Will I ever see things the way she does? Can I?

May Rose frowned.

“Come.” Lady Eliza said.

She looked up at her mother.

Will I ever think back on these days and realize that she was right?

“Let us start your lessons.”

I hope not. That would be awful.

May Rose sighed. “Let’s do this.”

***

James followed his father back to the kitchen. He wanted to walk beside him and hold his hand. Yet, he knew that this was not the time to do so. Aloysius was not James’ father in this moment. He was Mr. Arden, butler to the Farlington family, and he had a certain image to uphold. Walking hand-in-hand with his son was not that image.

Yet, it is not just Father.

I do not want Benny to look at me and see me as nothing but “the butler’s brat”. Perhaps that is all he will see me as. Yet, I know that I am more than that. I want to be seen and recognized as so much more than that.

He looked up at his father.

I want to be respected the same way he is respected. I want to be respected on my own merit.

I want to be seen and respected as just me.

Aloysius opened the kitchen door and James followed him inside.

Lord Farlington stood facing the kitchen servants. 

James scanned the crowd. They all looked tense, anxious, and expectant like a line-up at a guillotine.

Lord Farlington turned and gave Aloysius a bland, strictly business look. “Took you long enough, Mr. Arden.”

Aloysius bowed. “I beg your pardon, sir. James had a matter that demanded my immediate attention.”

Benny snorted, but refrained from saying anything.

“So, you prioritized your son’s needs before your responsibilities?”

Benny didn’t say anything, but oh! How he smirked.

James’ face flamed with anger and humiliation. He ached with the need to defend himself and his father, but he knew that would only make matters worse. Holding all of those words back, however, made his throat itch and hurt.

“Yes, sir. I did.”

James clenched his teeth to keep himself from speaking his mind.

“We will discuss the matter further at some other time, Mr. Arden.”

Nothing in Aloysius’ expression or posture betrayed his thoughts or feelings. “Of course, sir.” His voice was a steady neutral.

James marveled at his father’s tight self-control.

Will I ever be like that?

“Right now, we have other business to attend to.” Lord Farlington said.

“Very good, sir.”

“Please proceed, Mr. Arden.”

***

“Very good, sir.”  Aloysius cleared his throat and turned to his fellow servants. “As you are all aware, we will be relocating to America. Lord Farlington would gladly consider taking all of his servants with him. Yet, that simply is not feasible. Some cuts must be made.”

Benny’s smirk left his face.

“Lord Farlington and I have discussed the matter thoroughly and fairly. Neither of us have played favorites nor yielded to pettiness. We have compiled a list of those who we must regrettably release from service. “

Benny narrowed his eyes and muttered something under his breath.

Aloysius noticed, but he kept talking, “Lord Farlington will read off the list of names. If you wish to know the reasons for your termination, Lord Farlington will discuss it with you one-on-one. You will, of course, be expected to stay in your current position until the day we depart. I will write your recommendation letters.”

“Oh, that’s just great.” Benny muttered.

Clara discreetly stepped on his foot.

He glared at her.

“Lord Farlington will write your recommendation letters as well. I trust that every one of you on that list will perform your jobs to the utmost of your abilities through your ending day.  And now? Now, I will let Lord Farlington have his say.”