He stood in the library looking at the fire that danced before him. His mind heavy in thought. The soft knock brought him out of his concentration.

"Enter," he ordered.

He turned to watch Rosie enter. She was such a humble and sweet woman it brought a smile to his lips to see her always smiling.

"The lass has eaten and is fast asleep," she whispered happily.

Nodding his head he turned to look at the fire.

"Has she said anything, has she spoken to you?" He asked.

Her brows frowned at the question and to think of it she noticed she hasn't.

"Why No, milord she has not," she shook her head.

She began to fidget a bit and he noticed her worry.
"What is wrong Rosie?" He frowned with concern.

Looking down she averted her gaze.

"I heard that she crawled through the window to steal." She mentioned.

Giving a brief sigh, he turned to the fire again.

"Yes indeed she did. But, I feel somehow she is not some random street urchin," he said not looking away from the hypnotic sway of the flames.

Puzzled she looked at him.

" What ever do you mean milord."

Taken in a deep breath, he paused then chuckled shaking his head.

"Never mind me Rosie, exhaustion has me thinking incoherent thoughts don't mind me."

With a sweet laugh she shook her head as well bidding her leave she turned to walk out of the library.

After a short while, he found himself at his bedroom door. He entered quietly and walked slowly towards the bed. A lit candle by her bedside gave a low dim light just enough to see her laying on her side.
He gently brushed away a lock of soft curl from her cheek.

She slept peacefully. No sign of fear, embarrassment or fright.

"Tonight you have nothing to worry," about," he whispered.

Bending down he blew out the candle. Stepping away from the bed he gave one last glance before turning and walking away.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

Morning came and Evangeline awoke disoriented. Finally realizing where she was she bolted upright sitting in the bed.
Looking around she saw the vastly large furnished room. Slowly she pulled away the sheets and slid from the bed.
Not wanting to waste any more time she went looking for her cloths.

She walked to the door and pulled the nob.
Frustrated, she tried it again. She was locked in.
She slowly stepped back. Frantic.
What if he had her locked up, later to hand her over to constables.
She shook her head vehemently. She needed to leave this place.
She darted for the window.
Her heart sunk, she was too high up. As she rested her forehead on the window.

" I don't think that is wise," came the deep voice from the door.
She never heard it open.
He startled her.
Not wanting to turn to see his eyes, she continued staring out the window.
Then he was beside her.

"It would be an agonizing death you seek or excruciating pain you will endure if you decided to jump," he turned to look at her and leaned on the windowsill.
She felt his gaze on her.

" I take it you slept well," he said softly.
She continued to stare out of the window.
He looked down thinking and trying to find the words for her to say something.

"Eventually you will have to talk, your silence will not help you." He warned her.

"Specially, living here it won't." He stood straight.
She immediately shot him a surprised look of disbelief.
Live here!!! She was trapped.

He watched the fear in her eyes turn to panic.
With a smirk and satisfaction written all over his look, he turned to walk away.

" I want to see you in the library within the hour. Rosie will assist you with breakfast." He spoke in an authoritative tone.

He turned to look at her before he left. The look of defeat in her eyes and the slouching of her shoulders worried him.

~•~•~•~•~•~•
When Evangeline finally finished her breakfast, Rosie held light conversation with her as she took her to the library upon Adrian's orders.

She tapped on the door and was bid to enter. With an assuring warm smile, Rosie ushered her in and closed the door behind her.
The large library was enormous.
She looked up at the high vault ceiling, large Windows and fireplace. Oil paintings of all sorts adorned the walls. Vases and sculptures stood on ornate wooden stands in every corner.
A sense of sadness overcame her.
At one point she was a part of a world like this.
She turned to look at him as he stood looking out the window. He said nothing but stayed there.
She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of speaking first or pleading with him.
She will just simply escape when she had the chance.
But when?

He turned to look at her.
She stood in a overlarge morning gown that just made her look so petite and small. Her small frame barely held it up at her shoulders.
He made a mental note to have Rosie find something for her that would best fit her.
He walked closer and stood watching her.

Now seeing her for the first time, he noticed she was a very pretty girl. Her scrubbed clean face revealed a young and innocent beauty with almond shaped eyes, a pert nose and small pink lips.
His heart beat harder at the thought of what was to come for her. What did her future hold if he somehow did not help her.

He immediately held his hands behind his back and began to pace. She watched him wearily.

Before he began to speak the slight scuffle and oaths came form the other side of the door.
It was Penniford and what seamed like a young child arguing.
He frowned and walked towards the door as it burst open.

"Penniford, what in bloody hell is all this raucous?" Adrian boomed.

He watched as Penniford stepped through the door to the library in a rush holding another version of the girl before him.
"I found....this lurking around outside, milord" he scowled.

Arms flailing, Penniford held the miniature vagabond at the scruff of the neck with a look of utter disdain. And the face he made when the little imp rang out curses that could put a sailor to shame.

Holding up his hands he lightly pulled the child out of Pennifords hand assuring him he had control of the situation.
As the butler gave a bow, Adrian quickly grabbed the child out of Pennifords way as he lunged at him once more with insults that made Penniford jump back in horror.

He turned the little ruffian around immediately his scowling features froze him in place. The child turned immediately and looked at Evangeline.

"I thought ye were done for. But your here living it up...while I freeze my arse out there in the cold." He yelled.

Adrian turned his head to look at her.

Her eyes saddened at the childs anger.

"It is not like that Tonk," she shook her head, her eyes filled with tears.

She watched Adrian's eyes raise up in amusement.
"Alas she speaks," he teased.

He looked between the two and watched the both of them. The younger one was notably upset with her. And he watched her shrink away from his amused stare.

Gathering the child's attention, he knelt before Tonk and recalled his name that she mentioned.
" Whoa there champ, that is not a way to speak to a lass" He frowned mockingly.

The boy turned to look at him. He had on over sized clothing, he was dirty with a cap with holes in it.
He gently reached up nervously for his cap and pulled it off and handed it to him. With relief he was a he!
"And what Is your name," Adrian asked.

With spunk the boy answered puffing out his chest with pride.
" My name is Tonk, gov'na," he spoke proudly.

A smile curled at Adrian's lips. And he chuckled at the boys bravery.
He shook his head chuckling.
"What is your real name, Tonk?."
The boys eyes widened.
Never has he been asked his real name.
He sputtered before lifting his chin.
"Thomas Nathanial Garver," he said in a more shy tone.

With a smile, Adrian nodded.
"Well Mr. Garver nice to meet you. I am Adrian St. James." He held out his hand to shake the young boys hand.
Silently he looked down and turned his head to look at the girl that silently watched them.
He turned to Tonk and smiled.

With a serious frown he looked at Tonk.
In a low voice he spoke.
"Tonk I need your help." He looked up into the boys face.
Tonk listened.
"I have a feeling your sister is trying to be difficult in not giving me her name and her age. It is the only way I can help. Can you help me with that.," he turned to look at the girl with a triumphant stare as she came to attention with his request from Tonk.
He watched her as she shook her head begging Tonk not to say anything.

"Tonk, please dont" her voice trembled as she began to weep.

His eye never left hers as the boy spoke.
"She is not my sister." He spoke in a low tone.

He turned to look at the boy and watched as the boy exchanged sad glances with the girl.
"Tis a pity, I thought she was," he turned to stare at her again.

"What is her name?" He asked again softly not taking his eyes off of her.

He watched her shake her head pleading with him not to say anything.

"Tonk, no!" She cried.

He turned to look at the boy that was struggling now with his own decision. He felt awful he was doing this , but he needed to find out all about her.

Lowering his head he was ashamed of his next move but, He reached into his pocket and pulled out a shiny coin and watched as the boys eyes widened and his face lit up as if receiving a gift for Christmas, then looked at him.
With a stern glare he held the boys stare.
"One full guinea if I can get her name and age," he said.

Skeptically the boy eyed the coin and then looked apologetically at Evangeline.
He looked down sad that he was betraying his friends trust.
With a sigh he turned to him and spoke.
"Her name is Evangeline and she is 14 yrs old." Tonk meekly said looking away from the hurt in Evangelines eyes.
She stomped close to Tonk just as Adrian stood before her stepping forward he caught her in a stronghold around the waist as Tonk jumped back.

"How could you Tonk?, I trusted you." She cried pulling away from Adrian's hold.

She turned away from him and stormed off out of the library through the hall.
Her vision blurry with tears. She quickly bolted out of the front door into the ice cold morning. Her feet crunching snow she forced herself through most of it and continued.

She ran not looking back. Adrian stood at the entrance door, holding Tonk by the arm to keep him from escaping as well.
The boy fought in his grip as he knelt before him with a warning glare.
"Where is she going?"

With a panicking cry Tonk yanked his arm out of his hold.
"Home. Our home."
Tonk watched as he stood and shouted for Penniford.
The butler came quick. "Tell Barnes to come quickly with a carriage,"

As fast as it pulled around, he held the door open for Tonk to climb in. Sitting on opposite sides he wearily stared at Adrian as he sat back staring at him.

"Are you going to turn us over to the constable?" Tonk asked.

Adrian silently watched him, he didn't answer.

Tonk began to fidget.
Immediately he began to speak.
"I beg you govna, we needed the money," he explained.

"What for?" Adrian scowled.

Looking away Tonk twirled a piece of his torn coat.

"What. For." Adrian asked again.

"Tis for Phoebe, our friend she is very sick" Tonk lowered his eyes sadly.

Feeling awful for thinking the worse he relaxed his scowling face and his stance. In a relaxed tone he asked Tonk to tell him more. More relieved Tonk happily obliged and told him...
Everything...