As expected, when I awoke, Ramsley was gone. At breakfast, I heard that he had left before the sun even rose and had only packed one bag. I had hoped Elizabeth might be around, but I did not see her the entire morning, which meant I had to get on with work. Another maid came and brought lunch and tea but not Elizabeth. The morning was pleasant enough, and I was even able to ascertain the full extent of the Gracey fortune. My father had done very well for himself, and now it all fell to me to ensure this prosperity.
In the late afternoon before dinner, I decided I might take a walk to the cemetery and the Gracey mausoleum. I had not been able to attend my father's funeral and decided I should go pay my respects. I had no desire to do so, but it seemed proper, and I would rather do this without Ramsley lurking behind me. It was a lovely stroll; the fruit trees on the edge of the property were in bloom. My father got the land to build the mansion so cheap because it was near a cemetery, which most people were not keen to do, but my father, ever the penny-pinching man, bought anyway. It was a nice area, all things considered, and I thought of when my mother would take me and place flowers on the graves of those who were not receiving visitors anymore.
"But why, mama! It's hot!"
"Everyone deserves kindness, remember that Edward," she had said sternly. We placed a simple daisy on all the graves that seemed long forgotten.
I thought of that memory and smiled. Perhaps I should resume the practice. My mother was rarely well, but this was one of the few things I remember doing with her. Ramsley and my father disapproved, but they never said anything.
I made it to the mausoleum and descended down. To my shock and slight horror, in the middle of the room was my father's coffin. It was like he was on an altar or a dais. I had known no other family member to be placed like that at any point after their funeral, not my mother, not any of my siblings, and certainly none of the servants. This would need to be changed, and I would speak to Ramsley about this. Then I was struck with the thought Ramsley had placed the coffin here on purpose; it would make sense as he was the one to take care of the household affairs before I returned. Ramsley always had a reverence for my father and perhaps this was his way of mourning. It was really quite sweet of him to do this, to show his respect till the very end.
I lit a candle at the small altar and said a quick prayer. I was never the religious sort, but I knew it made my mother happy, and really I was doing this for her. I supposed my father did deserve kindness as much as any other person. I stood a while longer and left. I was never particularly interested in the family mausoleum. I frankly thought it was dank and smelled of mold. While I was not scared of the place, I certainly wanted to be out in the fresh air.
Strolling back, I saw Elizabeth, and her back was turned to me. She was standing over a grave. I decided it would not be wise to interrupt her moment and instead hid behind a large angel statue. I looked down and noticed a grave that seemed not to have been visited in a very long time. So I decided to wipe the top of it off. Apparently, this stone was for an Imogen Prock.
As I was considering if she was anyone my family knew, Elizabeth snuck up on me. "Master Gracey?"
I jumped a bit, for a second thinking it was Imogen speaking from the grave. "Elizabeth, it's you."
"I hope I didn't give you a fright, Master Gracey," she said kindly.
"Please, if I am to call you by your first name, you must let me do the same," I gently reminded.
"Oh, of course! Ramsley was very stern about addressing you as 'Master' when I was hired, and I'm afraid I haven't shaken his words," she said with a slight smile.
"Ramsley, of course, is very traditional. You mustn't take his terse nature in offense, though he does give off that impression," I said, considering.
Not wanting Ramsley to dominate the space, even when he was away, I switched topics. "What has brought you out here?"
"Visiting my mama. And you?" she said, leaning closer to read the stone. "Are you visiting Imogen Prock?"
I laughed. "No, I was in my family's mausoleum. I'm afraid since returning that I have not been able to say my goodbyes to my father. I saw you with your mother, and I did not want to interrupt, so I thought I would visit with Imogen until you left as not to spook you. I didn't spook you, did I?"
"No, not at all! I was just about done, and I heard someone behind me, but you had ducked behind this tree before I could see it was you," she said.
"I'm glad I didn't interrupt," I said. I looked to the sky and noticed it was starting to go down, and dinner would be soon. "May I escort you back?"
I held my arm out, and she looked down in surprise. "There is nothing to be afraid of." She blushed and took my arm, and I led her back to the mansion.
"You said you enjoyed reading; I never heard what it is you like to read. I believe we were interrupted," I said in reference to the other day.
"Oh, I will read anything. I only have my mama's Bible," she said.
"You know the mansion has a large library? My father spared no expense to obtain the complete works of Shakespeare, the ancient philosophers, the works of Kant, Locke, and the like," I said proudly.
"Yes, I have seen when I have dusted. But I was told I was not to enter unless I was working, and I was scolded quite harshly by Ramsley when he caught me looking at a book that had fallen," she said embarrassed.
"Scolded? Ramsley scolded you?" I asked, surprised.
"Yes. I was told that everything was 'the Master's objects, and it was a privilege to have the honor to clean the rooms that these heirlooms lived in' and from then on, I just did my work," she said quietly.
"That may have been my father's policy, but since I am the master of this mansion, you are free to read any of the books. It should be your honor to read the books, not to clean them," I said. I had stopped our walk back, and had turned her to me. "Elizabeth, I do not have the same ideals as my father, and I wish you to make use of the books. I'm afraid I do not have the same love for books as my father did, and I would like someone to make use of that room."
"If it would please you. I fear that I haven't much time to read, but I suppose I could read a few pages before I go to my quarters at night," she said.
"Please, take the book with you to your room. I know I won't be rushing to read all the books," I encouraged.
"All right," she said, smiling. This smile wasn't just a polite smile but rather her real smile. I hope that I might receive more of these genuine smiles, as they were so so lovely.