Marie woke up with the sun glinting in her eyes through the now open curtains. The sound of footsteps came from the opposite side of the door, approaching the room rapidly, then stopping and knocking on the door. The door creaked open and revealed petite young woman, wearing an apron around her waist. She was holding a fresh jug of water and a dressing gown.
“Oh, ma’am! Yer startled me. I thought you’d still be asleep.” She said, her voice quivering slightly. “I brought yer up a dressin’ gahn and a nice fresh jug o’ water for yer ter wash in.”
Marie smiled and took the silky satin cream dressing gown, and slid it over her arms.
“I have no idea what women’s fashion is like here in Ankh... You must show me....... Erm... I'm sorry I didn’t catch your name”
“Alyssa Pemberly. Come from London y’know. All the rich ladies look so fancy, ‘specially with their flouncy dresses. The master likes that, he does.” She said walking over to the wardrobe slowly and opening it. She picked out a sapphire blue dress. “Try this on.” It was off the shoulders, and with hanging lace stitched around the neck and sleeves which made Marie look very petite. It did not cling to Marie’s frame, but filled her out, with its considerably large skirts.
Marie slipped on the dress and completed it with elegant evening slippers and a simple diamond necklace that had been a gift from her mother before she died. She looked quite wonderful.
She nodded at her radiant reflection and turned towards Alyssa to see her approval.
“That will do perfectly for tonight.” She said admiring Marie. Alyssa then turned back to the wardrobe and got out the delicate creamy silk Greek dress and a milky coloured slip for underneath. Marie turned and undressed. She threw on the Greek dress, and sat in front of the dressing room table. She and Alyssa fastened her hair into the fashionable Greek style, with the buttery ribbon styled as sleekly as the Greek headbands.
When Marie was ready Alyssa guided her down the mahogany staircase past the dining room she had been in the previous night, and towards the back of the house, weaving in and out of many grand rooms as they went. They entered a faded yellow room, which must have been the informal dining room as it had a small family sized table surrounded by only four chairs, two each side. In the centre of the table was a small white basket of fruit, and around the table two plates with knives and forks were laid out.
“Please sit down.” Alyssa said offering Marie a seat. Marie took it, and gazed out of the French windows into a small alcove before a gate into the main garden. The main garden had a shroud of trees guarding it, so that Marie couldn’t see into it, and the gate was made of tangled iron roses, which the eye could not see past. “What will yer ‘ave fer a drink miss?” Alyssa asked interrupting Marie’s daydream.
“A glass of orange juice would be most welcome to me.” Marie said not looking up at Alyssa and gazing at the man coming through the iron gate in the garden. He was wearing a normal riding outfit, but had taken his hat off and was holding it under his arm, as if to keep it safe that way. His flaxen hair was windswept and curly, and his cheeks were flushed with exhilaration. He opened the French windows slowly, and stepped through quietly and with ease. He looked stealthy and sleek as a cat, but dangerous too.
“Good Morning. Marie Angst, how lovely to finally meet you. Welcome to Santorini Manor” Mr Vincent Magnus said smiling at her slowly. He sat down in front of her and put his hat on the table. “I am awfully sorry about last night. I was out very late last night, and you still hadn’t arrived so I had to go to bed. You’ll have to excuse my rude behaviour. But did you get a good sleep in the end?”
“It was very nice thank you.” She said politely. He touched her hand affectionately on the table.
“I am so very upset to hear of my dearest aunty dying. I always wanted to come and visit you and her, but sadly, my duties lay here waiting for me.” He frowned, as if taken back by some old memory, then smiled again and looked up at her. “I'm hosting a grand party tonight. In light of you joining us here at my manor.”
“I'm grateful, very grateful. I feel I shall thoroughly be in debt of you.”
“You shouldn't be. My friends from the guild I belong to are joining us. I hope you don't mind. They long to meet you.”
Marie smiled at him as Alyssa brought in her orange juice.
“Alyssa, I would enjoy very much, a hot cup of coffee.” He then said, turning to Marie. “Early mornings do not suit me very well at all.”
“And to eat sir?” Alyssa asked, trying to put on a slightly less common accent.
“Poached eggs and asparagus on the side. And a fresh English muffin would be my piece de resistance.”
“Ma’am?” Alyssa asked again, still trying to sound well spoken.
“Whatever you recommend Alyssa. I haven’t the slightest idea what I should eat.”
“Alyssa, she’ll have a Parisians breakfast.” Vincent said, smiling with ease. “I don't suppose you’ve ever tried a proper Parisians breakfast? I think you’ll find it pleasant.”
Alyssa nodded, did a slight curtsey and walked away into the kitchen probably.
“Do you like your provisions here? Your maid? Is everything to your satisfaction?” Mr Magnus asked eagerly. He obviously wanted to hear Marie say about how wonderful his house was.
“Everything is perfect. Thank you for the clothes. But... “ she started, wondering about the clothes. Vincent Magnus nodded in anticipation. “May I ask, how you knew my size? Everything must have been tailor made to fit. I’ve seen the stitches.”
“Although you know barely anything about me, I know enough about you. I also know about what happened on the journey here. I thought it may have, so I bought new clothes for you.”
“And what if I hadn’t have lost my luggage?”
“Then you would have kept the clothes. As a gift from me to you.” He said easily. He smirked and looked like a young boy. He must have been about 21, as he had no wrinkles about his face.
The butler known as Larten entered the room holding a folded letter. The letters seal hadn’t been broken yet, and Marie could see the seal to be one of a rich esteemed family named ‘Saxe-Coburg’. She knew the name, but could not place it to any faces. She clasped her hands together under the table, a habit of hers when she strained to remember things. She waited whilst Vincent read through the letter.
“Ah..” He said, bringing his hand down from his chin. “Ah... Indeed...” He murmured to himself, also trying to think. He ran his hand through his tousled hair slowly, and then looked at Marie. “It seems I will be having more than one guest to stay Marie.” He paused for thought, then continued. “ I don't know whether you’ve met a Saxe-Coburg before. Very nice people. I went to university with one of them... Albert. Noble, kind, honest... A man you could trust always.” He said, sometimes talking to himself, sometimes to Marie.
“Why are you telling me this? Is he coming to stay, this Albert?” She asked curiously.
“Yes. I know you well enough to tell you, he’ll adore you, and vice versa.” He said, his smile reappearing. “But let’s keep that to ourselves shall we?” He rose, and walked from the room. Marie guessed he was going to reply to the letter. Alyssa re-entered the room carrying two plates.
“Ma’am. A full Parisian brekky. ‘Nuff chocolate to fill a factory back in London.” She said, giving up and returning to her old accent. She laid on the table a plate of three crepes filled with chocolate, and ten sliced strawberries on the side. “’nd I know yer like yer orange, buh Master told me ter get yer the full works, so-” She set a mug down on the table. It was full of hot chocolate, and looked more like a bowl than a mug. “Enjoy.” Alyssa laid Vincent’s breakfast on the table too, and left the room.
“Excellent. Albert will be here by evening. Just in time for the party!” Marie could hear Vincent saying in the other room. Then he entered the dining room again and sat down to eat his eggs and asparagus.
Once they had both finished, he invited her to retire into his study so they could decide what they could do with the day.
“We must visit the town. Oh you’d be amazed at the bustle of it all. The Street Vendors sell everything from scissor grinding and matches, to oranges, hot gingerbread and love songs. You would love it there. But then, I need to take Albert there, so maybe tomorrow? Yes! That is what we’ll do.” Vincent said frivolously. Marie just nodded
“I wouldn’t mind being shown around the house. And I noticed that you said in your letter that you had a pool. I would love to spend some time in there.” She said after a time.
“Perfect. I shall take you for a tour now, or when you are ready.”
He showed her around his wonderful Santorini Manor. He showed her the studies, the dining rooms, the ballrooms, the guest rooms, the bathrooms – of which there were many – the tennis courts, the lake, and his expansive forest. He showed her the stables and all of his horses, including a new horse, from Italy, ‘for his precious cousin’ as he said. By this time, it was almost evening, and Larten came to collect his master to get him ready for the night to come. Alyssa did the same, and hurriedly dressed Marie in her sapphire dress and pulled her hair into a fashionable Greek bun whilst downstairs you could hear guests arriving.