I was woken up by a sudden burst of light into the bedroom. Blinking my eyes until I could see who had opened the curtains, Hilda was standing next to the bed. "Good morning mistress I hope you slept well" she was bright and cheery "hmm what time is it?" I asked sleepily still rubbing my eyes and trying to wake up "It's 10am, I thought I would let you sleep in for a bit" Hilda replied. I stared at her in shock, I'd never in 4 years slept in till 10 o clock. Normally I'd be up and completed at least two jobs by now. "Do you want to get up mistress? I can leave you for another hour?" Hilda asked concerned "No no, Hilda I'm perfectly fine, it's just I've never woken up this late before." I said. She looked at me quizzically. Oh right I forgot I was supposed to be entitled. Entitled people woke up when they wanted and and basically told the staff how to they wanted to do their day. I pulled the covers off still yawning and went to the bathroom. I let the shower wash away anymore traces of sleep. I was actually in love with this shower. After I came out in a bathrobe Hilda had already made the bed, laid out a sundress for me and was waiting for me at the vanity table. I sat down and as she brushed my hair she hummed melodically. I was so relaxed by hilda's presence, she actually made me feel like I was a little girl again when my mother used to brush my hair for school. "Do you have any plans today mistress?" She broke the spell over me and I looked at her through the mirror. I had actually not even thought about what to do. Normally people told me what to do. The weather seemed to be nice so maybe I should explore the outside while I had a chance. "Maybe I'll head outside today, see the grounds" I voiced. Something crossed Hildas expression. I wasn't sure whether it was concern or fear. "Lovely idea mistress just please don't stray to far. You're only protected inside the manors boundaries." I nodded.
I knew lots of people who were partnerless lived on the outskirts of town and took people. God knows what they did with them but the lucky ones usually were found dead. If you didn't have a partner you basically weren't permitted to own a house. You also didn't have certain benefits like the weak healthcare the slums had. Just enough to keep you alive but not enough so you had ideas of trying to overthrow the mayor. Many of the partnerless people became beggars on the streets but a lot had moved away to create their own society. I knew a lot of violence went on out there. Mother never used to let me out at night for fear I wouldn't come back.
Once dressed Hilda took me downstairs for breakfast. Before she left I asked, "Will Connor be joking me?" She hesitated "The master is already in his study for the day. Best not to disturb him" which was basically her saying he had no desire to see me today. I ate breakfast on my own, still in awe about the food her. I'd never tasted strawberries so fresh. I left the breakfast room and stood in the entrance hallway for a bit. I could have done with a book to read outside. Surely there had to be a library or a least a book shelf around here. Luckily at that moment mr Williams walked through, probably on his way back from seeing Connor. "Oh Mr Williams! Is there any books around here and a blanket for the grass outside" I shouted trying to get his attention. He turned expressionless as usual. "Yes, would you like me to show you the library Mrs Morgan?" Library? Wow. I nodded. On the way to the library we passed another servant who mr Williams stopped and asked to get a picnic blanket for me and to bring it to the entrance hallways as soon as possible. The servant nodded and bowed to me before going to fetch a blanket.
We arrived at the library door and mr Williams opened it for me. Again I was in awe, twirling around looking at floor to ceiling shelves covered in books. I trailed my finger over the spines on one shelf, taking in the smell, the feel and the sight of the place. "Mrs Morgan, I have another task to attend to so if you'll excuse me. Henry will be waiting on the entrance hallway. So when you finish if you meet him there, he'll take to outside" and with a slight bow he left. Good, I didn't particularly like Mr Williams, he gave me a real rude vibe. Maybe it was because he knew about me. I spent another 15 minutes browsing the shelves until I found a couple of novels that peaked my interest. One of them being a little more shabbier than the rest as if it had been read a little more often. I returned to the entrance to find the servant from earlier holding a blanket. This must be Henry. "Hello mistress, whereabouts should I set you up outside?" He was cheerful and polite. I liked him already. I beamed at him. "Where do you think is the best place?" He thought for a moment as if wanting to give me his honest opinion. "Well mistress there's a lovely big tree near the fence in the west wing. There's a nice flower bed there as well." Ooh I was intrigued. "Okay Henry we'll go there" He grinned looking so proud of himself and we set off. We reached the tree Henry had been on about. It was a beautiful spot. He laid down the blanket for me and I sat down spreading my books out. "Is there anything I can get for you mistress?" Henry asked "Henry you've already done more than enough thank you" He grinned at my compliment "Thank you mistress, if I'm able I will come out again in an hour and check back in with you. If I'm otherwise engaged I will send another of the finest out for you" he smiled and bowed turning around towards the house.
I lay there for a long time just reading under the tree, when I heard a voice coming from quite close. I turned around to find a man leaning against the fence quite close to me. "Hello Zoë" he waved. I looked at him. He seemed to know me but I had no idea who this man was. He was tall, with blonde shaggy hair and brilliant blue eyes that were focused on me. I got up and walked over to him, standing far enough that he couldn't touch me but close enough to hear him speak. "You look confused, I guess you don't remember me, I'm Luke"