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"Yes, she's going to have to make a lot of changes, Sir Winston has a delicate constitution and he expects his wife to be quiet and attentive," said Lady Summerville.

"It may be a difficult adjustment for her," said Randy with a hint of sadness.

"Yes, but it's for her own good, she's far to wild as is, it comes from not having a father," said Lady Summerville.

"She is a very sweet and intelligent girl, though," Randy remarked. "She does well with her studies and rarely gives me any trouble."

"Yes, yes, but that won't make her into Lady Stickbottom!" said Lady Summerville dismissively.

"I suppose not," Randy conceded, though he was really quite glad of that.

"Soon I'm sending her away for a year, to an all girls boarding school, she can learn all about manners and society there," said Lady Summerville.

Randy nodded. "Does she know of this yet?"

"No, I haven't mentioned it, but it's not as if she has anything better to do," said Lady Summerville, "She'll be ready to go when I send her off,"

Randy gave another quiet nod and went to find some other task to which he could tend. He was not looking forward to Alissa's leaving--or her finding out about it. He had long since made sure to take note for his records that being of a higher class did not necessarily mean an easier life for a child...

Lady Summerville didn't tell Alissa that she was being sent away for a year until a day before the carriage arrived and as Ellen and Errol packed her things Alissa ran to Randy in tears...

"I know, dear," Randy said softly, attempting to comfort her with a pat and a vague mental wave of sympathy.

"I didn't want to leave! Why am I being sent away?! I was working on my studies and my music and everything I was supposed to," she sobbed.

"Your mother believes it will teach you to be more proper and... lady-like," said Randy.

Alissa sniffed, "I don't want to go....I'll be gone all year and what if you aren't here when I get back? I'll miss you!"

"I will not leave you," Randy promised. After all, she was still his assignment.