/I don't own anything you recognize in this story. /

Chapter Two

"That shepherd who first taught the chosen seed, in the beginning how the heavens and earth rose out of chaos." –John Milton, Paradise Lost

Rest would prove to wear thin at that. Tossing and turning, I would manage to fall asleep only to wake up from the nightmares that had plagued me since the true Circe had been discovered.

Finally waking up in a cold drench of sweat at six in the morning, I decided to get up and get ready for the day. I would get no more sleep this night.

Finding that my grandmother had delivered my luggage to my room while I was still asleep, I couldn't help but smile. Despite her disgust for my lack of being a lady, she couldn't resist following the manners that she was known for.

Finding some clothes, I hastily put them on. Tying part of my hair into a small bun and allowing the rest of it to cascade down my shoulders; I looked at myself in the mirror. I was still plain looking to my own standards. I sighed. Some things would always be the same.

Twirling a piece of hair through my fingers, I thought of Kartik and wondered what he was doing right now. Probably hiding as some rich man's stable boy while he plotted on what to do next in the scheme of protecting me from the formidable Order. I smiled at the thought, but it was a bittersweet one. He had risked everything for me—his life's dream. And now all his sacrifices would be for naught. He was at the bottom end of society now, a young man with no name. And it was all because of me.

I shook my head, forcing such thoughts from my head. Kartik would be somebody if I could help it. His fate will be more profitable if I could do it. Anything was possible.

Turning away from the mirror, I sighed heavily. Whatever grand plans I had now would have to wait. For now, I had to face the formidable Mrs. Doyle, my grandmother. That was an adventure unto itself.

Reaching the grand staircase that I had walked up just mere hours before, I placed my fingers gently onto the banister before walking down the stairs, allowing my fingers to trail behind me. It was something I had always enjoyed doing, it made me feel more grown up, despite my reluctance to do so.

Reaching the bottom step, I gasp in surprise when I looked up and saw my brother standing before me. I took a step back, glaring at him. Tom always had a way of sneaking up on people.

"I see that you are here and the same as usual," Tom said curtly. "Are you practicing to be the future mistress of a household to greet the guests as they come in?"

"I will never be the mistress of a household, Thomas Doyle," I exclaimed. "And to be honest, I will be surprised if any man will look upon me as someone to lust after in their darkest of desires."

Tom said nothing, but I could tell that he didn't appreciate my smart remark. After all, he was a man of importance now, someone who only cared about getting ahead and leaving behind the people he once loved. But I didn't care at the moment, I had given my usual standard and I was satisfied.

"So how is Father?" I asked, changing the subject, "when did you get back?"

Tom sighed tiredly and I noticed the dark circles underneath his eyes. He obviously didn't sleep all night. I suddenly felt guilty for keeping him from his bed, but I needed answers. How else was I to help the father that I had loved so dearly?

"I just got back not an hour ago," Tom answered. "I'm afraid our Father's condition is getting worse. He no longer recognizes the people he knows and he holds onto the bottle as if a life line. It will be a long while before he will be completely rehabilitated and able to come back home."

"You mean you left him in the asylum?" I gasped. "But that is absurd. That is probably the worst humiliation he and our family can endure, Tom. It will break down his honor as well as ours. What will society think that one of their noblemen is locked up because he has turned crazy with grief?"

Tom held up a hand, silencing my flow of words. I glared up at him, hating him for locking up our father in the worst place imaginable. Now how was I to save him if he was so far away?

"The doctors and nurses have been sworn to secrecy about his whereabouts," Tom exclaimed. "If anybody's to ask, we are to say that Father has left to recover his illness up in the mountains. You mustn't speak of his true location, Gemma, I have gone through some huge expenses to make this work and keep the truth of our Father secret."

"It still doesn't make it any easier," I said bitterly.

"Nothing in life is easy, Gemma," Tom stated. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm about to fall asleep on my feet. I'll see you lunch, little sister."

I watched as Tom headed up the stairs and disappeared into his room. I turned away and headed into the breakfast room. How much more bad news could I endure? It seemed to never end.

"Ah, there you are, Gemma," Grandmother exclaimed as I walked in. "What has kept you?"

I sat down heavily at my usual place and chewed on a bit of egg before answering. My grandmother has waited this long, she could wait a little while longer.

Swallowing the food in my mouth, I cleared my throat. "I ran into Tom at the staircase. He told me about Father."

Grandmother gave a curt not. "And I expect you will uphold the family honor by not breathing a word to anybody. Not even to those two girls that you call your friends."

"And I expect I shall have to jump off the cliff, as well," I said sarcastically.

"That will be enough, Gemma," Grandmother said sharply. "I don't know how your mother raised you or what she put up while she was alive, but I can promise you now that I will not tolerate such snide remarks. Have I made myself clear?"

"Nothing could have been clearer," I said stiffly.

"Good." Grandmother picked up her knife and slicing her bagel neatly before spreading jam and butter on it and lifting it to her mouth to eat. I went back to my eggs, eating them silently while thinking my own thoughts. I wouldn't have much time until later to analyze what I have heard.

"What are your plans for today, Gemma?" Grandmother asked as she watched me eat.

I swallowed the food in my mouth and looked up at my grandmother. "I planned to go into town today. I thought I might find a new book to keep me occupied over holidays."

"You will also need to buy some new clothes for the summer fashion," Grandmother said.

I sighed inwardly. She always found a way to keep her control on me. I would have no escape to find my friends now, as it took a while for the dresser to measure the size and clothe of every person that walked through the doors.

"I have had the carriage readied for you, so you may leave as soon as you're through with your breakfast," Grandmother stated.

I nodded in agreement. Finishing my breakfast I received the money that I needed from my grandmother and left without another word. It was going to be another long day.

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Author's Note: Thanks to those who have read and reviewed my story so far, I'm glad you liked it and I hope you keep reading. I don't know where this story's going to go, but I'll keep it as interesting as possible. Keep reading and reviewing and I'll update as fast as I can.

Lena Bergal—Thanks for the review! I'm glad that you think it's good and has a lot of potential. I'll certainly keep that in mind when I feel the lack of ideas to keep me going with the story. Thanks again!

—Thanks for the review! I'm glad you like it so far.