Marguerite had had her first happy week at Blakeney Manor. Although Percy
was busy most of the time with business, except for the few hours in the
afternoon when he took time to play with Louise and Sarah, he took three
meals each day with her, making sure she ate properly, and let her sleep
in his him each night. Happy and content, there was already a noticeable
change in Marguerite's health. She did not seem as frail or weak, she had
slept better then she had in months, and the color had returned to her
face. Now she slept peacefully in her own bed, alone, napping before that
evening's ball.
Candice paused to catch her breath, straightening her cap in a
hallway mirror. Oh, there was such a lot to be done before a ball.
Thank the Lord it was taking place elsewhere and not at Blakeney
Manor. Not that she wouldn't appreciate a good ball- it had been too
long since there had been one at the Manor, too long indeed. But
still clothing had to be cleaned and pressed, everything was polished
til it shone, and this in addition to the normal household duties.
And who was there to oversee it all? Her, that was who, and the Lord
could surely strike her down if she neglected her duties in anyway or
allowed the mistress to leave the house not looking like perfection.
With a firm nod at her reflection, Candice bustled off down the hall,
stopping as she reached the cracked door of her ladyship's chamber.
Peeping her head in, Candice could see Lady Blakeney's sleeping
form in the bed. She hesitated. Her mistress would have to rise soon,
for there was such a lot to be done...but then again, Candice was
loath to wake her. Lord knows she didn't like to pry, but no one in
the household had been able to avoid noticing the distress and
deterioration of their mistress lately. Even though Candice knew that
by all accounts things were improving (and just what those things
were, Candice would, of course never dwell on. For who wants to point
out problems in their own household? Not her.)this past week, Candice
knew she would feel mightily harsh stealing any extra precious moments
of sleep she could allow Lady Blakeney.
So Candice tiptoed in with the ball gown and hung it up, checking
for any wrinkles in the skirt. Of course there were none. She had
seen that the job was done right. In the dark, she silently searched
for her mistress' shoes, with the intent of placing them by the
dress, having everything ready when Lady Blakeney awoke. She couldn't
find them. Well, Sir Percy spared no expense in apparel, and his wife
had an abundance of shoes. Candice was forced to open the curtains
and let the afternoon sun in to help her with her search., She hoped
the light would wake her mistress slowly and gently.
Marguerite felt the bright light brush her eye lids as she began to
stretch and nod. She ran her hand over to her side expecting to find
Percy there. Finding nothing but empty space, Marguerite abruptly opened
her eyes to find she was in her own chamber. Alarmed at first, she
quickly remember she had retired there to take a bit of a nap. She sat
up, stretched her arms and yawned as she opened her eyes to see Candice
bustling about her room. the servants still had a tendency to make her
nervous, especially when they suddenly appeared in one of her rooms, but
remembering the ball, Marguerite didn’t mind on this occasion. "Good
afternoon Candice." Marguerite said.
Candice smiled at her waking mistress, but paused before
responding. She was never quite sure how to treat the new Lady
Blakeney. Lady Blakeney was a very confident woman and why wouldn't
she be? Candice had heard it said that she was one of the most
beautiful actress' in France and one of the cleverest women in Europe
and it just made Candice so proud to have a mistress who...but
anyway, her mistress' easy air seemed to falter around the servants.
Candice supposed this was what was come from to having a staff
growing up. Still, Candice was sure her mistress was just as good as
the other fine ladies of England and was determined to treat her like
one, and so with this thought in mind, she bobbed a quick curtsy to
Lady Blakeney. "Good afternoon, Lady Blakeney," she said. "I was just
setting out your attire for the ball tonight, and if it isn't just
the prettiest gown I have ever seen."
Marguerite gave another soft yawn as she rubbed her eyes listening to
Candice talk. "Yes, the dressmakers did a fine job on it. I wish I could
wear one of the gowns Percy had bought for me, but none of them fit
properly. Speaking of which, do you know where my husband is?"
She shook her head. "No I don't, my lady, but surely he will
soon be preparing for the ball like the rest of us."
Marguerite stretched again, avoiding getting out of bed, "No doubt he began
preparing hours ago to get ready to go."
Candice gave a light laugh as she opened the curtains the rest
of the way, filling the room with light. Lud but her mistress did say
some funny things. "Oh I don't suppose anyone needs that long to
dress, my lady."
Marguerite move her hand to shield her eyes from the light. "No, he
doesn't, but he will use the time anyway." Marguerite said.
"Sir Percy is always very careful with his dress," Candice
agreed. "And we'll make sure you can aptly match him, Lady Blakeney."
"After all the fuss gone through over that dress, he had better be able to
aptly match me." Marguerite said, finally pushing her blankets off her
and putting her feet on the soft carpet on her floor.
"Fuss?" Candice asked, holding the skirt of the beautiful dark
green gown out to once more inspect it to perfection, "Well this gown
is worth any fuss, I'll warrant." She beamed at her mistress. Candice
was sure the Blakeneys would be the most attractive couple at the
ball. How could they not be?
"I wonder if Percy snuck in to steal a peak of it before." Marguerite
mused, remember the time her accompanied her to the dressmakers. She
began fighting with the ribbons holding her hair up, still fighting the
looming need to actually get up and out of bed.
"We didn't see anything of him when we had the gown downstairs."
Candice told her. "Here let me help," She hurried to the bedside to
assist Lady Blakeney with her hair.
Marguerite pulled back a bit from Candice. "No, it's quiet alright, I can
take my own ribbons out." Marguerite turned her head a bit and looked
outside, "I won't be surprised if he somehow sunk a peak anyway. has he
always had a fascination with clothes?"
"No more than any other well bred Englishman," Candice said, a
trifle indignant. How would a French actress understand that? The
thought flew out before she could stop it. Candice regretted it; she
liked her new mistress very much. Still, she obviously did not know
how the English class system worked- wouldn't even let Candice do her
job and help her with her hair. And mistress or not, Candice would
not hear anything against Sir Percy. The maid shook her head good
naturedly- Lord, but she was overreacting. Her temper was quick to
flare up but faded at the same rapid pace. It was just
that 'fascination with clothes' implied a certain idleness in
Candice's own mind. But if had been said quite innocently- Candice
was sure Lady Blakeney meant nothing but that her husband was a well
dressed man. The maid smiled, for surely he was.
"It's a wonder England is as strong as she is if her well bred are so
occupied." Marguerite mused, reflecting back to her days as a supporter
of the French Revolution, the rallies, the meetings and salons, and all
else that went with it. Having untangled her hair from the ribbons,
Marguerite stood and went to her vanity to neatly pack them away. She
looked at her reflection in the mirror and sighed. She had been looking
forward to the ball, but had grown rather content spending casual evenings
at home with Percy nearby. She was nervous about the events coming that
night. No doubt she would be under the careful and watchful eye of many
of the English elite, and since she would not be in her own home, she
would be more vulnerable to their snubbing.
"It is just one of their many accomplishments, my lady." Candice
had to fight to keep her temper in check. That was a most definite
snub against England...and Sir Percy! She smiled at Lady Blakeney,
inwardly fuming. And why wouldn't the woman give her any task to do?
If she did not require Candice's assistance, there were many other
things to do all over the house.
Marguerite's head perked up as she listened to Candice's reply. She
caught a quick glimpse of her maid's expression in the mirror and knew her
comment was not appreciated. "You're angry with me." she said plainly,
not bothering to look at Candice except through the mirror. Marguerite
knew she was the mistress of the house, and Candice was a servant, but she
never felt superior to the servants, and was generally careful to respect
her those older then she was.
"No, my lady." Candice answered quickly. For it was not her place
to be angry with her mistress. Still, Candice was not a person to
hide her emotions and her very deep loyalties currently sided much
more strongly with her homeland and Sir Percy than her new French
mistress. "I am sure you meant nothing by it," she added, almost
tentatively.
Marguerite could tell Candice was hiding something. "I know that's not
true. You didn't like the comment I made before and you're upset with me
for it." Marguerite said plainly, still observing Candice in the mirror
behind her.
"I must admit as much," she said slowly. "But I am sure it was
completely harmless." For why would Lady Blakeney say something so
against her own husband? It was silly, Candice knew, to even suspect
such a thing.
Marguerite continued to watch Candice, but couldn't bare to turn around
and face her, almost like a child afraid of being scolded by a
parent. "If you're so sure it was harmless, why are you upset?"
"I don't know," Candice said, exasperated. She remembered to
add "my lady" at the last moment. Lady Blakeney's actions confused
the maid. Had she meant her words? Was she know drawing them out,
tempting Candice to be mad at her? Candice knew better than that. "Do
you need help with something?" she asked, very eager to change the
subject.
Marguerite, while running her hand through her hair, found a bit of a
knot. Finally, something to ask Candice to do. "Do you see my
brush?" Marguerite asked as she glanced over her table, not see it, "I
seem to have a bit of a mess in the back of my hair."
Candice quickly scanned the room, seeing the brush on a small
side table. She brought it to Lady Blakeney, "Here it is," then
hesitated. With any other person, she would have automatically
started brushing the hair herself. It would be what was expected of
her. But with her new mistress she was never sure- it was like
learning her position all over again.
Marguerite carefully took the brush from Candice and began to pick through
the knot in her hair, with some difficulty since she could not see what
she was doing. "Is there some sort of law," Marguerite asked, "in England which requires servants to agree with what ever their employers
state?"
Candice started. What a question! "No law, my lady..." she said
carefully. "There is a certain level of...decorum, of etiquette, even
for servants. Was it not similar in France?" Candice wanted to take
the brush and help Lady Blakeney with her hair- after all, that was
what she was there for, not for mere chatter. But once again she was
uncertain how to act around her.
Marguerite didn't let on that she did not think Candice understood the
meaning of her comment, "I wouldn't know, I never employed servants while
in France."
"Well I don't know if they would be the same. The two countries
seem very different to me," Candice said pointedly. As soon as she
did, she wished she hadn't. That was a horrible thing to say to Lady
Blakeney- and just when she had been speaking about the etiquette of
being a good domestic.
"Then tell me why the servants seem to go out of their way to agree with
an employer. I could tell you the sky was green and no doubt you would
agree with me." Marguerite said as her frustration began to grow and she
yanked on her knotted hair.
"Oh let me do that!" Candice exclaimed, exasperated, taking the
brush from Lady Blakeney. Gently she started to work the knot's out
of her mistress' hair. "I would not agree the sky was green." Candice
paused and thought a moment. "Well, if you were very adamant about it
all, I would probably just let it pass and not point out otherwise to
you. But I would not agree; I just would not fight about the issue,
that's all."
"And yet you would not dare to contradict me. Why is that, and don't just
tell me it's decorum. A person can disagree with another and still remain
civil." Marguerite said, attempting to hold still as Candice ran the
brush through her hair.
"Oh but it is etiquette, my lady!" Candice explained. "Always, I
have been taught the proper relationship between servant and master,
or mistress. And I follow it, surely as I polish silver til it
shines." She allowed her eyes to meet Lady Blakeney's in the
mirror. "We have things we take pride in too, you know," she said
softly. "Anyway, are you saying I should disagree with you?" she
asked, as she continued brushing.
"What I am saying is that you are allowed to hold your own opinion, just
as any other person is. If you disagree with me, then you should feel
free to voice your opinion, especially if I ask for it. And since we are
on the subject of relationships, I insist that you call me Marguerite, at
least when we are alone. My name is no milady, and I have no intention of
changing to it. If you wish to call me milady when Percy is present then
you may, but I despise such titles."
Candice took a deep breath. She had just spoken of her own
personal rules, and this lady...Lady Blakeney...Marguerite...wanted
to change them all! Still a change in title was a small concession to
peace and Candice had no problem giving her opinion when asked
straight out. "Alright...Marguerite...what I meant was: were you
saying that you meant harm in your remarks against my country and
your husband so that I should take offense at them and disagree with
you?" She smiled tersely. Speaking her mind whenever she wanted. She
could easily get used to that.
"I meant no offense to you nor your country with my earlier remarks. With
a few I was poking fun of sorts at Percy, however I frequently teased
Percy. He always took it in stride and often would tease me as
well." Marguerite said plainly, "Does that suffiencently answer your
questions?"
Candice nodded and smiled genuinely at her mistress. "I should
not have expected such a thing as you speaking against Sir Percy. My
temper flares up quickly my lady. Marguerite. And often without
cause. You may have opened quite a bad kettle of fish in bidding me
to speak my mind," she laughed, concentrating on the last few knots
in Marguerite’s hair.
"I don't speak against Percy, I mearly tease, all meant in good fun. And,
as for speaking up, all people, no matter what their station in life, have
the right to have an opinion, and have the right to voice them. Don't you
ever let anyone tell you otherwise."
"Well and I surely believe that. Only in my position, it is not
always the thing to do- and that is my opinion."
"No one is forcing it out of you then, but don't feel forced to hide
it." Marguerite said as she ran her fingers through part of her unknotted
hair.
"I won't. I don't." Candice said simply. "It's part of the
occupation, not the person." She gave Marguerite's hair a final
fluff. "There. You have lovely hair, my lady. Marguerite." She
laughed at herself. Lord, but this was a thing to get used to.
Marguerite held back a giggle as Candice attempted to remember to call her
but her name. "Thank you, although it is a handful to take care of. what
do you think I should do with it tonight?"
"Oh something very dramatic, I should think." She looked at her
mistress' hair and her dress. "Up. Sweeping. Were you planning on
wearing anything in it?"
Marguerite began to play gently with her hair as she spoke, "Not really, I
hadn't considered it until now. I don't have any fine clips to hold it
up. I wonder if there are some here. Percy had an entire wardrobe here
for me, I wouldn't doubt if there are some sort of pretty hair pieces
around."
"I am sure if Sir Percy organized an entire wardrobe for you, he
would have remembered hair pieces. Where would they be?"
Marguerite began to pull at some of the draws on her vanity, "Well I
would think they would be in here, but there don't appear to be any. are
their any boxes or draws in the wardrobe that might hold them?"
Candice laughed. "Haven't you thoroughly explored your room
yet? That would have been the first thing I did!"
Candice nodded sympathetically. So that was the reason for Lady
Blakeney's low spirits. Now she could set those gossipers in the
kitchen straight, she could. The real reason was better than any of
the ones they had been passing around. Marguerite was just a woman
who missed her husband. "Sir Percy does travel a lot. It must be
difficult."
"It's very difficult, especially when sometimes I wake up in the morning
and he's gone away without even telling me. " Marguerite said with a
sigh. "I just wish he would slow down and stay home with me more often."
"Well naturally you do," said Candice. "Lord I can't blame you.
Running the Blakeney estates must take a lot of work, but I am sure
Sir Percy regrets his time apart from you as much as you do."
"Well if he does, he doesn't show it very well." Marguerite said
sourly. "He's always ready to bury himself in his work, rarely anytime
for me even when he's at the manor. It's always business this or business
that, and he doesn't even want me to come with him."
"I'm very sorry, my lady...Marguerite." Candice wasn't sure
what to say to her mistress. She was used to the role of servant, not
confidant. "If it makes any difference, I have never seen things done
any other way. The husband always leaves the wife at home while he
attends to business...it is how things are done." As she spoke,
Candice began to look through the numerous drawers in the room.
Talking was well and good but she had to focus on the task at hand-
preparing Lady Blakeney for the ball.
"Well, would you call me a usual English wife?" Marguerite asked, still
playing with her hair.
Candice smiled. "You almost say as if it were a bad thing. I
really wouldn't presume to know yet."
"Well, for one thing, I refuse to sit at home and patiently way for him to
return to me, and idle away the hours in between his visits home. Where I
grew up, married couples shared everything, from the bed they slept in to
the work they did. Percy and I, it's almost like we have different
lives." Marguerite said with a sigh.
Candice answered carefully. "That is often the life between the
English upper-class, my lady. But...it's not set in stone. It is only
assumed, I suppose, that there are certain activities for the men and
other's for the women." As she spoke, she pulled a carved wooden box
out of one of the drawers. "Could this be it?" she asked Lady
Blakeney. She did not want to open the box if it was something
personal.
Marguerite looked at the box and shrugged before answering Candice's first
comment, "But is it not true that the marriages of many English upper-class
are arranged. I supposed if I was forced to settle in this situation do
to such an arrangement I would have to adjust, but I didn't. I married
Percy out of my love for him, out of my desire to be with him. I thought
being with me was what he wanted too."
"Oh I am sure it is!" Candice attempted to assure her
mistress. "I suppose all I am saying is that...as a member of the
English upper-class, Sir Percy was raised to behave a certain way."
She eased the lid off the little box to reveal an assortment of hair
ornaments. "Oh, look at these!" she exclaimed.
Marguerite glanced into the little box at the assorted hair ornaments,
"How lovely they are. Percy sure saw that I was well dressed for a stay
here in England it seemed."
Candice smiled. "See how much he cares."
"He cares that he has a wife properly groomed to match him in
fashion. For the most part I could care less about appearances. If
he cares so much why does he leave me without so much as a second
thought. He knows how his absence pains me and he never seems to
attempt to do anything to ease my pain or frustration. Not until this
week at least." Marguerite said.
"I don't know. How can I answer such questions? I just
know...Sir Percy is a good man, the best of men. And you must know
that too, if you married him." Candice was so sorry that things were
not going well between her master and mistress. But she didn't
understand- Sir Percy was a wonderful man, Lady Blakeney seemed a
wonderful woman and they had married each other for love. How could
they not be happy?
"I do know that. he's a wonderful man, and that what makes this so much
more painful." Marguerite said, holding back a few tears. she knew she
should be happy at the change in events this past week, but deep down she
was afraid of going to ed one night and awaking the next morning to find
him gone yet again.
"Oh but it will be alright. Don't cry now," Candice fussed,
noticing the tears glistening in her mistress' eyes. For what did one
do with a crying mistress? Candice was too new at being a lady's maid
to know.
Marguerite sniffled and hastily wiped her eyes. She was so used to
taking care of others, she was not used to someone else looking after
her. Letting someone care for her was something that would take
time. Instead of addressing Candice's concern she changed the
subject. "I suppose I've stall long enough and should get dressed," she
said, looking down at the night gown she was still wearing from her nap.
Candice smiled, relieved at the change of subject matter. "Yes,
but there's no real hurry yet. I woke you with plenty of time to
spare."
Marguerite sighed, "Well, there's no point in waiting though. No doubt
Percy will want to inspect me before we go."
Candice beamed at her mistress. "Oh not inspect, my lady.
Compliment, I am sure. Marguerite."
"Oh no Candice, he will inspect me." Marguerite smiled to herself
remember the day Percy happened upon her at a Paris cafe and later
followed her about as she completed her errands for the day, including a
trip to her dressmaker.
Candice shrugged. This was not a topic she needed to argue
about. "Alright. Then we will make sure he is very pleased with what
he sees!"
Marguerite sighed as she absently picked up the brush and ran it a few
times through her hair. "Might I ask what you were doing when you first
entered my room before." Marguerite said, remembering seeing Candice
moving about, almost as if trying not to let her presence be known.
"I was just trying to get your things in order. To give you a
little more time to sleep. I suppose I failed at that."
Marguerite nodded, "that's alright, it just gives me more time to wake
up. I'm just not used to other people around me so much."
Candice laughed. "What, you didn't live by yourself in France?"
She shrugged. "I have always had people around. You get used to it.
Or, like Sir Percy, you find a way to make time for yourself."
Marguerite shrugged, "Oh no, it wasn't like that. During the day and such
my flat was always filled with friends and guests, but for example, I
never had anyone bustling around in my room, especially when I was
asleep."
"Are you reprimanding me Marguerite?" Candice asked with a wry
smile. Lord, but it was getting easier to feel...easy around this
woman- though Candice was certain this was not the way for a proper
lady's maid to behave. Then again, she supposed, the proper way might
be to behave however the lady wished you to.
"Not at all," Marguerite said, "I know you're just doing the job Sir
Percy hired you for, I'm just not used to it."
"Alright. I think what we need to do is work this set up out so
it works for you."
"It will just take a little bit more time I suppose." Marguerite said,
finally rising and going to her dresser, pulling out the undergarments she
would need for her dress.
Candice nodded, walking over to her. "Right. You know, I should
really be the one doing things like that."
Marguerite gave a frustrated sigh put everything down, "You'd think that
being so used to having people help me dress I could at least let go at
this point. I'm sure having a mistress that doesn't let you do anything
is just as frustrating as for you as having servants has been for me."
Candice laughed. "Well I could just lie down for awhile and let you dress yourself." She gave a large, fake yawn. "I mean it's been quite a day," she said, still smiling.
Marguerite watched as Candice yawned, which only in turn made her
yawn. "If it's such a day then go on, sit down. why are you here then
instead of one of the other girls. I don't need so much attention that
you should tire yourself out over me." Marguerite said, slightly
concerned for the woman.
"Oh I was just kidding," Candice said. "Ball days are a little busier than normal, but nothing I can't handle. Let's get to work!"
"Why are they busier than usual?" Marguerite asked, "I would think they'd
be fairly simple. Just get myself and Percy ready to go and send us on
our way."
Candice shook her head. "Oh no. All the clothes must be cleaned and pressed, the shoes and the jewelry polished. And the horses groomed and styled- the youngest groom, oh Lord, I always forget his name, has to pleat the horses tails! It's a sight! And then the carriage itself must sparkle...and this in addition to all the other work! Though I would must rather be sending you two off to the ball then having one here, I assure you."
"Goodness is does sound like such a lot." Marguerite said, almost feeling
guilty for being the cause of so much fuss. Pleating the horses
tails? Marguerite wondered what that meant, but decided it best not to
ask.
Candice smiled. "Well we want to send the Blakeneys off looking their best. It speaks highly for us as well as you."
Marguerite smiled, "Well, speaking of sending off, I think we've postponed
getting ready enough. It's time I put some actual effort into getting
ready."
"Yes, I suppose it is." Candice said. "I have enjoyed talking with you though, Marguerite." She smiled at her mistress. "Now I am not quite sure of how you like to do things. Shall we work on establishing a routine now and then I will know it when you prepare for all the other balls. What do you like to do first?"
"Well," Marguerite began slowly, "I'm not really sure. I've never had to
get ready for a ball before. Except the one we held here when I first
arrived, but I was in such a state between arguing with Percy and dealing
with Armand, and then of course injuring my hand. all I remember is all
the girls buzzing about me."
Candice almost burst out laughing. A fine pair they were, neither of them knowing what to do! "Well, do you need to bathe before we start you dressing?" she asked.
"No, I took a nice bath before my nap." Marguerite said, "I suppose I should get dressed."
Candice nodded. "Good idea and we'll do hair and face afterwards." She quickly scanned the room, making sure all the clothing was out and ready. There was the dress, shoes, all the undergarments Marguerite had already gotten out. Candice went to one of the drawers and took out a pair of stockings...and it seemed everything was out and ready.
Marguerite watched as Candice pulled out a pair of stockings and so she
sat down on her bed. She took off her robe and pulled up her gown to
reveal her bear little feet.
"Alright now, time to exchange the comfort of night dress for all this," Candice said, gesturing to the heap of cloth that was Marguerite's undergarments.
Marguerite sighed and took one of the stockings from Candice. "Why is it woman have to wear so much clothes, and bulky ones at that."
Candice shrugged. "I don't presume to understand fashion," she said. "It isn't as if women must wear these clothes. One could choose to wear something else entirely...but I can't think that would be received very well."
Marguerite simple shrugged and began pulling her stocking over her first
foot. "Oh well, at least men have to wear layer upon layer as well."
"True enough." Candice said. She was glad Marguerite was such a capable mistress. Petticoats and corsets were one thing, but she would feel fairly silly putting on another woman's stockings.
Marguerite took the other stocking and pulled the one on as well, and then
slipped her bed slippers on until she needed to put her shoes
on. Marguerite stood and undid the strings holding her gown together to
loosen it, "So, you never did tell me how you came to work here at the
manor."
Candice shrugged. "Well I wasn't so happy in my last posting so I started looking around for a new place and ended up here. As I know a good thing when I see it, I've stayed and I wouldn't leave for the world."
"Oh, so how long have you been here at Blakeney Manor?" Marguerite asked.
"Hmmm." Candice thought a moment. "Lord it must be well nigh ten years now." she said, holding out Marguerite's petticoat for her.
Marguerite pulled off her night dress, leaving her nearly naked in front
of her maid. If only it was her husband instead of her maid. Marguerite
stepped into her petticoat. "That quiet a long time to be employed at one
place." Marguerite said, "Why did you not like your former station?"
"Oh it just wasn't right for me I suppose," Candice said
lightly. She was glad she was behind Marguerite, tying the petticoat,
so her mistress could not see how uncomfortable she was giving the
answer. She never had been any good at telling lies when she looked
at a person.
"Ah, I see, and what is it about Blakeney Manor that makes it right for
you?" Marguerite asked as she fiddled with the front of the petticoat.
"Well the people. The way the house is run- orderly and
efficiently but not...overbearing. A nice steady workload. And Sir
Percy of course. He is a wonderful master." Candice quickly checked
the petticoat to make sure it was on properly. "Corset?" she asked,
grabbing the article off the bed.
Marguerite nodded and obediently raised her arms as she was accustomed to
doing thanks to her dressers from her many years at the theatre. "Tell me
Candice, I'm sure you would have noticed something like this. Does it seem
like Percy has been away more often on business over the last few months
than he usually is?"
"Oh I don't know. I never kept track of whether Sir Percy was
gone on business or some social thing. But surely now that he is
settled he is taking more of an interest in his business affairs."
"I'm hoping he soon takes more of an interest in domestic affairs. I miss
him so when he leaves me." Marguerite said as she kept her arms up and
out of Candice's way. "It doesn't need to be too tight. I've lost some
much weight I could probably even go without."
"Oh I wouldn't try it," Candice said, tying the tightened
laces. "After all your dress was designed to be worn with a corset."
Finishing the lacing, she turned Marguerite around to make sure
everything was on properly so far. "I'm sure it is very hard for
newly weds to be apart," she continued, looking among the pile of
clothing for the second underskirt, "But it's a settling down
process. Perfectly normal from what I hear."
"I just wish Percy would settle down." Marguerite said as she adjusted
her corset slightly "This week has been near heaven, with Percy being
home, and," Marguerite blushed as she remember what had happened in this
room a few afternoons earlier, "and just having him near and all the little
things like having meals and such together."
"I am sure it is lovely," Candice said, holding up the
underskirt for Marguerite. She was glad she had long since reached
the point where she could hear other people's tales of love and not
be affected by it. It was funny, the things a person could get used
to, get over, with time. "I mean the little things are what make love
wonderful."
"Yes, the little things, but the little things can make it awful as
well." Marguerite said stepping into her underskirt.
"And so it is with everything in life," Candice said, pulling the
skirt over bottom of the corset. "The things that can cause us
greatest joy can also bring the greatest pain."
"Love is such a strange thing." Marguerite said with a sigh, "It's times
like these I wish I still had a mother."
Candice smiled as she laced the skirt. "You think a mother would
make love seem easier?" she asked. "No, but I must say I do
understand that need. Mothers are the best listeners, give the best
advice, and they manage to always have your interest at heart. There
aren't may you can say that for."
Marguerite sighed, "No, but I wish I still had a mother to talk to,
someone older, wiser, to confide in, to learn from. I did all my growing
up on my own."
Candice looked at her young mistress sympathetically. "If you
don't mind my asking, how old were you when you lost your mother?"
"I was eleven when my mother passed on, twelve when my father followed
her." Marguerite said, "Armand was nine when she left us."
Candice shook her head in wonder. "And you managed to hold your
young family together? An amazing feat." Her mistress' under dressing
completed, Candice moved towards the beautiful ball gown.
"It was a wonder at times. It was very difficult. Sometimes I think it's
a miracle that both Armand and I survived." Marguerite said calmly,
remembering back to all the struggles of her youth.
It was fascinating for Candice to have so much in common with
her young mistress: a working life, a struggling childhood. Though
not parentless, Candice had had to start working at a very early age
to help support her family. These similarities in background were so
different from the young ladies in the house where she had worked
last. They had been spoiled, pampered things- indulged since birth
and very class oriented. Yet the new Lady Blakeney had been a working
woman. She seemed almost classless. Candice vaguely wondered if it
was a "French thing". She merely nodded sympathetically at
Marguerite's words as she held out her ball gown. "Here we go," she
said with a small smile. "The dress we've all been waiting for."
With Candice's help, Marguerite worked her way into the gown. it was very
rare she ever wore anything this extravagant. usually when she did it was
a costume that only looked like this. Fussing with her hair to keep it
from getting caught, Marguerite pushed her arms through the sleeves so
that only in he clasps in the back needed to be done up. "I've manage to
put a little weight back on since my fittings with all the food Percy's
been feeding me. I hope it closes alright."