Chapter 1

After dinner the next night, Rebecca decided to go for a walk before it got dark. She stopped at a book store and a bakery, since she never eats at home and wandered around until just before dark. When she reached the Brooklyn Bridge she stopped to look over at the water. It looked so empty and dark. It reminded her of a black diamond. Her eyes turned to her hand where a large diamond sat on her forth finger. She took it off and held it tightly between her fingers trying not to drop it. She actually thought about throwing it in the damn river.

Spot was walking back from Manhattan when he reached the bridge. He saw a girl looking over the railing. She had a dark rose gown on with light pink lace hanging around her neck, off the sleeves, and on the bottom of the dress. The dress made her body look flawless. Her hair was a dark orange-red that was set in a bun in the back of her head. He liked what he saw, and wanted to get a closer look. He approached her slowing not wanting to scare her and tossed his cigarette over the bridge thinking it might get her attention. It startled her and she turned to face him. Spot made a smart move coming closer to her. She had blue eyes like the sky and a face like a porcelain doll. She simply smiled a sweet smile and looked back at her ring. Spot noticed something in her hand and was curious about it.

"Whatcha got in your hand there?"

She tossed her hand up with the ring in her hand and whispered, "A ring."

"You look a little disappointed. Is it not big enough or something?" He knew what he had said would offend her, he meant for it to be offensive.

"Excuse me?!" she looked at him with a hurt look, "Do you know who you're talking to?"

"Do you know who you're talking to?"

"What?"

"My name is Spot Conlon and you're standing on my bridge, so I suggest you watch your mouth."

Rebecca was nervous now. What was he going to do to her? She didn't know if she should walk away or speak her mind. What did she have to loose? She doesn't get the chance to speak her mind, so she said the first thing that came to her mind.

"Well, Mr. Conlon, my father has enough money to buy this stupid bridge and have you drowned in that river, so I suggest you watch your mouth." She said it just as easily as he had. She was proud of herself, never knowing she could be so rude. Spot chuckled and shock his head.

"What's your name, girlie?"

"Rebecca Elizabeth Dashwood."

"Well, Bec…" she cut him off to correct him.

"It's not Bec, its Rebecca and I did not give you permission to call me by my first name. It's Miss. Dashwood to you." She turned and faced the water again.

Spot raise an eyebrow and just shock his head, "Well, Miss. Dashwood, do you plan on standing here all night gazing at that ring or are you going to go home?"

"No," she didn't look up this time "I don't want to go home, but not like I have a choice, I can't survive on the streets."

"Why wouldn't you want to go home? I'm sure you got a nice, big, warm bed and servants to feed you until that dress, you got there, don't fit you no more."

"It already doesn't fit. Why do you think they pull the corset strings so tight? And what goes on at home is none of your business." Spot was at a loss for words. He couldn't make her tell him anything.

"Maybe I should take you home. Its getting late and you don't want some creep kidnapping you." She looked at him confused, wondering why he would be helping her.

"How do I know you're not some creep trying to kidnap me?"

"I'm not, trust me."

"I can't trust someone I hardly know. You're still a stranger to me."

"Would you shut up and lead the way, Miss. Dashwood."

She turned to walk in the direction of her house and Spot followed close behind. It wasn't until they reached the other end of the bridge had Spot realized what kind of ring she had. It was a diamond ring. A diamond, engagement ring. Spot didn't really like the quiet walk so he decided to ask Rebecca about her ring.

"Where'd you get that ring?"

"Peter Finnegan gave it to me. He's my fiancé."

"You don't seem too happy about it. Isn't that what every girl wants, to get married?"

"It's an arranged married, I don't have a choice."

"Is that why you don't want to go home?"

Rebecca picked her head up. She didn't need to be telling him about her life. She ignored the question and decided it was her turn to antagonize him. "What were you doing walking, before you found me? Where were you coming from?"

"I was coming from Manhattan. I live in Brooklyn and I was visiting some friends and I was heading back."

"What do you do for a living?"

"I'm a newsies."

"A what?"

"A newsies, I sell newspapers." Rebecca didn't know how to respond to that. They continued to walk and stopped when they reached the outside gate of the estate. Spot looked up and gave a whistle at its size.

"Thank you so much Mr. Conlon."

"You can call me Spot, Miss Dashwood."

She smiled and said, "I am giving you permission to use my first name."

Spot smiled back. Rebecca pulled on the heavy gate but it didn't move much. Spot grabbed the gate and gave it a hard pull opening it enough for her to fit through. Rebecca just then started to notice how attractive Spot was. He had a devilish smirk and eyes the color of the moon and light brown hair that hung in his face. Just then her mother came bursting out of the mansion in her nightgown and bathrobe.

"Rebecca!" she shouted, "We all have been so worried. What kept you out so long?"

Rebecca looked over at Spot and said, "I got a little lost, but Spot helped me and walked me home."

Mrs. Dashwood made a face towards Spot. "Spot…? That's a peculiar name."

"It's just a nickname. Your daughter is a real nice girl."

"Yes she's wonderful. I am truly blessed." She smiled a crocked smile and Spot notice how much Rebecca and her mother looked alike. "Here," she extended her hand out to Spot, "Thank you for bringing my daughter back." She placed a dollar bill in his hand.

"Ma'am, I can't take this."

"Yes you can I have plenty."

"Ma'am, I don't take charity."

"Don't think of it as charity, think of it as an exchange. You bring back my daughter and I'll give you money. It's completely fair."

"Thank you, ma'am, but I think your daughter is worth way more than one dollar." He winked trying to make state his point.

Mrs. Dashwood laughed and replied, "I'm sorry but my daughter is not on the market." She grabbed Rebecca's wrist and extended her arm out.

"Wow, that's quite a rock." He pretended to act surprised.

"Indeed. However, it is very late, and I'm a bit cold. Goodnight Spot and thank you so much."

"No problem," Mrs. Dashwood had already walked away when Spot reached for Rebecca's arm before she could walk away. "I want to see you again. Meet me at Central Park, twelve o'clock tomorrow. Okay?"

Rebecca nodded. Spot lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed it gently. "It was nice meeting you tonight." He gave a devious grin and walked out through the gate and down the street. Rebecca held the hand Spot had kissed in her other. She couldn't help but smile, enjoying the warmth on her hand that wouldn't go away.

-I know its a little messed up that Rebecca's mom comes out in a nightgown and has money on her... if that annoys anyone im sorry bc i know if i read something like that or saw it in a move it would bother me forever

-Review