"Emerson." Thomas looked up as the butler placed the tea tray on the occasional table. "Would you please ask someone, to bring the child, Shay, in here?"

"Here, sir?" Emerson frowned. "Into your library, sir?"

"Yes." Thomas laughed and looked around him. "I am in the library, Emerson, so here it is."

"I am sorry, sir. I just don't want the rapscallion to think she has the run of the house." Emerson paused. "After yesterday. Coming through the front door, sir. Ah... I'm sorry if I've... stepped over my..."

Thomas held up his hand. He could see the older man floundering. "I understand, Emerson, and I thank you for your concern. I'm sure she won't take advantage." He glanced at Rebecca. "Mistress Lytton would like to meet the imp."

Rebecca smiled and lifted the tea pot. "Thank you, Emerson. We can always rely on you to have things done in the correct way. However, I thought while we were having tea it would be a perfect time to meet the poor child."

"Certainly." Emerson jerked a quick bow. "I'll get Lily to bring her to you."

When Emerson had closed the door behind him Rebecca tittered. "He's such a dear, but he can be a bit over the top with proper etiquette. After all, we aren't royalty."

"Yes." Thomas chuckled and picked up a tiny cucumber sandwich with his large fingers. "It's because of his background. You'd think after ten years and five children he'd be used to us by now." He gave the sandwich a serious look and said, "Why do they make these things so small? A man has to eat a score of them to get his fill." Popping the sandwich into his mouth, he grabbed another just as a knock sounded on the door.

"Come." Thomas put his cup down and leaned back in his chair. He hoped the child would be on her best behaviour and win Rebecca's trust. Thomas had lay in bed the night before thinking about Shay. He decided he wanted the best outcome for her. He had even considered having her educated, but it all relied on the woman he loved.

"Emerson said you wanted Shay brought to you here, master." Lily curtsied, and then reached behind her. She took Shay by the hand, led her into the room, and then gave the girl a little nudge in the back to make her walk forward.

Anxiety flooded Shay's body. She stared at the man who had saved her, and then looked at the lady sitting beside him. Lily said she must curtsy. A furrow formed on her brow. How did Lily say to do it? Take a hold of the sides of her shift, one foot forward, bend her knee and bow her head while tucking her other foot behind the first. It was a lot to remember when there was so much to look at. Shay took hold of her dress. A stone horse stood on the desk. My, it was big. Her mouth dropped opened as she caught sight of all the books. She stepped forward and spotted the crystal chandelier sparkling above her. Shay lifted her head to see it better. Not watching what she was doing she bent her knee and hit the leg of the table where the tea tray sat. The force knocked the milk jug. It teetered.

Rebecca jumped up and caught it. Milk splashed over her hand.

"Shay!" Lily grabbed her by the arm and jerked her backwards. "I'm so sorry, mistress. I told her to behave."

Shay gasped. What had she done? She was going to be scolded. "I'm sorry, lady. I didn't mean it. Honest." Shay didn't want to be in trouble. Trouble meant a beating. She couldn't control her tears. "I'll clean it up. I will." She stepped forward. "I will, master. I'll clean it up." She lifted the hem of her skirt to wipe up the milk.

Thomas jumped to his feet as Rebecca knelt in front of the girl. She stopped the child from lifting her skirt and put her hands on Shay's shoulders. "Hush. It's fine. A little spilt milk never hurt anyone." Rebecca put her finger under Shay's chin and tilted her head up. "My, my, Master Thomas said you were an angel. Look at you." She beamed. "But what has happened to your hair?"

Shay blinked. This was not what she expected. She looked up at the master. He was smiling down at her.

"Yes, Shay. What has happened to your hair?"

"Pavey..." Lily started to speak.

Thomas held up his hand and shook his head. "Let Shay tell us, Lily. I'm sure she knows." He grinned and tilted his head. "Shay. Where is your hair?"

Shay looked from one to the other. When she saw Lily nod, she looked back at the lady in front of her and said, "You're very pretty, My Lady."

"Why thank you, Shay. Tell me why you have no hair. Master Thomas said you had beautiful hair."

"It was the lice, miss... ah... lady, My Lady. Pavey said it had to go, cause she didn't want no lice in the house. Lily said I must have been scratching like a madman, and I was. True." Shay opened her eyes wide and nodded. She ran her hand over her scalp. "It's much better now and Pavey says it'll grow back."

"That it will." Rebecca smiled and stood up. "Thank you, Lily. Leave Shay with us for a while. I'll ring the bell when I want you to come back for her."

"Are you sure, madam?" Lily was shocked.

"Yes. Very." Rebecca nodded and nudged her head toward the door to indicate she wanted Lily to leave. Once the door was closed, she patted the seat beside her. "Come and sit, Shay. I want to know all about you."

HISTORICAL NOTE: When Thomas says a man would have to eat a SCORE of sandwiches to fill him, the word SCORE actually means twenty. I will use this word again in reference to age, further into the story, for example a character might say, "I am two score and five." Which will mean they are forty-five.

Records show that the word, score, was used before the 1100s. It comes from the Old Norse word, skor, which means to "notch or tally" or "twenty".

Hence, we say things like, *to notch up a score*. *I've notched up five wins*. Can you tally up how many sandwiches we need*etc, etc.

In case you wondered, the sandwich was invented in 1762 by John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich.

And what do you think of Shay's curtsy? I'd like to say she pulled it off, but... not quite there yet, me thinks. Hahaha

Photo taken from Pinterest.

Next week we're going to meet Samuel and his best friend Edmond.