Louise M Gouge by A Suitable Wife

Author:A Suitable Wife
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

“Oh, miss,” Lucy chirped. “I’m ever so pleased to be your lady’s maid, even if it’s just now and then.”

Seated at her dressing table, Beatrice studied the girl in the mirror. Lucy had cast off her mobcap to reveal brown curls cascading down her back, as if she would advertise her considerable hairdressing skills. Her plain brown dress and shapeless white apron had been exchanged for a black muslin gown with a form-fitting, embroidered bodice, perhaps borrowed from Hudson, the viscountess’s lady’s maid.

“Now, miss, you must tell me whatever you want me to do, and I’ll do it spit spot.” She fussed with Beatrice’s hair. “Oh, this is grand, just as I thought. Nice and thick and so easy to work with.” She gripped Beatrice’s upper arms and squeezed, ducking down to catch her gaze in the mirror. “We shall have such a grand time, won’t we, miss?”

“If you please, Crawford.” Beatrice stood and moved out of the girl’s grasp. She might understand her enthusiasm, but it was none too soon to begin teaching her proper behavior for her station. While Beatrice could forgive her slips, a future employer could take great offense at her familiarity and dismiss her on the spot. “You will address me as ‘my lady.’”

Not at all embarrassed, Lucy tilted her head to the side and blinked as if Beatrice had just announced herself to be a goose. “My lady?”

“Yes. And, as lady’s maids are customarily addressed by their last name, I shall call you Crawford.” She tried to keep the annoyance from her voice, but Lucy seemed utterly unabashed.

“Lud, miss, my grandfather is Crawford.” She seemed to realize her error. “I mean, my lady.”

“Hmm.” Beatrice sat down again. “That is a consideration.” She thought for a moment. “Very well. When you are here, you will be Crawford. When I see you at Lord Greystone’s, I shall call you Lucy.”

“Oh, miss—” A hand flew up to cover her lips. “I mean, my lady, you are ever so kind. May I begin now?”

At Beatrice’s nod, she began to brush and comb and curl and pin. She had already examined Beatrice’s wardrobe and brought out a lavender gown for tonight’s excursion to Drury Lane. “Mrs. Poole gave me this purple ribbon and a string of pink silk flowers. Shall I use them?”

Beatrice gave her another nod and settled back to watch in the mirror as the girl worked. Indeed she had great skill, at least with hair. It remained to be seen how she performed the many other duties of a lady’s maid. The girl chattered on and on about too many subjects to keep track of, so Beatrice let her mind wander to this evening’s adventure.

She and Mrs. Parton would ride with Lord Greystone, and she looked forward to seeing him again. This afternoon he had seemed cool to her at first. But by the time she and her mentor had left after visiting the boys, he had warmed considerably, especially in their agreement over Lucy’s training.

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