They rode through day and night, stopping to change horses and take a few moments to walk about. Douglas Boggs kept a close eye on her at all times. She wasn't allowed to step further than a few feet away from him or the carriage.

The sights and sounds of the towns they past through were lost on her. Her mind and heart lay farther away with each day they travelled. Tomorrow night would be the dance... she covered her face with her hands, hot tears wet her cheeks as she thought of Kid. Her heart was breaking more with each mile.

She hadn't asked any questions of her father since the first night. The memory of his anger was still fresh with her. She moved her arm and felt the dull ache of her bruises. No one had ever touched her in anger before.

She lost track of time.... she had drifted in and out of sleep for what seemed like months.

Several days later, Louise felt the carriage slow as it began to bounce and rattle.. the wheels were rolling over stones or bricks... she sat up a bit and peaked through a hole she had opened in the carriage covering. It was dark... night or early morning. They had turned into the long driveway of a house. There were several small buildings that you could see through the trees and Louise could almost feel hundreds of eyes peering out at her.. she saw no bodies, but the feel of those eyes was unmistakable and weighed heavy on her heart. She felt much like they did...trapped in a nightmare.

Voices,... hushed and scared reached her ears.... No words could be heard and Louise suddenly became very cold. She wrapped her arms around herself and hugged tight. She would give anything to be back home.... please let it be home....

There were lanterns blazing on both side of a massive double wooden door.. Servants stood at attention, hands tucked behind them and faces staring straight ahead. No discernable emotion on their faces. Men and women rushed out of the darkness to stand eagerly before the carriage door. Louise tried to count them all, but she was lost in the growing throng.

"You see? This is home. They've all come to see you...like eager puppies, aren't they?" she heard the chuckle in his voice and she cringed. He unlocked the carriage door and someone on the otherside of the door held it open... Louise sat back as Donald leaned over her to step out. She pushed herself back against the seat as the end of a black leather whip passed her nose. This man obviously cared a great deal for this 'ornament' he had strapped at his waist. The handle was decorated with silver filigree.

Louise sat back in the carriage and held her breath. Where was she? How long had they been traveling... what day was it? A voice cut through her haze.

"LOUISA! Everyone is waiting... for YOU!"

Her face appeared at the opening of the carriage and all the bodies before her pushed forward... all wanting to get a better look at Boggs' daughter... all wanting to measure her character against her father's.

Her hands shook as they gripped the sides of the carriage doorway. She pulled herself up on her feet. Sometime, since the last time she was concious, her legs had fallen asleep.

Boggs looked at her with irritation, his jaw was tightly set and his eyes were piercing.

"Noah!"

"Yes sir?" he stepped forward immediately and looked at the man who called his name.

Louisa was drawn to the proud set of his chin as he avoided eye contact with her father.

"Help her down... she is most likely exhausted from the ride. Women are always so very weak and timid at the worst possible moments.

He moved forward and held out his arm. Louise reached forward and took his arm... feeling was returning slowly and pins and needles seemed to fill her skin. His other hand reached out to steady her and Douglas Boggs tapped his shoulder with the handle of his whip. "Watch your hands boy, that's my daughter your touchin', not some little black harlot."

Louise saw the look of disgust that swept past Noah's eyes. She was ashamed that she was related to this man.

On to Chapter Eight

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