The Downstairs Maid

by Rosie Clarke

  ‘I almost wish I was coming with you,’ Amy said. ‘I didn’t know you were interested in the volunteer movements?’

  ‘I was reading about the volunteer groups for women and what they were doing to help the war and Tomas saw the notice of the meeting so he asked if I’d like to go. I was going to ask you if that is all right?’

  ‘Yes, of course.’ Amy smiled at her. ‘I probably haven’t thanked you enough, Emily. I do know what good service you give me. We’ll talk about it another time – but I must go now or I shall keep Nicolas waiting.’

  ‘You mustn’t do that, miss.’ Emily laughed softly. ‘He looks very smart in his uniform, doesn’t he? I bet you were pleased to see him.’

  ‘Yes. We are all very fond of Nicolas.’ Amy picked up her purse and evening cloak and walked to the door.

  Emily followed her from the room, and then went down the stairs to the kitchen, where Tomas was waiting for her. He looked at her and smiled.

  ‘Are you ready to go to that meeting?’

  ‘Yes, please,’ she said. ‘I’ve been looking forward to it.’

  Emily didn’t think she would ever be brave enough to join the band of women who tied themselves to the railings outside Buckingham Palace or Westminster, threw themselves in front of the king’s horse or disrupted all kinds of meetings and social events. Sometimes they marched on rallies through the centre of London carrying banners and shouting, causing a disturbance, so the papers said. Many people considered they were just making a nuisance of themselves, but from what Emily read in the papers some men of distinction were now beginning to take their cause seriously.

  She had often wanted to hear one of them speak and that evening they had a guest speaker from America. It should prove an interesting meeting.

  ‘These arrived for you while you were out shopping, miss,’ Emily said, carrying a huge basket of yellow roses into Amy’s bedroom as she was brushing her hair the next day. ‘They smell wonderful.’

  ‘Is there a card?’ Amy glanced at the flowers. ‘They are rather lovely.’

  Emily gave her the card. She opened it, glanced at the brief message and frowned. ‘They are from the Marquis of Belvane – an apology.’

  ‘The gentleman who invited you to that party the other night?’

  ‘Yes.’ Amy frowned. ‘He said something that offended me and wishes to take me out to dinner this evening to apologise.’

  ‘Shall you go?’ Emily asked and then blushed. ‘Sorry, it’s not for me to ask, miss.’

  ‘I think so,’ Amy said and smiled in a way that puzzled Emily. ‘We shall be going home tomorrow so I may as well make the most of my last evening in town … unless Mama allows me to be a volunteer like my Cousin Maude.’

  ‘I’ve seen the notices appealing for women to volunteer,’ Emily said. ‘What would you do, miss – become a nurse?’

  ‘No, I hardly think so, though it’s what Lizzie wants. I might join the ambulance service like my cousin.’ She sighed, and looked speculatively at Emily. ‘If I did come to London, would you come with me as my maid?’

  Emily stared at her uncertainly. She’d accepted the invitation this time, because she’d wanted to get away from the manor and give herself a chance to get over her grief. She was feeling better now but wasn’t sure what to do next.

  ‘May I think about it please?’

  Amy looked offended but inclined her head. She spoke only to give Emily orders after that and Emily knew she had annoyed her. Mary would have jumped at the chance and Emily wasn’t sure why she hadn’t. It was a chance for her to improve herself, but it had been so sudden and she needed time to think about the future. Miss Amy had been pleasant to her since she’d accompanied her to London, but she couldn’t forget those cruel remarks at the village hall dance when they were younger. It might be wiser to stay in the kitchen with Mrs Hattersley and learn to be a cook, because she couldn’t be sure she could trust Miss Amy.

  ‘So we’re on our way home tomorrow then.’ Tomas said and looked at Emily oddly. ‘Are you looking forward to it? You seem different today somehow – as if you’ve got something on your mind.’

  ‘Do I?’ Emily shook her head. She couldn’t tell Tomas what Miss Amy had suggested to her, because she wasn’t sure of her answer yet.

  ‘You look beautiful,’ Tomas said. ‘I’ve been wanting to talk to you about something, Emily. I haven’t quite made up my mind, but when I do you’ll be the first to know.’

  ‘Secrets?’ Emily teased. ‘You’re a dark one, Tomas. Now what are you up to?’

  ‘Maybe something, maybe nothing,’ he said. ‘I’ll tell you in a couple of days, after we’re back at the manor.’

  Emily nodded. Mr Payne came into the kitchen then, enquiring about some of his lordship’s shirts that had gone missing.

  ‘I ironed them for you,’ Emily said. ‘You had so much to do and I had a few minutes going spare. They are hanging up in the butler’s pantry. I promise I didn’t spoil them, Mr Payne.’

  ‘It was thoughtful of you, but please do not do it again. I like to look after his lordship’s things myself.’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Emily said as he hurried off to rescue the shirts, obviously fearful that she had ruined them. Some folk were never pleased.

  She sighed, because sometimes she wished she was back at the farm, going out on the rounds with Pa and helping him to milk the cows in the evening. She missed her father and she missed her brother Jack. Sometimes she worried about him, because he hadn’t been progressing as he ought and Emily was afraid he might be backward. She wished she could see him, but she didn’t want to see her mother. Not while Derek was around. Her life was very different now. She enjoyed most of the work she did, but there were still times when her grief swamped her and she wished something nice would happen.

  Emily told herself to stop dreaming. Her life was never going to be much better than it was now. She could either live in London as Miss Amy’s maid or be an assistant cook at the manor. She would have to make up her mind soon or she might no longer have the choice.

  ‘Can you stop for a minute, please, sir?’ Emily begged. They had been travelling for more than an hour and she was feeling wretched. When Miss Amy had told her Lord Belvane would be driving them home instead of taking the train, as Tomas and Mr Payne had, she hadn’t given it a second thought, but after the first half an hour she’d begun to feel very unwell. ‘I think I’m going to be sick.’

  ‘We shall stop in another twenty minutes or so for some lunch,’ the marquis said without glancing back at her in his mirror. ‘Surely you can wait until then?’

  ‘I’m sorry but I think …’ Emily clapped her handkerchief over her mouth as she felt the vomit rising. She was feeling so very ill and didn’t think she could wait even a few minutes longer.

  ‘Good God!’ he muttered and pulled over to the side of the road. ‘Get out quickly, girl. For goodness’ sake don’t vomit in my Daimler.’

  Emily scrambled out of the vehicle and stumbled away to a patch of grass where she vomited violently, twice. She was wiping her mouth when Amy came over to her and touched her arm.

  ‘I’m sorry you’re ill. Was it something you ate?’

  ‘It’s the fumes in the back, miss.’

  ‘You must be a bad traveller. I’m afraid the marquis isn’t pleased with you.’

  ‘I’m sorry, miss. If you could leave me at a railway station I could take the train back to the manor.’

  ‘I would rather you stayed with us,’ Amy said. ‘Do you think you might do better in the front?’

  ‘I couldn’t do that, miss. Lord Belvane wouldn’t like it – and you might feel ill in the back.’

  ‘I doubt it. I’m never ill travelling. We’ll change places when you feel able.’

  There was a note in her voice that Emily hadn’t heard for a while and she thought that her employer was annoyed with her. She felt irritated with herself. The last thing she’d wanted to do was to spoil the day for Miss Amy.

 
When she climbed into the front seat Lord Belvane looked at her angrily. He made no attempt to hide his displeasure and she felt nervous as he started the automobile off again. For the next half an hour they drove in silence. Emily still felt a little unwell but she was much better in the front.

  Lord Belvane stopped eventually in the courtyard of an old coaching inn. Its walls were painted white and half-timbered with black beams, probably dating from the sixteenth century. Belvane got out and then took Amy’s arm, leading her inside without a backward glance at Emily. Amy beckoned to her to follow but she shook her head.

  ‘I think it’s best if I don’t eat anything, miss. I’m going to try riding in the back again when we leave here.’

  ‘Poor you,’ Amy said. ‘It’s odd, but it didn’t affect me at all.’

  While they went into the inn, Emily found a bench outside and sat down in the fresh air. After a while a young lad came out with a glass of lemonade on a tray. She accepted it gratefully, sipping the cool, fizzy drink a little at a time and beginning to enjoy the autumn sunshine. Her headache was easing and she was feeling better now. Perhaps she needn’t ruin the whole of Miss Amy’s day after all.

  ‘Well, I’m glad to see you back,’ Mrs Hattersley said when Emily walked into the kitchen later that afternoon. ‘It hasn’t been the same here without you. Did you enjoy your first visit to London?’

  ‘Yes, it was all right,’ Emily said. ‘Tomas took me to the Music Hall and to a Suffragette meeting. Miss Amy gave me two pounds as a tip – and a dress she decided she didn’t want to wear again.’

  ‘She must have been pleased then,’ Mrs Hattersley said and frowned. ‘Has Miss Amy said what she wants you to do in future, Emily? She might want you to continue as her maid now you’re back. Mrs Marsh has put some new uniforms in your room. Perhaps you should wait and see if you’re sent for.’

  ‘Well …’ Emily glanced at Mary and saw her scowl. She’d hoped the other girl might have got over her sulks while she was away but it seemed she was still resentful and angry. When she knew that Emily might become Miss Amy’s maid on a permanent basis she would be furious. ‘I can still help you when I’m not looking after her, Cook.’

  ‘They took advantage of her in the London house,’ Tomas said. ‘She was working all hours. If I had my way she’d tell them what to do with their job.’ He looked about him defiantly. ‘I’m giving in my notice – and if Emily has any sense she’ll do the same.’

  ‘Well, I shan’t …’ Emily began and then broke off as Mrs Marsh entered the kitchen and looked at her in a slightly disapproving way. She sensed what the housekeeper was going to say and her stomach clenched with nerves.

  ‘So, Emily, Miss Amy is pleased with you – so pleased that you’re to be her maid in future. She would like you to go up as soon as you’re ready.’

  ‘Yes, of course, Mrs Marsh.’

  ‘You’re to be her maid in future?’ Mary was on her feet, eyes flashing with temper. ‘You rotten little sneak!’

  Mary flew at Emily, her nails going for her face. Emily grabbed her by the hair and pulled sharply, making her jerk back but Mary spat at her and then started kicking and punching until Tomas dragged her off. She struggled and yelled for a while but he was stronger and finally subdued her.

  ‘That is a disgusting display,’ Mrs Marsh said. ‘I warned you what would happen if you did it again, Mary. If things were not so difficult I should turn you off at once. As it is, you may consider yourself under notice. I shall give you two months’ wages and you’ll go at the end of the month.’

  ‘Please, don’t do that on my account,’ Emily said once she’d got her breath back. ‘Mary is upset. I’m sure she won’t do it again.’

  ‘I don’t want your rotten job much longer anyway,’ Mary snarled. ‘As soon as my lad comes back on leave I’m off. We’re going to be married.’ She rushed past Mrs Marsh and out of the room, clearly in tears.

  ‘I know she thinks I tried to get the job away from her but I didn’t – Miss Amy asked me and …’ She lifted her head, because she’d decided she would do as Miss Amy wanted. ‘Is it wrong of me to want to better myself?’

  ‘Mary was entitled to the job, because she’s been here the longest,’ Mrs Marsh said looking grave. ‘However, Miss Amy does what she wants and if she wanted Mary she’d say so.’

  ‘I still think you’d do better with me,’ Mrs Hattersley said. ‘I’d have taught you a good trade.’

  ‘I’d better go up to her,’ Emily said. She felt the others still thought she’d done something to make Miss Amy prefer her to Mary and were faintly disapproving.

  ‘I want to speak to you later,’ Tomas said, giving her an odd look as she passed him.

  They had got on well in London and Emily had enjoyed going out with him, but she hoped he wasn’t going to ask her to be his girl, because she wasn’t ready for a proper relationship with anyone just yet. Besides, although he spoke as if he thought something of her, she was sure he wasn’t in love with her. Tomas had plans of his own and Emily suspected that it would suit him if she went along with him.

  ‘There are some letters here for you,’ Mrs Hattersley said. ‘You may as well take them, Emily. I think one of them is from your father’s lawyers.’

  Emily accepted the two envelopes, one of which was bulky and felt as if it contained something more than just a letter. She slipped them into her pocket to read later and ran up the stairs to Miss Amy’s room.

  Emily opened the bulky letter first, which had come from her father’s lawyer. Inside was fifty pounds in white five-pound notes and two letters – a brief note from the lawyer and a longer letter from her father. Emily stared at the money, tears stinging her eyes. How hard her father must have worked to save this much for her. She opened his letter with shaking hands.

  Emily love, her father had written. You’ll know that I’ve given you three times as much as this, because a hundred pounds is what you’ll get for the stock in the barns, if you sell it sensibly. If I’d had more time I should have given you more, but it has taken a lot of scheming to get this much put by. Your mother will have the land and house, as is her right, but I wanted my girl to have something. Jack isn’t my son. I know your mother went with someone else, and she’ll provide for her son.

  I wish I could give you more, love. You’ve always been the light of my life, but I know you’ll make a good life. Christopher has the shop stock. Without his help I wouldn’t have had this to give you. I owe him something and he’ll know what to do with it.

  When you read this I’ll be gone. Have a good life, girl. I love you and I pray you’ll find happiness. Don’t marry until you find the right one. A lifetime is a long time to be regretting your mistakes.

  Your loving father, Joe Carter

  Emily felt her eyes sting with tears as she folded her father’s letter. The money would sit in a bank until she needed it but it was the thought of how hard he’d worked to put so much aside for her that brought tears to her eyes and made her throat close with emotion. She wished he hadn’t worked so hard. She would rather be able to go home and see his face than have all the money in the world. Sometimes he’d been harsh with her, but underneath he’d loved her deeply.

  Dashing the tears from her eyes, Emily turned to her second letter. She didn’t know the hand for certain but she thought it was from Christopher Johnson.

  Dear Emily, Christopher had written in his flowing script. I’m sorry I couldn’t come to the funeral but I was in training camp. And what a shambles that is! Half of us don’t have a rifle or the full uniform, but I dare say they’ll sort it out before they send us to fight the Hun.

  I did call at the house to see you when I had a twenty-four-hour leave, but they said you’d gone to London. I hoped to see you before we’re off over there, but I know we shan’t get leave again before then. I hope you will write to me. I’ll write first when we get settled and then you’ll know where to write back.

  You must be upset over your Pa and it’s t
oo soon to ask you to think of marriage. I wanted to tell you to your face how I feel. I would’ve taken my time if it hadn’t been for the war but it all happened so quick. I’ve wanted to tell you for months but I’ve nothing much to offer you. Your father left me some stuff and it will fetch a few pounds one day when I can repair it. My father is going to store it for me until after the war. Maybe I’ll have a little shop again then. Until then I don’t have the right to ask you to be my wife, but I wanted you to know my heart just in case. I love you, Emily. I should like us to marry one day, but I know now isn’t the right time.

  If I come home safe and make a home for us – will you think about being my wife? You’re the girl for me and always have been. If I hadn’t been afraid to speak I’d have asked before, but I wanted to put a bit by first.

  I love you, Emily. If you like me a little bit perhaps you’ll write back when you have my next letter.

  Take care, my love, and don’t grieve for your Pa too much. He loved you and he would want you to be happy. Christopher. XXX

  Emily could feel the tears running down her cheeks. She’d guessed that Christopher liked her but she hadn’t dreamed he would write her a letter like this and it had come just when she needed a little cheering up.

  She smiled as she folded it and put it into the old writing box her father had given her as a present once. It had a secret drawer and she slipped her money inside to keep it safe until she could get to the Post Office to deposit it in the savings account she’d started in London.

  Christopher’s letter had touched her and she had plenty of time to make up her mind before he came home.

  Chapter 27

  ‘It’s such a beautiful night,’ Amy turned to her companion with a smile. The air was warm, scented with jasmine and honeysuckle, both of which grew over the sheltering walls. ‘I’m glad we came out for a little air, though I know Mama will quiz me about you later.’

  Her senses were alert to him, because his nearness excited her. She had been amazed when he’d offered to drive her down and even more so when he accepted her invitation to stay for a few days. Despite his show of bad humour because Emily had been ill on the drive down, her fascination with this man had not abated. She wasn’t sure what it was about him that made her spine tingle but she knew that no other man of her acquaintance had made her feel this way. All the young men her family had introduced to her seemed to pale into insignificance. Yet she knew that he was dangerous and doubted that her parents would approve even had he offered marriage, which she thought unlikely after his outrageous suggestions to her at that infamous party.