A/N: Thanks to everyone for reviewing. I happy that I sometimes also get reviews for my other stories. You're all great.
Ella was dragged inside harshly, Mrs. Pearson's grip on her only loosening slightly after she had closed the inner door behind them.
Her fiery eyes ever so carefully observed the girl standing in front of her now.
"You thought you could just steal yourself away from here, right?" she looked at her, not awaiting an answer. "I know the likes of yourself…always trying to betray her elders…but I'll have none of that. I've been putting one more of your kind into place. I know how to deal with girls like you," she got out her voice surprisingly calm, but even more malicious. "No one is going to betray Mrs. Mary Pearson."
Ella didn't understand a word. She only knew that this woman meant trouble. That something was in complete mess here.
Should've mentioned a word to anyone?
Her aunt, maybe...?
"I imagine, Lord Davenport will be pleased with your looks…," Mrs. Pearson went on.
Ella's face was showing her confusion.
Why would she…?
Her eyes wandered around the room, thinking.
Roger came to her mind suddenly, seeing his smile before her face. He was so...she was wracking her brain, thinking...but the right words wouldn't come up. Still there was something that she hadn't liked about him from the start.
He was a gentleman, with proper manners, but...
She had known instantly that Roger was hiding something and now, today, she had just followed him here to see what he was doing. Not telling everybody, where she would go, not even Mr. Dawson.
Nobody needed to know.
"I don't understand what you're indicating. I can only state once again that I don't belong here," Ella told her in her ladylike voice.
"Ah, so young and naïve…Lord Davenport will love you even more," she laughed out, smiling, her face radiating just how cheerful she was and sure of herself.
Ella moved forward, her hand touching the doorknob.
"You won't go anywhere!" Mrs. Pearson hissed grabbing her wrist.
For a second Ella feared the person in front of her, but only for a quick moment. Shortly her hatred was aroused.
This woman was evil.
And Roger Lindsay...she hadn't seen him for a while...losing track of him on her way here.
Where was he now?
Mrs. Pearson let go of her hand after a while, considering that she wouldn't try to run away. Indeed for now, Ella planned on staying.
"I see, you cooperate…," she smiled touching Ella's blond curls, who felt even more uncomfortable.
Maybe I should've taken Mr. Dawson with me?
"I think you must be new. Robert hired you, am I right?"
Ella had no idea, whom she was talking about, but figured that it was some partner of hers and just nodded.
"I knew it," she laughed clapping her hands as if congratulating herself for her great knowledge. "Well then…you probably need someone to show you everything and explain the necessary things…," she stopped herself there pursing her lips "mmm…ah…no…she isn't available…"
Ella watched her closely. She was an attractive woman, but surely the most mysterious one she had ever met.
All of a sudden the door shut open, revealing a young girl.
"Mrs. Pearson, you said...you wanted to see me after…," the girl got out stammering, bowing her head.
In shame…?
Ella's eyes moved from her to Mrs. Pearson and back. Somehow the girl looked familiar, but Ella quickly shook that thought away.
What would she do at such a horrible place?
"Ah yes, Lygia…"
Just when Mrs. Pearson moved forward, Ella got a glimpse of the huge diamond hanging around her neck and she too was aware of the other girl staring at it, as if it was hers.
"Here's the money from tonight," the girl said handing her something.
Mrs. Pearson sneered looking at them with disgust.
"Only that little…mmh…now well I guess our Mr. Lindsay has to spend all his money on his fiancée these days?" she laughed once more.
Mr. Lindsay?
Were they talking about her Mr. Lindsay? Was he cheating on her?
Ella knew that she should've felt jealous, but instead she only felt relieved.
If he didn't love her, she didn't need to love him back.
"Lygia, I want you to take care of…what's your name, girl?"
"What?" Ella asked not having paid attention. Her head shot up.
"I want to know how you're called."
"Oh…sure…my name is Rose," Ella choked out telling her the first name that she could think of.
She was biting her lips.
How could she've come up with that name my all means?
It was haunting around in her head...Mr. Dawson and his stupid...lovely story, of that girl named Rose.
You're dump, Ella.
Did you really believe that he was telling you the truth?
Mrs. Pearson rolled her eyes like she knew that she was lying.
"Alright, Rose, I'll be going now and leave you here with Lygia. She'll tell you everything," she said taking the hand of this other girl. "I trust you on this, Lygia."
The sinking ship, the highborn lady and he...the poor boy, the hero, saving the day and her...it was so laughable.
What am I even doing here?
Do I really care about what Roger is doing?
Ella wanted to burst out laughing, but stopped dead in her tracks, when she could see the fear in the other girl's eyes and heard her gulping.
"Of course, I won't fail you," the girl spoke up, but behind that not sounding very convincing.
Still Mrs. Pearson was satisfied, smiling up brightly.
…..
Lettice was racing around nervously. She had looked everywhere for Ella, but she was nowhere to be found. Her first thought was that she had been kidnapped.
Yes, surely someone would soon come here claiming money.
Anxiously she was wringing her hands, wondering whom she should call first.
Where was Mr. Lindsay, when needed?
She realized that she hadn't seen him since dinner. Obviously he hadn't even slept here. Where then?
"Madam, should I make you some coffee?" Grace asked her.
Lettice shook her head. Now wasn't the time for eating or drinking coffee. She had to find her niece.
"No, call the police and tell them to come here immediately. It's urgent."
"The police? Madam?" Grace wondered, if she had heard right. "Has something…"
"Yes, it has…really, just do it," Lettice hissed, causing Grace to draw back, hurrying to the telephone.
Jack woke up from the noises downstairs, but in fact more, because he too had a strange feeling. Looking at the clock on his nightstand, he saw that it was only past six in the morning and for a moment thought about staying in bed for a while.
But he heard the voice downstairs grew louder and decided against it.
"What happened?"
He saw Grace standing there.
"It's horrible, Mr. Dawson. Miss Mansfield has gone missing," she shrieked out her tone shrill.
Ella, missing…?
"Mrs. Mansfield thinks that she's been kidnapped. The police has already been informed."
Jack simply nodded, knowing somehow that she hadn't been kidnapped. He felt nausea coming up; when he realized that her disappearance was most likely his fault.
"Where's Mr. Lindsay?" he heard Lettice's voice.
He was gone too?
Probably to the whore, he told me about.
Lettice looked at him, her eyes clearly red from crying. However, she made it sound like she wasn't nervous a bit and had everything under control.
"Mr. Dawson, how nice to see you," she said sarcastically.
Does she know anything?
"Grace, the police should be here in a minute. Please make them something to…"
Jack noted her nodding, saying yes and hurrying into the kitchen. Without thinking further he went into the hallway. He couldn't just sit here and wait for the police, when it was more or less his doing that Ella was gone.
I shouldn't have told her about the diamond. God knows, what kind of stories are young innocent girl's are spinning around in their brains.
He grabbed his coat with such urgency that a little piece of paper fell out from the one hanging besides his.
Must be Mr. Lindsays…
Jack quickly looked around to see if anyone had noticed and then just as swiftly picked it up.
Mrs. Pearson's institute for young women – it read, with an address on it as well.
I've never heard this establishment to be called like this…Jack thought disgustedly, with an oomph closing the door behind him.