You run into a familiar maid

The conversation lingered in your thoughts long after Blackwood and his servant had disappeared.

The knowledge you now carried could alter the future of the Ashcombe family.

Yet it was not knowledge you could simply blurt out.

Not without proof or credibility.

You let out a slow breath and forced yourself to think of something else.

As you approached the edge of the woodland, you spotted a familiar figure kneeling beside several baskets.

Emily was carefully gathering empty plates left behind after the hunting party's luncheon.

She looked up as your footsteps disturbed the grass.

"Oh."

"Mr. Thomas."

"I wasn't expecting to see anyone out here."

"Nor was I."

She smiled warmly.

"I've nearly finished."

"I thought I might lend a hand."

"You needn't."

"I insist."

Emily hesitated before handing you one of the lighter baskets.

"Thank you."

Together, you worked in silence for several minutes, carrying dishes back towards the waiting cart.

Only when the final basket had been loaded did Emily finally speak again.

"You seem rather distracted."

"Do I?"

"A little."

She tilted her head.

"You've been looking over your shoulder ever since you arrived."

You laughed quietly.

"I hadn't realised."

Emily smiled.

The two of you began walking slowly along the lakeside path, neither of you in any hurry to return.

After a while, Emily broke the silence.

"Can I tell you something?"

"Of course."

"When I first came to Kingsmere..."

"I nearly left after a fortnight."

"You did?"

She nodded.

"I'd never been away from home before."

"Everything felt enormous."

"I was certain everyone else knew exactly what they were doing. And I didn't."

"What changed?"

"Martha."

Emily smiled immediately.

"She found me crying behind the kitchens. I thought she'd laugh. Instead she sat beside me and said..."

Emily's imitation of Martha's voice was surprisingly convincing.

"'You'll either learn, or you'll make spectacular mistakes. Either way, you'll survive.'"

You couldn't help but laugh.

"That sounds like her."

"It really does."

Emily laughed with you.

"I don't think she realised how much it helped me."

She looked ahead thoughtfully.

"I've always admired how fearless she seems."

"I don't think she's fearless."

"No?"

"I think she simply refuses to care what other people think."

Emily considered that.

A gentle breeze stirred the reeds along the water's edge.

"My father used to say I was too curious."

She smiled to herself.

"He always caught me climbing trees or wandering places I wasn't supposed to."

"What happened?"

"He became ill."

"I was fifteen."

"After that..."

She shrugged gently.

"...there wasn't much time left for adventures."

"I had to grow up rather quickly."

"I'm sorry."

"So was I."

"But life keeps moving."

She looked towards the lake, where the afternoon sun shimmered across the water.

"I still hope, one day, to travel."

"Perhaps see the sea."

"Or the mountains."

"I've only ever read about them."

"I hope you do."

Emily turned to you.

"You really believe I might?"

"I do."

She held your gaze for a quiet moment before smiling.

"I like that about you. The way you speak… You make difficult things seem possible."

A distant horn echoed through the estate.

Emily glanced towards the sound.

"I suppose we'd better return."

"The others will be wondering where we've gone. They’ll think I kidnapped you"

As you walked back together, the weight of Blackwood's secret remained firmly upon your shoulders.

But somehow, after spending time with Emily, it no longer felt quite so heavy.

Some people reminded you what was worth protecting in the world.

Emily was undoubtedly one of them.