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A rainy darkness pattered above a Victorian London. A sour faced little girl scowled in the corner of her room. The rain was lashing against the window panes. The little girl had a very pretty face; well she would have if she didn't look so surly. She was upset because her 'Mama' made her throw away her favourite doll. That woman wasn't even her Mama. Her real mama died three years ago when she was four. Her real Mama was very attractive and beautiful. She had long blonde hair, which reached down all the way to her bottom, so she'd have to be careful not to sit on it when she sat at her beauty table. The little girl had her Mama's bright green eyes too. The girl's name was Esmeralda, after the green stone emerald. Esmeralda got up and went to her desk, opened a draw. In the draw was a secret compartment that only her and her handmaid, Rosie, knew about. Rosie and she had made it when her Papa got married because Esmerald's real mother had given her an emerald necklace. The Emerald was bigger than a baby's fist and Esmeralda treasured it dearly.
'Esmeralda!' A sharp, well cultured voice screeched up the stairs.
'Coming Mama!' The seven year old girl called, quickly hiding the necklace in the fold of velvet.
'Come here immediately!' There were swift and harsh footstep underneath her and the slamming of the sitting room door. Rosie had joked that that woman must have a hornets' nest up her bottom because she is never smiling. Esmeralda straightened her dress and made her way towards her dark varnished door. The stairs were very grand with a bit of royal crimson carpet covering middle. She was always being told to be more of a 'lady' so she lifted up her chin proudly and stepped daintily down each step.
Her parents were in the sitting room. It was an incredibly ornate room, with dark leather sofas and chairs, a marble fire place and lots of ornaments. Above the fire place is a magnificent portrait of Queen Victoria peering down over all of them. Her Majesty scared Esmerald, but she didn't quite know why. The sitting room always smelt like her father's pipe smoke and after the years it became something like a comfort thing. Esmeralda rapped twice, the way her Step-mama said was proper, and pushed the heavy door open. Her Papa and Step-mama sat side by side on the leather sofa. Her father used to look proud and handsome, now he just looked tired, scared and hen pecked. This was another reason why she hated her Step-mama.
'I am ever so sorry, Esmeralda,' He said, he sounded strangled like he was forcing his voice to keep steady, 'but your Mama and' and I,' he glanced quickly side ways, 'Elizabeth and I have decided to send you away.'
Esmeralda's knees almost buckled. 'S-s-send me away?' She stuttered, tears welling in her eyes.
'Oh do not even dare to start crying,' Her Step-mama snapped, 'you'll enjoy it, won't she Edward?'
'Yes, my love,' mumbled her Papa, 'you'll be sent to Eastlight Boarding School for Young Ladies.'
'A fine school,' Her Step-mama sneered, 'to teach spoiled young girls how to be polite young ladies.'
'Thank you Mama and Papa,' she curtsied to them both, a big fat tear seeped from her eye which she rubbed away furiously. 'I am certain I will enjoy myself, Papa, when do I leave?'
'You leave Wednesday at noon.'
'I'll start packing straight away'' She curtsied again and left the sitting room feeling incredibly numb.
Esmeralda forgot to be a lady and ran up the stairs. In her blind tears she almost sent her fourteen year old handmaid flying.
'Miss Esmeralda!' The girl cried. Esmerald kept on running and closed her door firmly.
Rosie, the handmaid, rushed to follow her. 'Miss Esmeralda?' She said to the dark oak door. Sobs got louder.
'Leave me alone!'
Rosie let herself in despite this and placed the clothes on the chest. The little girl was sprawled across her bed, her long locks shuddering with each sob.
'Miss Esmeralda,' Rosie spoke softly, 'Why are you crying?'
The child sat up roughly still choking on her breath and tears.
'Daddy is sending me away,' Esmeralda bawled, 'I don't' I don't want to go!'
'Oh Miss Esmerald,' Rosie soothed, 'There is some good news,'
Esmerald looked puzzled at her handmaid. 'How could there be good news, Rosie?'
A toothy grin stretched on the dark skinned face. 'I'm coming with you ma'am,'
'Pardon?' The little girl's face started to expand the tear stained face.
'I'll be coming with you,' She repeated, laughing as Esmeralda threw herself into Rosie giving her a tight and affectionate hug.