3 Chapter 3

The next day, Lily gets to work early, waking the Duke at four o'clock in the morning to practice his sword skills and later preparing his tea and breakfast. The Duke believes that everything should be kept in good condition; he refuses cold tea and requests that a new cup be brewed hot. If the food isn't good, he either throws it or fires the chef in charge. Not only does he do this, but instead of having a dressing maid or butler, she was made to wash and dress him, and he is picky when it comes to clothing.

Lily must accompany him to his office and simply sit idly in the chair awaiting his orders. When there is waste or a lack of materials. She must flee as quickly as she can before he summons her. All of this was exhausting for Lily. It was even more difficult than her previous jobs.

She finishes her work and goes to the maid's diner, where she sees her coworkers eating their supper.

She quickly takes a seat and collapses on the table, sighing her exhaustion. The maids are staring at her.

" Too much for the first day, huh Lilly ? " questioned Maria, her roommate

"You can say that," Lily replied as she took a bottle of whisky that the head chef had left on the table while he ran an errand.

"Don't drink that, please. If George finds out, he'll undoubtedly chastise you; he's a tough man "Lily was stopped by Anne.

Lily becomes irritated and pouts, "then how should I vent my rage?"

Then comes the head maid, Linda, who asks, "What are you doing drinking alcohol on a weekday night?"

"I'm sorry Miss, I just want something to drink to relieve my frustration," Lily says as she lowers her head once more.

"Don't be too harsh on her aunt," Piper said as she passed a bottle, "drink this, it's vodka, it'll relax your mind, and you won't get a hangover."

"Thank you, Piper, for being a lifesaver," Lily said as she sipped her drink.

"You're ruining her," Linda said, grabbing Piper's ears. "Just because you're my niece doesn't mean I'm going to back down."

"Don't worry, Aunt, it's just a sip," Piper said.

"I don't know what to do with you; if your mother was here, she'd definitely spank you," Linda sighed as she walked away.

Piper joins Lily for a drink and pours all the vodka into a jug, mixes in a little whiskey, and drinks it, saying, "ah!... that hits the spot."

"You're a heavy drinker, Piper," Anne remarked.

"I can control my alcohol if I drink a barrel, thanks to my lover," Piper joked.

"Oh, I forgot you're dating a Duckling Pub bartender." Said Maria

"You and your silly life," Linda said as she delivered her meal.

"You're so lucky to have a boyfriend while we're still single," Maria sighed.

"Don't worry, I'll invite you to the pub this weekend, and I'll ask him to set up a mixer for all of us," Piper said.

"Really, then I need to buy a new dress and some salts to look good, and I hope I pick a handsome guy," Maria laughed.

"Don't worry, you'll find a good man, not just for you but for everyone, including your aunt; I'll set up a date with the baker you always mention," Piper joked.

"I don't want," Linda blushed.

"Don't be shy, Aunt; every woman needs a life partner," Piper joked.

Piper notices Lily upset while everyone is gossiping about what to do for the upcoming mixer.

"Hey, sorry for bothering you, but how was your day with the Duke?" she says as she sits next to Lily. Maria, a maid, answered.

"To be sure, it was exhausting; in comparison to my previous jobs, this is akin to hell. I was pretty active, and I don't want to get thrown again because then I might have to attend my mother's funeral when I get back home "Lily let out a sigh.

"It's only the first day; you'll get used to it," Linda responded.

"True, but he shouldn't be so harsh on you," Piper pointed out.

" It must have been because he's taking revenge for slapping him" Lily wondered

"What?" exclaimed everyone.

"You slapped a noble," Anne said.

"I had no idea he was the Duke at the time," Lily replied. "But he was also to blame for the burning of paper in front of the garden. The garden would have caught fire if I hadn't been there."

"True. You did well "Piper stated

"No, you would have been kicked out," Linda explained.

"But, you know, he apologized to me," Lily said as she drank water.

"He then apologized to me when we met in the office," Lily explained.

"Did he apologize?" Maria was curious.

"Yes, I'm not sure what happened to him," Lily said, slamming her face against the table.

A small voice called out, and it was Maggie, Piper's younger sister, who was also a maid in training.

"Don't worry, big sister, you'll adjust in no time, Maggie is also working hard to become a maid like Aunt Linda, smart like Anne, and beautiful like Maria," Maggie said proudly.

"How about me?" Piper inquired.

"Sister is annoying and lazy, Maggie will not be like sister," Maggie sighed.

"That's impolite," Piper said, as others laughed.

Lily smiles and places Maggie on her lap, saying, "You make my day, Maggie," to which Maggie responds with a smile.

"Thank God Maggie came, you were completely depleted and are now back to your sanity." Said Maria

"That's correct," Linda said. "That's my favorite niece," Linda says as she hands her some candy.

Piper becomes envious and hugs Lily as well, saying, "Now, where's my share?" Everyone laughs and enjoys themselves.

Everyone sat down to drink coffee after finishing their meal.

"I was surprised," Anne admitted.

"Why?" Lily asked, perplexed.

"See, the close-fitting maid was supposed to do bathing and changing clothes, but this man insisted on her doing it," Anne explained.

"Yes, true," Piper replied.

"I'm used to being touched," Lily continued.

"... Is she really a human?" they wonder.

"In any case, forget about it. It is a part of your services." According to Linda

"Another day bites the dust, hope he's good to me," Lily says the next day as she enters the Duke's room.

Inside, Matthew asked her to assist him in tying his tie because he had previously gone collarless and now desired to tie it.

"Do you not know how to tie a tie?" Lily inquired.

"I'm asking because it's your responsibility to help me tie my tie. It was simply a necessary part of your job "Matthew stated

Lily muttered to herself but kept walking. As soon as she could, she took care of him from head to toe.

"You have a lot of potential. What should I do if I'm not able to find you?" He took a long, leisurely look at her and then sighed deeply.

Lily rolled her eyes and rushed the Duke out of the room.

"Could you please give me permission to go to the laundry room now that I've finished my morning duties?" Lily inquired.

"Accepted, leave; I'll call someone to come get you when I need you," Matthew said.

She carried the basket and walked through the garden and down the long corridor to the laundry room, leaving him behind.

Lily exhaled a small sigh. "It's just another day with this jerk."

As she walked towards the laundry room, she overheard her maid friends conversing.

"Do I bother you at all?" Lily was curious.

"Lily!... absolutely not," Maria exclaimed.

"We were just talking about the Duke and the other masters and mistresses," Anne said.

"He has brothers and sisters," Lily explained.

"Yes, the old Duke Morrison has two wives, so the Duke has a lot of siblings," Piper said while scrubbing the sheets.

"Yes, the first master is working with the old duke at his shop," Anne explained. "The third master is in France as a king's ambassador, and the fourth is studying Biology in India."

"Mr. Morrison owns the Mansion, but when he's away, Sir Matthew believes he's in charge," Maria explains.

"He's the smartest and the only Morrison who controls the wealth of the Morrison house," Anne explained.

"Why is he in charge of the finances?" Lily was questioned

"He may be a Morrison, but everything he inherited came from his grandfather, Duke of Canterbury," Piper explained.

"Really?" Lily was curious.

Maggie, who was short in size was carrying a full bucket of water when she lost her balance and spilled the contents while they were talking. When Lady Lyre was bought to drop, the water spilled on her dress.

"What happened?" Anne exclaimed when they heard the noise.

They hurried because they noticed Lady Lyre in the garden and Maggie on the ground.

"You stupid girl," Lyre retorted.

"I'm so sorry, my lady," Maria sobbed, pleading with her feet.

"Who exactly is she?" Lily was perplexed.

"Lady Lyre is her name, and her father is a client of the Duke of Morrison. Lady Lyre would come to the mansion to meet Sir Matthew, but he would always ignore her; she wanted to marry him, but he would always ignore her and tell her to leave "Maria elaborated.

"I'm not interested in your excuses; bring me some ice water and lasso her; she deserves it," Lyre said.

"Miss, it's just a mistake, she's only twelve and she made a small mistake, so please forgive her," Piper says, defending Maggie.

"Who are you to obstruct my path? I'm Morrison's future lady, and I can do whatever I want "Lyre stated.

"I'm her sister, and I apologize on her behalf," piper begged.

"How dare you open your mouth, you filthy commoner," Lady Lyre snarled, kicking Piper.

" Sister!" exclaimed Maggie.

Lily couldn't take it any longer and moved on.

"Lily!" exclaimed Anne and Maria.

Lily approaches the lady who is defending the two sisters.

"What is your name? I've never seen you in this house before "the lady stated

"This is Lily, My Lady; she's new and is the Duke's personal maid; she's unfamiliar with the surroundings; please forgive her," Maria explained.

"Personal maid, you say," the lady replied.

"Yes, I'm Sir Matthew's maid, and I understand," Lily explained. "Maggie made a mistake, but it was a minor one; please spare the child." She's young, and she can't lift a heavy bucket with her small hands."

"You're just a commoner, you're like dirt, I don't know why Matthew hired an animal like you who doesn't know how to communicate with their masters," the lady slaps Lily in the face. She whips both Piper and Maggie with the whip she ordered.

Maggie screams, while Piper hugs her, protecting her from the whip, and the lady laughs with delight; as she whips the sisters, she begins to whip Lily, who was laying down after being slapped; as she was about to hurt her face, a strong hand grabbed her, and as she was about to hurt her face, a strong hand grabbed her, and as she was about to hurt her face, a strong hand grabbed her, it was Sir Matthew.

"Matthew... you've arrived," she says, kissing his cheek.

"Why are you here, and what are you doing to my staff?" Matthew snatches her hand away.

"I was just disciplining them when this vile child threw water on me, and I was trying to teach her a lesson," Lyre explained.

Matthew enquired, "Under whose authority?"

"But..."

"But, what?" he asked, as the lady froze.

"Well... I'm the future duchess, so I'm putting them through their paces to see who will be the next lady of Morrison when I marry you," she boasted.

"Who told you you'd be the next lady?" Lady Morrison came across them on her daily walks and glared at her, saying, "A Morrison who mistreats their staff is no family in this house; it is I who pass judgment on them."

"Lady Cotton," Matthew introduced himself. They both look each other in the eyes before the Lady walks forward and focuses on the maids.

When Lily first sees the Lady of Morrison, she notices a well-dressed lady with a tough personality. Lady Cotton was a tall woman who wore a large white wide-brimmed hat and several pearl necklaces around her neck. She's wearing a long white gown and gloves. She always has a fancy, long umbrella with her wherever she goes.

"Maggie!" "Piper!" exclaimed Linda, the head maid, as she looked at both of them. "Please, wake up, my niece. Lily, please open your eyes."

The lady looked at Lyre as the maids assisted the injured maids.

"What happened here?" Lady Lyre inquired.

Lyre explained, "This girl threw water on me, and now I'm wet."

"It's just a minor spill," explained the lady.

"However, I require justice," Lyre stated.

"Justice, you say, Justice," Lady Morrison exclaimed angrily. "Beating my maids is Justice, hitting a minor is Justice, I'll give you Justice."

"Arrest her," she tells her bodyguards.

"Wait a minute!" she exclaimed.

"You hit her and it's called child harassment, what do you need to say about this, take her away and inform the first duke that this family no longer works for us not to show their face," the lady explained.

The soldiers apprehend the lady and take her to prison.

"Take them to the hospital," she says as she wipes Maggie's face.

"Yes, Miss," Linda cried, "you will be fine, stay with me."

"Poor children," the lady remarked as she lit her pipe and saw Matthew approaching Lily.

"Are you okay?" Matthew, who had run up to her, inquired.

"I see you're his maid," the lady remarks as she approaches them both.

"Yes, my lady," Lily replied.

"I see you're doing fine, Lady Cotton," Matthew observed.

"My dear stepson," the lady chuckled, "I see you are out during busy times; would you please introduce your maid?"

"Sorry, ma'am," Lily said, bowing, "this maid's name is Lily, Lily Montefiore, and I'm delighted to meet you."

"Montefiore!... I've seen your mother work for my mother, and I expect you to do your best here," the lady said, bowing. "Yes, I'll try my best," Lily replied, bowing.

"Go tend your wounds, you two take care of her," the lady instructed Maria and Anne.

"Yes, my Lady," they both say.

The lady walks away, and Duke tends to Lily's injured knee by tying his handkerchief around her knee.

"Let's go to the doctor," the Duke suggested.

"Don't worry, sir," Maria said, "the maids are here to help."

"No, she's my maid; I'll escort her," the Duke said as he lifted her into his arms. The maids were muttering, and Lily was feeling nervous and unsure of what to do.

As the two leave, her friends notice her. "I wish I was carried like that by someone attractive," Maria says.

As the lady walked on, she noticed the Duke carrying a lily, which she thought was "interesting."

"What ma'am?" Rebecca, her personal maid, inquired.

"The girl, though she's a commoner, she stood up to a noble and got her reward by letting the Duke carry her," the Lady explained. "I've seen him grow up and never have I seen him engage a woman like that, inspect her, and get me the details."

"Yes, ma'am," Rebecca replied.

"Things are getting more interesting," said the lady walking down the garden stones while smoking her pipe.