The Forgotten Daughter: Reclaiming Love

Chapter 30: Winstanley's Estate (Part III)

Third Person's POV

The afternoon sun was beginning to wane, casting long shadows across the mansion's grand dining room. Amelia sat at the massive mahogany table, her fingers tracing idle patterns on the fine linen tablecloth. The room was eerily quiet, save for the occasional rustle of the breeze through the open windows. She had been sitting there for what felt like hours, waiting for the family to return home.

She glanced at the large clock on the wall. It was well past lunchtime, and her stomach had started to grumble in protest, but she resisted the urge to go ahead and eat. The day had been a long one, filled with more lessons and lonely hours wandering the estate, and she had hoped to spend dinner with her mother and new family. Maybe if they all sat down together again, it would help her feel more at ease in this unfamiliar world.

Just as she was beginning to wonder if she should go look for them, the door to the dining room opened, and Mr. Roy, the butler, stepped in. His expression was as calm and composed as ever, but there was a hint of sympathy in his eyes as he approached her.

"Miss Amelia," he began, his voice low and measured, "I've just received word that the family will not be returning home for the rest of the day. They've all been caught up with their respective duties and won't be able to join you for lunch or dinner."

Amelia blinked, a flicker of disappointment crossing her face. "Oh," she said softly, trying to keep her tone neutral. "I see."

Mr. Roy gave a small nod, clearly sensing her dismay. "Would you like the kitchen to prepare something for you now, or would you prefer to wait a bit longer?"

Amelia forced a smile, trying to hide the sinking feeling in her chest. "I suppose I should eat now," she said, her voice quieter than before. "There's no point in waiting any longer."

"Very well, Miss," Mr. Roy replied. "I'll have the staff bring your meal to the table shortly."

As he turned to leave, Amelia felt a sudden urge to reach out, to ask him to stay and chat with her—anything to stave off the loneliness that was creeping in. But she stopped herself, knowing it wasn't his job to keep her company. She was in a house full of people, yet she felt more alone than ever.

Moments later, a maid entered with a tray of food, placing it carefully in front of Amelia. The meal was beautifully prepared—grilled chicken with a side of roasted vegetables, a fresh garden salad, and a small bowl of fruit for dessert. The aroma was enticing, but Amelia found herself staring at the plate, her appetite fading.

She picked at the food slowly, each bite tasting more like ash in her mouth. Her thoughts were a tangled mess, a mix of homesickness, uncertainty, and a longing for the simpler days she had left behind. She wondered what her grandmother was doing right now—probably sitting in her cozy kitchen, reading a book or knitting something for the winter. Amelia missed her terribly, missed the warmth and love that had always filled their small home.

By the time she finished eating, the sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving the room bathed in the soft glow of the chandelier above. She pushed her plate away, suddenly feeling too tired to do anything but retreat to her room.

"Thank you," she murmured to the maid as she stood up from the table, feeling the weight of the empty room press down on her.

The maid nodded politely. "You're welcome, Miss Amelia. If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to ask."

Amelia offered her a faint smile before heading out of the dining room and making her way back upstairs. The grand staircase seemed to stretch endlessly before her, the silence of the house growing heavier with each step. She felt small, and insignificant, as if the grandeur of the mansion was swallowing her whole.