Marriage As Punishment

The Staff

CHAPTER 20

I turn yet another corner and sigh heavily. I'm a bit confused. When we arrived last night Ms. O'Kara brought me to my room and I swear it was on my right. If this is so, going left would only be logical in exiting. I've gone left, but I'm now in a strange part of the house.

I don't know why I kept going forward after I realized I was lost, I simply did.

Right turn, right turn, now a left turn. That vase seems familiar! No, that vase had blue flowers, this one has red. Perhaps if I found a window I could orientate myself. I think I passed one somewhere behind me. I turn and retrace my steps. This house can't be that big, eventually I'll learn my way about.

Everything looks the same! Maybe I can do something about that. I probably need to map out the entire house. If I can't travel and have real adventures, I can make believe at the very least.

I finally come upon the widow. Alright it is time to find out where I am. Studying the view before me, I frown in dismay. I don't recognize this part of the property. There are plenty of lovely trees, a path to walk, and a few benches yet nothing is familiar. There is not a trace of the garden of last night. I think I may safely assume that I'm not at the back of the house. At least I think my bedroom was at the back.

Hmmm... by looking at the location of the sun it might be possible to figure out which way east and west are and in that find north and south. I press against the window to locate it. It seems pretty high up, I can't quite tell.

I huff. The shadows are directly below the trees. It's mid-day; I haven't the skill to find the direction it came from. I could wait to see which way it moves, but I really don't want to be here. I'd like to meet everyone and find my place in this house.

What will I do?

I could go in to one of these rooms and ring for a servant. They will probably have a good laugh over my getting turned around. That could prove to be a bit embarrassing.

Pride wins over for the moment. I will keep wandering until I find something. If I don't run into someone or something that can tell me where I am I will ring for help. Besides, it's not as if I'll be needed today. That is a calming thought.

I turn my mind off and just wander.

This house is truly beautiful. There is such detail in every corner. Quite literally! Who was the designer, I wonder? It certainly wasn't James; the home is much too old. His grandfather perhaps, great grandfather? I cannot say how old it is.

I come to a door and peak inside. A bedroom. Hardly any smaller than my own. I shut the door and move on.
I poke my head into a few more of the doors. They are all bedrooms. It must be the floor for them.

I wonder where James' bedroom is.

- - - -

Soon I find a staircase. Up or down? If this floor is mainly bedrooms, I am curious to know of what the third floor consists.

Exploring is tempting, but I have more pressing matters at hand. It is an obvious choice to go down. Down is where this kitchen will be. Down is where Ms. O'Kara will be and I really would like to find her.

I quickly make my way to the first floor. I am met with two young housemaids.

Their eyes go wide with surprise before averting to the floor. The two drop in to perfect curtseys.

"My lady," they greet in unison.

I must say, they are very well trained. I am sure all credit would go to Ms. O'Kara.

I simply nod my head in return. They scurry past me to continue their duties. One leans over and whispers to the other, who answers by elbowing her in the ribs.

"Oh! Excuse me!" I call out.

They turn and face me. The one who whispered going pale with fright.

"Y-yes my lady?" she stammers.

"Would you be so kind as to point me in the direction of Ms. O'Kara."
Relief floods the poor girls face.

"She is in the kitchen, ma'am - er, my lady."

"And where might that be?" I question further.

"Oh! Right!" the elbowing one jumps in, "We can take you there, if you'd like, my lady."

"I would very much appreciate that," I smile.

The pair lead me through the first floor to another set of stairs. We see more and more footmen and housemaids as we draw nearer. They all share the same look of surprise when they lay eyes on me. I wonder what they've heard.

We descend the steps into a chaotic and fairly noisy area. I can hear pan clanking and voices laughing. The smell of fresh bread engulfs me.

I follow the girls into the kitchen part of downstairs. All conversation ceases. They drop what they're doing and bow or curtsey to me.

"Um...Ms. O'Kara?" I ask timidly.

"What is going on in here? Has time stopped or somethi- Lady Wellington!" Ms. O'Kara steps into the room.

"Good afternoon Ms. O'Kara. I was hoping that I could..." I pause and see that everyone is still watching, "I needed to speak with you."

"Oh yes of course! My office will be nice and quite. You lot get back to work," she commands. "Right this way my lady."

"Thank you."

Once we are inside she offers me a seat. We sit and she looks at me expectantly.

"What may I help you with?"

Now that I'm here, I'm not completely certain. She won't answer if I outright ask her what to do. I am almost certain that she is the type of woman who has good senses so honesty will surely be the best direction to go.

"Well you see, Ms. O'Kara, I never paid mind to my mother. Not as much as I should have, I never thought I'd need to know those things. Now I am faced with consequences for that misjudgment. I don't know the first thing about running a household. I know that I will be expected to have a share and to somehow direct things. I just don't know what to do or how to do them. I personally feel that you are much more qualified than I and that anything I do would interfere, but I do not wish to be a burden. This is where you come in. I had hoped that you could help me. Tell me about the things that you do so that I may gain an understanding of how this house runs," I blurt.

She stares in silence for a while. I shift not sure if I should add more.

"I see," she says, "Well as the lady of the house you can do whatever you please. I have no control over that, but if my lady wishes to be informed I am more than happy to oblige. When I came on here I did take on more than the usual head maid. You'll get no complaints from me about you taking these on. I will help you in whatever you need."

"Thank you," I breathe, relieved.

"Is there any particular place you'd like to start?" she questions.

"Yes actually. I'd like to gather the staff. I want to meet them all."

"All of them?" She blinks.

"Yes all. Well not all at once. I do realize that you are all very busy and as I mentioned before I don't wish to interfere. Perhaps I could meet them one group at a time. Starting with the kitchen since they are right there," I smile.

I am very excited to start my new role.

~~~~~~~

Okay here it is. It probably wasn't soon enough for you and I'm sorry.

Mostly. I mean I just write for fun and sometimes wattpad feels like a chore. I am determined to finish this though. I've got so much in store for this story I just have to stick with it.

I've already started the next chapter, but I can't say whether I'll finish it soon or weeks from now. I can only write when inspiration strikes.

I'm very grateful for your kindness and understanding <(^~^)>