence.
"Miss?"
The girl looked straight at him at the sound of his voice, her blue eyes were slightly glassy and as she stared at him they quickly filled with tears.
"I don't know why I'm here" she blurted and a sob escaped her. She raised her hands to cover her eyes as the tears began to fall down her cheeks.
Uncas stepped forward and reached out his hand to her until his palm rested upon her shoulder.
She moved her hands away and looked up at him, her eyes swam with unshed tears and Uncas thought, though seeing her sorrow was near heart breaking, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
She stared up at him, her eyes locked with his for what seemed minutes but must have only been seconds.
Without warning she lunged forward, her arms encircling around his torso and holding him tightly as she buried her face into his shirt.
Uncas was startled for a moment as the girl shook softly with the sobs her tears brought forth. He hesitated and then brought his arms around her, pressing her to him and feeling her slight frame shudder slightly as she cried.
He whispered comforting words into her ear, feeling he had comforted her many times before.
"Hush" he cooed "my little Sisika"
His words seemed to soothe her until her shaking became less, her sobs quietened and her breathing became calmer. Gently he released and looked down at her. Feeling him pull away she turned her face upwards. Gently Uncas wiped at her tear-stained cheeks with his thumb and she smiled weakly up at him, he let a smile form on his own lips and he brushed a few stray hairs from her brow and cheeks.
He looked into her blue eyes and they gazed back at him.
"Sisika" he whispered and he bent his face to hers, for a moment their lips brushed together. Alice pulled violently away from him, her expression startled and dazed. She looked up at him for a moment as if she would say something; she turned on her heel and fled the room. Uncas heard the click of the key as she locked the door behind her.
----
The following week passed in a blur for both Alice and Cora. Andrew hurried everyone in the house about as they prepared for Cora to leave. Alice was to make her journey the day after Cora left, she would return to their family home and await news there. Alice hated the thought of being alone in their big house but she hated the thought of staying any longer in Andrew's company more. He had simpered around her every chance he got, apologizing and trying to gain her favor.
Alice stood beside the carriage that would take Cora on her way; her hand was clasped in her sister's.
"It will be alright" Cora assured her "Papa will return home once he is well enough to travel"
Alice embraced her "Please be careful Cora"
Cora hugged her in return "I will" she kissed Alice tenderly upon her cheek.
Cora let go of her sister's hand and stepped up into the carriage, she waved from the open window as the horses were coaxed into motion.
Alice felt her heart sink a little as the carriage became a dark blotch in the distance.
Andrew stepped to her side.
"I'm sure your father will be fine now Cora will be caring for him"
Alice glared up at him and ignoring him entered the house, he followed after her and she turned sharply.
"Be sure my belongings are on the carriage by morning, I'll be leaving at first light" she said coldly.
Andrew nodded his gaze lowered to the floor "Alice, please think of me a little kindly, join me for dinner at least?"
Alice looked at him for a moment trying to read his expression "Well, I would have to if I wish to eat anyway" she replied curtly.
Alice retired to her room for the rest of the day. She ached slightly at the thought of leaving, she would not see Uncas again but part of her was glad of this, she had behaved appallingly the last time they had met, she blushed slightly at the thought. She did not understand why she felt so attached to him, why he made her feel safe and why whenever she needed someone it was his face she wished to see.
She re-dressed for dinner in a pretty cream lace gown with a wide necked bodice that showed off her shoulders. She tied a section of her hair back and fastened it with a cream ribbon. She glanced at her reflection and calmed herself with the fact that she would be away tomorrow and all this would be behind her.
----
Alice descended the grand staircase and entered the dining room where Andrew already awaited her.
He stood up as she entered and a servant helped her into her seat. Andrew gave her a smile and sat back down.
"We are eating pheasant tonight; I hope it's to your tastes"
Alice nodded as the meal was set in front of her.
"You must try the wine too, it goes very well with the meat" Andrew said lifting his own wine glass.
Alice felt her resolve fade a little, he was trying so hard and could they at least be friends after this. But she could not force herself to look at him.
"Alice" Andrew sighed "Think me not as some monster, please. I can but say I'm sorry and make the rest of your stay pleasant; will you not allow me to do so?"
Alice flicked her gaze up to him and quickly away "Yes" she whispered.
She reached for her wine glass and drank some of the ruby colored liquid.
"See, it is good!" Andrew declared.
"Yes" Alice agreed "Very sweet"
Andrew smiled and began to eat his meal, Alice joined him and started on her own, sipping the sweet wine as she did.
Alice began to feel a little light headed, the wine seemed quite strong and soon she found herself laughing musically to Andrew's jokes and tall tales; at the back of her mind she knew all was not well, she had not drank enough to feel this way… but the light headed feeling pushed all thoughts from her head.
Finally she interrupted his latest story.
"I must retire" she said to him grinning.
"Goodnight then" he said and raised his glass to her.
Alice arose from her seat finding she had to push herself up on the arm of the chair. Her head began to swim and the whole room spin, the colors merging with each other in a nauseous swirl, she clutched for the table, trying to steady herself, but missed it and fell backwards into the chair, the air leaving her. She heard Andrew laughing and was laughing herself even though her mind screamed that something was not right, that she was in grave danger!
"Andrew" her voice sounded slurred and slow to her ears "I feel unwell"
The room still swam in fuzzy hazes before her
She felt a slight panic flutter within her chest but it was quickly dispelled as another wave of laughter fell over her.
She looked towards where Andrew sat and narrowed her eyes, her vision was blurry, she made out his figure, he had not moved but sat in his chair his glass still raised and a large grin upon his lips… she remembered nothing else as a sudden sleep took her.