Chapter 1: Bedford Manor

On the grounds of England's lush countryside stood Bedford Manor. One of England's oldest and largest estates. It has been in the Bedford family for generations.

It is there where the Duke of Bedford and his young daughter lived. His mother, the Dowager Duchess, had permanently relocated to London after his father passed. His younger sister was off chasing adventures somewhere in America.

So he lived in Bedford Manor alone with his only daughter and the numerous maids, servants and groundskeepers they employed.

One of these maids, Annie, was on her way to wake up the young mistress. She walked through the many corridors, passed by the priceless artworks until she finally came to the large bedroom at the end of the manor's west wing.

Annie opened the door to find the young lady already up, engrossed in her latest book. Sitting upright in her bed, the sunlight reflecting her long curly hair.

"How long have you been awake, m'lady?"

"A few hours."

" You could not sleep, m'lady?"

"Yes, again."

"Should I call the doctor, m'lady?

"No! It is not necessary, Annie."

"Very well, m'lady."

Annie said no more. Lady Freya Audrey Barbara Rosalyn Bedford was not fond of small talk. She only spoke when necessary or not all. But beware, one should not be fooled, for when she did speak, her words were sharp and witty to the bone.

Annie helped Lady Freya get up and lead her to her bath. The other chambermaids had come to draw the bath and had left as quickly as they came. Lady Freya did not like many people around her and avoided crowds as much as she could.

"Annie did the letter from my grandmother arrive. She usually likes to announce her impending visit around this time."

"Yes, m'lady. The Dowager Duchess's letter arrived this morning. The Duke has already informed us of her upcoming arrival. Preparations are already underway."

"Such a waste of paper, if you ask me. As if we don't already know that she always comes to stay for the winter every year for the last four years." Freya sighed and continued, "You know she could just call. Way more convenient and faster. No matter how many times I tell her that the telephone is harmless. It is everywhere now, yet she still refuses!"

"Some people m'lady, prefer things the way they are used to. The Dowager Duchess is one of those people."

"More like, clinging to the past. That has always been Rosalyn's greatest flaw; she could never let go."

Annie said nothing in return. For what could she say?

Although Annie enjoyed a good relationship with the Master's daughter, she has learned it's best to keep one's opinions about other people's grandmothers to oneself. But she wondered, now that Lady Freya had said a few words when next would be she opened her mouth? She had heard more gossip this morning than the last few months.

Her cousin Lizzie worked as a maid in one of the neighbourhood's big houses. She was always going on and on about the latest thing she heard (mostly eavesdropped) from her masters. But Lizzie served a large household, who were always entertaining other nobilities.

One disadvantage of working at Bedford Manor is that there were not many exciting things to talk about or do. That is what you get when you work in a man's house with just a daughter, a dead wife and a few relatives. Dullness!

Freya had finished her bath and was now getting dressed, assisted by Annie. Freya has chosen to wear gorgeous ivory and blue dress today. She now sat down, facing her vintage oak vanity.

Annie loved Freya's vanity set. It was simple but beautiful, with an understated elegance just like her mistress.

As she delicately brushed Freya's long hair, she looked in the mirror and saw a vision of blue eyes, lush locks and chocolate skin scaring right back at her.

Oh yes, Lady Freya Audrey Barbara Rosalyn Bedford was of mixed race. The daughter of a white nobleman and a black librarian.

Oh, how scandalous!