Lady Ann's Holiday: Chapter Thirty Four - Part Three

Burt stood watching after Lady Ann for a long while after she left, running back through his mind how it had felt to serve her as servant to lady.

He had spent so long worrying about the humiliation of it that the actual event had not felt… so bad. He was used to showing deference to the quality and it had just been pleasant to be around such a beautiful woman – a woman he had long fantasised about.

He wondered if it was a huge mistake not requesting they swap back but that could happen anytime. He was… enjoying the idea of pretending they would always be like this. If he could request they change whenever he wanted then it was only right that he enjoy the turnabout while he had the chance.

And there had always been a part of him that enjoyed the degradation, right from the very start. Why else would he have chosen to make the swap in the first place?

Harry emerged from the stable house looking cross. “Has she gone Burt?”

“Aye.”

“Well good riddance. Life was better when she was away in the capital.”

“If you say so,” replied Burt. “I’m enjoyin er being back meself.”

“Ye would, ye lovesick fool. She just gave ye your job back.”

Harry walked off grumbling to himself but Burt smiled smugly. It was so great he was a groom again. He was really looking forward to caring for her ladyship’s horse, making sure he got her ready right quick when she needed it. He was determined to work a lot harder to do a good job this time; make sure he got to keep his position.

He chuckled to think of Jeb getting sent back to work the farm. He looked forward to giving him a good ribbing down’t Dog & Pony later.

“You!”

Burt looked round. Lord Hurley was approaching down the drive.

“Is that wizened old fool you call a master present?”

“No m’lord,” replied Burt, instantly intimidated by the rich gentleman.

“Well then, you’ll have to do I suppose.”

“Me sir?”

“Yes. I’m going fishing,” said Lord Hurley. “I gather the river’s a good half mile from here. I need someone to carry the equipment.” He turned and started to walk away then stopped and glanced back irritably. “Well come along then? I don’t have all day to waste!”

“Yes sir,” said Burt and quickly followed after, anxious to avoid a reprimand and eager to do whatever he could to ingratiate himself with his betters.