The mansion buzzed with excitement. Fiona dodged as a maid hurried past her carrying freshly ironed curtains and then another with arms loaded with groceries. Hilda had brought in their part time workers, offering double pay to any willing to come on such short notice. Most of the men and women accepted. And, it paid off! Being only noon, the floors, windows and chandelier sparkled, the smell of baking reached the foyer where she stood, and every wooden item reflected their recent polishing.

She sighed, wishing she could do more to help, but in truth, already weary from the little she had managed to talk Hilda into letting her accomplish. She didn't like not carrying her weight; Mr. Kingsley had even paid her hospital fee.

"Fiona!" Leah jogged down the staircase with bouncing steps and bright eyes. A smudge of dirt stained her cheek, causing the maid to quirk a brow.

"Were you working?" She asked as her young friend skidded to a halt beside her.

Leah beamed even more if it were possible. "I have!"

"You shouldn't be doing that. Your father wouldn't approve." Despite her scolding tone, Fiona's heart warmed to Leah. She couldn't help it. She loved the girl more than anyone.

Leah rolled her eyes. "Daddy's not here, so I don't care. And, I think the better question is - Why are you up rather than resting?"

"I'm just carrying my weight. I only folded some laundry."

"No way! Who let you do that? Surely not Hilda?"

Fiona ignored an instant stab of guilt. "I ordered some new girls to let me do it and gave them different chores. It's really no big deal."

"It is a big deal!" Leah's alarm startled her. "I want you in bed for the rest of the day. Do you understand me?"

This time Fiona rolled her eyes at Leah's bossy tone, but she didn't argue. She had to admit, sleep was sounding nice. "Yes, my lady." Her lips tipped in a teasing smile as Leah scowled at the endearment.

"Just you wait and see how much of a lady I am when I call Edward in here to carry you to bed."

Fiona's heart skipped rhythm but she schooled her features. While Leah was transparent with every thought and feeling, Fiona rarely let her true emotions show. "There is no need for that. I'm going right now."

"Good. And I think I will take some ice water to the guys..." Leah's voice trailed off as she strained to look out one of the distant foyer windows. The drum of vehicles could be heard faintly. "Wren has been brush hogging all morning."

She is so smitten. Tony is blind if doesn't notice, Fiona mused but only said. "That's a good idea. He will appreciate it."

Leah lifted a dirt smudged hand to finger her lips. When red tinted her cheeks, Fiona sucked in a breath. Surely they didn't... Did they? Confusion plagued her. Wren had promise to be careful; she had believed and trusted him then. He knew there was no future with Leah, didn't he?

Maybe I'm wrong, she decided and reached to touch Leah's shoulder, making the girl jump nervously. Or, maybe I'm not. Leah's blush deepened as she met Fiona's prodding gaze but she grinned.

"Get some rest, then. Sleep well."

Fiona frowned as the girl skipped off to the kitchen, before shaking her head. There was nothing she could do for the butler or her mistress. If they had taken their relationship to the next level, they would face the consequences. She turned to climb the stair case with heavy steps, weariness creeping over her with an intensity. Her shoulder throbbed suddenly, making her pause until the sensation passed. Still, her mind didn't stray from the possibility of Wren and Leah being a couple. She knew Leah was head over heels for her butler. The glances and soft looks from Wren had convinced her he felt the same. But the grief that awaited them bothered her.

Tony will never allow it, she thought. Would he? She shook her head, answering her own question. No, he wouldn't. He had big plans for his daughter and was determined to make her as successful as he. Leah would be a career woman above all else, even love, if her father had anything to do with it. Her mind drifted further to two years ago when she had first met Tony. She had been sitting on a side walk, hungry and homeless. She could still see the tips of his shiny black shoes and remembered looking up and thinking how handsome he was for an older man.

She paused at his office door, leaning against the post to rest but the memory continued.

He hadn't greeted her; his expression had even been what one would call stern. His words had been clipped and almost angry.

"If you had the chance, would you work to get on your feet again?"

"I would."

"Then, come with me. My daughter needs another female in her life. I'll pay and treat you well."

Fiona sighed coming back to reality. She had known the dangers of following a strange man. But, she was so desperate at that moment...she had risked it all. Now, two years later, she was thankful she had for her life had never been better. She had found a bond like no other with Leah, a kind boss from Tony, and friends. Her heart rate accelerated as Edward's dark eyes floated in her vision. Perhaps, she even found love?

Thankfulness threaded through her heart and she glanced down at the door knob. Perhaps she could empty his desk drawers of any trash? He didn't like anyone but her to clean his office and since she couldn't do it, Hilda had insisted it remain untouched.

"Better to be bit dusty than something out of place!" Hilda had said. Which was true.

Twisting the knob, she gathered her strength. She could do a few small things, then rest. It wouldn't hurt... She entered the room, squinting in the dimness before flipping on the light switch and closing the door behind her. It wouldn't do for Hilda to walk by and see her!

She skimmed the area, looking for anything out of place. True to Tony's personality, everything was in nearly perfect order, but she walked to the desk, checking the drawers for even the slightest paper clip in the wrong spot. She adjusted a few items, tossed away a cough drop wrapper before sinking to her knees. She sighed, leaning her head against the desk, her eyelids begging to close.

"Just one more drawer. I can do this!" She muttered before sitting straight and pulling the sliding drawer open. She fingered a few papers on top of a couple books, noting one could be filed. She set it aside. The two books stared at her and she chewed her lip, wondering if she should try to lift them to the shelves. She wasn't supposed to lift anything heavy for another two weeks.

Absently, she flipped the pages, watching the letters flash. Then, she stopped and fingered back until she found what had caught her eye. A single envelope sat hidden between the pages. She pulled it out, careful to note the page numbers it sat between, a frown creating strong dents her in her forehead.

~Tony Kingsley ~ was inscribed on the envelope. As she stared at the words, a shudder racked her body, causing head and shoulder to spasm. She gasped in pain falling back to sit on her rear and lean against a book shelf behind her. Still, her gaze never strayed from the letter.

Her hand trembled. "This doesn't make sense," She whispered. Her free hand reached to trace the pretty writing. A woman's writing. Writing that she would know anywhere. Still shaking, she pulled a single paper from the offending envelope, but hesitated to unfold and read the hidden message. Loyalty to Tony and her desire for answers warred violently. Then, she did what she had never once done since arriving at the Kingsley Mansion two years ago. She chose herself.

Letting the envelope fall, she unfolded the letter and silently read its content. Her brown eyes widened with each second. Moments later, her hand fell to her lap, her eyes staring unseeing into the room.

"It can't be," She whimpered, finally lifting the note to read again. Her eyes didn't betray her.

Disbelief, hurt, and then anger cascaded over the maid. No tears came as her features hardened. Without another trace of emotion, she folded the note and returned it to is case. She hesitated before shoving it roughly into her pant's pocket, then staggered to her feet and left the office, not caring she had left the drawer open.