When I arrived at Lubscome, I had to admit that I was bloody fucking grateful to be off the boat. At first I thought to reveal myself and walk again in a skirt, but I was in a strange land, heading to a strange home. My letter to Lord James Ashford introduced me as a boy. I do have a second letter to clarifies things, but... men have more freedom. Women are not allowed to be doctors, herbalists and apothecaires only, midwives, and only under license of a licensed doctor. Things are a little different in America. I studied and apprenticed. The master of the apprenticeship can finalize the certification. Technically, that only allows women to be nurses or assisting doctors. I have my apothecaire license and my physician's license because my father believes in me. Yes, I have those with me if I must. He even signed them for my male persona. Why? So if I really have to, I can practice independently if I maintain the persona man. Just in case I am not accepted by the Ashfords.
This is a large estate overlooking a small town and collection of farms and mines. The estate was surprisingly managed by an extremely minimalist or skeleton crew as the sailors would have called it. A sign of hard times. Perhaps I should not have come. But, I am desperate for answers. My father is not my true father, a step or adoptive father. My mother assures me that I am related somehow to James Ashford, but she did not say how. When I came to the estate, I discovered that Lord James Ashford had already died... in some mining accident three years ago. His son of 23 years is now the Lord of the Barony. Ewan Ashford.
With things suddenly more precarious, I have stuffed my spare letters and anything that reveals me as a woman into my mother's box. This box hold bizarre (and I do mean bizarre) clues and proofs of my relation to the family, but they make no sense at all. I feel like I need a manual of instruction to explain them and yet I lack that. Anyhow, my other letter and my certification to Josephine are now in that box as well.
I proffered my father's letter to Lord Ewan Ashford, keeping my ruse of the deaf-mute young man. This way I do not interfere as it's easier if I am ignored for now. He asked me to call him Ewan, so informal and friendly. He took the perfect patience to ensure i understood (for someone deaf-mute). He accepted me with so much compassion in nearly broke my own heart. I was shocked that he was not as of yet married. How easy it would be to fall in love with such a kind soul. He lead me to my room, a room that was ample for many of the rooms were empty, and gave me freedom to go about as I pleased. Even made sure I had a pile of books and pencils so I can communicate with people and not worry of running out.
Two days here and already I was falling in love with him.
I decided to let him know who I truly am........
........ except he was dead, in his library, found by the maid Jamie.
