Chapter 31

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"Micheal?" Once again Alice found herself in the Library. This time however she took care to look behind every case, under every table, and over every shelf.

"Micheal please." She said, "If you're in here, please come out. We are worried sick about you. And Frederick is looking now as well." she peered under the last table and sighed. Nothing,

"Apparently he slept in." she continued. ". . Has he ever done that before?" Alice stood. The defeated feeling crept back in. He wasn't here. Frederick was wrong.

When she saw the butler this morning she didn't know if she was relieved to see him or terrified that he wasn't with Micheal. She still didn't know. However, what she did know was that she loved him more than ever and was thankful for his sturdy reassurance and fresh eyes.

Taking one last look around the room, Alice left it and tried to think of what else she should do. Just as she closed the door behind her, Mrs. Pench entered the hall, spotted Alice, and went to her.

"Anything?" She asked.

"No Micheal, but Frederick is here."

"Where?"

"Apparently he slept in," Alice explained, "Now he's checking the Green room, have you heard from Prescott?"

"No not yet, and I'm sorry did you say Frederick slept in?"

For the first time since seeing him, Alice smiled, "That's what he said."

Mrs. Pench shook her head, "Of all the mornings. The man never missed the sunrise in his punctual life and he chooses today to go crazy, great!"

"He's not going crazy," Alice defended, "He just had a lot to think about lately."

"Is that so," The cook's face brightened.

Alice blushed and ducked her head away from the older woman's knowing eyes, "Yes, it is so." she sassed.

Mrs. Pench wore a smile that could match Alices' "At last! How did this happen? I'm so happy for you dear. I knew it would all work out." she gushed.

Alice took the cooks' hands partly to slow her down and partly out of her own excitement, "Last night, while we hung up the laundry." Alice didn't think Mrs. Pench needed to know that they really hadn't touched a single garment last night and that Alice was up extra early and hung them all on the line herself, "I want to thank you for all your support in this. I know I can be a bit of a handful but I would have lost it if I wasn't for your support and confidence."

"Oh tush," Mrs. Pench waved her words away with her hand but her eyes and smile showed that they had reached her heart, "Think nothing of it. I'm just pleased to have another woman around here."

Alice warmed at the words and before the cook could refuse, Alice threw her arms around the older woman in a heartfelt embrace. "Thank you," she said. And after a moment of surprise, Eleanor Pench hugged her back.

"Alright, that's enough of that," Mrs. Pench stepped away, "We've still got work to do."

"Your right," Alice sighed the weight of their situation returning, "You wait for Prescott, in the meantime, I'll go find Frederick and help him get a horse ready so he can search the town."

Mrs. Pench nodded, "I'll see you later." was all she said as she hurried back the way she came. For a second Alice watched her go and thanked God for the new friend she'd found in her before she made her way to the stairs.

As she reached the first landing the urgency she'd felt early returned. If Micheal wasn't on the property then it could only be assumed that he had left and was already back in town, probably waiting to board the next train. Or worse, he could already be on the train on its way to who knows where. They'd never be able to find him then.

Alice rushed down the hall, not bothering to check the rooms as she went. There was only one room he could possibly be in now and if he wasn't there they couldn't afford to waste any more time.

"It won't be right away," came a muffled voice.

Alice stopped in her tracks. What was that? Looking behind her she noticed that one of the bedroom doors was cracked open, and she realized that in her anxiety she and waltz right past the Green room. What a ninny.

Slowing her steps, Alice backed up and knocked on the door before entering. There on the floor, leaning against the bed, with his legs stretched out in front of him, was Micheal, and Frederick beside him. The boy's eyes studied his hands that were folded in his lap. The corner of the carpet near him was flooded up, revealing an open compartment in the floor holding a boys treasures such as a deck of cards, a couple brass cufflinks, and more.

Frederick, whose knees were drawn up so he could rest his elbows on them, looked up as she came in and motioned her to them.

"Oh Michael, we've been so worried. Thank the Lord, you're okay." Alice rushed over and knelt on the boy's other side. "Have you been here this whole time? Did you know how we were looking for you? Why did you-"

Frederick cleared his throat and although Alice had a dozen more questions she wanted to ask, she glanced at Micheal and knew that parading them on the boy at this moment maybe wasn't the best move, "Are you alright?" she settled and waited patiently for the young man's answer.



Frederick found Micheal kneeling over his secret floor compartment, about a half-an-hour ago. Since then, he had talked and to his knowledge, Micheal had listened. As suspected the boy had no idea Prescott planned to make him his heir. He seemed to then understand how unqualified he was for such a position and even accepted that he needed more schooling. But that didn't mean he wanted it. Or that he wanted to be sent away to it.

"Yes, I'm fine. Sorry, fer causin' such'a tizzy." Micheal responded to Alice without looking up.

"You can't think that we want you to go." Alice continued, "We love you, Micheal, very much. We want you to stay here as long as you want to."

"I know," he said, "but-" he hesitated.

"But what?"

"Well, why cain't ya teach me?" he said making eye contact for the first time, "Why do I gotta go ta some fancy yahoo school with a bunch o' yahoo kids just to get me some fanny yahoo learnin'? I learn jest fine with ya. I've been'a good student. I ain't that hard ta teach."

Frederick hid a smile as he watched Alice try not to grimace at Michael's pronunciation that suggested otherwise. His drawl always came out strong when he was upset.

"You have been good, " Alice assured him, putting a hand on his arm. "But I'm afraid I can't teach you all the things you'll need to know. And besides, don't you want to have the chance to talk to other boys your age and not just us boring grownups?"

"Not them boys at them schools." Micheal huffed. "Entitled rich boys like 'em don't like boys like me."

Impressed by Micheal's extended vocabulary that seems to be growing everyday Frederick nudged the young man's shoulder to get his attention, "Yes all of them will most likely come from money but, not all of them will be entitled."

Micheal eyed him skeptically.

"Not the ones who come from happy families with fathers like Master Prescott." Frederick continued.

Micheal's expression changed and he seemed to be in deep thought.

"Maybe," he concluded at length.

Frederick scened the tension easy out of the boy, he sent Alice a subtle smile. She returned his gesture and they both relaxed knowing that the situation was nearly resolved.

"It won't be fer forever?" Micheal now shifted his gaze between them.

"No," Alice reassured, "no, and once you graduate you can come back here if you want to. Or if then you decide you want to go somewhere else you can do that too."

"Where else?"

"Anywhere!" Alice laughed, "You could go to New York or California, Or even Paris if you want to."

"Could I go ta Austen? Master Prescott grew up in Austen."

"Yes, If that's what you want," Frederick confirmed.

"Would you guys come with me?"

"If you want us to."

"And you'll come back and visit us and if you like, we could go to visit you." Alice put it, "besides, as Frederick said, It won't be right away."

Frederick nodded, "We'll find you a good tutor who will help you get caught up and ready for society life."

"Yes, and we will be here to help too."

"You won't have to do this alone, God has amazing plans for you, Micheal. We will take it one step at a time." Frederick stood, stretched, and reached out his hand, "What do you say?"

For a moment Micheal simply looked at the hand, then slowly he smiled, "Oh alright," he said as he took hold and hopped to his feet.

"Wonderful," Alice grinned as Frederick helped her up, "Now we should find Mrs. Pench and Master Prescott, They're no doubt worried sick!"

Everyone agreed but as they exited into the hall, Micheal dashed back in and slipped the loose floorboard back into place, smoothed out the rug over it, before rejoining them outside.

As they made their way downstairs, Alice slipped her hand into the crook of Frederick's arm and smiled up at him. He kept his gaze ahead of him but smiled in return. Micheal's mind had moved on now that the issue was resolved, The boy was back to his usual self, chatting happily.

They entered the back parlor where Mrs. Pench and Master Prescott stood talking quietly.

"Micheal!" they said in unison and rushed over.

"Where have you been?"

"We were so worried."

"I know," Micheal said, "and I'm sorry, I shouldn't haven't hid. And I'll do it." he finished looking Prescott in the eye. "the schoolin' I mean."

"Ha!" Prescott grind, "That's my boy! You know I'd never have you leave." He said more seriously, "You're like a son to me. You know that don't you?"

"I do know, I- I guess."

"What wrong," Mrs. Pench asked when Micheal's face sunk.

"Nothing I've just-- never been a son ta no one before." Micheal sighed, "I'll probably mess it up."

"So?" Prescott took the boy's shoulder, "I've never been a father before either, and considering last night, I've already messed up."

Leave it to Prescott to lighten the mood, Alice thought. Standing at Fredericks' side watching the two unlikely friends laugh together again lifted a great weight off Alice's shoulder. She leaned more into the man at her side and he responded by squeezing her hand still linked to in his arm.

Alice realized that she had really truly found love here, at this strange, highly unorthodox, amazingly perfect new home. She found it in a new friendship with a strict but loving cook, she found it in a sister and daughterhood with an energetic stable boy and colorful Master, she found it in a partnership with a stoic yet gentle Butler, and in God, who in His love and wisdom led her right to it.

"And you two!" as if reading her thoughts, Prescott pointed an accusing finger at them, "I knew it!" the older man grind.

Alice felt herself blush but didn't care.

"Pardon, sir," Frederick asked trying his best to come off as confused.

"I knew you two would work out. See I told you so Elenor, I did, and you said I was being silly, well who looks silly now? Aye?"

"Oh tush, You're going on like you invented romance, you didn't do a thing." Mrs. Pench sniffed.

"Didn't do a thing? I've done everything! And I would have done more if you hadn't stopped me!"

"What are we talking about?"

Everyone turned and looked at Micheal who was thoroughly confused by the sudden change of subject and then laughed.

"You see Micheal," Prescott addressed him, "God -with my help- has brought them together. To be together. To love each other."

"You mean yall are gonna get married?" Micheal asked them.

Alice sought Frederick's gaze and found it already on her. They said nothing but simply shared a smile. Alice was learning more and more that words were sometimes unnecessary. That one look, one smile could say things that all the words in the English dictionary couldn't convey. Without breaking eye contact, they nodded.

"Yeehaw!" Micheal whooped and thought an invisible hat into the air, "Can I be the best man? Please?"

"HA! Your welcome! Oh Lord be praised!"

"When? Will it be here in town? It's been a long time since I've made a wedding cake."

"I've never been a Best Man before but I can do it."

"We should have it at the manor!"

The questions continued to come and Alice was swept away as total content settled in her. Her heart had grown four-times since moving here. And it would continue to grow with each new adventure her new life would bring. Lord be praised indeed. 

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