The Arranged Marriage

chapter 2

 

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    As Anna approched the giant door she could see that it was for sure an old dwelling judging by the architecture but still, it was well maintained .
This place was the perfect model of the traditional English country house back in the late 17th century.

Once in front of the entrance, the girl procceded to knock but before her hand could reach for it, the massive door opened letting a middle aged woman appear.

She took a moment observing Anna which made the brown haired girl somehow uncomfortable especially when the woman seemed to pause her sight on her braced leg and her cane.

After few seconds the woman spoke

"You must be Miss Cooper?"

"Euh, yes it's me" replied Anna

"Well, please enter" said the older woman while stepping aside so that Anna could come in.

Once she was inside the woman shut the door behind her and took the bag from the young lady's hands, who was standing and admiring the hall.

" I am Mrs. McGowan, the housekeeper of the Johnson's residence "

Anna turned to face her and smiled

" It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. McGowan "

The woman didn't respond, she kept a straight face and began to walk toward one of the corridors and mentioned to Anna to follow her.

While walking, the young woman couldn't help but stare at the surroundings :

Everything was made of marble, the walls were all decorated with paintings and fancy mirrors, some furnitures were modern other were old which gave a charming and warm atmosphere .

After a moment of walking through to what seemed an endless corridor the housekeeper stopped and opened a door .

She made a gesture for Anna to enter,
which she did and noticed that it was a lovely bedroom :

It had a double bed with nightstands in both sides, a dressing table and a large wardrobe .
The room was pretty lit as there was two windows .
All the fornitures were lavender coloured so they match the purple decoration of the beige walls .

"This is your room, it's small but it's the only one available in the ground floor as the others are for the staff and seeing your condition I am guessing that you can not climb stairs." Stated the woman with the same straight face.

"Yes, you can say that me and the stairs,  we're not really friends "
laughed nervously Anna .

" the bathroom is next this door " mentioned the governess pointing to the door Next the wardrobe.

"I'll let you set up and rest, I will come back in an hour "informed Mrs.McGowan and soon closed the door not letting the girl a chance to ask her about Mr.Johnson.

Anna started to put her few stuff from her bag in the wardrobe and the dressing table, when she finished she placed on the nightstand the picture of her mother, this was the only thing that she had to remember her .

She then sat on the bed and posed her cane near the nightstand, she decided to rest, making sure that her braced leg laid first on the bed .

She was facing the frame, looking into the picture, remembering the only joyful memories she had in her life, she stayed for while like that, drowning deep in her thoughts until she fell asleep.