My Fair Lady By: Ice Goddess London, England 1726 ÒMy good sir, please take me to 207 West Portsmouth Avenue.Ó Darien Shields told the cabbie who had stopped at his hail. ÒAye govÕna.Ó The drenched man replied. It was stormy outside and black as the devil. There was not a heavenly body insight. So when a lowly street urchin set foot off the walk to cross the cobblestone street the carriage driver did not have time to pay her any heed. All Squire Shields heard from inside the carriage was a ÒWhoah! Filthy wretch, move aside!Ó The carriage jolted as it came in contact with something. The only thing Darien could make out from inside was a crumpled form on the side of the road. He firmly tapped on the roof of the carriage with his walking stick and ordered the driver to stop. ÒStop man, did you hit that person when you went past?Ó He questioned. ÒAye govÕna. She couldnÕt move out of the way in time. There was no way I could Ôave stopped meÔorses.Ó ÒWell let me out so I may see to her welfare.Ó Darien ordered impatiently, astonished that someone would have such disregard for a human life. When he reached the girl he couldnÕt really see her face. She was mud-splattered and looked like she would be bruised. Gently he picked her up and walked over to the carriage. ÒGovÕna, what are you doinÕ?Ó ÒIÕm taking her to my place to be treated.Ó Darien replied. ÒYa canÕt do that. Ya donÕt know where sheÕs from. What if sheÕs a killer or somethinÕ.Ó The cab driver tried to dissuade Darien from helping the girl. ÒThe carriage I was riding in struck her. I feel responsible for her injuries and will see to it that she recovers from them.Ó That said Darien stepped into the carriage and laid the girl beside him with her head resting on his lap. When they reached DarienÕs townhouse he again picked the girl up and carried her through the front door. ÒMistress Ruark! Get the guest bedroom ready and then send a boy to fetch the doctor!Ó He yelled to his housekeeper as he made his way up the stairs to his bedroom and laid the girl down. ÒMr. Shields, what is all this about? Why should I fetch a doctor?Ó Mistress Ruark questioned. ÒThe cabbie ran over a street girl as I was making my way home. I couldnÕt in good conscience just leave herthere.Ó ÒOh, the poor dear! She must be injured pretty badly. Rolf! Go fetch the doctor. Tell him itÕs an emergency!Ó Mistress Ruark shouted to the slumbering page and startled him as she did so. Later that night the doctor had finally arrived. It had taken him and hour to get to DarienÕs house because the doctorÕs place of practice was on the other side of town. ÒWell Mr. Shields, that cabbie didnÕt do her any favors in the way of saving her from injury. She has a broken wrist and fractured leg. Not to mention all the bruises and bumps that will show tomorrow morning.Ó ÒThank you doctor. Here is a little extra sum for coming so quickly. How long do you suppose it will take her to recover?Ó ÒThe leg will need a few weeks if not months to heal and the wrist a little less than that. Pay heed, she might break out in a fever. ÔTis common after severe trauma to thebody.Ó ÒThank you sir. I will watch for it.Ó After the doctor had left Darien again called for his housekeeper. ÒMistress Ruark!Ó After about five minutes the lady made her appearance. ÒYes, Mr. Shields. What do you need?Ó ÒI would appreciate it if tomorrow you would clean the lass up a little. Is the guest room ready?Ó ÒYes sir. Would you have one of the men move the girl there? And as for the bath, I will have Rosalyn see to it.Ó ÒGood. The men are not to come. I think it is best not to move her. IÕll sleep in the guestroom.Ó Mistress Ruark had Rosalyn bathe the girl and dress her in a light nightgown. Then, they all went to bed for a well deserved night of rest. At about one oÕclock in the morning Darien was awakened when he heard soft sobbing coming from his room. He put on a light robe and strode down the hall to see if the girl had awakened. What he saw at first made him panic and then gasp in awe. The girl was absolutely beautiful. He then snapped out of it as she whimpered. ÒPapa, please donÕt go. IÕll be a good girl. DonÕt leave papa.Ó There was great misery in her voice and she was tossing and turning as she burned withfever. Darien was about to call for Mistress Ruark but decided against it as everybody was sleeping soundly. He made his way into the kitchen and fetched some cold water and a pitcher and bowl. He then made his way to the linen closet and got a washcloth. When he returned to the girl she was still tossing and turning. He soaked the cloth in cool water and gently wiped her forehead with it. After twenty minutes of repeating this Darien noticed the girlÕs skin felt cooler. Her thrashing had stopped and she was sleeping peacefully. He seated himself in an armchair and moved it close to the bed so that he could watch over her. The next morning when Mistress Ruark walked into the girlÕs room there was a sight to see. Mister Shields was slumped over on the bed asleep where he had been watching over the girl from the armchair. The girl was still asleep and not burning with fever as she had been the previous night. Gently Mistress Ruark shook DarienÕs shoulder as she tried to wake him. ÒMister Shields! Get up. Go to your bed and rest. YouÕve watched over her enough. Go.Ó She said as he tried to protest and stay. Finally he made it to the guest room where he collapsed upon the bed and fell into a deep slumber. This state of restfulness was short lived for Darien as an ear piercing scream shattered the stillness of the morning. He woke with a start and again rushed to the girlÕs room. What he found there did not please him at all. The girl was sitting up in bed screaming in fright at being alone in a strange house. He was the first one who reacted when he heard the scream, he was soon joined by Mistress Ruark and a couple of servants which only increased the girlÕs panic. ÒEverybody out! CanÕt you see that you are scaring her. GET OUT!Ó Darien screamed as the hovering people stood in shock. Finally when they all had left the girlÕs screams quieted to silent sobs. When she had stopped enough to talk she asked. ÒWhere am I? Who are you? What am I doing here?Ó Darien decided to answer the bombardment of questions one at a time. ÒYouÕre in my room. My name is Darien Shields and I am master of this house. YouÕre here because the cab I was riding in ran you over last night. WhatÕs your name?Ó ÒM...my name? ItÕs Serena. Serena Ralston.Ó She replied shakily. ÒSerena, you suffered a broken leg and wrist during the incident.Ó That was when Serena realized she couldnÕt move either of the body parts. ÒOh no! What am I going to do? I canÕt do anything like this.Ó Serena wailed, truly distressed because she couldnÕt walk around picking and selling flowers if she didnÕt have the use of her leg. ÒDonÕt worry Serena. You can stay with me while you get better which by doctorÕs orders is a couple of months.Ó Darien quipped as if all her problems were solved. ÒBut that wouldnÕt be proper. Besides, I wouldnÕt want to impose.Ó ÒItÕs no imposition. IÕm partly responsible for your accident. Plus, it will be good to have someone besides Mistress Ruark to talk to. Now that thatÕs settled are you hungry?Ó ÒVery!Ó Was all Serena had to say before Darien was jumping up to do her bidding. About two weeks later Serena was sitting in her room doing nothing. In fact, she was bored beyond endurance. Then Mistress Ruark came in. ÒHello my dear. Is there anything you need at all?Ó ÒWell mistress, IÕm a little bored. Is there anything I can do to help that doesnÕt require walking?Ó ÒWell, do you know how to stitch?Ó ÒYes I do, my mother taught me when I was little.Ó ÒWell then IÕll get you a needle and some thread and can repair Master DarienÕs clothes. ÔTwill save me a lot of time.Ó ÒIÕd be glad to do it. Thank you for helping me keep my sanity.Ó Serena thanked as Mistress Ruark left theroom. The clothes were brought to her by the handmaiden Rosalyn. There were some that were in sad shape and some with only minor damage. These clothes included shirts, breeches, scarves, and waistcoats. Serena couldnÕt imagine how he had managed to rip so many of his clothes. What did he do all day? When Darien came home that afternoon he changed out of his clothes he had worn to his factories which were ripped and changed into more comfortable ones. He noticed the holes in these were carefully stitched together and actually fit comfortably as none of his other repaired clothing did. ÒMistress Ruark, I do believe I have to thank you for repairing my clothes so wonderfully. They feel good as new.Ó He commented to his housekeeper as he came down thestairs. ÒItÕs not me you should be thanking Mister Darien. ÔTis the lass upstairs that did it.Ó She replied, trying to give credit where it was due. ÒYou mean Rosalyn?Ó Darien asked with curiosity. ÒNo. The lass Serena. She mended all your clothes today. She was going insane with boredom and asked what she could do to help me. I didnÕt know any street girl could sew.Ó Mistress Ruark replied as she had grown fond of the girl. ÒThen I will have to thank her in some way.Ó He mused as he wondered about Serena and from where she hadcome. About thirty minutes after his conversation with Mistress Ruark, Darien decided what he would do to thank Serena. He took the steps two at a time in his eagerness to reach her. He knocked softly on her door. When there came no answer Darien softly opened the door to see what was wrong. He found Serena blissfully sleeping. She looked like an angel. Her hair waving in a mass around her body and both hands folded cherubically beneath her peach tinted cheek. He was about to leave and let her rest when she stirred and opened her eyes looking right at him. ÒHello Mr. Shields, what brings you here?Ó She questioned sleepily. ÒI was going to take you outside but you were asleep. Now that you arenÕt, I still can.Ó He said as he forced himself out of the daze created by her beauty. ÒBut how am I to do that? I canÕt walk.Ó Serena asked with a puzzled frown. ÒLike this.Ó Darien said as he pulled the covers of the bed back from where they were resting near SerenaÕs waist. He then picked her up and carried her out of the room. ÒWhat are you doing? This isnÕt proper! What if someone sees us?Ó Serena screeched as he carried her down the hall, out the back door of his townhouse, and gently placed her on a lawn chair in his garden. ÒDarien what are you doing? I donÕt have anything but a night gown on. What if someone sees me?Ó She panicked looking around the garden for possible intruders. ÒThat does pose a problem, doesnÕt it Serena?Ó Darien asked as thoughts were whirling through his mind. ÒI guess IÕm going to have to take you to the milliners shop tomorrow and get you fitted for a wardrobe.Ó Darien suggested with a happy glint in his eyes. ÒI canÕt let you do that. Besides, what would I do with them when I leave? I canÕt take them with me.Ó Serena pointed out with a hint of sadness in her tone because if someone said that she didnÕt want to leave she wouldnÕt be able to call them a liar. She was happy here in DarienÕs house. Happier than she ever had been in her entire life. ÒIÕve been meaning to talk to you about that. Over these past few days IÕve been getting fond of you. I donÕt want you to leave. I found a friend in you and IÕm used to having you around the house.Ó Darien admitted warily. ÒWell thank you Mister Shields. I consider you a friend too.Ó Serena replied, happy that he didnÕt want her to leave. ÒJust Darien please.Ó He said annoyed that she was being so formal. ÒOkay then Darien. I think of you as a friend.Ó Serena said happy that she could finally call him by his given name. ÒSerena, what IÕve been trying to ask you is this. Will you stay here? I mean live here with me. Not as anything bad like some people would think. Not to work for me, but as a part of my family. I can even get someone to teach you how to become a lady and things like that so when youÕre ready you can find yourself a suitable husband.Ó Darien finally got it all out and hoped that she would say yes. ÒOh Darien, IÕd love to. I didnÕt really want to leave.Ó Serena cried happily as she was overflowed with joy and contentment. ÒThatÕs great. I have another question to ask you though.Ó Darien added. ÒAsk me anything Darien.Ó Serena mumbled not used to using his name. ÒWell I was wondering about your past. You said something about your father leaving when you had a fever. You donÕt talk like a street girl and you care about whatÕs proper. I just wanted to know.Ó Darien noticed that while he was saying all these things SerenaÕs face looked pained. ÒWell Darien, I would rather not talk about that. All you have to know is that it was an unhappy time and I would just as soon forget it.Ó Serena pleaded, near tears with remembered pain. ÒThatÕs okay. I just hope you know that if you ever want to talk that IÕm an open ear and a shoulder to cry on.Ó Darien offered. ÒWhat about you Darien? Do you want to talk about your past. Maybe tell me about yourself so I can know you better.Ó Serena asked with obvious curiosity in her voice. ÒWell I had a pretty normal life. Two parents, no brothers and one sister. I was pretty much a happy kid. Went to school at Cambridge. Now I own some factories down by the docks and theyÕre making me a pretty wealthy man.Ó Darien tried his best to assuage her curiosity. ÒBut what about women in your life. Is there anyone special?Ó Serena asked. ÒNope. I canÕt say that there is. Yet.Ó ÒI canÕt believe that Darien, one of the most eligible bachelors is unattached.Ó Serena teased. This made Darien blush and smile because her opinion for some strange reason mattered to him. ÒOkay. LetÕs talk about whatÕs going to happen in the next couple of months. First or as soon as clothes get made for you weÕre going to go to my summer house. There youÕll learn all about being a lady and things like that. Dancing, reading, writing, languages.Ó Darien listed as he waited for her reaction. ÒThatÕs going to be a lot of stuff for me to learn.Ó Serena admitted with a yawn which Darien mistook for tiredness. ÒWe have to get you back up to your room so you can rest. We donÕt want you to be tired for your fitting tomorrow because thatÕs going to take countless hours.Ó He gently picked her up and took her back to her room. He left her there to sleep but she couldnÕt because she had too many things running through her mind. ÔDarien you really donÕt know me and I donÕt want you to. What if you knew I was rich and I just had to find my guardian. Would you really like me for me or would you like me for my money?Õ Things Darien didnÕt know about Serena are many. She knew four different languages, French, English, Spanish, and German. He didnÕt know she can read and write in Latin and English and that she knows everything about being a lady. He would find these things out sometime just not anytime soon. She didnÕt mean to deceive him by letting him think she was a genuine street girl she just wanted him to like her for her not for anything else or for who she could be. Serena fell asleep with these thoughts on her mind. The next morning Serena was awakened by Mistress Ruark who gave her a robe to put on so they could go to the dressmakers shop. ÒHere dear, put this on and then Mister Darien will come to bring you down. ThereÕs a brush there if you would like to comb your hair.Ó She said with genuine affection in her voice. ÒThank you Mistress Ruark. You are very kind.Ó Serena whispered. She pulled her hair back into a clip at the nape of her neck. She heard a soft knock on her door and instinctively knew who itwas. ÒCome in Darien.Ó She entreated. He came in and stood behind her where she was seated at the vanity. ÒYou look wonderful this morning. I hope you look this cheery after you leave the dressmakers shop.Ó Darien quipped with dread evident in his voice. ÒDo you know something that I donÕt Darien?Ó Serena teased him. ÒOnly that going to fittings is tedious and boring and you will be glad you donÕt have to go back until next spring.Ó Darien said all too knowingly. ÒWell IÕll have you there to entertain me wonÕt I?Ó Serena grinned. ÒBy the way Serena. My friend Andrew Trahern will be joining us. He will also be your tutor when we get to the summer house.Ó Darien mentioned. ÒWell at least I will get to know him and see if I like him before I have to work with him.Ó Serena answered in acceptance of the person she would soon meet. ÒNot my lady. It is time for you to make your grand entrance.Ó Darien kidded as he swept her into his arms and down the stairs. From his arms Serena could see a blond haired man with sky blue eyes waiting at the bottom of the steps. ÒTell me Darien, how is it that when you help someone in need or more like run her over she always has to be stunningly beautiful.Ó Andrew wondered aloud. Serena blushed at his comment. She then say the teasing glint in the manÕs eyes and giggled and his her face in DarienÕs neck. ÒI donÕt know Andrew. I was just always the lucky one.Ó Darien chirped. ÒSerena this is Andrew Trahern. Andrew, Serena Ralston.Ó Darien introduced them to each other. ÒPlease just call me Andrew.Ó He commented as he noticed DarienÕs arms tightening around SerenaÕs form. The wheels started turning in his head as his cupidÕs instinct kicked in and he knew what he had to do. Serena, Darien, Andrew and Mistress Ruark finally made it downtown to Widow PitneyÕs dressmakers shop. They were shot inquisitive looks from people on the street at a girl in a night robe being carried into the shop. Widow Pitney was expecting then so she was hovering near the door when they stepped through it. ÒGood day Mr. Shields. Would you please step into this room over here.Ó The widow led them through a door to a sitting room. There Darien placed Serena on a settee. ÒMr. Shields, Mr. Trahern, I do think you should leave the room seeing as how I will be taking the girlÕs measurements.Ó Widow Pitney told them with a look of displeasure on her face. ÒOh yes, weÕre sorry.Ó Agreed Darien. He led Andrew to a waiting room outside and stood there for about twenty minutes. While Darien was impatiently pacing back and forth Serena was sitting in a chair letting the widow take her measurements. ÒI am done now Mr. Shields, you may come in.Ó The widow called as she finished putting away her measuring tape. ÒNow we will talk about the styles and fashions you would like the dresses to be.Ó The widow informed them bringing out her color samples and a book of fashions to show all ofthem. ÒI want her to have all the latest fashions. Make her twelve day dresses, four ball gowns, and four pairs of breeches and lawn shirts.Ó Darien listed with a twinkle in his eyes. ÒBREECHES!!Ó The two older women gasped in shock at the idea that a lady would be seen in breeches. ÒYes breeches. She will need them at the summer house.Ó Darien insisted as the two women continued to bluster about impropriety. As soon as the both had calmed down Mrs. Pitney went on. ÒOkay, now for the color and style of her day dresses.Ó The widow showed them many designs but finally Serena picked out one design sheliked. ÒI like that one.Ó She whispered in DarienÕs ear. ÒThatÕs the one we want.Ó Darien pointed to the design. It had an underdress of pure silk and an overdress in a light filmy cotton. The over dress ended a little below the waist where it flared out over the under dress in soft little waves. It had a ribbon tied around the waist with a bow in the back. It looked like a princess dress. ÒI love that design Darien. ItÕs so cure.Ó Serena smiled. They picked out a couple of other designs and colors that would look good on Serena. ÒSo Mr. Shields do you want to purchase some ready-made clothes so she doesnÕt have to be seen in that?Ó Widow Pitney scoffed with distaste as she stared at SerenaÕs nightgown. Darien noticed this and was angered byit. ÒWhen will you have the dresses ready?Ó ÒIn about a week and a half.Ó Widow Pitney concluded. ÒThen Serena, I do think we should go downtown to get those ready-made dresses donÕt you think?Ó Darien sneered in the widowÕs direction. ÒYes I do think so.Ó Serena mused, catching on to DarienÕs ploy quickly. Darien scooped her up and walked to the door with his head held high. They made the trip downtown and bought the ready-made dresses and then they drove across town for a little while. ÒDarien, where are we going?Ó Serena asked curiously. ÒYouÕll see Serena, all I will say is you will be very happy.Ó Darien smirked. When the carriage stopped Serena saw they were in front of the doctorÕs office. ÒDarien! Is it true? Could I be getting this blasted splint off?Ó Serena questioned hopefully. ÒSerena do you always have to guess my surprises?Ó Darien grinned. Serena squealed with joy and threw herself into his arms and hugged him enthusiastically. Andrew was observing this with casual amusement and thinking, ÔSo my friend you have found your match. You finally fell in love even though you donÕt know it yet. YouÕll figure it out with a little help from me.Õ AndrewÕs mind was making up and rejecting plans for these two all the time they were at the doctorÕs office. Each plan seemed too tacky and obvious. He finally decided to help them only if things got bad. What Andrew did not know was that things eventually would and he would be needed by both people more than ever. To Be Continued . . .