Old Sins Long Shadows (2 page)

‘
I hope you realise that a lady’s maid is a very different position to what you have held before now,’ she told her. ‘It can be a lonely existence. Due to the position’s unique intimacy with the Lady of the house the lady’s maid is trusted by no one. The domestic staff will be concerned you will title tattle to the mistress and she in turn will be wary you will title tattle to the domestic staff. Are you prepared for that?’  Janey opened her mouth to reply but it appeared the housekeeper was not interested in her thoughts as she continued, ‘I have been in service since I was twelve. When I was twenty-nine I held such a position for ten years. I then took up a position as housekeeper as no Lady likes to have an old lady’s maid. Having said that,’ she looked pointedly at Janey, ‘No lady likes to have a maid too young either.’ She hesitated and looked like she was about to say something but changed her mind, adding abruptly, ‘Wait here.’ She disappeared inside the room they had arrived at, and Janey was left outside waiting. She could hear talking inside and it wasn’t long before the door opened again. ‘Lady Brockenshaw will see you now,’ she said formally before leading Janey inside, introducing her to her mistress and leaving her alone with her prospective employer.

The room was warm due to a fire crackling softly
in the grate and, to Janey’s surprise, inadequately lit resulting in much of the room being in shadow. Lady Brockenshaw sat in a chair by the window appearing to gaze out.

Without turning she said,
‘Miss Petherbridge has filled me in briefly regarding your work history. I also understand your previous employer has written a very good letter of recommendation. You worked at Truro for the Reskelly family?’

Janey nodded, but as Lady Brockenshaw was not looking at her she cleared her voice with a small cough and answered,
‘Yes, ma’am.’

‘
Good, that’s about thirty miles away, we don’t encourage followers. I assume you are not walking out with anyone from this area.’

‘
No, ma’am, I just arrived today.’ Lady Brockenshaw nodded in satisfaction.

‘
Good, Miss Petherbridge feels you are too young and inexperienced but I want qualities in a maid that are, perhaps, a little different. I also understand you are a headmaster’s daughter?’

‘
Yes, ma’am,’ she replied, knowing that Lady Brockenshaw would probably see it as a coup to have a maid from such a family and be able to boast the fact to her friends, ‘He was headmaster at Truro Boys School.’

Janey was starting to find it a little disconcerting being interviewed by someone who had yet to look at her and was even more confused with what Lady Brockenshaw said next.

‘There are some roses on the table,’ she said abruptly, ‘describe them to me.’ Janey looked at the red roses and hesitated at the strange request, as if sensing her confusion Lady Brockenshaw turned to her. ‘I see Miss Petherbridge has not warned you, I am blind, Carhart. My sight has been deteriorating for many years. I see very little now,’ She turned opaque eyes to Janey, ‘The ability to see is so much taken for granted. One does not appreciate the gift until it is lost. I miss the emotion which accompanies seeing something beautiful. In my heart I am eighteen, my last clear image of myself was when I was forty-two, now…,’ her voice trailed off as she indulged in a memory. Janey looked at the flowers knowing whatever she answered would determine her success at gaining the position. She had resigned from her previous job as it was the only way she could travel and attend this interview. Tomorrow she may have a new, better job and a place to live, if not she would be homeless and jobless. Resigning from her job before securing another had been reckless and quite out of character for Janey. She searched her mind how best to answer. Snippets of poetry came to mind but none seemed appropriate yet a literal description seemed inadequate. She studied the five roses arranged in the glass vase.

‘
Their colour is a deep blood red of crimson joy,’ she said softly, ‘and their petals are dark folds of scented velvet. A symbol of love, longing and desire - yet elegant and regal.’

The fire crackled in the grate as Janey’s words hung in t
he air between them. She waited anxiously; perhaps she had over done the description in her haste to give a good impression. Lady Brockenshaw finally let out a sigh.

‘
Beautiful,’ she smiled, ‘I think we will get along very well.’ She got up and made her way to the call bell, touching furniture and wall to guide herself to her goal. ‘I’ve called Miss Petherbridge to show you around and discuss your duties. Miss Petherbridge is an excellent housekeeper, but her manner can be a little stiff. I fear her nose may be a little out of joint employing you. She may feel the position has come too easily for someone with no experience, but I am tired of my visual isolation and you will connect me to the world I miss so much through your words. Your father taught you well, however Miss Petherbridge has earned her status through the years and exhibited excellent dedication. It would do you well to stay on her good side.’   There was a knock and the door opened. Janey could see Miss Petherbridge visibly bristle when she was informed that she had been successful and would commence her employment tomorrow. Janey, careful not to show her relief, smiled inwardly at her own success.

Moments later Janey was being shown around the manor by the peeved housekeeper while she relayed the duties of a lady’s maid.

‘
Do not speak to your betters unless asked a question and reply in as few words as necessary. Do not speak to other staff in their presence unless absolutely necessary and if this is the case do so as quietly as possible.’  They passed into the dining room and out again to the master’s study, ‘A sign of a good servant is one that is not noticed by the members of the household. Staff shall not receive any friend or relative to the manor unless I or Mr Tallock, the butler, has given permission.’ Janey was shown into the drawing room and following that, the music room with its grand piano. ‘The cost of breakages will be deducted from your wage which is twenty-four shillings a year. You are expected to be punctual to start work and attending meal times. Meals are served in the servant’s hall,’ she turned to Janey, ‘which I believe Mary has already shown you. It is your bonnet and shawl on the coat stand is it not?’  Janey realised Miss Petherbridge did not miss a thing. Before ascending to the attic to see her room she was led into the main kitchen where she was introduced to some members of the staff.

Mrs F
riggens, the cook, was a round and rosy cheeked woman with a cheery disposition and a tendency to be bossy. Janey could understand this as she had a lot of responsibility and instantly liked the woman. Then there was Mary and Lizzy, who undertook kitchen maid and chamber maid duties. Mary was a plain girl with a forthright manner, whereas Lizzy was blonde and quiet. Finally, Janey was introduced to Charlotte, the scullery maid, who was timid and always rushing around. Janey had no doubt that as soon as she left the room they would exchange first impressions of the new employee but, she hoped, given time they would accept her.

Sh
ortly after meeting the staff, they entered the servant’s quarters in the attic. The corridor was dimly lit and a faint odour of damp reached Janey’s nostrils. As they walked its wooden floor, Miss Petherbridge began to list her own personal duties.

‘
You will be responsible for maintaining the mistress’ wardrobe, mending, laundering the delicates, starching and ironing the collars…all the usual care of her dresses.’ She smiled insincerely at her before continuing, ‘Other duties include laying out her clothes, helping her dress and dressing her hair etc.’ They stood outside a door of one of the rooms, ‘As you may be aware, she cannot see so you will have extra duties which is why your writing made you stand out amongst the other applicants. You will be expected to write the mistress’ letters as she dictates them and read her personal correspondence to her. You will also be expected to read books and poetry to her and finally - walk her dog. You are permitted to change into your day dress to carry out this task. The mistress retires for a nap for two hours in the afternoon, it is during this time you are expected to take the dog out. You are not afraid of dogs are you?’

‘
No, I am not,’ replied Janey wondering just what sort of dog it was. Miss Petherbridge opened the door into a small single bedroom with a bed, a single chest of drawers, a wash stand with a matching pitcher and bowl, and finally a chamber pot placed under the bed.

‘
This is your room. As a lady’s maid you have certain privileges, one of which is having a room to yourself. You are expected to keep the room tidy and you are not permitted to hang pictures or have too many items crowding the room.’

Janey entered and looked around
. It was the first time since entering service she had a room to herself. At last she could have some space to herself, be it only ten foot by ten foot. She would be able to read her books in peace and, more importantly, be herself. For once she would be able to feel she could breathe, even if the air was stale and damp. On the bed lay her uniform, a black dress with a starched white apron and frilly cap. She lightly touched the fabric, feeling its stiffness between her fingers.

‘
How long have you wanted this?’ asked the housekeeper who remained standing at the door.

‘
Since entering service,’ replied Janey, surprised at the emotion welling up inside her. Miss Petherbridge observed her shrewdly.

‘
So you are ambitious,’ said the woman. Janey felt cornered in the room as the housekeeper’s body now blocked the door frame. ‘With your education and middle class background,’ she continued, ‘you, no doubt, feel that life as a domestic servant is beneath you. Now, as lady’s maid, you are a little above
them
.’ Janey shook her head in denial but underneath wasn’t quite so sure if there was an element of truth to what she had said. ‘Perhaps you plan to be a housekeeper one day.  Don’t think you will be filling my shoes as I don’t plan going anywhere. It is well to remember,’ she added as she turned to leave, ‘
you
are still a domestic servant, and
I
am in charge.’

Janey took a deep breath of fresh air and smiled. She had got the job and a place to live. Suddenly, overwhelmed with relief, she began to shake. How foolish she had been to leave herself in such a vulnerable position. She had been impulsive and she could not afford that luxury. When her mother had been evicted from her home for not keeping up with her rental payments, she had moved in with her brother and his family in Camelford. Janey had immediately started looking for a job nearer to the town to be with her. She wanted to be near her in case she was needed, however Janey was under no illusion that her mother really cared for her. As a child she had been daddy’s little girl and her mother always seemed to resent her, blaming her for coming between them and causing their marriage problems. Janey will never forget the day her father entered her bedroom during the night to tell her he was leaving and would not return. He had told her that he loved her but could no longer be with her. In the morning he was gone and her mother was devastated. Janey, who was just a child at the time, was left with the belief that she had not been worth staying for. Soon they were evicted from the headmaster’s house and moved to another much smaller property sited in the poorer part of town. The money ran out and Janey was sent out to work to save them from the workhouse.

Janey’s heart ached as she remembered her
younger sisters, beautiful little girls who had died of scarlet fever four years before her father had left. Her mother’s grief at their death was all consuming and poisoned her relationship with those who were closest to her. She blamed Janey for surviving the epidemic that had killed her sisters, which in turn became the catalyst for the failure of her marriage.

Ever since
the collapse of their family life Janey had tried to please her mother but it was never enough or appreciated. Yet after all these years Janey still tried. She had given up her job to be near her, just in case she should need her or want her…in the hope she would need her or want her. Tonight she would write and tell her mother the good news that she had secured a better job near to her and that she could increase the amount of money she would send her. Hopefully that would bring her some joy.

The sun was shining and Janey
walked back along the track she had come. She remembered the dark stranger on the moor and her heart quickened. How sour she must have looked, perhaps this time when they meet she would smile and bid him a good morning, after all they would be practically neighbours. As she approached her step slowed as she realised he was gone. The stone wall had been skilfully repaired. It was solid and beautiful, ready to protect the animals within against whatever the wild moor threw at it. Janey felt a sense of disappointment. She told herself it was because the sheep and their lambs had moved away to graze elsewhere, or perhaps it was the chill in the air turning the sunny day colder. It may also be, she had to admit, that she didn’t like the thought the man had been left with a bad impression of her - although why she should care she did not know. She saw Jack in the distance patiently waiting in his cart at the cross roads. Returning his wave she picked up her dress skirts and ran towards him.