Leah paced the floor of her bedroom, her frustration mounting with each step. Her pink, silk nightgown swished around her ankles when she spun to march in the opposite direction. She couldn't believe it. A butler of all things. No, not even a butler. More like a... a... manny!

She paused but stared at the wall. "Daddy's gone mad," she whispered. Her thoughts tangled from one horrifying scenario to the next. He'd probably be old, wrinkled, and ugly. I'll never have freedom again! She stamped her foot, temper flaring. I'll be stuck with some old dude who can't climb stairs!

Her pacing resumed, the only sounds in her bedroom the soft padding of her bare feet on the fluffy carpet, the rustle of silk, and her labored breath.

Of course, she did have Charles... but he was the last man she wanted to think about after their afternoon argument. Well, the second-to-last man. He was still preferable to that dratted butler. She shook her head in annoyance. Charles still came with a price tag though, and she doubted he'd be able to save her from this terrible fate, anyway. Doubted he'd want to.

A different thought slithered in. A hopeful thought. If she could get rid of Tonya, then why couldn't she do the same with Old Man Butler? She fiddled with the idea at first, considered it a few minutes. Slowly, surely, it took root in her mind and transformed into a plan. She faced her bed, stared at it until an impish smirk erased her scowl.

It might work. If she could prove to this butler that she was too much to handle, then maybe he'd quit of his own volition. And Daddy would have such a difficult time finding a new guardian whilst in England.

Leah's smirk shifted to a full blown grin.

She might even be able to convince Hilda, Fiona, and Edward to not inform her father she'd become 'un-protected'.

Excitement coursed through her, caused heart to beat a little faster. This butler incident might be the opportunity she needed to prove she was capable and worthy of independence.