Chapter 32: Family secrets (4)

"Don't you think we should bring Regina? I don't want her to be alone," Rachel insisted on her daughter tagging along. Her husband and son had both left home to run separate errands which meant her daughter would be here by herself.

"I won't be here by myself since Aurora is also home. Minnie, I think Aurora hasn't been feeling like herself since everyone else is always away. It might be best for me to stay and have fun with her to make her feel better. I promise we will be on our best behavior. I just want her to be like herself again," Regina said with puppy eyes to sway her grandmother.

"That works on your father but not me. Regina will stay home with Aurora." Even though Minnie might not be home, she sees and hears everything that is going on inside the home. The girls couldn't get past her in doing anything stupid and they knew not to bring anyone to the property or leave.

"But…" Rachel mumbled ready to disagree with this but she knew Minnie's words were final and there was nothing she could do. "Fine but be on your best behavior and take time to learn your dances while you're at it."

"Yes, mother. Thank you, Minnie."

"Come, Rachel, it would be rude to get to the party late. Be ready in an hour," Minnie said standing up. She wasn't interested in the tea party Rachel took it upon herself to hold when the day was indeed too hot for one outside on the balcony with the sun beaming down on them. Her daughter-in-law never had the common sense she would like for her to have. "From one party mess to another."

"You better not have anything bad planned to do today Regina. I mean it," Rachel said before hurrying on behind Minnie.

"I will make no promises mother," Regina grinned.

An hour later, Minnie and Rachel had left for the party at the Johnsons. Aurora and Regina stood at a window watching the carriage move further and further away from the home. Once it was completely out of sight they hurried up the stairs which led to the attic where all of their grandfather's things were kept.

"I know we have a long time before they return but I feel like they might pop back up right now. My heart is also running along with us," Aurora told Regina as they started to run up the stairs.

"Now that you said that out loud I feel nervous. We have to remain calm and remember the time. We shouldn't spend more than an hour in the attic because we have to go to Minnie's and father's room. And we have to stay aware of where the butler is."

"Actually, I did something to keep him busy. I kind of messed up one of the gardens before I came to find you. He must be losing his mind overseeing that it is done before Minnie returns home. We won't see him for a while. It just hurts me that I had to ruin that beautiful garden," Aurora sulked but knew it was for a good reason.

"Look at you creating distractions and stuff. You are a lot more sly than people think. If only I could hide that about myself. We're here," Regina panted gripping onto a railing after they just speed walked to the attic. She searched for something in the pocket of her dress and pulled out keys for the attic she had taken from Samuel. "The perks of our father giving Samuel more access to the house and me always finding my way into his room. How much more do you love me now?"

Aurora chucked and spread out her hands wide to show her love for her younger sister. "This times one hundred."

"Oh stop it," Regina said like she didn't ask for the compliment.

"What are you two doing up here? You're not allowed to be up here and with a key. I'm going to get the butler," said Sarah, a maid who spied for Rachel when she wasn't home.

Because Sarah reported back everything she saw Regina and mostly Aurora doing to Rachel, it made the maid think she had some sort of authority over the other maids and sometimes talked to Regina like she wasn't a member of the household. All because she had Rachel backing her actions.

"Take this Aurora and go inside," Regina said, handing her sister the key.

"But-" Aurora started to object but Regina stopped her.

"I have been waiting for this moment to speak with her while my mother was not here and now the perfect opportunity is here. Please go inside and start looking without me. It will only be a short moment," Regina promised her sister. She had a bone to pick with Sarah today.

Regina knew it was always Sarah who got Aurora in trouble by sometimes spreading lies. It upset her how much the maid thought she could belittle her sister and do as she pleased because her mother allowed her.

Growing up, Regina became more confident in protecting her older sister because Aurora was always too scared of speaking out and misbehaving in fear of being punished or pushed out of the only home she ever knew. For people to keep picking at her because they knew she couldn't say anything back infuriated Regina.

Seeing the determined look on Regina's face Aurora went inside leaving the two of them.

"I said you weren't allowed in there but you still sent her in. Your mother is going to be furious about this when she finds out and not to mention Minnie."

Regina rolled her eyes irritated with just Sarah's voice alone. "Do you know the two things I hate more than anything in this world Sarah?"

Sarah smiled innocently at the young heiress. "I don't know, miss."

"I hate people who don't know their place in the world and those who keep messing with my sister. Did you also not know," Regina said, stepping closer to Sarah to fix her apron which was out of place. "How cruel I can be when I want to and get away with it? Why do you think there was an opening for another maid?"