She seemed distracted. It was often the case if the earl was at home. At three o’clock he noticed her asking Violet for her walking clothes. He watched from an upper window as she strode purposefully over the fields alone. She only did that when she was down—he knew her too well. His Lordship was busy with the estate and Edward was not needed. Putting on his boots, he decided to go for a walk. He followed at a discreet distance, knowing she was probably heading for the pond on the western meadows. She’d told him she liked it there. He caught up with her after a few minutes. She was sitting on a rock under a willow tree, tossing pebbles into the water. The ripples spread out before bouncing back on themselves, a never-ending circle, in and out. But above the noise of the water lapping at the banks was another. She was crying. Edward stopped and instinctively took a few steps back. Staff were not supposed to see their masters distressed. They were not supposed to realise their weaknesses.
What do You think about In Service To The Senses (2013)?
