Daughter of the Waves

I Meet The Master

The next day dawned grey and drizzly, which suited my mood perfectly, but even if it had been a lovely day I would not have been let outside to enjoy it. We all worked from early morning 'til late at night, Orla and I taking on the lion's share of the domestic duties, despite our youth. Mrs Kennedy supplied me with two uniforms, tut-tutting over the state of my clothes and my shoes which were indeed in a sorry state, given that I was still wearing the same old dress and worn out boots that I had been kidnapped in. They had seemed fine for a carefree child to go exploring in, but seen through Mrs Kennedy's sharp and critical eyes I felt shabby and ashamed.

This state of affairs carried on for the next three days without much alteration, when all of a sudden the household was all of a twitter. Orla and I soon discovered that Sir Crispin was expected home that very afternoon. Mrs Kennedy informed us herself, while making it clear that we must redouble our efforts to impress The Master, who despised any kind of dirt or laziness and expected his grand country house to be kept spotless at all times. I was bewildered, since I could see no evidence of dirt, Orla and I having worked our fingers to the bone dusting, polishing, doing laundry, and other tasks too numerous to mention. 

About three o'clock I heard the sound of horses and carriage wheels clattering up the long driveway, and as I was temporarily alone, ventured to look out the window. I saw a huge coach drawn by four large black horses draw up to the front door. From it alighted an imposing looking personage that I could only assume was The Master. 

The English butler appeared to be fawning over him, and Sir Crispin waved him away with an irritated hand. He looked a peevish, bad tempered sort in general, I decided, and resolved to take Orla's advice and stay out of his way. I did not think the master of the house would want much to do with a scullery maid in any case, so I was not overly concerned. So I was surprised, after Sir Crispin had had his evening meal, to be called into his study. 

I knocked on the door, trembling a little, and a plummy English voice called out "Enter!" I opened the door and crossed the spacious room to the strange man sitting in the high backed chair near the fire. He did not speak for several long moments, but left me standing thee while he surveyed me. His expression gave the impression that he did not altogether approve of what he saw. 

"Come closer, child." He ordered. I did so, and again he just looked at me without speaking for what seemed an age. I could hear the crackling of the fire and the rain drumming on the window over the beating of my own heart. 

Finally he broke the tension and spoke. "Do you know why you are here, girl?" His tone was abrupt. "I gathered all my courage and looked him full in the face as I answered "No, sir, I do not. I was taken from my family several days ago and I do not know why. I want to go back to them." 
"You will not be going back to them, girl. You are here because Father Kelly is a friend of mine and he explained to me that your mother and father are heathens living in sin in his own diocese, and that your mother, in particular, is an evil woman who has caused no end of trouble, even turning some of his own parishioners against him. He thinks it would be better for you to live a life away from your parents, a life of hard work, instead of being allowed to run wild as I have been informed is your wont. You will thank me in time." He drew a long breath and frowned. "Now, go, back to your work, I am not in the habit of explaining myself to little girls, I only wanted to make sure you put from your mind any thought you may have of going back to your old life. Now go!" He repeated with a dismissive wave of his hand. I turned and left, trying not to let him see me trembling at the fear and hopelessness his words had instilled in me.

So that was it. I knew Father Kelly did not like our family, but I had had no idea the depths he would sink. Now I knew. I was to be kept here and made to work as a servant, and I would never see my mother and father again. 

Or so The Master believed, and evidently so did Father Kelly. But I knew my father and mother, and I had faith that they would find me. 

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