The basement is sweltering from the barrels of boiling water and lye. I agitate the clothes with the heavy wooden paddle, and a tear rolls down my check as I remember better days gone by.
Since my husband's death, returning to work is not a choice; I must in order to survive. The Sire's home is the prized property in all the land. I should be grateful to work here, but I can't help feeling sad and sorry for my misfortune. The Madame of the household is an aristocrat by birth. She is very stern, mean, and very, very wealthy. The master of the house, a general in the army, has taken to living in his quarters at the castle. I too, would do likewise, Madame is a shrew.
I must concentrate again on my work and not let my mind wonder on the love missing in my life since I've been left alone. To
