Story: A Lady and Her Maid. Chapter 4.

by Jackie J

Chapter 4

William was expected to arrive from his visit to see relatives mid-morning and Jennifer ensured that her maid would be kept busy. Beating the many rugs was a heavy and monthly task, another addition to Maud’s rota.

The last two weeks, whilst William had been away, Sam, a local farmers son, had been attending the horses and keeping the grounds tidy. Jenny had hardly seen him, but he had done a good job, and everything was in order.

After taking breakfast Jennifer waited for William at his cottage situated at the end of the drive leading up to the manor. Her timing was perfect and she did not have to wait long seeing William step down from the coach that had brought him, gather his case, and walk towards her.

“Hello, Jenny. Sunday’s best on a Saturday! My, you do look handsome. A new dress?”

Jennifer blushed at the compliment, she liked William, much older in years but a true gentleman.

“William, I have some news for you. Can we go inside?”

There was a dry and musty smell to the place as it’s been empty for two weeks, and Jennifer opened windows. William set a fire in the grate.

“It’s good to see you, Jenny. I have some news of my own, but you go first. What is it?”

William read the letter that Lady Summerfield had given Jennifer explaining she would be travelling, and that Jenny would by the Mistress of the manor whilst she was away.

William smiled and laughed.

“Well, that explains why you are dressed like you are, Jenny. I can still call you Jenny, can I, Mistress?”

They both laughed.

“Perhaps. Miss Jennifer William, but only if there are others in earshot.”

Willian filled a kettle and placed it over the now establishing fire.

“That’s fine by me, Jenny. Protocols and everything. I will make us some tea to celebrate.”

“So how long is Lady Summerfield going to be away then? Will you be able to manage? I read in the letter you have a new maid. That will help for sure.”

Jennifer adjusted herself in her chair and smiled.

“Lady Summerfield is to be away for quite some time. How long I cannot say, but quite some time. That’s all I know. The new maid… Yes, Maud is settling in very well. I have something to tell you about that but what is your news, William?”

William prepared two mugs of tea which he placed on the large table and looked at Jennifer nervously.

“Well, I suppose you being Mistress of the manor now, Jenny, I would have to come to you anyway. It’s my brother, the one I have been to visit. He is not going to make it, not long left by all accounts. He owns a farm, land and all. When he passes it will be mine. I will be a landowner, Jenny, and all that it brings. I won’t be staying on here at Stag Head. I only came back to settle matters and then I will be gone.”

Jennifer felt sorry for William’s brother but so happy that William’s circumstances were to change for the better, much better.

“William, I am so sorry to hear about your brother and sad that you will be leaving. But a landowner, your own farm. I am so pleased for you. Selfish, I know, but do you have someone in mind to take over from you here?”

William stirred the tea pot and refilled the mugs.

“I have given that some thought Jenny, no one local I know of. Sam is handy, the lad who stood in for me with the stabling and that, but he couldn’t handle everything. And he will be needed at his father’s farm most of the time. The only person that comes to mind is Walter Fairburn. I think he would jump at the chance, what with the cottage and all. I will get him to get in touch and then you see what you think. How is that for you?”

Jenny smiled.

“Perfect, William. Just perfect.”

William took a poker to the fire.

“So, Jenny, this new maid. You said you had something to tell me?”

Jennifer sipped on her tea.

“Oh, it’s nothing William. So, when are you leaving?”

William took a sharp intake of breath.

“I am sorry, Jenny, but this evening, I have booked my return ticket, I need to get back to look after my brother.”

This would save some difficult explaining about maid Maud, Jennifer feigned concern.

“Oh, so sudden, William! But yes, your brother needs you. If you could ask Sam to continue looking after things before you go, that will be helpful and hopefully this Walter fellow will be in contact soon.”

William laughed when Jenny mentioned a reference, he would not be needing that now. It was agreed that Jennifer would forward monies outstanding, and Jennifer promised to visit William when his situation was settled.

A long hug, a few tears and their goodbyes said, Jennifer made her way back up to the manor.

Could matters with William have worked out any better? Probably not, Jennifer was genuinely pleased for William and his future, but more importantly, Jennifer had not needed to discuss Maud. Explaining that Lady Summerfield was not in fact travelling at all but was now her maid at the Manor.

It was a lovely day, warm and sunny. Perfect for relaxing in the sunshine but not for standing in the yards beating rugs. Opening the rear door of the manor Jennifer smirked hearing the thrash of the beater against the heavy fabric of the rugs along with the sighs of her maid at work.

Maud was making good progress: the rugs neatly rolled by the door had already been well cleaned.

“Maud, leave those for now. I will require my lunch.”

A dishevelled Maud turned with a tired curtsy, scrunching her wild hair back under and into her cap.

“Yes, Madame.”

Jennifer tutted at the state of her maid, but knew from first-hand experience that cleaning the rugs was no easy task.

The remainder of the day Jennifer spent in the library. She enjoyed reading, fact and fiction, the window into other worlds she found fascinating. There was nothing fascinating about the remainder of Maud’s day. Clearing and cleaning, followed by serving lunch, finishing the beating and laying back of the rugs, preparing dinner, readying a bath for her mistress, turning down her mistress’s bed and tidying her chamber.

Before retiring, Maud glanced at the following day’s rota and sighed. The stoves and fire grates, a weekend ritual she would soon be familiar with. Stripped, Maud flopped onto her bunk and stared up at the ceiling of her cramped room. Maud’s dirty fingers ran through her lank hair, it was sticky, and she could feel the grittiness of the dust from the rugs. She would have to do something with her hair but was too tired to bother now, she would wash it through in the morning.

Another early start for the maid of the manor, like every day now, but she was getting used to that. Maud’s hair dangling limp over her face was a reminder of her thoughts from the night before and she prepared the sink. Looking at herself in the faded mirror she pulled back her hair tight against her head and chuckled forlornly. There was only one answer.

With the morning tea served for her mistress, Jennifer sat up in her bed and smiled at her maid.

“That’s much better, Maud. I was going to mention it but that is much more practical for a maid, a working woman’s cut, you will find in much easier to manage. A regular trim to keep it short that’s all you will require.”

Maud, very conscious of what she had done, touched her now loose-fitting cap.

“Not too short, is it, Madame?”

Jennifer took a sip of her tea. The cut was rather extreme having the effect of fattening her maids face. She looked very, very maid-like, matronly. And why shouldn’t she, that is what she was: a maid.

“No, its perfect Maud. Absolutely perfect. Now, the blue dress today, I think. Get that ready for me, will you?”

Maud curtsied

“Yes, Madame.”

Jennifer continued.

“You have the stoves and grates to clean and blacken today so make sure you wear the gloves. I have noticed your hands are getting rather reddened.”

Maud looked at her hands. True, they were a mess: her manicured nails were sacrificed during her first week as a maid but what remained were now chipped and uneven. She had not had time, but in truth could not be bothered to do anything with them. The skin was dry and cracked from the soda of the laundry and reddened. Yes, her mistress was right. She would find the gloves.

In contrast to her once Mistress’s hands, Jennifer’s hands and indeed her complexion and skin in general were benefitting from two weeks away from domestic toil and of course the oils and preparations once the sole privilege of Lady Summerfield.

Another day of leisure for Jennifer and another day of toil for the maid of Stag Head Manor. During the day Jennifer had been drawn back to Lady Summerfield’s stash of all things maid secreted away in the study. With the dictionary of commoner’s phrases on the desk Jennifer smirked. Something to help Maud interact with visitors to the manor Jennifer thought.

After dinner that evening Jennifer called Maud out from the kitchens. A curtsy and Maud stood attentive, hands across her apron with her gaze lowered.

“You wished to speak with me, Madame.”

Glancing upwards Maud saw the booklet on the table and blushed, squirming uncomfortably. Lady Summerfield’s collection of all thing’s maid having been exposed. If her mistress had that booklet’ she would have seen the rest.

Jennifer ignored her maid’s obvious embarrassment.

“Yes, I did Maud. I fully understand that you are worried, nervous even at being confronted by visitors to the manor, fear of them recognising you for other than the maid you are. The way you look now, especially with your hair, and dressed in your uniform, in fact your whole demeanour and bearing, seeing you at your duties I doubt any visitor would consider you to be other than the maid here at Stag Head Manor. But speak with your educated vocabulary, well, they may question your validity and we don’t want that, do we? I believe that this booklet I found among Lady Summerfield’s possessions will help you.”

Jennifer eyes tightened into a smile and handed the booklet to her maid.

“Read it, read it well and learn. I expect you to use these phrases when visitors come to the manor, especially trades people delivering provisions and the like.”

Maud took the booklet; she had read through it many times before of course, mimicking where she could. Her Mistress was right, especially now with her cropped hair, her appearance could not be confused with anyone other than a domestic servant. She would remove long words from her speech and adopt the phrases and words from the booklet. She looked like a maid, she felt like a maid, the way she had been worked the past week, why not sound more like a maid. It made sense. She was a maid after all.

Maud stood back and curtsied.

“Thank you, Madame. Will there be anything else you require this evening?”

“No, you can get to your sewing, tidy and alter the hems on the three dresses I showed you this afternoon.”

Monday was a laundry day. Whilst pegging out on the lines a voice behind startled her, the tap to her bottom then surprised her, and she turned to confront the rudeness. Staring at the delivery boy, about to dress him down, she remembered her place and hushed her tongue letting the lad continue.

“Hey, you new here then, lover.”

Maud realised the boy had brought provisions from the village store.

“Erm, yes, yes I am.”

“Oh, I like that. Another posh maid, are you? What happened to the other one? Tall girl. Jenny?”

Maud remembered her conversation with her Mistress the previous evening about her speech.

 “I be posh when I have to be. Wha’ d’ yer want? Jenny’s gon’ I be maid ‘er’ now.”

The boy pulled back

“Alright don’t get shirty, I just brought stuff from store. Billy, that’s me name. What your name?”

Maud realised the kid was harmless enough and smiled continuing to roughen her speech.

“Maud I be, Maud, new maid here. Follow me, bring yer boxes.”

Back to her pegging after the boy had left, Maud felt quite pleased with herself having spoken how she had. Miss Jennifer was right about that.

The week passed, then another weekend and Maud was into her fourth week as a maid.

Walter Fairburn had duly arrived at Stag Head Manor the previous week. Like William had suggested, he was very keen to take over the post of managing the stabling, ground keeping and general maintenance at the manor. Jennifer conducted his interview, which went well, and he was soon establishing himself in his role and the cottage. Walter had met Maud when he first arrived and took her for what she was, a common housemaid, no differently than he had accepted Jennifer to be the mistress of the manor. Maud was told who the new face at the manor was and was no less pleased than Jennifer that there would be no complicated explanations required about their role reversal.

Jennifer had followed her plans to visit the various trade establishments and explained to the owners Lady Summerfield’s absence and her own position. The letter from Lady Summerfield confirmed what they were told. It was a seamless transition, orders received from the manor’s Mistress and delivered into the hands of the new maid at Stag Head Manor.

Jennifer had accepted some of the invitations to visit Constance’s friends but had not pursued friendships with them. It became clear to Jennifer they were acquaintances rather than real friends. From conversations with them Jennifer got the firm impression they did not really care much for Constance or indeed where she was or when she would return.

It was Tuesday morning and Jennifer accepted the post from her curtsying maid.

An official looking envelope was the first opened. The letter was from the Notary Public’s office saying there was a discrepancy with Maud’s contract that someone would be visiting Stag Head Manor to resolve the matter.

Friday just after lunch Jennifer sat awaiting the Notary’s arrival wondering what the discrepancy could be. The doorbell chimed and Maud opened the door to receive a gentleman, who introduced himself as Wilson James. Jennifer’s maid was oblivious to who he was, who he represented and the purpose of his visit. The notary, whilst the maid was the reason for his visit, did not give the maid a second look or thought.

It was a simple error: Jennifer. being the acting Mistress of Stag Head Manor. had not counter signed the maid’s signature. With Jennifer adding her signature Wilson had a further request. Changing protocols of registration, due to increasing fraud and exploitation issues, photographic profiles were being added to local files should principles wish. Jennifer was the principle in this case, and her consent was not withheld.

It was a somewhat confused and bewildered Maud that stood staring questioningly into a lens before her image was secured for the national files of contracted maids.

Four weeks quickly became six and Maud’s rota was now filled. She was kept busy and found herself constantly tired. The tiredness was leading to mistakes being made, tasks not completed properly. This increasing tardiness was not going unnoticed by Jennifer. Chastisement of her maid became more frequent, instilling a nervous timidness in Maud, which Jennifer found quite comical, seeing her maid flustered and apologetic. The encouragement she had, and continued to give her maid, to speak in a common manner, also amused Jennifer. Low brow words and phrases becoming increasingly established in her everyday speech. The need to complete the daily rota had been drilled into Maud from the outset of her being put to the apron and it was taking many late evenings for Maud to accomplish this. Highlighting the educational appliances, along with the uniforms she had ordered, found in the Linwood catalogue, whilst unknown at the time, were now, although sparingly applied, proofing their worth in focusing the manor’s maid on her work.

Maud had been warned on numerous occasions of what would follow should her work not improve. She was even shown the ringed items in the Linwood publication Lady Summerfield had obtained. Like Constance’s other perverse imaginings, she had often dreamed of the excruciating humiliation of being spanked by her maid. It was not a spanking by her maid, but the stinging of a leather strap applied by her mistress that left its mark on her bare buttocks. The humiliation was truly excruciating, but the reality of the pain of the punishments was something Constance had not considered.

It had taken months of subtle coercion by Constance to convince her maid to put her to the apron, to take her to be her maid and for Jenny to adopt the role of Mistress of the manor. From the day she had hired Jennifer Jackson it had been her intention. Being an excellent maid was a bonus for Constance, it was what else that she brought that secured the new maid’s position at Stag Head Manor two years previous. Bright, educated, reading and writing skills, well spoken, of good bearing. She was perfect and would require all those attributes for what she was planning.

That first week of Constance being her maid’s maid, the realisation of all her imaginings, that had festered into an obsession had left her desperate and wanting, indeed pleading for more. So desperate to remain aproned, to continue experiencing the actual exquisite emotions of servitude, she had offered herself up to be her maid’s maid for another week, then for as long has her maid wished. Jennifer had taken her Mistress at her word and consolidated Lady Constance Summerfield’s self-entrapment into a life of servitude, the life of a maid.

Constance was struggling for her sanity in her new reality. Her environment, her tiring work, an ever-demanding mistress, her apparel, her willing and instilled deference, how she was treated and her simple speech all reinforcing who she was. Maud, Maud Williams, Miss Jennifer’s maid at Stag Head Manor.

Six months had now passed. A week a maid, two, three, even for two months Constance had clung to some, although ever diminishing control. Now, the only control was that of her mistress, Miss Jennifer, a control unequivocally accepted.

The bank had been most accommodating with the regular payments into the account of Jennifer Jackson. Jennifer has recently visited the bank to sign a continuance of maturing bonds. It was her name that now appeared on the legitimacy scroll of these significant funds. Questioned about the whereabouts of Lady Summerfield, Jennifer had assured the manager, with a convincing placation that her travel plans had been extended, certainly through to the end of the year.

Jennifer’s stars had certainly aligned. She was the undisputed Mistress of Stag Head Manor with her former Mistress, Lady Constance Summerfield, away travelling and her continued absence raising no concerns. Maud, her maid, befuddled and trapped helplessly in its self-concocted and encouraged fiction of domestic servitude. Could life be any better for Miss Jennifer? What could possibly disturb her comfortable idyll?

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