It had been a bitter cold winter, the kind were lakes froze solid and women wrapped up their children in layer upon layer of clothing, even a chill could prove fatal. Glittering icicles hung from branches and pathways were slippery with ice.
Caitlin lay in her narrow bed, thin blankets pulled up to her chin, trying to ignore the cold. Even with a thick corded sweatshirt over her nightgown and several pairs of woolen stockings, she shivered and her teeth chattered.
Her thoughts were drawn to the fire she knew was blazing in the study downstairs. As she thought of the warmth of the flames, Caitlin bit her lip and drew the blanket tighter still to her chest. It would be no good, she knew. It was set to be another frozen night without sleep. In the morning, she would suffer and the mistress would punish her sorely, yet again. Caitlin winced at the memory.
The wind howled outside, rattling the glass in the windowpane. The grandfather clock on the landing below struck eleven o'clock. Caitlin sighed, the night had barely begun yet she felt as if she had lain in her bed hours yet. It wouldn't do, she had to find some way of getting warm. A half hour spent by the fire in the study wouldn't hurt. No one should miss her.
Tentatively, Caitlin pushed back her blanket and rose to her feet. As the floorboards creaked slightly, she held her breath before taking another step. The lamps were dim, just giving her enough light to see where she was going. Down the stairs, she felt her bare feet make contact with the carpeted flooring as she reached the second floor landing. The light was still on in the master bedroom, Caitlin noticed as she slipped noiselessly past.
Down two more flights of stairs, her heart in her throat the entire time, Caitlin reached the heavy mahogany door of the study. Reaching for the brass doorknob, she turned it slightly to the left and it clicked open. Hastily, she closed the door behind her and ran toward the hearth. The fire was burning brightly, the heat hitting her immediately like a blanket of warmth. She settled to her knees, resting her head against the wall, letting her eyes lull closed as she savoured the blazing fire.
Footsteps in the hall woke her, heavy thunderous strides across the floorboards. Fear rose in Caitlin's throat, how could she have been foolish enough to let herself fall asleep. Someone would surely find her; she could only imagine what her punishment would be. Caitlin bit her tongue, backing in an alcove with terror. The footsteps came to the door and it swung open, revealing a tall figure carrying a lamp in one hand.
"What the bloody hell are you doing here?" Boomed the master, his eyes staring into her fiercely.
"Please, Mr. Carson...I only came down to check the fire; honest...I'll be going now, sorry sir...." She pleaded but he ignored her, roughly pulling her to her feet.
"Who are you?" He said.
"Caitlin sir, I'm so sorry....I do beg your pardon, I didn't mean...."
"Be quiet, I do not want to hear your lies. Do you think me a fool?" His face was stony, as if daring her to question him.
"No sir...of course not, sorry sir, it won't happen..."
"You do understand that no servant is allowed in my study without my permission?"
"Yes sir, I know that sir,"
"Then why, might I ask, do you happen to be in here at this ungodly hour?" He thrust towards a clock on the wall, the minute hand just reaching 5 minutes past three.
"I...It was only..." Caitlin stuttered, willing herself not to cry.
"Don't bother, it doesn't matter. All that matters is that you deliberately disobeyed house rules. Therefore, you must be punished," He said, staring at her with eyes full of emotion Caitlin could not place.
"Please sir, I'm so sorry...I didn't mean to...please sir," She said, her words all running into one.
Mr. Carson stood silently for a time, his head bowed as if in deep thought. Caitlin's heart pounded in her chest as she waited.
"I will devise a suitable punishment for you tomorrow. Please get out of my sight," He said finally, dismissing her with a wave of his hand.
She rose to her feet and dashed from the room, making hasty strides up the staircase. It felt as if a hot coal were in the pit of her stomach. Brushing a tear from her eyes, she climbed into her narrow bed for the second time that evening. Fear rose in her throat, making it impossible for her to sleep at all. All night till the morning sun rose, she lay there contemplating whatever terrible punishment awaited her the following day.
The next morning, Caitlin scrubbed the kitchen floor with vigour, desperate not to get into anymore trouble. The day wore on and still she waited to be called to the master's office. Dread wound itself into a coil in her stomach, like a spring ready to snap.
Her whole body ached as she threw herself into her chores, all the time counting the minutes till she was back in his study. She saw his cold eyes staring at her everywhere she looked, sending terrified shivers down her spine.
As she climbed the stairs to her attic room that evening, Caitlin felt a heavy hand upon her shoulder. She span around, staring into the same ice blue eyes that had haunted her all day. Her stomach turned over and she stood quaking before him.
