Your World

Chapter 1

The cold air filtered through the window as the heavy storm that'd been brewing in the sky for the past day let out its downpour.

This was the first rain of the season and it watered the lands as it let down its torrent over the cities.

The people rejoiced, while the noble lamented that this was a season that put a halt to their extravagant balls that happened every other week.

Elizabeth sat by the window relishing the sound of the rain against the roof tiles of their mansion, a place she'd known as home all her life. Edinburgh was a beautiful town and so were its people and culture.

She trailed her eyes lazily over their gardens as a few servants scurried across the field in search of shelter away from the rain, some with baskets of freshly harvested wheat and clothes and the gardener's cart of flowers, her eyes watching his every movement.

She looked back into the room at the flowers in her vase, devoid of life and its luster.

The gardener's little son had been running late delivering her daily flowers.

Elizabeth was picky with her flowers, the colours of the petals often dictating her mood. Amidst of the brewing storm she craved the scent of peace, whatever could mirror the solitude that came with the rain.

Knock knock.

“You may enter.” Elizabeth said, her eyes not leaving the fields.

“Good morning my lady, I've drawn you a warm bath…what oils would you like me to add in?” Jane greeted with courtesy, not lifting her eyes.

Jane waited for a reply but was met with silence.

“My lady?”

“Anything that soothes the soul like rain” Elizabeth tilted her head towards the young maid.

Jane thought for a while pulling the words together.

“Peppermint it is, it reminds me of rain and it will keep you warm as well.”

“But we have used up the bottles in your dressing room so I'll go get some more from the still room.”

A gush of wind blew into the room, and Jane looked up just in time to catch a glimpse of Elizabeth's night dress dancing with the wind, at that moment she looked ethereal, her blue eyes glistening in contrast to the weather outside the mansion.

Jane's eyes looked over at her mistress's bare shoulders, exposed to the chill of the morning air. The room was cold, Jane turned towards the direction of the fireplace.

She stared at the firewood in the fireplace as it sputtered, its last bit of fire going out.

Jane sighed.

“My lady, would you like me to shut the windows?”

“That won't be necessary dear.”

Jane stayed still.

“Don't worry Jane, I'm fine” Elizabeth smiled at her.

“It's just a little chilly.” she said with a wiggle of her shoulders.

Jane couldn't help but laugh.

Elizabeth could be a tad bit playful every once in a while and only those closest to her could experience it.

“And please could you fetch my flowers, I believe the gardener and his son have their hands full.” Elizabeth sighed, draping a chiffon jacket over her shoulders, her eyes returning once more to the view outside the windows.

“Yes, my lady.”

With a bow Jane shut the doors.

Jane scurried across the hallway, then into the servants quarters before making way to the kitchen dodging the morning flurry of servants running into the mansion hiding from the rain and preparing the morning routines of the entire Harrington household.

Just then a swarm of little maids hurdled around her.

“How's her Ladyship feeling today?” said a brunette.

“Did she sleep well?” said a younger one with peach blonde hair.

“Is she prettier in the mornings?” came a blonde Layla.

They bombarded her with a barrage of questions. Clearly overwhelmed Jane answered with whatever thought came into her head.

“Yes, yes, she's fine… and her Ladyship is always beautiful no matter the time of day.”

She lunged and picked up a giggling Layla, resting her on her hips.

“Did she drool over her pillows?” said a naughty red head: Rose.

“What sort of questions are these, it's too early girls.” they all erupt in bouts of laughter.

“Only scientific questions,” Rose said, sulking.

“We're only just curious, Miss Jane.”

Rushed footsteps echoed into the hallway towards where they stood.

Jane's eyes perked up at the sound, seeing a young drenched Anthony holding a basket full of blue and white hydrangeas. Anthony was the gardener's son, he practically grew up on the estate grounds.

“There you are Anthony, her Ladyship has been waiting a while.” She put down Layla, heading towards him with the little girls trailing behind her.

At the sight of Jane his eyes gleamed.

“Good morning miss Jane, these are her Ladyship flowers, I hope she likes them… I'm sorry for running late, my father and I were trying to take out the selected flowers for the day when the storm began.”

“That's not true.” Rose sassed

“We both know why you're late.”

“Let's hear it scientific rose.” Layla laughed out, the other girls giggling along.

“You're late because you like licking the nectar off of flowers.”

The girls all cackled, the sound of witch like laughter echoing within the hallway

“Wait… what?!” Jane laughs a little confused.

“And you know why he does that?” Rose continued.

“Make her stop… please!” Layla laughed so much she clutched her tummy in pain.

“Cause he's in love with a bee.”

The girls were dying of laughter, wiping tears off their faces.

Jane shook her head at them.

"Okay that's enough now.”

He stared at Rose amused,

“Someone's quite taken by me.” He laughed, wiggling his eyebrows.

Rose grimaced.

The flowers were wet and the basket was dripping on the tiled floor. Noticing Jane's gaze at the mess on the floor, he raised them a bit to his eye level and tried patting the basket dry.

“Oh dear don't do that.” She reaches over to get the basket from him.

“They're a bit wet, but that's good for the flowers though, this way they'll live longer and hydrangeas love humidity.” He smiled, handing the basket over to her.

“And they're not trimmed yet.”

“Girls that's enough for now, run along now to your chores.”

“Yes Miss Jane.” They chorused, rushing off to another wing of the building.

Jane looked around for someone that could help out.

“Thank heavens Wendy?”

“Oh Wendy?!”

Wendy jolted and dropped the silver cutlery in her hands.

“Yes, Miss?”

“Please be careful, my apologies for startling you.”

“It's no problem Miss.” Wendy hurriedly picked up the silverware.

“Let me lend you a hand.” Anthony made his way towards her picking up the silverware scattered across the floor.

“Would you be a darling and help trim these flowers?” Jane asked unsure.

“I need to get peppermint oils from the still room for Miss Elizabeth she requested for a soothing scent.” setting the basket on the long pine table, she wiped her palms on her apron.

“Isn't that a bit tingly for the skin?” Wendy questions as she picks up the last of the silverware, placing them in a bowl.

“Thank you Anthony, you can place here, good heavens I'll have to wash these again.” Wendy says, placing her arms akimbo before heading over to get sheers to trim the flowers.

“It being tingly is quite perfect and soothing for this weather, it'll keep her warm.” Jane smiled.

“Oh Anthony would you be a dear and help me gather some firewood for Lady Elizabeth's room, the place is awfully chilly.” Jane stepped away from the table heading towards the large oak doors that led to the still room.

Jane stepped on puddles that pooled on the tiles. The hem of her dress caught a bit of moisture. She bunched her dress up and stepped over the dark trail on the tiled floor.

Pit pat pit pat.

“Where's all this water from and what's that sound?” Jane said as she looked around her feet.

At that all eyes followed the water trail which led to Anthony. There was a puddle of water at his boots, his leather apron dark and soaked through, he shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot choosing not to voice his predicament. The apron pulled visibly at his shoulders and continuously dripped water at the hem.

“Oh Anthony, you're half drowned dear” Jane voiced, noticing his shivering form. “That apron looks like it weighs heavier than the weight of the world.”

“Why don't you take that off and warm yourself by the fire.”

Anthony could only let out a solemn smile.

He loosened the knots which strapped the apron to his form, it landed on the floor with a loud flap, his posture getting visibly relaxed. He breathed in a sigh of relief.

“Thank you.” He smiled.

Anthony picked up the apron and hung it by the big fireplace in the kitchen area. His clothing made sounds with every movement he took. He stretched his arms towards the flames trying to grasp its warmth.

“Much better?.” Jane enquired.

“Much better.” Anthony voiced, his form sinking into a crutch.

Jane nodded and returned to her task.