Free Under a Stern Reign by Raymond Wilde

would never have imagined you to be married. Why, you can’t be any older than me. Do you miss him?’
    â€˜No,’ the girl replied, shaking her head. ‘I didn’t love him. It was a mistake from the start.’
    â€˜Then why did you marry him?’
    â€˜I had liked him at first, though I soon regretted it,’ the girl replied matter-of-factly. ‘There was little choice after I lost my job at the chateau, though.’
    â€˜You worked there?’ Genevieve asked, surprised by the news.
    â€˜Only for a short time,’ the girl muttered slowly. ‘I was a kitchen maid.’
    â€˜And what happened?’ Genevieve asked.
    â€˜Well, the count took me on as a kitchen maid, but I soon found out that he had other things in mind. He’s a distinguished man, and was very kind to me, and one day, as I brought him his breakfast, he made his fondness for me very clear. I’m sure he would have carried on being kind to me, if it wasn’t for Mademoiselle Elise.’
    At the mention of Elise, Genevieve felt her heart quicken and her curiosity sharpen. The name caused something to stir in the blonde girl, too, she saw. She seemed suddenly to be on the verge of tears. ‘What do you mean?’ Genevieve probed.
    â€˜Elise...’ the girl sighed. ‘She took an interest in me. Almost from the start. She played all sorts of games with my heart. Games that were cruel and that I didn’t understand. At times it was wonderful, but at other times I felt she was wicked through and through... but she won my heart.’
    The girl seemed lost. A tear trickled down her cheek, and she wiped it away quickly with her sleeve.
    â€˜Are you trying to tell me that you were... were lovers? ’ Genevieve asked, aghast, staring deeply into the girl’s damp eyes.
    The blonde maid looked back wistfully at Genevieve. ‘At first I thought we were, yes,’ she admitted. ‘But for some reason Elise soon stopped being my lover and became cruel and distant.’
    The girl stared down at her feet and then looked back up at Genevieve. ‘In any case,’ she continued, ‘the count put a stop to it and sent me away. I was penniless and alone until I met my husband. It’s probably just as well, because the chateau is a scary place. They say the ghosts of his wife and his ancestors haunt it. I suppose I’m lucky to be out of there.’
    â€˜Oh,’ Genevieve said absently, ‘but it’s since become my only home.’
    â€˜Then, I’d urge you to be careful,’ the girl advised, stepping closer and putting her hand on Genevieve’s shoulder. ‘If I may say so, you are very beautiful, and seem to be kind of heart too. That place is dangerous, I think. Dangerous for you.’
    It was getting late and Genevieve realised she needed to be making her way home. ‘Can I come back and see you?’ she asked, realising how much she had enjoyed the brief time she’d spent with the girl.
    â€˜Of course, mademoiselle,’ the girl beamed, brightening up at the prospect of having some occasional company, ‘I would be very happy for you to visit me.’
    â€˜And I don’t yet know your name?’ Genevieve prompted.
    â€˜It’s Emelie, mademoiselle,’ the girl told her.
    â€˜Emelie,’ Genevieve echoed. ‘That’s a lovely name.’ She smiled at the girl. ‘And don’t call me mademoiselle,’ she said gently. ‘My name is Genevieve.
    â€˜Now, I’d better be going.’
    â€˜It’s getting colder outside, I think,’ the girl said, peering out through one of the small windows. ‘I’m going to light a fire soon and prepare a broth. Are you sure you wouldn’t like to stay for the night? There is room for you.’
    Genevieve gazed into the girl’s eyes thoughtfully. How pretty they were. ‘No, thank you,’ she responded. ‘They would wonder where I