The housekeeper said nothing when this strange young lady arrived, merely prepared a spare bedroom, arranged toiletries and towels and hung up the sparse contents of her overnight bag. She was used to this nonsense from her employer. What she didn't reckon on was the thunderstorm and the effect it would have on the newcomer.

Maria loved the energy of the thunderstorm. She seemed to turn fear into thrill which was a quality that Elsa had rarely seen before. Chattering away while she splashed around in her bath, revelling in the luxury of hot water on tap and the delectable bath products, she seemed younger than her years. Elsa had to remind herself that she'd come from very different circumstances and had no need for calculating artifice in her life.

'You aren't going to sing, are you Maria?'

'Well, I have a tune in my head and it goes like…'

'Could you keep it there tonight?'

'Of course Baroness.'

Maria could sing in her head all day long. She just longed to share it.

Elsa wasn't sure how it was that she ended up spending the night with the guest. Maria had exclaimed how wonderful everything was. She'd padded into her room just before bed and looked around her with delight. Elsa invited her to snoop around, thinking that her curiosity would eventually wind down for the night. Maria was in awe of her splendid wardrobe as she should be. Maria was wearing a voluminous sprigged nightgown that Elsa uncharitably thought were made from her grandmother's duvet covers.

'Why don't you wear the perfume now?' She suggested.

'It's beautiful but I feel like it would be wasted just going to sleep in.'

'Of course not. Never wait for an occasion, Maria. You never know when your last day will be.'

Elsa applied her own perfume, (it was delicious) sighed and said no more on the matter and Maria's heart wrenched for her. She saw a glimpse of the lonely soul that rarely revealed itself and dabbed on the perfume to please her.

'Wear something that pleases you' Elsa instructed. 'If it pleases others then it is all to the good but first you must wear something that you want to wear.' She lounged on the bed and tucked her feet in. She was wearing a splendid peach silk creation that made Maria want to run through her fingers through. The Baroness looked beautiful in it. Maria had sniffed the bottle earlier and had loved it. She never realised that perfume could smell that way. It made her feel more serene when the storm outside was raging.

The Baroness was so kind to let her stay.

'My husband wasn't fond of thunderstorms. It reminded him of a childhood incident that left him feeling unsafe. He always needed to be cossetted until he could go to sleep.'

Maria thought that must have been a bit of a trial.

'Would you like me to stay with you tonight?' She offered.

Elsa was surprised.

'Not at all, you should go and enjoy your sleep. You've had a long day.'

As usual, Maria's tongue ran away with her again.

'Have you ever felt unsafe and needed to be cared for, Baroness?'

Elsa stared at her with an expression she couldn't identify. She seemed…angry almost. Maria thought she'd gone too far and stepped back a bit.

'I have been well looked after by my husband, Maria. I've wanted for almost nothing in my life' she said slowly, a frown still creasing her forehead. Elsa was not angry. She just didn't understand why someone who had never had her advantages would ask her if she had missed out on something.

'I didn't mean to be rude. But sometimes I think wealthy people must be a bit unhappy. I know I say the wrong things sometimes and I truly am sorry, Baroness please don't think ill of me! I just want you to be happy.'

Elsa chose her words carefully.

'I am quite content, Maria. It's a different state of mind. You may be a happy person that loves the simple things and how I admire you for it. But you're at a crossroads in your life, happy with what you have at the moment but yet to decide on a course of action that will lead you to the life you should lead. You know my opinion on abbey life not being that path for you. I think you have more searching to do before you commit. You aren't content with your life just yet.'

Maria really didn't know what to say. It struck more doubt in her heart as to what she should do next. Elsa suddenly looked tired.

'I think we should leave it there, Maria. I shouldn't pry, I know.'

'You seem to be looking out for me every step of the way. I do appreciate that, Baroness. If you don't mind, I'd like to keep you company tonight.'

Elsa suddenly found that she didn't mind at all. Maria was intent on providing some comfort and Elsa didn't have the heart to stop her.

'Very well.'

Maria bounded into bed and tucked herself in like a dormouse. Elsa thought it was very sweet. She got up and started to draw the curtains but a cry from Maria stopped her in her tracks.

'Oh please Baroness, please can we have the curtains open? I feel so confined otherwise. I like to see the stars.'

Elsa sighed, thinking that Maria was like a wild doe.

'Very well, if you insist, Maria.'

She pulled her sleeping mask out of her bag and wrenched it on, suddenly weary from the wonderful day they had had. Maria giggled at the frivolous sight of it, it had a pair of sleeping eyelashes embroidered on it.

No wonder she never drew the curtains thought Elsa pettishly, she's always wearing them instead.

It was the last thought she had until morning.