Summer At Biltmore

Chapter 2

It seems the second spring ends we leave for Biltmore. All father talks about on his way to North Carolina is his college days. How he got his first drink from Vanderbilt. As the days went on the weather got warmer, towns smaller, and the mountains came into view. One thing about that summer I will never forget is the fresh mountain air. You can't help but close your eyes and take a deep breath. My father told me how George came to the Appalachian mountains. His mother was suffering from tuberculosis. He came to the same fresh air I am breathing right now. I take a deep breath my corset does not allow for me to breath as deep as I wish to. The corset is going out of style, but the rich still wear them. Curses for that.

It was our last day of traveling before we would finally reach Biltmore. I remember sleep being heavy on my eyes. I slipped into a sleep, a small nap before arriving in Asheville. The next thing I know, i'm being shaken from my sleep. I'm surrounded by beautiful woods and flowing streams. We are here. I look up to see a large home in the distance through some parted trees. I'm already in love with this place. I don't believe I have ever witnessed this beauty in my life.

After going around a few more curves on the road, we pass a gate. There it is Biltmore and all its glory. Its so large. The beauty of it could bring me to my knees. Im happy im not standing right now. We move down the long road to the house. Passing trees that tower over the road. The large door opens and five people come out of the door. The closer we get we realize its Mr and Mrs. Vanderbilt, their daughter and a couple of their house workers. Cornelia has a large smile on her face. Maybe she is happy to meet me too. I smile. I'm happy to be here. I can feel it in my soul, this will be the best summer ever.

"Franklin" Mr. Vanderbilt says arms out, ready to hug my father. I look back at the two women and see that his daughter has her arms stretched out to embrace me. I take the offer and slide into her arms. I can't help but to take a slight sniff of her neck, she even smells like one of the richest people. "Well lets get caught up Franklin and the ladies will show your girls to their rooms and Liam can help with the luggage."

I'm one of those people who cry when they see beauty. I don't know how to process it all, its so amazing I can't fathom the words to say about it. The inside of the Biltmore takes my breath away. New York has been named the best city in America, but it has no compare to the beauty of Biltmore. I could be forever a guest here. We could have chosen to take the elevator, but I chose the stairs. They go around and around and up into what looks like five floors. Cornelia comes up beside me on the steps and grabs my hand. "How about tea on the balcony in a hour?" her smile looked eager. I could tell she wanted to be friends with me more than I wanted to be friends with her. "That sounds amazing, I should have just enough time to settle into my room."

My room is on the third floor. On the front of the door was the name of my room. The Louis XVI Room. I opened the door to find a high ceiling with red fabric on the walls. The furniture was mostly gold coloured pieces. The room was in the shape of a oval.A huge mirror was in the corner along with two windows that went almost to the ceiling. I don't believe I have ever seen a room this beautiful before. Much more spacious than the one I slept in New York. I enjoy to write poetry all the time. While waiting for my things to get here, I sat at the beautiful golden desk. I sat there and took in the feeling of it. This could probably be the best place I have ever been able to write at. I imagine all the stories I could write this summer all the poems full of beauty because of this house.

I'm shaken from thought when there's a knock at my door. "Yes, come in." I shout. I don't know if this place is sound proof. A woman who looks to be around the age of twenty five comes in. She is wearing a maids outfit. Liam the man from outside soon follows her in with a couple of my bags. Now I feel guilty bringing so many things.

"Hello Ms.Courses, I am Bella your personal maid for your stay here. I came to help you unpack your things." I loved her smile. She is so pretty. Its hard to believe someone this pretty is a maid. "Yes thank you, and you may call me Lily. I don't mind. Also thank you Liam for bringing my things up."

After about forty five minutes of unpacking all my things and putting them into a massive closet and drawers. Bella left me alone. I had one more bag to unpack. I brought out a box with lilies all over it. I opened that box and pulled out the stack of paper I brought with me. After that I Took out a couple pens. I was set on setting up my desk. I also took out a kit of envelopes and ribbons for sending letters to people back home. I stepped back a couple feet to admire my work when another knock was at my door. "Yes." It was Bella that entered my room. "Cornelia wanted me to tell you it is getting hot. So you might not want to wear that jacket. Also you might want to wear a hat." She seemed timide giving me this information. Almost like I would yell at her. I guess rude guests have done this in the past. I try to say my words with as much positive niceness as possible." Thank you so much Bella, tell her I will be down in the next ten minutes." She now smiled. She understands i'm not going to yell at her. "Yes miss." With that she leaves.