Chapter Nine

                                    

                                          
Serving had not been as horrific as Ayo first assumed. The St. Johns really did treat their servants well. She could not complain, the work was hard because she was not accustomed to it but each new challenge presented opportunities for self-improvement for Ayo.
                          
Mrs. St. John had been particularly gracious. Kathryn was an obviously beauteous woman. She was of average height, with curly sandy-colored hair. She was not pale, nor was she of a petite frame; even under pounds of material, it seemed apparent that she was very shapely. She took the time to show Ayo about the house and explain what she expected. 
                          
She was decidedly democratic, allowing for group decisions among the staff and family members and making changes with the group consensus.  A unique and modern way to run a household. It seemed they would get along famously. She showed Ayo to Charlotte's room. Charlotte was enchanted with Ayo soon afterward. The two girls launched into lengthy conversation at Charlotte's insistence. Charlotte begged Ayo to luncheon with her, when she served her tea. Kathryn permitted the break in protocol for her daughter's sake. She was never one to abide by the rules of society. 
                          
"I so seldom have company or friends." She stated. "I often find my brash way of speaking offends those of gentler sensibilities, but come dear you and I have the potential to be great friends. After all, we are both about the same age, and I find you fascinating. We are both clearly pariahs." She said with a humorless smile. 
                          
Charlotte was right. The only friend that Ayo had made in her short days there was Lucy. It seemed nothing went unnoticed here. Everyone else either seemed afraid of her or had already made up their minds that she was a whore.
                          
"Ms. St. John, I rather like frankness it leaves little room for uncertainties. If you do not mind ma'am I think we shall be great friends indeed," She smiled at Charlotte.
                          
"Well dear, if we are to be friends you must not call me Ms. St. John for goodness sake. Please, Ayo, do address me as, Charlie. We run a very informal house here as you can see. Please sit for luncheon with me. Have Sara bring you what you'd like." 
                          
Charlotte rang the serving bell and Sara appeared a few moments later. Her hazel eyes blazed at Ayo seeing her consorting with the master's daughter. The shock to see Ayo sitting across the table from Charlotte seemed to make her blood boil. She glared at Ayo from the moment she made her way into the room. She stood a few feet from the table tall, statuesque and completely self-important. Charlotte politely asked her to serve luncheon. She did not spare a glance at Ayo again until she returned and nearly broke a dish, as it clattered on the table in front of Ayo. Without apology, she then turned on her heels and sashayed out of the room.
                          
"My dear Ayo, you must excuse her impertinent behavior." Charlotte cast her eyes at Sara's back fuming and embarrassed. "I fear jealousy has caught up with her finally. It must be hard being so beautiful and so well adored. When someone else finally comes along who is more remarkable than you are, everything you know then becomes a lie." Charlotte shook her head and started to pick at her food.
                          
"I do not consider myself a beauty. All I ever did in my youth was learn to fight and use weapons of war. My father always said I didn't realize I was a girl and not a boy. I cannot understand her misplaced anger and jealousy towards me. You are a beautiful woman, Charlie, perhaps it's you she envies."
                          
Charlotte would not be considered a conventional beauty. Like her mother, Charlotte was a very supple woman in all the proper places and like her father she had a darker than normal coloring which might explain the lack of popularity. It was paleness that set the tone for the day, men wanted lily-white flowers that never came into bloom as thin as rails. Charlotte's catlike amber eyes were large and glassy, almost looking misplaced in her head, on top of which a mass of straight honey brown hair was plied. Even if no one had told her, she was very lovely.