Evelyn was lead through the richly decorated manor house by the staff that maintained the estate. Never before had she seen such finery all around her. Furniture was polished to a shine, and the marble floors gleamed in the warm candle light.
Evelyn followed the maid up to the second floor and was stopped before one of the many doors in the hallway.
"This is the guest wing my Lady. We have prepared this suite for you for the duration of your stay." The maid said with a cheery voice and smiled as she pulled a key from her apron pocket and unlocked the door.
"We have also prepared a bath for you and a change of clothes. Please freshen up and someone will come to escort you to dinner."
The maid had entered the room and placed the key on the table for Evelyn. She then bowed and closed the door softly behind her leaving Evelyn alone to relax before dinner.
The room was twice the size of the cottage Evelyn had lived in with her parents and she wondered if all this space was truly for her. The four poster bed was huge and could easily fit three people. There was also a very comfortable looking couch placed before a fireplace, and glass doors that lead out to a private balcony.
Was she dreaming? Maybe she was still asleep in the carriage. This was something more suited for a princess not a lowly country girl from a small village.
Evelyn pinched her arm and immediately felt the self inflicted pain.
"OK so this isn't a dream." She said to herself as she sat on the bed and felt the luxurious softness of mattress and bedding.
As Evelyn sat on the bed, lost in her own thoughts, she was startled by a knock at her door before it opened and a young girl with short firey red hair and a maids uniform stepped into the room.
"My apologies for disturbing you miss. I was sent to help you bathe and get ready for dinner." The red head explained as she walked over to a door and opened it to reveal a room with a tub filled with warm steamy water.
"It's ok" Evelyn stammered as her cheeks turned pink in embarrassment. "You don't need to help me. I can get ready on my own."
"That is not an option miss. Lord Sorin gave me specific instruction to make sure you are cared for while you are here."
The maid girl walked over to Evelyn and took her hand. Not wanting to cause any trouble, Evelyn let herself be lead to the bathroom then hurried to undress herself and get in the bath while the maid turned to get the soap and a soft cloth.
Evelyn was sure the experience would have been more pleasant if she had let herself relax but her mind kept yelling at her that this was not proper and she should be the one attending to others needs.
The red haired maid was very kind and professional as she helped Evelyn dress in a soft forest green tunic, then pulled her hair back into a simple braid.
Once the girl finished Evelyn's hair she gingerly released the clasp on the thick leather collar and removed it.
Evelyn's eyes widened in panic as she saw the girl with the collar in her hand.
"What are you doing? I don't want to get in trouble."
"You will not get in trouble for not wearing your slave collar in this house." The maid placed the collar on the dressing table then went to get a damp cloth.
"Besides Lord Sorin said that it should be removed before you are to join him for dinner." She continued as she gently wiped Evelyn's neck where the collar had begun to irritate her skin.
Evelyn's brows knit together in confusion. "I don't understand. I thought beastmen despised humans. Why treat me with such kindness?"
"I wouldn't mistake Lord Sorin's generosity for kindness. Out of all of the slaves he has brought through here you are the only one he has done this for."
Evelyn was surprised by this revelation. What could she have or give him that would warrant this kind of generosity?
"Shall we go now miss? You do not want to keep Lord Sorin waiting."
The red headed maid escorted Evelyn down to the main floor of the manor house and into a small dining area. A room that was tastefully decorated with a table that could seat up to six people.
Sorin was already seated at the head of the table and gave an approving smile as he saw Evelyn enter the room.
"I see my staff have been treating you well." He gestured to the chair on his left where there was another place setting at the table.
Evelyn quietly walked over and took her place at the table.
An awkward silence stretched between them as both Sorin and Evelyn picked at their plates of food.
"That colour looks nice on you." Sorin finally broke the silence which caused Evelyn to nearly choke on her food before she replied with a small smile and quiet "Thank you."
She did not want to cause any trouble or make Sorin angry with her but Evelyn needed some answers.
She carefully placed her fork down on the placemat and took a calming breath before she asked her question.
"Why did you buy me Lord Sorin?"
He paused with a bite of food half way to his lips then placed the fork back down on his plate.
"I told you on the way here."
"That is not what I mean. I need to know why you decided to treat me so well. There were many other girls you could have chosen. Other slaves you could have taken away from that horrible place. So why me?"
Evelyn hadn't realized she had started to cry until Sorin dabbed at her wet cheek with a napkin.
"I'm afraid I can't explain exactly why it was that I chose you, at least not right now."
His tone was warm but his words felt hollow to Evelyn. She was about to excuse herself and return to her room until she felt a warm touch on her hand.
That small amount of contact caused Evelyn to barely conceal a gasp as heat traveled up her arm to her very core.
Sorin pulled away as if he had been burned, surprise evident on his face.
"Please excuse me Lord Sorin I must return to my room."
Evelyn took off before Sorin couldn't say anything. She ran as quickly as she could and locked her bedroom door behind her.
Evelyn's chest heaved and her heart pounded in her chest. What was this feeling that made her insides quiver? And why did it happen when Sorin touched her?