Buckingham Palace Gardens by Anne Perry

Author:Anne Perry
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9780345504845
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2008-03-25T10:00:00+00:00

AN HOUR LATER Gracie was back in her best uniform with clean and starched white lace-edged cap and apron, and lined up with the other servants for Mrs. Newsome to inspect her, showing her hands back and front. Her hair had so many pins in it she felt as if she had a helmet on underneath her cap, but she was sure no stray piece would escape to make her appearance less than perfect. Her boots were also inspected and found spotless.

“Dunno wot for,” Ada said as they went out to begin their duties. “Yer skirt’s so long no one even knows yer got feet, let alone boots. I never seen such a skinny little rabbit as you are.”

“Well, I seen scores like you!” Gracie retorted. “Ten a penny, up an’ down any street, an’ on it too! Too much chest, an’ all. Everybody else can see yer got feet, they’re big enough, but I lay odds yer can’t see ’em yerself!”

“I’ll wash yer mouth out wi’ lye, yer cheeky bint!” Ada hissed under her breath. “No man in’t never gonna fancy you! Not unless ’e’s one o’ these wot likes little kids!”

“Then I’m safe from Edwards, in’t I?” Gracie retorted. “’Cos ’e likes ’em big an’ blowsy, fat enough ter be ’is ma!”

Ada reached her hand back as if to take a wide swing and hit Gracie on the side of her face, then realized that Biddie was looking at them, and changed her mind. “I’ll get yer, yer little bitch!” she said half under her breath.

“No yer won’t,” Gracie responded in the same tone. “Or I’ll tell wot I saw in the laundry the other day, when it all got fogged up. Weren’t only the copper as was steaming, were it!”

“I’ll say yer lying!” Ada spat back. “They’ll believe me, ’cos nobody likes you! I’ll say it were you ’oo was teasin’ Edwards, an’ then Mrs. Newsome’ll get rid o’ yer for sure! She’s only waitin’ fer the chance.”

“No they won’t believe yer,” Gracie hissed back at her. “’Cos like yer said, nobody’d fancy me. They all know Edwards is after you. An’ you’re after Cuttredge. An’ ’e’s gonna believe me. So you keep yer mouth shut an’ all, an’ leave me alone!”

They reached the dining room and Ada was obliged to hold her peace. She was fuming, but she was also beaten, at least until she thought of a way of retaliating.

The guests came in and took their seats. Footmen in livery held doors, Gracie and the other women servants stood in the anteroom and waited, but she could see through the gap in the doorway. The guests looked marvelous, all bright colors of silk, velvet, and lace and glittering with jewels. Gracie was dazzled by white necks and bosoms; she had never seen so much skin even when she had a bath.

Mrs. Sorokine was wearing yet another burning shade of pink, so hot you’d think you could cook dinner over it. She looked excited, her dark eyes glittering as she turned from one person to another, ignoring her husband.

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