Emily by Storm Jk Page B

Valeskia didn ’t like going to the manor at all as the staff were always unpleasant. They looked unhappy and there were rumours of Lord Von Weller being an agent of the Nazi regime. After pulling the rope that would ring the bell in the kitchen, Valeskia patiently waited. As it was the staff entrance it could take up to half an hour for someone to come.
    ‘ You girl, what’s your name?’ a man’s voice commanded in a most arrogant tone.
    Turning to face the voice, Valeskia saw a man on a horse. He was handsome and for a brief moment she felt an attraction to the man.
    ‘I have come with the laundry, Lord. My name is Valeskia.’
    ‘ Turn around girl, I want to see you,’ he ordered. Putting the basket down, Valeskia slowly turned around, flushing red at the command. ‘How old are you?’ he ordered again. He liked what he saw – the girl was stunning.
    ‘ Fifteen, Sir,’ she replied. Valeskia didn’t like the questions.
    ‘ Are you married?’ he demanded.
    ‘ No, Sir, I am unwed.’
    The door opened and the old butler came out of the manor.
    ‘Oh, my Lord, Varrick. I didn’t know you were here.’ The man bowed, waiting for a command.
    ‘ See to the girl,’ Varrick ordered, ‘and send her to me in the library afterwards.’ Turning the horse towards the stable, Varrick trotted off. He had issued his command and expected compliance.
    ‘ Come child, we should see about the payment for this week’s laundry.’ The butler placed his hand firmly on her arm.
    Knowing that she was in danger, Valeskia pulled her arm from the old butler and said, ‘I’ll get the payment next week, my father is expecting me home now.’ Valeskia turned and ran down the laneway, away from the manor. She was no fool, there were plenty of men in the village who looked at her the way that Varrick just did and it meant only one thing.
    Pushing open the door to their small home, Valeskia went straight to the kitchen and began dinner. Cooking was something she loved to do and her father had given her an old notebook that had belonged to a cook who had been a friend of his. In it were all sorts of recipes, which Valeskia would try from time to time. She added her own creations to the notebook as well – it was her favourite possession. On hearing her return, Valeskia’s father joined her in the kitchen.
    ‘ I didn’t get this week’s payment from the manor,’ Valeskia confessed to her father.
    ‘ Were they too busy to give it to you this morning?’ he asked. It wasn’t odd, it happened occasionally.
    Not sure how to express what she was feeling, Valeskia turned back to preparing the food and said, ‘I think you should make the delivery to the Von Weller mansion next week.’
    ‘ I see,’ her father replied. He could see she was upset and guessed why – his daughter was beautiful. As he rested his hand on her shoulder, he said ‘We need to find you a husband, I cannot protect you as I should.’
    Turning to face her father, Valeskia ’s voice took on a scolding tone.
    ‘ We shouldn’t think of such things, we’re a family and I’m staying with you.’
    He smiled at her, breaking the mood. While he wanted more than anything to stay forever as a family, he knew it wouldn ’t happen.
    ‘ After dinner I have a new book for you.’
    ‘ What’s it about?’ Valeskia was excited and smiled at her father, forgetting the afternoon.
    ‘ You’ll see. It’s a surprise, something new.’ He was pleased with himself, the book was on the old Roman civilisation and why it had fallen. He knew that after she had read the book they would have many wonderful discussions. He loved her mind and was so proud of her intellect, more than her beauty. But , he thought despondently to himself, I can’t protect her any longer , and putting his mind to the problem, went back to the laundry room to continue working until supper.
    Valeskia stayed up late that night, reading the book her father had given her; it was wonderful. The candle