The Countess And The Tutor.

2.Her Father's Daughter II

Natalia Verushka Vodianova had been a servant in the Melnikova Household for 12 years. She knew all it's nooks and crannies, all it's ins and outs. She observed the power struggle between the Dowager Countess and her son, Count Petrov. She was a great listener and silent watcher. She knew all it's secrets. And now, she knew her mistress, the young Karolina was not happy. As she brushed her hair, she contemplated on ways to broach the topic.

“Have you had you afternoon tea mistress?” she asked needlessly as the tea set sat in full view on the table in the center of the room. Karolina nodded absentmindedly and continued to stare out the window at the duck pond in the grounds below. Natalia dropped the brush on the vanity and began to braid. She twisted delicately and intricately, expertly but gently twisting the silken licks to create the most beautiful patterns. She did her work in pensive silence and after a while, decided to take the bull by the horns.

“You are unhappy” Natalia said matter of factly.

“What is the matter?” she asked Karolina. Karolina unexpectedly and much to Natalia's alarm burst into tears. Natalia quickly rushed across the room and bolted the doors, after making sure no meddlesome servant was eavesdropping outside. She drew the curtains, letting in only a sliver of light. She then stooped and gently took Karolina's hand in her's.

"Tell me, what troubles you?" She inquired of Karolina. She feared for the worst as Karolina was not one prone to tears. She was strong and was given to such displays of emotion. So it was with great relief and sadness equally that Natalia received the news when Karolina tearfully revealed the reason behind her outburst.

“I miss my father Natalia, i miss him so much” Karolina chocked.

Natalia's heart broke when she heard this. Karolina and her Father Petrov had been very close and had been the best of friends. They had spent all their time together but the Count's mother, the Dowager Duchess Boryana had done her best to put an end to their loving relationship. Lately, the Count rarely came home and when he did, Karolina's mother took her on meaningless trips abroad. The Count and his daughter had been so good to Natalia and now she felt was the time to repay that kindness.

“I know where he is” she said to the young woman. Karolina's head snapped up instantly.

“You know where he is?” she gasped. Natalia indeed knew where the Count was. A few days ago, she had overheard a couple of male servant complaining bitterly about being tasked by the Dowager Countess to dust the rooms in Castle Chervnik and w**d the grounds. Castle Chernik was owned by the Melnikova household and was used as temporary lodging for high ranking members of visiting nobility. Natalia had not heard any news of an impending visit and suspected that the Count had taken up residence there at the behest of his mother. She hoped so.

“I can take you to him, but you must do as i say” she replied. Karolina nodded vigorously.

As dusk settled fully on the land, two cloaked and hooded figures detached themselves from the shadows and hurried across the courtyard of Garibaldi Castle residence of the Melnikovas for Centuries. Count Ilias Melnikova the first, face set in stone glared sternly down at them, as if disapproving of such nocturnal prowling. The figures made their way towards the imposing gates that guarded the estate, but rather than open it, they turned sharply and walked parallel to the fence that enclosed the expansive compound. A dog barked and they quickly sprang into the bushes adjacent the fence. After a few moments, they continue on their way, crouching and creeping along slowly. They get to a gap in the fence concealed expertly with leaves, pushing the leaves aside, they crawl through the gap and emerge on the other side of the fence. A covered wagon waits at the top of the hill. Replacing the leaves, they hurry towards the wagon. An owl hoots and one of the figures stumbles. The other stops and helps the fallen one up, urging them on. They approach the wagon cautiously and the lead figure taps softly on the back of the wagon and in answer two soft knocks are returned from within.

The figures climb into the back of the wagon and a match is struck. The interior is illuminated and the hoods are taken off to reveal Karolina and Natalia. A man holds up the light.

“Thank you very much Petr” Natalia says to him. Petr nods. Natalia trusted and had enlisted his help in sneaking Karolina into Castle Chervnik without the Dowager Countess's knowledge. Moreover she was aware of his attraction to her and had impressed upon him the importance of his help and how it would get him in her good graces. The wagon moves and the flame is extinguished, plunging the interior into darkness.

......................

“Absolutely not!! Heinrich, not only are you breaking protocol by admitting her but going to Vienna and escorting her back to Paris is absurd” Madame Martinique fumed.

Days after the first letter had arrived, a second one had also come from the Dowager Countess. Apparently confident that her request would be granted, the second letter contained instructions asking Heir Von Tussle to meet her in Vienna where he would receive Karolina and escort her back to Paris. Madame Martinique was right, Heinrich knew. It was very unconventional. Every girl who had been admitted had arrived accompanied by members of her own household, such a request had never been made before. Heinrich knew he should refuse, but as with the letter he felt he couldn't. He tried convincing Madame Martinique.

“Your right Martinique, but look at it this way, we've never had Russian nobility before and the Dowager Countess is powerful woman with vast connections, if she thinks that we may have treated her in a manner unbefitting of her rank, she might take offence and try to ruin us” Heinrich's words sounded false to him. Deep down he knew that he acquiesced to the noble woman's request because he didn't want to offend her and partly because of the allure surrounding her granddaughter. He had heard a lot about her beauty and felt a strange desire to set eyes on her before anyone else at the school.

“I believe our reputation speaks for us, she might try but she will fail!!” Madam Martinique's eyes blazed with righteous anger. Alongside Heinrich, she had built the school up from scratch and she wasn't to let anyone destroy her hard work, Russian Countess or not.

“I don't think it would get to that, i will simply go to Vienna and interview the girl myself, if she doesn't make a favourable impression, I'll deny her admittance” Heinrich said. At last Madam Martinique relented and Heinrich Von Tussle set off for Vienna.

....................

The wagon rumbled past the gates of Castle Chervnik, went round and stopped at the entrance to the servant's quarters. Two figures slipped out of the wagon and after bidding farewell to Petr, slipped into the building. They trod softly past the kitchen and servants rooms. They went up the stairs. The doors to main corridor of the castle had been left open just as Natalia had planned. They slipped in and stumbled upon a female servant who doing dusting some painting hung on the walls. The servant stifled a scream as Natalia and Karolina quickly revealed themselves, regaining her composure, she wordlessly pointed them towards a room illuminated from within. She had been the one who left the door open. She was privy to the plan. Karolina and Natalia hurried past her towards the door.

Count Petrov Melnikova sat by the light making an entry in his journal. He had been about to begin a new paragraph when the door to his room burst open. Alarmed, he whirled about clutching his pen, ready to use it as a dagger if necessary when he saw he beloved daughter Karolina and her servant Natalia.

“Karolina” he gasped.

“Papa” she chocked.

Sobbing, Karolina fell into her father's arms.