Anthony was not skilled at doing laundry; he had never learned how. This meant that Vagatha either had to teach him or continue handling it herself. As a result, Charlotte would have to spend laundry day alone for a while. Vagatha gave her strict instructions: she was not to speak to any strangers, let herself be seen, or venture beyond the servants' quarters and the garden. Charlotte promised to obey Vagatha.
She spent the morning in Vagatha's room, engrossed in reading Evelina, and in the afternoon, she ventured into the garden to play with Kee-Kee, her little cat. Kee-Kee loved to hide in trees and bushes, and Charlotte delighted in the game of finding her.
As Charlotte searched for Kee-Kee, she felt a sense of freedom in the garden. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting playful shadows on the ground. She called out,
"Kee-Kee! Where are you?" Her voice echoed softly, blending with the gentle rustle of the leaves. Suddenly, she spotted a flicker of movement near a bush. "Got you!"
Kee-Kee darted out, her fur glistening in the sunlight as she climbed higher into a nearby tree. Charlotte giggled, her heart racing with excitement. The game was on! After chasing Kee-Kee for an hour, she took a moment to rest under the tree, with the cat curled up in her lap. As she relaxed, a familiar melody began to play in her mind, and she found herself singing along.
"La-La-La-La. La-La-La-La."
"You have a very pretty voice." Someone said without warning.
Startled, Charlotte stood up quickly and hid behind the tree, peering cautiously from behind the bark. She saw another young woman standing nearby.
The woman had a unique complexion—darker than her own, Vagatha's, and Anthony's, yet lighter than Dr. Utterson's. Her magnificent black hair was styled in ringlets, and her thick lashes framed a pair of tender yet striking grey eyes. She was a vision in a gown of black and red.
Charlotte knew she was a stranger and recalled Vagatha's warning about strangers, but something about this woman felt safe. Kee-Kee seemed to share her instinct, remaining calm instead of fleeing as she usually did around unfamiliar faces.
"I'm sorry if I frightened you." The woman said. "Are you alright?"
"I... I'm fine. I'm just not sure if I should speak to you."
"Don't worry, I won't tell old Cassius. I know that's what Vagatha is worried about."
"You know Vagatha?"
"I've heard of her. She works for my uncle and cousin. We've never officially met, but from what I've seen and heard, she's a remarkable woman and someone you can trust." She smiled warmly. "Anyway, I'm Milliana Lavenza. I come here occasionally to visit my cousin and my sweetheart."
"I'm Charlotte."
"It's lovely to meet you, Charlotte. That was a beautiful song you were singing. But I'm guessing you don't know the lyrics, do you?"
"Lyrics?"
"Words that accompany music. Music is beautiful on its own, but adding words can make it even grander. Luckily for you, I know that song by heart."
"You do?"
"Yes, my love wrote it just for me. Would you like me to teach you the lyrics?"
Charlotte's heart raced at the prospect of learning something new.
"Yes, please!" She exclaimed, stepping out from behind the tree, her initial nervousness fading. "I would love to learn!"
Milliana smiled, her grey eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
YOU ARE READING
The Modern Adam and Eve
Mistero / Thriller"No one need ever die. I will stop this." "No! You can't cheat death!" "We won't know unless we try." "I warn you, what you are suggesting is not only illegal, it is immoral." "Did you ever consider the consequences of your actions?" "Who am I? Wher...
