章 19: Wait For My Gift, Nanny.
"Someone has suddenly showed up and she's a huge threat." Regina emphasized the word "threat" with a drawl.
"Today Ma'am. As I speak she's having dinner with the family," she added seconds later
"No, no. She came under the pretext of a nanny."
"Yes.. to Mr Brandon's son."
'Yes!' Regina couldn't help but silently jump in excitement at the response she got from the other end before saying to the person,
"I'd be most delighted to do so, Ma'am."
"You can trust me on that."
"Bye Madam," she ended the call, a vicious grin creeping up her face.
"Wait for my gift, Nanny!"
Meanwhile, at the main house, oblivious that she was already being plotted against, Grace had just finished dinner and was about to relocate to the wheelchair and head back to her room when she remembered something.
"I'd like to go back home, Sir," she told Jace, whose face instantly darkened.
"I thought we already settled that," he said in clipped tones.
"I know, it's.. it's just that … I didn't bring any of my personal belongings here and … I don't have anything to change into."
"Oh, that,'' Jace's face relaxed. "Mr Fitzwilliam will send a change of clothes to your room and by tomorrow morning, a tailor will come around to take your measurements.
"I don't need to get new clothes," she quickly refuted.
How was she going to pay for them? She is yet to know what she'll be earning as a nanny. Although she knew it wasn't going to be below average, she can't start being frivolous with her spendings. Besides, it's too early to ask for an IOU from her boss.
Reading her thoughts, Jace said, "You don't have to pay me later. It is the custom here to get a fresh set of clothes for all new employees. Besides, you don't expect to be taking care of my son dressed in rags."
Grace's face turned crimson as she bent down to look at her clothes. Although they were not the high end labels that the rich usually wear, they were still presentable. She had chosen one of her best since she was going to Brandon Corps that afternoon specifically to meet with him.
But how could she refute that seeing that the dress was no longer in its best form after the fall she had that afternoon. But who was to blame for that, wasn't it because she was saving his son that her dress now looks like rags?
She could only mumble a meek, "alright, sir," before leaving the dining room.
Jace had already told her while they were eating that she would resume work fully after her ankle was healed so she didn't need to take care of Charles for the meantime.
Not long after she got to her room, she heard a knock on her door.
"Come in," Grace called out.
The door swung open and a tall, curvy girl stepped inside.
She looked younger than most of the servants Grace had seen in the mansion since she arrived- probably in her early twenties.
Her big brown eyes were almost the same shade as her full chestnut colored hair which had been pulled tightly in a bun.
She raised her long, slim fingers to her hairline, where some wayward curls had escaped, and unsuccessfully tried to shove them back into place.
"Hello, I'm Ingrid Sawyer. I thought I'd
introduce myself first," she said in a very clipped British accent that Grace fell in love with immediately.
"Nice to meet you, Ingrid. I'm Grace Fowler," Grace smiled warmly at the girl. She was like a breath of fresh air from the toxic reception she had gotten from the other servants.
"I've been asked to deliver this to you," Ingrid said as she handed Grace a paper bag.
"Thanks, and I'm sorry for bothering you." Grace received the bag and carefully placed it on her bed.
"It's okay," Ingrid smiled sincerely. "I heard you are the new nanny to master Charles. How are you going to cope in a wheelchair?"
"I should be fine in a day or two. It's just a little sprain in my ankle,"
"Oh thank God. I knew Mr Brandon would not hire a cripple to take care of his son."
Grace was taken aback. "Cripple?"
"Mm-hmm, that's what the rest said. But now that I've seen you, I'm glad it's only a sprained ankle. You are too beautiful to be a cripple."
Grace couldn't help but laugh out loud. "You are equally beautiful yourself."
Ingrid knew she was beautiful but hearing another woman say so made her feel good.
"Really? But don't let Regina hear you say that. She believes she's the only beautiful one in this mansion."
"Who is Regina?" Grace asked, although she had an inkling who she was already.
"You will meet her soon if you haven't," Ingrid waved dismissively. "She is very full of herself and can be easily spotted in a crowd, if you understand what I mean."
"With the description you gave, I think I've met her," Grace smiled.
"Just be careful around her, though. I think she might not like you seeing how beautiful you are."
"Thanks for the tip-off. I'll follow your advice," Grace said as an encouragement to Ingrid for taking the trouble to warn her about Regina. Besides, she had already made up her mind to do just that before now.
"I have to go now, take down my number so that you can call me in case you need any assistance. I'll gladly help out until you're back on your feet again."
"Thanks so much, but why are you doing this for me?"
"It's because I like you," Ingrid replied without much thought and called out her phone number for Grace to key into her phone.
"Bye and do have a lovely first night, Grace."
"Thank you, bye."
Grace was still smiling minutes after the door was closed. Somehow she was at peace with Ingrid and didn't sense any negative energy from her.
"At least there's someone I can easily relate with here."
******************
What do you think of Ingrid? Please leave a comment.
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