Hi all! Yes, it is that time again!
(Drum roll please)
UPDATE WEDNESDAY!
This chapter is dedicated to:
Book Worm1211:
Half hour? That's all it takes? Subject change! I don't think anyone has ever called me Scarlet before… hmmm.
It's Kat Sparrow luv.:
Glad you like it so far… I guess you'll just have to hang around to see if you think it's as good when it is finished, no?
LittleCountryDragon:
How far north do you have to be to consider Michigan southern? Oh, well. A pizza hobo pie is just a hobo pie with pizza toppings inside, but to understand that you need to know what a hobo pie is. First of all you need a hobo pie maker, its like two miniature square ('bout 3-3 ½ inch) skillets that lock together, concave sides facing each other, then you take a piece of bread. Butter one side and place it butter side down in one half of the hobo pie maker, add toppings, another piece of buttered bread, butter side up this time, mind you, put the other half of the hobo pie maker on top, lock it in place, cook over a camp fire and enjoy! And hey, sugar highs are great! I LOVE SUGAR! (Insane evil laugh)
Sarah-K-O-M:
Yeah, I reread my story, and decided Katrina was getting to be too much of a watering pot… Perhaps I should add some more butt whipping in the future. What do you think?
Aaaaaaaaaaand chapter16
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"Thanks again, Keeley." Katrina said.
The pretty young maid laughed. "Don't fret yourself. It won't be the first time laundry has do be redone because of Sera."
"She wasn't the only one." Katrina mumbled under her breath. But fortunately the queen of gossip didn't seem to hear, for she kept right on talking, reporting the juiciest tidbits on recent happenings around Bridgewood.
"They say that the centurion is back." Keeley let out a girlish giggle.
"The centurion?" Gossip was one of the guilty pleasures that Katrina allowed herself.
"You know, that creature that is supposed to be half human, half horse? Well, this man rides as if he where part of the horse. And he does some wonderful stunt riding too. No doubt you'll see him perform at the fair. Oh, and he has the most gorgeous eyes you ever did see!"
"Just who is this man, Keeley?" Katrina inquired.
"Oh, you would not know him, would you? He left a while back to train some horses for the master's friend. I heard that he made a good sum of money for it too. I bet half of the girls in the village are smitten with him. I can't blame them none either, he's a handsome bloke, that one is. I also heard-"
"Keeley!" an irked voice cut in. "There is work to get done! Socialize in your free time, and Kitty, isn't it almost time for dinner?"
"Yes, Mrs. Jenkins!" both the girls chorused.
"I'll tell you the rest later." Keeley winked one brown eye at Katrina.
"I'll hold you to that!" Katrina promised.
Rachel Met Katrina at the kitchen door. "There you are! I was about to send out a search party for you! How long can it take to hang a couple of sheets?"
Katrina merely laughed.
"Come on. We have your favorite, vegetable duty tonight."
Katrina groaned and followed Rachel to the work table. She grabbed a knife and started chopping up carrots to fit into the pot.
"I tell you, he's back." Betsy, a scullery maid said from across the table.
"And how would you know a thing like that?" Chloe, another maid, parried.
"Joe, the footman told me, he helped unload his luggage." Betsy replied grinning with her superior knowledge.
"Then why haven't we seen him?" Chloe was trying to find any holes in Betsy's narrative.
"He's hiding, got kicked out."
"I can't believe he got kicked out of school, again!" Chloe exclaimed, apparently convinced Betsy was telling the truth.
"I'm sorry, but who?" Katrina allowed her curiosity to get the better of her.
"He's a liar, gambler, brawler, drinker, womanizer…" Chloe started.
"The master's son, Edmond." Betsy explained.
There was a clatter beside Katrina. She turned to see Rachel, whom had dropped her knife. Her face was pale, eyes wide, frightened and unfocused. Katrina followed her gaze to where Sera was playing quietly on the floor with her new doll. As if struck by lightning, Katrina suddenly understood why nobody talked about Sera's father.
"Rachel…"
She didn't move.
"Rachel…"
Still nothing.
"Rachel!"
She jumped slightly. "Huh…er, what?"
"Are you alright?" Katrina asked, concerned.
"Y-yes just fine. Why do you ask?"
"No reason." Katrina lied, sensing Rachel didn't want to talk about it.
"I also heard that a servant struck him, apparently for no reason." Betsy's voice drew Katrina back into the conversation.
"No reason?" Chloe scoffed. "Balderdash! Probably deserved it, he did. And you know it."
"Kitty!" Katrina tore herself away from the conversation.
"Yes, Millie?" she called back.
"Could you come with me?"
"One moment!" Katrina put down her knife and wiped her hands on her apron, removing it as she walked over to Millie.
"I need a word with you."
Katrina could tell Millie was troubled. "What is it? Did I do something wrong?" She asked apprehensively.
"Kitty, the master asked to speak to you in his study."
"What does he want?"
"Truthfully, I don't know but I'm sure it's nothing." Millie didn't sound all too convinced herself.
"O-of course." Katrina attempted a weak smile.
"Just follow this hall until you reach a pair of double doors on your right."
Katrina had never been in the main part of the house and was awed by it. She craned her neck every which way, trying to take it all in, that is, until she saw the doors, and remembered why she was there.
Tentatively, she knocked on one of the heavy wooden doors.
"Come in." a voice called.
Katrina pushed open the door and dropped a curtsy. "You wanted to see me sir?"
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Yeah, I felt like leaving a cliff hanger. And yes, I know it is evil to do so.
Reviews are as good as a turkey artichoke panini! (If that is how you spell it.)
Sneak peek for next week goes to the first person who can correctly tell me where this line comes from:
"And so, without further ado, and no more gilding the lily..."