Chapter 7 - Six

All hell had broken loose at the estate for the viscountess was set to arrive today; everything had to be perfect. The once barren halls were now flooded with servants that Caroline would not have met, or even seen, under ordinary circumstances.

This morning she is woken up by not just Milly. Three other maids, whose names she didn’t have time to catch, are there with her. Upon opening her eyes, Caroline is immediately thrown into the bath. And despite her protests, two maids accompany her. Caroline strips into her undėrġȧrmėnts before stepping into the large metal tub. Then they thoroughly scrub her body with vinegar water until she is deemed clean. Caroline steps out and quickly brushes her teeth with a cup of clean water to wash out the vinegar. It’s still sour but she endures it. After this, she is quickly taken back to her bed-chamber.

She is promptly helped into a simple dark brown, almost black, dress. Milly had clearly not chosen it. Her taste was brighter, more extravagant. Caroline slips on a pair of matching dress slippers. One of the maids who had helped her bathe brings over Caroline’s jewelry box. She was the tallest of the three; she wore her curly, dark brown hair in a tight bun with striking brown eyes and dark skin to match.

The maid opens the box, and Caroline pulls out her favorite emerald green necklace that she has worn every day since she arrived. “Lady Boushley, are you sure you want that one? It doesn't match your dress, and you have many others.”

“Yes, I'm quite sure. Thank you.” The maid nods in response.

Caroline sits down, and the other maid begins to style her hair. Caroline can vaguely see her in the mirror. She seemed nervous and appeared to be the youngest of the three. She had wavy, strawberry blond hair, tanned skin, and a sunny disposition.

“Ms.-” the maid beside her nudges her foot. “I mean, my lady, we’ve finished.”

“Ah yes, thank you.”

“What should we do now?” Caroline inquires, hopping up from her seat.

The two appear uncomfortable as if they wish to say something but can't find the words to do so. The maid who Caroline had ȧssumed to be the eldest spoke up. “My lady, if you’ll excuse us, we have to help prepare for the viscountess’ arrival later this evening.” Her voice was cold and calm, monotonous even. Her hair was as black as night, and her stare was piercing. She never lowered her gaze, even as she curtsied. She walked out without another word, and the other two quickly followed. Caroline studied the woman as she exited the room. She appeared too proud to be but a mere maid; she kept her shoulders up straight and never looked back.

“Lady Boushley?” Milly called out to her, stepping in front of her, blocking the open door.

“Yes?” Caroline responded.

“I’m afraid that I’ll also have to take my leave. They’ll be needing my help as well.” This takes Caroline a little off guard. Milly was her personal maid after all. Despite this, she didn’t protest; after all, the estate did seem severely understaffed when Caroline had arrived. “Oh, of course.” Caroline shifts in her seat, clearly uneasy.

“I’ll be back as soon as possible,” she remarks, walking to the door. “Ring if you need anything!” With that she leaves the room, shutting the door behind her.

Caroline lets out a sigh as she face-plants onto her oversized bed. She flips around, twists about, and turns from side to side rapidly with boredom. “Ugh, I can’t just lay here all morning waiting!” She jumps up, stares at the door, walks over to it, and reaches for the knob, daring herself to open it. She eventually gives in to temptation and throws open the door. She pops her head out and looks around. There’s no one in sight. She takes this opportunity to promptly leave her bed-chamber.

Being new to the estate, Caroline wanders around the dark halls without direction. Along the way, she begins to recognize her surroundings. She was nearing the dining hall. A dim light catches her vision once again from the corner of her eye. The light was coming from the side hall, just like last time. She turns down the hall; the farther down she gets, the more drawn she feels to the room she saw on her last venture.

She reaches the end of the hall and reaches out to open the door, but her arm is swiftly pulled away, snapping her out of her daze. “Lady Boushley, what do you think you’re doing?!” Recognizing the voice, Caroline turns around to see the black-haired maid from this morning. “Looking around my house of course,” Caroline says, confidently.

“Heh,” Caroline looks at the maid, baffled. Had her ears deceived her? Had the maid really laughed? “What’s so funny?” Caroline asks, taken aback by her behavior. The maid goes to open her mouth but before she has the chance to speak, Milly calls out to them. “Ah, Lady Boushley,” she runs down the hall, “this is where you’ve been. I was looking all over for you. Did you get lost?”

“Yes, I did.” Caroline turns to the other maid, “She was guiding me. What was your name again? I’m afraid that it escapes me at the moment.”

“Yes, Iris was showing me the way back.”

“Back? My Lady, haven’t you heard? The Viscountess has arrived!”

“Already?” Caroline asks.

“Yes, we must make haste.” Milly begins walking down the hall. Caroline tries to shake off Iris's grip and follow her, but instead, Iris pulls her back. Suddenly, the maid leans near her ear.

“You are not the countess yet.” She releases Caroline.

“My lady!” Milly shouts from the end of the hall.

“Coming!” Caroline yells out to her before running down the hall.. She feels Iris's glare the whole way down.