The Enigma of Albert Morris by Leo 2

Chapter two:

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The afternoon was the busiest day in the history of Dover. For the first time after the war a Lord was paying a visit to the town. The menfolk already gathered in the tavern for fresh gossip. At the inns special preparations were in progress. 

Catherine was working since dawn. Margaret came and loaded her with clothes to stitch. "Get them ready before a hour Anna will wear these." Catherine began to stitch the clothes.

John came in from the cottage door.

"He's here Margaret he here." John was excited. "Who the Lord?" Margaret inquired. John nodded. Children were chanting in the streets by beating little drums "the Lord is ere the Lord is ere." Margaret went rushing down the ladder. "Anna me child get ready he's ere." Margaret started dressing the fat Anastasia. 

Catherine brought in the stitched dress. This dress was stitched multiple times. It was torn repeatedly by Anna's sitting, her dress could no longer bear her heavy weight.

"There me child looking lovely. No chance him not notice me beautiful child. Wait what this?" She looked at many tiny holes in the dress. After eyeing Catherine who was looking at the dress she said "You good for nothing didn't stitch well enough." 

"No I tried to stitch it but the fabric's too weak for further patches." The tiny fat Margaret looked at her with anger in her tiny punched in eyes. "It will do after all he won't marry you it's all for being just his one night's interest." She said finally. "And you Catherine stay away from de inn." She said pointing a finger at her. If me see you near the inn me break your lady neck with me own hands.'' she said imitating it with her rough hands. Catherine saved herself barely.

The Lord came in on a horse accompanied by many men and a large carts loaded with bags of wheat. The people gathered around him praising him and bowing to him. Albert Morris a five feet ten inches tall pure English man. Deep blue eyes very broad forehead, a dimple on one. Dressed in an exorbitant suit a cane in his hand and a hat on his head as he approached the streets of Dover. People wanted to take him to the Inn who was specially prepared for his stay but he insisted to survey the city first. "Sir shall we unload these supplies to the main silos first?" One of his men asked. "Indeed this should be done first I'll see to it myself, I'm afraid we are parading on the wealthy sites only. Take me to the lower sites if you may." Albert asked the town mayor to guide him and his men to the silo.

''Sure the main silo is located near those slums.''

They reached a large silo adjacent the fields which were blooming with fresh crops.

The men were unloading the bags. Albert moved to the stage a small wooden one set up for him to speak to people. "People of Dover, I Albert Morris am at your service. These supplies are sufficient enough for every family until the next winter. In the meantime you all should harvest and stock the wheat for your critical winter. The next time we shall bring you vegetables too. As far as the crops were delayed we apologize for it this was as much as we could provide at such an early notice however this is not the end. We have decided to supply fruits in heavy amounts overseas and will want you all to contribute with us like this not only you will rid yourselves of poverty but you will contribute to your country as well. I am pleased to be of any service and as I can see already you all have managed a good crop growth. By participating in this trade you will be wealthy enough to bring education in these narrow streets and your children will be employed."  he finished his speech people of Dover clapped and started chanting slogans for Albert. 

Women were gathered around all over with their daughters in order to have chance for their for them to be sighted by the Lord. All faces and all heights were easily seen among them.

''What is this nuisance all about Jacob?'' he said taking is hat off. He had ash blonde hair and were trimmed perfectly and set at the level of his head which was the most common style of all Lords.

''A lord and a bachelor in the town of Dover is like a battle announced Sir. These peasants have higher hopes than any of their forefathers could dream about. You know the lords customs. When ever a lord visits such sights their hopes are stretched beyond their coats. Just in luck if you would like to have any of them even for a night.'' The mayor named Jacob Timothy snorted.

Albert however just smiled and mounted his horse. 

''Jacob clear this mess and tell them to end this outrage. I hate all of this and I am a new lord with new thinking I just hate the concept of this women trade.''

''Aye my lord.'' Jacob yelled at the people.

''Go home women and their daughters. Our lord does not want any of this.''

In the evening all the political people sat with Albert in the Inn. "I've prepared the best place for your stay my lord." Mayor said when the dinner was being served. Albert nodded. 

''Hey chap bring the whole barrel of beer here don't you see who's our guest tonight.'' the Mayor said to the boy who was attending them.

All the women were working in the Inn Catherine was there too. As it was inevitable for Margaret to be of much help she had to call Catherine to help them with the food but she insisted Anna to serve mostly to the table where Albert was seated. Anna was going with the dish in her hand when she fell being stuck in the door. "Me child." Margaret went rushing. "There they go again the fatty arses." Women in the kitchen giggled.

''I have no idea why sir Monty hired these women. This Margaret can't cook, can't wash clean or mop and as if she wasn't enough her miserable daughter is also hired and gets paid for breaking and crashing into things.'' A woman said while stirring a dish.

''Sir Monty, sir Monty.'' someone called the inn owner.

''What is it now. Look at this mess.'' he said looking at the fallen flat Anastasia and her mother who was trying to get her up from the past ten minutes. 

''Margaret what is all this nonsense. Clear your mess and get out or you won't get your this weeks salary. Catherine you are only the most educated woman here. I want you to take care of the Lord and serving him well. Come with me with whatever is ready.'' Margaret shot Catherine a fierce look and would have definitely killed her if it was possible but right now all she could do was to shoot hateful looks at her. Catherine brought the dish to the lounge, she began to serve. Her work was always outstanding. She cooked the most delicious food than any women in Dover. She was also the most knowledgeable amongst them. Dressed in very untidy clothes with mostly the smoke trails of coal on her face she went on serving.

She served the table of Mayor and Albert. After she went away Albert asked the mayor "Who's she? Doesn't seems a native Dover-er to me?" "Yes she's from the upper class but ended up here. Its a long story. You know Robert Ayling?" Albert said "Who doesn't know him. He's a war hero." "She's her daughter." The mayor said enjoying the food. Albert again looked at Catherine. "Thank you mayor it's very delicious lamb." 

''This girl is so talented, I also want my daughter to learn these skills from her but it's a pity.'' the mayor emptied his cup in a single drought. 

''What's pity?'' Albert was interested in the story.

''Her mother god bless her was of a great lineage, she sent her to convent at a very young age, this is why she has learned all the things. But the witch Margaret doesn't let her come and go anywhere this is why the poor girl is always stuck with work. The labor is hard.'' 

''I want more of this please call that girl again.'' Albert was more interested in Catherine than the lamb but he had to hid it.

''Catherine. Come here daughter.'' Jacob called her. 

''Yes sir.'' she was holding an empty tray.

''Go on and bring some more lamb for our young lord.'' 

''Right away.'' she didn't lift her eyes. She just looked at the floor.

Albert didn't eat anymore and got up.

''Where to my lord? You didn't even eat any of this delicious lamb you just ordered.'' Jacob said with mouthful of food. 

''Enough food. I will take a walk now.'' Albert said and some men got up to accompany him.

''No I will go alone. Thanks.'' 

The night was a cold one. With sounds of wolves howling in the distance.

''I like that voice. I liked that attitude.'' he said to himself and kept walking on a narrow dark road.

The whole inn was filled with the odor of garlic and onions and the sounds of chatter.

Catherine was working late and was left alone while all the other women had left. Unfortunately she had to fill in for the wicked Margaret and her fat daughter.

 

#romance #suspense #thriller #drama #novels #novella #enigmaofalbertmorris

 

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