Seeing is Believing

Chapter 6

Rose’s POV

I woke up the next morning to the curtains being mercilessly ripped back from the window, letting the sunlight infiltrate my soothing sleep. My eyes opened and closed again before they decided I could truly wake up, but I stayed in bed for a while before thinking I should get up.

The heavy wooden door swung open before I could shove off the covers though, and in came a maid with a heavily laden breakfast tray. If there was one thing I had been jealous of in watching Downton Abbey it was that wealthy women could stay in bed and have their breakfast brought to them whenever they wanted. Now that I actually got to experience it I appreciated its beauty all the more.

The tray was weighed down with everything I liked to eat. There were some alterations to what I would have preferred in my real life, but to this life it was exactly what I loved. Perfectly browned toast with a jar of apple butter and fried eggs were there, and they would have been too in my old life. There was also bacon, although this was different from the crispy strips I loved at home. A pear and an apple were there, a little knife beside them for cutting off bite sized pieces. A pot of tea sat at the back of the tray next to a teacup and saucer, with a tiny tea spoon and silver sugar dish.

I took my time with breakfast, staying in bed until nearly nine o clock, which for the time was like staying in until noon. Everything was delicious, and when I finally got up I was so full I was worried about the corset I was about to put on. I rang the bell and the maid came back to help me dress and do my hair. I picked out a green printed outdoor dress, since I had a feeling I might be taking a walk with Adam today.

My headache was still lingering, sticking around like ugly lamp in your house that’s painful to look that but your mother won’t let you throw away.  It wasn’t nearly as bad as the skull cracking one I had yesterday, but it was definitely still there.

 I finally stepped off the bottom stair in the foyer as the clock struck ten, and I went in search of my parents before I set out to meet Adam. I found my father in the library writing letters and a bright smile lit his face as I came in.

“Good morning, Papa!” I said as I walked to his side at a desk.

“Good morning, my love. I trust you slept well after returning to your own bed?”

“I did, Papa. Thank you.”

“I didn’t have a chance to question you yesterday evening; how was your stay with your aunt?”

“Oh it was lovely! We were most comfortable and my aunt was so gracious. New York is incredibly enjoyable at this time of year as well.”

“I’m glad to hear it, my dear. Now what plans do you have on the day?”

“I’m just off now for a walk, perhaps to Russet Hall.”

“Russet Hall? But you’ve just spent all that time in America with Adam, what could your designs be on that house?”

“I should like to speak to him again and to thank his father for letting me borrow him as my companion.”

My father chuckled at my answer, and said “There’s no need to come up with pretenses, my dear. I know you how you gaze after him and pine away for him!” He was teasing me now, with a joking smile on his face as he looked intently at me. I felt my cheeks go red before he continued on in a more serious tone. “Come here, Rose, darling,” he beckoned, motioning me closer. “I know how the pair of you are such good friends, but I don’t want you to go and break your heart. You must keep it in mind that he is engaged to be married now, and perhaps ease yourself away since he will leave for London when he is married.”