Learn your place (book 1)

House of secrets

It was three days since Diana listened to Alexander's story. Since then he seemed to be acting more calm and relaxed. Maybe talking about it helped him? Nobody liked to hide who they really were. Ever since then Diana had more respect for Alexander than ever before. He stood up for what he believed was right. She shook her head trying to focus. Before Murphy's visit, Diana went to the guest room, to see if Peter left anything behind. It was time she stopped thinking about that stuff, and focus on her tasks. She looked under the bed. A book? It had a leather cover, and she didn't need to be able to read to know it was a bible. HOLY BIBLE was easy to recognize. She took it to her room, so she could give it back later.

She changed into some nice clothes, as James was downstairs cooking the dinner. He was convinced finally that boiled calf's head was best saved for another day. He settled, on a roast, along with carrots, potatoes a soup, and French bread. He said he would include desert, but Diana was told it was to be kept a secret. It was worrisome what he had planned for them. Still as long as it was a good dinner she wouldn't argue. After all at least they were treating him with dinner. She changed out of her maid clothes, and into some more respectable clothes. She hoped he didn't wear a hat. His dark hair was so long and thick, she couldn't wait to run her hands through it again. She wondered if he had any "gentleman's clothes" like the boys. She smirked at the thought of it. He came from the Wiltshire manor. A manor she knew nothing about. So this would be interesting. She dabbed on the perfume the boys gave her though she didn't expect it to be so strong. One little spritz was all it took.

All the boys had their best clothes on, and were ready to meet the newcomer. They heard a knocking on the door and lined up. Diana looked to her masters to see if they approved of her clothes, and they gave her the green light. "Alright." She sighed. When she opened the door, the man came in. His was a lot more relaxed than they had expected. The hands were in the pockets of his trousers. He had jet black hair that had been tied into a messy ponytail. And had a goatee as black as his hair. The boys were certainly surprised. It seemed fashion and what was considered attractive had changed since they were alive. "Murphy. I'm so glad you could make it." When she hugged him they all saw his palms rest near her rear. Alexander's face twitched at that. "Everybody, this is Murphy." He gave a nod, respectfully. "Murphy these are my masters, James, Thomas, Benjamin, and Alexander." As they were each named off, they tipped their hat, like gentlemen. "Come in, Murphy. Let's get you a seat at the table." When they left to go to the dining hall the boys followed. James leaned into Thomas. Even James was put off by him. He whispered to his cousin. "I thought she would be bringing a man, not a wild animal." He grimaced. Thomas held his shoulder signaling him to pipe down.

At the dinner table the boys watched the man get comfortable next to Diana. "So... Murphy. How did you and Diana meet?" Benjamin said trying to make small talk. He looked at his new beloved, and began. "Well, at the tavern, we played a game called the Pickett witch, and if you don't guess the man you meet correctly, you give a kiss to the person, and Diana... well how could settle for just one?" He said stroking under her chin. Alexander stink eyed him the whole time. "Of course I realize my visits will need to be brief. I am from Wiltshire, you know?" He shrugged. Thomas internally thanked Malak and God for that. They didn't find much interest in anything he had to say, but Diana seemed to like him, so they had to be well mannered for her sake. Especially Alexander. She must've been wearing romance goggles. Blind to all his short comings. As far as Alexander was concerned, the sooner he could have a talk with him the sooner he could scare him off. When the boys were finished with their meal. Alexander hung back. "Excuse me boys, but I would like to have a private chat with Murphy." The boys nodded, and led Diana out of the room, closing the door behind them. Alexander had him exactly where he wanted him.

Meanwhile Diana and the boys were in the parlor, Diana was worried Alexander was trying to intimidate Murphy. "I hope Alexander isn't acting like an ass." She said holding Peter's bible against her chest. Benjamin shook his head. "He was not what I was expecting at all. I was expecting somebody more..." Diana already knew what he was building up to. "Somebody more like you boys?" She smirked her fingers dancing along the Bible's spine. Thomas saw her holding the Bible. "What this book you've got? A diary?" He asked yanking it away. She tried to take it back. "Hey, that's Peter's bible! Give that back!" Thomas was amused. "His bible you say?" He opened the first page. "Have you read this bible?" He asked her. She shook her head. "No, and neither should you. That's his." He pointed upstairs. "I'll put it back in your room" He said. "Sorry for teasing you." As he walked upstairs to her room, he quickly tore a page out of peter's bible, folded it up and stuck it in his pocket. He was thankful nobody else found this bible. It was to be kept out of sight.

Alexander narrowed his eyes at the guest, that was still enjoying his food. He loudly slurped the soup that came with the dinner. "So Murphy. You might've guessed I am the leader of the house. If you want to court Diana, know this. There will be rules. I will demand that they are followed, or you will never come back again." He said with authority. The visitor merely chuckled. "Listen Mr. Stuyvesant. I know you think I'm here to scoop your maid away, and that you don't trust me. I understand, but I want to tell you this, right now." He walked closer calmly and sat down. He yanked his jabbot closer. "I don't like you either, but Diana will be mine. I think you've forgotten something. Does the name Carl ring any bells?" Alexander pulled away. "How could I forget somebody that died on my watch?" The visitor sneered. "He was my brother." Alexander was shaken. "Oh sir I'm so sorry for your loss." He shoved him away. "Don't be! I know damn well his death was no accident. He was murdered and one of your boys did it. I'm sure of it." Alexander was flabbergasted. "What makes you think that?" Murphy continued. "Because of the countless love notes I found in his room, when I traveled to the Coventrys to collect his stuff. There were love notes, that were very graphic. If these were to go public..."

Alexander was confused. He was so careful. How did this slip under his radar. "So here's the deal. I get Diana whenever I want. If I stay happy, these notes don't spread to other houses, and Diana gets to keep her head. If not, these get discovered, and Diana loses her life, and your house is thrown into a scandal of such magnitude. Whichever one of your men committed the crime will most likely take their own life out of humiliation. Is that what you want? Two lives lost because you don't like me?" At this Alexander grabbed a steak knife and held it over his head grabbing Murphy by the throat. "Not so fast Alexander. Don't be a fool. You know the price of killing another manor's servant." Alexander slowly eased away letting go of him, lowering the knife. "That's right......Accept defeat." He said watching the golden man process everything. Alexander had never had anything like this happen. He'd never been under such blackmail.

"Well then I heard your younger housemate made dessert, and I can't wait." Alexander shakily stood up and called the household back in for James' dessert. Everyone walked back in. Thomas looked a bit reserved keeping his hand in his pocket. As they all sat down, Alexander sat across the table pointed straight at Murphy. His face had a snarl that could frighten a lion. Murphy's face in a devilish grin.

End of book one!