Ella had never considered herself one quick to nerves. Yet as she followed Jane up the stairs, she had become undoubtedly nervous. It has always been considered proper for a lady of class to save herself for marriage in society. She had never really considered herself as someone who followed societies so called rules. Even before the events that had led her there, Ella was courted by a well off gentleman in the county and had all but announced their engagement, and thus had eliminated the belief in having to wait. Yet here she found herself married to a man she had met only a day prior and not the one she had once expected.
Jane quickly led Ella into the room that would serve as her bedroom at the Manor. The room itself was quite large yet rather dreary. The wallpaper seems to be a shade of red that in candlelight looked almost to be the same color as blood. The furniture was all made up of dark wood and even the linens were colored as the sky during a thunderstorm.
"If there is anything you wish to have changed speak with Collins and He will assist in anyway necessary."
Ella's body tensed at the sound of James' voice. She had been so focused on her own thoughts she had not noticed he followed her.
"It is a lovely room... Just..."
"Dark?"
"Very."
"My mother decorated most of the rooms. She finds dark rooms add drama, and she is quite fond of drama."
"I shall be sure to remember that."
"It has been an exhausting day for us both. If you require anything, just knock at my door." He said while pointing to a door within the room next to the beds nightstand.
"How convenient..."
"That door will only open if you wish it to."
"That is good to know."
"Good evening, Ella."
"Good evening, James."
As he took his leave Ella releases a breath she was not aware she had been holding.
"I shall take my leave now My Lady. I will see you in the morning." Jane spoke from next to the door.
"Thank you Jane."
After she was finally alone, Ella turned to look out the window. Although she could hardly see anything in the dark, even with the glow of the moonlight, she paid no mind as her thoughts took her focus beyond the view. She silently hoped that she made the correct decision and did not jump into a life altering one simply out of a need to run away.
******
The first light of morning began to creep through the window curtains, waking Ella from her restless slumber. The brightening of the room gave her a better chance to survey her surroundings. While the wall was not covered in blood as Ella first imagined, it was the distinctive color of red wine. The linens were in fact a color of grey that had to be difficult to replicate. As she looked around she noticed that the items sent ahead of her had been put away in their proper place and neatly organized on the vanity.
Thinking back to what James had told her of his mother decorating the room, several thoughts ran through her mind. She could not help but wonder if she was truly a grim woman or if she wanted to try to depress Ella for marrying her son. Unless she simply had no taste whatsoever.
A light knocking at the door snapped Ella from her daze and Jane sheepishly entered the room and curtsied.
"Good morning, My Lady."
"Good morning Jane."
"Breakfast should be served within the hour. Shall I help you get dress for the day?"
"That is not necessary, I can get prepared myself."
Jane dropped her head looking forlorn and Ella sighed deeply remembering that she was now in a new world.
"IÂ could use help with my hair. I just can never seem to get it right."
Jane's head popped back up and she smiled brightly at Ella.
"Oh yes, I would be very glad to."
As Jane helped her prepare for the day, she told Ella a little bit about herself. It turns out that Jane was the eldest of three daughters, and became a maid for the Earl's estate last year. Her father had become unexpectedly ill and ended up losing his job on a farm. Jane had pushed away any prospects she had to start working in order to help her family and allow her younger sisters a chance to enjoy their youth. In that moment Ella became all to aware that she was not the only one in this house that sacrificed a chance at happiness to help their family.
Ella reluctantly began her trek though the manor on the way to the dining room while trying to memorize the houses layout. Upon entering the dining room, she noticed that her room was not the only room with a gaudy atmosphere. The wallpaper appeared to be some off yellow, giving it an almost dirty look. While scanning the room she finally noticed James sitting at the far end of the table and she was unable to stop herself from sitting at the opposite end.
"Good morning James."
"I hope your sleep was well last night."
"As well as to be expected. This was the first time I did not sleep in my own bed."
"Your family never took holiday?" His curiosity evident on his face.
"No, we never felt the need. We always had everything we needed at home."
Several footman began serving the meal as Ella bid her time before speaking next.
"May I ask a question? To be honest it may come off as a bit rude."
James looked at her with a raised eyebrow and barely noticeable smirk on his full lips.
"You may only because you have peaked my interest. You know most people do not admit that they will be asking a rude question."
"It is just... Is your mother colorblind? I have never seen a home decorated with such an... Eclectic palette of colors."
She noticed James visibly wince and she held her breath waiting for his response.
"I fear there my be a much more sinister reasoning. My mother would often have the rooms redone after her and father had a disagreement or if my grandmother was to visit for an extended period."
"I am quite relieved really. I thought maybe she did so because she does not approve of our arrangement."
"Oh no, she recently had your room redecorated before your arrival."
Ella looked at James with surprise, only to notice an amused look on his face. She hid her own smile while sipping her tea and the rest of the meal is shared in the silence they had become accustomed to until the end.
"I have attempted to stay off my acquaintances for the day so you can settle and get to know Hamsfield better."
"Thank you but that was not necessary."
"I assure you it was. Some of them can be trying on the best of days."
"Mr. Hawthorne seemed quite amenable."
"Charles is a good man. Most of our station tend to think only of themselves and yet he does not."
"Am I to assume you also fit into that category?"
"I believe that time will only tell that to you."
Ella and James looked at one another, both sizing the other one up. She had yet to be able to surmise his character, although Ella got the sense that he was offended by her previous statement.
"As I said you have the day to do as you see fit. I must make calls on the neighbors to appease them until tomorrow."
"If that is what you deem best than I understand."
With that, breakfast was over and Ella was left to find something to spend her time on in this strange, new place. The only thing she knew for certain was she would savor the quite while it lasted because she knew the next few days would be anything but.