The crack of thunder rattled the wood surrounding me. The casual rocking waves were harsher than before. I felt the strangest dampness against my fingertips, something hard brushed past my hand, yet it wasn't until the door sloshed open and my father's harsh voice filled the room that I jolted awake.

"Let's go, Boy!", he snapped as he drug me from the cabin bed by the arm.

I gasped at the cold water as it soaked me through to the knees. I stumbled along behind him, confused and scared out of my mind. I tried to inquire while being shoved onto a row boat. A servant followed me on, she was crying. My father began yelling for my mother. I searched desperately for sight of her. Tried to climb out of the boat all while the servant held me back by my waist. I called for my father, reaching out to him. The man had never been kind or loving toward me, it was a childish hope to gain some sympathy now. My mother finally appeared, carrying a wailing infant. My sister. I watched as my father hurried her along, moving to help her into the boat.

It was an odd thing to notice or even catch my attention, but the droplets of water running from the strands of my hair along my nose tickled in a strange way. Soaked to the skin and scared, but that is what captured my attention. Another crack of thunder sounded, or maybe it was the snap of the rope. The boat lurched. The bow dropped suddenly. I slipped and fell, grabbing the side. I didn't know if it was me or someone else screaming as the otherside broke free and we fell….

"Sir!"

I was jolted back to the present by Johnson shaking me awake. The act caused a shock through my system and I jumped. "What is it?"

"I am sorry, My Lord, there is a man here, he is quite insistent to speak with you." Johnson backed away from the bed, and waited for the words to settle in.

I rubbed my hand over my face, shaking off the grogginess of sleep and the memories. I sat up and glanced over at the illuminated clock on the bedside table. "At this hour?" My brow furrowed. We very rarely received visitors, especially not at 2:00 in the morning. With a tired sigh, I tossed back the covers and moved to stand up. I took the offered robe from Johnson pulling it closed over my bare chest and tying it. Any visitor cannot complain too much at my state of dress due to the hour. I left the room to be met by our guest.

She was also fresh out of bed, wearing nothing but a tank top and shorts as she rushed forward and grabbed hold of both of my arms in a death grip. Her gaze met mine in a fearful and confusing way. "Please don't tell him I am here! I'll leave tomorrow, I swear. Please!"

I wanted to question her, and certainly will be later, however, Johnson had already headed downstairs and I could hear him apologizing for my delay. "Just go back to your room. I'll call for you in a bit."

Her gaze pleaded with me, but she eventually nodded and did as she was told, for the first time since she came here, which only increased my curiosity. I took to the stairs quickly, my bare feet silent on the carpet as I reached the bottom and faced my visitor.

"I am sorry for the late hour," he began. The man's jet black hair was slicked back, likely heavily filled with product. His dress was certainly over the top, and he gave off an air that I certainly didn't care for. I decided right off I didn't like him at all. He even gave his name as if I should know it right off.

"I see, what can I do for you?" I drew myself up, meeting the harsh, insistent gaze of the man.

"I am looking for a woman. My wife. She's been missing. Her family and I are quite worried for her." He flashed a photograph of a woman I certainly recognized, yet I gave nothing away.

"Your wife?" My head tilting as I give the man another once over. He was older, yet not too terribly old. My gaze dropped to his left hand, finding something lacking there.

The man's haughty spirit seemed to falter for a moment, yet only a moment before he brought himself back, his right hand moved to cover his left self consciously, "Well…not yet, we plan to rectify that the moment she's found."

"Ah…" I nodded understandably. "Well, this doesn't bode too well for your future. I hope you find her for sure, however, I cannot say I've seen her." Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Johnson's subtle shift, though he gave nothing away. "If you don't mind, it is quite late and I have work to do in the morning."

"Of course," he said, nodding in a dissatisfied manner, his eyes scanned the area behind me before turning on his heel and heading out the door. I caught a glimpse of a few cars driving away before Johnson closed the door.

"Bring up some tea, Johnson. There's a conversation I must have with our guest." My words were spoken as I turned back toward the stairs.

"Very good, Sir."

I knocked swiftly on the solid door to our guest's room, giving only a second of pause before going for the handle and pushing it open, "Library, now." I didn't wait for a response before heading in that direction. Given her previous state, I assumed the obedience would continue, at least for the moment. I had barely sunk into my usual chair when she walked in. She was dressed much the same, yet her demeanor had changed. Her mood calmed. Not her usual way, but certainly not as frantic as she was a moment ago. She hesitated in the doorway until I waved at the chair she claimed frequently. "Sit and explain."

She said nothing for a while, toying with a chip in a painted nail. The silence I so longed for usually filled the room uncomfortably, so thick one could choke on it. Finally, she looked up, her lips parted to speak, yet closed once Johnson shuffled in, setting the tray on the table without a word and leaving. The old man had the grace to close the door behind him. I leaned forward, pouring the steaming liquid into each cup, I lifted one offering it to her which was accepted in silence. I took my own, sipping from it,

I waited a while longer, watching her as I returned the cup to its saucer. "Explain to me why I have lied to a man who claims to be your fiancé…" One brow rising, a fingertip tapping lightly on the side of my cup, the only sign of my rising impatience.

There was another moment before she took a lingering sip, swallowed it, visibly built up courage and spoke, "I'll be gone in the morning like I said." If she thought she'd get away with just that, she was certainly disappointed. I continued to watch her, my gaze impatient as I took another sip from the rim of the warm cup. The clank of ceramic on ceramic filling the silence. A thick swallow moved through her slender throat, tongue wetting dried lips, "My father has debts." She fidgeted, even that small of a confession seemed to make her nervous. "The agreement was that they'd be forgotten if I'd marry…" A visible shudder came from her and she set the half emptied cup down, looking at the tea as if it suddenly disgusted her. "I am not property to be sold." The fear turned to anger. "My father died before the wedding and I ran. My…intended would kill me before setting me free of the debt."

I listened a bit more patiently as she continued, occasionally partaking from the still steaming mug. Once she finished, I set down the items on the table, "Well, you certainly aren't going anywhere. They've already been here so you are safe. You'll need to avoid going into town for a while. Johnson will bring you anything you need."

"I didn't escape one jailer to be imprisoned by another," her words were huffed as she stood up. "You're not my master and you've said I'm free to leave."

"I certainly am not. If I were, you'd have trouble sitting down…" I reach for my cup again, draining it in one go and replacing it. Swallowing as I stand, I commented shortly, "You're not stupid. Take the offer." I leave the room without further word.