Huntington by Cheeya.

Chapter 2

Disclaimer: The characters in this story belong to me but between you and me, they do slightly resemble two characters from an excellent TV show. No copyright infringement is intended.

Sex/Love: This fic is primarily a love story and contains scenes of love between two consenting females. If this offends you, if you're too young to read it, or if it's illegal where you are, please don't read any further.

Bad Language: Mild

Archiving: If you'd like to archive this, go ahead, but I'd appreciate it if you let me know!

Dedication: For my gorgeous girlfriend. I love you, Honey.

Comments/Constructive Criticism to cheeya@xenafan.com

My other fic/poetry/other stuff can be found at my website... http://www.geocities.com/cheeya_2000

"Mrs Smith, are you quite sure that it's missing?"

The housekeeper nodded quickly, her tight bun bobbing at the base of her skull as she fiddled with her skirts uncomfortably.

"Yes, M'Lord. It was there yesterday evening because I checked it myself but it was gone this morning."

Lord Huntington stood and walked to the fire to tap out the contents of his pipe. He coughed and then turned back to his housekeeper.

"You think it was stolen?" he asked.

"Yes, M'Lord. A piece of silver like that is worth a lot of money and I... begging your pardon, M'Lord... I have an idea who might've done it too."

The Lord looked surprised for a moment but beckoned for Mrs Smith to take a seat next to him.

"Please continue," he requested.

"Well, yesterday Miss Anna asked me to bring someone to her bedchamber to see her. Of course, I did so and after that I noticed that the piece was missing. That tray is worth a fair few bob, M'Lord, and it should be recovered."

The older man slowly filled his pipe with tobacco and then lit it, blowing out great billowing clouds of sweet smelling smoke.

"Who was it that came to Anna's bedchamber?" he asked, visibly shaken.

"It was Angela Finch, M'Lord," the housekeeper replied, barely managing to keep a smug smile from her lips.

Lord Huntington laughed and stood up again.

"My dear Mrs. Smith," he chuckled. "I've known Angela Finch she was a child. She would never steal from me. I've looked after her and her father very well over the years."

Mrs Smith bristled and leaned forward in her chair.

"Be that as it may, M'Lord, all I know is that the piece was there before Miss Finch came to the house and was gone after she left."

"At what time did she leave?" the lord asked.

"That I don't know, M'Lord. I left them together and went back to work. I didn't see Raven leave."

"Alright," the man replied. "I shall speak to Raven myself and ask her what time she left my daughter. Thank you, Mrs Smith."

The housekeeper stood and curtseyed before bustling out of the room with an evil smile on her lips. Now she only had one last stop to make.

Raven stretched out in the long grass by the lake, linking her fingers behind her head and relaxing as the last rays of autumn sun shone on her face. She could already feel the coldness creeping into the air and was glad that the hay was all baled and stored. It had been a difficult summer for her but, with winter approaching, she knew life would slow down a bit as soon as the cold weather descended. In fact, Raven was hoping that the Lord and Lady would go to London, giving her free rein to spend time with Anna. Anna... she sighed and then chuckled as she thought about her friend, lying in bed... comfortable but bored. Finally, she flipped to her feet and headed back to the stable to finish her chores for the day. With any luck, Anna would have asked for her again and she would be able to spend another night with her. Raven crossed the yard at a trot and entered her house but her mouth dropped open when she found Lord Huntington standing face with face with her father. She nodded and moved a few steps toward the two men.

"Good Evening, M'Lord," she said softly and then smiled at her father.

"Hello, Raven. I have come to speak to you. Please sit down." The dark woman took a seat near the fire and watched as the Lord lit his pipe. "I would like to speak to you about last evening," he went on, oblivious to Raven's sudden discomfort.

"What would you like to know?" she asked, leaning back in her chair and crossing her legs casually.

"I would like to know what time you left my daughter's room."

Finch's mouth dropped open and he looked at his daughter with confused eyes.

"What's this about, Angela?" he asked warily.

Raven stood quickly and walked to the window, leaning her palms on the frame and lowering her head.

"It was very early this morning," she replied softly. "I was taking care of Anna. She had a bad fever and I was sponging her forehead with a cool cloth. She fell asleep and I stayed with her to make sure she was alright until before sunrise."

Lord Huntington nodded his understanding but then his face turned deadly serious again.

"A silver tray went missing from the dinnerware last night," he stated. "Did you see it at all?"

Raven's piercing blue eyes flashed with anger as she realised straight away what was happening.

"No, of course not, M'Lord," she replied through gritted teeth, trying to stay calm. She immediately knew that it had been Mrs Smith that had planted the idea in the Lord's mind. "I came in with Mrs Smith, stayed with Anna until just before sunrise and then came straight back here."

Lord Huntington nodded.

"Then you won't mind me searching the house then, will you?"

Finch stood then, his shoulders squared angrily.

"Are you calling my daughter a liar?" he asked menacingly. "Because if you are, Lord or no Lord, I'll punch your lights out!"

"We'll see," the Lord replied and started to search the house. He came last to Raven's bedroom and took his time, searching everything from her journals to her undergarment drawer. The dark woman stood stoically by the door, her anger boiling just below the surface of her calm. The Lord reached under her bed and felt around but he scowled as his hand closed around something round and cold. He drew it back and both Raven and her father gasped when they saw the missing tray in the Lord's visibly shaking hand.

"I swear, M'Lord. I didn't take it," Raven protested. "Someone else put it there!"

Lord Huntington held up his hand for silence.

"I don't want to hear it, Raven. I have no choice but to terminate your employment. You have until this time tomorrow to vacate the estate."

With that, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the cottage, slamming the door behind him and making the whole house shake. Finch sat in a chair by the fire and shook his head but Raven came to kneel by him.

"I didn't do it, Father," she said softly. "I swear on Mother's grave, I didn't take that tray. Someone wants me out of Huntington and I have a good idea who it is..."

Mrs Smith carried a tray of tea and cakes to Lady Huntington's chamber. It was a job she would have normally left up to one of the lesser servants but she wanted to speak to the mistress so she brought it herself. She balanced the tray for a moment so she could knock on the door and slipped inside when she was invited.

"Excuse me, M'Lady," she said softly. "Could I please have a word with you. It's about Miss Anna."

Lady Huntington nodded and waved to her.

"Of course, my dear Mrs Smith. Come and sit by me." The housekeeper complied, smoothing her skirt nervously and making a show of being very upset. Lady Huntington was a good-looking woman from whom Anna got her blonde hair. She was thin and young looking compared to Mrs Smith, who was a broad as she was tall. "Now, what is it about Miss Anna."

"M'Lady, I've known Miss Anna since she was a child and I care a lot about her. That is why I'm so worried about her."

"Please continue," the Lady encouraged as she sipped from her cup.

"I'm worried about the influence Angela Finch is having on her. I hate to be the one to tell you this, M'Lady, but Angela Finch spent the night in Miss Anna's bedchamber last night."

The Lady shook her head, a confused look on her face.

"She was caring for Anna, was she not? I'm grateful that someone my daughter had someone to keep her company."

The housekeeper pretended to wipe a tear from her eye and leaned toward the older woman.

"M'Lady, I'm afraid for Miss Anna. I think that Raven has... unwholesome... thoughts toward her and it's possible that Miss Anna also has those thoughts."

The gasp of horror from Lady Huntington told the housekeeper that her plan was working. Now that the Lady knew of their liaison, they would be separated for good without being allowed to say goodbye to each other and no one would be able to prove that Raven hadn't stolen the silver tray. She would finally be rid of the dark-haired woman for good.

Anna rang her bell and waited for a servant to enter the room. Betsy arrived a moment later and walked to the bed, smiling as she fixed the covers around the blonde's body.

"What can I getcha, Miss?" she asked and Anna smiled happily.

"Could you please send for Raven and ask her to come to see me?"

"Yes, Miss," Betsy replied with a curtsey and went to find the stable hand. She found her in the first place she looked... sitting on her bed in her room. She looked up sadly as the maid knocked on the door and slipped inside.

"Yes, Betsy?" she asked wearily.

"Miss Anna would like to see you, Raven," the girl replied waiting for Raven to follow her but the stable hand sat where she was, her face stricken. After a long moment she stood and pressed a piece of paper into her hand.

"I cannot," she replied softly. "Can you please give this to her?"

Betsy looked surprised but, when she saw a packed bag on the floor by the bed, everything fell into place. Her eyes widened and she shook her head.

"You're leaving!" she accused.

Raven nodded silently and picked up the bag.

"I have to say goodbye to some people. Please promise me you'll give that letter to Miss Anna."

The girl nodded, tears rising in her soft, brown eyes and she threw her arms around the older woman, hugging her fiercely.

"Take care o' yourself, Raven," she whispered, "And I promise I'll give Miss Anna your letter."

"Good girl," Raven replied and then left the only home she had ever known, looking back only once as she strode across the yard to find her father. Meanwhile, Betsy made a frantic dash across the yard back to the house so she could give the letter to Anna...

Lord Huntington watched from a first floor window as Raven moved across the yard. He shook his head, still not quite able to believe what had happened. He had always trusted Raven as much as he trusted Finch, and she had betrayed him for a silver tray. He tapped his pipe into the fire and then refilled it, unable to clear his mind of memories. He remembered the day Anna had broken her foot when she fell out of a tree. Raven had carried her almost three miles back to the house and then insisted on sitting with her and holding her hand as the doctor had set the bone and bandaged it well. The two girls had been inseparable and he smiled as he pictured them walking hand and hand through the fields as he rode by them on his black stallion. He had loved Raven as much as his own child, despite her station in life, but she had betrayed him.

Betsy didn't bother knocking. She just charged into Anna's room, holding the letter out in front of her in a shaking hand and gasping for breath as she tried to get her story out.

"Easy, easy," Anna said softly. "Sit here beside me and tell me what's wrong, Betsy."

Finally, after several moments of panting, she pointed at the letter.

"Raven gave me that, Miss," she said. "She's leaving Huntington."

Anna sat forward in shock, her body shuddering uncontrollably.

"Leaving? She can't be! Why? Where is she going?"

Betsy shook her head and pointed at the letter again.

"I don't know, Miss, but I'll wager it's all in that letter."

The blonde snatched the letter up and opened it.

'My Dearest, Sweetest Anna,

I do not know what to say to you. I have been told to leave Huntington as punishment for a crime that I did not commit. I have thought about this... about you and my love for you all afternoon and I think that it would be easier to make a clean break now. My Love, I've just found you but now I must let you go. Please keep me in your heart and remember, no matter what happens, my love for you is eternal.

Raven.'

Tears streamed down Anna's face as she pulled herself out of bed and into some clothes. She tied her hair into a knot and pulled on her boots before leaving her bedroom to find her love. She wasn't letting her go.

"Goodbye, Father. I'll try to visit someday," Raven said softly as her father pulled her into a tight embrace.

"I love you, My beautiful Raven," the man replied in a choked voice. "Write to me so I'll know you're well."

"I will. I must leave now."

The stable hand saddled her horse and slung her bag onto the saddlehorn. She didn't have many belongings so she was travelling light. She eased the gold mare out of the stable and into the yard, not even hearing the harsh sound of her shoes on the muddy, grey cobblestones. Her heart was breaking and, before she left, she looked up toward the window of Anna's room, trying to catch a glimpse of her there. She saw nothing and tears crept down her face as she prepared to kick her horse into a gallop that would take her away from her home and her love forever. She turned her mare toward the gate but just before she spurred her on, a shout sounded out in the yard.

"RAVEN!" The dark woman turned and found Anna there, her hands stretched out to her. "WAIT, RAVEN! PLEASE!" The stable hand's eyes closed as she considered just leaving and making the break but couldn't, so instead she slipped down from the saddle and ran toward the young blonde. Anna did the same and they met in the middle, catching each other in a tight embrace, not caring who was watching them. Raven lavished little kisses on the younger woman's face and then captured her lips for a long, passionate kiss. She held her tightly, rocking her gently and resting her cheek on her soft, golden hair.

"I love you, Raven. Please don't go," Anna begged, turning beseeching green eyes to her love.

"I have no choice," the tall woman choked out, trying to hold back her emotion. "Your father told me that I must leave."

"Let me talk to him. I'll ask him to change his mind. You didn't do whatever it was. I know you didn't!"

"Thank you for having faith in me," Raven whispered as she nuzzled the smaller woman's hair. "But I don't think your father will change his mind. He thinks I betrayed him. I'm sure of it."

"ANNA!"

The two women turned to find Lord Huntington striding toward them, followed by a group of men. Raven released her love and stood in front of her, protecting her in case something got out of hand.

"I was just leaving," she growled as she saw the farmhands ready their guns. "I wanted to say goodbye to Anna."

Just then, the blonde woman stepped forward.

"Father, please... Don't do this! Raven didn't do it. I know her and she didn't do it!"

"Remove Miss Finch from the estate. Step aside, Anna," the Lord replied. He could barely meet his daughter's eyes, having seen her kissing the taller woman in public.

"No!" Anna cried, stepping in front of her love. She felt strong hands move to her hips and she felt a surge of warmth which she knew in her heart was the love she and Raven shared. Lord Huntington stepped forward suddenly and grabbed his daughter, pulling her out of the way so the farmhands could grab Raven. But the dark woman was having none of it. She growled deep in her throat and lunged like a panther, trying to grab the Lord and free Anna but the farmhands were stronger. Raven yelled and struggled as they carried her to a wagon where they hit her over the head before throwing her limp, almost unconscious body into it.

"Anna!" she called groggily as her vision darkened before she drifted into unconsciousness. The last thing she remembered hearing was the cries of her love as she was carried away.

Anna paced back and forth in her room. Tears were streaming down her face and every now and again she went to the door to pound angrily on it.

"Let me out!" she yelled, over and over again. "Please, tell me where you've taken her! Please!"

But Lord Huntington just stood at the end of the wide landing, his forehead pressed up against the wall as he listened to his daughter's distress. He was angry and disgusted at the relationship between his daughter and Raven but he hated to hear his daughter in such distress. Finally, after a long moment of indecision, he went to Anna's door and slowly unlocked it. She immediately wrenched it open and tried to push past him.

"Get out of my way," she demanded, her fists clenched and her green eyes flashing with fury.

"Anna, wait!" he commanded.

"What? What do you want?"

Lord Huntington shook his head.

"Have you been..." He blushed as he found that he couldn't meet his daughter's eyes. "Sleeping with Raven?"

Anna's eyes widened as she realised what her father was asking but she shook her head.

"No, Father," she replied, her voice lowering to a semi normal tone. "I did not sleep with Raven... well, she slept beside me when I was sick but it was innocent. Father, do you believe that she stole that tray?"

The Lord's face was stricken as he turned away from his daughter and shook his head.

"I cannot be seen to take this lightly. The tray was under her bed and all evidence points to the fact that she took it." Anna took the opportunity to take a deep breath and ran a hand through her loosely knotted hair.

"Father?" she said softly.

"Yes?"

"I have to... I need..." Anna was suddenly very scared but finally, she squared her shoulders. "Raven and I are not like other women, Father, but there's nothing for us to be ashamed of. You love Mother very much... I can tell... and losing her would kill you." She paused to search his eyes, seeing his silent agreement with her statement. "Well, that's how I feel about Raven. I love her, Father, with all my heart. Please don't take her away from me?"

Anna's father pulled away from her with a scowl.

"Women should not love other women the way a man loves a women," he stated with a firm nod but Anna refused to take the bait.

"You're right, Father," she replied, holding his gaze and not backing down. "Women shouldn't love women the way women love men. They should love in their own way." She shrugged. "The truth is... I love Raven, Father, and I have to be with her. I'm missing the other half of my soul. I'm leaving and there's nothing you can do to stop me."

Lord Huntington stepped forward in fury.

"If you leave this house, you will never come back. Do you hear me?" he yelled loudly, his entire body shaking. Anna's eyes filled with tears but she nodded.

"Yes," she whispered as she walked down the landing. "Goodbye, Father. Tell Mother I love her."

Lord Huntington watched as his beloved daughter walked out the house and out of his life... for good...

Raven wearily swung down from her horse and winced as her sore legs cracked at the knees. She looked up at the sky and spent a long moment gazing at the stars in the night sky. I love you with everything that I am, Anna, she thought. And I'm going to find a way back to you, I promise. Raven winced again as a headache started right between her eyes. The blow she had taken from the farmhands had left her unconscious for an hour but she'd finally come to, only to find herself sprawled under a tree with her mare hitched beside her. She'd climbed slowly to her feet, rubbing her head and feeling sick to her stomach but she'd managed to hold down the rising bile as she pulled herself weakly up onto the gold mare. Now though, she was leading her tired horse to the stable at the back of a small tavern. Raven hoped to get food and lodgings there for the night... or what was left of it. After she settled her horse, she slowly walked to the tavern, trying to remember the journey she'd just taken. Much of the night had been a blur as she'd spent most of the time nursing her broken heart. She ducked as she entered the small building and went straight to the bar.

"How much for two nights stay, two meals and a bath?" she asked as she fished her purse from her pocket.

The tavern keeper looked her up and down, noting the lines of exhaustion and worry on her beautiful face. He leered at her then and rested his hand on the counter, leaning in to speak softly to her.

"It depends," he purred in what he thought was a seductive tone. "What other services can you offer?" He knew he'd made a big mistake when Raven's upper lip curled into a snarl and her hand slammed down on his, the knife in her other hand only a scant space away from his fingers.

"I'm not offering any other services," she growled and then pressed the tip of her knife just deep enough to cause mild pain. "Now, I asked how much."

The man's eyes were wide with fear and he just nodded stupidly.

"For you, two for the price of one... a shilling."

Raven nodded and slammed the coin down on the counter. Then she placed another beside it.

"Give me port and keep sending it my way until that runs out," she said and then carried a jug of port and a mug to a table in the corner. At first, some drunken men, looking for a good time, approached her but her black mood was enough to keep most of them at bay. The ones who were too drunk to notice her 'Stay Away or Be Sorry' look, were dumped unceremoniously on their backsides. For the following few hours, Raven lost herself in her black mood, surrounded by raucous laughter and unwashed smells as she sat alone and drank mug after mug of liquor. The alcohol barely even registered as it burned its way down her throat, which was already scorched from the struggle to hold back hot tears. By the time Raven had pushed her food around her plate and taken her bath, she was so drunk and tired that she just fell into bed, fighting the sensual haze of pleasure she felt as the rough blankets rubbed against her naked body. She pictured Anna in her mind, her face beautiful as her lips parted in ecstasy and, as she fell asleep, wished she could hear her own name on the blonde's lips with her release...

Anna left Huntington without as much as a clean change of clothes. She saddled her horse and rode away to find her love, not even sparing a look back at the estate where she'd grown up. It was no longer her home. Raven is my home, she admitted as she took in the darkness of the area nervously. She can't have gone far... Please don't let her have gone far. I love you Raven. Wait for me. I'm coming, My Love.

To be continued in part 3