Strange Game

Chapter 6

Angie arrives before the party started. Lord Lanchester's butler opens the door and admits her in after she had introduced herself. Lizzy saw her and fly from the top of the stair, laughing and giggling. Smiling at the girl exuberance, Angie drops to her knee and hug the girl.

"You came, you came. Do you know to-day is my bird-day?" Angie laughs at Lizzy effort to speak to her in her lisp language and Angie plant a kiss on the girl's head.

"I know, that is why I came. Happy birthday, Lizzy dear." Lizzy beam happily and she clung on Angie's neck as Angie got up to her feat and hug the girl tight, listening patiently to girl lisp chatter. Just then Angie realizes she shouldn't move one step around the house without someone as a guide or she will get Lizzy lost with her. And then Lord Lanchester came down, his arms laden with boxes and flowers, and he stop when he saw Angie. Suddenly feeling awkward, Angie put giggling Lizzy down and ruffles her hair, avoiding Lord Lanchester penetrating gaze.

"Lizzy, there you are. You've been such a naughty girl, running away from your nanny like that when she is supposed to dress you up." Lord Lanchester admonish Lizzy, armored with his engaging grin. Lizzy just smile and tug Angie's hand.

"I don't want Na-na to dress me up. Can Angie dress me?" Lord Lanchester frown and Angie quickly cut in.

"Of course dear, but next time you've to listen to your Na-na, alright, pinky-promise me?" Lizzy look at Angie pointed pinky then look at hers before hooking it with Angie's. Lizzy giggle again when Angie tap her little nose. "Can you show me her room, Lord Lanchester?" The young earl nod and dump his burden on the footman that stood ready by the door. Angie help Lizzy climb the stair and let the girl led her to a room next to the nursery.

"Are you sure you can do this? I'll call Na-na to help you." Angie shook her head at Lord Lanchester comment and pick up the dress Lizzy is suppose to wear.

"No, I'll do it. Come here Lizzy, have you had your bath? We don't want you to be smelly on your big day." Lizzy laugh when Angie tickles her belly and then wiggle out of her nightdress. Lizzy had to take her bath again for she had sweat running around the house, out of nanny's reach. Lord Lanchester watches Lizzy trying to drench Angie but with him watching, Angie is extra careful not to be drench. They laugh and make face, and after a long bath, Angie pull Lizzy out, pat her dry with a fluffy towel and then put Lizzy in her dress. Somehow Lord Lanchester took over combing Lizzy's hair and he is being very gentle of it.

"How about this style Lizzy? We'll go shocking your mama and everyone." Lizzy grin seeing Lord Lanchester piling her golden hair up and then fuss it around, wisps of her golden hair around her round cheek. Angie shook her head and took the comb from Lord Lanchester hand.

"Don't listen to him Lizzy. Your mama will have a fright and we couldn't have her swooning on your birthday, do we?" Angie pushes Lord Lanchester aside and glare at him. "That was your plan isn't it, having your sister screaming in fright?" Lord Lanchester smile and then smirk his bedeviled grin when Angie mutter 'Demon' at him while combing Lizzy's hair straight back, then tied it to a two ponytail.

"Now that my sweet niece looks so lovely, I should give her something. What should I give her?"

"My bird-day gift!" Lord Lanchester laughs and pats Lizzy head.

"No, maybe just a kiss?"

"Aw...I want pony!" He grins and lifts her up to his shoulder.

"Then you'll have a pony name Uncle Hughes."

"No!" Lizzy laugh as Lord Lanchester ran out of the room, leaving Angie to touch up her appearance. Then she walks out, mindless of where she is going as her mind take off to another direction. Angie like to have children but Albert couldn't, wouldn't even visit her room, and she was- is- glad that he didn't, with him gone, Angie is sure she couldn't bear it. Now, watching Cecil being so happy with her family makes Angie so envious with her, even being jealous with Lord Lanchester for having a big family. Angie wish that Mama had born another child before she died but then Papa was taken away from her too when Papa married Rose. Loving her household staff doesn't hold a candle to what Cecil and Lord Lanchester have. Sighing, Angie finally look to where she is going and found that she is a gallery, with no sign of human activity in sight.