The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1765

"Damn it."

They let her off too easy!

"That little witch must've squirreled away the package Serena sent us. And Martha, she only coughed it up after we badgered her about it a dozen times."

"And why we keep that card from Serena? We’re afraid that she thought we were playing favorites. How much does Bella actually cost us? She's my flesh and blood, finally back in my arms. Can't I give her a little spending money?"

"Then there's the whole family portrait debacle. That little witch was off playing bridesmaid for a friend and didn't bother to tell us. We wanted her in the picture, but when the photographers showed up, she was nowhere to be found. What were we supposed to do? Ask them to come back another day? Plus, it's not like we couldn't have a few extra snaps with our long-lost daughter. Is that so wrong?"

The maid shuddered at the thought – none of this was her fault. She had only overheard the wails and whispers from the basement all night and thought she should relay the message to the master and mistress. fearful they were in the dark, their names being dragged through the mud without their knowledge.

Misunderstandings were clearly brewing between them, likely fanned by Martha's malicious whispers.

"And I heard the basement dweller say that even Myrna, who hasn't set foot in the house, didn't take her seriously. The gifts she received were just Bella's hand-me-downs."

"Hand-me-downs? Who said that?" Louisa fumed even more, "The number of gifts Myrna gave to Bella and her were the same. It's just that they have different tastes and chose different styles, that's all."

It was only then that she and Kenneth realized that it must have been Martha stirring the pot, egging on the little witch until she bit the bait.

"From now on, we don't need to hear anything else she has to say," Kenneth concluded. At this point, words were futile. Even though they suspected Martha was the instigator behind it all, if the girl in the basement remained steadfast and strong-willed, then no amount of gossip could sway her. The trouble was, her heart was already in turmoil, leading her to make one mistake after another.

"That Martha." Louisa seethed, her head throbbing as darkness danced before her eyes.

She had underestimated the old woman's spite. If the maid hadn't come with the message, they would have remained ignorant of the slander they'd been subjected to over the past six months.