AN: Merry Christmas! (If you celebrate that holiday). So, people let's get it rolling. Here's the next chapter, and because it's the holiday season I'm posting two chapters. Don't expect me to get into the habit, because it's just for the holidays lovelies. Sigh. I do so love all the reviews (all 3 of them) but here's the thing. You fans out there and the readers that are joining in I thank you. Without you lovely people I fear I would have no one to enjoy and read my lovely work (giggles). Thus, if I'm going to be writing this novel then I'm going to be needing reviews. It's what keeps me going and knowing that I'm not writing this into a void. Now, I will be posting (and finishing) this story no matter what happens, but if there are people out there who are enjoying it, want to comment, offer a suggestion, THEN PLEASE DO SO. Reviews for a writer is like gas to a car, it's what fuels us and helps us driver better. If we are being cheered on and continually fueled then it leads to better writing and better results. So, without further ado, here is the next installment of PTW.
-Marie
Disclaimer: I don't profit from this story and all creative rights to the characters belong to Richelle Mead. The original content, ideas, and intellectual property of this story are owned by Sarah Marie Cross. Do not copy, reproduce, print, or translate without express written permission from the author.
Ch. 3
Outside Rose could hear the driver and footman explain to the guards at the gate their whereabouts, and what was inside the carriage.
Then she heard the crunch of fresh snow as a guard knocked on the side door of the stagecoach and heard the him raise his voice over the howling winds, "May I open the door milady?"
Maudy, being the wisest and the first to react, said a clear, "Yes, sir." Not a moment later the door was wrenched open and a blast of snow and freezing air was let inside the cozy little space.
Two guards stood facing the four women; all wrapped up in their long red undercoats and white silk cravats, with a warm-looking wool overcoat and top hats. Their ears were red, as were their noses, from the bitter cold no doubt. The first one said, "I must say you ladies are a sight for sore eyes you are. Notin' for me to look at but the ugly fellow's face behind me all mornin'. I do say…are you the lovely maids that have come all the way from Turkey to work for our lord?"
Edwina, the twit, exclaimed, "Yes sir, we be the ones you've been hearing about" with a toothy little grin. She fluttered her eyelashes and did a mock shiver, as if she was too cold and would need something, or someone, to help warm her. She may as well invite them inside at the rate she's goin', Rose brooded.
The guard looked like he was about to reply to Edwina with an inappropriate comment when the other guard behind him stepped forward. "Bloody hell Adrian, have you no respect for these young ladies? I do say; conceal your excitement at their arrival for another appropriate occasion to do so. Good day to you mum," the second older-looking guard tipped his hat and addressed Maudy, "we was just checking if you was all good and accounted for as Lady Tasha said you would be. As I can see you four ladies and the gentleman up top are all here, but he said I had to ask you ladies about the horse that's tied behind this here stagecoach. I was not made awares of a horse that was to come with you ladies. Beggon my pardon, but whose beast is that?" he questioned.
Rose immediately piped up, having pushed herself as close to Merda as possible for warmth due to the cold air that'd been blasting in, "He's mine, my lord. Our recent master has…passed on and gave him to me in his will. I have all the signed papers right here." She reached underneath the blanket in her lap to the envelope that'd she'd been tediously smoothing since they left Lord Alkan's estate. It had her full name written on the outside in Lord Alkan's familiar script: Rosemarie Mazur.
The older guard took the envelope from her and unfolded the paper inside. He skimmed the document quickly, with Adrian nosing over his shoulder, and nodded his head. He gave the papers back to her and said frankly, "That's all good and dandy mum, but it's not my matter to deal with, you will have to give these to the Duke himself, and request housing of your beast yourself. Has he been gentled?"
"Only by me." Rose quickly replied with an indignant lift of her chin.
The guard sighed, "Well I'll give the stable boy a heads up so that he's prepared for the bea-" Rose gave him an annoyed little stare, "beautiful animal awaiting patiently behind the carriage." As if on cue, they all heard a loud whinny, as if Lucifer was laughing at the mere thought.
Adrian spoke up, "Well, we best let you young" he winked at Maudy, who looked as if she'd been scandalized "ladies not freeze to death and go meet the master himself. Welcome to Hampshire." With that curious encounter he and the older man shut the coach doors and a few moments later the carriage began to move again.
Merda wrinkled her nose and claimed, "Well that was a wee bit interesting" to which Rose and Maudy nodded, while Edwina looked like she might swoon.
Within a few minutes they'd be at the Belikov estate. Finally, they would be able to stretch their legs, and if one was being shameless, move their bums too, for they'd gone numb from sitting hours ago. All four ladies began to fold up the blankets that'd been draped across their lower halves and store them inside the box on the floor. Corsets were retied and tightened, much to Merda and Rose's disgruntlement, winter boots were laced up, and simple black bonnets were refastened under their chins to keep their hair from blowing in the wind once they stepped outside the carriage.
Rose took a deep breath and let it out. She looked at Maudy, "What do you suppose will happen once we get inside?"
Maudy, having worked for Lord Alkan, and other members of the nobility for many years replied thoughtfully, "We will most likely be welcomed by one of the housemaids and then taken to the servants quarters to dress and be presented to the Duke. Men of his place don't have time to deal with such trivial matters such as us, so we'll need to be willing and ready to work, when briefly presented to him, although I doubt we'll do any substantial work today. Today we'll probably unpack and be taken on a tour of the-Edwina stop your bouncing!...as I was saying, a tour of the household and all its rooms, along with the duties we are to perform."
Merda replied, "Sounds like it should be pure dead brilliant." When everyone gave a blank stare she replied with "It means quite splendid."
Edwina was the first to come back with, "Oh Merda dear, I never do understand those odd Scottish colloquialisms that you tell, but somehow I always feel slightly better when you do."
Merda was fixing a lock of her curly red hair and pinning it back in place when she replied. But she never did answer because the cart had stopped and it was time to, as the American chimney boy from the Alkan estate used to say "face the music."