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The week passed with surprising swiftness; one morning, it was Monday, and then before she knew it, the weekend was fast approaching. Alicia spent most of the time trying to learn her way about the manor, with its twisting hallways and cavernous rooms. Every time she thought she knew where to go, she'd end up lost again, but it got a little easier with each day.

Of course, plenty of her time was occupied by the children. They were attentive and enjoyed it when she spoke about her home, even if Alicia herself didn't find it particularly interesting.

"You didn't have any staff?" Jenny asked disbelievingly, "not even maids?"

Alicia's nose crinkled as she resisted the urge to smile. Oh, how these children had grown up so differently from the majority. "We had a maid, but she didn't live on the premises. She came three times a week to do basic chores, but the rest we did ourselves." They could have afforded a live-in maid, but Mama and Papa hadn't wanted Alicia to grow up taking these things for granted. It was a good thing too, considering she had ended up as a maid herself not so long ago.

Jenny, who was sitting cross-legged on the sofa as she tried to wind her hair into a braid, frowned. "You didn't have a cook? How did you eat?"

"We cooked our own meals."

This seemed to genuinely puzzle her, thick brows narrowed in thought. The braid began to unwind as Jenny let her hands fall into her lap. "This must be really strange for you," she muttered as if the concept had only just occurred to her. She turned her big blue eyes on Alicia. "Do you miss your home?"

Bending to poke the fire, Alicia cast the girl a glance. "I miss the people. My friend Rachel, my neighbors, but I don't miss the house itself." It held too many memories. Papa, smoking cigars by the window. Mama in the kitchen, kneading dough while she hummed a quiet tune. Having only been here for five days so far, Alicia supposed that the reality hadn't quite settled in just yet. Perhaps that was why she didn't miss home?

Jenny returned to her braid, combing through the curls with a huff because she had to start again. Samuel, meanwhile, was content to warm his hands by the fire and listen.

Mischievous, Lord Arvill had called them, but all that Alicia saw were two bright, curious children. Perhaps the mischief would come later, but for now, they seemed perfectly happy as they were.

"Your parents must miss you," Samuel added after a moment. He craned up his neck to see Alicia from his position on the floor, his blue eyes flickering with the fire. "I know I miss Papa, but he's gone, so I won't ever see him again..."

Alicia's heart clenched for the poor boy. Offering him a smile, she ruffled his bouncy curls as she wandered past. "My parents are gone too," she replied softly, "They died two years ago of consumption - but you don't want to hear about that, do you?" Alicia smiled as she sat down in the overstuffed armchair, she had claimed as her own. She was the only one who ever used it, anyway. "Now, why don't we go outside and get some fresh air before the sun goes down?"

Jenny eagerly climbed to her feet, bounding past both Samuel and Alicia to reach the playroom door. "Okay! Can we go through the maze?"

"You know you always get lost," Samuel huffed, "it's the same way every time! How can you never remember?"

Jenny stuck out her tongue before turning heel, and then she was darting off down the hall with a musical laugh.

Rolling her eyes, Alicia stared fondly after her. "Come on, Samuel," she said lightly, "we should go after her before she does get lost in the maze." Alicia was completely willing to believe such a thing was possible; she had gotten lost in silly places plenty as a child. Hauling herself upright, she urged Samuel to go on ahead before turning to follow.

Only to see Lord Arvill standing by the door. He always seemed to have a gentle smile on his face, even when he wasn't thinking about it. It was endearing, really, and made Alicia's chest flutter. "Hello," he said softly, "I thought I would come and check on you all now that I'm finished work for the evening." His eyes flickered down to Samuel, who was hopping anxiously from foot to foot. "You can go after her if you want. I won't keep Alicia for long."

Glancing between the two, Samuel only offered a shrug before darting off to find his sister.

Alicia watched him go, then cast a nervous look towards Lord Arvill. They hadn't been alone since her first day together, and that was honestly down to Alicia herself. With the children always around and so many staff occupying the manor, it had been quite easy to avoid being alone with him. Until now apparently.

"What can I do for you, my lord?" she asked nervously. She remembered the last time she had been in a situation like this; she had been alone with Lord Ashton in one of the rooms upstairs. He had leaned close, and Alicia had tried to pry herself away from his vice-like grip, but he hadn't let her go and instead only grasped her tighter. Then Lady Ashton had stormed into the room-

"I was only wondering how you were settling in? I must admit that you're better with the children than I could have hoped for. They like you."

Alicia's eyes fluttered back up to Lord Arvill, chest shuddering. "Oh, thank you." She had to stop doing this, letting her worries get the better of her. Taking a deep breath, Alicia forced herself to meet his eyes. They never ceased to stun her, so bright and clear. "I like them too," she replied softly, a smile curving at her lips. "They're sweet children, and I can't wait to begin teaching them."

"You think they're sweet now, but you'll see." Lord Arvill broke into a smile, and it was such a beautiful look on his sharp, handsome features. "Really, though, I'm delighted at just how well you all get along. I worried that they wouldn't like their new governess, regardless of who she actually was. You, Miss Sempill, have a gift."

Alicia's chest bloomed with warmth at the sweet compliment, a grin spreading across her cheeks. Remember your place, she reminded herself before she could do anything embarrassing. She was, after all just a member of Lord Arvill's extensive staff, and that was the way it would stay. Shaking her head, Alicia took a step back to peer around him. "If you'll excuse me, my lord, I should get back to the children. Heavens knows where they've gotten off to."

Before she could so much as take a step, Lord Arvill blurted, "One more thing, if you could. A more personal question if you don't mind."

Brows raised, she turned to him. "I don't see why not. What is it?"

"Why did you apply for the position, knowing who I am?"

* * *

It was a silly thing to ask, and James knew it. It didn't matter why she chose this job over any other or why she had wanted to be governess to his siblings. All that mattered was that she was here, with them, and already doing well despite having been here less than a week.

For a moment, Alicia only blinked at him. Alicia. He already thought of her by her first name. In fact, James had been thinking of her as Alicia almost since day one. Strange, considering he always made sure to keep a level of distance between himself and his staff, more out of necessity than anything else-