posted on 21-Dec-2002 12:36:20 AM
A Duke, a Governess, and a Little Lady

Rating: most likely pg to pg-13 at the most.

Disclaimer: If I owned Roswell, we'd still have a show to watch.

Summary: Elizabeth Parker is a governess for Emily Burming in the early 1800s but when tragedy strikes they move 3000 miles away, to live with a cousin Emily's never met and a Duke Elizabeth might not wish she hadn’t.

A/N: Hey guys, I’m sorry about the other board, I don’t know what I’m going to do about that I’m thinking of just starting a new thread and going from there, because if I just post here then I won’t be able to get feedback, and I love reading feedback! So I’ll figure it out. Lots of time these next two weeks. So let’s try this once more.

**PROLOGUE**

Elizabeth Parker strode through the hallway of the Burming estate towards the nursery. She took as big of steps as she could before appearing unladylike.

She heard another scream for the bedrooms upstairs and hurried not caring how ladylike she looked. Just as she opened the nursery, a small girl leapt into her arms.

"Miss Beth, where's my mama and papa?" The small girl asked.

"Your Mama's upstairs, and your papa" She paused taking a deep breath. It had taken forever to find out what had happened. "Is not going to come home."

"What?" The girl shrieked.

"Miss Emily, you must really be quiet. Your mama will hear you and worry."

"But I want my papa." She cried. Elizabeth held the small girl in her arms while she cried.

It was early spring and some of the roads were still a bit icy from the winter's snow. Mr. Burming had gone out to fetch the doctor since Mrs. Burming went into childbirth. The carriage overturned and he was crushed, killed instantly.

"I know." Elizabeth held the small girl tighter to her. Elizabeth remembered back to the time when she was five years old and told her mother had passed away. She had screamed and cried. Claudia, her grandmother, had been there. And then she remembered back to the time when her father died when she was sixteen. Emily had lost her papa and now her mama within hours of each other.

They heard a shriek, a high scream and then silence. Emily buried her head in Elizabeth's chest.

Elizabeth listened in earnest for the sound of a baby cry. Nothing. Total and absolute silence filled the house.

An exhausted Martha peeked her head into the door. A painfully slow nod told Elizabeth everything she needed to know. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She bent down and whispered to Emily the news she had just heard. Emily slumped in Elizabeth's arms. She had fainted.


[ edited 1 time(s), last at 30-Dec-2002 8:35:48 PM ]
posted on 30-Dec-2002 8:34:52 PM
A Duke, a Governess, and a Little Lady

Rating: PG-13 at most

Disclaimer: If I owned Roswell, we'd still have a show to watch.

Summary: Elizabeth Parker is a governess for Emily Burming in the early 1800s but when tragedy strikes they move 3000 miles away, to live with a cousin Emily's never met and a Duke Elizabeth might not be able to handle

A/N: I've made some places up as you will be able to see so that they suit my purposes and also, no aliens.

A small knock on the door and Lewis stuck his head in the door.

"Miss Parker, Mrs. Burming wishes to see you."

Elizabeth looked up from where she was rocking Emily.

"Ok." She bent down and took her time explaining to Emily where she was going; she was in no hurry to see the cynical old woman.

Emily nodded and then curled back up in the chair to await her governess's return.

"Where is she at?" Elizabeth asked straightening her hair. She had been up all night and did have a chance to freshen up.

"In the study, Miss." Lewis left her standing in front of the double French doors.

"Good Morning, Mrs. Burming." Elizabeth dropped a curtsy.

"Don't good morning me, Elizabeth, I don't like you and I know full well that you don't like me." She said in a strong English accent.

Elizabeth stared at her hard.

"Alright now that that is established I have a questions to ask you. Sit"

Elizabeth did as she was told.

"Where is my granddaughter?" She asked.

"In the nursery."

"Why?"

"That's where I left her." Elizabeth said.

"Alright, go retrieve her."

"She won't speak with you."

"Who are you to say?" She crossed her arms.

"She hasn't spoken with anyone but me."

"She'll speak with me."

Elizabeth went upstairs to get the small girl and returned with Emily clutching to her skirts.

"Come out girl, a Burming never cowers." Mrs. Burming stood up.

Emily came out from behind her skirts holding her head up as high as she could.

"Good Morning, Grandmother Burming." She whispered.

"Good Morning, child. How old are you?" She asked her voice softening a bit but still very harsh.

"F-four, soon to be five." She stuttered.

"I'm much too old to take care of her. She'll stay with her second cousin, in England."

"What do you mean?" Elizabeth asked.

"She is to go to England to stay with her second cousin." She restated. "You of course will make sure she gets there, I will pay for your ticket. Once you get there it will be up to you to do whatever. If he decides you can stay, then you may, but if not, your on your own."

"So, basically you want me to accompany your granddaughter, three thousand miles away from my home? To be left to who knows what? Of course I'll go, but don't think I'm liking it." She said as she started to walk out of the room.

"Yes you may take your leave, Elizabeth."

"Thank you." She took Emily's hand and gracefully as possible stormed out of the room. "And one more thing, ma'am."

"Go ahead." The woman waved her hand.

"Who exactly is this second cousin?"

"Maxwell Evans, Marquess of Roswell, Future Duke of Antar."