Oh, dear reader, today I went to the Baron’s manor house for the first time. The visit did not go as smoothly as I had hoped, but I did get to see the library which was quite the treat.
This morning when I set out down the lane there was a blue sky overhead. It was not a long walk, but oh goodness, just as I had the house within my sight, the clouds began to darken. I quickened my pace. Surely, I thought, the rain could not set in so quickly. Alas, within minutes it was pouring, and I ran fast as I could until I was at the front door. Despite the weather, the splendor of the great house was not lost upon me. Dear reader, it is huge and towered over me. I think it must have three stories, with walls and turrets that make it look like one of the castles in my book. I was in awe, so I stood for a moment in the archway trying to gather my nerves, until finally I took a deep breath and knocked with the great metal ring upon the door.
It was quickly opened by a stern-looking woman who I now know to be Mrs. Algar, the housekeeper. The moment she saw me she began chastising me for not having come in through the servants’ entrance round the back. I hadn’t known there was a back door or that I should have entered there, and I tried to apologize, but my words died as she stepped back and fully took in the state of my wet clothes and shoes which were then, to my dismay, dripping mud and water all over the floor. Oh goodness, I was so ashamed; if I had realized how filthy I was before, I would have gone home! I must have been distracted by the splendor of the house. I hurriedly offered my deepest regret, tried to ask what I ought to do, but she waved it all aside with a huff; it was “just one more thing”. She ordered a passing girl, I guess she must have been a maidservant, to bring some rags so I could clean myself off, adding that the girl should best bring a bucket too and begin on the floor after that as well. Oh goodness, I felt terrible… I still do…
Anyway, after I removed the offending mud and was declared clean enough to walk through the house, Mrs. Algar led me up the stairs and to the library, all the while grumbling that she had more important things to be getting on with. A small part of me wishes I could have seen more of the house. There were such rich tapestries and vases and paintings all about the place, but it would certainly have been most improper, and Mrs. Algar already frightened me so.
I did however get to enjoy the library, and oh, what a library indeed! Ah, to be amongst so many books, on every wall and shelf, from floor to ceiling... I simply stood there for a moment, just taking it all in. But with so many choices, where was I to begin? Even if I were to come back every day for the rest of the year, it would be impossible to read them all. After thinking it over, I decided it may be best to see what all the books were about, then to pick ones that looked promising. I was discouraged to find thus far none seem to be collections of faery tales or folklore. So I chose a volume on the history of Olkaria to begin with. It had the most beautifully detailed map of the kingdom, but oh, it was funny to see everything all flattened out with the mountains and rivers just as lines. I do not know if it is particularly useful, but I did find it interesting that the Greenwood forest appeared named as the Aumbra forest. The map showed that it stretches far to the north, almost as far as the capital, and then goes all the way down to Woolden, where it crosses the Ela river. That means that the forest from the story might actually be the same as the one I came out of.
I read on through the afternoon, from time to time hearing the creak of the floor boards. The sound was a little unsettling... But it is a very old house; it must have just been the weather.
Now I am home and with any luck the rain will let up after tonight. I plan to go back to the manor house next week, and I certainly do not wish to cause any more trouble for Mrs. Algar. Goodness, she frightens me, but perhaps I shall be able to redeem myself at our next meeting. I was hoping to get some work done before bed. I have more Joy remedies to make, but I am very tired. So dear reader, I will get ready for bed with the sound of the rain lulling me into what I hope shall be a peaceful night’s sleep.