Spell Bound - Chapters 3 & 4
Happy Thursday! We are launching a NEW fairytale series, and our first book, The Lost Princess, has a Kickstarter campaign April 21st through April 29th. Very excited to share this with everyone…since we have the opportunity for FIVE people to be part of the story. This is a limited tier, so please be sure to follow our campaign and know as soon as it launches!
And now, the next two chapters of our story!
Chapter 3
The next morning, Felicia was up early and on her way to the house on the hill. As she got closer, she realized it was more like a chateau. At one time, it must have been quite spectacular. Even with the obvious years of neglect, the façade and landscaping were still impressive.
As she knocked on the door, Felicia wondered if this might finally be the place for her. She was surprised when a woman opened the door. Maybe the position had already been filled.
“May I help you?” the woman asked.
“I had heard there might be a position open,” Felicia replied. “I hope I’m not too late.”
The woman looked her up and down, then sighed. “Come in. I’ll tell the master that you’re here.”
Felicia followed the woman into the main hall, glad to see the fire going. She waited as the woman walked down a back hall, then returned a short time later.
“I’m Mrs. Havermale,” the woman said. “Seems he wants to speak to you after all. You can wait in the library.”
Felicia followed her through the parlor, and a sitting room, finally walking through double doors into a large library. The shelves lined the room and continued up to the very tall ceiling. One wall had windows with bookcases in between and there were fireplaces on each end of the room. Two desks flanked the far fireplace, while a sofa and chairs were clustered around the other. She took a seat by the fire and waited.
After about five minutes, an elderly man walked in and smiled. “I understand you’re here about the apprenticeship.”
Felicia stood up and nodded. She had thought it was a maid position, but she was willing to try anything. “I’m a hard worker and I learn very quickly.”
The man motioned for her to sit down and took the chair across from her. “I’ve been looking for an apprentice for quite some time. Do you have a knack for gardening?” He smiled. “And what about cooking?”
“I thought you made candles,” Felicia said, then realized she should have just nodded. “I do like gardening and my cooking is usually very good.” She hoped he labeled his ingredients.
“That’s fine,” the man replied. “I’m Oliver Bertrand, and I do make candles…as well as other things.” He paused a moment. “I think you’ll do very well. Have Mrs. Havermale show you up to your room.”
Felicia decided whatever the position paid it was better than nothing. And if it didn’t work out, she could always go back to Eva’s and find something else. “Thank you,” she said as Oliver stood up and walked out the way he had come.
Mrs. Havermale entered from the other side of the room and walked over. “Follow me upstairs. We’ll send for your things later.”
Felicia nodded and followed her back into the main hall and up the grand staircase. They stopped at the second floor, but the staircase continued for at least one more floor. Felicia followed her to the end of the hall, then turned left and followed her down another hall.
They stopped at the end and Mrs. Havermale opened the door on the right. “It’s a nice enough room. Not very big, but it has a good view…and the fire keeps it warm enough in winter.”
As Mrs. Havermale turned and started back down the hall, Felicia walked into the room and looked around. It was beautiful. The bed had a white coverlet over a dark blue blanket and there was a small wooden dresser with a blue and white decorative scarf. The end table had a lantern and a candle, as well as a pretty cup…white with blue flowers. There was obviously a theme going on and Felicia wondered what the other rooms looked like.
She walked over to the armoire. It was a little lighter than the dresser and the wood carvings were very pretty. All vines and flowers. She opened it and saw more than enough space to store her meager possessions.
As she walked over to the other side of the room, she looked out the window and was surprised to see that the gardens below looked to be in perfect order. Even with the light snowfall yesterday, she could see the hedges had been trimmed and the beds seemed very tidy.
She almost jumped at the knock on the door. When she opened it, a young woman with dark auburn hair was standing there. “I’m Trixie,” she said. “Mrs. Havermale wanted me to ask if there was anything you might need.”
“You’re the maid?” Felicia asked, then smiled. “I thought that’s the position I was here to fill.”
Trixie smiled back. “No, Miss. The last few girls were here as parlor maids, but the master seems to think you’re apprentice material.” She looked down for a moment, then shook her head. “We haven’t had an apprentice in almost a year.”
“I see,” Felicia replied. “Well, I plan to do a very good job.” She smiled as Trixie looked back up. “Do you know exactly what an apprentice is supposed to do?”
Trixie giggled. “No, Miss…but I think you’ll fit in very well. Do you need us to send for your belongings?”
“Actually, I think I’ll pick them up myself,” Felicia said.
“Very well, Miss,” Trixie replied. “Dinner is at six. You can look around all you like on the main floor and in the gardens.” She turned and walked down the hall.
Felicia closed the door, then went back to the window. She decided the gardens would be the first thing she explored when she returned.
Chapter 4
Felicia smiled as Eva opened the door. “I got the job!” she announced.
“That’s wonderful,” Eva replied. “Come in and tell me all about it.”
The walked into the kitchen, and Felicia sat down at the table. “The fire feels wonderful,” she said. “It’s cold out there.”
Eva poured two cups of tea and joined her. “I just put the baby down for his nap. Would you like something to eat?”
“I’m too excited,” Felicia replied. “When I got there, it turned out the job was for an apprentice, not a maid.”
“An apprentice?” Eva repeated. “What will you be doing?”
“I have no idea,” Felicia admitted, “but it has to be more fun than dusting. Mr. Bertrand makes candles…and other things.” She frowned slightly at the last part. “I’m not sure what the other things are, but it seems to entail cooking.”
Eva giggled. “I think you’ll be fine. And candles sound like fun.”
“That’s what I thought,” Felicia agreed. “I’m supposed to pick up my things and be back for dinner by six.” She smiled. “They even offered to send for my things, but I wanted to see you.”
“Send for your things?” Eva smiled. “Sounds like you’ve got a wealthy employer. What’s the room like?”
“It’s beautiful,” Felicia replied. “And it has a view of the gardens, which are amazing.”
“Makes sense they’d have big gardens,” Eva agreed. “All those flowers and herbs for the candles.”
Felicia nodded. “I’m going to explore the gardens as soon as I return.”
“Then, let’s have a nice visit and you can stop by this weekend and tell me all the rest.” Eva paused. “You do get a day off, don’t you?”
“I have no idea,” Felicia admitted. “I was so happy to get the job, I forgot to ask.”
When Felicia got back, it was almost too late to see the gardens. She dropped off her things in her room, then hurried back down to the main floor. Access to the gardens was down a hall past the kitchen.
“I told you, we don’t have enough,” a woman’s voice said.
“It will be fine,” Trixie replied. “I don’t think anyone will notice.”
Felicia assumed they were talking about dinner and continued to the glass door. Beyond were the gardens, which turned out to be even larger than she had imagined.
“This is amazing,” Felicia said quietly as she wandered from one area to another. Tall hedges divided each area into separate spaces. At the back of the second garden was a large greenhouse, which she hadn’t seen from her room.
As she looked in the window, a man peered back at her. He walked out and asked, “What are you doing here?”
“I just got hired,” Felicia replied. “My name is Felicia, and I’m the new apprentice.”
“Didn’t realize we were looking for one.” The man shrugged. “I’m Harris, the gardener.”
“It’s very nice to meet you,” Felicia said.
Harris nodded, the went back inside. Felicia would have liked to ask him about the gardens but decided it was time to get ready for dinner.
Read another two chapters next Thursday!