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Petal snorted inelegantly but, before she could say anything, the faint jingle of a bell rattled in the kitchen.
“It’s for you. The master wants you to fetch another tray for him.” It was evident from the disparaging tone in Edwards’ voice just how menial she felt this job was.
“Then I shall do so and gladly because he should be in a sorry state without food and drink to wash down the Laudanum he doesn’t know you keep giving him.”
The pointed look she gave the nurse made Edwards’ face blush, but Petal suspected it didn’t have anything to do with guilt. Anger flared in the woman’s cold grey eyes to the point that Petal wondered briefly if she was actually going to strike her. Before a hand could be raised, she hurried out of the room and took to the servants’ stairs without a backward look.
She was deeply shaken by the venom behind the altercation. It was unnerving to think that she had been subjected to that level of hatred, but had done nothing to the woman to deserve the venom other than defend herself against the unfair accusations being levelled on her.
Once in the hallway upstairs, she took a moment to compose herself. Relishing the precious silence that enveloped her, she leaned her head against the wall and willed herself to keep the tears at bay.
For the first time since she had entered the house she truly began to wonder whether she would be able to keep her job after all. It was disconcerting to think that it wasn’t likely to be due to any mistake she had made. Or the master’s displeasure with something she had done. It would be down to another servant’s determination to elevate her standing within the household.
She wasn’t quite sure what to do about it.
Wiping away her tears, she jumped when Rollo left the master’s bedroom.
“Oh, there you are. I was just ringing for you,” he said as he walked steadily toward her.
He frowned at something over her shoulder.
Petal turned to see what it was and gasped when she saw an upended plant sitting to one side of the hallway at the far end, its contents strewn everywhere.
“That wasn’t there earlier, I swear it,” she protested as she walked toward the mess.
Rollo followed her. “Just clean it up. Before you do, would you do something for me?”
Petal looked at him.
“Don’t mention it to anybody.”
Their eyes met. She knew then that he suspected Edwards was the culprit. She nodded.
“I will tell the master that you are on your way. He is awake again and wants you to read to him.”
She nodded and felt a now familiar flurry settle deep in the pit of her belly. Inwardly, she was thrilled at the special arrangement they had. Not only did it fulfil her love of reading but she got to spend some time with rather dashing a new master of the house. While she knew it was foolish in a way to encourage the burgeoning affection she felt toward him, as long as she continued to remind herself that nothing could, or ever would, come of it then what harm would it do? He would soon be on his feet and able to move about a bit more freely. Then he wouldn’t need her to read to him. After the events of the afternoon, that day wouldn’t be too far away.
She quickly cleaned up the mess on the floor and was tidying away when Edwards swept past laden with a heavy tray full of the master’s dinner.
“Seeing as you are busy, I shall serve Aidan his dinner,” she smirked.
Petal watched her go, but voiced no objection. As soon as Edwards had disappeared from sight, Petal lifted the plant off the dresser and took it down to the library. She placed it carefully on a side table out of the way and returned to the kitchen.
It was hard to ignore the slightly bereft feeling she felt at being denied the opportunity to read. However, what disturbed her more was the realisation that her disappointment had more to do with not being able to spend more time with the master than the written word.
“Get back to work,” she ordered herself.
“What’s that?” Aggy asked from the doorway.
Petal looked at her friend. “I have brought you a new plant. It keeps being knocked over upstairs. Make sure you keep it away from Edwards.” She frowned at the foliage. “It needs some tender loving care.”
“What’s wrong?” Aggy followed her curiously when Petal didn’t answer.
The scullery had rapidly turned into their favourite place to chat. Unfortunately, their conversation was postponed by the small bell Mrs Kempton rang announcing their dinner. Aware that the one thing the housekeeper refused to accept was tardiness at meal times, both girls suspended their conversation and hurried into the kitchen.
Petal had only just sat down when the jangle of the bell broke the quiet.
“The master wants you again,” Mrs Kempton called.
