A sweet scent woke Lena up from her sleep. Her big blue eyes opened and she was delighted to see a small wooden nightstand filled with colorful wildflowers.
She picked up the small piece of parchment next to the flowers and unfolded it. It read “Happy Birthday Lena” in simple, untrained script.
Lena smiled to herself for a moment, thinking about how her boyfriend Gregory had sneaked into the maid’s quarters, not to mention her tiny room, the night before to surprise her on her birthday. She blushed at the thought of him watching her while she slept.
Lena got up from the bed and walked to the window in three familiar steps, the smile still on her face. Although she was just a servant in the servant’s suite, Lena felt that the view outside the window was far better than the rich family she served. Their suite overlooked the hills and vast forests of the westernmost area of the estate. But Lena’s house is located on the easternmost corner, facing the lake.
Lena closed her eyes and breathed in deeply, taking in the fresh, cool scent of the morning. The breeze passed through her smooth brown hair and fell on her back.
He recognized the familiar orange glow visible in the distance and over the water, and admired the unfolding beauty of the sunrise.
Lena sighed happily and stepped away from the window, realizing it was time to start her day.
“Oh my god, baby, you’re going to be tired!” Mary said. Lena’s eyes widened and she paused in her work of removing the tapestries in the Crown Suite.
“What do you mean? I’m always trying to be efficient, Mary,” Lena replied. Mary shook her head in disbelief and walked over to the far wall to help her.
“You’re a little different today. In all the years I’ve been here, I’ve never seen you work so fast. Does this have anything to do with tonight?” she asked knowingly. Lena began to blush.
“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mary. I just like to do a good job,” she replied cheerfully, absentmindedly turning the tapestry in her hands.
The old woman took the tapestry from her hands and wrapped it up again.
“So this has nothing to do with the fact that it’s your eighteenth birthday and that stableboy is planning on pleasuring you on your first night of adulthood?” Lena’s pale cheeks turned red.
“That’s really inappropriate! But… I suspect Gregory might propose tonight,” she replied, unable to hide her pleased smile.
Mary smiled at the girl, unable to resist her sweet and charming personality.
“I know he is a respectable little boy. Perfect for you. Congratulations dear,” said Mary, embracing the little girl who had been like a daughter to her for years.
“Thank you, Mary,” Lena replied happily.
After letting her go, the two waitresses continued to remove the tapestry. Once completed, the new painting was hung in its original location. New sheets and quilts have been added to the large bed in the bedroom, and new carpet has been installed in the lounge area outside the bedroom’s double doors.
“Why did it suddenly need to be renovated?” Lena finally asked.
“For tonight’s ball, of course! Master Stirling will have dozens of his friends staying over next week, and he has thought it best to decorate each suite of his most distinguished guests with a scheme that suits their individual tastes,” Mary explained.
Lena looked at the new suite, not knowing if she liked the way it was decorated. Before, it was bright, open, and warm. But now, dark and intense paintings took over the previously pleasant areas. Lena frowned at the sight of the angry-looking tiger skin in the center of the lounge floor.
“Who lives here?” he asked.
“Some German lord, I can’t remember his name. Why do you ask?” Mary answered. Lena shrugged her little shoulders.
“He’ll be a very cheerful man, that’s all,” he replied, smiling brightly.
Mary and Lena redecorated four more suites and then returned to the kitchen so the cleaning ladies could finish their work. The cooks were busy preparing the evening feast, and Mary had to argue with Chef Leonardo to get a piece of bread and some cheese.
“You really have to eat something. You’re so skinny,” Mary said as the two women ate lunch. Lena shook her head, a bright smile still on her face.
“I can’t! I’m so excited!” she replied hesitantly. Mary smiled sweetly at the girl.
Mary responded, “I remember being your age and being with my first love. It was an amazing feeling.”
“With Mr. Landry?” she asked. Mary’s eyes widened.
Mary recalled, “Oh my God, no! I met my husband a few years later. No, he was a farmer boy from the village where I grew up. Dominic.”
“What happened to him?” Lena asked. Mary paused before answering.
Mary explains, “He went to sea, bent on finding riches for us. I never saw him again. I loved my husband and he gave me beautiful daughters, but…none were like your first daughter.”
Lena noticed that Mary had become a little sad.
“When will the guests start arriving?” Lena asked, hoping to change the subject. Mary closed her eyes, swallowed her sorrow, and answered.
“At sunset. We should probably go back and finish preparing. But…”
Lena looked at Mary expectantly.
“What is that?” he asked.
“I’m sure the stable boys are getting the horses ready right now. We’re a little ahead of schedule because of how efficient you guys were earlier,” Mary began. Lena’s eyes widened with joy and she hugged Mary gratefully.
“Thank you, Mary! You are very kind to me!” she said as she stood up.
“Come on, girl!” Mary encouraged her by slapping her gently on the butt. Lena quickly climbed down the hill and ran to the stables.
She finds Gregory brushing the black horse Cobalt. She admires him for a moment, his tall, lean body, his dirty blonde hair and dark skin. She thinks he’s handsome.
He finally looked up at her and smiled brightly.
“Why my dear little Lena,” said Gregory enthusiastically. Lena ran up to him and he greeted her with open arms and spun her around.
“Thank you very much for the flowers,” she said happily. Gregory gently brushed away a tendril that had fallen on her face.
“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” he whispered, kissing her cheek softly.
“I know we said we’d wait until tonight, but I can’t wait to see you,” Lena yelled happily. Gregory laughed.
“Lena, always a curious girl. I’m really glad you came here. I wanted to talk to you about something,” Gregory began.
Lena calmed down and did her best to look serious and mature. Gregory let go of her hand, led Cobalt back to his stall and began speaking.
Gregory took her hand and said, “I’ve been courting you for several months, and… we’ve reached a point where we need to make a decision about our future.” Lena nodded, feeling her heart begin to beat faster in her chest.
He added, “I have put some money aside, and although I will never be as rich as Master Stirling, I have enough to get married and start a family eventually.” Lena nodded, trying not to get excited.
“Do you understand what I am saying, Lena asked?” Lena nodded, but could not find the words.
“I want to get married,” Gregory said seriously. Tears welled up in Lena’s eyes and she stood on her tiptoes, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“Oh, Gregory, I want to marry you!”
Gregory kissed her forehead softly.
“Lina, dear…I didn’t mean that I wanted to marry you,” he said. Lina was stunned.
“B-but you said-“
Gregory explained, “I said I want to get married, darling. To Eleanor Smith. I proposed to her this morning.” Lena took a few steps back and felt the world spin.
“But… you said you loved me. Do you love her?” Gregory sighed.
“Lena, you are a beautiful girl. The most beautiful girl I have ever seen. You are lively, passionate and innocent. But Eleanor is older; she has seen more of the world. She…satisfies your needs.
Lena felt a tingling sound in her ears and a discomfort in her throat.
“You’ve always been close to him,” she whispered.
He replied, “I won’t lie to you. Yes.” Lena placed her hand on her forehead.
“But… it’s my birthday,” Lena said, not knowing what else to say. Tears were flowing freely down her red cheeks.
Gregory went up to him and placed a hand on his trembling shoulder.
“I’m sorry, Lena,” he said, kissing her forehead again.
Then he left her, and Lena was left alone with the horses in the stable. She felt as if someone had punched her deep in the gut, and before she knew what she was doing, the nausea that had gathered in her throat finally broke free, and she fell to her knees and spilled the entire contents of her stomach onto the ground.
Gregory never loved her. He was just joking around with her. But now she was ready for someone serious. And she wasn’t nice at all.
Lena began to sob again. Every time she tried to stop crying, new tears would fall from her eyes. She had never felt so alone, nor so betrayed. No one was ready for her.
As guests begin arriving for the ball, Lena tries to control her emotions. After bathing, she puts on a formal black uniform with white lace.
She tried to be nice to the visiting guests, ushering them into their suites and taking care of the extra accommodations, but really all she wanted to do was cry.
“I heard the guests were very pleased with the rooms. You and Mary did a wonderful job, Lena,” Master Stirling said. Lena couldn’t help but smile at him. He was a friendly older man who had taken her in when she was orphaned as a child. Her mother was a maid, and the identity of her father was never known. After her mother’s death, Stirling made sure that Lena always had a place on his estate.
“Thank you, sir,” Lena said politely.
Sterling handed her a small box and said, “This is a busy time for me with my acquisitions and my son’s engagement, but… it’s alright.” Lena temporarily forgot how much pain she was in and smiled brightly.
“Master Stirling,” she began, impressed by the gesture. Stirling smiled at the girl.
“You know I’ll never forget what day it is. Come on, bring it on!” he encouraged. Lena opened the box and was delighted by its contents. It was a cute baby blue headband.
“Thank you very much, Sir!” Leena bowed slightly and said.
“I hope this puts a smile on your face, I know how much you love them. Honey, I have to get to the party quickly, but running upstairs to lock down a fancy suite?” Lena nodded.
“Of course, sir. Thank you very much!” Lina said again. Sterling nodded and walked towards the hall.
Once she was alone, Lena began to feel the pain again. She tried to push this feeling away and focus on her duties, so she went on a long walk towards the western wing of the manor, where the great suites were.
Lena walked into the Crown Suite trying her best not to cry. She realized she still had Master Sterling’s gift, so she went into the suite’s bathroom and put it on.
She freed her hair from the tight bun and let it flow down her back. She tied the ribbon like a band on top of her head. She liked the look of it and smiled softly at her reflection.
Lena slipped the box into the pocket of her white lace apron before leaving the bathroom and heading towards the lounge and opening the double doors to the bedroom.
She wrinkled her nose in disgust at the picture of a storm hanging over her bed. However, the bed is attractive with its deep dark colors and fine fabrics.
She began removing the decorative pillows and replacing them with sleeping pillows filled with goose feathers and feathers. She dropped the sheets and quilts and tried not to think about everything Gregory had said earlier that afternoon.
Finally, Lena couldn’t suppress her emotions any longer and cried. She felt a sharp pain in her heart and felt like she was going to get sick again. But at that moment, she didn’t care.
Lena cried so loudly that she did not even realize that there was another person in the room.
“Then why is it so cute for a girl like you to cry?” a deep male voice said. Lena yelped in surprise and quickly wiped her face trying to find the person who was speaking.
He stood in the doorway, wearing a white tie. He looked tall, very masculine, well-built and very powerful. He has thick black hair with a hint of gray at the temples, and his hair is gathered at the nape of his neck. Thick, dark, expressive eyebrows sit above deep-set, steel-gray eyes. His chin and chin were broad and firm. To Lena, he was dangerously handsome.
“I’m sorry sir, I was just… getting the room ready for bed. I didn’t know you were coming so early,” she stuttered. He slowly moved closer to her and Lena felt extremely small in comparison.
“It doesn’t matter, really. What’s your name?” His cold eyes seemed to see right through her, making her a little uncomfortable.
“Lena,” he answered.
“Nice to meet you, Lena. I’m Lenz,” he said. Lena said disappointedly.
“Sorry to bother you, sir. I’m going to-“
“You can’t go anywhere,” Lenz interrupted. Lena’s eyes widened.
“Excuse me?” he asked. Lenz smiled and took off his coat.
“I say, you are not going anywhere. You, Lena, will tell me why a beautiful girl like you cries. I will do whatever I can to help you,” he said softly. Lena nodded.
Lena replied, “That’s very kind of you, sir, but I really need to finish repairing the room.”
“Just a few minutes, Lena. Why are you crying?” Lenz asked.
Lena couldn’t stand it anymore and she began to shed new tears. Lenz came closer and pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her petite body. She was too sad to resist, and she didn’t realize how unfair the situation was.
“What happened there, dear?” Lenz asked, stroking her back affectionately.
“My, my boyfriend… the man I thought loved me… fell in love… with someone else! He proposed to her this morning… it’s my birthday!” Lenz stroked her hair gently.
“Happy birthday, Lena. How old are you today?” Lena sniffed.
“Eighteen, sir,” he replied.
“At such a young age, what kind of man dares to hurt your heart like that?” Lenz asked. Lena started crying even louder.
“He said… I was immature and couldn’t meet his needs,” Lena said, sobbing.
Lenz gently led her to the mattress at the foot of the bed and motioned for her to sit.
“Wait here,” Lenz said, quickly leaving the bedroom and closing the double doors behind him.
His brief absence allows Lena to return to rational thought. What is she doing? She is Master Stirling’s guest, and she cries to him about her love problems. If Stirling finds out, she will surely be fired…
Lenz walked in, interrupting her thoughts. He had a bottle of champagne and two glasses in his hand. He knelt down in front of her as she sat on the cushions, poured two glasses of wine and handed one to her. Even though he was kneeling in front of her, he still seemed taller.
“Drink this,” he said softly. Lena nodded.
“I’ve never had champagne before,” she admitted sheepishly. Lenz laughed.
“Try it. You might like it. I insist,” Lentz said. Lena took a tentative sip, enjoying the light, sweet, bubbly taste.
“Just that…a little more,” he urged. Leena confidently took a few sips and finished them quickly.
Lenz handed him the cup and he took a sip.
Lenz said, “In my opinion, this man is completely unworthy of a woman like you.” Lena’s eyebrows wrinkled.
“What do you mean? He’s…handsome. He works in the stables…taking care of the ponies and…horses,” said Lena, finding it oddly difficult to speak. She began to feel a strange dizziness she had never felt before.
“Lena, I can already tell that you are a very energetic girl. You deserve someone who is as passionate as you are. Someone who is also willing to give you advice,” Lenz suggested. Lena shrugged awkwardly and spilled a little champagne.
“I’m so sorry, sir. Is that what drunkenness means?” Lena asked. Lenz laughed out loud.
“No, dear, I don’t think you’re drunk yet. But maybe you’re a little tipsy. Tell me, have you eaten anything lately?” Lena shook her head, realizing she hadn’t eaten anything all day.
“Maybe I should… go back to my room. No, I need to finish making the bed. But after that, I think I should go to bed,” Lena said, slurring her words, and started to get up. Lenz grabbed her slender waist and sat her back down on the mat.
“You’re not leaving,” Lenz said quietly. This made Lena frown.
“Why not?” she asked. Lenz smiled warmly at her and played with the hair down the middle of his back.
“Because I haven’t talked to you yet. How long have you been dating this stable guy?” Lenz asked.
“Six months,” Lena replied. Lenz nodded.
“Excuse me… how much have you improved in terms of physical intimacy in the last six months?” Lena blushed and tried to get up from the mat. However, Lenz grabbed her waist again and locked her in her seat. She squirmed, completely unaware that her skirt was riding up.
“It is improper for you to ask such a thing, sir. I had better leave,” she said.
“Well, I guess it’s not too far off. Did he kiss you, dear Lena?” Lena shook her head automatically.
“You poor girl. You’re eighteen and you’ve never had a good kiss,” he whispered sympathetically.
“Sir, I think I should go. Thank you for the champagne.” Lena said softly, her head spinning. She tried to stand up again, but Lenz held her waist firmly.
Her heart thumped hard in her chest as he knelt forward and held her waist tightly. Lena bit her lower lip and looked up into those brown eyes that were staring at her.
“Please let me stand up, Sir,” Lena whispered. Lenz stared at her.
“No, Lena. You stay here,” he replied simply. Lena shook her head, feeling even more scared.
“Sir, I must put the room in order before our guests go to bed for the night,” she protested, trying to push his hands off of her.
“No one will notice. And they won’t be back for a long time. We’re alone, Lena,” Lenz whispered, bringing his face closer to hers.
“Sir, don’t do that again. Please don’t come any closer,” Lena begged, placing her hands on his broad shoulders. Lenz tangled his fingers in her hair and pulled her face closer to his.
“That ribbon makes your eyes look so blue,” he whispered, pressing his lips to hers as he spoke.
Lena sat there with her eyes wide open as she felt his lips begin to move against hers. She was so scared that she didn’t know how to react. She felt his tongue lick her lips, and Lena instinctively opened her mouth. She gasped when he inserted his tongue into her mouth and shivered when she felt his tongue follow her tongue.
