Threatened [W&W Book 2]

Chapter 8

Ildri knocked on the door gently.  A woman a few years older than Anya opened it.  "Is Lady Theresa awake?" Ildri asked quietly.

"She is," agreed the woman.

"Have you met Hanna yet?" Ildri asked Anya.

"Not yet."

"Are you Anya?" Hanna wondered.  Anya looked for any sign of resentment on the other woman's face, and was surprised to find none.  She was partially replacing her, yet she seemed quite unbothered by it.  Anya felt worse.

"Yes, I am.  Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you, too, Anya.  Here, I'll take that tray, Ildri."  Ildri passed the tray to the maid.

"I'd better get back to the kitchen.  Chef'll have my head.  See you later," Ildri said with a little wave.

Hanna smiled at Anya.  "Please, bring the tray in here.  Lady Theresa, we've got your food."  Anya followed Hanna into the bedroom.

Lady Waldwick was already dressed and seated at a small table, flipping through a book.  Hanna set down one tray and then took the other from Anya.  It seemed that all the food was for Lady Waldwick.  She was not a large woman, and Anya would have suspected that such a woman would eat like a bird.

Hanna bustled off into a connecting room.

"Hanna's organizing the wardrobe," Lady Waldwick explained as she piled food onto a small plate.  "Why don't you sit down?" she asked.

Anya sat down in a second chair at an angle to the lady.  Lady Waldwick glanced at her.  "Are you hungry?" she enquired.

"No thanks, I've already eaten," Anya said awkwardly.

Lady Waldwick did not seem bothered by her response.  "So, what do you think that we should do with my appearance for the wedding?  Of course, my outfit is ready, but I suppose there is much more that I cannot even imagine.  Honestly, I'm tired of making decisions.  I only want to look nice."

"That won't be hard," Anya said honestly.

Lady Waldwick smiled wryly.  "I never really had time to be concerned how I looked in the past.  But now...  Now I find that I do care quite a lot."

Anya was not sure what to say.  There was an awkward silence and Lady Waldwick went back to eating.  Anya cleared her throat.  "Do you have any idea what you would like done with your hair?"

Lady Waldwick swallowed and said, "Not really.  I normally leave it down.  I suppose it should be put up.  Of course, I've been given all of the Wildwood family jewels and there are probably some pieces for hair.  We could look, I suppose."  She turned around in her chair and called, "Hanna?"

Hanna appeared quickly.  "Yes, my lady?"

"Could you go to Missus White and fetch Lord Wildwood's mother's jewelry?  And the ones brought over from Waldrick?  We'd like to take a look at them."

"Yes, of course, my lady," Hanna said quickly and left at once.

After Hanna was well gone, Lady Waldwick turned to Anya.  "While Hanna is not here, I would like to speak with you briefly on your duties.  As I'm sure you are aware, most ladies only have one maid to serve them.  I have no wish to replace Hanna, but there are some tasks that she is not suitable for.  Hanna will continue to care for my clothing and other day to day tasks.  Your job will be to deal with other aspects, such as my hair and helping Hanna as she sees fit."

"Yes, my lady," agreed Anya.  It did not sound like it left her much to do.  Perhaps her position was only temporary for the wedding.  She hoped not.  If it was, she would have even more pressure on her.  Perhaps she could convince the lady to keep her on indefinitely.