Rebirth: Revenge of the Abused Daughter

Moving to a new house

The mayor takes the money and stands as he places the money in his drawer. He picks his tricorne hat commonly used by men in England with these 3 points used by military men in England in Queen Elizabeth’s era.

“Follow me Miss Witman.” he said as we walk out of his office and one of his men follow with us.

We went around the place where the said houses are being sold. I don’t like the others because it is too near some buildings. We already came into the 3rd house property and I didn’t like it because the house is next to a factory or something, I just don’t like the smell. I can see that they are tired as we walk towards the carriage into the 4th house. I look around when the mayor suddenly stops the coachman.

“What is wrong Sir?” I ask as I look in the direction he is looking at.

“That is the Duke of Cornwall; his second wife Duchess Georgiana is really well-known in this place. It seems like the Duke came to visit his daughter with his son. If you are looking for a friend that family is the one you will need.” Lord Mayor William Walton said and I just remain silent as I watch that gentleman looking so powerful and rich in his clothes and the way he moves.

I think he is in his 30s and he really looks scary as he faces his servants who take his bags and hand him a cane as he looks around the place. What caught my attention is that young handsome gentleman coming down the carriage after that man. He looks around before he hands his bag to another servant as he smiles and fixes his clothes as he looks around. I see him look in our direction and we look at each other’s eyes and things around us seem to freeze but I have to look away to avoid unnecessary attention. I face the mayor so I won’t look too obvious that I am looking at those men who have just arrived.

“By the way dear sir, the house you said I might like… where is it?” I said with a smile before the Mayor turns to look at me.

He smiles as he looks at his men behind him and then he faces me. The way he is smiling makes me feel a little bit nervous.

“It is a place I know you will like seeing you like silence but a place near the marketplace and church. I have this property with a wide backyard and a small gate but is full of greeneries.” he said making me smile and sign.

“I would like to see this house you are talking about.” I said as the mayor led the way.

We passed many buildings and houses when we came into a more private land with some plantations in it. We are riding a carriage so it seems like it is a little bit farther than expected. We stop on a private road and when we step out I see a plantation just a little farther from the road where we are standing. I like how peaceful this place is minus the total hypocrisy of people in the highest position.

“This is a part of the Kauffman’s properties; Lady Kauffman is the Duke of Cornwall’s daughter. They owned a wider property here. That is their house.” the mayor said pointing at a nice mansion with some trees covering it.

“I- I see.” I said as I watch those servants walking around the place and those servants… ahh no slaves is what they are called here working on the plantation.

“Here, a little bit farther from this property is where the house is located. It is near some other houses but is nicer and silent.” the mayor said guiding me back to the carriage.

We pass houses to houses and when we came into a more remote road with trees the carriage stop and the mayor guided me down the carriage as I look at the nice house in amazement. It has a small fence and gate made of wood and is painted nicely. The yard is pure green with these grasses and some plants all around the house. It is not far from the market and with just an hour of walk, we can arrive at the town hall. We just have ridden a carriage for some of the houses we first went to is farther than here. I look around the place and the mayor is right, it has this peaceful ambiance and it looks so cozy. In my eyes, it is the perfect house for someone who is starting over.

“Dear Sir, can we look inside the house for a while?” I said looking at that old-looking 2 stories Elizabethan era-styled house with an attic and a chimney.

“Well, since we are here why not see it for yourself. You might like it since the house was currently in use but is emptied for only 4 days since the owner had left the place to follow his family to London.” the mayor said and I smile as I look at the house.

“Oh one more thing, there might be a lot of their staff left in there like furniture and clothes but it will come with the house. Once you take the house then everything inside is also into your use and liking.” the mayor said as I just remain silent.

I really like this man, for someone in a position he is so nice and kind enough to tell me things about the city. While we are going into the houses he is like touring me all over the place as he keeps on telling me where is which like the market, factory, and many more I needed to know. He is really a big help for me as I want to know things about the City. I even found out that Stanhore is a county town in North East England. The city lies on the River Wear, to the south-west of Sunderland, south of Newcastle upon Tyne, and to the north of Darlington. Founded over the final resting place of St. Cuthbert, its Norman cathedral became a center of pilgrimage in medieval England. HM Prison Standhore is also located close to the city center. The city of Stanhore is the name of the civil parish. So the year I am in is somewhere in the 18th century in which King George III or George William Frederick is the current ruling king.

“Well, come on in Miss Witman.” the mayor said as he opens the gate and we walk towards the door.

He opens the house and I immediately smell that scent of an old house but better than what we had stayed too in Winterlock. Like the mayor said things inside look like someone is still living in it with those curtains, linens, clothes, and furniture around the places. I see a stairway going to the second floor so we went up to check every room. The second floor has 4 rooms and the beddings are still on each room are still there. When we left we headed back to the town hall for the house papers and my payment that shocked the mayor since I have that quite an amount of money.

“Here are your land and house papers and you can move in with your family any time you want. Oh if ever you needed some help moving in or to fix your new house you can come and ask for my help. I know people who can help… of course with a little payment for people needs to eat as well.” the mayor said as he handed me the copy of papers rolled and is tied with ribbon.

“Thank you, dear sir; I will forever remember your kindness and your offer of help. But, I just wonder why you treated me nicely even when the time we have just arrived here? I know there is something to it.” I said as he looks at me.

“Well, seeing that you are a smart young woman I will be honest with you. When you entered my office I know that you are someone different. I don’t know why but I feel like I have to be nicer and help you. Also…… you remind me so much of my departed daughter. Don’t worry Miss Witman, my help and kindness needs no payment.” the mayor said making me smile and look at him.

“Then, I wholeheartedly express my gratitude for your kindness and help dear Sir. I will surely seek your help once needed. Have a good day sir.” I said as I smile and curtseys at him while holding my dress on the sides and slightly bow.

Holding the copy of the title I happily walk towards the inn where we are staying. I knock on the door and Elena opens it looking at me with confusion seeing my smiling face.

“Where is mother?” I ask and she takes the bag I am holding as I enter the room and she closes the door behind her.

“She went to that shop she told us about so to start her work. She said she will be home when the clock hand hits 5 in the evening.” Elena said and I nod.

Despite being different from the place and time I came from. This era is already advancing. They have old-fashioned clocks, the one that is so big is placed on the tower for everyone’s view, they also have their old-fashioned calendars, and many more that I am familiar with.

“Elena this is not our home. We have a new home now. We can start moving in and cleaning the house by tomorrow. Both of us can fix the house while mother goes to work. Then when we get to settle in our house we can decide what to do next.” I said as I show her the papers I am holding.

“We- We have a new house. What is it like and where is it?” Elena asks as she looks into the papers but since she can’t read them she just looks and hands it back to me.

“It is a lovely house Elena; it is a house we always dream of. It is standing alone on the edge of the city but about a farther walk from here. It is a 2 story high house with an attic and a chimney. And what’s more satisfying is that its previous owner left some properties in the house that we can use as our own. The house needs cleaning and a few changes but all in all the whole house and the yard is just amazing. There are plants all around the house; I know you and mother love planting so it is perfect for us. You will see it tomorrow once we move.” I said with an excited smile on my face.

We waited for my mother to return as we pack everything we have that is now much too much from what we had when we arrive. When my mother arrives she is confused as to why everything we owned is packed and the room is almost empty like when we came into it at first. We told her everything and she seems surprised and happy. We have our last dinner in that inn as we continue telling stories of what we had experienced once arriving in that city. I look at the window into the night sky and smirk. I am now one step near to my revenge. All that is left is to be patient and wait. I smile cunningly as I eat my dinner while my mother and Elena are telling stories about what my mother’s day had been.

The next morning we ride a carriage sent by the mayor with all of our things. We are drop off right into the gate of our now so-called house. My mother and Elena look up at the house with mouth open in amazement.

“This is- This is really ours?” Elena asks as she looks at the house.

“Yes, this is our own house now. Well, we have to work hard so we can make it a nicer place for us to stay. We need to clean it, the yard needs to be trimmed and the clothes inside smell so it needs washing.” I said as I smile and open the gate taking some bags I can carry and enter the gate as the two follow reluctantly behind me holding some of our bags as well.

“But- But, where did you get the money to pay this? This place must have cost you a lot of money.” my mother said as I look for the key and open the door.

“Yes it does, so we need to work as hard since we still have things to pay and buy for this house. BUT the bright side… we have now a house of our own. Let’s get inside so you can see what it looks like. We have to clean it thought.” I said but I just act casually as I enter the house when I notice how the two look at me, they must have noticed my use of weird words.

I just can’t help it since my usual way of speaking in the 21st century is coming at me. All this time I am having a hard time speaking since I have to think first if the words I am going to say is weird in here or not, not to mention I am so annoyed speaking in the manner of Sonia… to be meek, soft, weak and always afraid is not in Zorenia’s vocabulary and attitude. I am more on the world why ME who is the total opposite of Sonia will be awakened in Sonia’s body who is the perfect opposite of me. That is like… I don’t know, a bit weird.

“This is- This is now our home? The place is so… it is so nice and warm.” Elena said as she looks around the house when we enter.

“Yes but first we must do a little cleaning. Mother, you can go on to your work and leave Elena and I do the works here. Don’t give your boss a first bad impression of being absent on your second day. The carriage is waiting for you outside.” I said taking the bags my mother is holding as she looks around the house.

“Alright, I will see you two before sunset.” my mother said as she walks out of the door and we follow after her and wave at her as she rides in the carriage.