North Mansion Part 6

He disappeared for two days later that week, leaving a note with for Mr. Flanders to give her. It informed her he had some work to complete and that he would be back before the weekend. Honestly, Eleanor needed a break from what felt like a visitor being in the house and to indulge herself in the massive library for two days was just what she wanted. For the week, her brother had lived in the mansion, part of her had been distracted from mourning, but with her guardian suddenly gone, she felt the hole her father left very keenly. She fell to silence, not striking conversations with any of the household staff. Her tutor was not there to engage her with learning or conversation, so she hid away. The butler became worried about her, she didn’t show up for meals and didn’t sleep in her bed, but on the floor of the library on a rug before the fire, or in one of the large armchairs. Once he walked in to find her in tears, but instead of speaking, she rushed past him, to spend the day out in the woods, returning only once her composure had, hours later. Mr. Flanders had no way of reaching James and so bore his concern in silence, but with diligent watching eyes. He felt it his responsibility to keep the girl safe in the lord’s absence.