….maybe not.

- Josephine -

The carriage turned up the long drive of the Leven estate. I could see the grand building in the distance, it was stunning. The estate had large gardens that had awoken for the spring sunshine, with a team of gardeners tending to the beautiful flowers.

“Not too shabby. “ Aria smirked.

“Yes, it’s a very fine cage.”

She shook her head and returned her focus to the grounds.

“Woah!”

The carriage came to a stop and a well dressed footman promptly opened the door, offering his hand.

“My Lady.”

I forced a smile, took his hand, and tried to exit the carriage as gracefully as possible.

A middle aged man was bouncing down the steps towards me, followed by a meek middle aged woman.

“Miss Felton!” He excitedly boomed.

I tentatively stepped forwards, with Aria close behind me.

He rushed towards me, and I curtseyed as he took my hand, kissing the back of it.

“How was your journey? You must be exhausted.”

“It was rather long.”

“Yes, of course. You must eat!”

He turned to the meek woman behind him, while still holding my hand.

“Darling when is dinner? Can Miss Felton and her maid have something before?”

The woman smiled and spoke gently.

“Yes dear, I’m sure we can arrange something for our guests. But you are getting ahead of yourself, you haven’t even introduced us to the poor girl.”

The man spun round to face me and released my hand.

“Oh goodness! I do apologise Miss Felton, I’m Lord Leven and this is my beautiful wife, Lady Leven.”

Lady Leven chuckled, and jokingly hit the Lord’s shoulder. “Shall we go in? As beautiful as the sunshine is, it can be stifling, and we wouldn’t want you to burn Miss Felton.”

They seemed friendly, and far more welcoming than I was expecting. I smiled and nodded before following them both up the steps.

Lady Leven addressed me over her shoulder, “your things arrived yesterday morning. I had the maids unpack them in one of my favourite rooms. But if it’s not to your liking we can move you both.”

“Thank you my Lady.”

She turned and smiled at me as she entered the house. It was even more beautiful inside, and felt so welcoming. It had grand stairs, wooden carvings, and freshly cut flowers on every surface.

Lady Leven guided us to a sunny sitting room and gestured towards a maid.

“Please prepare a cheese platter for our guests.”

The maid curtseyed and quickly shuffled off.

Lord Leven, who was still very animated, excitedly gestured towards two chairs.

“Please, sit.”

I smiled and awkwardly sank down into my seat. “Thank you. Lord and Lady Leven, this is my maid Aria.”

They both smiled at her and Lady Leven spoke, “it’s a pleasure to meet you Aria, have you been with Miss Felton long?”

Aria nodded a bit too eagerly, clearly she was as nervous as I was.

“Yes my Lady, since she was twelve.”

Lord Leven replied, “how lovely!” He turned to me with a gentle smile, “it’s so good to have someone you trust.”

His eyes were kind, and his words told me that he understood how I felt and the situation I was in. I didn’t respond, but I allowed myself to relax.

It must have been visible, because he nodded in acknowledgment, “excellent.”

The maid re-entered the room with a wooden slab covered in cheese and grapes alongside sliced bread. She placed it down on the small table in front of us, and I saw Aria’s eyes light up.

“Please, help yourself.” Said Lady Leven.

Aria didn’t need convincing, she immediately helped herself and tried to stuff her face while maintaining her manners.

I looked at the spread, but my stomach was still churning from the carriage ride. I felt obligated to have some, so I took a piece of cheese and fiddled with it before slowly sliding it into my mouth. It was delicious, but my mouth instantly filled with saliva, as if I was about to finally throw up. I chewed slowly and braced myself ready to swallow. Surprisingly, my stomach settled almost immediately and I felt my body relax further.

Lord Leven looked at me, with a smile still plastered across his face. “Feeling better?”

I smiled and nodded, and I could feel my mood lifting. Maybe I could be happy here, maybe I would be content. And who knows, maybe I would find a good man, who would treat me as an equal and not just his wife.

Lady Leven relaxed in her chair. “Tell me Miss Felton, do you enjoy needle point?”

*Sigh*

Maybe not.