On Borrowed Time

Tell me, what is more magical, more sinister, more malign yet consoling, more expressive of the constancy – and fickleness – of fate than a clock? I sighed, looking at last away from my magnificent grandfather clock that loomed regally over the study and to it's crimson reflection in my wine. Indeed, that particular antique was both sinister and malign, it's image held timelessly within my glass. I watched it's hands tick the seconds away with an unchanging constancy, but it was a constancy that ensured that nothing could ever be truly unchanging. I raised my glass, the clock's image vanishing in an instant of ebbing ripples. Truly it was a magnificent clock, but it was hardly expressive of fate... and certainly not magical.

“Milady” the new maid's voice, cold yet deliciously naïve, broke me away from my aromatic drink all too soon. “The mansion has been secured against the approaching storm. It is expected to last for at least two days, so we have ensured that we have supplies to last it out.”
“Is that all?” I replied, suppressing my grin as the maid shuffled uncomfortably at the sharp response. For a few moments I let the inexperienced woman grasp for how to respond before adding “Good, dismissed.”
“Yes, Milady.” the young woman curtseyed stiffly, believing my mind to be on her conduct, and then turned to leave. If her inexperience was of any importance to me I would never have hired the woman in the first place.

“Oh, Irene was it?” I asked just as she was about to leave my sight.
“Yes, Milady.” she all but stuttered in reply.
“You shouldn't leave that pocket watch of yours hanging from your skirt. You could attract unwanted attention.”
“Oh, of course, Milady. Thank you.”
I nodded and smiled. She carefully took the beautiful golden object in her hands, links of the delicate chain spilling though her fingers as she placed it safely in her side pocket. For a few moments I watched her leave, then looked back up to the ever-ticking clock to my side. Did Irene truly not know the sinister nature of the heirloom she kept so close to her?