Twins of Tenby Hall

Chapter 21

It took Isabel Riley a moment to recall where she was the next morning. She gazed about the small bedchamber she had awoken in and shivered as it was a little cool. The furniture and general décor were high quality and quite in season, though not in as much abundance as her own room. A maid lighting a small hearth was what had woken her. "Excuse me, Girl," she asked, "what time is it?" 

"Quarter to eleven, Miss." 

Isabel thought it odd the maid would be just lighting a fire now, it should be lit much earlier to warm the room before the lady woke. Dunsworth's voice in her mind then spoke I don't believe you will be content residing in a small abbey; you will find it difficult living without luxury, or staff in every room. Isabel, stiff-necked and tenacious, would not allow his prediction to become true; she threw off her warm quilt, forcing herself not to balk at there being no rug between her bare feet and the chilly floor-boards. 

"I unpacked yer bag, Miss. Yer clothes are in tha' there closet. I was instructed to help you dress." the scrawny little maid gave a small curtsy. "Will ye be wanting the blue or the lavender today?" 

Isabel missed her three pretty French and Italian abigails from home, this girl did not look like she would be able to tie a proper corset. You do not need three lady's maids to dress you, you spoiled prissy she scolded herself. She smiled kindly. "The blue pinstripe will do, thank you." 

"Do ye want the corset tight as what'av ye or do you prefer it loost?" 

Isabel stared at the girl. "Why would I want a loose corset??" 

The girl shrugged, looking a mite spanked. "I dunno Miss, tha's how the Miss Dunsworths likes it. S'pose it's more comfortable." 

Feeling rebellious, Isabel grinned, "I'll have it however she does then." It wasn't as though she had anyone to impress in any case.

She wandered downstairs, adjusting a thick shawl about her shoulders, surveying the rest of the house. It was much, much smaller than Tenby, but not uncomfortably so. It was very stylish and bright – for an abbey – and larger than she had admittedly imagined (though Eugene Dunsworth could be blamed for her low expectations). Four floors and three towers, many spacious rooms, a well-tended courtyard and garden, and a large woodland to explore which covered most of the estate. It could not be considered insufficient, far less 'poor'. Isabel was well pleased.
She had glimpsed the outdoors from through windows, now she ventured out into it. She walked to the far end of the courtyard to turn and view the abbey, tucked into the woods, as she had been unable to upon arriving last night. The word she decided fit it best was enchanting. The dark weathered brick, hugged – nay, overwhelmed – by ivy, stood before her proud; yet also humbled by time.
Dunsworth stepped around a corner and, seeing her, approached.

"How was your night?" 

"Very comfortable, thank you. Where have you been this morning?" 

"The stables; there is a new colt old enough to begin breaking, I have been letting him get used to me." 

"You are a lover of horses?" 

"Sicily claims I am wild for them. I would not go so far, but I admire and respect them a great deal. What is it makes you stand out here so still and contemplative?" 

She turned toward him slightly with a smile "It is Blackstone, I am inspired by her. She radiates a character almost human." 

"Ah." His lips twitched and eyes filled with amusement, following her gaze to his home. "Pray tell: what is it she inspires in you, and what do you suppose her character to be?" 

"She inspires wonder and...if beauty were a feeling...I suppose." She obliged. "Her character would be poised, charming, and esoteric; she would have a vague and mysterious story the like of which everyone would wish to hear; yet she would tell only one."