Eleanor's eyes widened in surprise as she took in the lady's stunning features. The lady's raven-black hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall of night, and her out-worldly beauty seemed almost otherworldly. Her amber eyes sparkled with curiosity as she gazed at Eleanor, her full lips pursed in a mixture of fascination and disdain.
The lady's gaze lingered on Eleanor for a moment before she turned to Lucian, who was walking down the stairs with his eyes fixed on Eleanor. "Who's this?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of surprise.
Lucian reached the bottom of the stairs and smiled lazily. "Well, Amber, this is our new live-in maid."
The lady's gaze flicked back to Eleanor, and she looked her over before turning to Lucian. "She's human, brother."
Lucian nodded, his eyes never leaving Eleanor's face. "I know."
The lady's gaze lingered on Eleanor for a moment longer before she turned to Lucian. "Really? A human? As a live-in maid?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Why not?" Lucian said, his voice smooth. "I thought it would be a nice change of pace."
The lady's gaze flicked back to Eleanor, and she looked her over once more before turning to leave. "Jenkins, arrange a car for me, would you?" she called out to the butler.
The butler nodded, his expression stoic. "Right away, miss."
As the lady turned to leave, she cast one last glance at Eleanor, her eyes lingering on her face before she turned away. "I need to get out of here. This place is suddenly filled with...humanity."
Lucian watched her go, a small smile playing on his lips. "Don't mind her," he said, turning to Eleanor. "She's just particular about her company."
Eleanor watched the lady disappear into the depths of the mansion, her mind reeling with questions. Who was she, really? And what did she mean by saying Eleanor was human? As if being human was a bad thing.
As Amber left, Eleanor's mind was still reeling from the encounter. She turned to Lucian, her eyes meeting his. "So, she's your sister?" Eleanor asked, the realization dawning on her.
Lucian's smile grew wider. "You catch on quick, don't you?" He chuckled. "Yes, that's Amber. My lovely sister."
Eleanor's gaze lingered on the hallway where Amber had disappeared, her mind working overtime to process the new information. She turned back to Lucian, her eyes searching his face. "She doesn't seem too fond of humans or maybe me in particular," Eleanor observed, recalling Amber's tone and expression.
Lucian shrugged. "Amber's got her own way of looking at things. You'll get used to it."
While Lucian and Eleanor were still speaking the butler returned, his expression stoic. "Young Master, is there anything else I can assist you with?"
Lucian nodded, his eyes still on Eleanor. "Yes, Jenkins. Please show Eleanor around the house and familiarize her with her duties. Make sure she knows where everything is and what needs to be done on a daily basis."
Jenkins nodded, his expression serious. "Of course, Young Master. Right away."
Lucian turned to Eleanor, his smile charming. "I'll let Jenkins show you the ropes. I'm sure you'll find him...enlightening."
Eleanor smiled, feeling a sense of relief that Lucian was handing her over to Jenkins. She followed Jenkins as he led her through the house, pointing out various rooms and explaining her duties.
As they walked, Eleanor took in the grandeur of the mansion, feeling a sense of awe at the sheer size and opulence of the place. Jenkins was a thorough guide, showing her everything from the kitchen to the library, and explaining what was expected of her in each room.
As Jenkins led Eleanor through the house, she marveled at the opulent decor and furnishings. The floors were made of polished marble, and the walls were adorned with intricate paintings and tapestries. The rooms were spacious and well-lit, with crystal chandeliers casting a warm glow over the elegant furnishings.
The first room they entered was the library, which was lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with leather-bound tomes. The room was dominated by a large, ornate desk, behind which stood a plush, high-backed chair. The air was thick with the scent of old books and leather.
Next, Jenkins showed her the formal dining room, which was filled with a long, polished table surrounded by high-backed chairs. The walls were adorned with portraits of ancestors, and the room was lit by a stunning crystal chandelier.
The kitchen was a marvel of modern appliances and sleek, granite countertops. It was a functional space, but still maintained the elegance of the rest of the house. Jenkins explained that the chef would be preparing meals for the family, and that Eleanor's duties would include helping with meal service and cleaning up afterwards.
As they continued the tour, Jenkins pointed out the various rooms, including the study, the music room, and the conservatory. Each room was beautifully decorated and filled with elegant furnishings.
However, as they approached a particular wing of the house, Jenkins' demeanor changed. He became more formal, and his voice took on a serious tone. "The owner's rooms are off-limits," he said, his eyes serious. "You are not to enter without being summoned. This includes the Young Master's and Young Miss's rooms."
Eleanor nodded, feeling a sense of respect for the family's privacy. "I understand," she said.
Jenkins continued, "The owner's rooms are located on the second floor, and you will not need to access them unless specifically instructed to do so. You will, however, need to clean the common areas and other rooms as part of your duties."
As they finished the tour, Eleanor felt a sense of awe at the grandeur of the house. She was determined to do her best in her new role, and to respect the family's privacy and boundaries
The butler led Eleanor to her room, which was located in the west wing of the mansion. As they walked down the hallway, Eleanor couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and nervousness about her new living arrangements.
When they reached her room, Jenkins opened the door and gestured for her to enter. Eleanor stepped inside, and her eyes widened as she took in the view from the window. The room overlooked the beautifully manicured garden, and the sunlight streaming through the window highlighted the vibrant colors of the flowers and lush greenery.
"It's lovely," Eleanor breathed, walking over to the window to take in the view.
Jenkins nodded, a small smile on his face. "Yes, the view is one of the best features of this room. You'll find it quite pleasant, I'm sure."
Eleanor turned away from the window, taking in the rest of the room. The room was simply furnished with a single bed, a dresser, and a small desk. The walls were painted a soft white, and the floor was covered with a warm, beige carpet. A small window let in a slice of natural light, and a comfortable-looking armchair sat in one corner of the room.
"This is your room," Jenkins said, his expression serious but polite. "You'll find everything you need here. The bathroom is just down the hall, and you'll have access to all the amenities you require."
Eleanor looked around, taking in the simple but pleasant decor. It wasn't the most luxurious room, but it was clean and comfortable. She nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Jenkins for showing her to her new space.
"Thank you, Jenkins," she said, smiling.
Jenkins nodded, his expression softening slightly. "You're welcome, Eleanor. You're expected to freshen up and rest today. Your duties will begin tomorrow morning."
As Jenkins turned to leave, Eleanor couldn't help but voice her observation. "Excuse me, Jenkins," she said, "but I haven't seen any other staff members around the house today. Is everyone...away?"
Jenkins paused, his expression neutral. "Today is their leave day," he explained. "All the staff members have the day off, and they're out enjoying themselves. You'll meet them tomorrow, when you begin your duties."
Eleanor nodded, feeling a sense of understanding. She had wondered why the house seemed so quiet, but now it made sense. She smiled, looking forward to meeting the other staff members the next day.
"Thank you for explaining, Jenkins," she said.
Jenkins nodded, his expression serious once more. "I'll leave you to freshen up, Eleanor. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
With that, he turned and left the room, leaving Eleanor to settle in and prepare for the next day. She took a deep breath, feeling a sense of excitement and nervousness about her new role. She walked over to the window again, taking in the beautiful view of the garden. It was going to be a lovely place to call home, at least for a while.