When I awoke, it was to piercing light, quickly following the opening of the heavy drapes. As I groggily opened my eyes, blinking to relieve the blurriness, Jane whirled past, pulling back the bed linens.
"Oh my dear, I should have come and readied you sooner," she said with an edge of panic to her voice.
"Your father has arrived early for breakfast this morn, mi lady. He is waiting in the sun room with a cup of tea."
With a sigh, I untangled my feet from the bedsheet and slid to the edge of the bed. It was astounding the way that my father's presence could affect the servants of the household. It never ceased to amaze me how he could so easily panic the entirety of my help.
Of course, growing up in the same manor as my father, I was well aware of what kind of person he could be. I also knew the fear that he could issue. When I was a young girl, my father wanted little to do with me. Only on Sundays, as we were presented to the masses, would he attend to us. At those times, no one would ever guess that he was less than the most perfect father in our home. Contrary to what one might believe, he was never one to strike us, my sister and I. Instead, he would use the very things that we held dear against us.
One winter day, when I was quite young, I made the mistake of falling asleep during mass and embarrassing my father. Later that evening, I found my favorite doll ripped to shreds lying on my bed. From that day on, I learned that my father could be very cruel when he was denied what he wanted. Most times though, he kept his true face guarded by a charming and gentle exterior. He honestly reminded me of the old story of a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Odd as it was, father had been treating me quite well lately. Of course, that really only served to make me wary. I have come a long way in overlooking his past, though. After all, if it were not for him, I would have never met and married William.
I slipped from the bed and made my way over to the wash basin.
"Oh Jane, there is no need to fuss. Father will just have to wait. I'm sure that he is well aware that a lady needs more than a couple of minutes to ready herself."
I sat down at the vanity table and began brushing the tangles out of my hair. Meanwhile, Jane continued to whirl around the room, gathering my clothing and ribbons. After I had finished my toilet, Jane helped me dress in a simple wool dress of a soft grey color, trimmed in a broad blue ribbon. With my hair swept up on top of my head in a loose bun, tendrils tickling my neck, I was finally ready.
As I walked down the hall to the sun room, my mind drifted back to my ride the evening past. I quickly tried to pull my thoughts back to the present as I felt a flush heat my cheeks. I would have to remember to ask Jane how I found myself nestled in bed.
As I approached the small dining table, my father rose to greet me. He was dressed well and wore a half-smile upon his usually tight lips.
"Good morn, Morgane. I hope you slept well. Had I known that you were ill last evening, I would not have come so early this morning."
So, that was what Jane had told him. She was definitely a smart one. I would have to thank her as soon as we were alone.
"I am well, father. It is good to see you. Please sit down," I said, taking my seat. After we were comfortably nestled for our meal, I continued on.
"So, father, what brings you to visit? How are Lillian and her little ones? It has been so long since I have heard from her."
