Ella's (that's 'Lady''s real name) and my luggage (Ella's with some of hers packed for me) were being loaded on top of a coach. Mandy stood a distance away.

I sighed.

Ella's father, Sir Peter, looked at me with disgust.

I didn't say anything or give him the finger, or anything, because he was the one paying for me to go to this finishing school.

Mandy was the one who had come up with this brilliant idea in the first place. She'd some how convinced him to pay for me to go - I have no idea how she managed that one.

Ella and I were going along with Hattie and Olive, the daughters Dame Olga, an unpleasant, wanna-be-pretty woman that took make-up to the extreme in a non-positive manner.

All three of them don't make their dislike for me a secret. The one called Hattie sneered at me. They all wore non-flattering too-tight gaudy dresses. Hattie and Dame Olga had thick, abundant blonde hair, but Olive's hair was thin and wispy.

"How few things you have," Hattie told us.

Her mother agreed, "Ella and her friend are not outfitted in accordance with their stations, Sir Peter. My girls have eight trunks between them."

'...outfitted in accordance with their stations'??? I had no idea what that meant.

"Hattie has five and a half trunks, Mother. And I have only - less. I have less, and it's not fair," Olive said. She must not have been the brightest bulb on Christmas tree, if you get my drift.

Ella's dad interrupted, "It's most kind of you to take Ella and Sasha with you, Dame Olga. I only hope they will not be a bother."

What a jerk! And he was totally inexperienced and obvious in his attempt to flirt.

"Oh, they won't bother me, Sir P. I'm not going... With a coachman and two footmen, they will be safe from everything except ogres. And from ogres I could offer little protection. Besides, they'll have more fun without their old mother."

Probably, they would.

I watched Sir Peter and he said, "Not old. Never old, madam." He almost seemed pained when he said that.

Why on Earth was he trying to flirt? It made no sense. Unless he was after her money. Actually, that seemed pretty probable.

Then he turned to Ella, "I wish you a comfortable journey, child." He kissed her, "I'll miss you." He was totally lying. The kiss had seemed tense and was quick and unaffectionate.

What a jerk! I thought again.

I climbed into the coach after Hattie. It was stuffy, but still nice.

After Ella got in she put her purse in a corner and the coach started to move. I wondered how long it would take to get to Jenn, which was where the school was. It would have been a heck of a lot faster to take an airplane or something, but if I'd have mentioned that I probably would've got the same confused look as when I asked why we wouldn't just take a car there.

"I would never embrace a cook." Hattie shuddered.

"No," was Ella's answer, "What cook would let you?" I stifled a laugh.

What a good comeback.

Hattie glared at us, and then changed the subject, "With so few belongings, the other girls will hardly know whether you are servants or of our class." she looked at me when she said that, as if she knew the work I'd done in the last few weeks. I opened my mouth to tell her off but Olive cut in first, "Why does your gown pucker in front?" She was speaking to Ella.

"Is that a necklace? Why wear it under your clothes?" Hattie asked her.

"Is it ugly?" Olive asked, "Is that why you hide it?"

"It's not ugly," Ella answered.

"Show it to us. Ollie and I so want to see it," Hattie said. Ella brought it out.

"Ooooh," Olive said, "It's even nicer than Mama's best chain."

"No one would think you're a servant with that. It's very fine. Although it's much too long for you. Olive, see how milky the pearls are!" She reached out and petted it. She was so weird!

It was beautiful though.

"Let go!" Ella moved out of their reach.

"We wouldn't hurt it. May I try it on? Mother lets me try on her necklaces and I never hurt them."

"No you you can't."

"Oh, let me. There's a dear."

"Do I have to?" Ella squeaked out.

She'd said the same thing to me before, after I'd said, "Get out," right? Why would she ask that? Nobody was forcing her to do anything.

I remembered the way she had breathed before - like she was about to get sick or pass out.

Was something forcing her to obey?

But no, that was impossible.

"Yes, you have to. Give it over," Hattie said.

"Just for a minute," was Ella's answer.

"Fasten it around my neck..." Hattie started but after Ella did so she finished, "...Olive."

Did Ella have to obey?

"Thank you my dear. I was born to wear jewels like this," Hattie sighed happily.

"Let me try it, Ella," Olive said.

Hattie answered for her, "When you're older,"

"Let her have her turn," Ella growled.

Oh. I didn't even notice - Olive told Ella that she had to let her try it. Ella - did she have to?

"See," Olive said, "Ella says I can."

"I know what's best for you, Olive. All of you are too young-"

But then Ella lunged at Hattie and took the necklace off her.

That settled every doubt in my mind. Obviously, some unseen force made Ella obey every command someone gave her. I wondered what the rules were - how that worked - and - most of all - how that was possible.

"Don't give it to her, Ella. Return it to me," Hattie said. She was watching Ella closely. Was she figuring out what I was sure I just figured out? Or did everyone from Frell have to obey commands?

Ella returned the necklace to Hattie.

"Give it to me Ella," Olive said, her voice rising, "Don't be so mean Hattie."

Ella snatched the necklace back and gave it to Olive.

I looked over at Hattie who looked as if she had just discovered a gold mine. She must have come to the same conclusion as me. My stomach twisted as I thought of all the horror Hattie could inflict on Ella.

"Mother wore that necklace to her wedding," Ella said, "And her mother..."

"Are you always so obedient, Ella? Return the necklace to me." Hattie ordered.

"I won't let her," Olive said.

"Yes you will, or I"ll see that you get no dinner tonight."

"Ella don't do anything you don't want to do," I told her.

She didn't touch the necklace.

Hattie glared at me and tried again.

"Ella, you should give it to me. It would be a token of our friendship."

"We're not friends," Ella answered.

"Yes we are. I'm devoted to you. Olive likes you too, don't you, Ollie?" Olive nodded seriously.

"I believe you will give it to me if I say you must. Do so, Ella, for friendship's sake. You must."

"Don't Ella!" I said. She didn't move.

I turned to Hattie and Olive. I wanted to see if everyone had to obey.

"Shut up Hattie!" I snorted.

Hattie raised one eyebrow.

She was far from giving up.

"Ella, give it to me."

"Don't!"

"Give it!"

"Don't!" Hattie glared at me some more. I was far from scared. Confused? Yes. But scared? Far from it!

I willed Hattie to give it up with all my might. I yearned for it. I even pictured her...

To my utter surprise, Hattie's face went blank and she changed the subject.

"The servants were careless when they cleaned the coach. That dust ball is a disgrace. We shouldn't have to ride in such filth. Pick it up, Ella."

Before I could stop her, Ella grabbed the dust ball and shoved in Hattie's face. She smeared it around, but Hattie didn't do anything - she only smiled.

There was something - ominous - in her smile.

She was really going to be a nightmare for Ella.