The Alter Ego by Elizabeth Bramwell

Author:Elizabeth Bramwell [Bramwell, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2018-06-27T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Anna was admiring her new bonnet when the commotion outside her hotel room finally reached her ears. A combination of angry yapping, raised voices, and thudding feet were enough to let her know that whatever was coming her way would not be a pleasant encounter.

The door to the room flung open as Lily barged in, the hotel manager on her heels and Governess tight in her arms.

“Anna, please tell this insolent man that Governess has an impeccable lineage, and he had no right to imply she is of questionable parentage!”

“And I take leave to inform you, Mrs Clyde, that your pet has pushed the staff at this establish too far, and we will not stand for it!” announced the manager.

Anna put a hand on the back of the chair to steady herself. “Oh dear. What has happened?”

As they both began talking loudly at once, and Governess decided to yap along with them, Anna closed her eyes and counted to five before re-engaging.

“Enough! Lily, silence that dog of yours and then allow the gentleman to speak! I simply cannot understand you when everyone is shouting at once!”

The hotel manager looked almost smug as he cast a glance over at Lily. “Mrs Clyde, I am afraid that we can no longer support your continued stay in this establishment if you insist on keeping That Animal with you. I warned Miss Clyde most clearly that should the pug upset our guests or staff at the breakfast table again, then we would have no option but to ask you to find lodgings elsewhere.”

Anna blinked.

“Again?” she said, looking at Lily, whose face had gone bright red as she turned all her attention toward Governess.

“Indeed, madam,” said the manager with a decided sniff. “That Animal’s attempt to steal bacon yesterday caused one of our waiters to trip and spill coffee over one of our guests. Before that, my staff have often had to forcibly remove it from the kitchens, where it has distracted the maids, knocked over a pitcher of fresh milk, and stolen several biscuits. The propensity of some of our female guests and staff to coo over the Wretched Creature has only emboldened it, and I have received two complaints of it begging for scraps at the table.”

“Lily, I thought I ordered you to keep Governess on a lead?” said Anna, feeling a headache coming on. “Did you learn nothing after she stole that lady’s reticule?”

“She isn’t happy tied up,” said Lily, sticking out her bottom lip. “And she isn’t hurting anyone, no matter what this horrid man says. Everyone loves her.”

“My guests do not love having That Animal slobber over their French delicacies!” snapped the manager.

“I am so sorry about this,” said Anna, giving him the most sympathetic smile she could bring herself to muster. “It must be so much work to keep this hotel running smoothly, and I am well aware that not everyone holds Governess in the same affection as we do.”

“Indeed so, madam,” said the manager, casting a dark look at the little pug.

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