Voices Deep Inside (Book 1)

Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

The Lost is Found

In the early morning hours, Talia worked with the dough that had risen overnight. She made bread and buns, along with sweet rolls and long baguettes. The hot ovens made the kitchen warm and inviting on this chilly November morning.

Agnes was glad to see Talia back to her old self. She was glad she enjoyed working upstairs because so many girls have come and gone, not wanting to work on the second floor.

When Talia carried Mr. Huntley's tray to him, she also carried a basket of food on her arm for Gerald. She set the basket down outside the door and knocked on Omar's door.

"Come in," yelled Omar.

Talia walked in, set his tray down, and turned to leave.

"Where are you going? Sit down."

His offer surprised Talia. She sat on the edge of the chair, ready to run at any minute.

Omar stared at her while he ate his meal. She held her composure and stared at him, studying why he treated his brother so cruelly.

"You look like your mother."

"You knew my mother?"

"You could say that," said Omar, smiling. "She gave birth to you, a child she didn't want, and she left in disgrace."

Talia felt her heart fall at the thought of not wanting a child, your own child. Her demeanor changed, and Omar sensed that with pleasure.

"Sir, will there be anything else? I need to get back to my chores," said Talia as she stood tall and heartbroken.

"That will be all."

Talia rushed out of the room and closed the door. She looked down at the basket and felt drawn to seek counsel from Gerald.

She slipped into the sewing room and knocked on the bookcase. Talia waited moments in the corner until the bookcase moved slightly, allowing her into his room.

She tried to be cheerful as she showed him the basket of food, she had brought him. He smiled at her generosity and chose a sweet roll first.

"What is ailing ya, child?" asked Gerald.

Talia told him of her dream, to have a last name and to be a lady of a fine house. Then she explained what Omar had told her.

"He told me she gave me away because she didn't want me," said Talia, allowing a sob to escape from her trembling lip.

"He lied to you," said Gerald.

"What?" said Talia, as she looked up with confusion.

"Your mother loved you more than anything in life," said Gerald. "You were taken away from her, and she was banished from ever seeing you."

"Why?" asked Talia, wiping her eyes with her apron as Gerald explained.

"Geneva came back twice looking for you only to be turned away both times by Omar," said Gerald. "The second time, he threatened to kill the child if she came again."

"How awful," said Talia. "Why was Omar so hateful toward her?"

"How much has Agnes told you about your mother?"

"All I have been told by Agnes is that I am a striking resemblance to my mother with my father's dark red hair," said Talia.

She looked at his long locks of dark red hair. The gray streaks filled the top of his head, but the ends remained dark red. Then she looked deep into his eyes.

Talia sat frozen on the small stool that sat at her father's feet. He took her hand, and they both wept tears of overwhelming joy. Gerald bowed his head down to Talia's, and then he gently brushed her hair and kissed her forehead.

"You are my child, my daughter."

Talia looked up and smiled as tears glistened in her eyes.

"I found you, and you have been here the whole time," said Talia as she wept.

"There, there," said Gerald. "We have found each other at last."

"Tell me the story," asked Talia as she wiped her eyes.

He told her how he loved her mother. She had come to the harvest ball at the Huntley's with her parents.

"She and I became great friends and spent the entire week together. But on the last night of the celebration, Omar announced their engagement at the last ball. Geneva could not look at me.

She held shame in her face. Omar knew that she and I had developed a friendship. Omar wanted what I had."

Then, Gerald explained to Talia what he later found out from Geneva that Omar had violated Geneva in her bedroom the night before, and the next morning accused her of seducing him for his money.

"Omar embarrassed her in front of her parents, and he offered to marry her to keep the scandal from society. Her parents agreed, and she and her mother cried all day, leaving her miserable for her engagement announcement.

Geneva and Omar were quickly and quietly married. Shortly after the marriage, Geneva was with child, and yet Omar continued to come to her bed nightly, and he was often violent with her when he was drinking.

Your mother lost the child in a miscarriage, and the doctor and nursemaids moved her to the west wing to rest and recover. She was so thankful to be away from Omar, and she maintained her illness for the next few months.

Meanwhile, your mother and I sought comfort in each other every night. We knew we were in love. Some nights, we would plan our escape, and other nights we simply left the world behind and discussed books and travels.

Geneva was with child by me and hid it from Omar. He would realize it was not his child, and she feared for her life and her child's life. Then, when you were born, you resemble your mother, but had locks of red hair. Omar was furious at her for cheating on him and threaten to ruin her life.

She begged forgiveness and pleaded for the life of her child. The child was taken away and from what I understand from you is that you were given to Agnes to be cared for."

"What happened to mother?"

"Omar threw her out of the house. He ordered a coach to take her to the driveway of the Henderson estate and drop her off in disgrace at her parent's house."

"How awful. What time of year was I born?"

"It was around harvest, but it was cold. I would say early November. I argued with Omar; he had me captured and thrown into shackles in this room. Now you know why I am here. Please believe your mother and I loved you very much."

"We must try to leave here to find her. To find out if she is even alive."

"No, my dear. I am not the spry young man I used to be. I will be caught and thrown in the tower."

Then Talia told her story of helping Roman Thanturnam escape from the prison tower. She also explained how he had promised to take her with him and to marry her if she helped him escape.

"He put it in writing and gave me his family ring to use if I ever needed to prove who I was."

She removed it from the secret pouch she carried with her at all times. The pouch contained the letter and the ring. Gerald looked at the ring and agreed it belong to the Thanturnam's.

"Gordon and Rose at one time were grand friends of ours. He is a good man, and they have a powerful family of good men at that estate."

Talia squeezed her father's hand and told him she needed to go back to work and that she would continue to bring him whatever he needed. He stood to hug her, and then she left.

From that day forward, Talia doted on her father and saw to his ever need. She also spent time planning their escape in her mind. She needed to hold on to the hope of someday meeting her mother.