Chapter 3

Back inside the mansion, I walk back to the attic to start cleaning again. But as I walk around a corner I walk into Madame.

"I'm sorry," I immediately say.

"It's quite alright, Em. But I thought you were cleaning upstairs?"

"I was but I hadn't asked Drew to get the groceries yet, so I thought I'd go and ask before our guests arrive."

"That is very thoughtful of you."

"Now if you'll excuse me, I still need to clean the whole mansion." I start walking but Madame stops me by holding up her hand.

"Maybe you could get that serving tray back to the kitchen before you start cleaning again. You know, before you forget." A hint of a smile flashes on Madame's lips.

I smile back. "Of course I can."

As fast as I can, I turn around and start walking towards Madame's chambers. And there lying on the bed, right where I left it, is the serving tray. I pick it up and start walking to the kitchen. As I round the corner leading to the kitchen I walk into what feels like a wall with clothes. I take a step back and look up slightly. A man in what looks like a fancy suit looks down at me. His black eyes are looking weirdly familiar, though I don't know how.

"I'm sorry," I say quickly when I realize all I've been doing is stare up at him with what I assume is a funny facial expression, from the amusing smile on his face. "Can I help you with something?"

"No need to say sorry, lassie," the man says with a funny accent. "I was just lookin' for duchess Biousy. Do ye know where I can fin' 'er?"

I think for a minute before I answer. "If you're looking for Madame you're totally in the wrong place. She would never go to the kitchen. It's no place for a lady of her standards."

The man looks at me with a questioning look in his eyes. "Madame?"

"Yes, Madame. As in Duchess Helga Olivia Bioux. She is who you are looking for, right?"

"Aye, can ye tell me where she is?"

"At a time like this, she's probably in the gardens. I can bring you to her if you like."

"'At would be much appreciated."

I walk into the kitchen and put down the tray. As I turn back to him, I say, "Well, follow me then."

I open the back door which comes out into a beautiful garden full of roses. "I'm Em, by the way."

"I’m Shamus."

"Nice to meet you, Shamus. But tell me, why are you here, actually? I've never seen you before and I know almost everyone that passes by this mansion."

"I’m here to make sure everything's in order for th' queen. Tell me somethin', are there any more servants here or is it just ye?"

"First of all, are you really working for the royal family?! Wow. Second, there are a few more servants, if that's what you want to call them. First, there's Drew, he’s a stable boy, but he isn't here at the moment. Then there's Margret, she comes here once a month to help me with a thorough cleaning of the mansion. And last, there's Marco, he also comes once a month to tend to the gardens and lawns. And of course, there's me."

"That's all? Just four folk to look after a mansion as big as this?"

"You seem surprised. You don't believe we can keep this place clean with so few? You don't think I can keep it clean?" I stand still and turn around, hands on my hips.

"Don’t get yer panties in a bunch. I didn’t mean to offend ye. Don’t listen to what I have to say." He smiles at me, his eyes seem to sparkle in the sunlight and I feel myself relax.

"We're almost there," I say, turning around, so I don't have to look into his eyes. After a few more turns we enter a pavilion. In the middle, a little bench stands. Madame sits on it, looking over a sea of roses, growing all around the pavilion. I clear my throat before entering the pavilion so she knows I'm here.

"Madame, there's someone here to see you."

She stands up and turns around, looking at Shamus. "You must be sir McGregor. I was told you'd come."

Shamus takes a step forward. "Ye can call me Shamus."

"Well, mister Shamus, what can I help you with? If you need any information whatsoever just ask me."

"I think I have everythin' I need. From what I have seen, this looks like a safe place for th' queen an' princess to come."

"That's great news," I say before I can stop myself. Quickly I slap a hand over my mouth.

Shamus just smiles and says, "It is indeed."

I slowly lower my hand and smile back. "Em, are you already done cleaning everything?" Madame asks suddenly.

"No, sorry," I say, mentally shaking myself. “I’ll get right to it, Madame.”

"I have to go as well. I have to go back to th' palace."

"I'll show you out if you want," I tell him.

"That'd be much appreciated." He tells me. Turning back to Madame he says, “I hope to see ye again soon."

Together we walk back to the mansion.