Becoming Love

Every morning, the rising sun found the maids and workers of Whitestone Hall hustling all over the house, cleaning, cooking, and getting everything ready for the waking of the masters, Lord and Lady Grey, and the Young Master John. Once the nursemaid had won the battle of getting John out of bed it was time to get him ready, and lead him to the breakfast table where he would join Mother. When she was there, he would talk to her while they ate, always keeping special attention to his manners, of course. Sometimes, his father would join them, although John didn’t particularly enjoy these times much, as he was forced to eat quietly. But as soon as he was allowed to leave, he felt immediately eager because, as usual, he got to go out and join the only other kid in the surroundings to play. Although Lady Caitriona Grey had had a few other pregnancies, before and after John, some of the babes had been stillborn, and others had passed not too long after their birth. It was only John that had survived, and he was thus a very important young boy, who would inherit of the Land and the Title of Lord Grey. But this also meant, sadly, that little John lacked a brother or a sister to grow up with, to play with. Nevertheless, he had been lucky enough to meet, at a very young age, the child of one of the cooks. Perhaps the most important struck of luck was that his parents had allowed him to keep a companion so beneath his status. As John ran towards one of the back doors that was used by the kitchen workers, he called excitedly. “Will! Will!” he let out as soon as he saw the half opened door, waiting for his arrival, “Let’s go!” As he kept his eyes on the door, hoping his intense stare would soon make Will materialize, his nursemaid, Miss Adele Roberts, caught up with him. “Little Master, do not be so impatient!” she huffed. She might have longer legs, but certainly more layer of clothes and less energy than the child. Adele reached to fix his little jacket again, and then, finally, Will appeared with a big, bright smile waving at John, turning a little to let out a muffled “Buih, muhm!” and with each word, some crumbles escaped Will’s lips. “It is bad manners to speak with your mouth full!” pointed out John, with wide eyes. He had learned such basic etiquette since he was able to speak and eat by himself! However, his playmate didn’t take it too nicely and pouted. “Don’t tell me what to do or I won’t play with you!” Will warned just as she swallowed the last of her mouthful and cleaned it with her sleeve, “Let’s go!” she urged and she lead the way as John followed. Adele chuckled at the girl’s ‘ill manners’ and the little pout her threat caused in the Young Master Grey. Of course, in little Willow Edwards this lack of manners was adorable for the nanny, but had it been John who did such a thing, a quick call to attention and propriety would have followed immediately. John thought it was extremely unfair, so, sometimes, he took it upon himself to ‘correct’ his friend. The three walked through the gardens of the mansion, John and Willow chased each other, getting ahead from Adele, and running back to her, using her as a shield at times and other just running around her, sometimes picking sticks and playing swords, or chasing one bug or the other, waiting for the basket of snacks to be sent for them and then, relax for a little while under the shade of a tree while they ate. John had found in little Will a great friend to play with, and it didn’t even matter she was a girl. She was, honestly, the only friend that he could really make as, when he was old enough to go out in little walks and play outside the house, all the other servant’s children were older enough that they would already be doing one chore or another, and thus, they didn’t seem like a possible playmate. Willow was a couple years younger than him, so he was about four years old when he first caught a glimpse of the little, blond baby girl that toddled her way after an apple.  She kept kicking it away every time she tried to grab it, while the adults from the kitchen unloaded provisions from a carriage, and one of the kitchen maids kept her eyes, mostly, on the baby girl. Adele and John were walking nearby and watched the scene, until the apple rolled towards his foot. John quickly picked it up, and, keeping a hand behind himself, like a tiny gentleman, while offering the apple with his other hand, he gave a curious look to the girl. His reward was an adorable, chirpy laugh while the girl’s hands reached to grab the apple, although not taking it from his hand, and let out a happy “Apuh!”  The sound made John’s eyes widen, and he flushed in confusion. Adele chuckled, standing closely behind him at the adorable situation, and she placed a gentle hand on the boy’s back. “Little Willow likes you, Young Master!” she commented. The boy turned to her with a raised brow. “You know her?” he asked, as if the idea of his nursemaid knowing another kid was a wonder. “Of course, she’s little Willie, Mrs. Edward’s girl, the cook.” She explained, and the boy turned his silvery gray eyes towards the little girl, his brow still up. He let go of the apple, and the young girl dropped it again. John picked it up again, and offered it once more, and the girl laughed again and repeated “Apuh!” John furrowed his brows a little. “What’s that?” he asked. Adele chuckled again. “Apple.” She simply said, and John let out a soft “Oh…” as he gave the apple back again. Then Adele was called over for a moment by the kitchen maid that had been looking after Willow. So John looked at the girl, who didn’t take the apple away, but instead kept her tiny hands on it as he held it. His eyes peered to the nanny, and then to the girl again. After a moment of consideration, he raised this hand, taking the apple up, and little Willow stretched her hands to try and get it from him, but he was tall enough she couldn’t. He would tease her, bringing it lower, within her reach, only to move it back up when she was just about to grab it. But she laughed every time, and soon a cute smile showed on his lips, as he kept playing with the little girl, and snickering along, but soon enough, Adele came back to him, to continue their little walk. “Ready, Little Master?” she asked. As John heard her, he quickly regained his composure and nodded, looked at Willow, and handed over the apple quietly now. Before letting go of it, he took one of her small hands with his, and placed it under the apple, so when he finally released the fruit, she was able to hold it properly, and didn’t drop it. He gave her a smile, and they waved at the little girl and the kitchen maid, making their way towards the garden. Over the days following the encounter it became common for Little Master John to ask Adele to stroll towards the area where the kitchen entrance was. They didn’t always catch a sight of little Willow, but when they did, John would find a way to lead their way towards her, and of course, Adele had to follow. The servants quickly realized this situation, and in less than 3 weeks, it became usual that Willow was out there, being watched by one of the kitchen maids, who seemed to only be waiting for the Little Master and Adele to show up, before getting back into the kitchen. As this became more a routine in the mornings, it didn’t take long for Lady Caitriona to listen to her son talking about this little girl he would play with. Of course, some questioning to Adele was a must, and when it came to it, the nursemaid immediately felt cold and nervous, fearing she had done wrong, and would soon be in need of finding a new place to work. But she went ahead and explained what it all was about. Lady Grey, instead of firing her on the spot, remained quiet and moved on to other matters. The following day, after breakfast, Lady Caitriona got up, just as John and Adele did, and announced she was ready to join in their walk. The kitchen maid gasped as she saw the Lady walking next to a very stiff and nervous Adele and an eager John. And it wasn’t that Lady Grey was a bad person, or an overly strict master. She was a very human woman, who treated her servants as fairly as could be expected from a person who was born to ‘rule’ the lower classes. The woman made sure that each of the workers had at least one full day off every week and a half or so. In return, she expected obedience and impeccable work, and she paid them well enough, so there were little complains of her character, other than the fear of losing a job if they did not meet expectations. The kitchen maid tried to take little Willow away, but as she was softly calling the girl, a hand gesture of her Mistress made her know it was not necessary, and she went back into the kitchen in a hurry. John approached little Willow, and they chatted, as well as two children could chat, mirthfully, he played with her, and she followed him around as best as she could with her little legs. Lady Caitriona looked at them, and felt an odd mix of feelings. First, warmth and a sense of something that felt like relief came over her. It was nice to see John interact with this child. It had been a hope he would get brothers and sisters, but so far they had only had sad losses. With that realization the feeling of sadness tugged at her. She was on her late twenties and still looked beautiful, so she still had hopes to conceive another child, but, perhaps, not that much time. And in any case, in some way, it reminded her of her lack of more offspring. She poured on John all the love she had to give. But she wasn’t overly attached. It wasn’t exactly the way things were, and she had a lot of duties as the Lady of the house while in Whitestone Hall, and as the Lady Grey as well when attending social events and dinners. Although they hosted dinners regularly, it wasn’t easy to have children visit at that age, so she knew well how monotone life was for John. This, of course, didn’t mean she would be deprived of good society herself, but seeing him have fun like this, with another child, was something she liked, so even if said child was nothing close to his status, she felt it was, perhaps, something she could allow to some degree. As John tried to play with Willow, Lady Grey engaged in conversation with Adele, asking all the questions that came to mind, to evaluate the kind of girl, and the kind of family she came from. She knew they were servants, but there was always a line between being lower class and being ill bred or vulgar. But she learned nothing that would make her consider to put a stop to this little friendship. Mrs. Edwards was a good servant, a dutiful one, and a remarkably good cook and her husband was one of the grooms. After a few minutes of questions, Lady Grey remained silent for a long moment, watching the children play until finally, she spoke again. “Adele, please come find me tonight after John has gone to bed and before you retire for the day.” She said in a soft, even tone, and turned to go without much more. John usually made it a point to give his mom a happy goodbye every time they parted ways, but she went away silently, and he had been busy, grabbing Willow’s hands and trying to make her turn around with him over and over, while she stumbled a little, and both of them laughed. Adele had spent her day feeling a knot in her stomach. Once again she feared a harsh punishment, or to simply be told she was no longer required at Whitestone Hall. What she learned that night, however, went certainly against all her expectations. “John will be allowed to play with that Edwards girl. However, I ask you that you always keep an eye on them. Make sure you do not let him pick on any bad manners he may be exposed to while in her company, or if there are other necessary interactions with other servants. He shall not neglect his duties and daily activities. Once he starts his studies, he may only go out to play once all his classes are over.” Adele stared at her Mistress, clearly surprised by what she was hearing. “I wish my son to enjoy the company of other children, and since society in this area does not allow for him to meet and interact with other children of his status, I believe this is a good enough experience for him, that is, until he has a brother or a sister. When he goes out to study he shall need the experience of social interactions. Of course, a child of her breed will not provide modals necessary in polite society, so you must always make sure he does not let wild ideas and behaviors get in his mind that may hinder his development as a proper gentleman and the future Lord of Whitestone Hall. Do I make myself clear, Adele?” she asked, with a raised brow as she looked at the nanny. The girl snapped out of it. “Y-yes Milady! Of course!” she said rushed, with a pronounced and respectful bow. “It will be done, Lady Grey.” “Of course.” she confirmed. “And do keep me posted about everything. I do not want any surprises. I expect you to be vigilant, Adele.” She warned. “I will, Madam.” reassured Adele with another bow. Lady Caitriona gave her the dismissal with a hand gesture, and Adele quickly left the room. From that day on, John and Willow would meet almost on a daily basis. They grew up playing together, even if John was a couple years or so older than she was, she quickly caught up to his energy, and she was always happy to follow his lead. As she got older, though, sometimes it was she who would set the pace. Sometimes, John would go out on a trip, and was always excited to get back to his friend, and Willow welcomed him with a huge smile and soon they would be spending time together again, playing, talking and telling each other of their individual adventures when they couldn’t have them together.