Stormswept Heights

[Lady Pendragon]

Elizabeth

Her kindness made me feel a little more open. "Yes, I have had a room given to me." I looked up finally meeting her eyes. She was a very beautiful woman. Though it pained me to think that. The nuns at the orphanage once whipped me for thinking a woman was a pretty creature and lusted after.

"I am here to be Lady Lara's dressmaid. Is she here? And may I ask if she is kind?"

My heart of hearts didn't want to get to work, but that was what I was here for. I wanted to stay and speak with Marie. Marie, what a wonderful name. One that I could often whisper if given the chance.

 

[MissVictoria]

Anne martyn

The words that he spoke calmed her greatly, and his arms around her was bliss. Annabelle carefully measured her breath as he rocked her back and forth, afraid that somehow her secret affections for him would come out, rising on her breath in a bold proclomation.

Of course it was only breath. And this was only George, comforting her as he had countless times in the past. She stared off over the surface of the pond, luxuriating in the quiet moments with him, nearly forgetting the betrayal she had felt by his bringing Lara here.

All too soon it was over, and George was pleading with her to make a good appearance for supper. Reluctantly she agreed, resolving to put forth the appearance and mannerisms of a lady, if just for an hour.

Hand in hand, they strode through the reeds, Anne leading Eternity, and George guiding the way. When they reached the clearing near the road, they were both suprised to find only one horse tethered there.

Wordlessly, they made their way back to the manor, Annabelle riding slightly behind, almost reluctantly.

 

[Zircon]

George

George did not want to let go of the tiny hand which held his rough hand as they walked towards where Willow was tethered. But all too soon, time had a strange way of intruding, and the ride back to the manor was over. George had a strange glance at Miss Annabelle walking back into the manor as he took the reins of both horses. It was a look of longing, an unfulfilled and unrequited longing. Somehow, a mere stable boy could rise to being the head groom of a Grand Household. But he knew that he could never rise to the position of a Gentleman.

What he was feeling was so new to him that he had no words to describe it at this moment. But deep in his heart he knew that what he wished for would be impossible. Miss Annabelle would not marry a servant, no matter who the servant was. For that was all George was, a servant to a Lord. Even if she was willing, and George knew somehow that was not improbable, the Baron would allow no such union to happen.

Eternity took very little time to groom and settled in for the night. He was then left with his own lonely thoughts, and a empty belly. Anne, Miss Annabelle, was a Lady. George realized in the midst of the dark stables, that he was only deluding himself when he wished that he had a chance of happiness with her. Besides, he had no indication that Miss Annabelle reciprocated his feelings. Things as they stood now, seemed hopeless for George.

Willow was well rested and fed, when George took her out to get to the Church. There was still some light left in the late afternoon. He left without saying a word to Pickering, for he knew that the old geezer would not understand.

The church was empty. He walked silently to where his mother was buried. In his pocket he only had one flower to lay on the unmarked grave. George knelt down and pray for a while, before making himself comfortable.

“Happy Birthday, Mother. I hope you’re doing well in Heaven. And don’t worry about me. I’m happy,” was all he said.

It was already dark when he returned. He hoped that no one had missed him, although the nosy Barkely would notice his absence since he noticed everything else. He went straight up to his loft and sat in the dark with eyes firmly locked at the flickering lights on the manor. He wondered how things are going with Miss Annabelle and the supper. He silently wished her luck and good fortune. As he did the same for the beautiful Miss Lara.

 

[DeityMun]

Clay

Clay smiled when Natasha came back, happy he didn't have to go chasing after her... if he'd even attempt it, hardly knowing where in the blue hell he was.

Sweeping his fingers back through his hair to push it from his face - he'd really have to get that cut soon - he spoke to her when she returned to him.

"Would you mind coming to get me a little before supper is ready? I don't know what time it is, and I don't think it'd be good to miss the first meal in the house." He chuckled lightly at this, blue eyes focused on her own.

 

[Subo97]

Wood Barkely

Wood oiled his tools and put them away for the night, rust never slept and it never would be tolerated, anyway.

The old fool Pickering had come looking for the girls, but Wood had been saved fom another trek across the manor grounds when he saw them both return to the manor. The new one first, alone, then George and Anabelle. The master's daughter probably ran the first one off, Wood laughed to himself. Poor George, beset by one moonstruck, spoiled woman child after another. Wood noticed George going over the wall, the boy liked to go see his mama. The master might not like it, but fuck the master!, the boy's work was done, unless some fool wanted a moonlight ride.

Wood pumped a bucket full of water and placed it on the gardener's bench, stripped his shirt off and began to wash the day's grime away, lathering up his chest and face before dropping his pants and dumping the whole bucket over his head to rinse himself. Somewhere he heard a thrush warble. The crickets and frogs were due next. The night was full of life.

 

[White Queen]

Marie

" Oh, so you are Lady Lara´s dressmaid, I really dont know where she might be ", Marie giggles " I dont even know where Miss Annabelle is and I am her personal Maid ! "

" I dont know if Miss Lara is kind, but dont worry about those things, if you ever have any trouble or need help just look for me and I will be glad to give you a hand, or you can also look for Natasha ,she is also a Maid and Im sure she will help you also ". Marie smiles at Elizabeth, she was an attractive girl, but seemed to be very shy.

" Well in the meantime we can go eat something if youd like, if Miss Lara or anyone else needs you they will sure send for you ", Marie grabs Elizabeth´s hand and guides her to the kitchen...

 

[Lady Pendragon]

Elizabeth

Her hand felt nice on mine. I had not had anyone be so nice to me in all my life and that simply made me want to hug her. It was a nice comfort to have her hold my hand and guide me into the kitchen.

The kitchen was alive with bussle as the cooks prepared the dinner meal. Meals consisted of five courses so food was layed about everywhere.

"Are you sure we should not be preparing the girls for dinner?" I asked, looking up at my new friend, or the girl I hoped to be my new friend.

 

[papillon24]

Natasha

I was caught in his gaze as I thought of how the routine of the day was going to go. I knew that this night the barron would not be calling me to his room as he did many nights when his was home. He would be busy with his new wife. This was to change now.

"Dinner should be served shortly within the hour. Do not worry. I could either bring it to your room or I could come and get you when it is time." I spoke softly as I looked up to him.

"Must get back my chores in the kitchen for the time being before the barron get upset. I'll come and knock on the door a bit before dinner is to be served." I turned back down the hall wandering lazily as I made my way back to the kitchen to find Marie and someone new talking.

"You must me Miss Lara's dress maid. I'm Natasha" introducing myself to her. "Marie, we should get dinner ready to be put on the table. You know how upset the barron gets when his supper is late." I went over and pulled one of the pies out of the oven and set it on the countertop to let it cool before it was served.

 

[goddess_euphoria]

Serina Martyn

Edward had left the room before I could say another word to him. He seemed so distracted. I sighed and made my way over to the wardrobe he'd pointed out, opening the doors to see what I had to work with. The dresses inside were all quite wonderful, most of them much more elegant than anything I'd ever worn. I suppose being the wife of a Baron called for a more elegant appearance. I walked over and closed the door then sat myself down on a near by chaise and started unfastening my dress.



Pickering
Pickering entered the kitchen where he found the new maid talking with Marie and Natasha.

"Elizabeth, the Baron bid that I send you to help the new baroness dress for supper. Follow me, I'll show you the way."

 

[Lady Pendragon]

Elizabeth

I started to pull out dishes for dinner when the butler came in to get me. I know my face had to show my disappointment at having to leave the two, but it was my job so I followed obediently.

We walked down several halls and then the butler knocked on a door. "This is Lady Lara's room. She needs to be dressed within and hour and down to eat."

I walked in with my head hanging low. "Lady Lara," I said curtsying, "I am Elizabeth, your personal servant."

 

[Xantham]

Pickering

Pickering: That's not all Elizabeth, until we are able to get new help in, you must also help the Baroness Serina ready herself for dinner as well.

Elizabeth nodded.

 

[MissVictoria]

Anne Martyn

Anne entered the manor via the servants entrance, pushing her way through the kitchen. Calling back over her shoulder, the words rang loudly through the room as she rushed by, even above the clatter of supper being prepared, "No need to dress me tonight, I can do it myself!"

Her riding boots making nearly no noise, she skipped up the stairs two at a time, knowing that she did not have much time before the supper bell would be rung. Already outside, the sun was beginning to set, and through the windows of the manor Annabelle's shadows followed her on the walls, hurrying her along.

Dashing into her room, she tore open the doors to her wardrobe, scanning inside. She had a few servicable dresses, which had once belonged to her mother, and it was one of these that she pulled out now.

A deep crimson gown it was, and as she dressed herself, she noted that it was one that went well with her pale skin and dark hair. The velvet was aged, but still lustrous, and the gown fit perfectly, even without a corset. Anne was glad for this, for she had refused her dressing maid tonight, knowing that haste was neccesary.

It was a bit snug over the breasts, though even with a corset, there was little that would change that fact. She felt her neck and shoulders flushing as she examined herself in her polished silver mirror, noting the way that the ample cleave of her bosom was so abundantly apparant. Still, it was the fashion, God the Almighty knows why, so Anne figured that her new family would be pleased.

As a final touch, she brushed out her wild raven hair, pinning in place two of her mother's jeweled haircombs, which pushed back the locks to expose her neck, and left her supple shoulders bare. Nodding to the mirror, and smiling, she turned as she heard the supper bell ring, and began to walk off to supper...

...still wearing her riding boots.

 

[Zircon]

George

George wanted to lean back and go to sleep. But his stomach’s rumblings prevented such luxury. From his perch and window, he saw in the deep shadows Barkely going back to his shed to prepare himself for a night out in the nearest town. George sighed. The man was no friend of his, but merely an acquaintance. George knew not of his past, only of his sour disposition that laid beneath the thin veneer of civility. Nevertheless, George knew enough to stay away from the man whenever possible.

He reluctantly got up from his chair and proceeded to the kitchen. Maybe he could snatch a snack to tide him over until the servants were ready to sup. He knew Natasha or Marie would not mind. Pickering would mind, in his deep baritone voice and glaring gaze, he would announce his displeasure. So silently and stealthily, George peered into the gloom of the cavernous kitchen for signs of Pickering before he gathered enough courage to stride in.

“Hello, Natasha and Marie. Natasha, do you think you can spare a piece of bread and some cheese? It’s still a long way to supper.”

“And oh, Marie. Lady Annabelle is back. She should be in her room. But why aren’t you upstairs with her? She has to get ready for dinner. She has agreed, to me anyway, that she would be a proper Lady, if only for tonight. I wonder what exactly she meant by that,” George chuckled loud enough to echo in the kitchen.

 

[Conquestia]

Quickly I ran up the stairs and into my room,undressing and sliding into a bath. I heard voices in my room and hollered in reply, "Im bathing right now, come back later!"

After a nice good soak and rinsing my hair, i stepped out, drying off and began to get dressed. I chose a pale yellow dress, one of my favorites. Slipping into it, I waited for my dressmaid to come help, figuring she would arrive before dinner.

 

[Lady Pendragon]

Elizabeth

"Yes, I understand." I said to the elder as I began my walk into Lady Lara's room.

I walked in with my head hanging low. "Lady Lara," I said curtsying, "I am Elizabeth, your personal servant. I said, before picking up the dress that was laying about. I started dressing her, my eyes always in a downward cast. I did not look at her for that is the way I was taught, but I felt her skin beneath my fingers as I slid on her dressings.

 

[Conquestia]

I smiled at Elizabeth. "Thank you." I said when she was finished, beginning to fix my hair. "Do you like it better here than where you were before?" I asked, trying to get her to warm up to me a bit more than she was. I didn't like the idea of ordering people around, and personally would rather have done things for myself, but i figured if someone else was doing it, i might as well make it pleasant for them.

 

[White Queen]

Marie

" I know Lady Annabelle is home, she came in through the kitchen and clearly said she did not need any help dressing tonight... obiously those words were directed at me... God only knows why she is upset, I mean I know having the barons new wife here is quite bad for her... well anyway, I will try to talk to her later, after dinner... ". Marie sighs and goes back to work on dinner preparations...

 

[papillon24]

Natasha

"Yes George, we know she is back." I smile and chuckle as I think of the way she rushed through the kitchen.

"There is a few peices of bread but I'm afriad not much cheese. that must be served at dupper to the family. If you would like there is a basket of wonderful apples from the market Marie brought back earlier if you would like. Help yourself." I rushed from the room taking things out to set the table with in a basket.

After setting things right I wandered back down the hallway to where master clay was washing. Quietly I tapped on the door not to scare him much.

"Master Clay, dinner will be on the table not far from now." I called to him

 

[DeityMun]

He smiled at Natasha as she walked a way, and standing there in the doorway he let his eyes travel over her moving form for a moment, and he shook his head slightly. Temptation would crawl around this place like spiders if they all had that shape. Shaking his head again, he chuckled quietly and went into the washroom, closing the door behind him, but leaving it unlocked. Stripping silently out of his dirty clothes while the large bath tub was filled with steaming water.

Stepping into the tub, he smiled as the warm water moved around his tired flesh. Lowering himself into the water, he sighed audibly and let his eyes drift closed, happy to finally be someplace alone and relaxing after the long, stressful ride. Maybe he'd find a few places here he could like...

His mind drifting away, he found himself suddenly dreaming as the tension drifted effortlessly from his tired body, and he was still, happily, fast asleep when Natasha returned to fetch him for dinner.

 

[Subo97]

Wood Barkely

Wood dried himself and went to his shed to change into clean clothes. He fancied a bottle of wine and would have to go down to the local pub, the Red Bull, to get it. It wasn't far, just past the church where young George talked to his mama, but Wood needed to eat something before he took off, so he headed to the kitchen

Once in the kitchen, Wood helped himself to an apple and, nodding to George, leaned against a bakers rack to watch the goings on. He particularly enjoyed watching Marie work. She was bent over, rolling out pie dough, her hips bouncing as her arms used the wooden pin to flatten out the dough. She had a shapely ass, made for bouncing, and a fine figure over all, one well worth exploring. She'd warm a bed right nicely.

So did Natasha, but she'd been bouncing in the Baron's lap till he brought home the new wife. Wood wondered if he'd cat around around on the new one as well. He'd left the first baroness alone way too much, she had taken to walking the grounds, particularly on the north side. Wood had built her a gazebo up there, covered by purple Wisteria, where she used to sit and look out at the moors as if she expected something to come out of the mist. She didn't need a title to have class.

Wood laughed, neither did Maries ass, now that was class

 

[Lady Pendragon]

Elizabeth

Thank you? That through me off guard. NO one had ever said thank you.

"YOu mustn't thank me." I said, panged to hear the words, "I was born to do your bidding, m'lady."

"Do you like it better here than where you were before?" She asked me.

Funny a question directed to me. This house seemed so nice, but yet there was always deception around somewhere. "I have only been here a little while, M'lady. I just arrived as you have." I did smile, trying to show her I was not being disobedient, but was not accustomed to being questioned or treated so well.

 

[Conquestia]

I smiled at the girl. "Well no one can help how they were born, and I was born to respect those who help others, so if you would. Please accept my thanks."

I stood up, smiling at her. "You do not need to be so fearful of me." I grinned playfully. "I do not bite."

Turning I looked into the mirror? "Perfect.. Thank you again."
I turned leaving the room and starting downstairs for dinner. Stopping i tried to remember which way the dining room was. "Hm.. now where was it?" I started down a hallway, the smell of food eventually took over my senses and I wandered into the kitchen, my eyes falling over much of the staff.
"Oh! I'm sorry." I said in surprise. "I fear I must have gotten lost. Do you know when dinner is?" My eyes fell over the food and widen. "Oh my, that looks delicious!" I stared at the food, beginning to notice just how famished I was.

 

[Zircon]

George

George nibbled slowly on the piece of bread. He did not get the cheese as there was not much left. Natasha might need it for supper. He selected an out of the way spot in case Mr. Pickering was to come into the kitchen. The crickets and night creatures were stirring by the sound of the noises outside.

George nodded his acknowledgement to Barkely’s greeting. He silently chuckled at Barkely admiring Marie’s behind. He did not have to know why, for both Marie and Natasha had bodies that men would gladly kill to get. He grabbed a few apples before moving to find a place outside the kitchen. He would be in the way of getting supper ready since he was like a giant in a china shop.

Then he saw Miss Lara come into the kitchen by mistake. George nearly dropped the piece of bread from his mouth, as if he was caught with eating before supper time. He hurriedly erased all traces before walking towards Miss Lara.

“Good Evening, my Lady. If I may so boldly say, you look absolutely stunning this evening,” George conscious of the fact that he was staring at her heaving bosom. And the fact her pale yellow dress accentuated all the right curvature of her body.

“The dining hall is this way, my lady. Permit me to escort you there,” when at last he pried his eyes away, and hid his embarrassing flush.

 

[MissVictoria]

Anne Martyn

As Annabelle entered the dining hall, she saw that thusfar she was the first one to arrive, the others apparantly occupied with unpacking and adjusting to the newness of the Estate. Strolling to a tall and thin ceiling high window, one of six that lined the wall, she gazed outside at the fading light overlooking the sculpted scenery of the back yard

Before much time had passed she heard footsteps approaching from the direction of the kitchen. Glancing over her shoulder she saw George and Lara stroll in, her hand resting on his folded arm. Turning toward them, she simply stood, the crimson folds of her floorlength skirt sweeping in a curve around her feet and dragging behind. Her copper eyes widened noticably, though the emotion was indescernible, and her lips parted ever so slightly before she realized that her mouth was agape and she quickly shut it. Blinking, her eyes now betrayed her, her obvious hurt well apparant,

She opened her mouth again, as if to speak, then decided against it, turning her eyes back out the window, but not before noting the blush on George's cheeks as he walked in. Her eyes were closed when she turned around, averting her gaze purposefully from the two before opening them and striding purposefully out the front entrance of the large hall.

Her tiny fists clenched tightly at her sides, she did not look behind.

 

[goddess_euphoria]

Serina Martyn

Having stripped myself from my traveling clothes, I used the wash basin to freshen up. I scanned the dresses in the wardrobe again, deciding on a light blue one. It was fancier than anything I'd ever worn to dinner before, but I wanted to make a good impression, and I hoped that Edward would notice I'd worn one of the dresses he'd supplied for me.

I slipped in to the dress and began tightening it around myself just as I heard a light knocking at the door. I pulled it open to find a young woman standing there.

"You must be the dress maid," I smiled, stepping aside so that she could enter. "You're just in time to help me with this thing!" I said, closing the door behind her.