A MAZE OF GREED

"Mrs payne. Mrs payne?"

She was working in the kitchen when she heard someone knocking on the front door. Leaving the task in her hands unfinished, she hurried to open the door.

After another knock, she opened the door to see Ida's familiar face standing at the door.

"Ida? Good afternoon, dear. What are you doing here at this time?"

"Sorry. Have I disturbed you?" Ida asked, smiling apologetically.

"No... no dear. Please come in." Mrs Payne invited her, but she shook her head.

"Maybe next time Mrs Payne. I am in hurry right now. Lady Eloise needs someone's help with medicinal plants and herbs. The family physician is out of town, and finding another one would take time.

She is a little impatient, you know. So I suggested your name and, now she is asking to meet you in her chamber. Would you mind helping her, Mrs Payne, please?"

Mrs Payne was taken aback by her request, but then she could not deny Lady Eloise's order.

"Of course, I will." She said.

"That is great! Thank you, Mrs Payne! Please go and meet Lady Eloise or ask for Fannie. She will take you to Lady Eloise. Come soon. See you!" Ida said while walking away and waved her hand at her.

"Okay dear!" Mrs Payne replied.

Closing the door, she thought what lady Eloise might be needing help with?

Finishing all the chores, Mrs Payne changed into a simple yet nice dress and left the servants quarters after locking her room. She met many people on her way that greeted her and, ask her how she was doing. In her stay in 'the great manor', she had got acquainted with many servants living in the servants quarters.

Mrs Payne reached the residential area of 'the great manor'. To her surprise, she met Edwin when he was leaving with Lester and Lord Augustus, for his journey.

Seeing her walking in the next corridor, Edwin excused himself.

"Hello Mrs Payne!" Edwin greeted her politely.

"Young Master! Good afternoon." She replied with a respectful bow.

After their last conversation, the dynamics of their relationship had changed significantly and, it could be seen the way they were not looking at each other with their guards up. Because in their last conversation, Edwin had realised that Mrs Payne knew many things, even more than he knew.

Besides, she knew his secret- his secret identity. Knowing well that this old woman was his only hope with Ruth, Edwin revealed that Ruth was his mate. And guess what, the woman was not shocked! Surprised- yes, but not shocked as if she was suspecting something like that all along.

But a clever woman like her knew how much to reveal and what to be kept hidden. After all, she knew better than intervening in destiny's plans.

"What are you doing here?" Edwin asked

"I had some work. But you..."

~"Hurry up Edwin. We are getting late!"~ Lester's voice reminded him of the urgency.

"Mrs Payne, I need to go out of Vincardine for a couple of days. During this time, will you do me a favour?" He asked.

Watching 'THE Edwin O'Dell' asking for favours to a human was one hell of a moment. But Mrs Payne was not the kind of person who would brag about it.

"If it is in my power then I would be pleasured to come at your use, young Master." She replied politely.

"I think Ruth is very disturbed these days. Something is bothering her mind, but she is not telling anything to anyone. Do you know what it is?" He asked hopefully.

Mrs Payne could have lied straight to his face, but she knew better than that.

"Even if I know it is not my place to tell you anything, Young Master. When and if Ruth feels like letting you know, she would tell you by herself."

Edwin sighed dejectedly. This woman knew more than she let out, yet she would die than speaking a word.

"Fine! But what I am asking from you is... please take care of her for me. I do not want her to get in any trouble. You now know the dangers." He said meaningfully.

The heart of a mother in her felt relieved at his concern. Which mother does not want such a doting partner for her daughter?

"Do not worry about her, Young Master. We all are here to take care of her till you come. And more than us, Ruth is well capable of taking care of herself."

Edwin got her hint. He only nodded then left wordlessly. He should stop underestimating Ruth.

"Mrs Payne?" She turned around to see Fannie walking her way.

Did she hear anything?

The frown on her face told that she saw Mrs Payne with Edwin and was not pleased with that fact.

'Come on Fannie! Patience!' She chided herself.

"Hello Fannie!" Mrs Payne greeted.

"Please come with me." Fannie said with a forced smile and began walking ahead.

She took her through the corridors and doors that Mrs Payne could not remember. Fannie finally stopped. Tuning around, she told Mrs Payne to wait for her there.

Mrs Payne nodded without questioning. Five minutes later, Fannie came with Eloise.

"Lady Eloise, this is Mrs Payne." Fannie introduced the old lady.

Mrs Payne stood up as soon as she saw Eloise walking into the room.

Eloise looked at the lady for a fleeting moment, then without any greetings, she walked ahead and sat on the couch leisurely.

"So you claim this old woman is intelligent?" Eloise raised her brow questioningly.

Her face held a large question mark as if she doubted that. Mrs Payne felt offended by her tone, yet she kept quiet. Especially after Ruth told her what happened between her and Eloise, Mrs Payne was more careful around this woman.

She did not want any problems for Ruth because of her.

"Well... that is what I have been told." Fannie answered.

"Fine! Either way, I do not have any choice to get her help. You know Mrs Payne, we elites always have the best of professionals at our dispense. But these particular medicines and herbs are familiar to only our family physicians.

If he was here, then I would not have asked a commoner's help. I do not even know if your knowledge about these things is even trustworthy?" Eloise clicked her tongue in displease.

"Lady Eloise, I am not a professional, neither I have learned these things in any institute or school. I have gathered this knowledge through my experiences and interests.

Tell me what help do you exactly need, and I will try to help you as much as I can." Mrs Payne finally said.

Eloise nodded her head and told Fannie to get the list her physician had given.

Mrs Payne was on her feet for long. She was working in her home first, then had to walk all the way here. And now she felt the pain in her heels and ankles.

While Fannie got the list, Mrs Payne thought of sitting in a nearby chair but stopped when Eloise wiped her nose with a napkin and threw it on the same chair.

"I do not like to sit along the people with lower status." She said bluntly.

Mrs Payne blinked at her, comparing the two sisters. Elsie was the kind and sweet young woman and, her elder sister was the epitome of arrogance and rudeness.

"Pardon, Lady Eloise. But my feet are aching that is why-"

"Your feet are aching? But are not you beggars used to working relentlessly all you life?! If you want you can sit there." Eloise raised her leg, pointing it ahead of her and on the floor.

"That is the right place for people like you in our homes."

That was getting out of limits. Mrs Payne was hurt and angry. She knew that Eloise was doing that intentionally. She meant every word she said.

But only for the sake of Ruth, she decided to bear this humiliation.

Fannie came with the list and handed it to Mrs Payne. Mrs Payne read the words on the paper. She knew all of those ingredients. They were needed for the preparation of a hair mask that helps hair grow longer and thicker.

"I know these ingredients. Most of them can be get from the woods of Vincardine and the reamaning can be purchased from the market. I know one shop that sells these medcines." Mrs Payne told.

"Good then get them for me before the morning. I want to use them in the morning." Eloise ordered.

"What?"

Clenching her jaw, Eloise asked, "Is there any problem Mrs Payne?"

"I can not do that, Lady Eloise. I am not able to go to the market and then into the woods. I will give the description of every ingredient and the address of the shop. Please send someone else for this job." Mrs Payne was already annoyed with Eloise's treatment of her.

Besides, she told just the truth.

Angry at her response, Eloise glared at her. "Are you denying my order Mrs Payne? No wonder that Ruth is also just like you! This arrogance it must have come from you."

"Lady Eloise-"

"Do not you dare raise your voice at me! I am being respectful, considering your age. Do not make me use my powers, Mrs Payne.

I just asked for your help and, you are acting bitter towards me because of Ruth?! I know how to deal with people like you!"

Mrs Payne was speechless. How could she drag one point to the other in such a nonsensical way?!

"You poor leeches are hungry for money. Fannie throw a pouch of coins on her face and then see how she agrees for this."

"We are not hungry for money Lady Eloise!" Mrs Payne said sternly.

"Then it is doing the job I give you or, your beloved Ruth loosing her job."

Oh, Lord!