Disclaimer Again? I have to do this all over AGAIN? Urgh. I don't own anything; not the plot, nor the characters.

A/N: My apologies for the disgustingly short length and any mistakes you spot. I'll be reposting this during the summer because I'm not very pleased with it all.

My mind switched in and out of focus, half in dreams and half awake…

'Girl…excuse me...can you hear…'

I moaned 'Leave me alone…' I mumbled, trying to get back to my dreams…Finally, I couldn't ignore the persistent voice trying to get me to wake up any longer. I snapped open my eyes, very aware that my hair was probably looking like a rat's nest.

It was still dark out, and it took me a moment to realize I was in the attic. The air was drafty and I instinctively pulled my blanket closer around me. Above me stood a middle aged woman; she had sharp features and wore an apron. I knew at once that she was dead. The ethereal glow around her was more then enough to mark her as one of the lost souls left on the earth for my mediating skills.

I felt a pang of sympathy when I looked at the helpless woman but seriously, couldn't she have just waited? The sun wasn't even up yet!

I groggily raised myself, wishing I could go back to sleep. She was staring at me with interest, as though making sure I was still there. She wore simple yet tasteful clothes, and couldn't have been older then my mother.

She hesitantly reached out a hand and poked me on the shoulder.

I made no move to stop her…let her find out for herself that, yes indeed, I could see ghosts.

'You...can see me?' She finally asked softly and timidly.

'Yes. I'm Susannah.' I said tiredly, not bothering to elaborate or explain.

'Am I dead?' She asked flatly.

'Err...well, to put it bluntly, yes, you are. It's my job to send the lost souls to their next existence, and that's why you were probably drawn to me.' I tried not to sound monotonous, but it was early morning and I had dealt with way too many of these cases. It was always the same; first they refused to believe it, then the refused to co-operate, then they usually put up a good fight to stop me from helping them, or do the opposite and yell if I don't do what they want…

She bowed her head, looking so sorrowful that I couldn't help but reach out and awkwardly pat her shoulder.

'Do you want to tell me how you died? Maybe we can find out what's holding you back.' I suggested gently.

She looked at me, her brown eyes full of tears.

'Died? You really want to know?' Her voice grew shrill and I winced.

'Well, I'm aware that it may be a little sensitive if you're still hurting from…whatever,' I began, not having the slightest clue of what to say. I don't really have much patience for the self pitying ones…I mean ok, so they're dead and I wouldn't be happy either but it's time to pull yourself together…and move on.

But apparently this ghost wasn't very ready to move on; her eyes grew wide and she started hiccoughing.

'But-but my baby, what will happen to her? And-and how can you even think of me moving on? My life, my purpose is her, my darling, and I refuse to let anything happen to her! All I wanted was my own baby to raise into a fine young woman, an asset to society, and now-now I'm-dead' she wailed.

I couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy; just imagine, her helpless little baby was probably wondering why her mother wouldn't come. Involuntarily, I shuddered. I couldn't imagine a life without my mother.

I tried again.

'Yes, it's all very sad, but staying here is doing nothing to help you child. She needs to move on with her life, and so do you…'I trailed off, realizing it's not very tactful to tell a ghost to move on with her life.

'…you need to just move on' I finished, a little lamely.

She didn't answer, just glared, sniffed and dematerialized.

I flopped back down on the bed and groaned.

I can take a hint. This time I didn't bother trying to go to breakfast with the rest of the family. Instead, I lounged around in the kitchen, eating a rather meager breakfast with the rest of the staff. There was only one topic in the kitchen: the visit of the Baron of Slightsburg, who was coming to dinner. The cook (who didn't look like a man or a woman, I still had to figure out It's sex) suspected that he was coming to view Bridget or Stella for his son's potential bride.

I snorted loudly, because I had a sudden mental picture of a man kneeling at Bridget's feet holding out a bunch of roses and Bridget crinkling her nose.

The cook kept fussing on and on about how much work It had, and agonizing over the state of the ingredients a servant had just brought.

I ignored It, yawned and reluctantly began to do the tasks assigned to me for the day.

I kicked open the attic door, making a mental note to clean out the numerous cobwebs that looked suspiciously full of spiders.

I stormed in, feeling extremely bad-tempered. It's just not fair! I flopped down the bed and scowled at the ceiling as if it had done me personal harm. My body was sore all over from mopping the entire foyer floor till it was shining, and when I'd had finally finished, Stella had pranced in and dripped mud from her shoes all over the place. And she smiled at me while she did it, too, then had the nerve to mention how horrible the floor looked

'Wow, Susannah, and I thought it would be impossible to make you bigger imbecile then you already,' she had said. I couldn't help it but I threw the sponge at her. It missed but I knew I would pay the price for losing my temper; strangely enough she hadn't complained to her beloved dad.

Not yet, anyways.

And after cleaning the floor (twice) I had to darn socks for the whole family (all I can say is that all of the Slaters posses extra-ordinarily large feet), and help make the stew for dinner (and this was no joke; It was breathing down my neck the whole time).

I was exhausted but just as I was beginning to relax on my bed I was summoned to help the twins dress for the Baron and his unfortunate son.

Oh, joy. Lucky me.

Two hours, much grumbling (on my part), moaning over the tightness of her corset (Stella) and complaining about what a horrible person I was in general (Bridget), the girls were finally ready.

They had spent every minute agonizing over their appearances, and it was my job to rush around trying to curl up their horrendous eyelashes, or set someone's hair, or tighten a corset (well, loosen it in Stella's case). Luckily, I had had enough of this when Mother outfitted girls for various important occasions, so I made myself pretty useful in the hopes that they would leave me and my poor feet alone after that.

No such luck; Bridget was about to descend downstairs to the lounge (probably to greet the Baron the minute he arrived) when she informed me, 'Father says you will act as though…as though you are being treated better then you deserve, and he wants you to look decent. Just because I know and you know that you are worthless, we have to make a good impression on the Baron,' she said snidely.

So basically had to pretend I was loved and that I loved my family.

I smiled humorlessly to myself as I changed into a soft ruby colored dress, with long flowing sleeves and a square cut. I smiled because I was imagining the Baron's expression if he knew that I was really being treated worse then a servant in my own home.

We all sat in the small sitting room: me, the twins, Paul (unfortunately), Michael, the Baron of Slightsburg, and his son who was about the same age as Paul. He seemed polite but a little air-headed if you ask me…he had informed me his name was Ralph.

The men were engaged in a discussion about politics, but Ralph turned to us ladies and amused us by telling us stories about his life.

Well, I just pretended to laugh, because most of the time I was laughing at him and what a conceited prick he was.

'...And then, the lady in distress offered me a handsome reward for saving her from the marsh, but I declined, of course,' He was saying, and then he turned to me and smiled widely.

'You've awfully silent, Miss Susannah,' He said.

Oh, wow, you've noticed someone apart from yourself? 'Well, I've just been listening to you charming tale and my mind wandered,' I responded and smiled sweetly.

Stella scowled at me but I didn't really care. She probably thought I was stealing away her precious Ralph or something equally ridiculous.

'So, tell me, where were you before you resided here?' He asked curiously.

'Carmel,' I hoped he wouldn't ask me too much more about my life. I felt strange, fake to pretend I was living a life that I could only hope for.

After that he moved onto more neutral topics, and tried to engage the twins into conversation as well.

But I could tell he wanted to know more about my past, and probably me in general. I mean, he was probably wondering why I was here, but my Mother was away.

The problem was that I didn't know either. Michael didn't seem the type to approve of a woman working, but I didn't really dwell upon it.

Dinner was uneventful, but I caught Ralph staring at me a little too much. He kept slowly raising his spoon to his mouth, staring at me the whole time. The spoon missed his mouth and hit his chin, but he didn't seem to notice. Across the table, Paul glared at while I watched the scene in amusement.

After dinner, we settled down for some tea and gossip. Ralph and I were having a very nice conversation about some of the lands far west. I have always wanted to see the west, I've heard there is something called the Sea there and it's supposed to be a large expanse of just water!

But then the Baron (who I noticed, also watched me with shrewd eyes but said nothing) made a move to leave, and asked Michael if he could have a word with him outside.

Ralph followed them, but Paul just sat there with us.

I knew that Michael wouldn't have like nothing better for me to be locked up in my room now that he wouldn't have to put up the act of my father anymore. But instead, he just glared at me before leaving the room to talk privately with the Baron and Ralph.

So it was just me, Paul and the twins; no one made a sound, all of lost in our thoughts.

I pointedly ignored them. Instead I stared at the mantelpiece. It had a strange figurine on it; a beautiful dove was carved out of ivory, and it was trapped in a small ivory cage. The sculptor had captured the movement of the dove so beautifully that it really looked like the dove was trying to get free.

It was so easy, I mused, for Paul and Bridget and Stella to sit there and act like they hadn't been ordering me around just two hours ago.

Paul looked like he didn't have a care in the world, and was regarding me coolly when I stared back at him. Argh. Stupid person, what did I care about him?

Bridget and Stella looked as though they were waiting for a verdict. I kind of felt sorry for them; they were so desperate to want someone to marry them when they barely even knew him.

Finally, Michael came back. He didn't look very happy. In fact, he looked absolutely disgusted.

'Susannah, please come to the foyer, the Baron wants to speak with you,' He through clenched teeth, as though he'd rather not say anything at all.

I followed him, puzzled. What could he possibly want with me?

The Baron and Ralph were waiting. I curtsied, and said in my sweetest voice, 'You wanted me, sir?'

He smiled benevolently, looking like he was about to give me the treat of my life.

'Yes, dear child, I won't elaborate much, but it turns out that, funnily enough, my Ralph here wants to ask for your hand in marriage.'

Ralph grinned at me cheekily, looking utterly pleased with himself.

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Next chapter may take awhile due to finals slowly coming closer…and closer……