Day three
I sighed, smoothing my dress for the last time as a carriage pulled into the drive. Master Jack and his father stood beside me. It was time for me to be introduced to master Jackson's mother.
Agnes had stood with me for a few minutes, but had been told to leave. I would have much preferred her to be with me in this moment. I swallowed hard as the master opened the door and held out his hand.
"Don't be nervous, mother will love you." Master Jack whispered. I glanced at him, remembering what Agnes had told me. I felt my heart quicken as a delicate hand appears, placing itself daintily in the master's hand. A tiny foot appeared on the step, and a small woman followed it, stepping lightly on to the ground, one hand still in the master's, the other clutching at her skirts lightly to keep them off the ground.
I bowed slowly as I felt her gaze locked on me. I kept my head bowed as the dainty woman made her way over to me. I dared glance at her face as she hugged her son. She was beautiful, but her lips were set in a firm line.
"Jackson, pray tell who, this is." She asked, eyeing me. I curtsied. "Kimberly Crawford, mistress." I told her softly. I glanced up to check her expression. It hadn't changed.
I swallowed again, much feeling like a dead animal as she began circling me like a buzzard. "Bad posture, a little too skinny." She was murmuring. I straightened and a hand went to my flat stomach. She was right, I was a tad thinner than was healthy, but then, I was also a slave. What did she expect?
"Too eager to please..." She was murmuring as she saw me correcting myself. I swallowed again. Agnes was right. She found the smallest things to pick on. "You like her mother?" Master Jackson asked.
"No." She said sharply, pulling out her fan and waving it lightly on herself, staring at her son. Master Jackson gave her a pleading look. "Agnes can make her better, I know she has flaws," Gee, thank you. "But she's perfect for me." He pleaded.
"Perfect? Jackson, I never want to hear you describe a slave as, perfect, again." She told him. "Yes, mother." Jackson sighed. I chewed on my bottom lip, trying not to do anything that might distress the mistress. "Stop chewing on yourself, girl. Manners! You see what I mean, Jackson?" She was pointing to me wildly, the first movements she'd made since I met her that were not fluid and graceful.
"I do not approve of you keeping her." She put a hand on her fine hip, fanning herself again and looking dramatically into the middle distance. "Amelia, darling. Give the girl a chance. And besides, I payed a lot for her. Jack has really taken a liking to her." Master put an arm around his wife. Mistress Amelia's face twitched.
"Very well. But do not cry to me when you become bored with her." She slapped her fan closed and pointed it at her son. A grin flashed over his face. "Thank you mum!" He cried, taking her by the waist and spinning her around easily. She let out a little squeak. "Put me down! You, you oaf." She told him. He set her down and she made a face, straitening her fancy hat.
She swatted him with her fan, but he wasn't fazed at all. "Bye!" He turned to me, snatching my hand and racing off with me. I had to run full speed to keep up with him. I laughed, feeling giddy for the first time in who knows how long.
He finally stopped and we were in the gardens. We collapsed next to each other, smiling and panting. "See? I told you she'd love you." I raised my eyebrows. If she loved me, I'd hate to know what she'd have done had she disliked me in any manner of the word.
Authors note: I will be posting a new chapter next week. I'm sorry about the wait. :(
