"Letter for Miss Stewart," Mr. Bert said and the staff looked at me as if expecting me to read it out loud, it was from the inquiry I had made in town with Justine.

There was a woman who worked as lady's maid for many years and was retired, she was available to teach me how to do hair and take care of the clothes of a lady amongst other things so that I may be prepared to be a lady's maid. Every hope was directed into this new beginning and the quicker I learned the sooner I would be able to apply for a job far away from Stanley Hall but until then everything had to remain my secret, I could not share it with anyone until I was ready to go.

"Thank you Mr. Bert," I got the letter and put it in my pocket to read it later, we were arranging the terms of the deal and when I could get away from Stanley Hall to learn.

"Well I guess even Miss Stewart has her secrets now, she is a fast learner that one," Gertie said suspiciously and the rest of the staff became uncomfortable with my lack of defense.

"And for you Gertie," Mr. Bert handed it in and she at once opened the letter.

"Oh look it's from my brother," she said and sat down to read it then she crumbled up the paper and took off.

"I should go see if everything is fine," Mrs. Hall got up to go be with Gertie.

"Well I was going to make the announcement when we were all together but Mr. Howard will be receiving a local newspaper man here tomorrow for luncheon, it is a story of his return and his art. So Mr. Eugene I will need the two footman, I hope you have trained them well because tomorrow they will need to be ready," Mr. Bert asked.

"Yes sir, they will be ready, I have trained them most thoroughly," Mr. Eugene proudly stated.

"Good, it seems like we are slowly heading back into society so we must be prepared for the master to be able to put Stanley Hall in its former light."

"How about that Mr. Bert? Stanley Hall in the front columns again?" Mr. Eugene dreamed and Ms. Johnson smiled but I was angered by the master's deception. To say those words and thoughts against high society as if they had meaning now be giving orders of reintroducing himself into the thing he scoffed at? Mother was right, I had to keep myself from being fooled, I needed to stop being such a child in order to be a wise guide to my heart.

In the night while everyone was safe and sound back in their beds asleep I meandered around the house making my way to the library so that I may write back to my instructor, Adelia. I set my light down on the desk and borrowed the paper and ink to begin setting the dates I was available to learn; mostly Sundays would give me a good amount of time to disappear. Her recompense was set and she wanted me to start the same week and she would even help me look for a job once we were done.

After I sealed the letter I had the idea to borrow a book for not since Vanity Fair I had read and missed the exercise so using the candle light I found it, "The Duchess of Malfi" by John Webster. There was a cover sitting on the couch perfumed with the master's scent where I hid myself under and began reading under the candle light, the story was so dramatic and engaging I did not hear anything other than the words on the pages.

My hand jerked back from being swept in the intensity of the story and I let the book fall when a familiar silhouette appeared behind the book like a ghost. "Mr. Howard?"

We had not seen much of each other and I avoided crossing paths with him in the house, he had been put off by our last encounter and I was glad of it. He had not sought me out to explain himself, to clarify anything and I did not see why I should ask for forgiveness for my outburst, either way we had been apart for a while.

But here his energy was anything but calming, he was not one to go unnoticed, though the master spent so much time tucked away there was nothing about Mr. Howard which pacified those around him. Mr. Howard could be saying absolutely nothing, making no expressions and still he was sure to make those around him tremble.

"I see now why you would be scared of me," he picked up the book kneeling in front of where I sat on the sofa.

"Sir? I... forgive me I could not sleep and did not know you would come here if I did I would have never..."

"Alice be at peace, you have done no wrong," he gave me the book back, "how are you?"

"Fine sir," I looked at his body tower over me while he stared. "I should leave you in peace," I closed the book and put my feet down.

"No wait, stay for a while," he stopped me with his hand, "would you lay down on the sofa please?"

What a thing to ask of me? What could he be planning in his curious mind by making such an unusual request?

"Why Mr. Howard?"

"Let me draw you."

"Me?"

"Yes you, so will you lay back on the sofa? I won't take much of your time."

"Not for too long please," I obeyed like always laying down with my loose long hair wearing a thin robe over my nightgown on the sofa.

"Not for too long I promise, let me just get my materials, do not leave please." The master said while I waited for him to come back and covered some of myself with the blanket and continued reading the book.

Mr. Howard got back with his things and turned a chair around to sit in front of me, "your choice of book does not disappoint."

"It is a bit scary though or maybe reading it alone in the middle of the night is."

"Do not worry Alice I am the only scary thing here," he teased but it was not a joke then he asked. "Could you lay down all the way and slightly bend your right leg?"

I took in the instructions and moved to the specifications "and the book," he got up to put the book face down right below my breast, "place your left hand on top of the book, let you right hand fall to the side then open up your lips and close your eyes."

"I will fall asleep Mr. Howard," I warned him for the position was comfortable.

As predicted twenty minutes later I was half asleep and I heard him come over to where I laid in quietude of spirit.

"May I see your shoulders Miss Stewart?" He asked and I opened my eyes deliberating the request, "I would like to sketch them."

Mr. Howard's request required me to part with the robe and I deliberated how far I would let him order me around.

"I..."

"Only your shoulders nothing more Alice, I promise," so holding the covers on top of my nightgown I revealed my shoulders while his eyes closely watched my every move.

"Now bring your neck up," he asked with his hands.

"Like this?" I remained constant in my duty as he pulled out some of my hair to carefully put it over my shoulder.

"Yes exactly like this," he sat back in the chair and continued to draw me.

There was a crumbling of paper and the pencil made the only noise in the room as I drifted into a light sleep.

"Are you asleep?"

"Um hm," I moaned not wanting anymore directions, only to sleep.

"Are you certain Alice?"

"Almost sir."

As I thought he would leave I prepared to open my eyes and come out from under the covers and fix my robe though my body did not want to drag itself to my quarters.

"Then do not move."

"Yes Mr. Howard," I waited for whatever reason he had and when I found out his lips were touching my flesh where the bone of my shoulder almost stuck out. I did not move swallowing down the tantalizing sensation into the pit of my stomach, "sir what..."

"Shhh..." his whisper blew a small wind on my skin and bound me to his spell. He worked his way up with small appreciative kisses up my neck arriving at my lips where he kissed me as one would dance, with rhythm, slow moves, heart racing beats, and increasing passion.

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No part, character, names, plot, setting, conflict or resolution, point of view, theme or symbolism of this story may be replicated.

Copyright: All Rights Reserved to A. Sena Gomes.