Chapter 22: Escort (1)

"Oh, Annalise dear. I was told it was your day off," Beatrice said, surprised to see the young lady here. "I hoped you weren't pulled away from your time to yourself to come to me."

"No, Lady Callahan. We are in need of more servants at the moment so I offered to work the rest of the evening," Annalise answered. She looked around at the mess Beatrice created in her room. She figured it was all for this party Beatrice was planning.

"Well, I will be sure to add something to what you are paid. You've been assigned as my maid so you deserve a little more. Now," Beatrice turned back to what she was doing. "Rafael's grand return party will be held tomorrow night. I've been working extra hard to put it together so soon. Invitations have been sent out to some friends of ours. I wish I had time to invite his friends out of town. This will be a party mostly for the knights to relax and enjoy their return."

"They've been away from home for so long and have jumped back into training for when they would have to go out again. I don't know how these men are so fond of this life. I cannot bear being away from my family for so long. That is why I miss Rafael so dearly. I've gone through this with my husband. Oh, dear. Why am I ruining the occasion?" Beatrice asked, turning to Annalise.

"You are not, Lady Callahan. If you wish to express your feelings or cry, you can do so freely. I will not tell anyone about it," Annalise replied.

Beatrice smiled, liking Annalise more and more. It had to do with the fact that she could not tell if this was truly Annalise's personality or if she was good at putting on an act while serving her. She first thought of Annalise being a bad liar but she was wrong.

"It is a good offer, but I will hold my tears. If I start crying it never ends and my husband will come running with his sword. I wonder where he is now. Probably with Rafael. One of the good things about Rafael being a knight is that he has something to talk about with his father. The two can talk about their travels for hours. It is sweet. I should have tried to have another child. A girl would be lovely so she would always be near," Beatrice sighed.

There was a knock at Beatrice's door and before Annalise could move to see who had come to visit, the door opened revealing Delilah and an older woman.

'I thought they were to wait until the door was answered. Is it because they are close?' Annalise frowned. How was she supposed to get accustomed to the rules here if everyone kept bending them to their liking?

"Rachel," Beatrice smiled, walking to the door to greet her friend. "I wasn't made aware that you would be visiting. This is a lovely surprise."

Rachel Harrison, Delilah's mother, greeted Beatrice with a hug. "Henry has come to speak with both Rafael and River. I think we are going to be staying for dinner," she said,

"Really? The more the merrier. It shall make this night better despite how nosy it already is with all the knights. I look forward to having more seats filled at dinner. Come take a look at the plans I have made for Rafael's party. I hope you have received your invitations," Beatrice said as she would hate to know her guests had not received them yet when she went through all the trouble of sending them out early in the morning.

"Don't start panicking, Beatrice. We received our invitations around noon. You've placed yourself to be under pressure by having this party so soon," Rachael said, walking into the room. She glanced at Annalise, who bowed her head slightly and looked at the floor. 'I thought Delilah said she didn't have any manners?' She looked over her shoulder at Delilah who was already fixated on the maid.

Rachel would never understand why these young ladies were so worried about the maids. Men were always going to be men and sleep with the nearest women who'd let them. It didn't matter if you got rid of one maid you dislike. There would be another to replace her. What mattered most for women was to get a ring to secure their future. To have the protection of your husband's name.

Besides, Rachel didn't worry about Rafael not keeping it in his pants around women. There were no tales of him being a whoring scoundrel. The young man was more interested in his work than women. If there was a woman Rafael was fooling around with, Beatrice would not keep it a secret. Delilah was wasting her time worrying about a maid when she should be keeping herself ahead of the other young ladies who will start visiting to capture Rafael's attention.

Rachel was here with the sole purpose of convincing Beatrice to let Delilah be Rafael's companion for tomorrow night. It would send a strong message to all the other young ladies that Delilah was winning the battle and have other men trying to steal Delilah from Rafael's arm.

"I've been one to plan a party in a short period of time and manage to pull it off. It only takes me stressing and a few strands of hair changing color. I want my son to take a break and at least enjoy one night of fun with his friends before he gets sent somewhere again. I've hired someone to help me so the preparations are almost done. I am in dire need of rest now," Beatrice sighed, ready to go straight to bed.

"You must get off your feet for a moment. Let me see what you have planned so far," said Rachel.

Delilah followed behind her mother while keeping a close eye on Annalise. Her mother advised her to forget about the maid, but how could she when all she could think about was Annalise saying she would go after Rafael. She didn't know why it bothered her. Rafael was not going to sleep with his maid of all people. She had that much faith in him because she viewed him to be the perfect gentleman.

Delilah now wished Annalise would throw herself at Rafael so he could reject her and kick her out of his home. 'I've worried for nothing. A maid who does not know how to act will not last here,' she smiled.

"You're planning a wonderful party as always, but I notice, there aren't many nobles or many of the important families listed as guests," Rachel said after she looked over the guest list. It was mostly the knights who lived here that were attending.

"Well, it isn't that kind of a party. It is meant for Rafael and the knights. Not a social gathering for the town. Annalise, be a dear and pack up those dresses for me. I'll be leaving after the party so I must have my things together," said Beatrice. "Oh, but not the red and green dresses. I need those tomorrow."

"Yes, Lady Callahan," Annalise replied, quickly moving to pack up the dresses.