Story: Maid Jenny and Her Mistress. Chapter 1.

by Jackie J

Chapter 1

Returning to Long Lawns Lucinda was fuming and threw down her purse onto the sofa.

“Jenny, Jenny, Jenny! Where are you, girl?”

Turning to her friend Marianne, who had accompanied Lucinda to the garden party held at Lady Southwards, she continued to voice her contempt for the hostess, a contempt that she had voiced during their carriage journey back to Long Lawns.

“That woman Marianne! The way she arrogantly proclaims her birth right and privilege it is a wonder there is no a revolution. ... Did you hear her? 

“I can tell someone’s class from a hundred paces, a leopard cannot change its spots and those of a low class can never be accepted into the higher echelons of society!”

Jenny scurried into the parlour and curtsied.

“Miss.”

Lucinda turned to face her maid.

“There you are girl. Serve tea for Mrs Sunderland and myself quickly now.”

Jenny curtsied again.

“Yes, Miss”

Marianne took a seat on a sofa and smiled.

“Don’t get so worked up, Lucinda. Lady Southward is just an arrogant snob. There is some truth in what she says though. Take your maid Jenny, for instance. Could you really see her, dressed in finery, attending one of Lady Southward's events?”

Lucinda flopped down into an easy chair opposite her friend and sighed.

“A good point, Marianne, but why not? That would make her eat her words, wouldn’t it?”

Jenny returned to the parlour with a large silver tray, curtsied and served tea to her Mistress and the guest before, having offered her deference, she returned to her duties.

Since the sudden death of Lucinda’s husband, Sir William Lancaster, a man many years her senior, Lucinda, still in her mid-twenties, had become active within the suffragette movement. As someone seeking the emancipation of women, she saw Lady Southward’s reinforcement of social class stereotypes to be in conflict with these aspirations.

The tea mellowed Lucinda’s anger and the ladies’ conversation returned to a more conventional discourse: picking holes in what the other guests had been wearing at Lady Southward’s garden party. Jenny quietly removed the empty teapot and drained cups whilst Lucinda and Marianne continued to chatter. 

With Jenny having left the room, Marianne, who was more inclined towards Lady Southward’s outlook on social class, smiled. 

“I know you are unhappy with Lady Southward but you have no problem having a maid at Long Lawns to be a dogsbody, do you, Lucinda?”

Lucinda stared at her friend a little surprised at this observation.

“Marianne it’s not about what people do, of course there are servants and there are those who they serve. My exasperation is that Lady Southward insisted that once a servant always a servant and what really riled me was that the conceited woman proclaimed she could spot someone from a lower class at hundred paces basically denouncing the principle of social mobility.”

“Yes, Jenny is my maid but I treat her well, are you saying I should not have a maid, you yourself have no problem with your maid’s, three I understand, Marianne?”

Marian sat back and laughed.

“She really has got you going on this hasn’t she, let it go Lucinda, let it go.”

Two weeks later having met up with Marianne at a fund-raising event at the village hall Marianne sat back in astonishment listening to Lucinda’s scheme to contradict Lady Southward’s arrogance.

“Preposterous, you are going to coach your maid Jenny to be a Lady, have you lost your mind Lucinda. In twelve months, you are going to have Jenny pass herself off to be a Lady at Lady Southward’s annual garden party?” Well I think I have heard everything now; I really have.”

Marianne laughed out loud when she listened to Lucinda telling her that to help her maid Jenny transform herself into a Lady, she would be swapping roles with her at Long Lawns and that she wanted Marianne to be complicit in her scheme to act as mentor to Jenny. 

Marianne shook her head discounting Lucinda’s plans to be utter nonsense highlighting the potential consequences of such an arrangement but Lucinda was adamant and blind to the risks raised by her friend. With Lucinda basically pleading for her help Marianne reluctantly acquiesced to think it over. 

Lucinda had thought it all through Jenny would become the Mistress at Long Lawns, she would be her maid and given a maid could not instruct her Mistress, especially given she had been Jenny’s Mistress, she would need the help of Marianne. Marianne would educate Jenny and help her to dress, speak and act like a true Lady. By the time the invites to Lady Southward’s garden party were being given out Jenny would attend the event with Marianne.

Marianne called on Lucinda at Long Lawns the following week hoping her friend had reconsidered her ridiculous plan but if anything, she was even more enthusiastic.  Marianne’s further attempts to discourage her friend from such folly falling on deaf ears. Lucinda had concocted a subterfuge of leaving Long Lawns for an extended period of foreign travel whilst she would actually remain at Long Lawns to be Jenny’s maid. Jenny would assume the identity of Lucinda’s cousin returning from missionary work in Africa. It was a perfect plan wasn’t it?

Marianne sighed in disbelief her friend was actually going to go through with this.

“Have you mentioned any of this to Jenny yet Lucinda?”

Lucida giggled.

“No, not yet I wanted to make sure you would accept everything being Jenny’s mentor and of course our relationship would have to change whilst you transformed Jenny. I would just be a maid here at Long Lawns, you would have to educate Jenny how maids are treated Jenny may struggle with that at first, you know with the role reversal”

Marianne smirked it was the first time she had seriously contemplated the absurdity but also the potential of the reverse side of the coin that her friend was about to recklessly toss into the air. Yes, Jenny was to become the Mistress of Long Lawns which was ridiculous in its self but Lucinda would be submitting to become its maid and from Lucinda’s inference be treated as no more than such.

Marianne, having reconciled that there could be no convincing her friend otherwise, agreed to play her part but insisted on some conditions of her own. Lucinda listened and her friend’s requests, which all sounded reasonable under the circumstances and preparations began. 

The disclaimer signed and all matters attaining to Long Lawns assigned over to her friend Marianne, Mrs. Sunderland, Lucinda, with her carriage loaded with trunks for her purported overseas travel, departed Long Lawns to take up temporary residence at a chosen hotel not far from the Plymouth docks. During her stay along with studying books on domestic service Lucinda wrote letters to her few friends and family informing them of her plans to travel overseas. 

Lucinda’s plan was now in the hands of Marianne she would be a mere voyeur in the transformation of her maid into a Lady. The signed disclaimer prepared by her friend, being quite explicit in that regard. Lucy, has she would be known for the duration of this subterfuge, would remain a silent witness honour and legally bound to accept whatever transpired in her chosen role of obedient house maid to Miss Jenny Osborne the cousin of Mrs Lucinda Lancaster.

One, then two, then three weeks passed with no communication from her friend and Lucinda was becoming concerned. Had something happened to Marianne, had Jenny refused the proposal put to her, she should have heard something by now? Marianne had told Lucinda that she would need to make “Arrangements” before her return to Long Lawns but three weeks what could take such time?

With her Mistress having departed for her foreign travel Jenny sat dumbfounded opposite Mrs Sunderland whilst she listened to what she was proposing. There was a high degree of incredulity when Jenny spoke.

“And Mrs Lancaster will be my maid, to do just as I tell her, she will be dressing and bathing me, cooking and cleaning everything that is my duties at Long Lawns?”

 Marianne smiled seeing the prospect of that particular facet to the proposal excited and amused Jenny, no less that it did herself.

“Yes, your Mistress Mrs Lancaster will be returning to Long Lawns soon but when she does, she will be your maid Lucy. To help you become accustomed to wealth and position it is important you are familiar and comfortable with how one must treat servants. 

How could Jenny say no to what was being offered, albeit for a limited time but none the less a relatively extensive period, twelve months. She would be the Mistress of Long Lawns, the companion of Mrs Sunderland Mrs. Lucinda Lancaster’s cousin returning from Africa.  She would be living a wealthy care free existence but most of all she would have her mistress for her maid. The signed disclaimer shown to her by Mrs Sunderland, stating unambiguously that there would be no retrospective disciplinary action taken regarding the conduct of Mrs Lancaster’s cousin especially with regard to the treatment of the Long Lawns maid during her stay. This particular clause like many others inserted at the insistence of Marianne. She had rightly assumed that when offered this opportunity Jenny would enjoy having her Mistress for her skivvy perhaps even more than becoming the Mistress of Long Lawns itself. 

During the two weeks that followed Jenny’s agreement to fulfil the role of Mrs Lancaster’s cousin Marianne began her work to transform this lowly maid into a Lady capable of deceiving Lady Southward at her annual garden party in eleven months’ time.

With the majority of Lucinda’s clothing having been packed away in her luggage for her extended travel abroad it was a small task to remove the remaining items from the closets and drawers in the master bedroom and by the second week they were replaced with Jenny’s new wardrobe of elegant, tailored and expensive clothing. 

The closets and drawers in the maid quarters, at the back of the house were also replenished for the arrival of its new occupant.

Jenny had got used to wearing her fine clothes and had responded well to the deportment instruction of her now companion Marianne. Elocution would not be such a simple task but work had started to refine Jenny’s accent. 

Jenny chuckled when Marianne started to instruct her on how she should treat her maid when she returns.

Marian could hardly contain her amusement when Jenny in her most improved accent mimicked her friend Lucinda.

“Lucy, Lucy, Lucy where are you girl.” 

“I have been a maid here at Long Lawns for a number of years I will obviously need all the help you can provide in my education but regarding the maid, trust me Marianne, I will be fine and keep her in her place. I am sure I will have little difficulty in continuing Mrs Lancaster’s strict regime.” 

Both laughed and giggled at the prospect of the mistress of Long Lawns dancing to the tune of her maid under the draconian rules of her own making.

Marianne convinced that Jenny was ready for Lucinda’s return set out in the carriage to collect the new maid for Long Lawns.

Marianne’s letter had reached Lucinda the day before and she was anxious to leave the hotel and return to Long Lawns. Perhaps if she would have known what awaited her, she would have been less enthusiastic.  

Lucinda hugged Marianne when they met.

“Marianne, I was getting worried I thought something had happened to you that Jenny had refused to comply, is everything in place what did Jenny say? Here let me help you with that parcel what is it?

Marianne smiled and handed the large package to Lucinda.

“It’s for later I will explain, I must say this suite you have at the hotel is rather splendid.”

Lucinda chuckled.

“Yes, a little treat although I did not think I would be staying here for three weeks although it has given me time to digest the books you gave me to read but I can’t wait to get back to Long Lawns.”

Initial greetings over Marianne sat opposite Lucinda sipping her tea.

“Well I still think all this is crazy but I have done my part Lucinda and Jenny has started her transformation program. She is quite bright and is learning quickly. I do hope that you will be able to grow into your role at Long Lawns just as well.  Your maid is your Mistress now until this is over and don’t expect me to intercede in matters, you understand that don’t you, it is what we agreed, what you wanted though heaven knows why?”

Lucinda stood and performed mock curtsy in jest.

“Yes Mrs Sunderland.”

Marianne just shook her head. 

Any further questions relating to Long Lawns and particular Jenny were skillfully deflected by Marianne sighting the agreement that Jenny’s transformation was Marianne’s sole responsibility and of no business of the Long Trees maid. All she repeated was that everything was ready for her return. 

With the porter called to clear Lucinda’s belongings from the room Marianne hugged Lucinda then stood back Lucinda looking at her friend quizzically.

“I didn’t say good bye properly when you left for your travels abroad you must be well on your way now and back in twelve months. So, is Lucy ready to take up her position at Long Lawns?

Lucinda smiled.

“Thank you for doing all this with Jenny it will be worth it when we watch Lady Southward choke on her words, yes Lucy is ready.”

Whilst the porter took Lucinda’s cases and trunks down to the awaiting carriage Marianne smirked and pointed to the large parcel, she had brought with her.

 “Like I said everything is ready at Long Lawns for its new maid, the parcel is for Lucy, and I suggest you change Miss Jenny would not wish you returning dressed like that would she LUCY?”

Lucinda gasped viewing the contents of the package and raised the long black woolen dress before inspecting the plain cotton underwear, thick hosiery and heavy shoes. Marianne then compounded her realisations of her impending servitude to her maid.

“That lipstick and powder better go and tie your hair back Miss Osborne is no different to Mrs Lancaster, who was Mistress of Long Lawns, before going off on her travels, with regards to the standards she expects from her maid, you wouldn’t want to get off on the wrong foot would you Lucy?

Lucinda glared at her friend.

“You are enjoying this aren’t you?”

Marianne shrugged her shoulders.

“It is what you wanted, but if you want to call the whole thing off then its fine by me but once you are into that uniform you will be maid Lucy until this contrived nonsense is over, there will be no going back on my part I won’t be made a fool of. So, what is it to be the white apron with that black dress or those pearls that are hanging around your neck?”

It was Lucinda Lancaster who entered the bedroom of the hotel suite clutching the contents of the package brought by her friend Marianne but it was the plain faced uniformed maid Lucy that emerged looking awkward and feeling more so stood in front of Mrs. Sunderland. Yes, Mrs Sunderland that was the agreement there would be no more Marianne it was Mrs Sunderland from here on in.

Lucy handed Mrs Sunderland her earrings, bracelet, necklace and rings and Marianne placed them, along with other items into the jewellery box and holding out her hand accepted the key to the box before locking away Mrs Lancaster’s jewellery.

Marianne could not help offering a little tease placing the key into her purse and beginning the reinforcing of what would be essential for Jenny’s transformation, speaking of her friend in the third person. 

“Mrs Lancaster asked me to keep these safe whilst she is travelling overseas although her cousin may wish to have use of such fine jewellery?”

Lucinda wanted to scream at her friend’s taunts but it had been agreed that once she donned the apron, she was to remain in character no matter what until it became second nature this to ensure Jenny’s transformation under the tutorage of Mrs Sunderland was not adversely affected.

Marianne with the heavy jewellery box in hand pointed to the door.

“Well open the door Lucy, best we are our way, your Mistress will be awaiting your arrival?”

The door opened, an elegant Marianne stepped out followed by a clumsy looking heavy-footed maid unfamiliar with her shoes, heavy dress and cumbersome underwear.

Marianne turned and scowled at Lucy whilst in fact chuckling inside.

“Get a grip of yourself girl and straighten your cap if you were my maid I would have you spanked.”

Lucy gulped seeing Mrs Sunderland’s expression and hearing her vitriolic words. In that moment she felt weak, useless and servile deserving of being berated. Marianne was about to make light of it confirm the joke that it had intended to be but? Marianne just stared at her usually confident friend dressed like she was with a sheepish contrite expression across her face nervously fumbling to adjust her cap?  No, she thought, she wanted this and the sooner she learns what it is to be a lowly maid the better.

“That’s better girl now goes and wait by my carriage whilst I settle the account here”

Lucinda had been a guest at the hotel for three weeks during which time she had been treated with the deference afforded and deserving of a high paying guest staying in the best suite in the hotel but she wasn’t given a second glance shuffling her way through the reception in her maids uniform whilst Marianne settled the bill with funds taken from Mrs Lancaster’s accounts.

Lucinda had never been ostentatious with her wealth on the contrary she had shown herself to be quite frugal.  It was therefore quite a surprise to Marianne to discover just how wealthy Lucinda was. Marianne, herself a widow, felt a hint of jealousy at the obvious legacy her husband had left her when he passed away. Lucinda’s husband’s family however had always been aware of the legacy and were not too pleased when the young Lucinda was identified to be the sole beneficiary to Sir William Lancaster’s will having only been married for five years. But for this concocted plan of Lucinda’s Marianne would never have discovered her true wealth but Lucinda had trustingly put all her affairs into the hands of her friend. In fact, it was one of Marianne’s conditions to prevent Lucinda having a change of heart once the transformation of Jenny began.

Mrs Sunderland and Lucy sat opposite in the carriage neither initially feeling comfortable to speak. Lucy out of perceived deference having been berated like hired help in the hotel Marianne just lost for words staring at the new incarnation of her friend sat in her uniform of service.

Lucy looked out from the carriage window. She had to plead with her friend to go along with this subterfuge and had somewhat reluctantly agreed to her conditions. At the time, each subtle clause in itself made perfect sense if the transformation of her maid Jenny into a lady was to succeed but collectively and now on reflection, she was becoming wary of her own transformation from a lady to a maid?

The carriage took the pair to the local station and having changed trains in London they were now back in a carriage taking them to Long Lawns. Lucy was more comfortable in her uniform and Marianne suggested that Lucy put her apron back on before they arrived at Long Lawns. The six-hour journey from the hotel to Long Lawns had been uneventful Lucy for the most part reading her books on domestic service sat in a third-class carriage Marianne enjoying the service offered her in the first-class accommodation.

Butterflies filled Lucy’s tummy when the carriage pulled through the main gates to Long Lawns and Marianne reached over and clasped her hands offering a smile.

“Remember this about the transformation of Jenny not you everything will be fine, you will be fine, like you said when you came up with this scheme. Give you a chance to see how the other half live.”

Lucy offered weak smile.

“Yes, yes of course everything will be fine.”

The carriage rocked to a halt outside the main entrance to Long Lawns and Lucinda now Lucy took a deep breath looking into the smiling eyes of her friend. 

“This is it then Marianne sorry Mrs Sunderland time to turn maid Jenny into a sweet English rose shall we go?”

Marianne smiled she had already briefed Jenny how to receive her maid and was looking forward to how Lucinda would react to the changes already apparent in her maid.

“Yes of course Lucy follow me.”

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