18 Chapter 18 - Stellas Pov (1/2)

He saw her. She stood at the water wagon, holding her water bag, waiting for her turn. She normally avoided trying to get water at this time of the morning, but she couldn't stand to be there when he returned.

How could she have missed getting the door closed? She was certain it had been latched securely, she even jerked on it, to make sure.

Watching as the water slave, Martha, filled the water bag, she found herself wondering if she could do anything else before returning. Why did this have to happen now???

Pausing next to one of the horses, she wiped the tears from her eyes. There was no reason to make people wonder about the master. She didn't want to get him in trouble. It was just an accident. He hadn't meant to look in and see her.

He was probably thinking about all sorts of things though. She had hoped to have several more years before she had to worry about that. Having watched her mother deal with men since she was very young, she hadn't wanted to worry about men. That was the whole reason she had tried so hard to be with Stu and then worked so hard.

The small man had been a hard master to follow, but he had cared more about food then he had about anything else. She didn't have to worry about s.e.x with him.

She was only eight! This was so unfair!

The master was only seven! Most men couldn't even do the deed until they were at least ten. Her mind kept wandering back to the look on his face when she turned around. Her eyes were not his first stop.

Holding her cheeks, she knew her face was red. It would be red for the rest of her life. Setting the water bag down for the driver of the master's carriage, she turned to the door.

She could do this. She had to do this. Opening the door, she stared at the floor. Oh, no, he was looking at her. She picked up her plate, that he had gotten for her.

”There's your breakfast,” he said, looking up briefly, before looking back at his paper.

”Thank you,” she managed to choke out. He didn't even notice she had picked up the plate! How was she going to live with him after this? Her mind was racing. How long before he started requiring her to do some of the things her mother had to do?

”You've been doing really well in etiquette cla.s.ses. The teacher even told father about how well your progress was.” He didn't even look up as he said it.

”Thank you for noti…cing…” Her cheeks burned even brighter. That was the response she was taught to say. How could etiquette be so horrible? She had just said the proper response. She wanted to fall through the floor. She tried to think of anything to come up with an excuse to flee.

He sighed. Was he annoyed with her? Was she not good enough? Was he wanting her to do something else?

”We are having a big supper tonight; would you like to help with the food? I'm sure the cooks in the kitchen would greatly appreciate the help.”