Chapter 8: Punishment

In the carriage, Rudolph harshly reprimanded Lucy.

"You are going to wish you had never been born," he told her, "Mother and Grandmama are absolutely furious. I could almost pity you, but I don't."

He took her bag from her and went through it. "And Juliet's money and wig, you little thief. When Grandmama is through with you, you can come to me for your next punishment."

When they got back to the manor, Dame Olga was waiting for them. She grabbed Lucy's arm tightly and pulled her through the hallways in the manor. They eventually came to a chamber she had seen before. In the huge, cold room Oleg, Hattie's other son was waiting for them.

"Oleg," Dame Olga spoke quickly, "Do your work."

Oleg came towards Lucy and roughly grabbed her.

"NO!" She screamed, struggling to get away. Through her struggles, she broke into frightened sobs. "Stop!" She cried, "Please stop, please, I'm sorry."

"Shut up," commanded Oleg. She abruptly stopped her sobs and screams.

Oleg continued to tie her down while Dame Olga looked on through strict, furious eyes. As he finished, Hattie, Olive, Rudolph, and Juliet entered the room. Rudolph handed the bag he was carrying to Dame Olga.

Dame Olga pulled out a thick, black whip from the bag. As Lucy saw the terrible instrument she gasped.

"You wouldn't," she whispered, "its illegal."

"Oh how kind of you to worry about us getting in trouble with the officials," Hattie giggled, "But no, you must not worry because when Mum's done, you will be working far to hard for anyone to find out."

Lucy erupted in a whole new set of tears that everyone ignored. Olive, Hattie, and Juliet happily chatted while Rudolph and Oleg silently looked on and Dame Olga slipped on smooth leather gloves and messed with her hair. Somewhere in the house a doorbell rang, but no one moved to answer it.

Finally, Dame Olga picked up the whip and said with quiet anger, "You are going to wish you were already dead, the only reason I have chosen this instead of having you quietly killed is that you are going to work until you are half dead anyway for me, forever. I will teach you to run away from me. I haven't decided how many lashings I will apply yet. A minimum of 15, you can be sure." She paused. "Let's begin. Olive, count for me."

Dame Olga snapped the whip through the air over Lucy a few times, and then picked it up ready to bring it down swiftly on Lucy's poor back.