Janella's cottage,
Culross,
Scotland.
1805
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Tweet-tweet-tweets"
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The sound of the birds was a cheerful melody, a medley of trills and chirps that seemed to fill the air with joy. Janella could almost imagine the birds singing to her, a happy chorus that lifted her spirits. She smiled to herself as she worked, the sound of the birdsong filling her with hope for the future. The rhythm of the birds' song was as soothing as a lullaby, the notes falling together like a perfect symphony.
Her workshop, the air smelled of clean cotton and fresh linen. Janella worked diligently on her new gown, her fingers nimbly stitching the delicate fabric. She was lost in her work, her mind focused on each stitch, each fold, each piece of lace. The gown was coming together, piece by piece, and she could already imagine how it would look on her. She could see herself walking into the Bruce Ball, feeling confident and beautiful, with her head held high. The daydream was suddenly interrupted by a knock on the door...
Janella looked up, startled by the sound. She had been so absorbed in her work that the knock had taken her by surprise. She cleared her throat and called out, "Come in!" The door opened, and a tall, dark-haired man stepped into the room. "Good morning, Janella," he said with a smile. "It's good to see you." It was Lord Dominion, the man who lived in her head rent-free. Her heart skipped a beat.
Janella stood up, smoothing her apron and trying to compose herself. "Good morning, Lord Dominion," she said, her voice a little more breathless than she had intended. "It's an honor to have you here." Lord Dominion bowed slightly, his dark eyes twinkling with amusement. "The honor is all mine, Janella. I have come to check on your progress with the gown for the Bruce Ball." Janella gestured to the gown, which was laid out on the table. "I'm almost finished, my lord. It should be ready in a few days' time."
"I'm impressed, Janella," Lord Dominion said, his voice warm with praise. "Your skill is truly remarkable. I have no doubt that the gown will be a work of art." Janella blushed at his compliment, feeling a rush of pride and gratitude. "Thank you, my lord," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Lord Dominion stepped closer, his gaze lingering on the gown. "May I?" he asked, gesturing to the fabric. Janella nodded, and Lord Dominion reached out to touch the fine silk. "It's exquisite," he murmured, his fingers tracing the intricate embroider.
Lord Dominion turned to face Janella, his eyes resting on her face. "I must say, the color of the silk is a perfect match for your eyes. They're like the ocean, deep and sparkling with life," he said softly. Janella's cheeks flushed pink, and she looked down, feeling a wave of shyness wash over her. "And the silk will complement your skin tone, like a warm breeze on a summer's day," he continued, his words flowing like honey. She felt herself melting under his gaze, her heart fluttering in her chest.