Chapter Twenty-Two:

"Better lock it in your pocket, taking this one to the grave."

I looked up, and there it was London shoreline. We were so close to home, I could already smell Nani's cooking. I stood leaning against the ship's rail, my dress and cloak blowing in the sea air. Lucas had kept to himself the last few days, and Sebastian spent more time twirling his sword around then talking. I had studied through all the papers from Morocco, learning what the trade implements would be. I watched as the crew brought our things up on deck for us to take home. There were chests, upon chests, most of which were locked, till I could open them. I felt a hint of anger deep inside of me, wishing my father could have given the key then and there, instead of hiding things.

With every passing moment, I watched as the dock became more visible to me, and I couldn't help but feel anxious to be home to my mother. To find this note and to figure out what was going on. Sebastian joined me at the rail, "Remember what I told you?"

"Yes, play the act." I smile at him, reveling the bracelet that Calston had given to me, before we left. "I will play this as if I am in an opera."

"Good." He smiled, touching my hand one last time before we reached land. "Better get ready, because here is your opening act."

As the dock pulled into port, I could see my mother, crying already, with Calston behind her. Next to them, Serena and Mr. Madison. I could see Mr. Lowry speaking with Aiden and Olivia. My mother was waving now, like a frantic lady. I smiled at her, running straight for her. "Oh sweet Kitten." She stroked my hair, "How I've missed you, I cannot wait to hear all about it." She turned, "Curtis." He ran up to my mother, hugging me, "Go fetch her things."

"Wait, Curtis, speak to the Captain he will tell you which of the belongings are mine."

"How much do you have, darling?" My mother raised her eyebrow at me.

"Enough." I laughed, turning my body to Henry, who patiently waited his turn. "Mr. Calston." I curtsied, reveling my bracelet.

"Miss. Braxton," He extended his hand, allowing me to take it, pulling me to him. He hugged me, tightly and into my ear I heard the words, "I do hope the journey was pleasant, and no little problems happened." I could feel the crocked smile he held.

"It was lovely, we set up the new trade route, and was able to arrive and return safetly. Thank you for caring so much, Mr. Calston." I smiled, and I could feel his arm twitch underneath him.

"Camille, would you like to show me the route on the map." He pointed toward the office, " I have been ever so curious."

"Of course," I smiled, linking my arm through his, he practically dragged me past Sebastian, and into the trading company. "What is your game, Camille?"

"What are you talking about, Henry." I smiled at him, taking his hand.

"No games? I don't believe that, there was an attack on your ship." He was hovering over me now, breathing heavily into my face.

"I have no idea what you are speaking of, Henry. Unless you arranged something that didn't happen?" I eyed him, watching his expression chagne.

"Of course not, I wouldn't hurt you." He looked at me, backing away. "But you better know now, here and forever, I will not tolerate being played games with, Miss. Braxton."

"I understand, Mr. Calston." I looked at him, and straightened my body.

"Oh, and remember, I am asking for your hand. You better know by then what I want from you. And what I expect." He turned around, walking away from me.

"I am not a slave, Henry." I whispered, holding my ground.

He stopped dead in his tracks, not even turning to look at me, "What did you say?"

"You heard me, Henry, I am not a slave. To you, to anyone." I spoke louder this time, watching his body shift as he turned toward me.

"Well, then I better teach you how to be one." He hovered in my face, raising his hand, slapping me hard, repeating it three times, "Now that should remind you not to talk back to me. I will kill you, if you do that again. Remember my warnings, Camille, it will cause you less pain." I touched my face, feeling the blood from my lip. "Oh, my sweet, you need to get home and rest, so you stop fainting like that." He touched my face, drilling the new story into me. I nodded, as he carried me out of the building, sitting me at the door, "Walk."

"Camille?" My mother looked at my face, touching it.

"I fell, I fainted. But Mr. Calston got me something to drink from the back well and I feel much better now."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, mother. I wish to speak to Aiden now." I smiled walking toward my brother, as Calston and my mother spoke.

"Kitten!" He extended his arms toward me, hugging me tightly.

"Hello, Aiden, Olivia." I nodded to both of them, and Olivia pulled me into a hug.

"I am so happy you are home, Camille. I know Aiden's been dying to tell you, the weeding will be in two weeks. It's sudden, but my father wants to do it before they ship out for a coastal search."

"I am so happy for both of you." I hugged Aiden again, listening to Olivia talk of the arrangements. I could see Lucas and Serena, speaking close together, and very fast. She looked over, glaring at me. I looked away, toward Sebastian, who was watching me carefully. I looked away again.

"Camille!" I heard my mother's voice raise, and I spun around. The chest's with father's marking now lay in front of us locked. "What is this?"

"A surprise from father... As soon as I find the key, mother." I wasn't going to explain it all here in front of everyone. Mr. Madison's face lit up and he looked over at me. "Lucas and Sebastain have some too."

"Well, that's odd." My mother kneeled in front of the chest touching father's symbol. I could see the pain in her face. I never realized till that moment how hard his death was for my mother. I walked over, and opened the chest with my clothes in it. I moved the sword and Sebastian's book, pulling out the small wodden box. "What's that?" She reached for it, and I allowed her to open it. When she touched the small ivory ship she cried a bit, looking at me, "Is that his ship?"

I nodded, "A perfect replica, the wreck and everything." I pointed out small details to her, and she laughed, remembering the moments we spent with him on it. Mr. Madison laughed, looking at it.

"He spoke of having one made, he said that way one day she would go down, and he would still have her."

After those moments passed, Aiden and Olivia left to meet with her family. I watched Calston pace around everyone, as Sebastian walked toward me. "Goodbye, Miss. Braxton. I will see you very soon." He bowed, kissing my hand.

"Goodbye, Mr.Lowry." I smiled and he left with his father. Calston approched me, "Are you leaving to, Mr. Calston?"

"Yes, I need to be getting some buisness done." He looked into my eyes, "I will come see you tomorrow," He kissed my cheek, and gripped my wrists.

"Goodbye, Mr. Calston." I grinded my teeth, as he released leaving now my mother, Mr. Madison, Serena and Lucas.

I watched as Serena took her leave as well, watching me closely as she did it. "We better go, Camille." My mother turned to me, and took my hand.

"Is it fine if Camille, stays with me for a moment so she can show me the paperwork?"

"No, Burt?" My mother looked at him furiously.

"I would like to have it done, so she make focus on Aiden's wedding." My mother nodded, "I will bring her home as soon as we are finished, would you take Lucas on home to the estate?"

"Yes." My mother waved goodbye, and Lucas watched me carefully as I entered the trading company.

I waited till Mr. Madison was in the room, then I stopped looking at him, "What is that you need to know?"

"Nothing yet, but I do think we need to talk about something." He led me into my father's office, which hadn't been touched since he left for his last trip.

"Why are we in here?" I looked at him, and crossed my arms. Feeling out of place among the dust and cobwebs.

"Those chest you spoke about, I may know where the last thing is at for you?"

"Where?" I practically yelled at it, feeling excitment rush through my body as I looked him in the eye.

He hesitated looking around, and then finally looked at me, in a hushed and rushed voice he said, "In this office."

I looked at him, and began to look around, and I remembered a note he wrote me. UNDER the stairs, UNDER the moon, UNDER God, UNDER law, just remember, Camille, you will always be UNDER something else, like a cobweb UNDER a desk. I felt my body fly to the floor, as I touched under the desk, moving a false piece of board, and grabbing a velvet bag from inside with a letter, and looking at Mr. Madison with wide eyes.