At last, after several minutes, a reply came to Mrs Bradshaw’s email. She printed it out and thrust it into Emma’s hand. Emma read and her blood froze:
Dear Mrs Bradshaw,
Thank you for your continuing diligence in training the young woman in your charge. I am surprised by her wilful refusal of your order. Convey to her my extreme displeasure. Tell her that it is my express wish that she submit to whatever training programme you devise. And punish her for her disobedience and disrespect to yourself and to Gerry. I think a couple of dozen with the quirt will suffice.
Emma handed the paper back without a word. She felt utterly crushed. Not only had her hopes of being vindicated by Master been completely dashed. It was the coldness of Master’s attitude to her that wounded her so deeply. The
