by Meghan Sloan
Never could Stanley have undertaken such a delightful feast. Were all the meals going to be this delicious? If so, Laura reasoned that she might need a larger uniform. She couldn’t help relishing in all the flavours. Once her meal was done, Laura came under the head maid’s command, Ermengarde, who instructed Laura on which rooms to dust. She got to work, marvelling at each new dazzling room that she cleaned. There weren’t as many maids at the estate, which meant that Laura would always have more to do. Considering her boredom at Sage Brook, that was welcome news.
Passing the study, Laura could hear Edward talking inside. There was another fellow with him. She was aghast when the conversation turned to her.
“Who is that girl on your staff? The petite brunette?”
“That’s my newest acquisition. Laura.”
“Quite pretty.”
“Don’t get any ideas. She’s a well-mannered girl.”
“Come on, Edward. Don’t pretend that you’ve changed so much.”
“I have changed.”
Laura quickly scurried away after hearing this conversation. Was Edward something of a ladies’ man before? Every time that Laura thought of it, her cheeks flushed. It was difficult to think of him in that way. He was so well-mannered, so affable and kind.
Thoughts of Edward filled her mind for the better part of the afternoon, and Laura wished to change this by focusing on her future dreams. Would Edward ever take her on as a governess? The thought filled her with such happiness. Afternoon passed quickly into night, and Laura came downstairs after the evening meal, contented. Opening the door, she found that the adjoining door to her room was still open, and across the threshold stood Diana.
“Are you Laura?”
“Yes, you must be Diana.”
“It’s so good to meet your acquaintance.”
“You’ll never believe it, but my best friend at my former employment was named Diana. But you look nothing like her.”
“This room has been vacant for days. I thought I’d never have another friend!”
“You have one now.”
The girls got along quickly, and Laura knew that she’d be happy with Diana’s room right next to hers. Although the name was the same, the current Diana looked nothing like the previous Diana. She was tall and broad, with raven black hair. Diana had an affable smile and an easygoing personality.
“You’ll stay busy here; I promise you that,” Diana said.
“It seems like there are often guests.”
“And parties and balls and all manner of things. His Lordship likes to keep the estate lively.”
“I must say that I prefer that to Sage Brook. It was so dreary there.”
“Yes, I heard of it.”
“There were hardly any guests. Often in the afternoon, while I was dusting, you could hear a pin drop.”
Diana laughed. “That will never happen here. He is a very kind man.”
“Yes, it seems so.” Laura dare not explain how she and Edward had enjoyed so many relaxed conversations. She didn’t wish Diana to get the wrong impression of her. That being said, Edward was the one that seemed to seek out these interactions. Laura convinced herself that that was a thing of the past, and now that she was a devoted staff member, they’d never have such encounters again.
The thought made Laura sad, but it was the truth. Time to focus on duty, and a happy new life in a vibrant home, just as Laura had always wanted. As Diana said goodnight and closed the door to her room, Laura laid on her bed and looked up at the ceiling in wonder. The work would be more challenging now, but Laura was ready for it. She was ready for anything. Happiness could do that to a girl, and for the first time in years, Laura felt sincerely happy about the future.
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