“Tell me my darling, what does your heart say about this house? Who are these people in the paintings?” He paused for a moment or two and continued. “Rissy, listen to everything around you. Look at the paintings. Allow the scent of this house to enter you. Do not fear my dear lady. Explore anywhere your heart desires, except this one room. You will find what is in there soon enough. You are nowhere near ready to deal with that room. We are going to stay here for awhile. I think you will find that upstairs there is a bedroom most familiar to you, with its own bath and hot water. Heidi has placed your clothes in the closets as well.” He kissed her cheek. “Dinner will be served in a few minutes, so I am going upstairs to wash up. Please join me in the dining room in fifteen minutes.” He dismissed himself, and went to his room. After he finished washing up he descended the staircase, noticing that Rissy had moved deeper into the house. He smiled, glad that she is curious enough to have a look around.
He entered the dining room and looked around. It had been ages since he had eaten here. He noticed that the servants had polished the silver bell. It appeared to be begging to be rung. He waited patiently for Rissy to enter and join him. He hoped that she would hurry. The smell of the roasted goose was divine. He saw the wine that had been chosen and could not believe that his dear servants had been so thoughtful. He would need to increase their pay.
To him the people who cared for the house were family. Rarely did he eat in the dining room unless they and their families joined him, and during those times he prepared the meals. He decided that he would visit the families in the morning, and leave the house wide open to Rissy. The staff was given the day off, and had been told that Rissy was allowed to go wherever she desired except for the room off the foyer. He had never allowed anyone in there, and was not about to do so now.
Rissy had found her room, but wondered how she knew where it was without ever having been in the house before. It was decorated in a style though a little outdated, that fit her sense of style. She went in the bath to clean up. The fixtures were old but elegant and worked as though they were new. The Egyptian cotton towels were so soft she almost lost track of time and then hurried downstairs to the dining room.
When Rissy entered the dining room Johann’s heart stopped. His eyes flashed brightly as so many memories flooded him catching him off guard. He had not seen her spirit in that dress in so long. Her hair was pulled up as it had been ages ago and he had to chuckle a bit when he noticed a few wild tresses, which was so familiar it made him feel more at home with her there. His heart began beating in a quick pace and his soul sang. He tried to hide his excitement from her. Her slight curtsey showed him that she still remembered how to be a lady. He wondered if she had realized what she had done. It was nice to see her curtsey. This was the woman that had fought with him lovingly for so long. In each life she had done so. For a moment he thought he saw the diamond and emerald necklace around her neck, but upon looking again he noticed that it was not there. He had always kept it in the jewelry box on top of the armoire but she had not yet found it. Composing himself, he moved towards her. Taking her hand in his, he bowed to her, lifted her hand gently kissing it, all the while his green eyes focused on those lovely hazel hues. “I am happy that you have decided to join me for dinner. I hope that I am not being too forward in mentioning that you are one of the loveliest ladies that I have ever laid eyes upon. So, Rissy do not apologize for my wait, it was well worth it. Please sit and enjoy this meal with me.” He pulled out a chair for her. He leaned down and smelled her hair, enjoying the fragrance before returning to his place.
Johann rang the bell and the servants carried in a large roasted goose with roasted potatoes and caramelized onions. He smiled as the artichokes, asparagus, and fresh baked bread was brought in, steam still rising from each. “Rissy these people are part of my family; just like Randolf, Svelta, and Charlotte are. They will provide you with anything you may need. I hope that you will grow to love then as I do.” Heidi stated, “Sir she is a very beautiful woman. Why she looks like the one in the portrait in your room.” Johann laughed. “Perhaps she is.” Heidi responded, “Sir that cannot be, for she died over 500 years ago. I think she is her great, great granddaughter, and forgive me for saying so but wouldn’t that make her yours?” Johann just smiled and turned his attention back to Rissy. “Like I said, they are family.” The meal was wonderful and then Heidi brought out the dessert, a large cherry torte. Everything had been perfect and Johann was glad and hoping that Rissy was enjoying herself. “My dear, I hope you are enjoying your stay. I wish it were spring so that you could go out into the gardens.”
He watched her and wanted to invite her to share his room, but knew that now was not the right time for that. He wasn’t sure if it would ever be the right time. Though he seemed quite comfortable and relaxed, it was actually the opposite. The whole staff knew the purpose for him bringing Rissy here, and was a bit worried about what may transpire. Johann had told them to let her do as she wished, though some protested. They had discussed how the memories may be too overwhelming for her, but Johann had made certain that it was understood not to shield her.
He told Rissy that she was the mistress of this house. Heidi called Charlotte as soon as she laid eyes on Rissy. “She is a Moonshower, Charlotte. I can see it within her. Charlotte allowed the girl to speak her mind, and then sternly said, “You know there are things that neither you nor the Mistress of the house knows, but I have always known.” “I followed Johann into that room one day and saw the portrait.” What Heidi said became a bit clearer.” “You are never allowed to go into that room again. I am very serious about this Heidi. That room is very private. He only allows people in there when he feels like it.
For the next few weeks Rissy kept herself busy exploring the house and its treasures. She found the library and was awestruck by the books. Some were even original classics. There was even one of the very first Gutenberg Bibles and it had an inscription.
To my precious love Rissy with all of my love for our wedding April 20th in the year of our Lord and Savior 1455. Johann
Rissy was not sure what to think. The only Rissys or derivations of were in her family. “Had Heidi been right about me being a relative of Johann’s? There’s no way he could be a grandfather to me; he’s much too young and barely in his thirties.” These thoughts ran through her mind and she left the library and went looking for Johann. She could not find him anywhere and became afraid that she had imagined making a trip and someone had bewitched her possibly Wilson for retribution. Johann came around the corner of the garden then and when he saw Rissy he knew something was very wrong. He rushed to her side and she grabbed hold of him. “I…I…I saw the Gutenberg. Please explain. Johann knew it was time for the story to begin. He told her that he would explain tomorrow and that she needed to go lie down and rest.
Rissy rested for several hours and felt better when she came down for supper. “Johann, I really need some explanation.” “I told you tomorrow will be a better time. This cannot be explained now only because there is not enough time to begin. You have already been overwhelmed once today and this will possibly overwhelm you even more.” He looked at her neck and noticed the necklace. “I see you found your necklace.” Instinctively Rissy felt her neck. “My necklace? Johann I don’t have a necklace and I have no idea where this came from.” “It came from the jewelry box on the armoire. Let’s just eat and enjoy the evening.” “I’ll try.” The food was good and the conversation turned to the country side. “Do you ride?” Johann asked Rissy. “Ride what?” She asked. Johann replied. “Horses.” “I’ve never tried. Will you show me?” “Yes, of course I will.” “When can we go?” “In the next day or so. I will have Emmanuel exercise them and make sure they are ready.” “Can we see them now?” “Certainly. Come with me.” They walked out the front of the house and to the left where there was a trail leading into a large pasture and right before the pasture was a large barn with all of the amenities for horses. Emmanuel was there and Johann explained that he and Rissy wanted to go for a ride the next day or so. Emmanuel told them that it would have to be the day after the next. Rissy was excited and felt better. They went back to the house and shared a few glasses of wine. They walked hand in hand up the stairs. Johann kissed Rissy as they stopped at the door to her room and she returned the favor and then Johann headed off to his own room.
Rissy took off the necklace but not before