Thread: The Butcher's Bill (Prince x LeatrixSage)

That vulgar nonsense? the abhorrent Creedy woman sneered over her hooked nose. Beady brown eyes bored into Elisa's back as the woman sniffed, and then dabbed at her nose with a handkerchief. The tea setting she was clearing away clattered nosily on the tray when the old bat smacked the table. I wont hear of it, she was ranting at her niece again the small girl was showing just enough poise to hide her fear. The Dowager Viscountess looked and sounded like the vulture she was. A hideous grotesque clothed in fashions a woman half her age would be too old for. The only reason the old bat got away with it was because young girls needed her influence. To be invited to the right parties to find the right suitors required a sponsor. And thus the poor girl shivering on the chaise. If I hear of you going anywhere near that theater, the old windbag threatened as Elisa escaped down the hall. She didn't understand what all the fuss was about. She'd been to the theater just the other night. It was a small, cheap theater. The Actors could not act and the play writes could not write, but the skits were fun, relaxing, and gave the simple man a moment's peace. Of course, the girl in the sitting room could afford to buy every seat in the house on her allowance alone. But, who you where and why you were there didn't seems to matter. The crowd was rowdy, and some of the themes should make any decent woman blush, but Elisa had seen nothing there to warrant the hag's outburst. Threatening the poor girl with scandal and ruin for being tossed by her sponsor was simply uncalled for. She's on another soapbox, Elisa sighed as she set her tray down in the kitchen and unloaded the tea set for the maid that would wash them. A chorus of groans answered her, and then the Butler. Keep your voices down, had admonished not unkindly. If she hears... Our jobs, the head chief quipped with more than his usual ire. Someone should give the woman a good bang. There was a spattering of giggles, but the sound died away quickly under the Butler's stare. Get back to work. Rodger, Elisa sighed his name and waved her hand at the girls as they fled the kitchens. What do you expect? The woman highers only young women that appear to be utterly naive about everything other than their job. He glared at her for a moment and then, ever so slowly, the staunch Butler began to smile and his shoulders began to relax. Then how did you get this job, Elisa? You see too much. I said they appeared to be naive, she answered as she doffed the awful paper hat and apron the vulture made them all wear. It's nearly one, I'm going home. The old bat has already kept me an hour late. Rodger bristled, the cook laughed, and as she swung out of the room and down the hall toward the sitting room she heard him say One day, that little bit o' fire is going to but the Viscountess in her grave. Elisa smiled at the comment, but wiped it away before entering the sitting room and knocking on a table to interrupt the hag's tirade. What, she snapped, centering her beady eyes on Elisa. They always narrowed a little when Elisa didn't fidget or shrink beneath their stare. It made the Viscountess look even more like a vulture. What do you want, Radborn? It is after one, Lady, Elisa replied lightly, keeping her voice soft, but ever strong. Weakness was a drug to the vulture. My day was over an hour ago. I have logged the extra hours from the week and the extra pay that is required. The old woman's face began to tighten and turn red, but what could she do? Particularly in front of her niece, and when a good lady's maid is so hard to come by. Will that be all, My Lady? Elisa asked when she did not answer. Of course, Miss Radborn, the old bat gritted through her teeth as she smiled. Tomorrow, same time? Of course, My Lady. Elisa curtsied slightly, turned, and left with a new lightness in her step. This was one of the view days she had felt like she had won. Miss, Radborn? the crone's voice was cutting, and Elisa turned back in surprise. Yes, My Lady? If I hear of you going to that Theater on Fleet Street, you will be let go. Do you understand me? Elisa felt her cheeks warm, and she curtsied quickly. Yes, Lady. She fled quickly, her joviality gone. That old windbag did enjoy meddling in the lives of her ladies. Angrily she jammed her hat into place and viciously stabbed the pins into her hair. The heels of her shoes clacked loudly as she marched down the cheery little lane peppered with the nobility still in London for the summer. Most of the immaculate homes were empty, their winter time families far into the country to enjoy the graces of summer weather away from the smog and sludge of London. Just get home, she told herself as she walked. Horse, people, carriages, they all faded into the background as she weaved her way through London. It was the most miserable part of her day. The walk home through streets that stank of human and animal waste, coal, mildew and mold. The cross through the city was awful, but once finally to the other side, the smell slowly faded. By the time she reached Wapping, it was a mild annoyance. Miss Cromley's Lady's home was far from the wealthiest streets in London, but Little Wapping was cleaner. Positioned around several small parks, it was common to see noble ladies strolling, gentlemen out for rides on their flashest horse of the year, and couples with their chaperons. Picking a house near by had been a wise choice. Miss Cromley's girls were known for being well breed, learned, and acceptable it polite society. It guaranteed them jobs. Shame it did not guarantee respect. I'm home,Elisa called out as she stepped inside. The scent of Lilies and rosewater reached her first, followed by the calming sent of chamomile tea. It was relaxing, but surprising. Miss Cromley? she called out as she unpinned her hat and pulled her lace gloves free. Miss Cromley? Another bad day? Elisa paused at the parlor, surprised the older woman wasn't there. She only broke out chamomile when a lady was upset or she had a headache. In both cases, she should have been there. Elisa, a high pitched whisper caught her attention, and she turn to find a younger girl, Maddie, waving frantically. The girl was high-strung, only seventeen and already shipped off to a Lady's home. She was a smart girl, she just spooked too easily. What is it Maddie? she asked with a sigh, already smiling at the frantic mouse of a girl. What great calamity has befallen us all now? Claudia never came back last night. she hissed, her little heart-shaped face turning white as Elisa's smile faltered. She's dead, Liza, they found her dead.