Chapter 3: Corsets, Stallions, and Questions

Emily flinched in an animated manner. Her hair jumped along with her silky dress, which made things a lot heavier for her. "Who are you?" she asked the man who had just come into the room. He struts forward and closes the wooden hedge.

"It doesn't matter who I am," he coldly said and stood in front of Emily. It gave her a clear view of what he really looked like. He was tall, towering at about 6'4. His face was chiseled, and his skin was flawlessly tanned.

His serious expression and broad, muscular body sent shivers down Emily's spine. And she found his clothes a bit weird, yet foxy. He sports a white button-up shirt that has ruffles on the collar and a brown slack in the midst of the day.

'He looks like a model,' she thought but dismissed her initial conviction since the man seemed rather rude.

"Okay. Then, where am I?" Emily questioned again, but the guy just looked at her with a sharp glare.

"That's not what's important…" He said and crossed his arms. Emily somehow felt intimidated that her head jostled downwards.

"A—alright." Her words trembled. 'Why is he so stuck up? Geez!'

The man hemmed and then asked, "What is your name?"

"Emily. Emily Hammond."

He smirked, 'Liar…'

"Emily, what were you doing on the well? Perhaps, taking a swim in the cold of the night while helping some criminal on the loose?"

Emily's brows furrowed. She didn't understand what this stranger was implying. "What? Helping a criminal—what are you talking about? I was there to check on my grandmother's property. Also, how long was I out? I need to go back home; I have work!"

"Stop speaking nonsense, woman!" He plodded closer and seized Emily's arms with a burning desire to crush her. "I know you're lying. So, tell me! Have you any idea what has gone down near the Viscount's lair?!"

"What? I don't!"

"Have you seen anything?!"

"I haven't!"

"Tell me the truth!"

"I am telling you the truth!"

Tension rose between the two; their exchange came to a faster and more heated discourse.

"Are you conspiring with him?!"

"With who?!"

"I am certain you know who!"

"The only one I'll be conspiring with is the police after I get out of here! This is kidnapping! Why are you detaining me?!" Emily finally yelled and pulled her arm away from the man's tightening grip.

"Silence!" He yelled, and his grip almost traveled to Emily's neck, but the door opened, and Glenn stepped in.

"Ezekiel! Lady Victoria is mad. We need to hand her over at once."

Emily furrowed her brows and questioned, "Why are y'all talking like that?"

The two men eyed her but ignored her words and looked at each other. Ezekiel then shared, "She just woke up, and I haven't gotten anything out of her."

So, Glenn stepped forward and planned to set things straight himself. In any case, he has always been more understanding and welcoming to other people. His bright personality and warm smile can instantly make anyone jolly.

"Good day, lady. May I know your name?" Glenn asked as he stood in front of Ezekiel.

"I already told him. My name is Emily Hammond. I'm from the state of Costa Court. I work as a Business Analyst at Capital One. What more do you want to know?"

Glenn flashed a doubtful countenance.

"As I've said," Ezekiel sneered.

His mate shook his head and scratched his nape. "Emily? Your name isn't… Agatha Somberlawn?"

"Agatha Somberlawn? No! Whoever that is, it ain't me. So, please let me go because I have got to meet with the caretaker of my grandma's gigantic house. I hope to God that she's still there because, seriously, I don't want to make her angry. I have no idea how long I passed out and who brought me here. What day is it now?"

"It's a Monday. The 8th of the 7th month." Glenn shared.

"Monday? Isn't it supposed to be…" Emily tilted her head. "Whatever." She then stood up and looked around. "Where are my things? I need to go."

"Your things?"

"Yes, my things. My clothes, bag, and luggage? Where is it? Oh, wait!" Emily looked down to see her white nightgown. The design is kinda old-school, but it's comfy and covers her arms and legs. She knew that it was layered by the way it hugged her entirety. "Who changed my clothes?!"

The two men blushed at her question. It made Emily's eyeballs nearly pop off of her sockets. "Oh my gosh! You two perverts did this, didn't you?!"

Ezekiel looked away. "You were drenched, and it would've killed you if we didn't take your outer clothes. In addition, we had to search you for measures. We didn't find anything, but that doesn't render you innocent."

After that, he turned around. "I'm afraid we have to keep in contact. But since you're merely a lowly servant of Lord Berrycloth, it wouldn't be hard. Cooperate, or we'll end your life."

Then, Ezekiel exited the room with great dominance. It left Glenn silent and Emily agape.

"What is he talking about?" Emily's words gathered Glenn's attention.

The man found things quite odd. "Lady, are you, perhaps, suffering from memory loss after taking a swim at the well? By the way, what has gotten into you to do that? The port is a couple of blocks away."

"I didn't take a swim there. I got into an accident! Besides, I remember everything before I drowned in that well. There was no water there; let me make that clear. But I fell, and then, suddenly, I was drowning in murky water. It's hard to explain… But the point is, I'm not that stupid, okay? Stop implying it!"

"I see," Glenn just answered, bewildered. "In any manner, you have to go for now. Your master is quite furious to have you neglecting your duties. They even sent a carriage for you. I guess the Berrycloths are a different kind, after all." Glenn stood up and pointed to the wooden cabinet next to the vintage nightstand. "Your clothes are there. It's dried and cleaned. It's the only thing with you that night. We'll be keeping in touch eventually once you feel better and remember things clearly. Also, please don't tell anyone about what happened on the night you passed out before us. I wish you the best."

Glenn exited the room soon after, and Emily rushed to the wardrobe. "I don't understand a thing he said. Don't tell anyone anything? Neglecting my duties? Great, I think I'm in a drug addict's den. And why are they talking like they live in a Shakespeare book?"

She shook her head and opened the cabinet to see a greyish and sad dress.

It's the only thing there. Neither her luggage nor the clothes she's wearing the day she fell on the well can be seen. "They better be joking! What is this monstrosity? This isn't mine!"

Taking it out and scrutinizing it, she scanned the stitching and thought that this must be some silly costume. So, she assumes that these people are playing a prank on her. Still, she found the dress quite cute, so she decided to try it on.

It took her a full minute to wear it, and after all that struggle, she looked at herself in the mirror and was rendered speechless. The dress fit her perfectly, but something about her face was different.

She looked a bit… odd. Her face is still pretty, but it is a bit toned and chiseled. Her hair, she had it straightened a week ago, but it's back to its originally curly form.

"Wow. The water on that well affected me this bad? Ew! It must've been super contaminated!"

After assessing herself some more, she opened the door leading outside to look for Ezekiel or Glenn. She surmised that she had to set things straight—tell them that these were not hers. But, when she exited the door, she was caught off guard by how enormous and eerie this house was.

Everything is made of unpainted bricks. Ridiculous ornaments were everywhere, depicting silver weapons and all. There were old paintings of several men in the halls, and little to no furnishing coats the place. She walked down the wide array of stairs, just eyeing the surroundings.

Surprisingly, no one seemed to be around.

'Where are those two?'

Her eyes then caught sight of the massive door. By its size, it must be the grand entrance. She walked towards it and opened it wide to see the world outside. The view from her window earlier was now before her.

So, things got much weirder. With creased brows and puckered lips, she walked outside in a trance. Looking at each and every person passing by.

All of the women wore gowns with corsets. Their hairs were braided upwards or tied into a meticulous bun. Meanwhile, the men were wearing ridiculous layered suits and eccentric hats partnered with their styled hair. Everyone seemed rather posh with how they talked and walked. Everyone spoke in old English, so Emily had grown even more baffled.

"Get away, lady!" A man screamed at her. She looked behind and automatically moved to the side upon seeing a carriage going on her way. The horse would've trampled her if she hadn't moved away.

"What is this place?" Her voice trembled upon whispering that to herself. This is nowhere near the Glasgow she had seen the day before. It wasn't this structured, crowded, or flourished.

Suddenly, a hand perched on her shoulder.

"Agatha! Why are you still wandering about? Lady Victoria is on the verge of lunacy. We need to hurry."