When Amelia reached Amy's chamber she didn't pause to knock, but simply opened the door and entered. Amy was sobbing on her bed and was being consoled by Mrs Hope, the housekeeper. Mrs Hope turned and saw Amelia standing in the open doorway. 'Good morning to you ma'am,' said Mrs Hope archly.
'Mrs Hope.., oh.., good morning,' replied Amelia, flustered. 'I was just.. err..' she continued, her voice trailing when she realised she had no legitimate reason to be bursting into Amy's room uninvited.
'I know why you're here,' Mrs Hope said bluntly. 'Amy has briefly told me what she witnessed,' Mrs Hope indicated a still sobbing Amy with a nod of her head. 'I was just about to tell the girl that she mustn't say anything about what she saw,' went on the housekeeper.
Amelia couldn't understand why Mrs Hope was counselling the young girl to keep silent; she had known the housekeeper for years and could think of no reason for her to guide Amy this way. She thought that Mrs Hope would have been outraged to hear that she had been fucking Archer, not only fucking the servant, but in full view of Simon also.
'Oh,' said Amelia. 'Thank you Mrs Hope, I'm er.., grateful to you.' Amelia struggled to find the words.
'Some things are best left unsaid,' Mrs Hope said mysteriously. 'Don't concern yourself further ma'am,' she added and a bemused Amelia merely nodded and left the room.
From his vantage point behind the wall, the Master watched the situation develop and when he saw his daughter turn and leave, he decided upon a course of action.
He made his way down to the concealed doorway in his chamber that led to the passage. Once back in the main body of the house he climbed the stairs and stood outside Amy's door. He knocked and walked in, Mrs Hope was still on the bed with a now calm Amy.
'Oh, it's the Master!' cried Mrs Hope, springing to her feet. Amy rose also, albeit a little slower than the housekeeper since she was puzzled by the continuous intrusions into her chamber by her employers. None of them had set foot in the room since she'd been working for the estate, but now there had been two of them within a matter of minutes.
'Ah, Mrs Hope,' said the Master. I understand Amy is a little distressed,' he continued, feigning concern for the girl.
'She was,' replied the housekeeper. 'But she's a bit more settled now, thank you sir.'
'Good, good,' the Master went on. 'I would hate for the girl to lose her place here because of she wasn't able to keep silent,' he threatened, moving over to the two women.
Mrs Hope looked levelly at the Master; she understood where this little scene was going. She knew all too well from her own experiences just how base the man's desires were and how he would be lusting for the young, nubile Amy. She had been fucked by the lecherous old goat herself in the past, it made no difference to the Master that she had a husband and family in the village, he cared nothing for any of them and avidly enjoyed using his power to force Mrs Hope to comply with his wishes.
The Master reached out his wrinkled hand and leant forward to stroke Amy's hair. The girl recoiled from the old man's touch. 'Don't be so prissy maid,' the Master hissed, gripping Amy's chin cruelly.
The girl cried out in shock, her eyes widening in fright at the rough handling.
'You must be kind to me, girl,' the Master said in an appealing tone. 'I can be very generous if I'm pleased, but I can be very harsh if not,' he continued, turning to Mrs Hope. 'Would you agree, Mrs Hope?' he questioned.
'Oh, aye Master, aye. Very generous indeed,' she agreed, wondering what further part she'd have to play in this sordid tale.
Encouraged by the housekeeper's words the Master went on, 'Will you be kind to me pretty maid?' he asked Amy, who looked to Mrs Hope for a sign of what to say or do.
