'

To avoid another troubled night, Rey worked extra hard that day. She didn't see Lord Ren again, but judging from the amount of times she heard doors slamming, she understood him to be of a particularly bad humour.

Of course every time she had interacted with him, he was ill-tempered, but he certainly seemed rather more so today.

She put him to the back of her mind and continued her work in the billiard room, which was a much simpler room when compared to the library. It was paneled in warm toned wood, with a simple marble fireplace and wooden mantel, above which a pleasing pastoral landscape hung. The billiards table was also wooden, a lighter shade than the walls and floor and sitting upon a large rug. There were two plush red velvet camel back sofas against the walls and two chairs arranged opposite a small table next to the tall windows.

As she had already done quite a lot to it over the last couple of days, she managed to finish before the evening meal.

It was deeply satisfying, seeing the polished wood glow under in the lamplight and how the rich colours in the carpet were brighter, the warm scent of beeswax permeating the air.

Smiling to herself, she collected her broom, brushers, dusters and other paraphernalia and went downstairs so she could wash them, before helping Dopheld with dinner preparations.

It appeared as if they supped on nothing but simple stews and soups, while these were certainly not unpleasant things to eat, they would become rather tedious and definitely could be better seasoned. She hoped, if she did stay here longer, to gently give Dopheld some suggestions and show him some of recipes she had cooked for Mr Plutt.

That had been one of the advantages of working for him, it had been just her and his manservant, Teedo; so she was able to tackle a range of chores, rather than maids who were trained for just one role. And she enjoyed cooking, Plutt had had a sweet tooth and she had baked cakes or biscuits at least once a week- here, they only had bread and butter with afternoon tea and she secretly hoped to surprise them with a cake soon, all she had to do was get some ingredients they were lacking.

'

That evening, she mended a few things before succumbing to sleep, drifting off unconcerned by any strange noises… Until something jerked her awake, her eyes flying open as something outside snarled. The brutal sound left her heart pounding as she clutched her blankets to her chest. It made her think of wolves again, whatever it was it must be close to the house for her to hear it so clearly.

She sat hunched, ears straining, awake for what seemed like a long time, but the sound wasn't repeated and eventually sleep won her over once more.

'

Upon waking the next day, she stubbornly suppressed the memory, refusing to indulge her imagination any further… But when she heard something uncanny, something wolfish the third night, she was unable to ignore it any further.

At breakfast the next day as she pushed her porridge around her bowl, she asked Dopheld, "The last few nights, have you heard something, an animal snarling or," she bit her lip, feeling more than foolish, "Howling?"

Dopheld, who had been taking a sip of tea, started coughing and she had to pat him on the back before he could reply.

"H-h-howling?" he stuttered, face pale, "No, no, nothing of the sort."

His eyes shifted about the kitchen nervously and Rey could tell he was lying, perhaps he felt as silly about it as she did, "There are no wolves this far north then?" she asked awkwardly, flushing a little.

"No!" he ejaculated, then looked a trifle embarrassed and lowered his voice again, "No, there are wolves still in Scotland, I believe," he paused to lick his lips, "But I think people and livestock would go missing if there was a pack of wolves here."

He seemed very sure, Rey nodded and started eating her porridge. Perhaps she had just been hearing foxes, after all they made screeching noises, perhaps they howled too?

'

That day, Lord Ren stayed in his room for the duration and Mr Hux mentioned that he was unwell and personally fried thick cuts of steak for his meals, the smell of which made Rey's mouth water enviously.

The indisposition didn't last long however and Lord Ren was up the next afternoon, there was less strength to his slamming of doors, but other than that he was as pale and irascible as ever.

'

Rey had been just over a week at Varykino when a letter came by post for her. It was perhaps a little ridiculous, but it excited her a great deal as this was the first letter she had ever received:

'

Alderaan House, Monday,

27th March,

Dear Miss Johnson,

I must apologise for the ungracious welcome it appears my son gave you on your arrival, and I commend you for not returning to London. A lesser woman would have.

However, I wish to offer you the choice to return, as he continues to insist he does not need a maid.

Of course Varykino, per contra, is my house and should you wish to stay and continue to work there, I will be very glad to continue your engagement.

Mr Hux and I correspond occasionally and he has informed me of what a benefit having you at Varykino is, but I would not blame you in the slightest if you wished to return to London and I will happily find a suitable place for you with us here or with my brother.

I look forward to hearing from you and trust that you are in good health,

Warmest regards,

Lady Solo

'

Rey read the letter through several times, sitting alone in the empty billiards room. She had a choice, for the first time in her life she had a real choice as to what happened next, options as to where she went... Did she stay here or return to London? Her immediate instinct was to go upstairs straight away to pack her bag, but she was a cautious person and endeavoured to keep as level headed as was possible.

The priest who had taught her and given her life hope and a way to thrive, had often counselled her to take time before making a big decision.

So, in a bit of a giddy daze, she folded the letter carefully and slipped it into her apron, resolving to go about her duties and let the idea ruminate for a while at the back of her mind.

'

That afternoon, Dopheld was busy assisting Poe fix the stables roof and Mr Hux was doing something upstairs with Lord Ren.

After scavenging around the kitchen and pantry she found to her pleasure all the necessary ingredients to make biscuits. It was a simple recipe, sweet and buttery and quite delicious.

Humming tunelessly, she happily flitted about the kitchen and soon the warm, tantalisingly rich scent permeated the room.

Once the biscuits were out and cooling on wire racks, she busied herself cleaning up - it wasn't just the upstairs that had been neglected over the years, below stairs needed an indepth clean too, it looked as if things had just been quickly wiped down rather than properly cleaned and clearly it had been like that for some considerable time.

She added the kitchen, pantry and scullery to her mental list of jobs and for now just focused on washing dishes, pots and pans, and sweeping up.

'

"Oh my!"

Poe's voice echoed in the hallway to the back entrance, and Rey looked up from where she was sweeping by the fireplace.

"Is that heaven that I smell?"

He and Dopheld came through the archway that linked the kitchen to the hall, and Rey smiled, leaning her broom against the wall before going to pour them tea.

"Did you manage to mend the roof?"

Dopheld sank wearily into a chair and just nodded, he was wet from the rain and his dark hair stuck to his head.

"For now at least," Poe spoke up, "When the weather becomes drier we can do a better job, but for how it holds. But enough of that, what are those and may I please have one?"

Rey blushed slightly as she set their cups of tea down on the table and went to fetch them some of the biscuits which were still a little warm, "Just some queen drop biscuits, help yourselves."

As she had had one already she let the men eat while she sipped her tea, just enjoying their reactions to the treat.

After his third, Dopheld turned to her with guileless eyes and said fervently, "I really hope you do stay with us, Rey. I think already we would miss you if you were to return to London." Poe had a mouthful yet vigorously nodded his agreement.

Rey felt a guilty pang, the letter in her apron suddenly felt heavy and almost like a betrayal.

"I may go for a quick walk," she stood with a slightly forced smile, "I haven't had any fresh air and could do with a turn about the house, please save some biscuits for Mr Hux, he and Lord Renhave been closeted in the library all afternoon."

'

The rain had gentled into a fine drizzle and Rey welcomed the cool moisture on her skin and lips along with the sweet air in her lungs.

Rather than going round the house as she had said, she found a path to follow, leading through the gardens and beyond to Ullswater and the green hills that framed it. Despite the grey skies and muted colours, it was still beautiful, a world so different to the one she had known in London, one with so much potential.

There was so much to the world, much more than the smoke and clamour of London, she was discovering silence here, beauty and nature and while sometimes it was frightening or made her feel a little lost, she wanted to experience more… for a moment her mind flashed to an image of Lord Ren's dark, penetrating eyes, and she shook her head to rid herself of the only thing that made her wish to be elsewhere.

Somewhere beyond the clouds the sun was setting - was it setting on her time here? Or was this merely just making tomorrow the first real day of a new beginning?

To her surprise, and what later may turn out to be regret, she realised she would be writing to ask Lady Solo for tenure.

She was making Varykino and all it's secrets her home.

'

A shiver rippled its way through her and she became aware that she had stayed looking out over the water for a greater time than was sensible.

Lifting up her skirts a little, she hurried back to the house, scolding herself internally all the way to the back door.

'

Even though the rain had been barely there, she was quite damp, while her clothes would dry easily while she was in the kitchen, her cap and hair were more of an issue, so she hurried towards the stairs to change her cap and apron, pulling out her hair from the neat buns she tied it in.

As she crossed the hall the the back stairs, she collided with an unexpected wall and upon looking up, she was mortified to find Lord Ren looking at her. His large hands briefly gripped her arms as if to steady her and when he let go, she immediately felt the loss of the surprising warmth he had managed to bestow in a matter of seconds.

"Please forgive me, Lord Ren," she gasped quickly before he could shout at her, she bobbed a curtsey, cheeks flushed with embarrassment, "I wasn't looking where I was going."

"So it would seem," strangely he wasn't raising his voice or snarling and she dared to look up at him.

He was staring at her, at where her damp hair had tumbled to her shoulders in soft curls and yet more blood rushed to her face as she realised the impropriety of her actions, that she had just assumed she wouldn't meet anyone and be able to slip upstairs unnoticed.

"Your hair is wet. Why?"

Nervously clasping her cap in her hands, she lowered her eyes, "I just needed some fresh air, Lord Ren. I will just change my cap and apron then return to my duties." If he thought she was shirking her work, then he may tell Mr Hux and then he may tell Lady Solo. Now Rey had made up her mind to stay here, the idea of losing that opportunity made anxiety churn in her stomach.

There was a pause but she didn't dare look up, determined not to ruin her chances further, even not reacting when she thought she heard him inhale deeply a few times.

Then he turned on his heel abruptly and stalked away from her without saying another word, posture rigid.

Another shiver shook her, it felt different from the first but she could not identify why. With a shrug for herself she quickly took the stairs, keen to warm up and get back to the kitchen - a cup of tea was in order.

'

'


A/N: Authentic Victorian Queen Drop Biscuits Recipe:

INGREDIENTS

3 Eggs

225g Butter

225g Sugar

225g Currants

350g Flour

2 tsp Almond Extract

METHOD

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 Fahrenheit). Cream the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Mix in the sifted flour and one egg at a time. Mix together well and then add your currants and almond extract. Using you hand or a tablespoon, drop equal quantities of the mixture onto a greased baking sheet. Don't put them too close together as the mixture will settle and expand outwards. Bake for about 10 minutes until they are firm to the touch. This recipe makes around 24 drop biscuits.