Lady Ann's Folly: Chapter One - Part Seven

Hattie sat scowling to herself as the butler led the two new servants into the drawing room for inspection. Elizabeth, her mother, and Aunt Geraldine were waiting to make their verdict. The Earl was off somewhere else with his brother, talking about boring men’s things no doubt.

Hattie was still furious about the way her parents blamed her for what happened with the stablehand. It hadn’t been her fault at all! She sat in the corner, stewing crossly.

One of the new servants was male, a footman; the other was female, a maid. Both were in their very early twenties, about the same age as Hattie. The maid had blond hair ties up in a bun. She was slim and pretty enough for one of her class but her nose was perhaps a tad too big for her face and her chin was weak. The footman was quite handsome but slim. His hair was black and very curly and he had a mischievous glint in his eye. They both regarded Elizabeth warily.

“Welcome to the staff at Griply Hall,” said Elizabeth imperiously. “If you do as you as told when you are told it then you may have a long life of service here. What is your name girl?”

“Nellie madam.”

“You do not address me as madam girl, is that clear? Powell will teach you the proper forms of address.”

“Sorry m’lady.”

“Do you believe in God child?” asked Elizabeth.

“Yes. I do. I love the good Lord and our saviour, the baby Jesus.”

“Good. Religion can be a wonderful succour to the working class. I expect you to keep up your Bible study while under this roof, is that clear?”

“Yes... m’lady.”

“And you boy,” said Elizabeth, regarding the young man. “Who are you?”

“Grady,” he replied. “Oliver Grady. Footman.”

“Hmmm.” She regarded him suspiciously. “I expect you to work hard; both of you. We have very high standards here at Griply Hall and we expect top flight service from those in our employ.”

“Yes m’lady.”

“You may go Grady, but Nellie; I want you to stay. I will be going through your duties in greater detail; and woe betide you if you forget anything.”

The footman and butler left the roomand Elizabeth started to gather her thoughts but as she started the speak the door bashed open and little Reggie ran in, noisily pretending he was riding a horse. He circled the room at spend and then gave out a great neigh.

“Oh for goodness sake Reggie,” declared Elizabeth. “This isn’t a schoolyard. A little decorum, please.”

The little boy stopped and hung his head, saying “Shorry Auntie” with his characteristic lisp.

“Sorry isn’t good enough young man,” she replied. “I’m sure your mother would agree.”

Aunt Geraldine joined her sister-in-law in looking sternly down at the chubby little six year old. He looked forlornly back at them looking equal parts adorable and ridiculous with his overdressed outfit and pageboy hair.

“If you were a little older I might give you lines to write. As it is I want you to go and sit on the stairs until I say you can move.”

“Oh pleashe Auntie. I’m shorry. I didn’t mean to caushe trouble.”

“Not another word young man,” she snapped back. “Get out into that hall this instant or I will call your father through and then there really will be hell to pay.”

Reggie stomped moodily out into the hall to have his punishment and Hattie looked back at her mother, feeling angrier at her if anything at her rotten treatment of the child. He was only a little boy. He didn’t know any different. Her punishment of him was as unjust as the blame laid on Hattie herself for the legal troubles her father was in.