The maid quickly lead Aubrey up a small dark staircase and down a hall lined with nicked and scarred doors between smudged walls.
        "Don't you ever clean up here?" Aubrey asked looking at the smudged wall, not with a judgmental look but one of innocence.
        "Nope." The maid replied. "Don't have enough time to cater to all the Master and Mistresses needs as it is not to mention that little Lacey devil they call their daughter." she said inwardly shivering at what amount of devilry the child had done today. "But don't you dare repeat that to anybody unless you wanna be gone , and don't you dare say I said it."
         Aubrey slightly nodded in confusion but was unable to clarify because the maid quickly announced, "well heres your room. I guess your lucky, this whole room to yourself and all." She said as she opened a battered door at the end of the hall. "My names Marcy by the way."
        Aubrey slightly acknowledged the introduction as she slowly turned to view the small room that would be hers for the months to come.
        "Its beautiful." Aubrey said breathlessly.

       Inside the grand front doors was just as elegant, if not more, than the outside. The richly decorated foyer took Aubrey's breath away. But Aubrey was not allowed to admire the beauty of it for long, and was quickly ushered down a hall and was announced to Mrs. Tremblay by the butler. 

        "Ahh you must be the little orphan girl my husband agreed to employ." Mrs. Tremblay said studying her from the richly upholstered chair she reclined on. 

        "Yes ma'am." Aubrey replied timidly curtsying. 

        After a short interview Mrs. Tremblay finally said, "Hmm, well I suppose Mrs. Chink can find something for you to do." 

        "Thank you ma'am," Aubrey said as Mrs. Tremblay clapped her hands summoning the butler again. 

        Aubrey was rushed through more hallways and down stairs until she was finally stopped at the kitchen. "Mrs. Chink, this is Aubrey. Mrs. Tremblay requests you put her to work as soon as she has settled in." 

        Mrs. Chink scowled,, and commanded a maid to take her up and find her a small room somewhere. Aubrey obediently followed, wondering where Nathan had gone. 

New experiences

        Nathan and Aubrey rode in silence the rest of the way until they reached the entrance to the Tremblay's drive. From the road Aubrey could not see the house because it was set so far back from the road. The long drive to the house wound beneath a canopy of trees that bordered it. The large green fields that made up most of the Tremblay property were surrounding by beautiful whitewashed fences. In the distance you could see a few fields containing well groomed horses and an extensive stable.
        When the massive mansion came into view it took Aubrey's breath away. She had never seen something so expensive looking in all her life! She knew the Tremblays were rich but she didnt know how rich. And to think, she was to live here for a whole year. Granted she was required to be a servant not a guest, but just being able to see such finery was enough for Aubrey.
        Instead of taking Aubrey to the servant's door Nathan took her straight to the front entrance explaining, "Mrs. Tremblay wanted to see you as soon as you arrived so I might as well take you in this way."
        Aubrey was delighted and it showed on her face. Entering the large mansion just like she was a rich aristocrat arriving for a ball or dropping by for tea felt like a great honor in Aubrey's eyes.

Starting Off

       Just then Aubrey noticed a boy of about fourteen, with short dark brown hair. When he saw Aubrey he gave a slow awkward smile and strode toward her. 

        "Aubrey Tinkam?" The boy asked as he came closer. 

        Aubrey nodded, "are you one of Mr. Tremblay's servants?"

        "Yep. I was sent to pick you up from the train station, my names Nate." He said lifting her small carpet bag. 

        "It is a pleasure to meet you Nate." Aubrey said politely. 

        Nate nodded his acknowledgement, "well we'd better get you to the house so you can get settled before Mrs. Busy Toes puts you to work."

        "Mrs. Busy Toes?" Aubrey asked puzzled as she followed Nate to a waiting cart. 

        "Shes the one in charge us servants. Her real name is Mrs. Chink but we call her Mrs. Busy Toes because shes always saying theres so much to do and telling us we'd better go do it." Nate explained.

        

The Beginning

        Excitement, dread, apprehension, curiosity. Those were the conflicting emotions battling it out inside Aubrey. These feelings had  not given Aubrey a moment of rest since arriving at the train station. The train ride was not what what caused these emotions inside Aubrey, it was what would ensue upon arriving at her destination.

        A long shrill whistle pierced the air as the train rounded a bend announcing they were arriving at the Regina train stations. Aubrey looked up apprehensively.

        Aubrey gently picked up the book that lay in her lap as they rounded another bend in the tracks. She lovingly traced the raised letters of its title, Cornered in Love as she had done so many other times. It was an old book, its leather bindings smelling of mold and ink worn thin from much use. The book was her most treasured belonging. Aubrey had read it so man times she practically knew it by heart. It was one of the few things she had when her mother had left her at the Carnduff Charity Orphanage. 

        Aubrey carefully packed the book into its special spot in her small carpet bag and turned to the window just as the first buildings of Regina came into view. 

       People. Thats what Aubrey noticed first as she stepped down from the train. People were jostling her from every direction. Some hurrying to catch their train and some greeting old friends. Aubrey felt lost.