* * *
Flora glancedaround the Great Hall, pleased with the results thus far. The hearth had been cleaned of its old ashes and now blazed brightly. Tables and benches had been scrubbed as well as the wood floor. The mantle was lined with fresh cut pine branches, the scent permeating the room. The broken shutters had been repaired and installed. Dust was being beaten out of the tapestries and torches, snug in their metal brackets, lit along the walls as well as the numerous candles throughout the room. The table that sat upon the dais was now draped in a clean white cloth. The room once again shined.
Satisfied with the way the room looked, Flora waved Anwen over to her. “Follow me,” she said when the woman reached her. “Where does this door lead to?” she asked, stopping in front of the locked door in the dark passageway she had come upon her first time here. Though, the passageway was dark no more, torches lighting the length of it.
“It goes to the kitchen, my lady,” Anwen said.
Flora stepped back into the Great Hall. “Someone fetch Verena for me.” She returned to Anwen waiting in the passageway. “What is along here?”
“Lord Torin’s solar is a short distance down.”
Flora made her way down to the door glad she had all torches lit in the keep so everyone could see where they walked. She entered the room. It was smaller than she thought it would be with chairs and small tables filling most of the space.
She swiped her hand along one of the tables, a wad of dust coating it. “Has this room been closed off longer than the other ones?”
“Aye, my lady. “Lord Torin pays little heed to it,” Anwen said.
“I want it dusted, cleaned, and all the furnishings removed,” Flora ordered.
Nervously, Anwen asked, “Should I not get Lord Torin’s permission first?”
“I would prefer you didn’t since I wish to surprise him with changes more suited to him, but if you feel you must I will not stop you.”
“I will wait, my lady,” Anwen said, admiration growing for the woman.
“You handle the orders I give you well. I believe you would be perfect to oversee the keep’s servants,” Flora said. “We will speak more about your new position later. There is much yet to be seen to. Join me in Lord Torin’s bedchamber after you appoint a crew to the solar.”
Verena entered the Great Hall as Flora returned to the room. “You wished to see me, my lady?”
“Aye, Verena. Please see that the entrance door from the kitchen to the keep is unlocked,” Flora instructed.
“Lord Torin ordered it locked,” Verena hurried to say.
With the way Verena’s voice trembled and how she wrung her hands, the woman was obviously upset. Flora was not sure if it was fear of the ghost or fear of Torin that caused it. Either way she did not want to upset the woman who had been extremely cooperative with her.
“I will leave it to Lord Torin then and will let you know his decision,” Flora said.
Verena bobbed her head. “Thank you, my lady. Can I get anything for you? A hot brew perhaps?”
“Not at the moment, but thank you, Verena,” Flora said.
“You do not have to thank me, my lady,” Verena reminded.
“It is my way. I am afraid you will have to get used to it,” Flora said with a smile.
“You are very thoughtful, my lady. It will be a pleasure to serve you.”
Flora spoke with a few other servants before she climbed the curved stairway, lit braziers lighting the way. She entered her husband’s bedchamber and gave thought to what she would do with the room. Though, if no other room suited them, she might not have a choice but to keep this as their bedchamber.
She had yet to order work done up here, concentrating on readying the Great Hall. She was aware that the servants were reluctant to work in this area due to the last ghost incident that drove everyone from the keep and forced Torin to close it. She, herself, hoped for a visit from the ghost but that would mean the servants would be only more reluctant to come here. She stared at the space, various ideas running around in her head as to what to do with it.
A thought hit her, and she grew excited. Would it be possible? Would her husband object? It was his bedchamber. She could make no changes without his approval.
“My lady,” Anwen said.
Flora turned, and excitement gleamed in her eyes. “What other bedchamber would be suitable for me and my husband?”
Anwen appeared perplexed but answered, “Lady Amelia’s bedchamber might do.”