Chapter 13

"Deep in the earth, my love is lying and I must weep alone."

- Edgar Allen Poe

Emma stared outside the window, her mind barely registering the constant pacing of Megan as the other walked around the room.

"Shall we go and visit the bakers Megan? It will do us some good if we go out?"

Megan peeked over and flushed slightly, "Yes, that... would be beneficial."

Emma waved her hand, motioning for Megan to go and get ready whilst she got ready to go out herself. Walking over to her wardrobe, Emma pulled out a thicker dress, one that would keep the drizzle of the English weather out. Putting her hair up into a simple bun and grabbed her bag and walked out into the hallway, where Megan was already standing ready.

Gently linking her arms with Megan's they headed down the stairs, ignoring the greetings of the other servants. Emma didn't want to ignore them, but she felt bitter; she was in a place she once considered home and now it had evolved into a prison for her. Her heart hammered against her chest and her grasp on Megan's arm tightened painfully, yet there was no change in her expression apart from the distant look in her eyes.

"Emma... you're hurting me," Megan whispered.

"Oh! Apologies."

As the two go walked towards the entrance hall, they were stopped by Alexander standing in front of them. Obstructing their path.

"Where are you thinking of going, Emma?"

Emma's body tensed, it had been so long since she heard her "husband" call her by her actual name.

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Cayennes wrists were rubbed red and raw, blood coupled with sweat, he had lost track of time. He continued to wriggle his wrists until there was a relief from the uncomfortableness of the ropes. Separating his wrists he slumped against the beam that he was originally tied to. Looking to his left he saw that Adam was slumped too, unconscious.

Grabbing the rope with him, Cayenne stumbled over to Adam. Slapping the other harshly around the face, there was no response. Looking around there seemed as if there was no way out apart from up the stairs that Stanley himself would go up. Untying Adam from the beam, he let the other slump there, before laying the other down because he was slumped in a way that was so uncomfortable looking Caynenne himself winced.

Looking around the room, he searched for anything that could be a lever or a button to another door. Or something similar. Anything, he needed just something; so that he could take Adam and leave.

Coincidentally enough, there was soon a distant click. Cayenne kept it in mind and then closed it, rearranging the things back to where they were previously positioned and then went back to his slumped position at the beam. He needed to check after Stanley finishes his torture session.

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Emma, Alexander and Megan walked down a small grassy path, towards a small bridge that overlooks the tracks that go to Rosewood Station.

"You do not need to come with us. "

"I have to."

"You know full well you won't need to if you would just keep your mouth shut."

"Why did you leave?"

"..."

"Emma, please, tell me what I did wrong so I can change-"

"I will stop you right there. You would not change, maybe, for a few days, weeks if I am lucky. But you wouldn't."

"Is it because of your father?"

Emma sneered, "What a joy. You know me well."

"Emma that wasn't an insult towards you. It-"

"It was insensitive of you to say. You do not see me commenting on your family. In any way, shape or form do you? Or is it that you look down on me, for my lower status before I wed you."

"No! No, no-no. Of course not."

"I want to know what happened to ma-make you leave."

She and Megan exchanged glances at the stutter, Alexander would normally be confident with himself, in his speech and mannerisms. It reminded Emma of his slight bashful nature when they first met. It was different. Nostalgic, almost.

After turning a corner they finally reached St Chad's Church, where there was a mass of nuns milling about, tending to the sick and elderly. Emma and Megan were greeted warmly by Sister Helen at the reception desk. Alexander was given a cold look and a once over before he tried following the two into an office. Until he was barred from entering by two other nuns that were standing by the door.

"How come I am not allowed entrance?"

"Lord Rowe, this is a meeting for those that are determining the next charity event. Your name was never on the list."

Alexander nodded stiffly, standing awkwardly outside the door.

Time passed, slowly for the few outsides in the corridors, but quickly for those inside the office. Alexander couldn't help but be curious about the contents of their conversations but decided against asking his wife when she and her maid finally came out. It had been a good two hours when Emma and Megan came out. The nun's guided them back to the entrance of the church, walking them down to the east hall where there was a lavender garden; the trio was left alone after that.