Your World

Chapter 2

Janes footsteps echoed as she made her way to the stillroom, the scent of herbs and spices filled her senses with every step toward the large oak doors.

She removed the latch that held the door shut and opened it.

The smell of eucalyptus and dried lavender danced pleasantly in the air. The room was filled as plants and herbs hung down from the ceilings and walls. The live ones were kept in pots by the windows to receive a bit of sunlight to preserve them longer.

Shelves stood grand against the walls as rows of amber coloured jars lined the decks. Jane moved towards the shelves opening a few peppermint labeled jars. She took some leaves out, they were dark and devoid of colour. Clearly not suitable in bath water. She sighed, returning the jars back to their spots on the shelves.

She backed away from the shelf, her eyes lazily skipping over the dried bundles of herbs until they landed on the windowsill. In a brown terracotta pot stood a flourishing peppermint plant, its colour resilient and bright against the dull dried leaves beside it. Its leaves were still damp from the little drizzle that had entered the still room before the storm began.

Jane walked up to the pot and pinched a leaf, its cooling scent immediately filled the air replacing the scent of lavender that hung heavy in the room.

She plucked a few sprigs and moved towards the gateleg table taking a wooden mortar and pestle she wiped it over with a wet cloth. She put the peppermint leaves into the mortar and bruised them with the pestle, the sound of the pestle against the wooden mortar making a rhythmic sound each time she struck it.

Knock knock.

Jane peeped into the room. Her eyes glistened under the dimly lit room.

“I noticed you were bruising leaves and brought some hot water for you, if that's alright” She entered the room fully gesturing at the steaming kettle in her hand.

“You're a life saver Wendy, what would I do without you, honestly?.” Jane smiled.

Wendy giggled, setting the kettle atop the table.

She brought over a copper bowl, the metal cool beneath her touch and placed a muslin strainer over it awaiting Jane to finish with the leaves.

Jane removed the leaves clinging to the pestle and set it aside. Inspecting the leaves she gestured at Wendy to take a look.

“Perfect.” Wendy confirmed with a smile.

“Perfect.” She echoed.

She gathered the mash and emptied it on the muslin and carefully poured a stream of steaming water over the leaves. The scent enveloped the room as it seeped into the copper bowl, the liquid coming to life with a vibrant golden hue.

While the liquid was still hot, Wendy offered a jar of honey and a small jug of fresh milk.

Jane lifted the muslin and reached for both. She put a spoonful of golden Heather honey into the bowl and poured a generous splash of milk into the copper bowl. With a series of gentle swirls, both dissolved into a creamy tea. The addition of both would keep the mint from stinging her Ladyship's skin.

“That honestly smells delicious.” Wendy cackled, gesturing at the bath concoction.

“It does, do you want a spoonful?” Jane playfully asked whilst checking if the mixture had cooled.

“You really do take such good care of her Ladyship, I commend you for that. Truly…” She held a hand to her chest.

“But you don't come out to meet the girls anymore.” Wendy gave a sad smile, turning her back to rummage the drawers for a funnel and a decanter.

“Of course, duty and responsibility come before fun, I have my greater share of the former than the latter.” Jane expressed bitterly.

Wendy scrunched her nose “You sound just like her.” she teased placing the crystal decanter on the table whilst handing her the funnel.

“That's what you get if you've spent every waking moment around someone.” Jane gave a little smile.

Leaning against the door frame Wendy eyed Jane, thinking carefully of her next choice of words.

“Sad.” She turned and walked out of the still room without sparing Jane a glance.

Jane was used to this, she'd grown distant from her friends and they noticed and talked to her about it all the time, she couldn't blame them but she'd known Lady Elizabeth her entire life, Elizabeth was her life. Someone like Wendy wouldn't know what that felt like. Wendy came from a quaint home with her mama and papa both alive and three elder sisters who married fairly well for their status as well as two older brothers who were doing quite well in their ventures.

Unlike Wendy, Jane had no soft landing. Though they both worked as maids in the same household, their lives were polar opposites.

Anthony's knock drew her from her train of thoughts.

The firewood and flowers were ready to head upstairs. She'd been so lost in thought she lost track of time. She composed herself not wanting to bother anyone with the trifles of her life.

Jane carefully funneled the mixture into the decanter and set it on a tray, with that she was out of the still room.