Carlotta yawned sleepily, stretched out her arms as she watched her maid pulling back the curtains from the window to let in the morning sunlight.
“What time is it, Ella?” she asked.
“It be nine o’clock, my Lady, I thought you would like to sleep a little later this mornin’ after your long journey.”
“I still feel exhausted,” Carlotta admitted.
Having tidied up the room, Ella went to the door where she was handed a breakfast tray laden with flowery china and heavy silver dishes.
Carlotta sat up in bed, pushing two lace-edged pillows behind her back.
“I am hungry,” she said. “I really think I shall enjoy my breakfast this morning.”
“That’s right, my Lady,” Ella said, “and there be someone else here in this house who has enjoyed a good meal this mornin’, so Cook says.”
“Who is that?”
