Fancy Nannies

“Do we have to wear all these frillies?” Bellindah had asked in a whiny tone. Their Aunt Margaret had given her a sharp look, clearly not approving her dislike of dressing up at the young age of eight years old. “Yes you have put ‘em on. These’re your best dresses fer now and we wanna make a good impression!” She crossed her arms and turns her gaze to Daphne, frowning as if it was somehow her fault. Daphne felt indignation rise up, but swallowed it and simply shrugged elaborately. She couldn’t care less for looking like a perfect little lady for her cousin’s possible marriage-conquest…or whatever they were calling it. It wasn’t as though it would make a difference.

“Daphne, you’re wearin’ the green ‘n yella dress.” With that, Margaret Jewelweed left the room for the two girls to bathe and dress. Daph couldn’t help but scoff. At least they were giving her the ugliest dress she’d ever seen, to wear. Belinda stepped over to her silently and tugged on her tunic. When she looked down, she was met with wide, innocent and imploring sea-green eyes that always went straight to her heart. “Pet-pet…do we gotta put these dresses on? They’re itchy and tight...and…and yours is UGLY!” She scowled, which caused Daphne to grin. The girl was adorable with her dark curls bouncing on her chubby cheeks. The perfect doll. But she understood Daphne like no one else had.

She ruffled her hair fondly. “Yes Belly, we have to put them on…” Belinda’s scowl darkened, which sent a flash of light through Daph’s mind. A slow grin spread over her face as she finished her sentence. “-on the goats.”
Belinda’s face froze, then turned overly confused for a few moments before it dawned on her what Daphne was saying. She giggled and clapped her hands gleefully. “Ahahahaha! You have the very bestestest ideas!” She’d said, before running forward and hugging the older girl’s leg tightly.
She would, of course, get in much trouble for this. But for the sake of one smile. One giggle from Belinda, she would get in so much more trouble. It was always worth it. Besides…it would be so very funny.

Somehow, in the bustle of the preparing of some fancy meal and cleaning of the main rooms, Daphne and Belinda managed to sneak outside with their dresses, ribbons and painful shoes. Fortunately for them, Lily was busy prettying up her own hair. She didn’t have the chance to tattle like she always seemed to do.

It was no easy task…and Belinda’s beautiful dress did tear…just a little, in the process. But finally, they managed to get the dresses on their two favourite goats. Daphne even managed to tie the sashes beautifully on the poor creatures’ backs. The shoes were an interesting task. Belinda’s were slightly easier, as they were smaller. But Daphne’s feet had always been larger than most women. In the end, she decided to leave her goat’s feet free from that particular curse.
After tying ribbons on their beards and ears, they set them loose in the yard. As the goats ran around, Belinda and Daphne watched from the hay loft. They laughed so hard their sides hurt and tears streamed down their cheeks.

They didn’t go inside until after the young man had left. Daph had wanted to see her aunt’s reaction, but timing, she figured, would be better this way. She didn’t want to meet some other snobby merchant son after one of her stunningly lovely cousins, or sister. They were pathetic and boring and rude.

The moment she stepped in the door, Margaret had slapped her across the face so hard her head had knocked into the door frame and she had to brace herself so as not to flatten little Belly behind her. There had been many words shouted an inch from her face, but she did her best to drown them out. Margaret threw in a few more slaps to emphasize words, but as she expected them, they didn’t catch her off guard.
 Belinda had been sobbing, pleading for their aunt to stop yelling and slapping Daphne. But nobody heard her. Their cousins watched with a smug satisfaction. Lily sat shaking her head slowly, as if ashamed to be called the sister of such a creature.
Daphne’s only regret was to have Belinda see her treated thus. It clearly upset the poor girl.

Finally, after who knows how long, Daphne was sent out into the barn to sleep. As she lay there, beginning to feel the swelling and bruising in her face rising, her mind went to Belinda. She wouldn’t be able to sleep well. She always asked Daphne to sing her mama’s song to her and then snuggled up against her to sleep. Now she would be stuck on their cot alone, or a bed with Lily and two of their cousins. Regret coursed through her. She should have seen this being the outcome. Fortunately though, no other consequences from this would affect Belinda.
With that, she did her best to sleep after burrowing beneath the hay. Fleas apparently found her blood to make for fine dessert.

The next morning, she thought she’d be able to simply get to her chores. Instead, Uncle Edward had told her to butcher her goat for the meat, though it was a dairy goat.
She refused to cry and did as he commanded. She wouldn’t allow Belinda to be upset further.

As Belinda referenced this story, the day of the Market, Daphne’s mind recalled all of it. Fortunately, she found enough humour in what they did to match the humour of Belinda’s memory. Belinda probably had forgotten what had happened after and she was fine to let that remain as it was.
In her beloved cousin, she would forever see that adorable, innocent and protective little girl. She would always love her for that.