I waited for the summons for supper in the chambers I had been given. I tried to focus on the facts and stay rational, but it wasn't working; I was a total wreck!

Andrew was charming, funny, charismatic, we shared common interests, and he was extremely good-looking, it was true. I was sure my parents would approve of the match in terms of the influence and money his family would bring to the table (all that useless garbage). But still, it all seemed so unbelievable that Andrew was interested, that he was somehow attracted to me, when he had refused so many other women... It troubled me. He had to be a very strange man, to like someone so odd as I!

My sense of disquiet grew as the hour grew later, and still no one came to fetch me, or even to tell me to prepare. I began to pace. Could it be that Andrew's family had disapproved? Surely my family hadn't? Then, the most humiliating thought of all: had Andrew changed his mind, come to his senses? Surely I would at least have gotten dinner, then?

When a knock came at the door, I forced myself to sit down and assume a look of quiet, indifferent composure. "Come in." It was Meredith, but she brought with her a tray of food!

My heart almost shattered at the sight. With a struggle, I maintained a neutral expression as she approached me, pushing her tray. I felt tears threaten, but banished them immediately.

I should have known better than to believe Andrew for a second! I knew Meredith would probably know nothing of what had happened, and even if she did, she'd likely get in trouble if she let on, were I to ask her. I'd have to wait until someone deigned to inform me of my fate.

Meredith turned to shut the door to the chambers behind her. Unusual... She looked at me apologetically. "Mistress, I would normally not ask such a question, so I beg pardon for my rudeness. Can you read letters?"

I was, indeed, totally shocked that Meredith would ask me if I was literate. Unlike most would be, I wasn't offended per se, but I wondered why she wanted to know. "I can. Did you want lessons while I am here?"

Meredith grinned so broadly, clearly overjoyed, I felt happier than I had in the hours I'd been waiting, (though apparently waiting for nothing but disappointment). She shook her head as she reached into her pocket. "Thank the Lord! Master Andrew gave me this, as a message for you, mistress, and I'll keep the secret! You can trust me, mistress! Ring if you have need of me overnight, and have a fine evening."

She handed me a neatly folded piece of paper, and turned to go, but then turned back. "Mistress, if anyone asks, all I done was pass along the message from Lord (Y/L/N) that you'd be departing tomorrow morning. So, if I may speak my mind, it may be best to read that note sooner, rather than later." She beamed happily at me, clasping her hands together, before bobbing a curtsy and leaving, shutting the door behind her.

Curious, I unfolded the paper to find a decently legible script. It was only one line, and it made no sense. "Pull on the elephant's trunk." Under that, "-Andrew". Was that some kind of sexual euphemism? I checked the tray of food quickly for bananas, and found none. Was Andrew saying he wanted me to masturbate him? How odd! He wouldn't even let me look, earlier... So that seemed unlikely.

Unless... This was an old house. Maybe it had some sort of hidden drawers, triggered by elephant-noses? Quickly I looked around the room for any suspicious-looking elephants. I found a total of three.

The first was a small figurine, it looked to be a carving made of wood. Not wanting to break it, I gently tugged on its trunk. It proved to be firmly attached. Nothing happened, though I thought I heard a sound like a dog breaking wind. Maybe I was close!

The second was a mask that was extremely high on the wall. I wasn't sure how to reach it safely without climbing the bookshelf. I decided to skip to the third, for the time being.

The third elephant was also some manner of carving. I was no expert, but it looked to be African. It hung on the wall, but at about head-height. I grasped the trunk and tugged, nearly yelping when it gave to the gentle pressure and clacked into place lower down!

I heard something click and snap. There was a whoosh of air pressure changing, and a section of wall before me slid away!

I prepared to scream in terror when a man appeared from the shadows and grabbed me! He had a hand over my mouth; I would surely die here! I prepared to defend myself to the last when I heard Andrew's voice, sounding panicked. "It's me, it's me! Not the privates again!"