Finding her place (1)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

It was a sad Yuletide season for them, but they could not sit and wring their hands and mourn: there were still orders upon hand that Mama had not completed, and, mayhap, just mayhap, if they succeeded in completing those to satisfaction, not only would they get paid, they might be in the way of getting further orders? And keep on the business?

So they built up the fire – would be an entire false economy to try stitch with chilled hands – and Sophy and Maurice were about the business, and Hortense did what she might in between jumping up to see to her mother, and even Marie undertook a little desultory work, for, she said, business was poor at present and she was not minded to go walk the streets in the cold to no purpose.

Maurice also sighed and said, will be naught doing until Society returns to Town.

Still, there was worse case they might be in. There was still money coming in, and Mama had had some laid by, and Marie and Maurice did considerable well out of their trade, though one was always in a little fear for 'em.

Sophy gave a little sigh. If only I was a little older, she said. For when I take any completed matter around, the ladies will say that I do very nice work, sure I am entire Mama’s daughter – her voice caught for a moment in her throat – and they daresay I could find a good place as a seamstress, even –

Even though you are a little black girl? said Marie drily. Why, the colour does not come off, 'twill not mark the palest muslin.

But I can see they do not consider that I might continue her business –

That we might continue her business, said Maurice.

Hortense snorted. Have I not seen the askance looks they give to see you stitching away alongside Sophy, when they come condole and then enquire whether and when their work will be done?

As if he does not have a very nice eye for ladies’ dress! said Sophy. Does not Cousin Tibby, that is in service with a Duchess, have the highest praise for him and desire him to make for her?

Try telling the women around these parts that, muttered Maurice, would suppose we made up an entire tale.

They looked around at one another and then sighed and turned their eyes back to their work.

At length Sophy said, I daresay I might go seek a place as a seamstress – I daresay Cousin Tibby would have interest and be able to recommend me –

As for that, drawled Maurice, looking up from his work, perchance I might go seek such a place – I fancy I might make a very convincing seamstress –

They all looked him. Indeed Maurice had ever been entirely too pretty for a boy, had eyelashes that any lady might envy, and when he dressed in his sisters’ clothes, why, made an entire convincing girl –

But, said Hortense, if 'twas discovered upon you?

Maurice wrinkled his nose. 'Twould be very annoying to be took up in the matter when 'twas in pursuit of an honest trade – did I dress exceeding plain and downright Quakerish – a severe cap upon my head –

La, Maurice, said Marie, do you not mind the case of Cousin Dorcas? The most pious of young women, ever dresses very plain, ties up her hair in a cloth, and even so, was quite constantly being tormented by advances in the places she was in, both the masters and the men, because of how exceeding fine her looks are. She must find it a great relief to be where she is now – 'tis not just that 'tis a household where there is a deal of the family employed, but Lady Bexbury would not stand for anything of that sort, did not even in days gone by before she was lady’d. But I fancy however plain you dressed, 'twould be a like case.

I am gratified at your opinion of my charms, said Maurice, but I fancy you are right that it would not be answerable, 'tis a great pity, for I have a far greater inclination to the modiste’s trade than the tailor’s.

They returned to their stitching.

It had just come about the time when Sophy was beginning to think that mayhap it might be entire reasonable to say, let us brew some tea, when there was a rapping upon the door.

Mrs Allard commenced to whimper, as was her wont at unexpected loud noises, and Hortense went to soothe her mother. Marie jumped up and went to the door, where she admitted that greatly respected member of their connexion, Hector Wilson, major-domo of Lady Bexbury’s establishment and known to command a deal of interest. He had, of course, been at Mrs Lacey’s funeral and made very proper condolences at the time, but they had been in no particular expectation of seeing him again.

He went to shake Mrs Allard’s hand, and hope he saw her well, adding that he brought a basket with some seasonal treats for there was an entire excess in their establishment. He handed Hortense a packet of tea and said, perchance they might have a cup? He placed the basket on the table and began to lay out the various delights.

Sophy and Maurice carefully rolled up the work they were engaged upon and laid it aside where it would take no hurt. Euphemia’s fine baking! This was indeed a treat. All went sit about the table, to partake of this very unexpected pleasure.

As the little feast came to an end, Hector pushed back in his chair and said, did not come merely bearing gifts, but had other matters to open of family interest.

He looked about them and his gaze fell kindly upon Sophy. You will know, he said, that before she went into her fine place with Her Grace of Mulcaster, Tibby was brought on in the trade of lady’s maid under Docket, that is most exceeding renowned in her sphere. And Her Ladyship takes the thought that, in particular as Docket has some little troubles of health, 'twould be a good thing did she have a young woman come that could take some of the heavier matter from her and that she could bring on in her arts. So I thought, here is little Sophy, lately orphaned, has been brought up to a very fine hand at sewing already, a good clever girl that could readily learn the necessary ways, would be entire happy to advance her to this place.

Sophy was momentarily struck dumb. Oh, she said at length, Oh, Cousin Wilson, that would be – O, I never dreamt of such an advancement! But, she said, checking her joy, there is still a deal of orders upon hand here that I should finish.

Hector gave her an approving smile. Very proper, he said. There is no urgency in the matter, so do you be about that, and preparing your box in readiness. But I had another matter to open. Docket has a deal of interest with Mamzelle Bridgette, that is given out quite the crack modiste –

Maurice gave a nod.

 - and has expressed to Docket that she looks about her for one that she may bring on in her profession, can find seamstresses enough but wants one that understands style and modes and suchlike matter. And Tibby lately visited Docket and Docket happened to admire how she was dressed and she said, o, 'twas my cousin Maurice made it for me, so I have spoke further to Tibby and she gives you the highest commendations in matters of style. And may not be the common thing, but seemed to me that 'tis a pity, do you have such a talent, should not be given some opportunity. So, young Maurice, shall I go ask Docket to advance your interest to Mamzelle Bridgette?

Was very seldom indeed one saw Maurice stunned into silence. Eventually he said, Cousin Wilson, I should like that above all things. I should be quite infinitely grateful was my interest preferred to her.

'Tis an unusual trade for a man, said Hector, but 'tis a respectable one. (Oh. Had he heard somewhat of how Maurice was able to contribute to the support of the household, beyond aiding in stitchery?) He drank up his tea and stood up. Well, I must away.

After he had gone, they all sat about the table looking at one another. Let us not, said Maurice with a slight sigh, count our chickens before they are hatched. May yet come to naught. 'Twould be prudent to press on with the tasks we still have upon hand.

Comments

[toujours_nigel]

♥

[kotturinn]

Lovely bit of infill and backstory. Thanks once more.

[aedifica]

Oh, it's like a condensed fairytale! Hardships and the promise of reward, all in one installment.

[violsva]

This exactly!

[kore]

Oh, what a great way to put it!

[adrian_turtle]

That's exactly right! It even looks almost like the start of a fairy tale, with the poverty-stricken children gathered around the fire, struggling to stave off despair by sewing and trying to comfort each other.
And then their godfather knocks on the door...

[rymenhild]

Oh, how lovely! I am eager to hear more about Sophy and Maurice as they start out in their careers.

[adrian_turtle]

Squee!

[cesy]

Eeeeee! It's so happy to see them given hope like this.

[white_hart]

Oh, some backstory! How lovely!

[kore]

This is so lovely.

[castiron]

Awww!

[loligo]

What a wonderful bit of backstory!

[snippy]

How good they are to each other; how lucky to be in such a family.

[rabid_bookwyrm]

Nice!

[kathmandu]

How wonderful of Hector, to bring these two professional opportunities just when they were needed.

And separately, I admire the evocative phrasing of:
"It had just come about the time when Sophy was beginning to think that mayhap it might be entire reasonable to say, let us brew some tea".
All that 'maybe, might be, almost, finally,' leading up to the desired occurrence.

[genarti]

Oh, this is lovely! And I love this view of Hector, especially.

[nenya_kanadka]

Oh HECTOR. ❤❤❤

And so great to get a glimpse of their lives before we meet them in Clorinda's diaries.