The Knight's Mysterious Maid-Chapter 340: Lady of the manor (3)

Beatrice waited for Rafael to part from Annalise to turn to Mavis and the maids who were already quick to whisper amongst themselves. "I know this is a lot for all of you to take right now. To go from working with her to this. I would find it a little hard to get used to if I were in your shoes," she said, trying to understand their feelings.

"Some of you will get over this after a day or two while some of you are never going to let this moment go. I want to inform you that even though you worked together in the past it doesn’t mean you can speak to her as you like now or do things you know a maid wouldn’t with any other guest. I know how some of you can get with the taunting," said Beatrice.

She witnessed it here, sometimes in her home, or at friends’ homes when the maids didn’t think anyone was around to listen. Then there were the few times maids either married or became mistresses to the men they worked for. The people they worked with never stopped calling them all kinds of names.

"I love all of you for keeping this hectic house together and I’ve become used to so many of your faces. With that being said, I expect that you truly listened to my son’s words about treating her well. If anything reaches my ears, not only will you be fired, but I will see to it you don’t find a good-paying job in this town again."

Annalise’s eyes widened, surprised by what Beatrice declared. It was scary because during this talk Beatrice had not stopped smiling. She would have never bet Beatrice would be someone to interfere with someone finding work.

’So she does have this side to her,’ Annalise realised. Now she was curious how far someone had to push to make Beatrice show just how cruel she could be.

Annalise crossed her fingers, hoping there would be someone to taunt her for being with Rafael so she could witness Beatrice going through what she claimed.

"If you don’t think that it is possible that I can ensure you don’t find work like this again, I welcome you to try something stupid. Annalise is like family to me and if you disrespect her, you are disrespecting me, therefore, I have no choice but to come after you. I won’t tolerate even the most silent whisper when Annalise walks around the manor. Understood?" Beatrice asked.

To see Beatrice go so far for Annalise, Mavis felt that what she assumed was true. It was highly possible that Annalise was pregnant and since Beatrice had always been so eager to have a grandchild, she was welcoming Annalise with open arms.

Mavis had overheard the times Beatrice asked Rafael if he found a woman during his travels. She would settle for any woman as long as they were not after Rafael’s wealth. Clearly, Beatrice was settling for Annalise.

"I will pass your warning on to the other maids," Mavis said, sneaking a glance at Annalise’s belly. It was flat now, but soon there would be more signs to confirm or deny her claim. If it was true, Beatrice couldn’t stop what would be said about how Annalise got Rafael.

Eventually, Annalise would be sent to another home to be out of sight from the people in town like how every other man did with her kind. Still, Mavis would continue to get close to her. She needed to stay on good terms with whoever Rafael was having a child with or marrying.

"Good. I will leave it to you to keep an eye on the maids so I don’t need to come here to deal with it myself. Of course, Annalise will have the power to deal with it on her own too. I hope that you can forget any issues you had when she was a maid and start fresh with her to help her know what she has to do as the lady of the manor," Beatrice said as Mavis needed to be on Annalise’s side so the maids wouldn’t think they could get away with their gossip.

Beatrice liked Mavis, a little less if compared to Edwin, but she knew how someone in Mavis’s position could have maids she favoured. Maids she allowed to do as they liked and she knew from her first interactions with Annalise that Mavis didn’t like her in the beginning.

Beatrice understood why since Annalise wasn’t like the other maids who faded into the background and thought twice before they spoke. Annalise said what was on her mind and now Beatrice knew it might have been due to the difference in life here and at home at the border for Annalise.

When Annalise’s true life would be revealed then Mavis might understand, but until then, Mavis should help Annalise just as she would any other Callahan.

"I will take care of her and have her feeling right at home. Excuse me, Lady Beatrice. I need to let the maids help the knights so they can get back to their work afterwards," said Mavis. She needed to get away from here to relax and think about all of this. Also to ask around the maids what they know and then tell them to pass on the message to keep quiet.

Not only was Rafael looking to fire them, but now Beatrice, who had friendships with some of the wives in town, was going to stop them from getting good work.

"I won’t keep you waiting any longer. I need to soak and get dressed. If Rafael asks, I am in my bedroom, and Annalise will be in the one in front of him. Excuse us," Beatrice said, holding Annalise’s hand to walk inside with her.

Annalise walked by the maids with Beatrice. She didn’t avoid their gaze since she had nothing to be ashamed of. It will all be revealed who she was soon, but as for right now, she wanted to keep it a secret until she took a nap and settled in. In regards to how her relationship with Rafael came to be, Annalise didn’t think of explaining herself.

Working among the maids before, she knew how her words would be twisted or ignored so there was no point in sharing her story. The only people she would tell if they asked were Cara and Heidi whom she already knew would say they knew something was happening with Rafael.

"Thank you," Annalise said to Beatrice when they reached the stairs and they were alone.

"I know how it is with gossip. You can take care of yourself with more than just words but I want it to be known that I am on your side. Oftentimes, many would assume that I want to drive you out so they would hurt you trying to please me. I don’t have time for that. I’ve had too much drama in my life that has followed me to this point to be chasing away women Rafael brings home," said Beatrice.

From her experience of her family not liking the man she loved and the hardship she faced, Beatrice strived to be the opposite of her parents. Allowing Rafael to pick his partner while only offering advice when she saw fit. It was a fear of Beatrice’s to one day hear Rafael say that she wasn’t accepting of the people around him whether it be women or just friends.

"Besides, I’ve liked you from the beginning so there is no reason to not be nice to you now. You are the first woman I have gotten to know before a relationship started with Rafael. Oh, should I not mention his past?" Beatrice asked, not wanting to get ahead of herself and mention something that would have Annalise upset with Rafael.

What woman wanted to hear that the man they loved had others before them?

Beatrice wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if she were the reason Rafael and Annalise ended their growing relationship.

"It is fine. His past is not something to bother me as long as it stays in the past. I also have my past," Annalise said, referring to the fact Rafael was not the first man she had been intimate with. As long as Rafael was only sharing a bed with her, Beatrice wouldn’t need to worry about her son going missing.

"Oh good, but I will watch my words. We need to part ways here because our rooms are in different directions. If you need something, please come to me. I have a few new dresses which might fit your taste since they are more comfortable and I have new coats for the winter. I will have some sent over by a maid," Beatrice said, deciding they suited Annalise better than her. "If they need to be altered, I will call for my tailor."

"Please don’t decline Annalise," Beatrice added as Annalise looked ready to object. "I’ve grown bored of spending money on River and Rafael. Now I have someone new. I will try to find clothes that won’t weigh you down, but be warm for winter. I will also come after breakfast to help with preparing your room."

Annalise knew Beatrice was doing this because she cared and also to distract herself from Travis while waiting for River so she agreed though she didn’t need more clothes yet. "Thank you, Beatrice."

"You are welcome and please, try not to sneak into his room until the house is quiet," Beatrice said, walking away from Annalise to avoid causing her to be more embarrassed than she had to be now. freewebnσvel.cøm