Page 14 of The Maid's Secret

“To myself, I suppose,” I said. “I want to know if I have what it takes to succeed.”

“What it takes, Flora,” said my father as he hiked up his trousers, “is something you weren’t born with. I’m a businessman descended from a long line of businessmen. I know how the world works. A woman with a sharp mind is like a fish on a bicycle.”

My mother brought a mannered hand to her mouth to conceal her tittering laughter.

“Still,” said my father, “if you’re set on writing your silly exams, be my guest. Just don’t get too far ahead of yourself. As your father, it’s my job to decide your future. And there are better pursuits for a girl than university.”

“Thank you, Papa!” I said, hearing only approval and ignoring the cautions that came with it.

That was all I wanted—a chance. It was a step that would move me closer to my goal. Surely, if I passed my exams with flying colors, I’d be allowed to stream toward higher education rather than finishing school? Surely, if I was granted admission to a good university, my parents would support me? And surely, if one day I made something of myself as a professional, Mama and Papa would be proud of me for bringing glory to our family name? Surely, anything was possible, even for a girl?

I met the eyes of my headmaster, expecting to see excitement writ there. But all I saw was the grim line of his upturned mouth—another smile that wasn’t quite a smile. And again, I chose to ignore it.

—

Chapter 5

“Molly,mi amor,please, wake up!”

I feel two gentle hands on the sides of my face. I recognize his voice—my beloved Juan Manuel rousing me from slumber. I open my eyes, expecting to find myself snuggled beside him in bed, but instead, I’m greeted by a swarm of strange faces. Amongst them is a giant camera so close my breath fogs the lens.

An arm pushes the camera away, and I focus on him—Juan, gazing down at me, his eyes two dark pools of concern.

It all comes back to me, where I am—the tearoom at the Regency Grand—and why I’m laid out on the stage floor. The goldenhuevowas supposed to be a trinket, but Brown and Beagle just confirmed otherwise, which means I’m in possession of a treasure worth millions.

“Step back!”

“Give her space!”

Mr.Snow and my gran-dad are suddenly on the stage, helping Juan pick me up and bring me to the guest throne where I was seated moments ago.

The camera tracks us, then lands on me. Brown and Beagle,looking jubilant and expectant, return to their thrones, adjusting earpieces and smoothing their TV-perfect hair as Juan and my gran-dad are reluctantly ushered offstage.

“Looks like the maid could use a stiff drink,” Brown says, as he crosses his long legs and snaps his fingers.

“Tea,” I manage to croak, and Angela magically appears at the lip of the stage with a warm cup—orange pekoe, just the way I like it.

“Molly, you ready to roll?” Ironic Steve asks as he grabs the cup from Angela and hands it to me. “You’re okay now, right?” His assistant holds a black-and-white clapboard, ready to drop the arm.

“I’m better,” I reply, “but I—”

“Roll cameras. Action!”

“Welcome back to the land of the living, Molly Gray,” says Brown with a blue-eyed wink for the camera.

“Folks, we’ve had our share of mishaps on this show…” Beagle chimes in.

“…we sure have,” Brown adds. “On season three, a guest peed herself from excitement.”

“Let’s not forget the time a man threw a plaster bust at us after a low appraisal. Remember that, Bax?”

“I have the scar tissue to prove it,” says Brown as he tweaks his nose.

“But never before have we had a guest faint on set,” Beagle explains. “Congratulations, Molly! You’re our first. And you’ve just come to and learned you possess a treasure worth millions. How are you feeling?”

“I’m…shocked,” I say. “And I want to apologize for scaring everyone. When consciousness becomes overwhelming, I tend to shut down.”

“Well, you’re back with us now,” Beagle continues, “and viewers are desperate to learn how you came to possess this one-of-a-kind Fabergé prototype.”