Author's Note: I got this idea a million years ago and just rewrote it. It is alternate
universe so please don't be surprised. Hope you like it! Enjoy, Read, Review!
Caged
Prologue
London, England
November 1798
"Mrs. Greene, I wasn't expecting you until Wednesday."
The older, plump woman smiled, her reddish-brown hair piled atop her head precariously, "Yes well, Mr. Greene went to Oxford and I haven't paid a visit in two weeks so I thought I'd see how Mr. Talbit is doing."
"Oh, Mr. Talbit actually left this morning, his fever cleared up Saturday night," the nun replied, leading Mrs. Greene through the hall and farther into the building.
Mrs. Greene nodded, "I'm so glad he's recovered, that fever was impertinent."
"Yes," the nun smiled. "Quite. But Mrs. Greene, I was actually hoping you'd be able to pay a visit with a young woman who came to us just two days ago. She's really a girl, very young, with a baby."
"The girl is here?" Mrs. Greene asked as they walked up a flight of stairs.
The nun nodded, "Yes, her husband left her ages ago to look for a job and never returned, I'm afraid the poor girl is quite desolate."
"The poor dear," Mrs. Greene cooed, her eyes sad with empathy.
"The baby's only two months old, and the girl is very sick."
"Sick? What's ailing her?"
"The cold and hunger has done nothing for her, she's quite weak, she came here with the baby, quite desperate and alone," the nun frowned. "I'm afraid she won't last much longer."
"Oh my," Mrs. Greene replied, placing a hand to her heart. "I'd love to talk to the girl."
When they reached the far end of the hall on the second floor the nun knocked on the door, "Catharine dear, are
you awake?"
There was a shuffle of feet and then the door opened, revealing a tired-looking young woman.
"Catharine! You should be in bed," the nun walked into the room and ushered her to the bed where she climbed in slowly, pulling the blankets around her.
"I'm sorry, I was just checking on the baby," she said.
The nun frowned, "This is Mrs. Greene," she gestured to the other woman who had timidly walked into the room. "She has come to visit you."
Catharine nodded, her light blue eyes dim and red-rimmed. She had brown hair, furious with curls that fell around her slumped shoulders.
Mrs. Greene sat at a rickety chair beside Catharine's bed and the nun left, closing the door behind her.
"I heard of your situation dear, I'm truly sorry you have to go through this," she said.
"Thank you," Catharine replied sadly. "It seems I can only rely on the kindness of strangers these days."
Mrs. Greene frowned, folding her hands in her lap, she noticed the cradle at the other corner of the room, "What of your parents?"
"They refused to speak to me again once I married John, they don't even know about my daughter," she said, interrupted by a fit of raucous coughing.
"I'm so sorry dear," she winced, wishing she could do more for the poor girl. "Your husband? You don't know where he is?"
She shook her head in reply, then asked, "Mrs. Greene, do you have any children?"
"Oh no dear," she smiled sadly. "Unfortunately I do not."
Silence settled over the room, save for the cooing of the baby.
"Mrs. Greene," Catharine began weakly. "Could I ask you an incredible favor?"
The woman nodded, "Of course, what is it?"
"I don't think I'll be here much longer, I know I'm weak. And I don't know what's to become of my daughter after I'm gone...."
"Don't talk like that dear-"
"Even if I do make it.... I won't be able to care for her, I have no money," she sighed. "Mrs. Greene, would you-" she was cut off by another bought of coughing and wheezing. "Would you take my daughter, please?"
"Me?"
"You seem like such a kind woman, you don't have to call her your own, just find her a nice home, or church somewhere who can find her-"
"Catharine, dear, I would love to take care of your child."
Catharine sighed in relief, tears springing to her eyes and she smiled sadly, "Would it be all right if you took her with you today, I can't bear to prolong it."
"Of course.... May I go pick her up?"
Catharine nodded.
Mrs. Greene crossed the room, and picked up the squirming baby girl.
"Oh she's beautiful."
Catharine was about to say thank you but she broke off by uncontrollable coughing. She held her head, trying hard to breath deeply, all to no avail.
"You should sleep," Mrs. Greene commanded. "I'll leave you to rest-"
"Her name's Hermione," Catharine managed to say.
"Hermione," Mrs. Greene smiled.
"Could I say goodbye to her?"
"Of course," Mrs. Greene brought the baby over to her mother and Catharine pressed her lips together, trying desperately not to cry.
"I'm sorry Hermione, I love you."
"She's going to a safe home, don't worry dear."
The baby, Hermione, made soft noises of happiness as she settled into Mrs. Greene's cradling arms.
Author's Note: There is the prologue, hope you like it! Next chapter is coming soon!