“Most of the evening,” I tell her. “Getting some drawing in.”
Her eyes flicker distractedly over my paper. “Oh, that’s nice. How are you recovering from your cold?”
“The maids keep you informed, I see.”
She smiles and takes the vacant seat next to me. “It is my job. I am the head housekeeper, after all.”
“I’d say you’re a little more than that, no?”
“That’s sweet of you to say, darling. Really, though, I don’t mind so much. Especially now that I’ve found some friends outside of this oppressive realm.”
“Wow,” I say. Simple as it may seem, I’m kind of happy that she feels she can be so open and honest with me. “Well, then I’m glad for you.”
She gives me a maternal smile and I feel slightly comforted. These past few days of isolation have been harder on me than I’m willing to admit. It
