LADY ANN'S FOLLY: Chapter Six - Part Four

Hattie was still considering her plans when she went through to the sitting room and she eyed her parents and aunt and uncle quietly, sitting on the window seat.

Reggie and Felicity were playing patty cake, crossed legged on the rug, giggling overloudly when they made mistakes, which was frequently. The Earl, Hattie’s father, was reading his paper while her mother chatted animatedly with Uncle Patrick and Aunt Geraldine about fashion. Hattie didn’t join the conversation; she simply observed behind a mask of self-satisfied megalomania.

With the pendant she truly had the power to do anything she wanted to these people and the idea of that was riotously entertaining. Just enjoying that sense of domination was pleasure enough. The idea of acting on it was magnificent.

Reggie and Felicity got up and started playing ring a ring o’ roses, again overloudly. The Earl rattled his paper and sighed but the other grownups ignored them.

Nellie, the new maid came in carrying a tea tray and set it down next to the wall. She carried cups of tea to the Countess and Aunt Geraldine then went back for Uncle Patrick’s and the Earl’s. Uncle Patrick gave a little grunt when he took his but didn’t make eye contact with the skinny girl. Hattie, by contrast, observed everything.

Nellie took the last cup to the Earl but cried out in surprise as Reggie swung too wide on his circle and bashed against her legs, tipping her off balance. She rocked hard, struggling to keep the last teacup steady, but failed to do so. The hot liquid spilled over the edge of the cup and splattered all across the Earl’s newspaper and onto his legs.

He sprang to his feet angrily, batting at his legs. “You blithering idiot girl! Look what you’ve done!”

“I’m so sorry mi’lord,” she cried, disconsolate, “I didn’t mean to spill it.”

“Well it’s far too late for that, you bloody fool! The damage is done! What good is apologising now you simpering child!? That won’t take back what you’ve done, will it?”

“No sir. I’m so sorry sir.”

“Don’t apologise, I said!” roared the Earl, towering over the maid to the extent that she cowered. “Get out of here! Send in somebody who actually knows what they’re doing! And pray I don’t have you dismissed for this insolent behaviour!”

Tears were rolling down the girl’s cheeks as she struggled across to her tea tray with the half empty teacup.

“Leave that you fool!” bellowed the Earl. “I told you to get out! Is that clear?”

“Yes sir. I’m sorry sir,” said Nellie, wavering.

“Then go!”

“Yes sir. Sorry sir.” She fled from the room, weeping as she got clear of the door.

The Earl swiped at his trousers then agrily hurled his paper into the corner. “I’ve never seen such bad behaviour in a servant,” he snapped. I don’t know why you hired the girl Elizabeth. She’s deplorable.”

“Oh come now dear,” replied the Hattie’s mother. “She may be clumsy and her manners have something to be desired, but it was that naughty boy who caused the trouble. Wasn’t it Reggie?”

Reggie abruptly stopped swinging round with his sister and looked embarrassed and forlorn. He said nothing.

“Answer your aunt boy,” growled his father.

“I’m shorry auntie,” said Reggie, hanging his head.

“I think we’ve all had quite enough of your rowdy behaviour Reggie,” said Elizabeth. “I don’t care how old you are. It’s high time you started acting like a little gentleman rather than a spoiled child.”

“Yesh auntie. I’m shorry.”

“You can say you’re sorry until you’re blue in the face but I’ll believe you’re going to act maturely when I see it and not before. Go out in the garden and take your sister with you. At least there won’t be much you can damage out there.”

Reggie and Felicity started toward the door.

“And Reggie…” said Elizabeth.

The children stopped. “Yesh auntie?”

“I hope you’re going to behave better at our picnic tomorrow. If you act as childishly there as you have today then I expect your parents would be more than happy for me to choose an appropriate punishment. Do you understand?”

The six year old hung his head again and sidled out of sight.

And in her corner vantage point, Hattie continued to watch and to plan, a smile playing across her lips.