Dappled sunlight danced over the thick rug covering the wooden floor. Dominic curled up in the chair by the window, waiting for his mother to arrive. Each day she would spend time with her sons, teaching them to read and about the history of their country. Soon, a tutor would take over these duties, but until then, this was the best part of his day.
Sometimes the duchess was late though, as she had many other duties to attend to. On those days, he loved to sit in her chair and stare out the window, watching the comings and goings on his father's estate.
He was brought back from daydreaming by the squeak the door made as it opened. When he asked his mother why no one oiled it, she replied she liked to know when someone entered her rooms.