Learn your place (book 1)

A little talk

Benjamin peeked behind the doors. He didn't hear anything, but he saw the nurse moving around showing how angry she was. Stomping her foot, waving her fists around, and her rigid movements said enough. These girls already didn't like men, so they probably made them sound like reprobates. Malak stood there listening to her shouts of anger. He placed an arm over her shoulders, and walked with her to calm her down. When he could no longer see them, Alexander turned to his housemates. His eyes growled red in absolute anger. He smacked Benjamin and the other two held their hands over their faces frightened they would be next. "When I said to know your places, I never gave any of you license to treat her like a dog." He paced back and forth not knowing how to even start forgiving the men, not sure he ever would. "I'm disappointed in you...ALL OF YOU!" He was fuming.

"Alexander?"

"WHAT?!" He snapped turning around. When he saw it was Malak. He darted his gaze away trying not to look like a psycho. "Alexander. My good lad. You mustn't scream. This is a hospital after all." He looked at the ashamed men sitting before Alexander. "Diana wants to see you, Alexander." He said leading the way. It was not just a chance to see her face. Malak also had to discuss to Alexander what her new accident meant to him and the others. When they finally arrived to Diana's room, she was looking at a book about animals. When he looked at the cover it was about birds in North America. She was showing the nurse her favorite one. At least, she wasn't sobbing uncontrollably like he expected.

Alexander came in quietly taking his hat off. It was then that Diana finally saw his hair. Nicely combed back each strand straight with a black ribbon holding his thick hair in place, except a decorative curl at both sides of his head. Diana wondered if it was a wig. The girls kept their focus on him. He crouched to Diana who was in a hospital gown. Her legs were hairless, like they shaved her down. "Why did you all shave her legs?" One of them nodded. "It's the style now. I wouldn't expect you to understand." He honestly couldn't. It made her legs look like a five year old's, but he kept silent about it. "How are you?" He asked brushing her hair from her forehead. One of the nurses gripped his wrist, shoving it down. They knew better than to let him touch her. Malak eased the girls troubles. "No need to fear my ladies. Alexander here is one of the more well mannered individuals." Malak said in his smooth voice. "No, girls. Malak's right. He's okay." They hesitated, and the lead nurse eased her grip. The colonial gentleman massaged his wrist, and turned back to her. "I'm so glad to see you looking better." He smiled. "God I just want to hug you and never let go."

Malak placed an arm on his shoulder. "My Alexander. You will be doing much more than that. She will need assistance in getting fed, and preparing her food." He said as Alexander pondered what she liked to eat. "She will also need help getting dressed." His cheeks turned to a rose gold when Malak mentioned dressing. How could he call himself a gentleman but still be expected to undress her? "Calm your bashfulness man! The female staff you hired will help with that I'm sure." He still tossed his hat over his face, too shy to talk about that sort of thing. "Now. She will be free to go back home. Her right ankle is a bit bruised. Likely from the others kicking it earlier. I'm sure the girls would happily explain to the boys about the consequences, should this happen again." Malak pointed to a glass window. On the other side, the matron nurse was wielding two massive bone saws, and he saw his boys scrambling backwards in terror as a few reaper nurses pushed them forward. Of course the matron wasn't planning on killing them, but it was an effective tool to make a point. Alexander nodded knowing these girls have run out of patience for them.

After Diana thanked the nurses, and matron shaking all their hands they released her to go back home. On the carriage ride home, Diana stared out the window, the boys having taken a separate carriage back. Alexander wanted to keep her secure and away from the others, including his second in command Benjamin. He held the reigns, huddling his shoulders up against the cold. Had he been more comfortable with the confinement, he would join her, but all he could muster was sitting outside the coach leading it back to the manor. They pulled up and Alexander opened the coach for her to get out. She stepped down being careful with her right ankle. Benjamin took their coach, and the two went inside. The staff saw her cast, and watched them walking toward the ballroom. Peter was holding the last loaded vase. "It's just about ready, your lordship." He said before rushing inside, placing it on a pedestal. With a simple straightening it was all finished.

Diana turned to Alexander. "Your guests will be very pleased with it." Alexander turned to Diana. "I'm sure they will, since you'll be one of my guests." She froze up, and turned to him. What did he just say? "Alexander, I'm sure you're joking. I'm in no state to be at a party." He took her back. "We don't need to dance. We can sit, and talk. I'll introduce you to a few people. The Coventrys will be there. You know them... sort of. I promise I will make sure you enjoy yourself. I mean it's either that or sitting upstairs doing nothing." That did sound boring, and the entire staff would be busy serving the guests. "It does sound fun." Diana smiled. Perhaps being royalty for one night would be a blast.

~~~~~

Diana was put in her nightgown. A light silk gown that went down to the floor, with her ankles only slightly seen. The maid who she learned was named Clara was braiding her hair. "They ya are miss. A nice thick braid. I like yer hair. Red like an apple." She giggled running her palm under it like a rope. "Oh, what lovely roses. Who gave you these?" Clara asked. "Oh, they were from Benjamin. After the whole err... incident the other day, he gave me those to comfort me." She looked at the door. "Can you keep a secret?" She nodded with a smile. "I think it was just the adrenaline from the shock, but he took me by surprise with a kiss! But I kind of liked it." Clara laughed with Diana. She then placed a heavy robe on a hook, and collected her belongings and got ready to leave the room. Before she did Diana grabbed her hand. "Wait, Clara?" She said wanting to stop her. "Yes, Diana. What else can I help you with?" Her eyes lit up wanting to help. "I just wanted to say... thank you." She nodded. "You're welcome." Diana watched her leave. Just as she left, Benjamin was outside the door. He stood aside letting her pass, then walked in. She saw him coming in, and tossed on her robe. "Yes, Alexander?" She asked sitting on her bed. "Can we... talk?" He asked.

She got up looking out the door. "Where are the others?" Her head whipped left and right. He smirked. "Downstairs with bellies full of wine. They'll be no use till morning." He walked over turning her vanity chair around facing away from the bed sitting with his chest against the back. He laid his arms against the back crossing them, waiting for her to sit down. Once down his empty sockets focused on her. She sat there awkwardly. "Are you alright?" She asked waving her hand in front of him. "I'm thinking of which questions to ask... I have so many. Strange, you've been here for a good long while, but I know nothing about you." He took a deep breath. "Where did you live?" He started off with the easiest one. "New York City." She responded. "I'll just say it. I lived on the streets." Alexander winced hearing that. "That explains why you were so dirty when we first met." He shrugged. She leaned in. "My turn. Where are you guys from? Did Malak make you?" She was curious. "No. We were human, just like you." He giggled thinking of the visual of Malak wearing a welding mask making metal men.

"Okay" he continued. "So you were on the streets." He still had trouble looking at her believing it. Now she just looked so... normal. "What did you do to survive?" He asked resting his cheek in his arms. She laid on her side resting her head on the pillow. "Beg, usually. There was this flower shop that usually had really nice people. Everybody's in a generous mood when they're getting married, well sometimes anyways. If I was really hungry I would steal some food. Or if I was desperate... I would..." She curled herself in. "Eat from the garbage?" He asked sparing her the need to say it out loud. "That's why you didn't drink. You had to stay aware of your surroundings, to stay safe." She then sat back up. "My last question. If you don't tell me I won't pressure you." She took a deep breath.

"How did you die?"

His body tensed up. He looked down, not able to look her in the face. He began to shake. She took his face. "Hey, your lordship." Her palms rested on his shiny cheeks. "Hey, hey, I'm here." She saw black oil like tears leaking from his face. She held his head against her heart. "I won't pressure you." He sniffed loud, and gave a shaky laugh. "I best pull away lest my tears stain your robe." He chuckled. She pulled back and took his hat, placing it on her own head. "You think a stain will break me down." She smirked. "You really are my favorite lordship in this house." He wiped his face placing the hat back on his head. "Then obviously I'm doing something right." He stroked her cheek. "You best get to bed. You've got a busy night tomorrow. I can hardly wait to show you the gown I have picked out for you." He walked out of her room, turning only briefly to look at the bouquet of pink roses on her vanity. He closed the door.

He looked at his hands. Her favorite indeed. If she was there to see the Revolutionary War she wouldn't think of him so fondly. He walked back to his room, sitting in his chair. The massacre was still on his mind. Constantly coming up. He just couldn't get it off his mind. He looked at his flintlock pistol, tapping it against his head. "Come on, get out of there." He whined. He once again fell asleep in his chair.