Page 7 of A Curse of Hope and Shadows: Part I
Tired, or perhaps just slightly overwhelmed, Adeline retired early. It was a bright, cool night, warm moonlight spilling into the room. The vastness of the estate tumbled over her, the strange newness of the situation, the unfamiliarity, the quietness. She was so far away from everyone else, and with so many rooms between them…
She wondered if she’d ever been this far away from anyone before in her life, and if she liked it or despised it.
She recited old poems in her head until she felt tired enough to sleep, and slowly drifted off.
Adeline was up at the crack of dawn, not used to sleeping in, helping Mrs Harper and the scullery maid, Delia, get started on the breakfast.
“There’s no need to help us, dear,” Mrs Harper said as Adeline set the table again. “It’s not part of your job description.”
“I don’t mind,” said Adeline cheerfully, “I’m not used to sitting still. Big family. Much mess.”
“I suspect you’re glad to get away from it all.”
Adeline froze, just for a second. Because a part of herwasglad. And that just made her feel guilty. “Yes,” she said, “in a way, certainly. But please ask Mrs Minton if she has any extra work for me. I don’t want to get idle.”
Mrs Harper chuckled at this.
The morning passed much as the first, with the addition of taking breakfast to the Young Master. She’d done such a thorough job of cleaning the previous day, that there was little for her to do at all, especially as he’d dumped all of the clothes from the day before in a singular spot and didn’t appear to need any help dressing.
She sat outside and did the sewing that Mrs Harper had diligently provided, and went to fetch his lunch at the allotted time. He said nothing to her at all, nothing but a grunt of entry and a bark of acknowledgement.
This continued for several days, until, tidying up one afternoon, a book tumbled into her lap.
The Voyage of Lady Willow.
“Oh!” she squealed with delight.
The Young Lord looked up sharply. “What is it?”
“This book. It’s an old favourite of mine.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever read it,” he snapped. And then, more quietly, “What’s the book about?”
“It’s about this young lady being forced into an arranged marriage, so she escapes and boards a pirate ship dressed as a cabin boy, slowly gaining the trust of the crew. They have dozens of adventures together… fighting monsters, rescuing the first mate from vicious mermaids, discovering lost treasure… In every adventure, she proves her worth, becoming faster and smarter and stronger. She moves up the ranks, becoming the eventual captain. It turns out everyone knows she’s secretly a woman but thought it was rude to say anything.”
He stared at her solidly for a moment, his expression no more readable than the first time they met. She wondered if he was even capable of pulling expressions, or if the twisted side of his face prevented it. “How long ago did you read it?” he asked.
“Ooh, three, four years ago?”
“You remember all that from so long ago?”
“I used to be quite the reader.”
“Used to?”
Adeline hesitated, wondering if she’d said too much. “I… I don’t get much of an opportunity, any more.”
He paused, as if waiting for her to elaborate. “I see.” He paused again. “Did you bring that one with you?”
She shook her head.
“You can borrow it, if you like.”
“Thank you. That’s very kind.”
“Or…” he stopped.
“My Lord?”
