Author's note: Sorry it took me a while to get to this. I started a new job and have two other stories to work on here (Hunger Games, if you're interested).

Warning: This chapter has some offensive language.

Happy reading!

Chapter Eleven

Brittany stayed in her room. The only company she took was Santana and Penny. She let her mother come in a few times, but pretended to feel unwell. Her mother sent for the doctor who said she was well, as far as he could see. It only made her mother upset that she was avoiding telling her something.

One morning, Brittany awoke to Santana stroking her hair gently and kissing her cheek.

"Are you going to get up today?" she asked with a smile.

"What time is it?" Brittany asked groggily.

"Almost noon. How are you feeling?"

"Fine." She caught Santana's hand. "Stop that."

"Sorry."

"When would I know? How would I know?"

"Do you know your cycle well enough?"

"Yes."

"If it doesn't come, it would mean you are with child. If it does, you are free."

Brittany nodded. "Has Sebastian been by?"

"He has. This morning, in fact. He spoke with your father at length behind closed doors."

"And my father's attitude after the meeting?"

"He seemed quite pleased with whatever had been said. He went to your mother and demanded you come down immediately. Your mother sent me to get you dressed. If you're not down soon, she'll come up herself."

Brittany stretched and then sat up. "I'm going to have to marry him."

"You don't have to, Brittany. You can refuse."

"I can't refuse my father, Santana. Not if he feels this is right for me." She got up and started walking around the room. "I'll meet with them, but I'd like to take my time. Have a bath drawn, nice and hot."

"Yes, miss." She dipped a small curtsy.

"Don't 'yes, miss' me, Santana. Please. Use as much help as you need and take your time. If I'm heading to the slaughter, I'm doing it my way."

"All right." She left the room.

Brittany sat down with a sigh. There was a tap on the door. She called, "Who is it?"

"Your sister." Penny called through the door.

She walked to the door and opened it slightly. "Good morning."

"Hello. How are you today?" she asked gently, leaning against the door frame.

"As well as can be expected, considering Sebastian came to see Papa this morning."

"Yes, I saw. I wanted to scratch his eyes out." She smirked. "Your Santana did too, I could tell."

"She's not mine."

"Of course she is. She loves you a great deal, I can tell."

"You think so?"

"I know so." She looked over Brittany's shoulder. "Can I come in?"

She stepped aside. "Sure. Santana went to start water for a bath."

She cocked an eyebrow, "Oh?"

She closed the door firmly behind her sister. "For me. Alone."

"It wouldn't hurt if you did bathe together. A shared bath can be quite fun."

"I don't need to know how you know that." She sat down on a chair beside her window and looked out. "Were you serious the other night when you said we should all just run away?"

"If Noah would agree to it, I would go with him anywhere. I'm beginning to fall more deeply in love with him every day."

Brittany looked out the window. "But it's all wrong. Mama would never forgive us."

"Dear sister, you have to stop trying to make up for me. Mama never wanted children at all and Papa only wanted sons to carry on the family name and keep the company going. We're trapped as two barely wanted daughters doing our best. If we leave, Mama will grieve outwardly, but be relieved inwardly. And Papa? All he ever cares about is his business and getting us good marriages as soon as possible so he no longer has to deal with our upkeep."

Brittany stared at her sister aghast. "How can you say such things?"

"It's true. You know it's true." Penny kneeled down on the floor in front of her sister. "If you want to leave, I'll do everything I can to help you."

"I don't…I don't know what I want, I just don't know if I can marry Sebastian. After what he did to me, I can only imagine what he'll do once we're married."

"I know, Brittany. And I will do everything I can to help you. As your older sister, it should be my duty. I've neglected that duty. I will do my best from now on."

"Thank you, Penny."

"So what happens next?"

"First I have to go to Mama and Papa to see what Sebastian wants."

"Would you like me to go with you?"

She smiled, "I'd appreciate that."

"Then I'll be there."

There was a tap on the door. Brittany called, "Who is it?"

"Santana, miss."

"Enter."

Santana came in. She curtsied. "Your bath is almost ready, miss. The water will be up momentarily."

A large tub was carried into the room and sat in front of the fireplace. Santana stooped in front of the hearth and added more wood to the fire. The screens were put in place as the sisters watched.

Penny stood as the first buckets of water were brought in. "I'll be in my room. Send for me when you're ready."

"I will."

Penny left, as did all the other servants. It was only Brittany and Santana.

"Do you need anything else?" the maid asked. "Perhaps something to eat while you soak?"

"That will be fine. Thank you." She stepped behind the screen and undressed as Santana left the room.

She immersed herself momentarily. She stood and started lathering soap over her body. The door opened. She froze and dropped into the water, letting the soap obscure the water.

"Brittany?" She asked uncertainly from behind the screen.

"Yes?"

"May I come around?"

"Yes, that's fine." She crossed her arms over her chest and then uncrossed them and let them float through the water. She averted her eyes as Santana set a tray down on a table set up beside the tub.

"Hot enough?" She asked, pouring a glass of orange juice.

"It's perfect, thank you." She said awkwardly.

Santana sat down the glass of juice. "Anything else?"

"I'm fine, thank you."

"Why aren't you looking at me?" She said almost desperately.

Brittany shifted her gaze and met Santana's eyes. She swallowed.

"I think you're so beautiful." Santana whispered.

She blushed, but kept her eyes steady. "Thank you."

"Would you like me to wash your hair?"

"Yes, I'd like that." She sat forward and leaned her head back as Santana picked up a pitcher and poured water over her head.

They were silent as Santana massaged the soap into Brittany's scalp. As she rinsed the soap away, some trailed down Brittany's face and into her eye.

"Ouch!" She exclaimed.

"I'm sorry." Santana said and hurried help rinse the rest of the water away.

"No, it's fine." She dunked her head under the water and sat back up, wiping water from her face. She smiled at Santana, blinking the water out of her eyes. "All better." She stared at her for several moments and then leaned over and kissed the other young woman tentatively.

Santana placed her hands on the sides of Brittany's face and deepened the kiss. She smoothed her hands over Brittany's soaked hair. She pulled away, panting.

Brittany sighed and picked up the glass of juice. "Nothing stronger down there?"

"I can get you something stronger if you want it."

She shook her head. "This is fine." She downed the drink and then looked at Santana. "That was nice."

The maid blushed. "Yes, it was." She stood and took a few steps back. "I know what just happened to you, but I…" She swallowed, "I want to explore more with you."

"I want that too." Brittany admitted softly. "Do you know how?"

Santana's blush deepened, "Theoretically."

"Maybe tonight?" she asked hopefully. "At least talk about it?"

"Yes, I'd like that."

"Good." Brittany sat back and picked at the platter of food Santana had brought her. "Would you like something? I never see you eat."

"We eat in shifts depending on our assignments."

"Sit down." She said softly.

Santana pulled a chair close and sat beside her.

Brittany picked up a grape and held it out. "Eat."

She watched the other young woman for several moments. Then she leaned forward and ate the grape out of Brittany's hand, sliding her tongue over the other woman's fingers.

Brittany slid her fingers over Santana's cheek and behind her neck. "Kiss me again." She demanded softly.

"I really shouldn't. You parents are waiting for you."

"I don't give a damn about my parents right now. I want you to kiss me. I need your lips on mine."

Santana smiled and pressed her mouth to Brittany's again and again. She sat back and smiled. She picked up a grape and pressed it to her lips. Brittany opened her mouth and took the morsel. As she chewed, she pressed her lips up to Santana's.

"You taste like grapes." Santana said with a smile.

"So do you." She sat back. "I should get out of here. The water is starting to cool."

She stood from the chair and held out a towel.

Brittany stepped into it and gave her yet another kiss. "Thank you."

Santana blushed. "You make me into a silly girl, Brittany."

"I like it." She kissed her again. "Leave everything. It can be cleared later." She took her hand and led her into the dressing room.

Just a few minutes later, Brittany was in her father's study. Her mother paced behind him as he sat behind his desk. Penny sat casually in an adjacent chair.

"What is this about, Papa?" Brittany asked.

"What are your feelings on Sebastian Smythe?"

She looked to her sister uncertainly and then said, "Well, I think that he is very influential."

"I suppose that could work." He paused and looked behind him at his wife. "Dear, do stand still. You're making me nervous."

"Sorry." Mrs. Pierce stopped pacing.

"As I was saying, Sebastian Smythe has expressed an interest in getting to know you better with the ultimate goal of marriage."

Brittany nodded. "Just get to know him better as of right now?"

"For now." Her father said. "Sweetling, if you decided the match won't be a successful one, all you must do is say it. But it would be in your best interest to try to love him. Or at least come to an agreement on the matter. He has a lot of money and connections. It is very fortunate that you have caught his eye." He turned to Penny. "And as for you, poppet, I know about your dalliance with Noah Puckerman. And it ends now. I won't have this chance for your sister ruined."

Penny met his eyes, unblinking. "You told me once that love matches were better than marriage for money or station."

He sighed and sat back in his chair. "You're both old enough to know the truth." He reached up and slipped his hand into his wife's. "We don't have much money, girls. There have been many attacks on my ships as of late and I have had trouble getting the money owed to me by the government."

"You mean we're broke?" Penny asked, aghast.

"Not yet. But if we don't watch ourselves, we'll be on the streets. I have a large shipment going out soon that should put us right again. As long as the cargo gets there safely." He gave his older daughter a pointed look. "Drop Puckerman and find someone with money and better status."

She stood. "I have before, Papa. Many times. I'll marry for love. And then I'll be gone and you'll have one less mouth to feed." She turned and left the room, slamming the door behind her.

"His father is a jeweler." Brittany said softly.

"What?" Mr. Pierce said.

"Ezra Puckerman is a jeweler. He's frugal. He has money. His son Noah often helps him. He just put on a show so people don't think he's like his father, but he really is."

"You dare talk to me like that?"

"You're not much more than a merchant yourself, Papa. Noah is the only son. He will inherit."

"He's also a kike."

Brittany said nothing, despising her father's use of such an insult. She never thought him so intolerant. He had Jewish men working for him. I suppose they're good enough to employ, but not to marry his daughter.

"Anything else you have to say to me?" her father asked.

"Nothing, Papa." She said meekly.

"Then you may go."

Brittany stood and left in a much more sedate manner than her sister.

Penny was pacing in a similar manner as their mother outside the door. As soon as Brittany closed it, she grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her away. "What happened?"

"I spoke up for Noah, but it made Papa angry."

"Of course it did." She pulled them into the library. "So what do we do now?"

"I'm going to be the good daughter and do everything I'm supposed to. You do whatever you want. Marry Noah, don't marry Noah." She shrugged.

"And what about Santana?"

"You don't need to worry about Santana. I must love her in secret anyway. Even more than you and Noah Puckerman."

"If you do marry Sebastian Smythe, maybe she can have her employment transferred."

"It could work, I suppose." She stood. "I need to get some air."

"Would you like me to join you?"

She opened her mouth to speak, but closed it. "I think I'm going to seek out Santana and discuss this with her."