Butt-naked except for a pair of fuzzy baby blue socks, Skyler paced about the pool table with a pipe sticking out of his mouth. For a long time he repeated the same routine: he puffed tobacco, paced around, took random shots, placing the cue ball wherever the hell he pleased. His long black hair was in a rare state of disarray; his eyes were bloodshot and squinty.
All of the sudden the maid burst through the door of the billiard room. When she saw her master nude she averted her eyes in embarrassment.
The boy Baron paid her no more mind than one of the paintings on the wall. He strode right past her, not seeing her, his manhood flapping from side to side.
The maid cleared her throat. Skyler still didn?t notice her.
"My lord Chamberland," said the maid. "There are two invoices due next week. One for the lawn care and one for the ale kegs from last night's party."
"So?" barked Skyler. "Why the hell are you telling me about it? I put you in charge of the finances, so pay the goddamn bills and quit bothering me, wench."
"My lord Chamberland, the treasury is empty."
Skyler finally turned from the pool table and considered her, puffing his pipe with a scowl. The woman held his gaze, unafraid. ?Why the hell?d you let it get like that?? he demanded.
For the first time in his Barony, the maid ? the manor?s only remaining servant ? stood up to Skyler. She took a step toward him and intensified her voice. ?Because your expenses are exceeding your incomes, you twit.? She glared at him fiercely for a long moment, then remembered herself and lowered her eyes.
The Baron watched her, dumbfounded, as if watching a turtle sprout wings and take flight. Then, he reacted the same way he always reacted when a woman stood up to him ? he became intrigued by her. ?How long have you worked here??
?Longer than you.?
?You want to keep your job? Mouth off to me again and you?ll be working the brothel by tomorrow night.?
?No, I won?t, you egotistical little jerk. You would never fire me because I?m the only one who keeps this place up. You?d run this manor into the ground if I weren?t here to clean up after your parties and pay the invoices and do your disgusting laundry and cook your meals. Last night I even put out a fire in the library!?
To be concluded . . .
All of the sudden the maid burst through the door of the billiard room. When she saw her master nude she averted her eyes in embarrassment.
The boy Baron paid her no more mind than one of the paintings on the wall. He strode right past her, not seeing her, his manhood flapping from side to side.
The maid cleared her throat. Skyler still didn?t notice her.
"My lord Chamberland," said the maid. "There are two invoices due next week. One for the lawn care and one for the ale kegs from last night's party."
"So?" barked Skyler. "Why the hell are you telling me about it? I put you in charge of the finances, so pay the goddamn bills and quit bothering me, wench."
"My lord Chamberland, the treasury is empty."
Skyler finally turned from the pool table and considered her, puffing his pipe with a scowl. The woman held his gaze, unafraid. ?Why the hell?d you let it get like that?? he demanded.
For the first time in his Barony, the maid ? the manor?s only remaining servant ? stood up to Skyler. She took a step toward him and intensified her voice. ?Because your expenses are exceeding your incomes, you twit.? She glared at him fiercely for a long moment, then remembered herself and lowered her eyes.
The Baron watched her, dumbfounded, as if watching a turtle sprout wings and take flight. Then, he reacted the same way he always reacted when a woman stood up to him ? he became intrigued by her. ?How long have you worked here??
?Longer than you.?
?You want to keep your job? Mouth off to me again and you?ll be working the brothel by tomorrow night.?
?No, I won?t, you egotistical little jerk. You would never fire me because I?m the only one who keeps this place up. You?d run this manor into the ground if I weren?t here to clean up after your parties and pay the invoices and do your disgusting laundry and cook your meals. Last night I even put out a fire in the library!?
To be concluded . . .