Corianne glanced out the window of the swiftly moving carriage. She had been travelling for three days and was finally about to arrive at her new home. Her parents and home had been burnt to ashes a year ago, so she was left heartbroken and homeless. Finally she had found a person willing to take her in, in exchange for her to tutor his only daughter.
“Almost there m’Lady,” Corianne’s driver called back. She nodded, turning her head out the window once more. The road was bumpier and jostled the carriage back and forth. They turned onto a narrow lane and Corianne squinted her dark eyes to see a large manor in the distance. A few moments later they came to a halt in front of a large gate.
She opened the carriage door, took out her suitcase, and examined her surroundings. The gate was metal and black, with the word “Lilith” scrawled across it. Behind it about fifty feet back stood the manor. It was stone with two towers, and ivy curtained its walls. Corianne stood staring in awe at its height. How many rooms could such a large manor could possibly have?
“Will I have to walk from here?” she asked the driver.
“‘Fraid so mam.”
“Well, good day to you.” Corianne replied handing him the fare for her drive.
“To you too.” He said and turned back to the carriage.
Corianne looked up at the road, and started to trudge forward. "Darn these blasted skirts.” she thought aloud, hiking them up to her ankles. She started to hate the drab material even more when she saw how grand the estate was. It would be embarrassing to walk in like this.
The most gorgeous gardens decorated the grounds, blooming with vibrant colors, and the yards were surrounded by a magnificent forest. When Corianne arrived at the door she thought it beautifully carved. It must have taken years to finish. She found a silver knocker in the shape of a swan head, and rapped loudly. After a few moments delay, a grim looking figure opened the door.
“You’re late.” He said.
“Um, I am very sorry sir. I am Corianne. Corianne Beldon.” Corianne said, nervously curtsying.
“Yes, I can see that. And hopefully your small mind can comprehend that I am Mr Adley, Lord of Lilith estates.” Corianne tried to say yes, but was interrupted. “This is hopefully the last I will see of you until the month is over in which we all, meaning Clementine, you, and I, will dine together to see how Clementine is faring.”
Clementine, my Lord?”
“My daughter, who else. Now Warren here will show you to your room.” Corianne glanced over to the corner of the entrance hall to see a man about her age with dirty golden waves flash her a grin. Giving a quick curtsy she looked back up to Mr Adley for any further instruction.
“You will dine alone tonight, and will have breakfast with Clementine in the morning. Now excuse me.” He said curtly.
She curtsied then turned to Warren as soon as Mr Adley was out of sight.
“Is he always like that?” She asked.
“Oh, you were lucky. Usually he’s much, much worse.”
Corianne’s eyes widened. “Well, I best get used to it I suppose.” After a pause she continued hoping to change the subject. “What is your place here? That sounded rude, sorry. What I mean to say is do you work- I mean-” Warren stared at her amused. “Sorry.” Corianne blushed.
“Technically I am supposed to water the gardens, but it rains so much I have become... An errand boy, I guess you could call it.” Warren said sparing Corianne any more chances to be embarrassed.
“I see.” Corianne said, her blush dimming. “And what of Mrs. Adley? Is she around?”
Warren looked down at the carpet covering the cold stone floor. “She’s dead.” He said looking up, the amusement gone from his eyes. “Died when Clementine was two.”
“Oh. I apologize for asking such prying ques-”
“No. Don’t apologize. Just never mention her around his Lordship.”
“I understand.” The rest of the walk was silent. Corianne found the house very bare of any sort of decoration, and wondered why a man of so much money would live in a manner so boring.
After walking up a long spiral staircase, they came to an old wooden door. “Here you are.” said Warren. Warren opened the door to reveal the most regal quarters Corianne had ever seen. A four poster bed draped with fluffy red blankets sat in a cozy nook, large arched windows decorated the walls, and a varnished desk sat in the corner.
“Why isn’t the rest of the house so grand?” She asked Warren.
“Doesn’t suit his lordship’s taste, I suppose.”
“It’s a pity.”
“The house was decorated lavishly when her Ladyship was around. The day she died his Lordship tore it all down.”
“That’s odd.” Corianne pondered. “You would think that he might want to keep a little in her memory.”
“Or he just wanted to escape from grief.” Pausing for a moment, Warren continued. “Well I’ll leave you alone to get situated. Feel free to wander the house and grounds. Your dinner will be up shortly.” He turned, and walked down the stairs shutting the door behind him.
Corianne set down her suitcase, and looked around her new home. This was the nicest room she had ever been in, but then again her living situation was never comfortable. She walked over to the closest window and ran her hand down the curved stone. It was large enough to be a doorway. Glancing down she saw that she was about sixty feet up, and guessed she was probably in one of the towers. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a figure move down by the forest. Looking again, Corianne found nothing. Shaking it off as a figment of her imagination she opened her suitcase and began to unpack, filling the drawers that were hidden in the corner of the room. Lastly she took out the picture of her parents and set it on top of the dresser.
Corianne sat down on the edge of the bed and began to realize how incredibly tired she was. Before she knew it, she was sinking into the beds softness and falling into a deep, comfortable sleep.
