Time Cursed

  * * *

  Arlana felt someone poking her in the side.

  “You girl, hey you, get up! What are you doing sleeping in the bushes anyway?”

  Arlana opened her eyes and was staring up at a girl with a plump round face and rosy cheeks wearing a gauzy white dress with an apron and cap.

  “Finally you’re awake. Well it doesn't matter where you come from today is your lucky day.”

  “It is?” Arlana replied.

  “That's right. I am headed up that hill to the Giordano's home. They need two new servants and my sister was ill so I will need you to accompany me. I think this will solve both our problems, room and board is included,” she smiled then and offered Arlana a hand to get up. “I've never seen anyone with eyes like yours, they look almost golden, maybe it is sign of future wealth for you and I,” she laughed. “What is your name?”

  Arlana looked at her and thought, my name, what is my name? That should be an easy question to answer. “It's um er..”

  “Amber, well that's lovely, just like your eyes.”

  Arlana nodded. She felt lost and disoriented, but the name Amber did seem right, at least it sort of did. She was glad that this person seemed friendly; it did feel right to go with her. “What's your name?”

  “It's Lilliana,” She continued to smile. She had warm friendly doe like eyes that were large and trusting.

  They continued to walk up the hill. There were fields of grapevines to their right and left almost as far as the eye could see. There was a large tower toward the top of the hill and a grand house that sprawled out around it. All along the roadside there were giant green hedge trees with some shade trees interspersed between them here and there. As they were getting closer to the entrance Lilliana suddenly stopped in her tracks. Arlana stopped also and looked back towards Lilliana, “What is it?” Arlana asked.

  Lilliana looked at Arlana with a scrutinizing look, “Well, the dress will do,” she nodded. The dress she was wearing did look similar to Lilliana’s white and blousy sleeves, laced up the front. “I do have an extra cap, but no extra apron, but don't worry I'm sure they have plenty there.” She helped Arlana secure the cap over her hair. She appraised her once more. “One more thing”, she tucked the necklace under her dress, “You won’t want to be showing any jewelry, one of the other servants might get jealous and take it, or the owners may think you stole it. You may want to take that ring off too,” she pointed towards Arlana's finger.

  Arlana looked down and saw the ring. What a beautiful ring she thought and smiled, for some reason she felt that she didn't want to take it off. Lilliana noticed her hesitation.

  “Was that a gift from a young man? You don't want to take it off?”

  “Um, no, I mean no I don't want to take it off.”

  “Why don't you just add it to your necklace and then tuck them into your dress?”

  Arlanna nodded her head, “Good idea.” She added the ring to her necklace and followed Lilliana to the front gate.

  “Servants enter in the back!” hollered a man standing by the gate. Arlana felt the urge to run. She felt so disoriented and did not understand what was happening. Her head was hurting and she wasn’t sure if she could continue on. Just as she was about to turn around Lilliana grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the back entrance.

  “I’m sorry Amber that was foolish of me to lead us towards the front. My sister is always the one that knows where to go.” Lilliana said apologetically.

  Arlana still feeling at a loss just smiled at Lilliana. “I am sorry I do not know the proper protocol either. What type of servants will we be?” She asked trying to distract Lilliana from feeling bad.

  “Type of servants?” Lilliana questioned as she looked at Arlana. Lilliana began to realize that this girl she found was truly unique. She had such stunning looks with her red hair and amber eyes. She had never seen anyone in the area with such a combination. “Um, you know the usual, house servants. I am beginning to think you are not from around here Amber. Where are you from?”Lilliana inquired.

  “I, uh, I don’t know” Arlana replied confused. The more she tried to think of her name or tried to remember anything she could not.

  “How can that be? Surely if you don’t know then who would know?” Lilliana asked feeling confused.

  “I can’t remember a thing…” Arlana looked at Lilliana with confusion. Her head began to ache and she felt light headed.

  “Amber! Sit down, you have turned so pale! Don’t worry I will help you out.” Lilliana said with growing concern.

  Arlana sat down on a large rock that sat on the side of the lane and put her head in her hands. She tried taking deep breaths.

  “I don’t know what it is about you but I feel like I need to take care of you. It is so strange. What could have happened to you to cause you to lose your memory? Well, whatever it is you seem to be getting your color back. We should continue on. We are expected and I would rather not delay any longer. I need the work.” Lilliana said with concern.

  Arlana looked up at Lilliana and smiled shakily. “Yes let’s continue on. I am sorry to be such trouble. You have been so kind to me. I will never forget it.” Arlana said meekly.

  Lilliana smiled and helped Arlana up. “No worries. You are also helping me. My sister and I were so lucky to get the job. One of us working for the Giordano’s would help our family but when we found out they wanted both of us we couldn’t believe our good fortune. Then Lena got so sick. She has had a fever for days. We couldn’t delay our start of work so Mama sent me off on my own. I can’t wait to get there! I hear the villa is full of rich and amazing items! The Dona is not Italian. I believe she is from the United States. She came with her family on tour and met the Dom. Apparently it was love at first sight. She is said to have beautiful red blonde hair and brilliant green eyes. You know from the descriptions I have heard your hair is very much like hers. Ha ha you could be related!” Lilliana rambled on ending with a wink at Arlana. “When we go inside let me talk. Since you don’t know who you are we will make up something. Looking at you I know I can’t pass you off as family….perhaps we will call you an old family friend. I will think of something.”

  Arlana smiled and nodded at Lilliana. She couldn’t imagine what type of questions she might be asked but she knew she would have no answers.

  They arrived at the back entrance and knocked on the door. A young girl opened the door. She looked at Lilliana and then her eyes widened when she noticed Arlana. “Um, may I help you?” She asked tentatively.

  “Yes” Lilliana replied. “We are the new house servants. I am Lilliana and this is Amber. I was told to ask for Senora Draco. Is she here?”

  “Please come in” the girl responded still staring at Arlana. Arlana felt uncomfortable being stared at but she managed to smile and follow Lilliana in.

  They found themselves in what Arlana gathered was a very large kitchen. The girl led them through the kitchen to a side room that held a desk, chairs and a few bookcases loaded with ledgers. At the desk sat a slender woman. Her gray hair was done up in a bun that pulled tightly at her scalp. She was wearing a gray skirt with a white cotton blouse that buttoned up to her neck. The sleeves covered her arms and buttoned neatly at the woman’s wrists. She looked up at the girl who let them in and frowned. Her eyes narrowed as she turned her gaze to Lilliana. She looked her up and down and her lips pursed tightly together. “Senora Draco. These are the new girls you hired.” Said the serving girl meekly.

  “Thank you Gabriella. You may leave.” Replied Senora Draco.

  Gabriella curtseyed and left quietly.

  Senora Draco turned her gaze to Arlana and her eyes widened as her mouth opened in surprise. “I distinctly remember hiring sisters. It is quite obvious you are not sisters.” She stated bluntly.

  “Yes you are correct. My sister took very ill and my mother felt that she needed to fulfill her promised two servants to you so I have brought our dear friend Amber. She is quite capa
ble and is very quiet.” Lilliana lied smoothly.

  Senora Draco narrowed her dark brown eyes at Lilliana. She had a look of disbelief which worried Arlana. She felt that she needed to be in this house and was afraid that Senora Draco would dismiss her. She smiled meekly.

  “I see. It was good of your mother to honor her promise.” Senora Draco said in a tight curt voice that held no warmth. She looked at Arlana, “Where do you come from my dear. Your coloring is not from here.”

  “No her parents are old friends of my parents. Her lineage is …French but she has grown up in this area.” Lilliana lied again.

  Senora Draco pursed her lips together and frowned at Lilliana. “I believe I directed my question to Amber. Perhaps you need to learn manners and speak only when spoken to Lillian” She said curtly.

  Lilliana’s eyes widened. She lowered her gaze to the floor and apologized.

  “Please do not be angry with Lilliana. It is my fault. I get so nervous that I cannot find words many times. She is used to helping me out. It is nothing more than a force of habit. I apologize.” Arlana pleaded to Senora Draco.

  Senora Draco turned her gaze towards Arlana, there was a look of shock in her eyes. Arlana felt frantic. She had to stay in this house. She couldn’t let her or Lilliana lose on this opportunity. As she searched for the right thing to say Senora Draco’s look softened. “No apology is necessary child. I was surprised by your appearance. You look very much like the portrait of the Dona’s sister, but I can see from your impeccable Italian that you could not be she. The Dona has said many times that her sister has no ear for languages. Very well I will show you to your quarters and then I will have Gabriella show you your tasks.” Senora Draco said with authority. She looked at Lilliana’s and Arlana’s clothes and grimaced. “I will have Gabriella bring you appropriate clothes. This is a respectable house with many important visitors. You must look as you belong. Lilliana burn your dress. It reeks of poverty! Amber I will have your dress cleaned. I believe if it were clean it would be quite becoming. Strange that you have such a nice outfit.”

  “Um, it is my best dress. My, uh, grandmother sent it to me from France.” Arlana lied smoothly.

  “Senora, did you need me” Gabriella asked when she walked into the room.

  “Ah Gabriella my dear. Please show Lilliana and Amber the servants’ quarters and please give them appropriate clothes. They will be our new house maids. I will give you their tasks while they get dressed.”

  “Yes Senora Draco” Gabriella curtseyed and looked towards Arlana and Lilliana, “Please come this way.”