LADY ANN'S FOLLY: Chapter Nine - Part Eight

Nellie saw who she thought was the Earl approaching along the landing and almost screamed in fright. Her eyes lit up with fear and Hattie smirked inside to see it, trying to make her walk as proud and manly as possible and finding it surprisingly easy.

“Good morning Harriet,” she said, pointing her consonants more than she normally would. “Did you sleep well?”

“Er, yes m’lor— Uh, yes. I did. Thank you.” She curtseyed and Hattie barely managed to stop herself laughing. As she came level with the girl who looked like her she was amazed to see how much taller she was; over a head higher than her real body. It was incredibly strange not only to see herself from the outside but also to be looking down at such an angle. Her perception wasn’t that she was a giant but that this girl before her was very small. It was a profound adjustment of perspective that made her feel both uncomfortable and excited.

“You look very nice this morning,” she said, continuing to ape her father’s voice as best she could.” Do you have any special plans?”

“Er... no,” replied Nellie, clearly getting herself into a flap.

“I thought you were going to be giving a speech to the county ladies today,” said Hattie, smirking to herself.

Nellie blanched , eyes and mouth becoming perfect circles, and finally Hattie couldn’t hold her laughter in any longer. She gave out a great belly laugh and pointed at the girl’s awestruck expression. She laughed and laughed as Nellie looked about ready to flee then as she calmed down she gave the girl a wink and in a conspiratorial whisper said, “Don’t worry Nellie. It’s me, Hattie. I used the pendant last night to swap places with my father.” She chuckled. “He’s trapped in your body at the moment, none the wiser about how it happened.”

Nellie continued to gape in shock and then very tentatively, said, “Lady Harriet? Is that really you?”

“It is,” replied Hattie. “But don’t give the game away whatever you do. For now, you’re Lady Harriet and I’m your father.”

“For how long miss – er, sir?”

“Call me father,” said Hattie, scowling and feeling just as uncomfortable herself at the idea of that. She still thought of herself as a young woman. Telling someone to refer to her as their father was dreadfully incongruent – especially if that person was herself. “It won’t be long; probably just until tonight. But think of it this way... you get a day off work and you get to experience life as one of your superiors for that time.”

Nellie frowned, clearly distressed. “But people will know I’m an imposter,” she said.

“Of course they won’t,” replied Hattie confidently. “Keep your mouth shut and let me do most of the talking. I’m in charge now and my authority is final.”

She thought about that for a moment and smiled, liking the sound of it. It was so gratifying to be the one in control for a change. She couldn’t wait to get downstairs and start playing the role in front of the rest of the family. And she really couldn’t wait to see how her father was managing as a maidservant. That was going to be a riot!

“Come on now,” she said, pointing the way and placing her wide hand on Nellie’s back, guiding her forward. The short woman started to move and Hattie reflected on how it felt to be so physically prominent. After a life of being one of the shortest people in any room it was actually quite pleasant, and the contrast to her normal body was the best thing about it.

She straightened her jacket and waistcoat and smoothed down her moustache then ran her hand back across her bald head. That series of actions; each one incompatible with her former shell; helped her to really set who she now was in her mind. The resultant effect on her self-confidence was great, lifting her up to a much higher level of assurance.

I’m in charge of everyone here, she said to herself. They are all subservient to my authority.

She strode after Nellie along the landing feeling extremely smug and very glad now that she went through with her plan. It was much more interesting and delightful than even she had expected.