LOOK OUT THE WINDOW
The little girl clutched her new dress tightly as she stared out the window. She was in a carriage—something she hadn't even known existed until today.
Different thoughts ran through her head, but she kept her face calm and unreadable. She couldn't let her helpers know that she was scared; they might think her ungrateful.
The Marquess and Marchioness, on the other hand, watched the little girl with faces full of emotion. The couple held each other's hands and smiled softly. Having a child had always been their dream, but taking care of one would not be easy—they had never associated much with children.
"What will the ton say when we bring her home?" the Marchioness asked. She tried to bury the negative emotions deep inside her heart, but worry lingered in her voice. The ton in Britannia had a way of talking down on people, and she was afraid.
"Do not worry about what the ton will say, Beatrice," the Marquess replied. "We have endured their nasty comments for years now. This will be nothing."
His wife sighed. "You are right. We have endured their insults for years… but I do not want her to be affected," she whispered, though there was no reason to— the girl did not understand English.
The Marquess turned his gaze from his wife to the child. "I won't let them speak ill of our future daughter. Once we adopt her legally, no one will harm her."
Security and love, the Marchioness thought. That was what the girl needed, and they were determined to give her both.
The little girl loosened her hold on her dress and placed her small hands on the carriage window in excitement. The moving buildings, though dull, were amazing—they shifted like magic.
"Do you love the view, darling?" the Marchioness asked gently. The girl quickly sat upright. She didn't want the kind lady to shout at her.
Realizing the child didn't understand, the Marchioness pointed toward the window. "Do you like what you see?"
The girl studied the lady's hand, which pointed outside, then nodded. She had no idea what the woman was saying, but they were both looking at the same thing—and that made her feel safe.
"It rains all the time in Britannia," the Marchioness said softly, "but aside from that, it can be beautiful. You'll love it, I promise." She reached out and patted the girl's short black hair.
After that, the little girl soon fell asleep. She had never been on a journey this long before, and she was tired.
---
A few hours later, the carriage stopped.
The coachman jumped down and hurried to open the door. A pair of servants stepped forward, bowing as they helped the Marquess and Marchioness of Windmere—and their soon-to-be daughter—out of the carriage.
The grand Sparrow House loomed before them, tall and elegant with ivy creeping up its walls. Inside, the air smelled faintly of lavender and old books.
A few maids and footmen lingered near the entrance, whispering as the little girl stirred awake.
> "Is that her? The child from Zerola?" one maid murmured.
"She's darker than I expected…" another replied softly.
"Shh! The Marchioness will hear you!"
The girl blinked sleepily as she was lifted into the Marchioness's arms and carried up the marble staircase. Her new room was warm, with lace curtains and a small bed near the window.
---
That night, the Marchioness quietly opened the door to check on her. To her surprise, the little girl was awake, sitting on the bed and staring out the window.
"You seem to like windows a lot," the Marchioness said kindly. The girl turned her head and nodded.
The Marchioness smiled a little—perhaps she understood. "The view from here is beautiful," she continued softly. "That's why we chose this room for you."
The little girl didn't reply or nod this time. She just stared at the dark sky. It wasn't as starry as the one in her homeland, but it was calm—and for now, that was enough.
"Do not worry about anything, my dear," the Marchioness said, her voice tender. "Your future father and I will protect you."
She leaned down and wrapped her arms around the small girl, catching her by surprise.
"I promise," she whispered.