They left her room and went towards the stairway. Upon descending the creaking wooden stairs Georgia’s heart pounded in anticipation. Her fingers delicately pushed open the heavy oak door, revealing the magnificent common room, a room transformed by the magic of the evening. The sight that greeted her was delightful; another man and women had joined the festivities. He was playing the lute and a lady accompanied him with a flute. It’s melodies harmonize with the song into a captivating duet.
The room was full of light and smells. The last of the sun’s golden rays poured through the windows, illuminating the room in a warm embrace. The air was full of the delightful aroma of sweet berries and wildflowers and the glittering candles near the roaring fireplace mesmerized Georgia like an enchanted scene from a forgotten fairy tale.
As she stepped out, the front door creaked open, and a group of disciplined guardsmen came in walking with measured steps. One man, adorned in the proud colors of his authority, surveyed the room with a keen eye. He then called out with a clear voice and proclaimed, “Ah, Silviano, I see you have everything ready in superb fashion. We so miss your talents back at the court.”
The man adorned in his prestigious regalia, approached Georgia and with a respectful bow, he took her hand and gently raised it to kiss it. He then proclaimed, “I take it you must be lady Georgia, he said with a smooth but respectful tone.” Blushing, Georgia shook her head, politely correcting him, “Thank you, captain, I am presuming, but please, call me Georgia if you would. I cannot claim to have always been a lady.”
His laughter rang through the room like a silver bell before he replied, “By your command Georgia, it shall be as you ask.” He said please, the Duchess will be in shortly.” With a courteous gesture, he guided both Silviano and Georgia to the plush sitting area that had been arrange for the Duchess and her company near the fireplace. It wasn’t long before the first of her company entered the room. The ladies of the court, all dressed in elegant gowns came into the room with their silk caps rustling with grace behind them.
After the others came in finally the Duchess appeared. She looked as if she had arrived at the court freshly from her home. There was not a trace of her journey marred upon her perfectly attired figure. She walked directly over to where Georgia stood and with a warm smile, she gathered her hands into hers and looked deeply into her eyes and said softly, “My dear, you resemble your mother so much.” Turning to Silviano.
The Duchess expressed her gratitude for his care of Georgia. “I see you have taken good care of her since your arrival. We appreciate it my dear. We will ensure you receive an extra good word with the court when the right time appears.” Silviano bowed deeply, a smile lighting his face and said, “Thank you Duchess, it has been a real pleasure getting to know her since my arrival here. Her father has taken excellent care of her and prepared her as well. Of course, we expected nothing less.”
As the sounds of music and laughter filled the enchanted common room, this extraordinary evening was only just beginning. For Georgia, it felt as if a wondrous new world was opening before her very eyes. Silviano noticing Georgia was captivated by the evening took advantage of the opportunity to whisper to the Duchess, “If I may be so bold to ask for a word in privacy with you before the evening festivities begin in full?” She nodded, held out her hand to him. Silviano took it and said, “if you please let’s speak outside in the garden for a moment.”
The gardens were Georgia most prize possession. They were immaculately maintained and provided a sanctuary of serenity for her and her guest at the inn. It was a masterpiece indeed and had been decorated with illuminated lamps that the town lamplighter would come maintain and ensure they were lit each evening. As Silviano left with the Duchess, he turned and winked at Georgia. Then said to the captain and ladies, “Please entertain and keep our lady in good company. I need some time to address some business with the Duchess.” The captain responded, “It will be our delight to get to know, Georgia better.”
With that Silviano turned and walked the Duchess out the front door. They both walked over into the side gardens. Silviano guided the Duchess to the secluded gazebo enshrouded in blossoming flowers, where they engaged in a hushed conversation, the import of which was known only to them. Meanwhile back inside the inn. Georgia watched them walk out the door. But her internal alarms were beginning to break up the fairy tale atmosphere of the evening. She had allowed herself to be enchanted with the evening thus far but had a growing concern over what required Silviano and the Duchess to speak with such privacy.
Her thoughts got interrupted by the captain. He asked, “We have heard all the way back at the royal courts about this establishment. The famous proprietor who could fix the most wondrous meals. Kept the best and most comfortable inn for a hundred miles in any direction and maintained a garden that could match the beauty of those in the royal palace.”Georgia curtsied and said, “Nonsense, captain, I am sure there are others who can outdo what we in our modest way do here. This is just one of many sleepy little towns found throughout the kingdom, I am sure.”
The captain responded, “Ah, but I disagree with your exposé of this place and its reputation amongst those at the court. You see your father used to send the Duchess care packages with treats that you baked up yourself here in this very kitchen. They were always received with some expectations. All of those held in regard by the Duchess delighted in them.”
He then said, “Please do sit down and let’s have them bring us a glass of wine or your best ale if you would please.” She took his hand, and he led her to a table, pulled the chair out waiting for her to sit. The ladies jumped into action immediately arranging her gown. They were ensuring it did not get caught under the legs of the chair.
She was observing all this behavior and did not feel comfortable with treatment reserved for those of the royal courts. She decided there was nothing she could do at this time without causing a scene, so she let it go for now. Yet she thought there would be many questions with Mr. Tibbs later in the evening once everyone else had retired.
The captain distracted her by asking her. “Georgia, please tell us about some of your memories from when you were a child growing up with your father here?” The ladies all said, “Yes, please do, we would all love to hear them if you care to share them with us.” Despite her uneasiness, Georgia graciously entertained her newfound acquaintances, regaling them with vivid tales of her childhood escapades and the lessons her father had lovingly imparted to her. Engrossed in the conversation and surrounded by the soft melodies of the bards, time seemed to stand still as the evening progressed.
It was forty minutes after Silviano and the Duchess had retreated to the garden, they returned to join the others, their whispered conversation now a mystery known only to them. The patrons and guests, initially awestruck by the evening’s transformation, soon returned to their discussions and indulgence in the sumptuous meal. Normally they would have thought that only Georgia’s deftly skilled hand could prepare such a meal, but they wondered where she found the time considering how transformed she herself had become dressed in the most elegant gown with hair professionally prepared.
They observed that the inn had never witnessed such grandeur, let alone the town. It had come alive with laughter, music, and the spirit of trust and goodwill was present everywhere on this enchanted evening. Many of the towns people had mistaken Georgia as the Duchess on first glance. None of them had ever seen her in anything other than the grubs she wore each evening to work at the inn. She was transformed and as she intertwined with the world of the Duchess and her entourage, the evening took on the air of a fairy tale such as the mothers would read to their children at times.
All the patrons and guests received extra service tonight. There appeared to be some staff from the Duchess manor working at the inn tonight. They all saw how Georgia was kept busy with the handsome captain and the ladies in waiting.
The food was incredible along with the wine, but the day had worn Georgia down and she began to tire early in the evening. She finally asked, “Duchess, ladies, and captain, I hate to end this evening, but it is getting late, and I have some important decisions to make by tomorrow morning.
If I may excuse myself, I must get some rest before the morning begins and the inn demands my attention again.” The Duchess leaned over and whispered, “You do what you need to do. I’ll make sure the captain ensures no one disturbs your rest until the morning. Consider it an offering of thanks for the warm company and conversations tonight. “ She paused and then lowered her voice some to say, “It’s rare that the court finds such well-educated people to keep them company. It is especially so while traveling throughout the kingdom.”
Georgia quietly thought to herself, “the evening had begun as a fairy tale, but only time would tell what secrets and underlying motives lay beneath the polished veneer she sensed.” She then gracefully stood up and bowed to the Duchess saying, “Thank you Duchess. I will remember this evening and its company always with fond memory.”
With that she looked over to Silviano and offered her hand. He took it, stood, and said, “Please, let’s get you prepared for a good night’s rest.” Once Silviano and Georgia had left the area and were ascending the stairs. The Duchess said to the captain, “ensure there are guards posted tonight. Nothing is to disturb her rest, as she said, there are important decisions she must make by the morning.”
The captain barked out some orders. Some of the men took up positions near both stairways that led to the upper floors. He then turned back to the Duchess and quietly asked, “Does she know at all?” The Duchess hesitated before answering, her voice soft and thoughtful, “I sense she suspects something. Silviano, and her father are correct, her insight is working on a level all together beyond our own.”
She paused her eyes glancing over the townspeople before continuing, “I don’t believe she’s put all the pieces of the puzzle together yet. Her father will be able to provide her with that knowledge with the care it will need.” The captain agreed with a solemn nod, “Yes, we will all be resting better once that takes place.” He helped the Duchess up and said, “Come, the mayor should have vacated his home to us by now. Everything should be ready for your arrival.”
He took her hand, helped her to stand. Then escorted her out the door. Arrangements were in place for them to take over the town mayor’s home for the evening.” A negotiated agreement had been reached to assist the town with some much-needed repairs. It would help all the citizens of this place, so it was not considered a poor request to help the town with. They thought well of the mayor as he was asking that the compensation come in the form of assisting the town and not himself. He insisted that all who lived in it deserved the improvement. They thought it was only fair that they agree with his terms and were happy to oblige.
Georgia had a restless night full of dreams. Her dreams were vivid and unsettling, their murky shadows keeping her restless throughout the night. When morning finally broke, she felt exhausted and disoriented. Rising from the bed, she washed up a bit in the wash basin kept in her room. She got dressed in her traveling clothes. She then grabbed the trusty sword her father had made for her on her eighteenth birthday. She then slid her long knife in the gaiter, a sheath worn on the calf area of the leg.
Afterwards, she brushed out her hair. Georgia pinned it up finishing with hat pins that she had the blacksmith make for her. She remembered the conversation with him. “Are you asking me to do this to help manage the rare evenings when some of your guests drink a bit too much?” She had responded, “Let’s just say, protecting myself, while being discreet because she was a lady who manages an inn with a bar that serves drink as well as food can be hazardous to anyone’s health at times.”
She chuckled, moved to the door, cracked it a bit, saw no one and went stealthily to the back stairway. That stairway dropped down to the kitchen area. It had become a habit for her to use it in the mornings and avoid unwanted attention. Little did Georgia know that her path would soon cross with the Duchess and Captain Remington, entwining their fates amid a captivating story of intrigue, danger, and adventure.