Tuesday 3 February 2015

LADY ANN'S FOLLY: Chapter Nine - Part Six

Nellie was the last to wake up and she was propped still at one end of the chaise longue, stiff and uncomfortable.

She stretched and yawned, wondering where she was, then abruptly stood and made for the door, alarmed and worried that she had overslept when there were jobs to do.

But then she realised where she was and just like the others, realised who she was. “By ecky thump,” she murmured, covering his lips and nose.

She recalled the conversation the previous night and the promise that the real Lady Harriet would return and felt confused and troubled that she’d been left there without instruction. What was she supposed to do now?

She went back to the mirror and had a look at herself. Her beautiful face was framed by the dark curls. There wasn’t a single flaw in her features or body that she could see. She was much better looking than she had been all her life. It was extraordinary.

“I wish I could stay this way,” she whispered. “I’d take life as a lady any day of the week rather than being a maidservant.”

She knew she wouldn’t be allowed to though. Lady Harriet obviously had some mischief planned but Nellie knew enough to see she was just a tool for the lady’s ultimate ends to be discarded when no longer useful.

She sighed, wondering when Lady Harriet would return in her body to either swap them back or tell her what to do next.

Should she stay in the room until then? Or go downstairs and pretend to be the real lady? Despite the allure of interacting with others looking like this, Nellie didn’t like the idea of that second one.

She pursed her lips, thinking, then she sat down for a little while. Then she stood up and went to the mirror again, examining herself for a while longer, letting it really sink in who she was now.

“I’m Lady Harriet,” she said to herself and then burst into fits of giggles, but it did make her feel a little better; more confident.

She thought she might even… Yes. She thought she might even have the courage to go downstairs and see what was going on.

Did she…?

Yes. She did. She could find Lady Harriet and take her aside to see what was meant to be happening and she could get something to eat. She was hungry.

She immediately set about neatening herself up, becoming increasingly excited about the coming escapade. What would it feel like to be a real lady and act like she really was one?

She couldn’t wait. It was going to be amazing!


10 comments:

  1. I have a feeling that "Hattie" and "nellie" would be a confused conversation.

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  2. the new life is always more fun than the old, at least at first

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    1. Yeah. But she surely has the best of the deal.

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    2. I think she has the best of the deal hopefully the "earl" will pull her aside before she has a chance to talk to "nellie"

      Rob

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    3. And as the others have found the more she thinks of herself as lady Harriet the more comfortable she becomes in that role

      Rob

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    4. Let's hope so. We don't want her throwing a spanner in the works!

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  3. I don't know original Harriet was in the dog house. there is something to not having to clean floors, but what about having no direction, where every decision or action you make is rejected, until your sense of self erodes under the impact. I agree that she has the "better" end of the deal, but I don't think that will be much comfort to her if the "new" earl picks up the old's bullying ways.
    (in squeaky falsetto reminiscent of a six year old on christmas morning) "I can't wait"

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    1. (Shrill giggle)

      I think you make a good point young man. And a witty one.

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  4. Do you think the earl has a secret mistress?

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    1. Hm. A very good question. I hadn't considered that. Not that I've planned at this point but you never know. Certainly he's a red-blooded man and I'm sure he has urges that I HAVE planned for...

      Make of that what you will.

      (Winks)

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