✔️ shadows of desire | downton abbey

chapter 13

The soft hum of the servants' quarters was interrupted by a familiar, irritating voice. "Ah, if this isn't Barrow mini again," O'Brien's tone dripped with sarcasm as she entered the room, her heavy footsteps echoing on the wooden floor.

I looked up from my task, the needle and thread glinting in the dim light of the lamp. "What do you want?" I asked, my annoyance evident in my tone as I worked to reattach a button to Lady Mary's blouse.

O'Brien flitted past me with an air of superiority. "Nothing. What makes you think I want something from you?" she retorted, the faint scent of her lavender perfume mingling with the aroma of the freshly brewed tea from the nearby table.

I sighed and set down my needle, frustrated. "Please be quiet. I can't even hear myself losing my will to live."

The sound of Thomas's startled cough followed by the sputtering of tea onto the table was unmistakable. He hastily excused himself, and Anna erupted into uncontrollable fits of laughter. The room was filled with the high-pitched sound of her mirth. "What are you laughing at?" O'Brien snapped at Anna, her irritation barely contained.

"Look, I hope that someday you'll go very far—and just stay there," I shot back, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

O'Brien's eyes narrowed, her face a mask of feigned sweetness. "You should be more nice to me," she threatened, her voice low and dangerous.

"Look," I replied, not bothering to meet her gaze, "if you're waiting for me to care, I hope you brought something to eat, because it's going to be a really long time." I punctuated my remark with a dramatic roll of my eyes.

With that, O'Brien stormed out of the room, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. The moment she was gone, Anna's laughter burst forth again, echoing through the servants' quarters. "You showed her," Anna said between giggles.

"I have never seen her like this," Gwen added, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Stephanie and Marianne joined in, their laughter mingling with the soft clinking of china as Thomas, still chuckling, sat back down at the table. "Goodness, I spilled the tea on my livery. Thank you very much," he said, his voice a mixture of mock indignation and relief.

"You're very welcome," I replied, my tone dry as I continued to work, not bothering to look up from my sewing.

Her Ladyship, passing by and catching the tail end of the commotion, entered the room with a warm smile. "Miss Barrow," she said as we all rose from our seats, "Oh, you mended Lady Mary's blouse fantastically. You have a hand for mending."

I bobbed a quick curtsey, a smile forming despite myself. "Thank you, your Ladyship. My previous employer taught me the art of mending clothes, to which I am forever indebted to her."

Her Ladyship beamed, "You've done a fantastic job. Is it possible for you to mend Lady Edith's hat?"

I nodded, considering the request. "I can't promise anything, but I will try."

Her Ladyship's eyes sparkled with approval. "Thank you. I'll tell her to leave it on the vanity for you to pick up."

"When do you need it done by?" I asked, carefully placing the blouse aside and picking up the hat to examine.

Her Ladyship looked thoughtful, "How fast can you get it done?"

"If I start now, I might be able to finish it by dinner time," I said confidently, my fingers already itching to begin.

"That's ambitious," she said, a hint of surprise in her voice.

"I call it realistic, your Ladyship," I smiled, already mentally preparing for the task ahead. The room filled with a sense of quiet satisfaction as I returned to my sewing, the chatter around me fading into a soft murmur.