A/N Thanks to my reviews so far, it's dead encouraging to know people are reading and liking your story, anyway on with the next chapter. . .

Chapter Two ~ Amelia Dudley

The Master and his wife, or Sir Dudley and Lady Gwendolyn, had no children of their own. They had tried for years, fought their way through several miscarriages and still borns, but had still not produced a child. Lady Gwendolyn had given up, and decided to settle down, but Sir Dudley could not rest until he had an heir. And the closest relative he had was his widowed sister-in-law.

Chase Willows was what some called 'a child of the earth', no fit person to be entertained in Dudley Manor of course. But she was his only relative, and she had done what he and his wife had failed to do. Produced a child.

It was quickly decided on that Chase must kept away, but what of her daughter? What if they were to bring little Amelia Dudley to stay with them? After all she would have a much better start in life then if she remained with her mother.

Chase was happy to oblige, children had never really been her thing, and Amelia Dudley arrived at the Manor a robust, and mischievous five year old, fresh from America.

Rosa had progressed little in her two years at Dudley Manor, her hands still shook, she still dropped the expensive china cups, and her nightmares visited as soon as she closed her eyes. Once again she withdrew into the shadows, making no friends with the other maids. They thought her snobby, and self righteous so ignored her anyway.

Amelia was downtrodden by her aunt and uncle, her adorable spirit had been pulled away from her, more so every second she spent in the manor. The girl who had never cried, was reduced to a thousand tears as her aunt chided her over a ripped dress. Amelia had never ripped a dress before, simply because they were so tattered all ready , no one had noticed. Back at home she spent her days outdoors, near the pond, climbing tress or playing games. Her aunt and uncle had been horrified to find how little knowledge she had when she first arrived. But Amelia did not have the brain capacity to learn, nor did she want to. And the hours spent in the school room with Miss Price were some of the worst of her life.

She ran from the room, and down the servant's doors heading for the kitchen. Just as shot through the door, Rosa was coming out carefully balancing three china plates, two cups and saucers in her arms.

"Ahhh!" She screamed, as they smashed to the floor.

Amelia looked down at the mess, in shock, before staring fearfully up into the eyes of the maid.

Rosa lifted her finger to her mouth and smiled. "I won't tell anyone." She said, softly kneeling down to pick up the broken pieces.

Amelia kneeled down also, and Rosa saw her eyes tinged with red pain.

"Have you been crying?" She asked.

Amelia nodded. "Aunty Gwendolyn says I've ripped my dress, but it didn't matter at home. I want to go home." The child said, miserably.

"Aunty Gwendolyn!" Rosa exclaimed. "The mistress is your aunt?"

Amelia nodded, unhappily.

"Where are your parents?"

She shrugged. "Mommy said I had to come here." She sniffed.

"I could sew the dress up for you."

"You could!?" The little girl exclaimed.

Rosa nodded with a laugh. "You know what, I don't much like it either. But you should always try and make the best of a bad situation, that's what Misstress Larkson told me." She pulled the girl up on to her feet, and led her to her room. There she patched the dress up neatly.

Amelia examined it happily, a smile smeared across her grubby, tear stained face. "Thank you." She said, she leaned up and kissed Rosa on her cheek, before running from the room. Rosa lifted her hand up and held it there for several minutes, she had never been kissed before.

And what followed was more then Rosa had ever dreamed possible. It appeared that Amelia had not stopped talking about her, and in want of a bit of peace Lady Dudley had allowed Rosa to become Amelia's maid.

Doors were opening up for her, she now had the friendship of the heir to Dudley Manor. Not that Rosa gave that the slightest consideration, money was not all it was cracked up to be. She valued the friendship of the little girl far more then what it could bring her.

And what did this desired friendship between mistress and maid bring to Rosa? Her ticket on the ship of dreams, her ticket to America. Her ticket to hell.