Prompt: Sakura is left on her own after the war and she needs to find a job. Luckily for her there is a rich benefactor looking out for her. Most call him the Earl of Lytton, but his name is Sasuke Uchiha, and he has plans.
Downton Abbey Au, or early 19th Century period AU romance. Set in England post WWI.
Written for nvrsyvd :)
xxx
Sakura was from a working family that laboured and toiled. Before 1914 her brother, Naruto, worked at the docks while her father was a foreman at the biggest industry in town.
The sky was filled with smog, and the air was a thick black from the coal; Sakura was used to it. There was a time for her family where coal meant money, and money meant that there would be food on the table.
Unfortunately, the First World War came before the advancements had really started. The lives of many were turned upside down, and the economy was beyond disastrous. Sakura's family suffered hardships like others; with rations, the loss of their home, loss of income, and the death of loved ones.
Sakura was thrust out of school and into the workforce. Like her mother, she had to find means of supporting herself. Sakura's father and brother joined the war early, and unfortunately they didn't reach the end.
It was 1915 when Naruto and her father left. Naruto was a true nationalist, and did not hide in the trenches. Her brother made it all the way until 1917, where the rats and disease took the men's lives just as much as enemy fire. He died a hero and a leader.
Sakura didn't know about her father's death; her mother would not say; it didn't stop her from mourning longer than sensible.
In a matter of years, Sakura's family went from being whole and steady, to being incomplete and on the brink of seeking unsavoury means. Her mother found work in a scullery in London, and they corresponded by letter.
There wasn't a position for Sakura, nor was there room for her to stay, so she had to find a new place to call home, and to work.
That was when fortune found her, and Sakura knew then that Naruto was looking down upon her.
The agency contacted her on behalf of a one Sasuke Uchiha - the Earl of Lytton. It was a week after her mother's departure, and Sakura had to take it. She knew the name of the Earl from her brother, but she did not know that he had such a title.
Naruto depicted Sasuke as a man of honour and a good friend. He had mentioned that Sasuke was of means, but he didn't say how wealthy he was.
The first time Sakura laid eyes on the Uchiha Estate she realised just how wealthy the Earl was. The land was massive and the manor stood tall. Sakura missed her carriage from the station and consequently had to walk to the fringes of this new town. Luckily, no untoward strangers stopped her, and the people she saw along the way seemed good-natured enough.
She found her way to the Uchiha Estate before dinnertime on May 12, 1919; her letter of employment requested her arrival on that date, and Sakura was pleased to make it.
The air was cold and typical for that time of evening. She could still see the manor in the soft light, and boy was it a sight! The great, hulking, stone building was shaped rather rectangularly; it was basked in the golden pink hues of the retreating sun; it was beautiful. In the heart of winter she was certain this place would still be a wonder; even covered in snow and taken early in the afternoon by the dark light of night.
Sakura was taken in through the servants' entrance and she reported to the housekeeper, who was in charge of all female servants. The butler was present at her arrival and he seemed like a nice chap, despite his covered face. It wasn't typical of a butler and Sakura would learn later on that Mr. Hatake was also a veteran. He had suffered an accident but was lucky enough to keep his life, and his prestigious position at the Estate.
Sakura marvelled at the extremely loud harmony that was achieved in the scullery. The cook's assistant was quick and sharp-witted, as was the head cook. There were kitchen hands that flitted to and fro following orders like it was an art. It was a lively kitchen, but it still looked much safer than working in top house. Sakura would rather stay with her own kind, though she suspected that she would be hired as a maid, despite her education; she was rather pretty and the agency suggested that she would be nice to look at; no manor wanted unsightly help.
The agency asked some rather personal questions though – questions that did not seem relevant to her application. It didn't matter in the end, she supposed, because she was employed and had found a place for herself in a rather quick fashion.
That night the housekeeper gave Sakura a questioning look that suggested she was unsatisfied. Her superior, Mrs Senju, went through the rules, which were agreeable but rather strict. Sakura ate her bread and butter, and was sent to her quarters for the night.
Strangely enough, she wasn't set to work straight away. The workers avoided her, in fact, and the housekeeper declined to give Sakura occupation to pass the time. She spent many hours walking the grounds and reading the same book over. There was a library upstairs but Sakura did not venture there; she wouldn't dare.
"Excuse me Ma'am, may I ask if I'm to work today?" Sakura asked Mrs Senju politely, with her head lowered in respect. She had waited until there was no one around because she didn't want to be a pest.
"When the Master returns." Came the housekeeper's reply and Sakura nodded meekly in acceptance. She had heard those words multiple times, and she hoped that Sasuke would come back soon. Of course, when she met him she would not call him by his given name; that would be grounds for termination.
It took five long days for the Earl to appear. Sakura was fretted over and lectured at length about how to address the Earl for a day prior. Her airs and graces were looked at in length, and she was given a new set of clothes. She learned the correct manner in which to stand, to speak only when spoken to, and the correct way to curtsy.
Sakura was to call Sasuke sir until he saw fit to correct her - if he saw fit.
And so it was with trembling hands that Sakura entered the upstairs sitting room. It was bright up there, and the drapes reached the high ceiling magnificently. The room was filled with royal red, and gold fringed walls. There was a grand piano in front of the bay window, and Sakura looked at the instrument longingly; she wondered what it would be like to learn.
A throat cleared and she remembered why she was there.
Slowly, her gaze shifted to the cream coloured settee, where a man sat. His hands were folded in his lap and he had one leg crossed over the other, as gentlemen seemed to do. His suit was crisp and a deep grey, and it highlighted his dark hair perfectly. This man wasn't like any that she had seen before; his hair was long and although he had a timepiece, and shined shoes, he didn't feel like the other Earls she had met.
Though, to be fair, Sakura's experience was minimal.
His dark gaze was sharp and his jaw was angular. This man was a beauty all of his own, and Sakura imagined that he had broken many hearts.
She felt a flutter in her chest as a smirk rose to his face; it wasn't a smile, but it wasn't threatening.
"Hello, Sakura." The master spoke and Sakura felt guilty for hearing him. His voice was rich and velvety and did something to her that she couldn't explain.
Sakura knew that it was customary to reply in greeting, and she curtseyed to the best of her ability. Lowering her head she responded,
"Good afternoon, sir."
"How are you this afternoon, are you well?" He asked, and Sakura chanced a glance upward. She was caught in his gaze instantly, and yet she still managed to find the words to respond.
"I'm well sir, thank you very much for asking." She said meekly and the Earl made a clicking noise with his tongue.
"You're afraid of me." He frowned, before he stood.
With a slow fluidity, Sasuke approached Sakura. He circled her, leaving a wide berth. His eyes were watchful.
"You needn't be." He said, stopping in front of her. They were at least four feet apart and Sasuke reduced it by taking another step forward.
He held out his hand for her to take, and said,
"Would you like to sit?" He motioned to the settee. "I have some things we're to discuss." He explained further.
Sakura looked from the Earl to the sitting area. She only just noticed the tea that was waiting to be served, and Sakura felt anticipation in her bones.
She was starting to think that this wasn't a typical meeting.
Still, she could not risk losing this position, or the opportunity to learn more about her brother's comrade.
"If it pleases you." Sakura addressed Sasuke, and her hand slipped into his, which was held up in front of her.
The Earl was ever the gentleman as he led her to sit, and he requested the maid pour their tea before he dismissed her from the room.
They were all alone then.
He looked toward Sakura as he took his seat across from her.
Sasuke gave her a look that Sakura would categorise as encompassing.
"It would please me if we were to talk freely." He said.
Sakura nodded and a small smile came to her lips.
"I can do that, sir."
Sasuke nodded once, noting her acceptance, and he leaned back in the chair.
"Your brother called me by my name." He said.
Sakura wasn't sure if he was implying that she call him so as well, but she would act as if he had, "I'm sorry, sir. I couldn't possibly."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly and his chin tilted upwards and he observed her. He didn't speak for a moment and Sakura wondered if she was in trouble.
"I think you have misunderstood my reasons for bringing you here."
Sakura felt confused and it was transposed in her expression.
"The agency contacted me." She said meekly. She had not been spoken to but Sasuke had asked her to talk freely.
That smirk appeared again, only it was much smaller, and Sakura began to feel even more perplexed.
"I apologise." He said. "I must confess that I have been keeping an eye on you since my return to England. As you know, the agency contacted you on my behalf. However, you are not here as staff."
Sakura was even more confused. She was relying on this job and if he wasn't going to give it to her, what was she doing here? She felt despair start to fill her. She'd lost her father and brother, and her mother was so far away.
Sakura really needed this job.
"Please sir, I really need this position. As you know, my father and brother passed in the war and I am on my own." Sakura couldn't believe that she was on the brink of begging, but she had to implore him; this was supposed to be a sign from Naruto.
The Earl frowned, and his lips thinned. Sakura felt afraid that he was going to tip her out, but he didn't.
Instead, Sasuke shook his head, and his hair fell over his eyes. He brushed it back and let out a short sigh.
"Sakura, I'm going to be explicit." He warned. She could tell that the Earl was not a man of patience; if she were to stay, she'd have to remember that.
Sasuke didn't stay where he was. He got up and rounded the low set table. Sakura looked up at him as he stood above her, and she realised that he wanted to sit. Sakura slid to the end of the seat and the Earl found residence beside her. He seemed sort of stiff like this, and he didn't look her in the eye right away.
Sakura noted his sombre expression; he seemed sad, and she understood why when he spoke.
"Your brother…He sacrificed his life for me." Sasuke murmured. "I made him a promise that I'd look after you."
There was a pause and Sakura realised that she had forgotten to breathe. Her heart clenched at the memory of Naruto, and she remembered her connection with this man in front of her. He was to be trusted.
"I haven't brought you here to hire you. You're my guest, but I will be frank in saying that I have intentions."
"Intentions?" Sakura asked, and she couldn't believe what she was hearing.
What did the Earl mean by all this?
He sat up straighter and turned toward Sakura more. His jaw tightened and loosened, and then he tilted his head to look her in the eye.
"You may not come from wealth or prominence, but you are beautiful and your brother was my truest friend. You may not be able to love me, but I'm sure that you could learn to care for me…what I mean to say is -" He stopped and took a breath. "I should like to make you my wife."
"I –" She stammered, and her heart was beating loud in her head. For a moment she could look only at the generous man in front of her.
"This is unexpected." She decided upon, and it felt like an understatement. She had heard about women marrying into money but she never imagined that she would be one of them. Sakura had always told herself that she'd marry for love...
The Earl was patient and he let her think for a moment. Sakura felt safe in this place, even though she had been here for a short time. She also felt safe with Sasuke, who she just met. Sakura didn't know this man but her brother died for him; Naruto must have thought him something special.
She looked to his face and took in his beauty. The Earl had angular cheekbones and a sharp nose; he would breed beautiful children. She met his eyes, which were a deep brown that seemed almost black, and Sakura made a rather impulsive decision.
But it didn't feel wrong.
"I think I could love you...in time." She said. "My brother saved your life, and he spoke of you fondly. I'd like to get to know you." Sakura finished.
Sasuke's surprise became something else that could not be named, and his eyes softened.
"Perhaps we could start with something small." He said. "My name is Sasuke."
Sakura smiled and she felt nervous as she replied,
"Good afternoon, Sasuke. I'm Sakura."
Sasuke's shoulders loosened and his smile was less tight.
"Sakura." He said it like he was hearing it for the first time; her name was almost a question upon his lips. She liked the way it sounded.
"That is a beautiful name." Sasuke said charmingly.
Sakura's smile only grew.
xxx
Thanks for reading :) That was my first period oneshot, but I've read a fair amount of lit on the matter and it's actually one of my fave topics! I hope it shone through in the story. :)
This is complete as a oneshot but I might be using this in a 19th century au anthology. There's no time frame on it because of other constraints, but this is something I'm very interested in so I imagine it won't be too far off. xo.