Lady Ann's Folly: Chapter Two - Part Seven

Ann stared in horror at the elegant lady before her, an icy sweat breaking out down her back and down her limbs. Goose pimples formed and she visibly shivered.

This couldn’t be happening to her; this absolute worst occurrence.

She didn’t know what to say. What could she say? She really was Mavis now – just a commoner. This woman in front of her had truly become Lady Ann. She was wearing Lady Ann’s clothes. She was the one and only Lady Ann without any room for dispute. All this Ann had to do was scream for help and she wouldn’t have a prayer of turning this situation back to her advantage.

Oh why had she been so foolish? Why had she allowed herself to lose all power?

There was an awful moment between them as that defiant question hung, waiting for an answer, then something clicked in Ann’s mind and she snapped back the sharp retort, “Don’t be so impertinent girl!”

Another moment came as the apparent lady’s face contorted in a mixture of insolence, surprise and shame.

Ann didn’t allow her a moment to gather herself. She stepped toward her, pointing at the chair. “Sit down immediately and don’t you dare question me or I’ll have your guts for garters!” She herded Mavis backwards, keeping her off balance. “Hurry up! I don’t have all day! If you expect to see any of that money then you won’t question me again. I’ve a good mind to have you flogged the minute we change back!”

Flustered, Mavis didn’t resist as she was driven back. She had been brought up to recognise and obey the tone of her betters and those instincts forced her into her seat.

Ann didn’t let up the pressure though. She didn’t give Mavis a moment to gather her thoughts; to realise how much more authority she had now if only she knew how to use it. “That’s it. Now keep still and put your hands on the arms. Don’t act like an idiot. At least pretend to have some class. Lord knows you need some you ignorant girl!”

Mavis did as she was told, allowing herself to be tied to the chair. Ann  worked hard to do it quickly, putting herself out of harm’s way as securely as she could. When she was sure there was no chance Mavis could free herself, Ann stood up.

“There,” she said. “Good. Thank you. You’ll receive your reward the moment this is over.”

“I better,” replied Mavis. “Why are you doin this anyways?”

Ann turned away. She looked at herself in the wall mirror, quailing slightly at the sight. To all the world she really was Mavis now. She mouthed the words, “I’m Mavis,” and in response a light vibration buzzed at the back of her skull. “Never you mind,” she said aloud. “All you need concern yourself with is the fact that in two to three hours, maybe less, you will have more money than you know what to do with.”

Mavis was looking at the money again on the table but she broke from that long enough to watch Ann retrieve the pendant from the floor by its chain, put it back in its box and secrete it in a pocket of her skirt. Ann smiled at her and said, “I know this is strange and unprecedented but you will be well rewarded, I assure you. I’ll be back in no time.” She frowned, thinking, then on a whim and to reassure herself as much as the beauty in the chair she added, “If you remain here quietly and swear never to tell another soul about this, I may see about rewarding you further. What would you say to getting ten pounds instead of five?”

Mavis grinned. “I wouldn’t say no to that and no mistake.”

“Good girl.” Ann turned to go then hesitated.

She hadn’t intended to go through with this but now she’d found herself in the position to it seemed silly not to.

Though it wasn’t too late. She could still go back on this happenstance; transform back into herself.

She thought about it for a moment and about Richard’s staid expression; the overbearing mother-in-law waiting for her in Nockton.

“Just wait quietly,” she said. “I really won’t be long.”

Then she went to the door and let herself out before she could change her mind.