As I finished, I glanced down at my watch to see an alert from Mistress Stonewell flash across the screen:
Hurry up, they’re almost here.
I sighed and stole one last look before slipping my feet into flat, black shoes, and headed downstairs. While making my way to the entryway, I passed by Josiah’s room and briefly wondered what he would think of my dress. Feeling brave, I casually stole a glance through the crack of his open door and found him hunched over his desk, wholly absorbed in his work. He was massaging his temples, with a scowl on his brow when he looked up.
I felt the caress of his gaze as he openly observed every inch of my body. He bit the eraser end of his pencil, and a slight groan escaped his peach-colored lips. His reaction made my heart race, but my feet remained firmly planted outside his door, despite my body’s desire to be close to him.
With a strained voice, I broke the silence. “Your guests are almost here.”
He stood up from his work desk and then adjusted and tightened the blue, striped tie that lay loosely around his neck
“I’ll accompany you downstairs,” he replied with a hoarse, gruff voice.
He then walked towards me. Once close enough, he placed tender fingertips at the base of my hips and guided me out of the hallway, down the steep steps towards the common room. The tension between us was thick and suffocating, and I deepened my breathing to stop myself from doing something foolish, like kissing him.
Once at the base of the stairwell, Josiah briefly glanced around, checking to see if we were alone, then leaned in to whisper against my neck, “You look stunning.” His words tickled my exposed skin, and I imagined what it would feel like if his lips touched where his words were. Before either of us could lose ourselves in the moment, he briskly walked away.
A loud buzzing erupted, alerting me to the arrival of our guests, and I shook off the remaining feelings of lust left behind by Josiah. The effects of Josiah’s compliment still hit me like fireworks, making it hard to focus. Rolling my neck, I lifted my chin and prepared myself to meet the ever-important Black family.
The buzzing hissed again throughout the house, and Mistress Stonewell ordered from the common room, “Open the door, you idiot!”
After twisting the knob, I was surprised to find a teenage girl that appeared to be around sixteen, scowling at me. She wore a thin, white dress, which showed off all her developing curves, and bright-red lipstick. She had dark-black, straight hair and beautiful, deep-brown eyes. She was gorgeous.
“Good morning, Ma’am,” I said politely.
“Oh good! A Walker,” the young girl said in a distracted manner while fanning herself. “Quickly, gather our suitcases before someone steals them. I’m not sure where my brother disappeared to.” She huffed in discomfort and smoothed her dress. “I’m sorry, do you not speak English? Are you going to let me inside?”
I fumbled in embarrassment, stepped to the side, and bowed as she entered the Stonewell Manor.
“Please have a seat,” I said while motioning her towards the white couch in the Stonewell’s large common area. Mistress Stonewell introduced herself politely, while the young teen made herself comfortable. The room was decorated in all white, giving off a sort of clinical feel. Mistress Black practically blended in with her white dress. I quickly placed a tray of baked cookies on the table in front of her, and after making sure that she didn't need anything, made my way outside to gather her belongings. Josiah still hadn’t made his grand entrance.
I went outside to the busy street where transports hovered by, blaring loud music and honking at a parked transport in front of our manor. I looked inside and found many pieces of brown luggage and began huffing and hauling each heavy piece out and towards the building. It felt like a lot of luggage for a mere four-day stay.
“STOP THIS INSTANT!” a booming voice commanded from down the street. I turned around to see what the cause of the commotion was and dropped the clunky luggage. A tall, tan man with wild, curly, black hair, brown eyes, and a rugged beard waved his arms at me in a frantic and aggressive motion. He wore black jeans and steel-toed boots with a partially-unbuttoned, navy-blue sweater, revealing some of his delicious chest. He was attractive in a terrifying sort of way.
“What do you think you’re doing? Stealing is punishable by death where I come from.” He had a clipped accent and a sharp gaze that made my fingers tremble.
“I . . . I’m so sorry . . . Mistress Black asked me to collect her luggage. I . . . I assumed that this was it. Oh, pl-please don’t report me to the Archés,” I begged with a stuttering voice. I then dropped to my knees and bowed in fear. Walkers had no rights. If I were accused and convicted of stealing, not only would I lose my position in the Stonewell home, but also go to jail. The gruff man sighed and ran his hands through his curly hair with more force than necessary.
“Fuck. My apologies, babe. I’m not used to your province’s use of Walkers. My sister is more educated in your ways. I thought you were trying to steal from us,” he explained with a sneer.
“N-no. It was my mistake. I should have announced my presence and my intentions. Please forgive me for my transgressions.”
He looked me over curiously, then without saying a word bent over to help me carry the sizable and cumbersome luggage.
“Oh, please allow me to get that for you,” I pleaded. “Master Stonewell is waiting for you inside.” Allowing Master Black to bring in his suitcases would be reason enough for Mistress Stonewell not to give me my rations for the day, not to mention I’d be forced to recite the laws regarding proper etiquette when housing a visiting diplomat.
“A pretty, little thing like you isn’t big enough to haul these up the steps,” he said lightly while ignoring my pleading expression. He gathered up the two heaviest suitcases and began walking up the steps towards the front door. “Master Black, if you don’t allow me to bring in these suitcases I’ll be punished,” I whispered, praying that he would not be angered or offended at me correcting him.
Master Black turned slowly and once again peered at me with what I could only assume was a curious expression. Just before he could say anything, Mistress Stonewell appeared in the doorway.
“Please forgive our Walker, Master Black,” she cooed. “She can be somewhat absent-minded. Although we've provided her with the best training money can buy, she still seems to forget her place in our household,” she said with a sneer. I cringed while she threw metaphorical daggers at me with a deadly expression. Her thin lips forced themselves to smile, but I could sense that I would be punished later for this.
“Ah, of course. Your Walker insisted on carrying my luggage, but I was being stubborn,” Master Black answered with a charming grin. “Forgive me for stepping on any toes.” He then dropped the luggage where he stood and walked up the drive where they both disappeared inside, leaving me to gather the rest of their belongings.
It took me a while to get their heavy luggage up the two flights of stairs and inside the guest rooms. Mistress Stonewell paged me twice on my watch, and by the third signal, I had finished hauling all of their luggage. I sprinted to the sitting room where everyone but Master Black and Josiah were scowling at me.
“Good heavens, Walker, our guests are parched. Hurry up and get them some tea,” Linda ordered. I looked over at the full tray of tea and crackers I had purposefully placed on the nearby bar earlier and fought the urge to roll my eyes. She could have efficiently served our parched guests, but she was too prideful to lift a finger. Nevertheless, I nodded yes and made quick work of serving their drinks.