An Illicit Romance

Companionship

 Copyright © 2011 by Mimi Greene. All rights reserved.

Companionship

Daniel’s POV

After the party, I had thought of my earlier conversation with one of the servant girls. Although she didn’t talk as much as I would’ve liked her to, she managed to say a few words. I had finally seen her more clearly. There was no doubt that she was certainly beautiful. I could recall her appearance precisely. Her dark hair was neatly tucked into a ponytail. Her dark brown skin was bright from the lights in the garden. I remembered how her brown eyes nervously looked up at me…What was I doing? She was a servant. Way below my class. Beneath me. Then, why couldn’t I stop thinking about her?

“Daniel?”

I turned around. Annabelle peered through the door.

“Come in.”

She skipped over and set herself on the chair next to mine. Her brown hair was wavy and messier than usual. She looked at me with worry.

“The party went well, didn’t it?” I began

“I need to talk to you about something.”

“What is it?”

She looked as though she was trying to figure out whether or not it was a good idea to tell me.

“I overheard mother and father speaking with Melanie and her parents.”

“And?”

“They were talking about you-”

“It’s something I’m very much used to, Annabelle-“

“And you’re engagement. To Melanie.”

I immediately stood up. “What? How many times do I have to tell her? I have no interest in marrying Melanie!”

“Sssh! Mother will hear you! I know you don’t like her but please, you have to find someone. I couldn’t care less about this whole marriage thing but even I can tell you’re alone.”

I thought about her words.

“I’m not alone.”

“Yes you are. While everyone is happy being courted and in love, I see your face, Daniel. I know you’re not happy. It’s me you’re talking to, remember?”

She had a point. Marriage was out of the question. But there were those days when I would want that feeling of being in love with someone. I couldn’t marry Melanie with no feelings for her. It wouldn’t be fair for either of us.

“Just don’t get into any trouble, okay?”

“Of course.” I lied.

Rose’s POV

I couldn’t stop thinking about my earlier conversation with Daniel. If I was even allowed to call him that. Lily’s reaction to us talking was enough. I didn’t want to get into any trouble. Lady Harrington didn’t seem fond of me either. How would she feel if she knew that a lowly servant was talking to her son? It wouldn’t be a pleasant argument.

I had gotten the coincidental task of cleaning the bedrooms, which included Daniel’s bedroom. I sighed, hoping not to bump into him. Thankfully, Lily was asked to help me. I hadn’t talked to the other servants before. They didn’t seem interested in talking to anyone.

Lily sighed at the mess in one of the rooms. “Rich people need to be neater. How can one person make so much mess?”

I laughed to lighten the situation. She was right, the room looked terrible. Clothes were strung all over the place and papers were untidily kept on a dusty table. The room didn’t look like anyone had used it in years.