Chapter 3
Millie walked out to the carriage she and Clayton had taken out to the large plantation. She grabbed her satchel that held her only belongings, and turned to face the two-story white clapboard house. It had dark maroon shutters and a wrap-around porch. The second story had a balcony with white railing. She could hardly believe this was where she would be living for the foreseeable future. She climbed up the few steps to the front door, and opened it. Trey and Clayton had moved downstairs and into the parlor to the right of the foyer. Trey turned toward her as the door shut.
“Clayton will get the rest of your things, Miss Millie” he said.
“There is no more, sir” Millie said.
Trey nodded after a moment. “I’ll show you to your room”.
He gave Quinn to Clayton, who awkwardly held him close to his chest.
Millie smiled at Clayton as Trey led her up the stairs.
“If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask any of us for it” Trey said over his shoulder.
“Thank you” Millie answered.
“Mariah is the cook, she’s usually in the kitchen. Jess is the maid, she’s always cleaning something so you’ll have to hunt for her. You’ve met Clayton, he’s usually in my study when I’m gone. There’s a stable boy, Price, but he lives down the road a piece, so he’s not here all the time. And I’m usually not that hard to find” Trey told her.
By this time they were on the second floor, and they walked down the hall until they came to a door. Trey opened it and revealed a finely furnished room. Millie took a step in and looked around. The large bed in the middle of the room looked like it was made up for a queen, with pillows that looked like they were as fluffy as clouds. The drapes over the windows were solid white, allowing just enough sunlight to illuminate the room but not overpower it. An area rug covered half of the floor while the other half was made of the same waxed wood as downstairs and the hall. A chest of drawers stood next to the door. A small white desk with a straight-backed chair sat across from the bed and a settee on the far wall beside another white door.
“I hope everything suits you” Trey said.
Millie nodded. “It more than suits me. Are you sure this is where I stay? I mean, I’m only hired help” Millie asked.
Trey stared at her a moment, and Millie regretted speaking. “I’m sorry” she said. “I didn’t mean to question you…”
“No, it’s fine. I’m glad you like it” Trey smiled.
Millie clamped her hands together to keep them from shaking. She didn’t like her scary employer’s presence.
“Thank you” she said.
“Through that door is the nursery where Quinn spends a lot of time, and I’m just down the hall” Trey said.
He apparently saw her nervousness at the arrangement.
“Don’t worry” he put a hand over his heart. “I’m a complete gentleman. Besides, the door locks and the key is in the top drawer of the dresser”.
Millie couldn’t help a shy smile.
“And if you ever have the urge to clamber out the window for some time by yourself, there’s a balcony out there” Trey said.
Millie nodded.
“I’ll leave you to get settled” Trey stepped out and closed the door.
Millie placed her satchel on top the chest of drawers and collapsed on the bed. She smiled as she bounced for several seconds. She breathed a thankful prayer for the job and the sat up. Walking to the window, she noticed how it faced west. She would be able to watch the sunset. Pulling the drapes aside, she looked out and saw a wide stretch of land, just sitting there with a few horses here and there. Such obviously fertile land should be put to good use, not left to be overgrown with weeds.
YOU ARE READING
Keep My Heart
Romansa“It wasn’t worth a horse, was it?” she asked. “No” Trey entered the stall and swung the saddle over Hank’s back. Millie walked into the next stall, which was empty, and leaned against the low wall that separated the two. “So then why take the ris...
