Page 150 of Storm of Bells
‘Because you’ll need to on your trip to town.How long before you can be back here with the doctor?’
‘About half a day, if I had a horse, My Lady.But I could never afford—’
‘Don’t you worry about that. Benson?’
The butler snapped to attention. ‘Yes, MyLady?’
‘Show this gentleman to the manor stables andlet him have his pick of the horses.’
‘Err…except for the carriage horses, there’sjust one mount in there, My Lady.’
‘Then picking shouldn’t be hard, now, shouldit?’
‘No, My Lady!’
‘Excellent. I shall expect you back with thedoctor no later than tomorrow, young fellow. Mrs Delaney and herchildren are counting on you.’
They all exchanged stunned glances. I didn’tunderstand, until I realised—I had remembered her name. Thesepeople weren’t used to be called by name, except maybe names like‘Faster, faster!’ or ‘Get along with your work already!’
I met the young man’s gaze. ‘You had betternot disappoint them, understood? I expect nothing but excellenceand promptness from you…?’
‘Benny, My Lady.’
‘Nice to meet you Benny. Now, off withyou.’
Beaming, the man bowed. ‘Yes, My Lady! I willleave right away, My Lady!’
He dashed off towards the manor with Bensonhobbling after him. Everyone turned to stare after them—until Iclapped my hands, attracting their attention.
‘What are you all standing around for? Wehave work to do! There are more roofs to fix, walls to paint, and asewage system to inspect.’
‘S-sewage?’ The look on my dear aunt’s face,who stood at the edge of the crowd looking wonderfully dishevelled,was a treat to behold.
I beamed at her. ‘You’re interested? Why,dear Aunty, I never knew you had an interest in public health.That’s wonderful! You can be in charge of that project.’
‘I-in charge?’
‘You don’t have to thank me. I’d do anythingfor you, my dear Auntie.’
And, leaving my loving relative standing withher eyes nearly bugging out of her face, I turned and began issuingorders to the rest of the women. Amazingly, they obeyed withoutquestion. Not only that, they obeyed eagerly, practically runningto do my bidding. Not even Mr Rikkard Ambrose commanded suchinstant obedience. And I hadn’t even tried to glare at them, orthreaten to cut their non-existent salaries! What was going on?
You know exactly what’s going on. The exactthing you planned from the beginning.
I smiled.
‘Patsy?’
‘Yes, Lilly?’
‘Hand me that ladder, will you? I think I’llgo help the people on the roof.’
‘But there are already half a dozen upthere.’
‘Patsy?’
‘Yes?’
‘Just hand me the ladder.’
