An Illicit Romance

First Sighting

First Sighting

Rose's POV

“This will be your quarters,” She pointed towards a medium-sized room with four single beds on each corner of the room. Two candles gave the only light in the room. It wasn’t a very spacious room but I was glad to have somewhere to sleep. Somewhere warm.

“I’m Dorie. Come to me for anything you need,” she paused. “Within limits,” she added. “When spoken to, your head must remain low. Don’t give attitude and always speak when spoken to. Clean uniforms are in the cupboard. You two,” she pointed at me and Lily. “It’d be a good idea to have a bath and change your clothes. Bath room is opposite. The rest of you come with me.”

The two girls followed her. I looked at Lily. “What do you think? Nice room, right?”

“Very nice!” She admitted. “I had no idea we would be working for royalty. I just need to get out of these clothes.” She looked at the bathroom door.

“You can go first.” I told her. She rushed to the bath room as soon as I spoke. I understood her urgency. I wanted to get out of these wet clothes as well.

As soon as Lily finished, I rushed in there. I’d never appreciated the luxury of clean clothes before then. Dorie walked and talked us through our daily chores. I hadn’t met anyone else of the Harrington family, apart from Lady Harrington herself. While Lily did her job of cleaning the floors, I got started on the windows. I overheard Lady Harrington mentioning a party that was supposed to happen tomorrow. It was already late and I was extremely tired. As I was cleaning the windows, I noticed two people under a gazebo in the gardens. I didn’t want to be nosy so I didn’t pay attention. It was a boy and a girl, maybe around my age. They were arguing. I assumed it was a lover’s spat or something but it seemed to be more. The girl left angrily. I heard a door slam from downstairs. I looked down at the boy. He must have been part of the Harrington family. He certainly wasn’t a servant and he definitely looked like royalty. I couldn’t see him properly through the frosted window. He stepped further out of the gazebo. I couldn’t see the expression on his face but I could tell he was upset about something. I didn’t know I was staring until I Lily nudged me in the ribs.

“Ow! What?”

“You’re drooling.” She laughed.

“Ha, ha. Very funny(!)”

I looked back down. I saw him slowly look up. In my direction. I gasped, and crouched down straight away. I felt like a silly 7 year old who’d just been caught doing something she shouldn’t. Lily gave me a warning look. I would’ve given it myself if I was her. I slowly got back up. He wasn’t there anymore. Thank God. I continued to clean the windows, silently telling myself not to do anything stupid.

Daniel’s POV

I watched from my bedroom window as the raindrops fell heavily. Mother mentioned new servants would be coming in. In my opinion, people in this house should lift a finger and clean something for once.

“Daniel! Oh, Daniel!”

I sighed. The voice of Melanie depressed me greatly.

“There you are!” She came towards me. She looked as though she’d been running.

“What do you want, Melanie?” I was in no mood to talk to her. I’d heard enough of her voice today and I couldn’t bear anymore.

“Daniel, you know what I want.” She said flirtatiously. I would’ve laughed had it not been so sad.

“I’m busy.” I grabbed my stuff and hurried towards the door. I quickened my pace when I saw her follow me from the corner of my eye. Why couldn’t she leave me alone?! It wasn’t that she was hideously unattractive. She was actually quite pretty. My mother had been bothering me about courting her and all the other eligible males in Cheshire had said the same thing, “What is he thinking?”.