“Why can’t you just agree with me?” I say in a strong voice.

            “Mistress, please, you have to know where he is coming from.” My butler sighs, but I won’t just sit there and get my building taken away from me.

            “You are simply my lackey, Arthur! Stop taking his side.” I complain and he doesn’t speak another word.

            “What a childish dream to have. You’re still a young foolish girl. You don’t know one single thing about business, Charlotte.” The old man grumbled in his chair with the dessert in his hand that my butler, Arthur, had prepared.

            In a cold tone, I reply, “I know many things, sir.I already gave you tons of money. I am the only Amesbury left. I am the head of the Amesbury Industry, show some respect. You are not going to take this away from me. I promised my life that I would carry out the duty my parents gave me. Please, show Mister Dean the door.”

            Arthur obediently did as I asked and accompanied Mister Dean to the door. I sat at my desk, still bothered about the conversation. “Elizabeth, please make me a cup of tea, the usual.”

            She replies in her delicate voice, “Yes ma’am, right away.”

            I stare blankly out the window, which has red heavy curtains dangled on the sides. The sunset reminds me of that day; the day my happy memories perished. I don’t understand, who could have done it? I know it wasn’t anything in my home. That’s because when I was escaping, I saw a black figure run away. It seemed to be a middle-aged woman, but I didn’t see them clearly.

            I hear a knock on the door, “Come in.” Arthur walks in with the tea I had asked for.

            I glare at him and ask, “Where is Elizabeth, I expected she would have come.”

            “Clara has dropped some of the new glass dishes, so Elizabeth decided to stay and help her with the mess. She asked me to bring the tea to you, along with biscuits as an apology.”

            I sigh, “Very well.”

            He places the plate of biscuits along with the tea on my desk, I stare at it silently for a second before I ask, “Why did you take Mister Dean’s side?” I let the question hang in the air for a moment, “You know you shouldn’t have, so why did you?”

            “Mistress, please excuse the behavior from before. I know I acted selfishly, I promise I won’t ever do that again.” He replies solemnly.

            I sigh and calmly respond, “I understand, thank youfor taking responsibility for what I have requested.”

            I get ready for bed since I have finished the tea and biscuits. Before laying down, Elizabeth prepared the sheets. She had asked if I was comfortable, “Yes, I am. Thank you for asking.” She blew out the candles, leaving me in total darkness, and left.

            In the morning, Elizabeth walks in, “Mistress Charlotte, it’s time to get up.” She opens the curtains and the morning rays of sun light upthe room. I blink a few times and sit up. “Already morning? Seems like I’ve only gotten a few hours of sleep.”

            “Yes, sorry, I should have woken you up a bit later. Yesterday was quite a long day.”

            “I suppose it’s alright,” I mumble.

            She takes a dress from my wardrobe and askes me to stand. She unbuttons my sleeping gown and places it on the bed. “I am very sorry about yesterday, I have abandoned you to help Clara with the glass shards.”

            “That’s quite fine, you were still helping me in a way. Clara wouldn’t have cleaned the glass very well, such a clumsy woman she is.” I lift my hands up to indicate I’m ready for her to put me in the dress.

            “You have such a forgiving soul, Mistress.” She walks behind me to tie the bow, which she has perfected from the many times she has done it.

            I smile slightly, “Thank you. Please ask Daniel to set the table.”

            She smiles wide and proud, kind of like the sun, but not as bright, “Yes ma’am! Arthur will accompany you downstairs when breakfast is ready.” She was about to walk out the door, but she stopped and said, “It may be foolish for me to say, but you should write an apology letter to Mister Dean.” I could tell she was a bit scared to say that because she ran out the door right after she mentioned that. I sigh and ponder on what she said. “Maybe I should. I don’t want any enemies. Though, I’m pretty sure I have hundreds of them.” I grasp my pen, ink, paper, and start to write an apology letter.

                                                    England, September 4, 1789

Dean Archie Williams,

            I am sorry about yesterday’s behavior. I shouldn’t have shouted at someone who is older than me. Please accept my apology. The reason why I acted the way I did was that you didn’t appreciate my money. It felt as if you were usingme and I started to get frustrated. Though, I won’t let you walk on my property again. I would also appreciate it if you wouldn’t sell my company buildings. I worked hard to be at this rank and I wouldn’t like it if you were to break it. Do you understand where I’m coming at? I have the right to be where I am. Please respect my final decision.

Sincerely,

Charlotte Etta Amesbury

            I fold the letter and put it to the side, where I’ll let Arthur handle the letter. I hear knocking on my door, “Lady Charlotte, it is me Arthur. Breakfast is ready.”

“Come in.” I walk towards the door.

As Arthur opens the door, he smiles and says, “Lady Charlotte, good morning!”

I smile and walk out of my room, “Good morning.”

He closes the door and walks beside me. As we are walking through the hallways, we conversate about my birthday, which is on the 21st. We make it towards the dining room and all my servants are alined on each side. As if they were on cue, Clara, Daniel, and Elizabeth bow and say good morning.

Daniel walks to a chair and pulls it backward, allowing me to sit in the chair with ease. “Thank you.” He nods, pushing in my chair, and states what I’ll have for breakfast.

It’s absolutely exquisite, it smells like heaven. With a pleased expression, I chuckle, “It all looks delightful, especially the blueberry muffins. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Mistress! I’m glad it looks good.” He smiles and winks, “I just hope it tastes good.”

I laugh, “Of course it will, Daniel. Your food always meets the criteria.”

I take a bite of the food. I think to myself, “The texture is one thing, but the flavor is simply outstanding!” I continue to eat. As I take the last bite, I wipe my mouth and push back my chair to stand up.