Bab 10: Jealousy (2)

Annalise knocked on Beatrice's door. She learned from Cara that this room was personally assigned to Beatrice whenever she came to visit and spend a few days there. "You called for me, Lady Beatrice."

"Lady Beatrice," Beatrice smiled, standing up from her seat now that Annalise had arrived. "I always tell Mavis the girls can just call me Beatrice. I ripped the Lady title from my name when I ran away and married Rafael's father. That's a depressing story I will bore you with another day. Come inside and close the door behind you. There are so many who wander the halls for news."

Annalise stepped inside the large room which was nothing compared to the small room given to her. It was spacious with furniture that matched the one in Rafael's room. Annalise had a feeling Beatrice decorated both to match.

"I'm going to stay here for a few days if my husband allows it. He thinks I bother Rafael too much and I do, but how can I not when my only child goes off to who knows where risking his life? Rafael has always been a quiet boy and never tells me what is on his mind. Be a dear, Annalise. Tell me if you have heard about any wounds on him," Beatrice requested.

Annalise thought back to when she got a good look at Rafael last night. There were a few scratches, but honestly, she was more focused on his sword than finding wounds on him. "The young master is fine. There is no need for you to worry," she replied,

"You would make for an excellent liar, Annalise. For now, I will pretend to believe your words because I like you. I like the way you speak and the fact you seem to get under Mavis's skin. You aren't one of those young ladies who run back to tell her everything. I hope I didn't create any trouble for you by personally picking you," Beatrice said, slowly walking toward the balcony in her room.

"There will be a few girls who are jealous, but that is nothing to worry about," Annalise answered.

Beatrice accidentally snorted and covered her mouth with her hand. "Excuse my reaction. Whenever you talk I am just so pleasantly surprised. You know, I wouldn't have minded if there was something between you and my son. I know the maids try their best efforts to capture his attention, but it is all in vain," Beatrice said.

"You have raised a wonderful son, but I have no interest in the young master. I am simply here to do my work," Annalise said, hoping this would be the last mention of her wanting to aim to be Rafael's woman.

It would not happen now or anytime in the future when she had more important things to deal with.

"For the first time, I believe that your words are true. I would like to make a request that in my absence, you watch the things that Rafael does, and report to me when I come to visit. In exchange, I will protect you from Mavis unnecessarily firing you. I heard there was quite a show in my son's bathroom last night. What do you say?" Beatrice asked, resting back on the wall of the balcony as she watched Annalise.

Hearing that she could have protection against Mavis was enough to convince Annalise to keep an eye on Rafael. It was already something she was doing anyway as she was trying to figure out what Rafael was like.

"I will keep a good eye on your son, Lady Beatrice. I promise," said Annalise.

"Wonderful," Beatrice clapped her hands. It would be much better if Annalise were assigned to be Rafael's maid, but this would do for now considering the fact Rafael didn't seem too pleased with Annalise around. "I'm planning a welcome home party for Rafael and all the knights. You and I will be doing a bit of walking around later on. You can rest your feet for now," she pointed to her chairs.

'Oh thank goodness,' Annalise thought, happy to be off her feet for a moment. Annalise went to sit down in the chair Beatrice previously sat in.

"Since you and I will be working closely, we should know a little about each other. All the tales you will hear about me from other servants and around the town are untrue. I've lived a colourful life, but it has been told differently by people who do not know me. They just want to spread any kind of story about the Callahans. Let's start with you, Annalise. Where are you from?" Beatrice asked, greatly intrigued by the young maid.

"I come from far out of town, in a small village where my parents own a farm. It is a small village you have probably never heard of. How grand will the party for the knights be?" Annalise asked, switching the conversation to something else so she no longer had to speak about her family. She didn't want to talk about her family with a Callahan. No matter how much she was starting to like Beatrice.

"It will be quite grand-"

A knock at the door interrupted Beatrice.

"Lady Beatrice," a woman's voice was heard from the other end.

"Let her in," Beatrice said to Annalise.

Annalise nodded her head and stood from her seat to open the door for whoever was outside. She was curious to see who had come to visit Beatrice.

Upon opening the door, Annalise came face to face with a young lady who was dressed similarly to Beatrice in a dress made of exquisite material.

The brunette woman standing outside the door gave Annalise a lookover before pushing her way in. "Lady Beatrice," the woman curtsied.

Annalise closed the door and went back to her seat. She wondered if this was another Callahan.

"Delilah," Beatrice walked up to the young woman and greeted her with a hug. "It is wonderful to see you, dear. Be honest. Have you come to see Rafael or me?"

"You, of course. I went to your home and was told you came to visit Rafael. I didn't know he would be returning this early," Delilah said, wishing she knew he was returning yesterday so she would have arrived earlier. She had to beat the other young ladies who would come to congratulate him on once again winning the fight.

"Neither did I. All that matters is Rafael is back here all safe and sound. You are just in time. Annalise just asked about the party I will hold for Rafael and all the other knights. Annalise is a new maid. You'll love her," said Beatrice. "She's here to keep me company."

Delilah side-eyed the maid Beatrice spoke of. She didn't care to get to know a maid. She was here to get close to Rafael and these maids who worked here were nothing but loose women who looked for every opportunity to get in his bed. "I came to speak to you about something private. Leave us," she ordered Annalise. Now that she was here a maid was not needed.

"I am sorry, but it is only Lady Beatrice who I answer to when the young master, head maid, or butler is not here," Annalise replied.