Ms. Rebecca Mevan.

1st of June, 17XX

The Mevan name is known to me, for Emmet Mevan is one of the wealthiest cotton Barons on the new Continent, so it boggles the mind as to why his young heiress and daughter Rebecca, would risk her inheritance and come to a place like this. "For my freedom of course, Mr. McKay," she said, setting down her teacup daintily as we sat in the drawing room of her modest but still spacious home that she stayed in alone, save for her negro servant, Samuel.

"Freedom, Ms. Mevan?" I asked.

"Yes. Freedom," she smiled softly, tucking her dark blonde hair behind her ear. "Mr. Mckay, I am a wealthy woman. Or rather, my family is very wealthy. I've had suitors, young and old, wealthy and poor, beating down on my father's door, just hoping that they'd be the one that he'd agreed to marry me off to. I was not one to await that fate, so I took it upon myself to leave that home with Samuel and settle here."

"That is quite the tale, Ms. Mevan, but I must say, and do forgive me, I do not imagine you a woman of much work experience. How did you come to afford a place like this?"

She sighed quite heavily. "It does pain me slightly to say this, but I am my father's daughter. With what I've learned from him, I have managed to establish myself within several enterprises in the country and through that, I receive enough income to sustain my household."

"Well done," I said, nodding my head to her. "But I must ask, why did you bring Samuel with you? Surely a woman of your skill and standing could have purchased, or employed, anyone to serve as your staff. Why him in particular?"

She sighed again and took another sip of her tea. Looking me in the eyes, she simply said. "I had no need of suitors, Mr. McKay. For I already have a negro Lover." As much as I had tried to feign understanding and neutrality, I'm confident that my face betrayed my true emotions, but she seemed quite pleased with herself. "I can tell what's going on in that head of yours, Mr. McKay. How could a woman of proper breeding and upbringing find love with an Animal?"

"No, no, no, not at all," I sputtered, "The Heart wants what it wants, of course. You've just... caught me off guard."

Ms. Mevan's smile grew coquettish and she chuckled. Ringing the small bell on her table, she called out, "Samuel? Could you bring the lead? I think the dog wants to go for a walk." He appeared in moments, bringing with him a leather collar and leash, but I was quite confused. In the time I had been here, I had not seen or heard any dogs within this compound.