Chapter 3
Mirana had always disliked carriages. Sitting next to Miss Catherine on the over filled leather seats, she tried desperately to gasp in fresh air from the window.
They had been bouncing along for less than ten minutes, but it felt like forever to Mirana. She wished they could have ridden instead of sitting in this stuffy carriage. She wasn't very good at horse ridding but she enjoyed the long, even paces of a horses, the smell of hay and stables and the chance to see the surroundings.
Sighing deeply, Mirana tried unsuccessfully to get a bit of cooler air under her long skirt; her stockings were sticking to her legs. Miss Catherine leaned out of the window and looked ahead. Turning happily back to Mirana she said, "I can see the first houses of the town. In five minutes we will be there."
Smiling thankfully Mirana settled back, she could wait that long. Collecting her thoughts, she brought peace to her mind, forgetting her anger at Head Mistress Sarah and forgetting her annoyance at having to sit in this carriage.
The carriage turned sharply left and Mirana was thrown against Miss Catherine who was squashed up against her side of the carriage. Mumbling an apology, Mirana straighten up and leaned out the window. They were driving through a beautiful park. Looking back, Mirana saw a black, iron gate closing behind them. Feeling locked in she bit her lip. "Being silly", She muttered to herself. A house loomed up in front of them with marble stairs leading up to the double door entrance.
The moment the carriage stopped, Mirana had the door open and was thankfully stepping out of the carriage. Gapping at the house, she at once saw that this was not a house or a mansion; this was a villa. Halfway up the marble steps stood Lady Ellen, this time all in blue. Looking back at the carriage, Mirana saw Miss Catherine walk slowly towards her. The woman's' hands were firmly clasped in front of her and only Mirana could she that they shock.
Together the two climbed the steps until they reached Lady Ellen. There they both sank into deep curtesies.
Miss Catherine had spent a whole afternoon teaching her the proper curtesy. Now the girl was able to make her teacher proud. Also she enjoyed the sound of her cotton dress rustling as she moved. Head Mistress Sarah had given her two new dresses before she left. They were second hand, but fitted Mirana and didn't have any tears in them.
Lady Ellen took Miss Catherine's hands and pulled her up. She motioned for Mirana to follow suit saying "Good day to you. It is a pleasure to welcome you to my home." Turning to the two servants unloading the carriage, she said less pleasant: " You two, hurry up and bring those trunks to the prepared rooms. The ladies would like to refresh themselves." She received a mumbled replay. Sniffing, she turned back to her companions. Taking them both by the elbow she lead them into her villa.
Mirana remembered just in time to close her mouth before she would draw attention to herself. Just the entry hall was stunning. A white marble staircase lead to the second floor. The walls, also white, were hung with beautiful works of art. A few different hallways lead from the main room and in the centre of the entry hall stood and table with a fantastic flower arrangement on top.
Miss Catherine too was amazed though, unlike Mirana she was able to hide it. Lady Ellen waited politely for Mirana to finish her inspection before she raised her hand and a servant appeared at her elbow. A few quiet words were exchanged before they turned to the guests. Lady Ellen told them that the servant's name was Ann and that she would be their personal maid during their stay.
Extending her hand to Miss Catherine she explained "We will have tea on the terrace in a bell's time. You are welcome to explore the rest of the house or you can rest and refresh yourselves on your rooms. Ann will show you everything. Till than, good bye." Miss Catherine curtsied and took the offered hand. Raising it to her lips she kisses it saying "Thank you, lady Ellen." When Lady Ellen turned to Mirana she too, curtsied sweeping her skirts sideways. Carefully she brushed her lips over the manicured hand muttering "You are too kind, my lady." Lady Ellen nodded and swept up the marble stairs to her own chambers.
When she was gone, Ann motioned for Miss Catherine and Mirana to follow her. Leading them down one of corridors, she told them "We arranged for two adjoining rooms over looking the garden. If you have any questions or problems please call me." Turning left, they entered another room and on it went through the house till Mirana had no sense of direction left. Finally they went up another flight of steps, these not quiet as magnific as the main ones in the entry hall, but even these didn't lack expensive taste.
Turning right at the top, Ann opened a door and motioned for them to enter. Mirana gasped. The chamber was incredible. The walls were painted a soft yellow, the blue carpet on the floor matched perfectly, the curtains in front of the gigantic windows fell in soft folds, the colour matching the bed spread on the four poster bed and the desk in one corner of the room was antic. The whole effect was stunning.
Miss Catherine had stopped behind Mirana. She too was impressed. Ann simply walked past, opened the windows and went to open a door on the left hand side of the room. "Lady," she said "this is your room." In she went, Miss Catherine following. Mirana sat down on the bed. It was bouncy, the feathers still fresh in the quilt and mattress. She took of her gloves and shoes and lay back.
She didn't look up as the door opened. Only when a male voice coughed did she straighten up surprised. A young man in dark brown breeched and white shirt stood in the doorway. Mirana's trunk stood at his feet. His brown, almost golden hair was brushed back with restless fingers and his eyes were a clear grey. "Sorry t' disturb ya, miss, but I've got yar gear." His voice was heavily accented. Mirana got up. "Of course, please just leave it there, I will get it." She made to pick it up, but the man was quicker. "Don't trouble yaself, miss, I've got it." Carefully he carried it past her, making sure not to touch her. Gently he placed it at the foot of the bed. Bowing, he retreated out of the room.
Shaking her head, Mirana opened the trunk. The first dress she pulled out was wrinkled. Splendid, she thought, I was going to wear that one. The skirt she handled next was in no better condition. Nor were the next items. The shoes still looked well after the polish Mirana had given them before they departed. Since you couldn't see the stockings, it didn't matter that they too, were in a desperate need of a press. At the bottom of her trunk lay her books. Hoping desperately, she picked them up. Sighing with relief she noted that they had not been damaged in any way.
Placing them on the small bedside table, Mirana went to find Miss Catherine top see what could be done about the dresses. The older woman was also unpacking. Her dresses, however were in better shape. Innocently she told Miss Catherine what had happened. Ann, who had been bustling around the room, followed the two into Mirana's room to look at the damage.
Miss Catherine shook her head saying "You can't wear any of those. Even if we ask for a press, there is no way for them to be done in the short time we have left." She looked Mirana up and down "There is no way for you to fit into one of my dresses. This is not good: The first afternoon and already problems. Who packed the trunk, if I may ask?" She looked Mirana firmly in the eye. She however simply hung her head and muttered "I did."
Miss Catherine sighed and hugged the girl around the shoulders. Ann had been following the conversation quietly. Now however she went to the closet and pulled the doors open. A collection of dresses hung there. Looking expectantly at the two others she asked " What about these? My lady Ellen had them especially made for Miss Mirana." Mirana goggled, Miss Catherine gaped and gazed at the items. Finally Mirana walked up and gently lifted a dress out. A rich blue, with a white collar, white hem and white sleeves; it was Mirana's seize. One by one she puled them out. Green, white, yellow, cream, they were all stunning and very much in fashion.
Ann and Miss Catherine returned to the other room, Mirana's friend muttering about too much money and luck. Carefully Mirana undressed and pulled the blue dress over her head. Stepping in front of the mirror, she was amazed. The blue matched her pale skin, the sleeves reached Mirana's elbows and the hem reached the floor. Twisting and turning in front of her reflection, she didn't recognise herself. She no longer looked like a girl-child. The dress had made her into a lady. A young one, but a lady. Stepping into black slippers, she searched her trunk for a matching blue ribbon. Finding one, she ran a brush through her hair and tied it back. Ready, she entered the other room.
Mirana had always disliked carriages. Sitting next to Miss Catherine on the over filled leather seats, she tried desperately to gasp in fresh air from the window.
They had been bouncing along for less than ten minutes, but it felt like forever to Mirana. She wished they could have ridden instead of sitting in this stuffy carriage. She wasn't very good at horse ridding but she enjoyed the long, even paces of a horses, the smell of hay and stables and the chance to see the surroundings.
Sighing deeply, Mirana tried unsuccessfully to get a bit of cooler air under her long skirt; her stockings were sticking to her legs. Miss Catherine leaned out of the window and looked ahead. Turning happily back to Mirana she said, "I can see the first houses of the town. In five minutes we will be there."
Smiling thankfully Mirana settled back, she could wait that long. Collecting her thoughts, she brought peace to her mind, forgetting her anger at Head Mistress Sarah and forgetting her annoyance at having to sit in this carriage.
The carriage turned sharply left and Mirana was thrown against Miss Catherine who was squashed up against her side of the carriage. Mumbling an apology, Mirana straighten up and leaned out the window. They were driving through a beautiful park. Looking back, Mirana saw a black, iron gate closing behind them. Feeling locked in she bit her lip. "Being silly", She muttered to herself. A house loomed up in front of them with marble stairs leading up to the double door entrance.
The moment the carriage stopped, Mirana had the door open and was thankfully stepping out of the carriage. Gapping at the house, she at once saw that this was not a house or a mansion; this was a villa. Halfway up the marble steps stood Lady Ellen, this time all in blue. Looking back at the carriage, Mirana saw Miss Catherine walk slowly towards her. The woman's' hands were firmly clasped in front of her and only Mirana could she that they shock.
Together the two climbed the steps until they reached Lady Ellen. There they both sank into deep curtesies.
Miss Catherine had spent a whole afternoon teaching her the proper curtesy. Now the girl was able to make her teacher proud. Also she enjoyed the sound of her cotton dress rustling as she moved. Head Mistress Sarah had given her two new dresses before she left. They were second hand, but fitted Mirana and didn't have any tears in them.
Lady Ellen took Miss Catherine's hands and pulled her up. She motioned for Mirana to follow suit saying "Good day to you. It is a pleasure to welcome you to my home." Turning to the two servants unloading the carriage, she said less pleasant: " You two, hurry up and bring those trunks to the prepared rooms. The ladies would like to refresh themselves." She received a mumbled replay. Sniffing, she turned back to her companions. Taking them both by the elbow she lead them into her villa.
Mirana remembered just in time to close her mouth before she would draw attention to herself. Just the entry hall was stunning. A white marble staircase lead to the second floor. The walls, also white, were hung with beautiful works of art. A few different hallways lead from the main room and in the centre of the entry hall stood and table with a fantastic flower arrangement on top.
Miss Catherine too was amazed though, unlike Mirana she was able to hide it. Lady Ellen waited politely for Mirana to finish her inspection before she raised her hand and a servant appeared at her elbow. A few quiet words were exchanged before they turned to the guests. Lady Ellen told them that the servant's name was Ann and that she would be their personal maid during their stay.
Extending her hand to Miss Catherine she explained "We will have tea on the terrace in a bell's time. You are welcome to explore the rest of the house or you can rest and refresh yourselves on your rooms. Ann will show you everything. Till than, good bye." Miss Catherine curtsied and took the offered hand. Raising it to her lips she kisses it saying "Thank you, lady Ellen." When Lady Ellen turned to Mirana she too, curtsied sweeping her skirts sideways. Carefully she brushed her lips over the manicured hand muttering "You are too kind, my lady." Lady Ellen nodded and swept up the marble stairs to her own chambers.
When she was gone, Ann motioned for Miss Catherine and Mirana to follow her. Leading them down one of corridors, she told them "We arranged for two adjoining rooms over looking the garden. If you have any questions or problems please call me." Turning left, they entered another room and on it went through the house till Mirana had no sense of direction left. Finally they went up another flight of steps, these not quiet as magnific as the main ones in the entry hall, but even these didn't lack expensive taste.
Turning right at the top, Ann opened a door and motioned for them to enter. Mirana gasped. The chamber was incredible. The walls were painted a soft yellow, the blue carpet on the floor matched perfectly, the curtains in front of the gigantic windows fell in soft folds, the colour matching the bed spread on the four poster bed and the desk in one corner of the room was antic. The whole effect was stunning.
Miss Catherine had stopped behind Mirana. She too was impressed. Ann simply walked past, opened the windows and went to open a door on the left hand side of the room. "Lady," she said "this is your room." In she went, Miss Catherine following. Mirana sat down on the bed. It was bouncy, the feathers still fresh in the quilt and mattress. She took of her gloves and shoes and lay back.
She didn't look up as the door opened. Only when a male voice coughed did she straighten up surprised. A young man in dark brown breeched and white shirt stood in the doorway. Mirana's trunk stood at his feet. His brown, almost golden hair was brushed back with restless fingers and his eyes were a clear grey. "Sorry t' disturb ya, miss, but I've got yar gear." His voice was heavily accented. Mirana got up. "Of course, please just leave it there, I will get it." She made to pick it up, but the man was quicker. "Don't trouble yaself, miss, I've got it." Carefully he carried it past her, making sure not to touch her. Gently he placed it at the foot of the bed. Bowing, he retreated out of the room.
Shaking her head, Mirana opened the trunk. The first dress she pulled out was wrinkled. Splendid, she thought, I was going to wear that one. The skirt she handled next was in no better condition. Nor were the next items. The shoes still looked well after the polish Mirana had given them before they departed. Since you couldn't see the stockings, it didn't matter that they too, were in a desperate need of a press. At the bottom of her trunk lay her books. Hoping desperately, she picked them up. Sighing with relief she noted that they had not been damaged in any way.
Placing them on the small bedside table, Mirana went to find Miss Catherine top see what could be done about the dresses. The older woman was also unpacking. Her dresses, however were in better shape. Innocently she told Miss Catherine what had happened. Ann, who had been bustling around the room, followed the two into Mirana's room to look at the damage.
Miss Catherine shook her head saying "You can't wear any of those. Even if we ask for a press, there is no way for them to be done in the short time we have left." She looked Mirana up and down "There is no way for you to fit into one of my dresses. This is not good: The first afternoon and already problems. Who packed the trunk, if I may ask?" She looked Mirana firmly in the eye. She however simply hung her head and muttered "I did."
Miss Catherine sighed and hugged the girl around the shoulders. Ann had been following the conversation quietly. Now however she went to the closet and pulled the doors open. A collection of dresses hung there. Looking expectantly at the two others she asked " What about these? My lady Ellen had them especially made for Miss Mirana." Mirana goggled, Miss Catherine gaped and gazed at the items. Finally Mirana walked up and gently lifted a dress out. A rich blue, with a white collar, white hem and white sleeves; it was Mirana's seize. One by one she puled them out. Green, white, yellow, cream, they were all stunning and very much in fashion.
Ann and Miss Catherine returned to the other room, Mirana's friend muttering about too much money and luck. Carefully Mirana undressed and pulled the blue dress over her head. Stepping in front of the mirror, she was amazed. The blue matched her pale skin, the sleeves reached Mirana's elbows and the hem reached the floor. Twisting and turning in front of her reflection, she didn't recognise herself. She no longer looked like a girl-child. The dress had made her into a lady. A young one, but a lady. Stepping into black slippers, she searched her trunk for a matching blue ribbon. Finding one, she ran a brush through her hair and tied it back. Ready, she entered the other room.