The Party Invitation (Hiatus)

Chapter 10

Jamie rolled over in her bed, fluttering open her eyes. Her eyes shot open in panic as she sat up, her head whipping around. She suddenly stopped. That's right. She's not in Green Meadow anymore. She had been bought at a slave auction and now lives in a servant home. She sighed, choking back tears. She can't cry. Not now, not ever. She needs to be strong, for her mother and Kylie. She turned her head, her gaze landing on Lindsey, who lay sleeping, snuggled deep into her covers.

Jamie sighed again, swinging her legs over the bed as mumbles and groans came from the other girl.

"Jamie.....?" Lindsey said groggily, lifting herself. "What are you doing up so early...?"

Jamie smiled gently.

"I just woke up. I'm sorry if I woke you Lindsey." She said quietly.

Lindsey shook her head, rubbing an eye.

"Don't worry about it. I....." She yawned. "I should probably get up anyway. It's my job to feed the horses.

Jamie's eyes bulged.

"You have horses?!"

Lindsey giggled.

"Yeah. They're the young master's horses though. Very few servants are allowed to ride them."

"Why?" Jamie asked, tilting her head.

Lindsey shrugged.

"I think they're for his friends and him when they go hunting."

"O....k, and why doesn't he let us use them when his friends aren't over?"

Lindsey shrugged again.

"I don't know actually, but I'm fine with it. I'm too scared to even get on the horse." Lindsey lifted herself from the bed. "Come on, we need to go take care of the horses. And after that, we can go get your uniform."

Jamie nodded as she followed her out of the room.

Their room was the last of the hallway on the third floor. The servant boys slept on the second.

"So, where are the stables?" Jamie asked as they walked.

"They're a little ways away. Not too far but not too close. The young master has nearly 100 acres to himself. He made sure that it was teeming with wildlife, that way he and his friends can stay in his property and still come home with fresh meat."

"I'm just glad he isn't one of those men who makes their servants do all the work. I've met many of those types of people."

"Really? Where?"

"In my home town. I lived in a very wealthy town, so I saw a lot of servants."

"Ah."

They walked down into the living room in silence, heading straight for the kitchen. It was almost empty except for the two girls. One was short and both were slim, both wearing a long maid's dress, dark brown with a white middle, dull gold buttons on the front, and like every maid uniform, a frilled headband on their heads.

"These two are the ones who make our breakfasts and other meals. Elizabeth and Rain."

They bowed in welcome. Jamie repeated the gesture.

"Come on, let's head to the stables."

Jamie smiled as they departed, making small talk with Lindsey. As they walked, the sun began to peek over the trees nearby.

"Here we are." Lindsey said.

Jamie looked up, her eyes growing wide with excitement. A large barn sat in the middle of the clearing, painted red and white. Jamie grabbed Lindsey's arm, pulling her towards the barn.

"Come on! I wanna see them!"

Lindsey laughed as she was pulled into the barn. She opened the door, exposing the rows of stables to Jamie's eager eyes. She gasped in delight. Horses of different colors lined the walls.

"They're gorgeous!"

"They are huh?"

"I've only seen such horses from carriages. I was never allowed to touch them though."

"Why not?"

"Because I was just a little dirt poor girl, not worth a penny."

"Oh...I'm sorry."

"It's alright."

"Anyway, let's get to work!"

"Alright!"