A vast expanse of darkness stretched endlessly before her, empty of all but an eerie, beckoning allure.

She stood there, nude, undressed of all in front of the void. A complete abyss, endless darkness devoid of all but insanity. And her only thought, a sense bringing tears to her eyes, "It's beautiful."

~~~

As dawn broke over the countryside of Dorset, casting its golden glow over the sleepy landscape, Maeve stirred from her slumber, feeling a rough shaking sensation rouse her from sleep. Before she knew it, her mother's voice chided gently from the doorway.

"Ah, up with ya, ye silly girl. Sure, you've only yourself to blame for stayin' up so late readin' again. And don't be pretendin' otherwise, dearie."

Blinking sleepily, Maeve caught a hazy glimpse of their modest room as her mother bustled out. Maeve's head was on its way back down towards the pillow as her mother called with a knowing voice.

"And don't be goin' back to sleep, ya silly girl. You promised to help me out today, Maeve, and I'm in a desperate hurry as it is."

"Yes, Mam."

She would rather have gone back to that, dream. With a sigh, she reluctantly pushed herself up, her limbs protesting against the confines of her too-small bed. It was a relic from her childhood, one they couldn't afford to replace even after her unexpected growth spurt. She couldn't help but glance at the empty space where her brother's bed once stood, a pang of longing tightening her chest. Liam had left for America, chasing dreams of fortune, but his absence left a palpable void in their home. Though the dumb oaf never wrote. Their mother often said it was almost a waste to teach him the letters.

Maeve dragged herself over to the basin next to the bed. After splashing her face a bit with the cool water, she felt a bit more awake when looking in the mirror. Taking her brush she started working to untangle her long wavy mane of oak brown hair. A plain and fitting color to her hazel eyes. Though plain was nice. It meant she was less often bothered by the men in town as she did not stick out. Not that she often went into town. It was somewhat far off and cost money she, they, did not have. Instead she stayed home and helped out with the house and paperwork her mother could need helping with, unless like today when she had shores in town.

Again her mind began to drift back to that dream. She was used to remembering her dreams and that they were especially vivid. Most unusual was perhaps how much autonomy she had. Maeve had full control in every situations as far as she knew. Like visiting another world when she was asleep from the waking one that she could often shape at will or traverse and explore to her even beyond her imagination. But this time, it felt so different. She could still see that expanse of something… Her mother called from downstairs, her voice carrying a note of urgency.

"Breakfast is ready, dearie. Are you comin' down this side of summer?"

"Comin', mother!"

Maeve called back, shaking off her drowsiness as she hurriedly dressed in one of her finer cotton dresses, a deep shade of green that complemented her eyes. And a sturdy pair of brown leather boots.

Descending the creaky stairs, Maeve could hear her mother mumbling softly as she often did when reading. She was seated at the kitchen table with brow furrowed in concentration as she pored over a newspaper. Yesterdays, by the look of it.

"Anything important, Mam?"

Maeve inquired, as she joined her at the table.

"Hm? Oh, I'm sure there is, if ya ask some people. Mostly about this dreadful Haymarket affair."

Siobhane's face grew sour at the thought and her voice tinged with bitterness. Maeve frowned, she had not read the newspaper, only knew it was something abroad.

"If you're thinkin' about Liam, I think his last letter mentioned he was workin' up north on the Canadian Pacific railway."

Her mother replied absentmindedly, still engrossed in the newspaper.

"Oh, I'm sure your brother's grand. I was actually seein' if there was any suitable work around here."

Maeve paused, her spoon halfway to her mouth, as her mother's words sank in.

"Are ya lookin' for a new job, Mam? I thought you were happy enough at the school."

Siobhan gave her a look over the paper.

"For you, ya silly girl. Sure, I wouldn't shy away from a job with a bit more pay myself. But I was hopin' to find somethin' suitable for you, dearie."

Maeve felt her belly doing a loop. A mixture of gratitude and nervousness.

"I know we talked about it last week with Da, but we concluded there were no vacancies around the area."

"That may be so, but it doesn't mean I, nor you, can't keep our eyes peeled. God helps those who help themselves, ya know. Good things seldom just fall into your lap."

"I'll keep an eye out when I go to town today. Did ya need me to post anything?"

"Yes, dearie, it's on my writing desk. And don't forget to pick up some tea and milk while you're out."

With their breakfast finished, Siobhan started cleaning up as Maeve stepped out to saddle up the horse, the old mare was calm and perhaps almost as tired as she was to be roused this early.

Maeve bid her mother farewell and set off towards town. The crisp morning air filled her lungs as she guided the horse towards the main road. Once there it began to move along at its own pace along the familiar path, the rhythmic clip-clop of hooves echoing against the quiet countryside.

As Maeve let the horse do its thing, she retrieved a cherished book from the saddlebag. It was one of her favorites from when she was little. An old collection of european fairy tales. She had always been curious about the occult and magic, while she did not believe in such superstitions, the idea of it always sparked her imagination about a world larger than what was known. As young she had at times been fantasizing about being an explorer.

Flipping through the worn pages she found the place she had last left at and started reading, trusting the mare to bring them right. Her mother had more than once scolded her for reading on the road. But it was a long and boring journey.

Not that she got much reading done. The talk that morning was gnawing at her. It was not like she had tried to avoid work. She knew the hardship that they had. Even with her brother sending money at times. And her parents were not getting younger. The small town however did not have that much work that would befit a woman however. And once she had brought up the idea of her moving to the capitol but her parents were not fond of the idea of her leaving by herself.

Lost in her own thoughts, Maeve almost missed the familiar sight of the town coming into view. As she approached, the bustle of activity grew louder, the streets teeming with merchants hawking their wares and townsfolk going about their daily business.

Maeve retook the control of the old mere, leading it towards the post office before it got some ideas about someone else's feed. She dismounted and tied her horse to a nearby post. Though it appeared they just opened there was no one else inside. Maeve retrieved the letters her mother wanted sent and went inside.

The building was bathed in morning light through their big window. The shadows of the post office emblem casting releaf on the poor clerk who did not look like he wanted to be there this early either. 

"Good morning, miss. How can I assist you today?" he greeted her, his voice tinged with a weariness that mirrored her own.

"Good mornin', I'm here to send a few letters for me Mam."

She gave the clerk a smile while handing the letters to him, Maeve watched him put them one at the time on his scale one py one.She realized while seeing him working, he looked rather tired and his gaze was a bit slow as if overthinking every action. Maeve tried to broach the subject, somewhat tentatively.

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"Excuse me, sir. Trouble sleepin' last night, sir?"

The clerk paused, his brow furrowing in thought. Then replied carefully, his tone guarded.

"Huh? Eh, yes, the neighbor's girl… A young woman, a recent addition to the Ashburn household staff, departed in the dead of night, claiming to have seen...well, I'm not quite sure what she claimed to have seen. But it's stirred quite a commotion in town, I can tell you that much."

The Ashburn estate? That would be the Viscount living outside the town. She would have lied if she said this did not interest her. For multiple reasons, but it would not be the first time rumors originated from or about that place. Though people tended to keep such things quiet due to his close friendship with the queen. But she wanted to hear more about this little story. Unable to conceal her curiosity.

"What? How come? It's not proper for a young lady to be out in the middle of the night. Was it... ghosts?"

The clerk shrugged, a weary smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Who's to say? People see all sorts of things in the dead of night, especially when they're spooked. But whatever the reason, it's certainly setting tongues wagging."

He looked back towards his task.

"She had barely been there a fortnight before being asked to be sent back due to homesickness is all I heard."

Maeve was a bit stumped at that. She had almost never heard of the reclusive nobleman more than passing gosip. The only things she knew about the man was that he was the sole loving relative in the family. Having almost no staff, all living at or close to his estates.

"That will be a four pence miss."

"Right."

Thanking the clerk for his help, she handed him the coins with a small curtsy, somewhat distracted herself now. The postman waved as she left the way she came.

Outside again she stood there a short while trying to parse what she was told. Who had it been? And why had they hurried home in the middle of the night?

Still pondering it she started to walk towards the general store down the street. Now when her mind was focused on it, she could suddenly hear the name Alexander on the whispers around her. Not so hard to understand with the situation at hand. A girl running home from her wealthy employer in the middle of night. This would be the talk of the town for weeks.

When she entered the store a bell chimed softly, interrupting the people inside. Maeve saw how they all froze as they looked towards her. She gave a polite smile and started to peruse around the store. Soon enough her ears caught snippets of conversation from the other patrons. They spoke in hushed tones about the events of the previous night, their words laced with speculation and intrigue.

"One can only wonder what flew into her? Leaving so late at night, despite the heavy fog. The viscount sure was a kind soul to rouse his people just to get her home due to some night fright."

"I was not there last night, is it true she spoke of ghosts?"

"Aye, heard she was spooked by something. Talk of ghosts and ghouls, if you ask me."

"She is asleep now, poor girl. But I'm to understand she is not going back. Scared white as a sheet she was."

"I saw the coachman was still about. No one wanted him to drive back in that thick fog. I heard he was to send a new word for London hoping to get someone else to take her job."

"To work there? After this I'm sure it will be hard to find anyone willing."

At this, Maeve had slowly walked around the shop, finding the tea her mother wanted. She could not stop herself from asking.

"What work?"

The women might have forgotten her as soon as she had entered, for they were almost jumping in place of the lot of them at the question.

"Oh my, girl, you frighten me so. Work? What? Oh, she was the Housekeeper I believe."

"Ay, the mayor's daughter. He might have spoiled her a bit too much seeing she… Though from what you hear of that house. Who knows what's roaming those all."

"Oh hush Abigail. That is no way to talk, the poor young man lost his father less than three years ago."

Maeve had never been much for gosip. But what she heard of this reclusive nobleman was peculiar and odd in all the right ways according to her. It reminded Maeve of some of her favorite stories. But perhaps what caught her attention the most was that it sounded like a rare opportunity for employment that she couldn't afford to ignore. She nodded thanks to the women who had already began going into their own discussion again and she turned towards the clearc instead.

"Sorry, I'm in a bit of a hurry. I was hopin' to buy this and some milk."

The shop owner took a second before realizing she was asked to help. The shopkeeper nodded, her expression friendly but guarded.

"Of course, miss. I'll fetch what you need right away."

As Maeve waited, her mind began to race with ideas. She added.

"Oh, and some stationery, as well as a pen and ink."

As soon as Maeve had her package in hand and paid, she bid the shopkeeper farewell hurried back towards the postal office.

"Back so soon, miss? Did you forget anything?"

The postal clerk looked around a bit confused. Though his tired eyes betraying a hint of curiosity.

"I'm sorry, I just realized I have one more thing to post today. Give me a moment to write it."

"Of course. Eh, feel free to use the table over there."

He gestured towards the window. Maeve sat down at the indicated furniture and unpacked the stationary she bought in such a haste. She tried to calm herself as she began writing down a letter to Viscount Alexander. Hoping to gain the now vacant spot of housekeeper. Her mother had said good work just don't fall in one's lap but this was as close as one got. After she finished signing her name at the end, she leaned back and gave a faint sigh of relief. Now all that was left was to write the address.

Her sheeks colored as she realized she needed to ask the postman the actual address. And even more so that he would see her posting it. Perhaps the poor daughter of the mayor would not be the only gossip. Well, it would become common knowledge at one point or another.

"Sir, what would be the address for Viscount Alexander's estates?"

After a second or two of hesitation, he gave her a chuckle.

"Actually, if you wish to reach him at the earliest. His coach driver might still be at the tavern at the end of the street. The whispering oak."

"Thank you good sir."

She gave him a curtsy and folded her letter and tucked it into an envelope. Upon which she simply wrote, to Viscount Alexander Ashburn. And then again started down the street.

The whispering oak was living up to its name. Its dark brown wooden exterior was bearing the weight of years gone by, perhaps as old as the town itself. When entered the iron decorated door, inside she was greeted by a dark and poorly lit hallway, low murmur of people taking their breakfast and the thick aroma of sizzling bacon. A motherly figure came out from what might be the kitchen, giving Maeve a lookover.

"What can we help you with, miss? We are still serving breakfast, or are you looking for a room by chanse?"

Her gaze assessing Maeve with a mixture of curiosity and warmth.

"Good mornin', ma'am. Actually, I was hopin' to speak with the driver from the Viscount's estate. I have a letter for him."

Maeve replied, her voice steady despite the nervous flutter in her chest.

The woman's eyebrows arched in surprise at Maeve's request, and she glanced towards the dining area thoughtfully.

"He's having his breakfast at the moment, but I can see if he's willing to receive any visitors. Alternatively, you could leave the letter with me."

"I would prefer to deliver it in person."

"Very well, wait here."

The woman then disappears back into the depths of the inn. After a brief moment, she returned and beckoned Maeve to follow. The room is about a quarter filled to capacity. Some of morning diners look over as they enter but soon enough return to their meals. Leading her through the dining area, the woman guided Maeve towards a secluded corner of the room where the driver sat alone.

As Maeve approached, the driver looked up from his meal, his expression guarded yet curious. His weathered face bore the marks of a life spent on the road, with lines etched deep into his skin like roads on a map. His eyes, though weary, held a glint of curiosity as they met Maeve's. She began, her voice steady but tinged with nerves.

"Excuse me, sir. I hope I'm not interruptin' your meal, but I have a matter of importance to discuss with you."

The driver regarded her for a moment, his gaze assessing her with a silent intensity.

"And what might that be, miss?"

His tone cautious yet not unkind. Maeve took a deep breath, steeling herself before speaking. Making sure her words were measured and precise.

"I've heard there's a vacancy for a housekeeper at the Viscount's estate, and I'm interested in the position."

The driver's eyebrows lifted in surprise, and he set down his fork, giving Maeve his full attention.

"Is that so? And what makes you think you're suited for such a role?"

Maeve felt a flicker of uncertainty at the question but quickly pushed it aside, determined to make her case.

"I may not have much experience, but I'm hardworking, diligent, and eager to learn. I'm also familiar with the area, havin' lived here all me life, and I believe I could be an asset to the household."

Holding out her letter, she added.

"I have me credentials here with further details. I was schooled by me mother, who's a teacher in this town, and should have all the qualifications for the job."

He looked at the outstretched letter offered to him.

"I think the last woman said much the same."

Despite herself she smirked at that, answering before giving it real though.

"If nothin' else, I don't scare easily. If I could fall asleep to readin' Dracula, then I'm sure I can manage this."

As her mind caught up with her mouth she began to blush. The driver considered her words for a moment before nodding in acknowledgment, the ghost of a smile crooking his lips. Yet his tone was businesslike yet not unkind.

"Very well, miss. I will deliver your letter to the Viscount and inform him of your interest in the position."

"Thank you, sir. I appreciate your assistance."

With a nod of gratitude and a smile she could not keep away, Maeve left the dining area and exited the Whispering Oak Inn. The cool breeze of the morning air greeted her as she stepped outside, her mind buzzing with anticipation and a hint of anxiety. She was so preocupied with her own thoughts she did not manage to react to a man stepping out from behind some crates and brushed against him. Before she managed to apollogize, the persson started berating her.

"Look out ya damn woman! Are you blind or something?"

The man was dressed in what looking like cloth of the faith. Only odd thing there was instead of a crucifix he had a pendant with multiple eyes in a flowery pattern. While she felt his outburst was most unbefitting and that he shared blame for the near collision she rather not get in a long discussion and gave a curtsy while apollogizing. The man however seemed to be in an equal hurry and was already moving away with what sounded like small curses. Somewhat excluding a holy man in her eyes. After calming herself for however long it took to stop her nerves, she headed back to the horse that was waiting for her to bring them home. She could not wait to tell her mother what had happened.

Upon arriving back home, Maeve found her mother busy at work, the sound of her pen scratching against paper filling the room. She approached her with a mixture of excitement and apprehension, hoping her mother would approve of it. Maeve felt almost like exploding, her voice tinged with nerves. Siobhan looked up from her work as she began.

"Mother, I have somethin' to tell ya."

"What is it, dearie? You seem positively brimmin' with excitement."

"I found an opportunity, mother, just as you wished for. Viscount Ashburn has just lost their housekeeper and is lookin' for a replacement."

Maeve's arms spread in a sort of presenting fashion.

"And I sent a letter with me credentials with his coach driver who was in town."

Siobhan let out a little gasp of shock.

"Really? That's good news. Workin' for such a lord, you could be set for life, me dearie."

"You approve then, mother?"

Maeve's mother rose to embrace her.

"Of course ye silly girl. Why would I not?"

Maeve answered somewhat muffled from her mothers deep hug.

"I don't know, there are just so many rumors about that place. I didn't want you to worry about me."

"Oh, my dear sweet girl, I'm your mother. I will do that regardless of anything that becomes of you. Such is my duty and love."

Maeve gave her a heartfelt squeeze back at that.

"I love you too, Mam."

As they parted, Sioban gave Maeve's hand a last squeeze.

"Now let's put on a pot of tea, dearie. And tell me all the details. While I'm glad for your fortune and initiative, I still want to know you're not getting mixed up with something untoward."

"Yes Mam."