✔️ shadows of desire | downton abbey

chapter 6

Lady Mary's bedroom was a sanctuary of quiet elegance, the soft glow of morning sunlight filtering through lace curtains. As I stood before her, Lady Mary reclined gracefully in her chair, her expression a mix of curiosity and expectation.

"Where is Anna?" Lady Mary inquired, her voice carrying a hint of impatience.

I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes at her entitled demeanor. "Anna has taken ill, milady," I replied evenly, choosing my words carefully. "If you prefer, I can ask Miss O'Brien-"

"Oh, god no. Not O'Brien," Lady Mary interjected quickly, a hint of distaste in her voice. For a brief moment, her candid response caught me off guard, earning a flicker of reluctant approval. "Is she treating you right?" she continued, her tone softening with genuine concern.

I nodded, maintaining a professional demeanor. "Yes, milady. Everyone has been most kind since my arrival at Downton," I assured her, reaching for the brush to begin styling her hair.

"You look so young. How old are you?" Lady Mary asked, her question hanging in the air with a mix of curiosity and perhaps a desire to fill the silence.

"I'm 21, milady," I replied respectfully as I gently brushed through her hair, feeling the weight of her gaze upon me.

Lady Mary seemed to ponder for a moment, her gaze drifting to the mirror before us. "How about... I let you try something new?" she suggested tentatively, surprising me with her openness.

I hesitated briefly, then nodded, a flicker of excitement igniting within me. With careful precision, I began to coil her hair into intricate twists, securing them with delicate pins. To accentuate her natural grace and elevate the style, I added a pearl comb, its shimmering elegance a perfect complement to her refined features.

When I finished, I held up a small mirror, offering her a glimpse of the transformation. "What do you think?" I asked, my voice tinged with anticipation.

Lady Mary studied her reflection, her eyes assessing the new look with a hint of surprise. "I must say, you have outdone yourself," she remarked, a note of genuine admiration in her tone. "Do you do this often?" she inquired, curiosity piqued.

I shook my head, a small smile playing on my lips. "No, milady. This was my first time," I admitted truthfully, feeling a swell of pride at her compliment.

"You have a talent. Don't let it go to waste," Lady Mary advised, her words carrying unexpected warmth. "That will be all, thank you."

I curtsied respectfully and left her bedroom, the encounter leaving me with a newfound respect for Lady Mary. Perhaps not all Crawleys were as unapproachable as I had initially thought-perhaps there was more beneath the surface, waiting to be discovered.

As I closed the door to Lady Mary's room, the grand hallway of Downton Abbey stretched before me, bathed in the soft morning light. I took a deep breath, still processing the surprising kindness I had encountered. The warmth of her compliment lingered, a welcome contrast to the usual demands of my duties.

Descending the grand staircase, I was greeted by the familiar hustle and bustle of the house. The scent of fresh flowers from the arrangements and the faint aroma of breakfast wafting from the kitchen filled the air. I made my way to the servants' hall, where the others were gathered, preparing for the day ahead.

"Morning, Eden," Gwen greeted me with a smile, her hands busy polishing silverware.

"Morning," I replied, taking a seat next to her.

Anna, despite her illness, had come down to see if she could assist. She looked pale but determined. "Eden, how did it go with Lady Mary?" she asked, her voice slightly hoarse.