He did the best that he could to explain what had brought them both to her doorstep-a far better job than Etta would have managed with the thousands of thoughts rattling around her head. “I’m afraid the situation is rather complicated.” “Etta doesn’t know her father,” Nicholas explained. “Henrietta…is it…is it possibly Henry?”Įtta felt the world bottom out for the second time in less than a minute. “But, darling, who’s your father?” Alice asked. Etta was grateful, as she felt she was about to float up out of her skin. He put a steadying hand on Etta’s shoulder and kept her firmly in place. “Your servant, ma’am,” Nicholas said with a nod.

Etta-is that short for something? What century were you born in? It’s so confusing to meet out of order, you know.”Ī flood of confusing, conflicting emotions-anger, excitement, hope, frustration-swept through Etta, and it took her a second to catch her breath and process this. “Daughter?” Alice said, her voice changing completely. Nicholas sprayed the water he’d just taken a sip of, subsequently pounding his chest and choking on what he’d managed to swallow. Might as well have it out than keep burning time. “I don’t mean to be rude,” Alice said again, this time with more steel in her tone, “but who are you, and why are you here?” Etta shifted in her seat, drawing a look of concern from Nicholas, who’d been studying his water for the entire duration of the conversation, as if he couldn’t quite believe there wasn’t dirt swimming in it.

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken