Amber Sky (C.O.I.L.S Of Copper and Brass Book 1)

by Claire Warner

  “Right, my girl,” Meg called as she walked in from the main kitchen. “Get upstairs, wash and change into your spare uniform.” She picked up one of the pots and placed it into a cupboard. “You’re needed to serve tonight.”

  “Really?” Startled at the words, Tay glanced toward Meg with some confusion. “But you said…”

  “I know what I said,” Meg snapped as she began to chivvy Tay toward the door. “But the Master and Mistress are hosting a party, and they’ve invited more people than usual.” She gently pushed Tay out into the kitchen. “We need the serving staff,” she finished as she shut the scullery door behind her. Tay opened her mouth to speak, but the sight before her drove the thought from her mind.

  The kitchen was full of staff, steam and activity. The cook and her assistants were barking instructions at several of the younger housemaids, directing them in the creation of a magnificent feast.

  “Out of the way.” One of the other housemaids, laden down with a bulky tray of appetisers, rushed up to them, heading for the larders on the other side of the room.

  “Go on then.” Meg urged as Tay looked at the organised chaos in shock.

  “Right.” Tay headed for the staircase door and away from the bedlam behind her. Rushing up the stairs, she headed for her room, a prickle of unease running along her spine. Stepping over the threshold, she closed the door and leant back resting her head against the rough wood, wondering just how she was going to handle tonight. Serving did not particularly bother her, but she remembered what Meg had said earlier about the Overseer and his family coming to dinner.

  Thoughts of facing Darius in a social setting roved through her mind as she slowly pushed herself away from the door and began to undress. There was no suggestion that he would reveal anything about their association, but that wasn’t a given. Thoughts of what could go wrong flowed through her head as she washed and dressed into her fresh uniform.

  Adjusting her hair into what she hoped was a tidy style, she opened her door and walked out of her room, almost hitting Lora as she did so.

  “Watch it,” Lora snapped as Tay muttered an apology and locked her door. She slid the heavy key into her apron pocket and began to head back along the corridor. “I bet you’ll be as clumsy as this tonight.” Tay gritted her teeth and walked faster, hoping to reach the company of others before she snapped and punched the girl. “What do you think will happen to you if you spill red wine over the guests?” Tay pushed open the door to the stairwell and began to head downstairs, cheeks flaming red with suppressed emotion. “No, really,” Lora badgered as she followed her down the steps. “What do you think will happen?” Tay’s hands clenched into fists as she tried to clamp down on her anger. “Will they sack you?” Her voice was light, almost friendly but the words ate into her brain like poison. “Will you starve if that happens?” Tay came to a stop as she struggled to keep her temper. “What about your brats, they’ll starve as well, won’t they?”

  “What is your problem?” Tay turned and snarled at the other girl, pleased that she had managed to avoid slapping her. “We’re exactly the same.”

  “No.” Lora stood above her, and she loomed slightly as she leant forward. “You managed to take this job from someone who worked hard for it.”

  “I…”

  “Yes, you did,” Lora interrupted, her face creased in anger. “I know one of the teachers at the school, and she said that she couldn’t understand how you could have gotten a job here.” Tay felt her stomach drop, and she stared at the other girl in shock. “She said that your grade wasn’t high enough.”

  “She could have made a mistake,” Tay ventured, hoping that her voice did not betray her fear.

  “Doubtful,” Lora continued, dislike in every line of her face. “She was very sure.” She leant in and peered closely at Tay.

  Unable to move backward because of the stairs, Tay stayed put and tried to brazen it out. “I should be here.” Tay squared her shoulders and attempted to invest some confidence in the lie. “I have the tokens that prove it.”

  “But how did you get those tokens?”

  “I don’t have time for this.” Tay turned on her heel and began to walk down the stairs. “I’ve got work to do.” She strode down the stairs, and headed toward the kitchen, trying to keep control of the panic that was thrumming through her. Stepping back into the organised chaos, she looked for Meg and discovered her standing beside several trays of small appetisers.

  “Take one of these and pass them around,” she instructed as she reached up and brushed a speck of dust from Tay’s uniform. As Tay balanced the large, silver tray in her hand, Meg finished with, “Just smile and say nothing, when the tray is done, come back the kitchen for a refill.”

  “Yes Meg,” Tay managed as she headed toward the door that would lead her into the rest of the house. Pushing open the door with her hip, she moved into the empty hallway and walked toward the muted sounds of the party.

  “I’ll find out.” She almost jumped, having forgotten about Lora following her. The other girl moved past her, throwing the comment back over her shoulder as she did so. “However you managed to do it, I’ll find out.” Lora reached the door at the end of the hallway, and depressed the handle. “You and your brats will be working in the Mine by the time I’m done.” On that final threat, she pushed the door open and walked out into the glittering party beyond.

  Tay bit her lip and followed, remembering to plaster what she hoped was a convincing smile on her face. The Frazers’ hallway was large, and expensively decorated in shades of white and gold. Several portraits lined the walls, and various vases and expensive-looking knick-knacks were arranged on several small, spindly tables and counters. The hall was carpeted, and at least two dozen, well-dressed members of the upper-crust mingled within. Moving with a grace and confidence she did not feel, she lifted the tray and began to walk among the crowd. Hands covered in jewelled rings and bracelets reached out to remove the small scraps of food from the tray, ignoring Taya completely.

  “They had the nerve to stop the motorcade,” a loud, aggressive voice carried over the crowd as Tay meandered through the throng, “waving their placards and shouting slogans.” Tay glanced up at the speaker. The man was tall; lean with sharp features, and for a moment she stopped moving. This was the Mine Overseer, and Darius’ father. Tay had seen him on several occasions during her lifetime, the last time was during her Father’s trial. Taking a deep breath, she continued to cross the floor, hoping that her nerves wouldn’t get the better of her. She moved closer, taking note of the traits he shared with Darius as she did so. Like his son, the Overseer was handsome, and several women clustered around him, fluttering like butterflies in their bright dresses. Tay moved closer, the tray growing lighter with each step, as she approached the man who enslaved so many. Sneaking a fleeting glance, she clamped down on the shudder that threatened to travel along her spine. That handsome, strong-jawed face held eyes that were as cold as the grave. Glancing away from that callous gaze, she continued to hand out appetisers, listening all the while to the conversation going on around her.

  “So what did you do?” A woman dressed in lilac, cooed the question, her face alight with curiosity and desire as she looked up at him.

  “I had the guards shoot them.” He replied before taking another sip from his glass.

  Tay almost stopped moving; stunned by the dispassionate delivery of the news. Around her, she felt the mood of the crowd shift, become slightly nervous as silence descended in the aftermath of the Overseer’s words.

  “You shot them?” The woman in lilac spoke again, her voice breathless with shock.

  The Overseer looked at her, and then out at the rest of the crowd, before throwing back his head and laughing.

  “Of course not,” he said, laughter making a mockery of their horror. “I had them arrested.”

  There was a beat of shocked silence before the woman in lilac gave a bark of stunned laughter. As though a dam had burst, the small group
broke into chuckles of obvious relief. Darius’ father joined in with the merriment, his rich baritone a strange counterpoint to the cruelty she could see in his eyes.

  “Bring those over here, girl.” His gaze landed on her, and she repressed the small shudder of fear that rippled through her. Putting on her best smile, she moved through the small group and held out the tray. “Thank you.” He reached out to pick up the morsel, and glanced up at her face, recognition flaring in his dark eyes. “Don’t I know you?”

  Tay shook her head, hoping to escape his scrutiny. The Overseer could not have recognised her. Granted, she had been in the gallery during her father’s trial, but surely he could not have recognised her from that. A flinch rippled through her, as he leant forward to stare at her face, his fingers reaching up to grip her chin. “Hmm,” he mused as she squirmed beneath his touch, trying to find a way to get free.

  “Father,” Darius’ voice echoed over the space, and the Overseer dropped his hand from her face. “Why are you molesting Frazer’s staff?”

  The Overseer pointed at Tay’s features. “I recognise her.” Tay took a deep breath and tried to relax as Darius gave a sigh and walked forward.

  “And what do you want me to do about it?” Darius responded, looking up at his father with a raised eyebrow. “I don’t tend to notice maids.”

  “Take a look at her face,” his father insisted, oblivious to the group surrounding them.

  “This is hardly the…”

  “Do it.” The words snapped out, startling the assembled group, and cutting his son’s words off in mid-sentence. Darius gave a small sigh of resignation and reached out. Tay took a breath as his fingers lightly gripped her chin, and lifted her face to the light.

  “There’s something familiar,” he conceded with a grudging sigh, “but I can’t think of the resemblance.” He let his hand fall, and turned back to his father. “Leave the girl alone, Father, she’s trying to do her job.” Tay took a small step back, grateful for Darius’ presence.

  “Maybe you’re right.” The Overseer waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. “You can go.” Taking the opportunity, Tay fled from his presence with relief.

  Trying not to run across the floor, Tay retreated to a corner of the room and leant against the wall. It was possible that he had recognised her from the courts, he could even have noted her resemblance to a known member of the resistance. The chatter from the room swamped her senses, and she closed her eyes. It took several deep breaths to calm her whirling thoughts.

  “Are you alright?” Her eyes snapped open at the muffled question, and she stared in consternation at Darius’ back, as he concealed her from the room.

  “I think so,” she replied in shaking tones. “What was that all about?”

  “He was playing with you,” Darius answered in soft tones. “Trying to shake you up.” He shifted his weight slightly but did not turn round.

  “Then I’m glad I don’t work for him.” Tay took another breath, and looked down at the empty tray in her hands, remembering just what she was supposed to be doing. With a sigh, she pushed herself free from the wall and began to walk away. “I’ve got to go,” she said, eager to leave the opulent surroundings and intimidating company.

  “Don’t let him frighten you,” he said, as she drew level with him. “That’s what he wants.”

  Tay gave a firm nod but did not answer. With quick, light footsteps, she returned to the kitchen to refill her tray. Loaded down with a fresh platter of appetisers, she stepped out into the party and continued to serve. Thankfully, Darius and his Father were nowhere to be seen. Relaxing a little more, she stopped thinking about the unpleasant encounter from earlier and began to focus on her job. The night passed swiftly in a parade of trays and drinks, and she finally fell into bed with a sigh of relief early in the morning.

  Chapter 6

  A hand shook her from the depths of a deep sleep. Jolted awake, she stared blindly about her. The room was dark, and there was little noise from the rest of the house. Confused, she opened her eyes and focused on the darker shape above her.

  “What is it?” she muttered, sleep slurring her words, as she began to drift back into its warm embrace. The hand shook her again, keeping her awake.

  “You’re going to the Overseer’s house.” The words seized her attention like a slap to the face.

  “What?” She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and reached out to the candle on her side table. Lighting it with nervous, trembling fingers, she finally looked at the shape above her.

  “Lora?” She stared at the other girl in confusion.

  “Who else?” the other girl snapped back, pulling back from the bed with a grimace. “I can’t believe you’re getting to go over there.” Her voice was low, bitter, and full of barely suppressed rage. “You’ve only been here five minutes.”

  “I didn’t ask for it.” Tay pushed herself upright and glowered across at the other girl. Lora’s antagonism burned away the last vestiges of sleep. “I don’t want to go over there.” The air in the bedroom chilled her skin, and she wrapped the covers about herself, trying to keep warm.

  “Of course you don’t,” Lora sneered, her face filled with disgust. “I saw you talking to the Overseer at the party. Quite a little charmer aren’t you?”

  “And you’re a bitch, but I don’t harp on about it all the time.” Cut to the quick by Lora’s insinuations, Tay hardly stopped to think as her reply sizzled across the space between them. Lora blinked, the retort stunning her briefly, before she reached across the bed, and slapped Tay across the face. Pain flared across her cheek, the blow stunning her momentarily. A tense stillness settled between them before Tay moved. Barely thinking about the consequences, she returned the blow. Lora’s head snapped back as Tay’s hand struck her across the face. As the other girl reached for her, Tay briefly considered that she was making a mistake, but she couldn’t stop herself. It was three o’clock in the morning, and she was tired, irritable, and scared at the thought of going to the Overseer’s home. As they tussled, Tay briefly wondered if the altercation would get her out of going.

  “Get off!” Lora’s fingers raked through her hair, tugging at the brown strands until her scalp burned with the pain. Fighting back but hampered by the cocooning bedcovers, Tay scratched at Lora’s face, her nails drawing a thin line of blood across her cheek. Tay’s head slammed against the wall, sending a dizzying wave of pain through her. She felt some of her hair tear free, and fresh agony seared through her scalp. “Get off me.” Levering herself away from the wall, she caught hold of Lora’s reddish locks. Her fingers slid through the other girl’s hair, exerting as much pressure as she could.

  “Ow… you crazy bitch,” Lora snarled, as her eyes started to water with the pain. Releasing her grip on Tay’s hair, Lora drew her fist back and punched her solidly in the face.

  Tay felt her lip split from the blow, and blood dribbled from the cut. She held on, pulling a small clump of hair from Lora’s head.

  “Stop!” A new set of hands entered the fray and dragged the two apart. Tay took several deep breaths, as Beth pulled Lora off the bed and dumped her on the floor. “What the hell are you two doing?” she demanded as she pinned Lora to the ground. “Do you want to get Meg in here?”

  Tay stopped moving and settled down, breath coming in harsh gasps as she tried to calm down. Lora struggled futilely against Beth’s arms for several moments, before finally giving up and slumping down onto the floor. Red scratches stood out livid across her neck and face, a testament to their fight.

  “Now,” Beth addressed the two combatants, as they both calmed down. “What the hell is going on?”

  “She broke into my room,” Tay started, unwilling to let Lora get the first word in.

  “She called me a bitch,” the other girl complained, holding her hand to the bleeding scratch on her face. “And look what she did to my face.”

  “You bloody well deserved it,” Tay called back, her voice increasing in volume once more. “You�
��re damned lucky, I didn’t knock your block off.”

  “Tay,”－Beth stood and laid a calming hand on her shoulder－“calm down.”

  “And this is the kind of girl that the boss wants to send to the Overseer’s house,” Lora interjected with some heat. “I bet she offered all kinds of promises for that.”

  Tay started forward, only to be held back by her friend. “Is that what this is about?” Beth asked, holding Tay in place, as she cast an incredulous look at the pair of them.

  “She’s going next door when they go to the capital,” Lora complained, anger running through her voice. She stood up and adjusted her clothing. “How could they ask for her?” She sneered the last words as she picked her shawl up from the floor and pulled it around her shoulders. “I don’t think she should go,” she continued. “She’s violent.” Drawing her shawl closed, she walked up to the cloudy glass of the mirror and inspected the damage. “I think I’ll tell Meg about it,” she announced with an airy wave, as she began to walk to the door. “She’ll be out of here by the end of the week.” She reached the door, only to stop as Beth caught hold of her wrist.

  “No you won’t,” Beth muttered, as she pulled her back into the room.

  “Why the hell not?” Lora sneered, tugging her hand free with a yank. “You certainly can’t tell me what to do.”

  “Maybe not,” Beth continued in silky soft tones, “but you can be damned sure that I can get you the sack.”

  “What do you mean?” Lora retorted, turning to face the other girl with bemusement. “I haven’t done anything wrong.”

  “Oh? You think so?” Beth smiled. “You’re out of bed.” She glanced over at Tay. “And in another girl’s room.” Lora took a step back as realisation slowly creased her features. “What do you think Meg will say about that?”