Times changing belowstairs (3)

Docket clasped Tibby’s hands in both of hers and looked into the dark eyes. Dear Tibby, she said, this is very fine advancement, would not wish to keep you from it.

But Docket – how will you go on – without I take the heavier tasks from you –

Docket sniffed and said that doubtless Prue, that was coming on a deal better these days, might be spared when ‘twas a matter of ironing &C.

– And I still have so much to learn –

Fie, you do not go to the antipodes or even out of Town! You may come consult me – join in the tea-drinkings that I have with Bellamy, just as Williams was wont –

And, she went on, 'tis an excellent opportunity, this jaunt Her Ladyship takes to visit the Ferrabys afore this expedition to the late Marquess’s property at Naples, for you to convoke with Williams about what you may find in the Mulcaster establishments – who are like to be friends and who to be wary of – 'twill be most advantageous.

She sighed. For indeed – that poor young woman – it is a very good thing that she will have you to be with her to stand at her side –

One might not suppose a young lady that had lately become affianced to the still relatively young and undoubtedly handsome Duke of Mulcaster could be called a poor young woman, but sure the situation was less happy than might be. 'Twas less than a year since the Duke’s dearly-beloved first wife had died shortly after bearing him a son. Miss Knowles had exceeding fine looks, was well-dowered, of good birth on her mother’s side, but still very young. But old enough to be on the Marriage Market and that – creature – the present Marquess of Bexbury had set his sights upon her.

Her Ladyship had contrived to send her, accompanied by Tibby, with the Duke as he went to visit his northern property of Nitherholme, where Miss Knowles’ brother-in-law had been commissioned to various matters to do with improvements and the construction of a canal for the benefit of the ironworks. So that she might find refuge with her sister and her twin brother who were with him there.

And while there was indeed some urgency about the Duke’s remarriage, 'twas the way matters were in their station, one dared say that although he had already took some notion to Miss Knowles he would have been agreeable to wait a little. However, the loathsome Marquess was being very pressing, and her parents favoured him considerable, so 'twas politic to bring the match on as soon as might be, that was, immediate the full year of mourning was completed.

You will need, Docket went on, to manifest her consequence – find confederates within the establishment to build a party that is for her, for I doubt not there may be resentments that she comes in the late Duchess’s place – possible troubles with the Duke’s sister –

Tibby gulped.

But Williams, that is an excellent woman, I daresay will be able to tell you who you might trust and what the feeling is like to be –

Was some considerable time since she had been in one of those large households, but she could remember the like of how it was. O, she had managed, when she had had a place, but indeed, there had been reasons why it had seemed congenial to her to move into a smaller establishment.

Sure, she had been struck, seeing that lovely creature Clorinda Cathcart, trained up by that crack courtesan Madame Zelide, and now setting up independent, as to how she might dress her so as to show off that remarkable beauty even better – for that lavender silk did her no favours! Her fingers quite itched. And was looking about, her employer’s husband having determined upon 'em going to live on his Norfolk estate, where there would be no need for a crack lady’s maid the like of Docket – for retrenchment had been part of his motive, as well as removing his somewhat younger wife from certain temptations –

There had been a deal of gossip and prying and impertinent questioning among the servants, and had been coming to worry her over discovery, even though her position kept her at somewhat of a remove.

There was also a prudent thought that one in Miss Cathcart’s position might – perchance – have somewhat of liberality in her views did it ever become necessary to disclose…

Indeed, the more she came to know her, the strange fancies of her patrons that she maintained discretion over, her long friendship with the Honble Gervase Reveley, now Lord Raxdell, these all spoke of a lady that would not judge –

But even so, had taken a crisis of health to force a confession for fear of examination by a physician.

But she should not be thinking of herself – she looked into Tibby’s anxious face.

Had at first been dubious at the thought of taking one so very black as Tibby as an apprentice – and then seeing her ardent desire to become a fine lady’s maid, thought of that other that had been told, o, that is not for you! and nonetheless, made that her destiny, her profession. At the very least, she had took the consideration that here were younger limbs to undertake fetching and carrying – to take the simpler tasks from Docket’s hands – was there nothing more.

But sure, one soon saw that Tibby had a very nice eye for dress! Did one show her fashion-plates, she looked at 'em with an intelligent apprehension, and would remark as to whether or not they might suit Madame, or mayhap did one have that in a different shade, or alter the sleeves, o, she most certainly had the matter in her.

And one might even hope, did she come at the dressing of Miss Knowles, that she might also have some influence on her sister, Mrs Samuels? That was doubtless a very fine woman that knew her own mind and had married the man of her wishes against her family’s objections, but sadly careless in her dress. Could look a deal better did she try a little.

But, said Tibby, clutching Docket’s hands, surely Ma- – Her Ladyship – purposes to take you with her to Naples, and I should go there with you to take the burdens –

O, poo-poo, child, poo-poo. I doubt not there are a deal of maids about the villa can be entrusted with ironing and simple stitching &C –

Tibby looked exceedingly doubtful. Was’t not, she said, frowning, a very masculine establishment?

Docket snorted. Here is that assassin of His late Lordship’s constantly crying up the cooking of that Giuseppina, so I am like to think they had maidservants as well.

Mayhap –

Indeed you should not let this fine opportunity slip away!

Tibby gave a little sigh and said, indeed so, but she still did not like to leave Docket.

Well, child, 'tis a sentiment does you credit. But la, I remember when Biddy and I came to the end of our term in our first place, and she was determined to try her fortune in that perilous trade of dress-making, and o, there was a deal of sobbing over one another, and look how well has turned out for the both of us. And, said Docket, turning the conversation, that minds me that she has sent over some notions she had for dressing Her Ladyship for this jaunt, since she will be out of mourning and going about in what society there is in those parts.

She stood up and went over to the portfolio lying on the table. Now, do you convey me your thoughts – she will be coming here to undertake fittings, of course, 'tis quite the done thing –

Besides the sketches Biddy – Mamzelle Bridgette, crack Society modiste – had pinned samples of stuffs to her ideas.

O, sighed Tibby, indeed that blue always becomes Her Ladyship.

Indeed it did. Curiously, Docket thought, Madame – Her Ladyship had never taken that shade into distaste even though it had been that of the gown she had been wearing on the night of the Junker’s vicious assault. ‘Twas surprizing when she could not bear to sport the diamonds he had give her that she had also been wearing – and had sent his man to steal back! – though had been prudent enough to keep 'em by as insurance against some necessity.

But one might also consider that 'twas that exact shade of blue of the china that Mr Ferraby had presented to her when he had first made her acquaintance, and the Northern ironmaster had become very dear to her heart. Indeed, he and his family were now entire entwined into her life.