The lesson was going to be held in the library. Amelia arrived early, perhaps unnecessarily so, because the privilege to arrive last belonged to those who were truly noble. She entered the room without much thought since it would be unlikely that her teacher was already there.
Her assumptions turned out to be wrong though. In the seating arrengement in the middle of the library someone was sitting with their back turned towards her. When the person heard the sound of the door they turned their head.
Amelia immeadietly bent her knees and lowered her head.
"I apologize, I didn't realise that teacher was already here."
She heard the person stand up and heels clicked against the floor as they closed in on her.
"It is quite alright, miss Ainsworth. There's no need for you to greet me so formally." The voice belonged to a woman and even though her statement was curt her words held warmth behind them.
Amelia lifted her head. In front of her was someone she recognized quite well, a tall and woman with her dark hair tightly gathered in a braid. She was out of her maid's uniform but because of the graceful way she carried herself Amelia easily recognised her. It was Flora, one of the maids who had helped her get ready the night when she was last sent to the duke's chamber.
When their eyes met Flora smiled softly.
"It is good to see you again, miss. I hope you will not be too uncomfortable with having a member of the staff teaching you?"
"No, not at all. Have you been faring well since last time we spoke, mrs Carmichael?"
"I'm surprised that you remember me. I have been doing quite well, thank you for asking."
Flora motioned towards the sofas.
"How about we sit down and talk?"
Her movements were soft and fluid, all from how she walked with her back straight and head held high to how she carefully gathered her skirt as she sat down. In comparison Amelia was clumsy and heavy footed.
"I was thinking that we'll just sit and chat for a while and I will try and see if there's anything we should work on. Does that sound alright with you?"
"Yes, that is fine." Amelia smiled politely but her face was stiff, likely from the tension she'd been carrying the whole morning. Even now when she was comfortably seated across from her teacher who seemed quite mild tempered she had to focus all her energy on relaxing her shoulder's to not damage her posture.
"It's been nearly three weeks since you came here if I'm not wrong. How have you been adjusting to life in the duchy, miss Ainsworth?"
In any other context it would probably have come off like a relaxed question but Amelia could tell that Flora was going to listen intently to how she answered since their chat was not mearly one of pleasantries.
"Ah, so it's already been that long?" Amelia feigned a look of surprise. "Well, if I said that it hasn't been difficult to adjust to a whole new place I'd be lying but because everyone has treated me so kindly the transition have gone quite smoothly."
She lifted her eyes and gauged Flora's expression. Compared to Olivia this woman was not as easy to read but it did appear like she was pleased with Amelias answer.
"I am happy to hear that. How about your room and your meals, has everything been satisfactory? I've heard that the Ainsworth viscounty recently hired quite the renowned chef so the food here must be a bit of a downgrade for you."
Amelia felt her throat tighten. It seemed like Flora was going to be asking her some hard hitting questions to test her ability with speech. The noble way of speaking had been one of the more difficult aspects to etiquette for Amelia to learn because in high society the slightest misuse of words could be twisted to mean something entirely different. If Amelia were to thoughtlessely complement one cook's talent it could be interpreted the same was as her undermining the other's.
"Well that would be like comparing apples to oranges I think. While the chef my father hired made the most splendid seafood dishes, the desserts I have had since I came here are beyond comparison"
The truth was that Amelia had never gotten to taste the chef's cooking back at home as it'd been years since she'd last had a meal with her family. She had been eating the same food as the servants so there was no way for her to know if the new chef's food had actually tasted any good at all. But since she'd frequently heard the madam, who was usually a very picky eater, complementing the chef's seafood it seemed safe to assume.