Chapter 14: Nosey Acquaintance

"You look jolly. Did something happen?" asked Rose as she eyed Daisy through the mirror. The lass had a smile on the entire time as she helped Rose get dressed and ready, and for the life of her, Rose couldn't help but smile along as this person's happiness seemed contagious.

"Nothing happened Miss Rose. I simply wish to be jolly this morning." chirped Daisy. "Done." she stepped back to let Rose look at her work in braiding her hair.

"As always Daisy, you are skilled." she complimented the bubbly maid.

Daisy smiled at the compliment as Rose stood up from the dresser seat and smoothed out the creases on her deep purple skirt. "I wonder why the sudden visit. I had only met her once after all."

Daisy's smile faded and her eyebrows creased as she began to ponder. "It is rather strange. If I may, Miss Rose, it is best to not get too close to her, I have heard some rumor's about the lady from the other maids that she is not a very pleasant person," said Daisy with a worried expression.

After Rose had finished her breakfast earlier, she had been told by Tufan that she had a visitor, an Elizabeth Green. She was shocked, to say the least. Her last memories of the woman were of a slurry drunk gossiping away with the other drunken woman at that godforsaken soiree she had attended. What was she doing here at Rickhorn Mansion? And requesting a meeting with Rose of all people...

"I'll just see what she wants and hopefully she won't stay too long," she assured Daisy who seemed to fuss. Daisy agreed and they both walked downstairs to meet the lady.

Entering the reception area, they were met with an elegantly dressed young woman seated on one of the plush floral sofas. Upon seeing Rose enter, she gracefully placed the teacup in her hand onto the table in the center. She donned a sparkling smile and cried, "Rosette dear! How lovely to see you again. Have you been well?"

"I have, Lady Green. And have you been well?" greeted Rose politely, returning her smile.

"Absolutely, though the week has been busy," said Lady Green as she and Rose sat next to each other on the large sofa. She looked around the room as she said, "This is my first time at Rickhorn mansion and I must say, the Rickhorns are quite extravagant."

"I understand what you mean." said Rose. Daisy then came along with a fresh pot of tea on a trolley and refilled Lady Greens cup before pouring one for Rose. Without a sound, she retired to one side of the room where she stood against the wall after serving them. Rose caught this action and was about to ask Daisy about it when she remembered that servants are taught to behave differently in the cities compared to the countryside. In the city, servants are meant to serve the Lords and Ladies only, not to be heard and loud. Though she had given Daisy the privilege of speaking freely with her, she understood it will not be the same when there is another individual present.

Turning her attention back to the Lady next to her she said, "So what do I owe the pleasure of your visit Lady Green?"

"Oh yes! Since you are new here in Kantor, even though your stay might be for a short while, I thought it only right for me to come and personally invite you to a tea party that I will be hosting at my parent's residence," announced Lady Green proudly.

Something in Rose made her want to decline right away, but that would be rude. Rose felt as if Lady Green coming all the way to the mansion was unnecessary and suspicious. If anything, she probably wants to befriend Rose in an attempt to either get information about the Rickhorns or to get close to DeAndre Rickhorn. It would not be a surprise since remembering the night at the soiree, Lady Green along with the other woman would not stop speaking about him and his cousin.

"It will be a good way to introduce yourself into society Lady Woods." reasoned Lady Green. "Also, I would love for you to meet my friends, I am sure they will adore you."

There was hardly any room for Rose to decline when the lady was so earnest. "Of course I will attend, it will be a pleasure." I will have to find a way to excuse myself from going later, thought Rose.

"Wonderful! I have left the details for the party with the butler, make sure to dress your best." she informed her cheerfully.

For the next hour the two engaged in talk about where Lady Green has been shopping and what styles have been in fashion recently. She had also asked Rose about the beautiful dress she had worn to the soiree.

"Oh, the dress was a gift from Mr Rickhorn." she answered before sipping from her third cup of tea. The lady was quite the chatterbox, thought Rose.

"How sweet of him. One would think he has taken a fancy for you." said Lady Green in a teasing manner. Rose could hear the underlying question: Are you interested in him? The answer was obviously no. But it felt irritating to have to prove her disinterest in a promiscuous man like him. Even so, she answered, "Of course not, he was merely playing his part as my host." she waved her hand indifferently, she continued, "I heard from Tufan that Mrs Rickhorn was the one to pick it out before her departure."

"She has lovely taste, that dress looked stunning on you, Lady Woods."

Rose gave her thanks and after they had both finished their last cup of tea, Rose walked next to Lady Green as she saw her off. Standing at the entrance of the mansion where the doors were open to let the fresh summer breeze in, Rose said her goodbyes to Lady Green. She stood on the top steps as she watched the retreating carriage.

The lady's carriage had just exited the grounds when Rose turned to go back inside but stopped in her tracks to find Mr Rickhorn standing against the railing of the staircase not too far from her. With a cigar in his mouth, he watched the carriage disappear. "Was that Elizabeth Green?" he asked after tilting his head backward and blew out the ashy colored smoke.