At Stenwulf House

Chapter 10: Something More

Chapter 10: Something More

Fayre couldn't return to sleep after a messenger rung, knocked and shouted at the front door. At first she thought something had gone wrong, very wrong, so she had left the comforts of her bed. She had walked down the stairs, towards the front door, and saw Henry and Mr. Stenwulf there speaking to a young boy of thirteen. Both were still in their dressing gowns. When Martha, who had just come out from the servants' quarters, saw her standing there, the maid immediately shooed her away. She tried to sleep – really, she did, but she couldn't. Her mind was wide awake.

The humiliating admonishment she had received from Lady Stenwulf felt ages ago now. Fayre had put forth her courage once more to head to the city in search of Mrs. Amanin this time. The woman had been delighted, of course, remembering their time together, and had not bothered talking about that very strange event, for which noble lady would want to head down personally to get their measurements, or choose designs? If Mrs. Amanin had heard anything of the lowly circumstances she had been forced to experience, she gave no indication, and Fayre was grateful.

Mrs. Amanin's colleagues, however, were not so forgiving, and watched her every movement whenever they could. Macey, who had taken upon herself to accompany her that day, had glared at them whenever Fayre was not asking for her opinion on colours and designs. During that time, Mrs. Amanin had given her views freely, and found herself, once again, in a war with a maid.

While waiting for her gowns to be delivered, for she was going to a ball that Mr. Stenwulf had been invited to, she had gone for dance lessons under the guidance of Sharlot. Henry, during his free time, had joined in on a dance or two, if only to show Fayre an example. Fayre rather thought it was a pity balls did not include the Kalri, for they did know how to dance very well. Upon questioning where they learnt it from, they just waved it away and said many years of watching the Ekel did that, but Fayre knew that in truth, it was because they had the talent to pick up a dance so quickly. Slowly, Fayre regained the memories of the steps she had learnt prior to her family's plight. The dancing was so invigorating that all thoughts of Dr. Baines' advice were forgotten.

With her mind made up, she decided to dress for the day. Fayre walked towards the room that had been designated for her dancing. On the first floor, Fayre rather thought it was a room suitable to hold a ball of its own. It was large and its pine floor was polished to a shine. There were furniture stacked up against the walls, from tables to chairs. Fayre could tell they were rarely used, and yet they were cleaned and dusted, such that they still looked as good as new. By herself, she quietly reviewed the steps of a Minuet, imagining a partner standing before her.

Her mind naturally wandered to the topic of her husband, for surely that man would be her partner in her dance one day. A part of her was sad at the prospect of leaving Stenwulf House. No longer would she be able to stay with Martha and the girls. She thought, then, of who would be the one to accept her for who she was, and how wonderful it would be to spend the rest of her life with a man like him. She would not mind at all if he was a man like Mr. Stenwulf... yes, someone like him would be perfect.

Fayre stopped dancing, then sighed, feeling crestfallen. Mr. Stenwulf was himself, and only one man of his kind. What was she doing, thinking of such an impossible thing? It was as silly as wishing Mr. Stenwulf to be her husband. It was best to keep her hopes low so as to avoid feeling disappointed by her husband-to-be.

"Miss Everild, there you are."

"Good morning, Marian."

The maid curtsied when she stood in front of her, a look of relief clear upon her face. "Breakfast is ready to be served, miss."

"Thank you, and I apologise for leaving my chambers without your knowing. I know how Martha would have your head if you couldn't find me."

The maid of forty bobbed her head, a thin smile spread across her lips, as though trying to decipher if Fayre was having a laugh. "If you will follow me, miss."

They entered the private drawing room. Fayre expected to see Mr. Stenwulf, who had come to join her for breakfast everyday since she had starting eating in the room, but saw that she was quite alone. Remembering her earlier thoughts, she quickly pushed the impending disappointment aside, instead focusing on the scent of bread, eggs, cheese and lavender tea. After washing her hands in a basin of water, she took a seat by the filled table.

"What would you be doing today, Miss Everild?" asked Martha, who was scooping more food onto her plate as she spoke, giving Fayre no chance to stop her. Fayre was used to letting the maid do what she liked, but today was worse than ever as Mr. Stenwulf was not in attendance, and so her focus was put entirely on her.

"I have not yet given a thought about it." She allowed a moment of silence to pass before asking, "Martha, where is Mr. Stenwulf? Has he not returned from the trip from this morning?"

Martha's brows drew close. "There is something he must attend to."

The maid's severe expression made it easy to guess. "A mystery case?"

"Yes, but there is no need to concern yourself." She placed the plate in front of her, indicating the end of this topic of conversation.

"Would you not join me?" asked Fayre.

Martha looked incredulously at her. "We may be against rigid rules of society, but I, at least, know that servants do not share the same table as a lady of noble birth. Now, eat."

Fayre sucked in her lips and sighed. At least she did have someone to talk to, even if she weren't sitting at the table. "I was thinking of going to town."

"Again? Haven't you had your fill of Mrs. Amanin yet?"

Fayre quickly shook her head. "I do not have gowns in mind now, Martha." She took a sip from her cup. "I want to do something more."

"And what is it you wish to do?"

"I want to do something to help the Kalri."

Martha blinked quickly. "What do you mean?"

"The other day, when Macey and I were walking by an orphanage, there was a sign that called for people to lend a hand for several kinds of task, one of which involves knitting winter caps for the children. I want to help. Doing nothing while so many Kalri are leading a bad life is barely tolerable." She leaned back in her seat, feeling shy. "The problem lies in the fact that I know not how to knit. Could you teach me?"

A look of wonder on her face, Martha replied, "Yes, yes, of course."

Fayre smiled, jumping slightly in her seat. "Would you be willing to accompany me on this trip? We would need to go shopping for some yarn and knitting needles."

Martha's expression softened into a smile, any sign of confusion having disappeared. "I would be delighted."

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So, so sorry for the late update! I got too comfortable being a couch potato. Lately, my growing anxiousness have been used as fuel to create more, so back to writing I go~ I hope it will last though! :) Thank you for reading!