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Chapter 44: Settling In
The Countess? Does that mean she is a noble lady? I didn't know how the hierarchy worked, so I had no idea how important a Countess was. If I do remember correctly, Gwen's cousin was also a Countess and she was lower than Gwen in rank. So, Bridget should also be lower than Gwen in noble rankings.
"Oh..." I muttered, not sure what to say.
"I know you are a little startled, but don't be, Durnca is a small town, I'm not that mighty."
"When you say you are the Countess of Durnca, what do you mean? There is only one?"
"Yes, just myself. Other towns have their Dukes and Duchess, including their Earls and Countesses, but the highest nobles in Durnca are myself and my husband."
"I see, that is admirable. And I get to be the Countess' friend, it is an honour." Bridget chuckled.
"Don't be like that, I'm not really special. But I do crave some companionship from a lady I can be free with. I have a feeling that it can be you; you wouldn't mind visiting
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The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters) Chapter 46: Christopher Hallewell
Since the boy mentioned soup and I had a few ingredients to make Pease-soup, I did just that. I thought about waiting for Pa to get his permission, I mean, he would want the fireplace to be running as well but he didn't get home on time, even when the soup was ready. So, I put the Hallewell's portion of soup in a smaller different pot, wore my coat Gwen had given me and I made my way to the next house which the boy said was theirs. The house was rundown, like no one paid it any attention at all, it needed a lot of fixing. The roof over the porch was shaky, the porch stairs was missing two layers, the fence had a lot of holes in them and the lock was broken. You'd think a farmer would be bothered about keeping his property off limits to strangers. "There you are!" I heard the boy squeaked from inside the house as he threw open the doors and ran out to meet me. "Is that the food? What did you cook? Something smells so good." He tried reaching for the po
The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters) Chapter 47: Visiting the Countess (A)
I fell asleep in the chair while waiting for both Papa and Christopher. I hoped Papa would come home first so I could tell him that Christopher would be visiting; I couldn't risk getting him upset with me for involving myself with them.When I woke up to a knock on the door, I rushed to open it, expecting to see Papa... instead Christopher was standing there, holding a wooden box that must contain some tools."Where is the fireplace?" He asked. No hello, no goodday."Right this way." I forced a smile, stepping aside to let him in. He followed quietly behind me to my failed attempt at a fireplace."It needs a chimney first." He muttered, dropping to his knee while the examined the space."Oh, yes. That is important but we thought we would create the fireplace first and then we can create the chimney when the handymen start working again." I might as well be talking to myself as he paid no attention to me."I guess I'll leave you to it then. Unless you need my help?""Not necessary." He
The Maidens (Crutoe Sisters) Chapter 48: Visiting the Countess (B)
I made a stop at the market to buy some candles and potatoes, all the while wondering if I should sew a few pairs of socks for Papa and myself because of the cold; he would like that. And our new fireplace will help as well.Then I began to worry, I left Papa alone with Christopher; not that I thought Christopher was harmful but because I know Papa doesn't like him. What if they get into an argument? Maybe Christopher wouldn't want to fix the fireplace anymore...I walked faster, my heart was beating loudly in my chest; all the excitement of the new gown was gone.As I got closer to the house, I heard raised male voices and I panicked, running into the house."...yes, but I have to grow different crops, that is different methods on one farm." I heard Christopher say before drinking deeply from a mug of... rum? They were both grinning, so they were really arguing as I had thought. And they ignored my presence, lost in their conversation."It doesn't make my work easier. After growing t
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I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. It's been years since I last had that dream, I hated being reminded how mama left us like that, it was so depressing. It was probably all the talk about Gwen mama that triggered it.But I couldn't turn down Bridget's invite so suddenly, I had to go no matter what. I took a bath and got dressed in my new gown, packing my hair in a half bun, just how Gwen liked it.When I got downstairs, Christopher was already bent over the fireplace, delivering the finishing touches, it looked really nice."You look pretty." I heard the boy's voice from the doorway, he was holding up logs of wood. That was when Christopher noticed me, standing straight as he studied me. For some reason, I felt uneasy as his eyes scanned my body."Yes, she does." He said finally and I actually sighed in relief. Why?!"Urh... I have to...""Can you sew a dress for me?" The boy asked, interrupting me. A dress? Why would he want a dress? For himself or to give a girl he fancied?"Ce
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Feeling happy with my visit, I rejected Bridget's offer to let the coachman take me home, I preferred to walk home; after all I didn't have to protect the gown from getting wet and walking helped me relax and collect my thoughts.It was a good thing Lance was there, even though he was a charming man, I was only interested in the attention he got me when he let me cut his hair, he was nice though and he keep staring at me from across the table. That was rude but like he said, he has been at sea too long and has lost his manners.All in all, I enjoyed breakfast with Bridget's family. Now, it was time for me to return to my task at hand. Now that we had the fireplace up and running, I had to do something nice for Christopher and his son. I wonder if his visit to the Jones went well, goodness knows he needs a wife and..."Get off, you crazy pimp!" I snapped out of my thoughts and came to a halt when I saw a group of boys fighting, it was three against one... Christopher's son. They were f
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