KENT-

I woke and shot straight up, sitting in what felt like... a bed?

A bed raised off the floor with the softest of white and gold linens and four pillows. I looked down to see myself wearing a white cotton night gown and my hair felt like it was in a plaited bun. Looking around the room everything was furnished and tidy, it looked very expensive and very old.

'Confused' and 'puzzled' weren't really the words I was thinking to describe how I was feeling in this particular moment. More like

'WHAT THE FUCK JUST FUCKING HAPPENED AND WHY THE SHITTING HELL AM I IN A BLOODY BED FROM THE EIGHTEEN FUCKING HUNDREDS!?'.

More or less.

While I was getting caught up in my world of thoughts and questions a... ?maid? walked straight in and started opening curtains.

'Morning Miss Haywood. Mr Haywood requests your presence in the Parlour once you are ready and your mother Mrs Haywood would also like to speak with you.' She said.

Not taking anything she was saying into account, I was about to ask her for help, but if this was what I thought it was and if I had done what I think I had done than screaming like a crazy woman would probably just land me in a convent. Luckily I was doing English A-levels so I knew a bit about how to speak during this time thank the fucking lord. I took a deep breath before replying with 'thank you, I should like to get ready by myself today.' 'Of course ma'am' she said lowering her head before leaving. I almost took a bit of pride in my confidence when I spoke to her and felt like giving myself a small pat on the back.

Once she left I pinched the bridge of my nose and then shook my hands to try and relieve some anxiety. I wanted to cry again at the thought that I had potentially travelled through time in a blue portal, but that wouldn't have helped help me at all. I had no clue what was happening and I just wanted to go home, but I had no idea how. For now I decided to play along and get some answers in time.

From what I can gather I'm in the 'Haywood' house, but somewhere in the 1800s, hopefully. And from what I can remember this is a family of 7 members. 3 sons and 2 daughters, me of course being one of the daughters. My name is still Diana Haywood and I am still 17. Oh and Mr Haywood, my 'father' I suppose, wants to see me.

Small problem

I have no fucking clue how I'm supposed to get ready. Telling the maid that I'd rather get ready myself today definitely wasn't one of my brightest ideas, but in my defence, I had just woken up 200 years in the past.

I should probably try and poke my head out the door to see if I can find her. I approach the door and open it taking a few steps out of the room, but I crash into someone who quickly puts them self back together. He looks like he's maybe a couple of years older then me, 19 or 20.

He laughs before asking 'Little sister, what are you doing outside of your room in nothing but a nightgown?'. I stutter a bit before managing to say 'I needed my maid'. 'Ahh right. CLAIRE! My sister is in need of your help.' He shouts turning back to me and kissing me on the forehead 'next time you crash into your favourite brother you will have to pay me' he says. I laugh a bit at the what I hope was a joke when he leaves. Claire comes rushing back to the door 'I'm s-so sorry miss I sh-should've stayed outside your doors' she stutters. 'Don't worry Claire it was my fault I should've been more clear when I told you to leave. As it turns out, I do actually need your assistance with getting ready.' I say. 'Of course Miss Haywood' she replies.

^the gown Diana is wearing

Once Claire was finished dressing me I stood in front of the mirror and I couldn't help but smile at the sight of such a beautiful and expensive dress. From the mustardy colour to the flared sleeves, it was gorgeous.

I couldn't even begin to describe how my hair had been put up in such a complex way, and with the limited resources they had in this time was just incredible. I did a slow 360 turn just taking in the only time I'd probably feel like a real princess, but then Claire reminded me that Mr Haywood needed to see me.

I walked out my room for the first time and my eyes lit up at the golden interior that covered the walls and ceilings. The intricate designs on the carpets and armchairs, I was astonished that this was only the hallway of the first floor. I turned right out of my room and leaned straight over the wooden banister. I could see a very grand staircase with blue and gold carpet on each step.

I was honestly just so blown away at how beautiful everything really was, at this point it couldn't have just been a psychological test set up by the government (which had been a possibility for quite a while now).

I really do think that somehow I have managed to travel back in time.

When i'd reached the bottom of the stairs it had become clear where the parlour was so I decided to go straight in and sit on the nearest sofa. Nobody else was in the room, which was strange as I thought that the parlour was the most occupied room in the house.

A man walked in quite quickly like he was in a rush. He was different from the man I bumped into earlier but he clearly wasn't old enough to be my dad. 'Diana.' he sighed smiling and finally sitting down to relax, 'I'm glad you could see me today, I just needed to speak to you about my role as the new head of the family' he said unfolding a newspaper and crossing one leg over the other not once looking at me.

I was confused by this statement as I thought the father was usually the head of the family. 'Head of the family? But what about father?' I questioned tensing a bit. Clearly my questions struck a nerve as he was suddenly brought out of his fixed reading gaze and I saw widened eyes staring right at me. 'Diana...what on earth do you mean? Father died 6 months ago.' He mumbled, concerned.

Well in my defence, they could be mentioned that in the tour guide to save me from looking like the most cruel daughter EVER. Trying to think of an excuse, I put my palm on my forehead and let out a small laugh. 'Goodness brother I'm so sorry, just hearing about his replacement caught me off guard slightly' I said. He smiled and reached over for my hand, I placed my in his and he squeezed it slightly - 'it's ok, loosing father was the hardest thing our family has ever had to do.' He said. But slowly a questioning thought became his face before saying 'and I'd much rather you called me Francis rather than 'brother'. Only Ambrose walks around calling his siblings 'sister' and 'brother'.' We both laughed, and it was clear now that the man I walked into earlier was Ambrose as he did address me as 'little sister' and the brother I was talking to now was Francis.

'You must excuse me Francis, mother would also like to speak to me' I said trying to catch my breath from laughter. 'I'm sorry you didn't get round to speaking properly to me' I added. 'Don't worry Diana, mother will probably talk to you about it anyway' he said still smiling.

I left the parlour and Claire took me up to my mothers room. I knocked on the door and heard a 'come in Diana.'. I went into her bedroom to see her sitting down in front of her dresser while her maid was doing her hair. She turned to her maid and said 'leave us petunia' smiling. 'Of course Miss' she replied with her head lowered. Claire and Petunia both left the bedroom.

'Darling Diana. Please, help me finish up my hair.' She said softly turning her head around to meet me eyes. I couldn't even put a bloody Bobby Pin in my hair, let alone whatever that was. 'I- uhh, of course mother.' I replied awkwardly smiling.

'Now, as you know it's the start of a new season and you are most certainly of age to be trying to find a husband' she suggested. I closed my eyes and sighed heavily bracing myself for what she was going to say next. 'The Parsons are hosting the first ball of the season which we and many eligible suitors will be attending.' She added. I was taking all of this in account while pretending to fiddle with her hair. I couldn't stay here, I needed to go home. Now.

'Yes Mama I really am looking forward to it' I said faking excitement. 'Wonderful, just wonderful' she said placing her hand on mine which was actually very comforting.