Charlotte had came home late the previous night, and gone straight to bed. The house was remarkably quiet. She woke up early and walked around, trying to find Danielle.
Lord Blakeney sat in his study, his face pale and haggard. His wanted to go to Tessa, but how could he face her after all the things he'd done. What did Euripides say? Quem Deus vult perdere, prius dementat.
Restless, he stood up and left his office to prowl about the house, anything to get his mind away from his guilt. Passing by the servant�s quarters, he heard footsteps approach and found Charlotte approach. Charlotte who had given that girl access to destroying him. "Charlotte! A word in my study."
Charlotte heard a voice behind her and curtsied as she was her worst nightmare, His Lordship, looking tired, angry and in poor spirits. "Yes, your lordship" she whispered as she followed him away and again stood before the desk, though interestingly the horse whip was gone.
Lord Blakeney took a seat behind his desk, in a cold, deadly voice he asked, "Where were you yesterday?"
Charlotte winced. She wasn't supposed to leave the house! "Danielle asked me to switch days off with her, I was in town, your lordship but I didn�t say a word about the family, of course" she said, mentally praying that the horse whip would stay gone from sight.
"Danielle, has been given her paper," Lord Blakeney replied. "Though her's was a different story, she claimed that it was you who instigated the switch. I am greatly upset that you did not obey my wishes and that you would leave my sister-in-law in the care of a thief and gossip, my dear."
Danielle had been fired? She had stolen something? She had lied to Milord? She had gossiped? Charlotte paled even more, she had always thought Danielle was so kind, a bit gossipy but she had truly been fooled and now what would happen to her? Oh Sweet Jesus, had Danielle taken something from Lady Emilie? His Lordship had always been immensely protective of the young Lady, but now that she lay injured and pathetically hysterical, Charlotte had no doubt that anything that might upset the girl would be dealt with most severally. "I...I...am very sorry, she just gave me a good reason and well, I thought I still had my day off. I didn't mean to place Lady Emilie under such a person's care; I didn't know Danielle was like that, she always seemed so nice. I didn't know she was such a horrid person. I really am sorry, your Lordship" she said, knowing that her excuses sounded feeble.
"Well then, my dear, you realize there must be some punishment," Blakeney said. "Now what shall we do with you?" Charlotte shivered. "I...I..I am very sorry, your lordship. I'll not take my day off next month to make up for being absent" she whispered.
Blakeney's brow furrowed, his cold eyes bore right through her. "Do you think that's enough?" He got up and went around the desk and stared down at her. "For disobeying? For acting irresponsibility? What did I tell you I would do if I heard rumors going around?" Charlotte was choking with tears. "I don't know, sir. But...I wasn't even here, I didn't gossip" she whispered. "Your lordship said you'd make losing my pay seem like nothing. But please, I didn't gossip to anyone" she quaked.
"Be that as it may, my dear, but I did tell you that YOU were to see to it that no one was spreading gossip!"
Charlotte opened her mouth but nothing came out. She just stood there almost in tears. "I'm sorry...I didn't, I did try...I warned everyone" she choked out. "But then you so quickly abandoned your post," Blakeney responded. Charlotte hung her head. "I just took a day off, I thought I was helping a friend. Please don't be angry, my lord" she whispered. "Pray tell, my dear, what else should I be?" Blakeney asked menacingly. "Your 'friend' spread rumors about your masters through this house terrifying the children, and then I find that she stole from my wife! Is that the sort of friends you keep perhaps an inspection of your room is in order..."
Charlotte stood her tearful ground. She didn't do anything wrong and she had to prove it to save her life. She was afraid though; his Lordship had mentioned something had terrified the children, meaning Danielle had especially upset Lady Emilie. From what she remembered about the girl, she was on the verge of nervous collapse anyway, had Danielle pushed the girl into hysterics? If she had, then Charlotte was doomed. What rumors? "My Lord, I have nothing to hide in my room if you search them. I did not know Danielle was a thief but I am very sorry that these occurred. I would never willingly do anything to hurt the family, my lord" she said softly, staring at the ground at His Lordship's feet. She knew she was condemned, it only depended how much. She shivered, when was he going to stop playing with her like that and just tell her fate? It was nerve-racking! She waited in abject terror for the Master to declare sentence. Blakeney grabbed her by the hair and pulled her head back to face him. "I don't think your listening, Charlotte," Blakeney said. "I asked you what sort of punishment was appropriate for you. I want an answer not an excuse!"
Charlotte winced as Milord yanked her hair and made him face her. "I'll do extra work to make up for missing a day, my lord and I...won't take days off for three months" she whispered, hoping her sacrifice was enough. "That part goes without saying, my dear," Blakeney replied. "And...?� Charlotte gulped. "I...surely don't deserve a beating for this" she said, closing her eyes and turning green. "Is there something else that will keep you true to your duties?" Blakeney demanded.
Charlotte wanted to answer "fear of him" but she simply said "My loyalty" in a quavering voice. Blakeney let go of her hair, took a step back and then struck her hard with the back of his hand. "Such insolence!" Charlotte landed in a heap, her head spinning and her face on fire. "I am sorry, my lord, forgive my words" she whispered.
"I'm tired of excuses!" Blakeney snarled, hauling Charlotte to her feet. "All day long I have to deal with insolence, and laziness and cowardice! Why should I put up with your flaws when there are so many others who would give anything to have your job?" Charlotte turned white. "Please don't fire me, I swear this will never happen again" she begged, ready to go on her knees to keep her job.
Blakeney shoved her against the desk and unbuckled and freed his belt. He grabbed Charlotte's hands and placed them on the desk before her. "Remember this the next time you act out of line!" He then began to whip her hands mercilessly with his belt until they bled. After a while he stopped. "I trust this will be the last talk we have like this?"
Charlotte was almost sobbing but had bit her lip in order to hold in her yells. Milord had pushed her into the desk, taken off his belt, then grabbed her hands and slammed them on the desk, palms up. She had been shaking as he had strapped her hands, the skin was purple and broken and blood was pouring from the welts. It burned, like lines of fire across her palms. She hung her head after he was done castigating her. "Yes, my lord" she answered in a whisper. Blakeney when back behind his desk and sat down. " Go back to the kitchens and clean up, then go about your duties. I pray for your sake that you do not have any more such conversations."
