Chapter 226 - Bk 2 (9)

Lady Steinhouse had been travelling since morning; she had not been told where they were going. The morning after Walter left, she was only told to prepare for the journey. The carriage rocked forth, not allowing any inside to close their eyes. Even if it allowed, Lady Steinhouse would not dare to slip into dream when she was in an unknown place. What she hated more than anything was not being in control of her actions. She was not sure where she was, she did not know anything about this land and how to navigate it, nor did she understand her purpose on this journey all together. No matter how much her husband trusted Lady Wickshire, she did not.

After a while, the carriage stopped and Lizzy looked out the window to find out where they were. Before she could have a good look, the face of a guard appeared before her.

"Lady Steinhouse, Her ladyship requests your presence." the guard said and waited on the side. Helen looked at her maid and nodded to open the door. She stepped out with Lizzy's help into moist air. They stood in grasslands; fields as far as the eye could see with mountains of icy peaks as its backdrop. She did not take time to admire the landscape. She looked to the spot at which Lady Wickshire stood and walked towards her.

"Your Ladyship." she made a small curtsy. At this, Lucy smiled and glanced to Lizzy whose head was bowed behind her or a second.

"You are an odd variable, Lady Steinhouse. I thought you would be a proactive character, but I guess I can be wrong." Lucy said and Helen frowned at this, but she refrained from responding, remaining polite.

"You must really respect Walter to be respectful towards me this much." At this, Lady Steinhouse, finally spoke.

"You are person one ought to be cautious around, Lady Wickshire and it does not help that you are my husband's master."

"'Your husband's master'; those words must have been hard to say." Lucy commented, causing Helen's frown to dip even further.

"I supposed you needed me or something." Helen said.

"This is your stop. You are no more of use to me." Lucy said and Helen froze.

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