Chapter eight (6)
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It was night before Shilla returned to the academy. Lady Wickshire had sent her to have someone watch the Krain household. The day before, she had received information that Walter's mother and one of the neighbours were planning to have Walter come out shopping with them, and then let Walter take the daughter out sightseeing. Walter's mother was using this opportunity to create a good marriage match for her son. She had reported it to Her Ladyship and was instructed to have someone inform Lady Steinhouse that Walter was in the city and his location.
Her task took all day; mostly because she had to find a way to pass the information to the maids in the Steinhouse household.
She smiled, thinking that Her Ladyship was right. She did not say that she saw Walter. By saying that the man who came visiting Lady Steinhouse was seen in the city, the maids assumed it was the elusive lover. She had not waited too long by the corner of the Steinhouse manor before she saw Lady Steinhouse leaving in a hurry.
She arrived at Lady Wickshire's chambers at sundown to the glare of the other two maids.
"Where have you been all day?" Taylor seemed to want to tear Shilla into two. She was not blind; she had noticed that Shilla had become the lady's most trusted. This was not good; the lady could take Shilla away as her maid when she graduates. She already understood that they were always like nuisances to the lady, so she kept them busy doing this and that, while Shilla always got all the important Jobs.
"Do you think I would leave without Her Ladyship's order?" Shilla asked with a blank expression.
"Going out all day, are you going to claim that it was Her Ladyship that sent you?" Taylor asked.
"Yes," Shilla answered as Lucy came out from behind the screen.
"All of you leave. Shilla, stay," Lucy said. The other two left, but Taylor could not help but throw a glare at Shilla. Shilla acted as though she did not see her glare and closed the door after them.
"You took long," Lucy said.
"I apologise, my lady. After I was done, I had to go make sure to clean up after myself. I paid out all the spies and got new ones. That way, there are no mistakes," Shilla answered.
"How did it go?" Lucy asked as she got into bed.
"It happened just as you said it would. Lady Steinhouse rushed out and they met up. She even went as far as challenging the girl," Shilla reported.
"Good," Lucy said.
"I'm not sure how this will help their relationship, my lady," Shilla asked.
"You must try harder to understand human nature. History has shown that women are the most dangerous of the human species; as they can cause conflict wherever they go. But people do not understand that women are even more dangerous when they are in love," Lucy said and Shilla felt uncomfortable. Lucy was only twelve years of age at most; how she knew these things, Shilla could not bear to bring herself to ask.
"If you study history, you can tell all you need to know about human beings. Since they gained intelligence, they have made little change when it comes to their habits," Lucy answered as though she could read Shilla's mind.
"Take Taylor, for example; she has become very jealous of the attention I give to you. Do you want to tell me you did not know this would happen?" Lucy asked.
"I knew. She has already reported me to our superiors. She says I am no more trustworthy. I am guessing I'll be called soon to explain myself," Shilla answered.
"I understand people, Shilla; because I know who they are and what they have done; I know who they love and who they hate; So, I know what they will do, or at least, I know what I can make them do. Lady Steinhouse has already been brainwashed by the rumours. It can only happen if thoughts of Walter have crossed her mind before.
"This time Lana girl has caused jealousy. Jealousy is good for them at this moment. The next step is to push her to the edge. I believe if they see more of each other, they will think of ways to be with each other. I have set the stage; all that must happen now, is up to them," Lucy said and Shilla nodded in understanding.
"What about the message I told you to deliver to Lord Morge?" Lucy asked.
"I told them that you want them to involve Walter in their plans. Can I ask why?" Shilla asked.
She was standing guard inside the room when the lady was giving the two lords instructions; she understood the lady had bigger plans brewing. Why she wanted to involve Walter, was something she did not understand.
"I must give them more opportunities to meet," Lucy smiled.
Just as Shilla had suspected, she was called by her superior for questioning the moment she left Lucy's side. When she arrived at the room, her superior Madam Elbone, sat waiting, along with Taylor and Mrs Muburg. Shilla greeted her superior as she entered and put on a confused expression.
"Do you know why you are here, Shilla?" Madam Elbone asked.
"No," Shilla answered.
"Lady Wickshire has been sending you on secret errands and though you have reported, it is suspicious that she insists only you do it. Even your own fellow maids don't know where you are going. Do you remember why you were put in the lady's entourage?" Madam Elbone asked.
"Yes. To watch her and report back," Shilla answered.
"Why has it turned this way? Are you trying to gain her trust while betraying your masters?" Madam Elbone asked.
"I don't understand what I have done wrong. When Lady Wickshire gets her letters, I report; when she has meetings, I report; I went out today on her orders and just returned, I did not have the time to make the report before being summoned. I need to understand what I am doing wrong so that I can do it better," Shilla said. True enough, Madam Elbone knew what Shilla said was true. But Taylor had arrived with these claims and she was asked by the headmistress to do this.
"When the lady gets her letters, you are the only one who is allowed to bring them to her; when she has these secret meetings, you are the only one allowed to be present; when she needs someone to handle things for her, you're the only one sent, while we are left to clean and wash her things," Taylor accused.
"That is because you are stupid. You both are," Shilla said calmly and Mrs Muburg burst into anger. She, being the eldest amongst them, had always been the one gaining trust any time she was assigned to a lady, except with Lady Wickshire. She had endured and said nothing, yet Shilla was insulting her?
"You! Don't go too far!" Mrs Muburg said.
"Why do you say they are stupid?" Madam Elbone asked. She was tired and wanted to go to bed. There was nothing she wanted more than to have this situation done and over with.
"Years of service has had their pride grow; they don't seem to understand that all the ladies are different," Shilla answered.
"Shut up!" Taylor scolded.
"You think because you have worked with many ladies, you know them all. Lady Wickshire is not like the others and you know that. You may think her just a titled young girl, whom you can lead by the hair; but you are wrong. When we were instructed to have her come out for the luncheon, you two perched around her like flies; there will be this lord there, there will be that lady there, you couldn't seem to stop talking. When you come around, you always try to engage her in some rumour. Are you too blind to see that she has never asked about such things? She does not care about fashion, the weather, rumours or what lord has gotten a royal appointment. You all look stupid before her eyes and truthfully before mine. I don't bother her, only do what I'm told and speak less. So what if she favours me?" Shilla asked, her eyes full of anger.
"Sure, she is an unusual lady, but what woman does not do those things? I have worked with enough ladies to know that they only need a little push. My experience is much more than yours and it tells m..." Mrs Muburg started to say before she paused. She was doing the exact same thing Shilla had just said. She saw Shilla smirk and turned green.
"Do what you think your experience tells you, I'll continue to study who she is. Don't come complaining just because your experience has failed," Shilla smirked.