Free History Lessons by Fiona Wilde

to get me. That's all there was to it, understand?"
    She sighed. "Are we still friends, Missy?"
    Missy looked hurt. "Of course we are."
    "Then stop treating me like a sideshow," Lucy said. "If you have a question, then ask me directly. Don't come here pretending to be my friend when you're just on a fact-finding mission for the gossip guild."
    Missy stood. "You know, Lucy, you've really changed. You used to tell me everything."
    "In this case, there's nothing to tell," Lucy said. "And even if there was, a true friend wouldn't ask me for the wrong reasons."
    Missy looked away, her face reddening and Lucy knew right away that she'd been correct in her suspicions.
    "Ladies, is something wrong?"
    "No sir. I was just leaving." Missy stood and curtseyed in an obviously perfunctory manner to Mr. Ellis, who watched her go.
    "Problem?"
    "No," Lucy said.
    He studied her and she felt herself growing uncomfortable under his scrutiny.
    "You wouldn't mislead me, would you, Miss Primm? You wouldn't mislead me, knowing the consequences?"
    She shook her head. Lucy did not doubt Warren Ellis' power, but there were some things he could not do. For instance, he could not heal the rift that was growing anew between her and Missy. Nor could he stop the gossip she was sure would spread from Warren Ellis' picking her up and taking her home.
    It was almost time, in fact.
    Lucy finished the assignment chart for the next day and made one last check of the stations to makes sure everyone was stocked with supplies. Two school groups were set to come in the morning and she wanted to make sure everything was ready.
    She heard a voice outside the door and walked into the hall with the list. It was Missy and Carla, another worker. They stopped speaking as soon as they saw her.
    "Missy, would you take this list to Mrs. Alder?" Lucy asked. "She's doing the shopping this afternoon so it's very important that she gets it."
    "Sure," she said and walked away with a look at Carla.
    "So," Carla said. "Did you get your car fixed?"
    The question was asked in a tone implying that she didn't believe there was anything wrong with it.
    "I don't know," Lucy said. "The mechanic was busy when I called earlier. If you'll excuse me."
    She hard Carla walk away in the opposite direction and went to change for her ride home. Mr. Ellis was waiting for her in his full garb when she came to the back door.
    "Ready, I see," he said. "Although I prefer you in period clothing."
    She smiled. "Don't tell me you dress like this at home."
    "No," he admitted. "I wear the regular stuff - trousers, sweaters."
    "I called about the car," Lucy said. "It's not going to be ready until tomorrow. I could take the day off."
    "No, Lucy. I'll get you again."
    "You don't have to," she said.
    "Why, is there a problem?"
    Lucy sighed. "Rumors," she said. "Gossips."
    "At Hartford House?" He sounded incensed.
    "Please, Mr. Ellis. It's nothing I can't handle."
    "Lucy, I do not tolerate idle gossip, especially when my name is connected. Or the honor of an innocent. Who's behind this?"
    "Mr. Ellis, please."
    "Lucy..."
    "No, I don't want to talk about it."
    "Lucy...I want an answer."
    "No."
    He sighed and, taking hold of Lucy, bent her over the hall table.
    "Mr. Ellis," she cried. "Please don't...."
    But he ignored her and began to spank her, the smacks building a rapid head through the fabric of her blue jeans.
    Soon she was crying and begging for him to stop.
    "Only if you're ready to talk," he said.
    "I am!" she cried, wagging her bottom back and forth in an effort to avoid the painful blows.
    He raised her to standing. "Is it Missy?"
    "Yes!" she cried. "I don't know why she's doing this! I don't lord my position over her, Mr. Ellis. I don't lord it over anyone else. I just come here and try to do my job!"
    "That's correct," he said. "And if anyone is treating you with anything other than respect then you come straight to me."
    "And risk being alienated?"
    "If that's what it takes, yes."
    Lucy was rubbing her