Morning all. Still don’t like getting up in the dark but as I put the alarm halfway across the room, by the time i turn it off, I am already completely out of bed and halfway to the bathroom. Oddly it works. I am still counting the days until the time change. But for now, let’s see what this morning’s prompt brings. Timers at the ready and off we go.
Not sure where this is going but I think it is a fun start.
Thursday, October 26th: You must tell me everything.
“You must tell me everything,” Abby declared. She grabbed my hand and tugged me forward. I glanced back towards my bags but she flicked a wrist and waved towards them. Silently servants slipped from the shadows, gathered my things and took them into the depths of the house. I assumed at some point I would see them again.
Abby tugged me excitedly towards the living room where tea and other refreshments were being laid out. “Abbigail,” Aunt Lucy said, her tone half admonishing, half amused. “We do not tug our guests off their feet. We all ow them to walk into the house on their own steam and then settle themselves.”
“But Mother,” she said. Abby let go of my sleeve and huffed. “Everyone is just so slow and I want to know everything. She must have seen so much on her trip and I want to hear all of the details.” She spun around to face me. “Does the governor keep a peacock in his garden? Is his wife the most beautiful woman in the world. Does she really bathe in ground pearls mixed with milk. Is the ruby of Sarakind really as big as my head? Did you get to see…”
“Abigail,” Aunt Lucy said with a Laugh. “Enough. Let your cousin be,” Lucy turned to me. Miranda how lovely to see you again. “Please have a seat, ignore my rather excitable child. Shall I pour out?”
“Yes please, Aunt Lucy,” I said as I unfastened the buttons of my coat. I shrugged it off and looked for a place to put it. Another silent servant appeared from nowhere and took it for me. He disappeared with my coat and I settled myself on the seat across the table from my aunt. My cousin, Abby still had not settled and indeed she seemed incapable of settling. She was the most animated person, moving about all over the room touching this and that, shifting items in small ways. I had the feeling that she was not often allowed in the drawing room, let alone allowed when there were guests.
While I knew I would relish telling her all of the stories from my travels, I had to admit that this last leg of my journey had been quite wearisome and I was ready for a slight reprieve. I don’t know if Lucy sensed this or if she had enough of her daughter’s constant motion and wished he own reprieve.
“Abbigail, you may speak with your cousin once she has recovered from her journey. For now I believe Alister is expecting you for lessons. “
Abby heaved a sigh and threatened a pout. “I don’t want to take my lessons,” she said.
“I promise not to discuss anything interesting until I see you next,” I assured her. “I will rest up and cover all of the boring bits about how I stood my trip while you are gone and save the best bits for you,” I promised her.
She smiled. “Promise?”
“I promise,” I said.
“See you will not be missing anything and you are expected at lessons,” her mother said, not unkindly. “No go and we will see you later.”
Abby gave her mother a brief curtsey and then disappeared up the stairs with a swish of her skirts. I smiled despite my exhaustion.
Ten til Midnight 