Thank you xBadxRomancesx for reviewing! Also, Ii have started a new story in the Sleepy Hollow category, so if you guys read it and tell me what you think, I'd really appreciate it! :)

Chapter Twelve

"No, no, no! You are walking like you are on a rope! Naturally, Johanna! Walk naturally!"

I sighed. "I'm sorry, Miss Winters, but I can't." I whined.

"Yes you can," She insisted. "Now, walk without these moving."

I frowned as she placed three books on my head, feeling like a fool.

"Is this necessary?"

"Is this necessary, Miss Winters."

I sighed as I repeated the sentence, adding emphasis on her name. Amazingly, she did not find it amusing.

"Johanna, insolence will get you nowhere."

"I'm not –"

"Johanna."

"Sorry, Miss Winters."

Sighing, I took a step forwards. I could feel the books on my head wobbling slightly, but none of them fell off.

Grinning, I took another step forwards. And another. And another.

"I can –"

My triumphant outcry was cut off as the books, all three of them, slid to the floor, making a loud bang as they hit the wood.

Miss Winters sighed and shook her head in an infuriating manner. I gave her my most loathsome look.

"Johanna, you are not concentrating!" She scolded as she collected the books from the floor. "Do you or do you not want to be a proper lady?"

"Who is to say what is proper, though?" I asked in exasperation.

"Johanna,"

I sighed. "Yes, Miss Winters."

"Yes, Miss Winters what?"

"Yes, Miss Winters, I want to be a proper lady."

"Then you must walk like one!"

Letting out a frustrated sigh, I straightened my back and allowed her to place the books on my head once more.

"Now, again!" She ordered.

Taking tiny steps with an incredibly straight back, I made a stupid face at Anna, who was watching eagerly, despite Miss Winters's protests.

Anna giggled anxiously, earning herself a stony glare from Miss Winters.

"You are not needed here, nor are you wanted. If it were not for Johanna here, you would be dismissed. Keep that in mind, maid."

Anna blushed. "Sorry, m'am."

"Don't talk to her like that!" I said indignantly.

Miss Winters sighed, rolling her eyes.

"Johanna, you need not get involved. She is just a maid and nothing more."

"Just a maid and nothing more? Who do you think you are?" I demanded.

"Excuse me?"

"You're no more important than Anna! You're nothing but a governess, and a rubbish one at that! At least Anna has a personality and a sense of humour!"

"How dare you speak to me so?"

"I'll speak to you how I want, you stuck up cow!"

Miss Winters and Anna gasped.

"Why, you –"

"Come on, Anna." I said, snatching Anna's hand and dragging her out of the room.

"Oh Johanna, how did you dare do that?" She asked, her voice a mix of awe and fear. I shrugged.

"She was annoying me."

Sighing, I paused to gaze out the window.

"Oh Anna, I wish we could go outside!" I whined.

"We…could go into the garden…" She suggested nervously. I grinned.

"Let's go!"

The sun was shining when we went outside, just as I hoped it would be. Giggling, I let go of Anna's hand and spun around, enjoying the way the skirt of my dress spun with me, flying out.

Letting out a content sigh, I fell to the ground, stretching my arms and legs out.

"Johanna, you're going to get your dress dirty!" Anna told me, biting her lip.

"So?" I asked, giggling, but sat up anyway. "Come and sit down, Anna!"

Anna hesitated, and I grinned.

"Anna, clothes can be washed! Please come and sit down."

Anna still didn't move. Sighing, I batted my eyelashes and pouted at her.

"Pretty please will you sit with me, Anna?" I begged. Laughing, Anna finally moved. She hesitated for a moment, but finally sat opposite me, carefully crossing her legs.

"I'm not usually allowed out here." She said sadly.

"Why?"

"Judge Turpin says it is not my place. My place is cleaning in the house and looking after you."

"Oh, well, it's probably not my place, but I'm still here."

Anna smiled as she looked up at me. "You have changed so, Johanna."

"Really? Judge Turpin says I haven't changed a bit!"

Anna pursed her lips together in thought as she gazed at me. I grinned at her before turning away.

"Oh look, daises!"

Lunging forwards, I grabbed a handful of daises and spread them out on my lap.

"What are you doing, Johanna?"

"Daisy chains!" I announced.

Anna frowned. I looked up at her in surprise.

"You've never made a daisy chain?"

She shook her head.

"Oh Anna! You have to try; it's amazing! Just find some daisies and I'll show you what to do."

While Anna began collecting her daisies, I made my daisy chain, humming a tune to myself.

"Finished!" I announced, holding mine up. Anna smiled.

"It's lovely."

"It's only a bunch of daises attached," I shrugged. "Here."

Leaning forwards, I placed it around Anna's neck.

"There! A best friend daisy chain."

Anna giggled. "Are we really best friends?"

I nodded.

"Johanna!"

"Oh no." I murmured. Composing myself so I wore a large smile on my face, I looked over my shoulder.

"Hello!" I called. Judge Turpin did not look amused.

"Get inside. Now."

Sighing, I stood up, Anna quickly following. Murmuring a quick goodbye, she practically ran inside. Rolling my eyes, I walked towards my guardian at a much slower pace.

"What is this talk of you being rude to Miss Winters?" He demanded.

"She was rude to Anna."

"That is no excuse!" He hissed, grabbing my arms. "Johanna, do you not realise how much I am going through to help you? Are you not aware what this is doing to me? How I feel? Do you not care?"

He shook me roughly, his face contorted into an angry expression. I stared up at him fearfully.

"Well?"

He shook me again, making me squeal.

"You're hurting me!" I cried out.

Judge Turpin's hands let go of me so suddenly I stumbled backwards. He stared at me as if I had sprouted an extra head, and then at his hands.

"Johanna…"

I stared at him, staying just out of his reach.

An odd expression on his face, Judge Turpin fell into a nearby chair, burying his face in his hands.

"Judge Turpin…sir…" I said softly, shuffling forwards. He didn't respond. I looked around, but there was no one there. "Sir…"

He didn't respond. He just…sat there.

Chewing my bottom lip, I carefully knelt in front of him and placed my hand on his arm.

"Sir, are you…alright?"

He finally looked up, a haunted look in his dark eyes. I gazed back at him.

"Johanna…"

"Yes, sir, it is me."

"Johanna, please forgive me."

I stared at him, chewing my bottom lip again.

I wanted to forgive him, I really did, but he had scared me…

Sighing, I gave him a small smile.

"I forgive you."