The Lost Princess

A Perfect Day For the Beach

The view from Moore Manor was spectacular.

    "We'll get rowdy teens every now and again so make sure to check the gate is locked. Your schedule will start at exactly seven-thirty every morning you will deliver Eloise her breakfast and remain with her till she is finished. Once done I need you downstairs to start with repairs."

    "Yes ma'am," I lifted the tray of food in my arms and started my way upstairs. 

    According to Mrs. Stevens the stairs leading up to Eloise's room were to hard on her legs. So I'd be in charge of most things regarding her. I couldn't help but feel they were putting a lot of faith into a stranger.

    "Ms. Moore, I've brought your breakfast," Using my boot I pushed the door to her room open. Setting the lamp on her nightstand I placed the tray of food beside her on the bed and gently helped her sit up. 

    Her thin arms wrapped around me and a cold shiver traveled down my spine.

    "Thank you, Ryan." She winced but carefully pushed her dark hair out of her eyes. "Soup again I see."

    "It's good for you," I placed the tray on her lap and carefully poured her a cup of orange juice. 

    "So Macy says, how good could it be? I'm still here." She sounded almost bitter. But when she smiled at me I thought I must've imagined it. "Have you eaten yet?"

    "I had my fill downstairs."

    "You know I haven't left this bed in almost ten years." She chuckled. "I'm sick."

    "If you'd rather not--"

    "What's the weather like outside?" She raised her spoon her hand trembling. "Is it any good nowadays?"

    What a strange girl. "It's sunny today, a perfect day to go to the beach."

    She seemed to be struggling to keep her hand from shaking. I couldn't decide if I should help her or not.

    "Do you live in Crestview?" She asked me.

    "Born and raised. I left a few years for college but came back to find some work." Why was I telling her so much? 

    "And you became a butler for the Willows' Manor?" She smiled at my shocked face. "I read your resume. Or I tried to. It's so dark in here."

    "Would you like me to open the window?"

    "I don't know, the sunlight hurts my eyes." She seemed to be perplexed by something. She dropped her spoon into her bowl and leaned towards me. "I tried telling Macy before but she didn't believe me. They're watching us."

    "Who is?" I found myself asking before mentally chastising myself. Eloise Moore was sick in the head, that much was true. And apparently she was also paranoid.

    She shook her head and sat back. Eloise finished the rest of her meal silently and dismissed me wordlessly. As I closed the door behind me I could feel her eyes glued to my back.

                                                                                                    #

Mrs. Stevens had made me a list by the time I'd come back downstairs. It was a mile long and told me all the vast repairs Moore Manor would need to undergo.

    "It would be quicker to hire some more hands," I told her only for her to click her tongue at me and scurry back into the kitchen.

    I spent the better part of the morning mapping out where every little fix needed to happen. And then most of the afternoon actually starting repairs. 

    I chose to start with the biggest mess, the garden.

    "Mr. Jonas, would you like some lemonade?" Mrs. Steven's called from the doorway of the kitchen which led out to the back yard where I was at work ripping out weeds.

    Chugging down the pink drink I took a second to admire the scenery.

    "The original owners built Moore Manor to overlook the coastline. You can still see it from the master bedroom."

    Moore Manor was massive, three main floors which stretched so far on either side it was impossible to see one end from the other. The fourth floor was only visible from the outside and I still hadn't figured out how to get there.

    "200 miles each direction, all property owned by the Moore family." 

    The lemonade in my mouth threatened to spew all over the front of my shirt. 200 miles!

    "Of course most of it is housing, Crestview pays a hefty amount to the family every year." Mrs. Stevens spoke so casually I thought I must've been the one overreacting. "And the extended family lives all throughout the property, of course, that's at the liberty of Krystal Weber, Eloise's cousin. She took over when all this happened."

    I remembered Lucy, yesterday when I'd left Willows Manor. She'd mentioned something about the whole Weber lady.

    "It's almost dinner time Mr. Jonas. Would you mind?"

    "Of course, let me freshen up a bit. I smell worse than a sewer." She laughed as she reentered the kitchen. I stood staring over Crestview for a second later. Eventually, I went to my room and rushed to the shower.

    I only found the book when I was changing into a new set of clothes.