I'm just playing, no one is paying.

Chapter 10

Morning came quickly for Isabella. The large comfortable bed almost swallowed her whole. She had been afraid that the difference in location and all the excitement of the day would keep her from sleep, but no sooner had her head hit the pillow, she was dreaming. Dreaming of fat babies in her arms.

The sun was just starting to rise and Isabella could sleep no more. She dressed herself and washed her face in the cold water from the ewer on the washstand. She quietly made her way to the kitchen to see if she could be of service.

The kitchen was just coming to life as she walked tentatively through the door. A bleary eyed maid was stoking the fire in the enormous stove as Mrs. Cope nattered on ferrying breakfast items from the pantry.

"Oh, there you are, Miss Isabella. You are an early riser, aren't you. Did you sleep well? Or as well as can be expected away from your home. Nice and quiet it is here, isn't it. Not like an orphanage with all the comings and goings. I was raised in one myself after my parents passed. I was only there for three years afore I went into service. Not sure I got a solid nights sleep once in those years. Now mind, if you think its quiet here just you wait until you're at Master Edward's. Dead quiet there at night on the farm. Not that it's a working farm, no, he rents the fields out to the other farmers in the area. Makes a small profit from that, he does. Now, just you sit yourself down and have a cuppa. So, did Mrs. Esme change your name yet? She does with everyone. Something that suits them better, she always says. Not Master Edward, no, he kicked up a fuss when he entered school. He would be Edward and nothing else. Such a sweet little name we had for him, pity that."

Isabella felt her head spin. How could so many words come from one person? And all at the same time too. Does Mrs. Cope not need to breathe like other people do?

Isabella found herself being seated on a wooden chair not far from the stove, teacup in hand. She had no idea which of Mrs. Cope's questions to answer first.

She took a small sip of tea and looked up into Mrs. Cope's inquiring face.

"Bella" she said looking down at her tea again.

Mrs. Cope clapped her hands together with glee and started off on six other tangents. Isabella quickly realized that she did not really have to say anything. Mrs. Cope could carry the conversation perfectly well for both of them.

When Mrs. Cope was back in the pantry again, Isabella looked toward the tired maid and asked in her bravest voice.

"Can I help?" The maid smiled and shook her head.

"No, in the mornings it's best to just let her do it all. And she will talk the whole time." The maid said with affection in her tone. "I'm Jenny. I share a room with Maggie. She told me about you. We both very happy to have someone for the babies. Maggie helps keep Mrs. Cope from talking my ear off and I miss her in the kitchen."

Mrs. Cope can prattling back into the kitchen with an arm full of jams.

"Now that Mr. Carlisle, he has a sweet tooth, have to make sure there is enough jam for his bread. I swear sometimes he takes a jar from the breakfast table to eat later with a spoon. And Master Edward too, he had a bad sweet tooth, not for jam or cakes like his father. No, boiled sweets and pastilles for him. A tin in his pocket at all times. And he had tins and boxes of them hidden all over the house. Like a squirrel at winter, that boy. If, god forbid, his house were to catch fire it wouldn't melt so much as caramelize. 'Tis a wonder he has any teeth still. Not an extra ounce of fat on either of them. Don't know how, if I ate sugar like that I'd be as big as a house."

Isabella hid a snort of laughter behind her teacup. Mrs. Cope had a generous figure to go with her generous heart.

"Well Miss Bella, up to the dining-room with you. Time for breakfast. No, no need to carry anything. It all goes in the dumb-waiter and we get it from there. Opens right in the butler's pantry, marvel of work, that thing. Makes the day easier. I remember the time Master Edward got stuck in there, or was it the laundry chute? May have been both at one time or an other. Spirited lad, him."

Jenny guided Isabella from the room while Mrs. Cope was still talking.

"If you don't go now you'll be there for hours."

Isabella giggled quietly and set off to the dining-room.