Chapter Six
Awakened by the sounds of the other two getting dressed, Emma sleepily wondered where she was for a few seconds as she looked up at the dirty, cobwebbed ceiling of the cramped room. Then the memories flooded back and she shivered with the intensity of feeling that rushed through her senses. A cruel tug on the bedclothes made her squeal as cold air wafted over her body and Hannah chuckled and then whipped the thin blanket off entirely.
"Come on, sleepyhead. You need to get moving or you are going to be late on your first proper day and then you will get punished by Miss Morgan or Mr Jamieson. Oh and it is your turn to empty the chamber pots!" the girl finished with triumphantly as she adjusted her white apron and pinned her mob cap into place before leaving the room.
Emma stayed in bed for a few moments longer then, groaning with the effort, pushed herself up and hurriedly got ready. She washed in a lukewarm bowl of water then got dressed, slipping the chemise over her head and then the skirt and blouse followed by the cap and apron. She gartered her stockings tightly then traipsed down the servants' stairs carrying one chamber pot having emptied the other two into it. After rinsing it out in the sluice room, she entered the kitchen just in time to snatch a quick breakfast before she had to take Miss Amanda's up on a silver tray.
"That girl better get a hearty breakfast inside her," murmured the cook as she ladled a portion of scrambled egg onto the porcelain plate and set it down carefully on the tray. "Mr Jamieson will be seeing to her straight after breakfast, I believe!"
Emma knocked quietly at Miss Amanda's door and then entered when bidden, finding the girl sitting up in bed and looking pale and wan. She set the tray down on the bedcovers then went and drew back the curtains, allowing the early morning sun to shine in and warm the room.
"I will require hot water in half an hour or so," remarked Amanda as she took the cover off the plate and Emma curtseyed respectfully and withdrew swiftly. Water was boiling merrily away in huge coppers in the kitchen and so it was only a matter of pouring some carefully into a ewer and then taking it up the stairs at the required time. Wryly Emma thought to herself that she was going to get extremely fit trudging up and down stairs all day as she nudged the bedroom door open and walked in. She then removed the breakfast tray and hurried back up the stairs at Amanda's orders so that she could help her get ready.
Emma lifted off her mistress' nightgown and bared her body to the sun's flickering rays. A dappled effect covered the naked flesh as wispy clouds covered part of the sun and Emma swallowed hard as she tried to resist the temptation to fall to her knees and worship the tall, willowy figure.
"Wash me, girl!" came a peremptory order and Emma fell to with a will, sponging down the long legs and then up Amanda's back. Lathering the full breasts and feeling the nipples jut out against her fingers was heavenly and Emma had to consciously bite down on her tongue to stop herself making noises of appreciation and delight. She had just finished washing her mistress when a sharp knock sounded on the door and Amanda's dark grey eyes glanced across in fright and her face paled.
"I expect that will be Mr Jamieson," she announced with a shiver and she wrapped herself hurriedly in a peignoir while Emma walked over to answer. Opening the door just a crack, Emma discovered that Amanda had been correct in her assumption that it was the butler and she stood hurriedly aside as he pushed past her, carrying what appeared to be a cross between a stool and a chaise longue.
"You have five minutes to prepare, Miss Amanda, and then I will return. Your maid will stay and help you. I expect to find you ready or I will add further strokes to your punishment," he stated coldly as he set the stool down and stared at the pale girl.
"Which is?" inquired Amanda, her voice trembling slightly as she forced the enquiry out.
"Six strokes...from the tawse, the crop, the cane and the martinet. Lord Talbot has decided that he has been gentle with you for too long and this time he expects you to be truly penitent. Afterwards you will write a letter of apology to your father and to your fiancΓ©. That will be completed by lunch or I will apply a second dose this afternoon."
With that threat hanging in the air, the butler turned on his heel and strode out, leaving a white-faced Amanda shivering at the prospect of being beaten for her temerity in questioning her father's choice of husband.