Jasper decided to step in before things became too heated. As much as he like seeing their broiling rivalry, he didn't want to see it ruined by emotions boiling over too quickly. "Now now, Jamie," he said, stepping between the two. "That's not a fair way to treat Rikki. She may be a maid, but she is not your maid, nor is she in any position for us to reasonably expect her to serve wine. Remember where we are."
Jamie lowered her eyes. "Si, Senor Copernicus." She then turned her gaze toward Rikki, who smiled faintly at her rescue. "But it is customary for servants to serve, si?"
"That is a servant's role, yes, but you will also recall that I have not officially hired Rikki on as my maid. Not yet, anyway."
"But Senor..."
"It iz all right, Mademoiselle," Rikki said. "If I am a servant, it iz my duty to serve, but a servant ansairs only to 'er mastair, no?" Jamie glowered. This plan wasn't working out as well as she had hoped, but what could she do to turn things around? That servile old hag wouldn't get away with this.
Tue Jun 01 00:09:46 2010