Chapter 274: To entertain the idea
After hours of passive begging and pleading, Ada finally agreed to meet Lady Persephone. Arabella wasted no time and asked for the Lady’s whereabouts around the manor once the sun had sunken behind the hills.
The young woman was not surprised to learn that she sat overseeing the entertainers’ rehearsals in the music room.
"I do not remember summoning you here," Persephone threw one glance her way and spoke.
"Yes, my Lady. I was hoping I could have a word with you if that is alright," Arabella had curtsied before the Lady even said a thing.
She kept her eyes on the floor as Persephone sent the rest of the entertainers out of the room.
The Lady gestured towards the free chair beside hers, "I see you’re still wearing the brooch, so you have not yet given up but do tell, what did he say or do that requires my intervention,"
"I... No," Arabella shook her head profusely.
It struck her that the Lady had very little faith in her own son when it came to people skills or more precisely, romantic relationships.
"Silas has nothing to do with my need to speak with you," the young woman clutched her own hands together.
"Oh...," the Lady’s eyes widened momentarily, as if shocked by the answer, "Well, do tell then, what is the reason?"
"I... Have a proposition that I hoped you’d review for the next auction," she bit down on the inner walls of her mouth for comfort.
"What sort of proposition?" one of the Lady’s eyebrows raised.
"A replacement for me as an entertainer," she quickly spat the words out.
Persephone’s eyebrow ascended further up her forehead, but her lips remained sealed as her irises thoroughly studied Arabella’s every motion and microexpression.
"Indeed, while spending time with Ada, I found out she picks up a lot quicker than she let on," a brilliant smile overtook Arabella’s features, "She is very fair and has a great passion for poetry and not only that, but her unique, golden vocal cords set her apart from the rest of every other entertainer, including myself,"
When describing Ada’s prowess, Arabella had found the courage to look the Lady straight in the eyes.
"I see,"
The Lady barely got a second to her thoughts that Arabella leaned forward, putting more of her weight on the edge of the chair, "There is also the fact that she is knowledgeable in herbology due to the fact that her father used to be a well renowned gardener, but he knew a great deal more than he was willing to divulge and she learned quite a few things from him," the young woman nodded with little lights in her eyes.
"Ada...," Persephone mumbled under her breath as though speaking to herself more than anyone else, "From what I’ve seen of the girl, she is quite shy and not so confident," her voice blared stronger in that sentence.
"I never was confident either," Arabella leaned even closer to the Lady, "But whereas you offered me the position because I would have otherwise been useless, I am of the firm belief that she, Ada deserves it," she only paused to take a breath, "I think she’ll do far better than I ever was capable of doing,"
The Lady took a deep breath and looked back at the young woman, "I’ve never asked you to find a replacement, have I? Do not feel responsible for that because the task does not fall on you,"
"No," Arabella shook her head, "The truth of the matter is, even though I am ashamed to admit it, I am only partially doing it out of a sense of guilt or duty," she bit her bottom lip, "The bigger part of my reason is for Ada. She is so talented and kind, my heart screams at me that it is a crime to let them wither untouched,"
"And what does she think of this...Plan of yours?" Persephone picked up her tea cup and took a sip while her eyes never left Arabella for a second.
"I admit, she is quite reluctant," Arabella nodded, looking at her fingers, "It took a lot of convincing, but she’s agreed to at least speak with you if you give her a chance,"
Without another word, the Lady took her summoning bell by the handle and rung it.
"Fetch me Ada," she ordered the maid that answered the calling.
Within five, give or take a few minutes after that, Ada came in through the door, looking so sheepish and hesitant, Arabella feared she’d faint right then and there.
Her posture crooked, Ada refused to meet either of their gazes and simply watched the still floor after curtsying.
"Take a seat, girl," the Lady’s voice filled the room, wrenching a visible shudder out of the maid.
"I will take my leave,"
Arabella gave Persephone a slight bow and prepared to stand up, but the Lady put a hand up, "Not yet,"
Looking between her and the sheer fright on Ada’s face, the young woman settled back down.
Ada practically scampered towards the designated seat near the Lady but kept her upper half as far away from her as possible.
"Do I look hungry to you?" Persephone started, "Straighten up! I won’t bite you. In the line of business you are currently applying for, posture is very important,"
"Yes, my Lady,"
Ada immediately did as told and straightened her stance, but it looked in no way natural. It appeared as though someone or something had grabbed her body by the legs and head before forcing the shift in position.
The grimaces that escaped her control betrayed her, reflecting utter pain and discomfort.
Seeing her reaction, the Lady’s expression mellowed, "You are safe. Nothing’s been decided yet. If you do not want this, then it won’t happen," her tone had significantly softened, "You’ll return to your position right this second and we’ll never speak of this ever again, but if you choose to stay, then I’ll take it as a sign that you wish to at least entertain the idea,"