Chapter 2 New Home

CHAPTER 2

New Home

Juliet's POV

"A lovely home you have here." I walked toward the portrait, staring at it. She walked towards me with her hands on my shoulder.

"I miss them every day. Being a seamstress has been my only distraction and with my eye getting worse every day, I might not be able to distract myself anymore"

" That is why I am here, aunt. To support you all the way through." I hugged her again, she pulled away sniffing.

"Come, I will show you your room and also prepare water for your bath, you rig of old sweat and road dust."

The room was small and smelled nice, like it had just been recently cleaned. She pulled open the louvers of the windows letting in air.

"Here, it is," She handed the key over to me,

"There is water flowing through the tap, in the bathroom, it should be just enough for your bath. I will get a bowl full of warm water to help you wash better."

"Thank you aunt, this is nice, smells nice too."

"Oh, and there is something else." She walked to the big chest resting by the wall. It was a trunk of fabric of different colors and the smell of camphor rushed to me. She pulled out a red dress, full skirt, fuller than the one that I had on. One of the prettiest and classiest I had seen locked in a trunk.

"This was for Lady Agatha's daughter, but she rejected it, the skirt is not thick enough, she had said."

"The Lady's daughter must really not have eyes for nice things." I grabbed the dress, placing it on my chest watching myself in the big mirror.

"This is lovely." I twirled moving the dress with me.

"You can have it."

"Oh really?"

"Yes, you can have any dress in the trunk. Go on, check them out and then wash up. I will go and set the table for lunch now."

•••

I walked to the table, watching the steam escape from the meal. Aunt Elizabeth walked out of the kitchen with a big bowl.

"That dress is lovely."

"Thanks aunty, I made it myself. I would have made the dress fuller if I did not run out of fabric."

"It still looks good on you. I never knew you were this good with fabrics. Did your mother teach you something?"

"Yes, she showed me a few things."

"I always knew she had it in her but she never wanted to admit it and now it is showing so much in you. Let us eat."

I pulled the wooden chair forward settling in.

"I haven't seen my sister in years. She only sends letters and now she has sent you. I wonder if she has as much grey hairs in her head as mine."

"Oh aunty, your sister; my mother is doing just fine, in fact she is planning a wedding."

"A wedding?"

"Yes, my sister will be wedded in a few days and I wish not to attend. Mother's constant nagging and discontent reached its maximum that I had to take the trip here sooner than planned."

"I see, we can always talk about it when you deem it fit. Do you like the meal?"

"I do, and it is tasty, but the milk is a bit sour though."

"Oh, I'll be sure to go get a new one."

"I can help you get it if you point me to the market."

"Oh, no Juliet I'll get it tomorrow, I am a bit occupied today. I have to meet with a few ladies in the estate to take out measurements for new dresses. There would be a ball in the estate soon. The Duke is organizing it, but I don't know the occasion. There are always balls here in Sterling estate."

"Sounds interesting. I can go take measurements with you."

"You came from a far journey, you will need plenty of rest."

"Yes, I would when we are back from taking the measurements and besides, I want to catch a glimpse of what the estate looks like."

"Juliet, most of those women can be a bit pompous sometimes."

"I know ma'am, you have worked for them, and I can do that too."

"Hmm, you are a hardened nut."

"Mother always tells me." She shook her head, heading towards the door.

"Grab my basket and a bonnet, so we go take the measurement before it gets to dusk.

"Okay, ma'am." I walked along.

I was like a child always piqued with curiosity, everyone at home knew this, so they kept me away from secrets they wanted to keep hidden. As we walked in through the gate, the brilliant petals of the gorgeous garden welcomed my eyes, and my senses meticulously kept hedges. I closed my eyes to take in the sweet smell of the concoction mix of various kinds of flowers. Aunt Elizabeth pulled me forward, I opened my eyes to a gorgeous lady, in a full dress. Her face was like the pile of gold in a mine.

"Elizabeth, you are a minute late."

"My apologies Lady Agnes, I had a little delay at home."

"I see, you have a helper now?" She turned towards me.

"She is my niece."

"Hello." I waved at her.

"Mother awaits you, only you." She turned and walked in, ignoring my pleasantries.

"Aunt Elizabeth, who is that?"

"That is the Lord's betrothed, she just arrived in England a few days ago. They would be wedded soon. I need to go in now, I do not want to keep the Ladies waiting. You can wait outside, I will be out soon."

I nodded in response, watching her walk in the same direction Lady Agnes had walked. The garden caught my eyes again, it was compelling to take a look around. After all, I might not get the chance to see such again. I walked into it, it was like a maze with green high lawns as walls and flowers at every angle. I took one off its stalk putting it up to my nose. It looked more like a dandelion but its petals were like that of the lily. I rounded a corner, where I saw a man, in the midst of the rose flowers, admiring everything that was in full bloom. He turned to me with a stern stare, "Oh, I am sorry, I shouldn't have taken it off its stack." He stared sternly and then into a laughter.