Ruby rose at five am, washed in cold water and looked at herself in the mirror.
Her mother had sent her into service, unable to feed her large family once her father had died, his lungs full of coal dust from years of working in the pits.
The Master had been good to her during her three years service, raising her from kitchen maid to an above stairs maid just prior to her 18th birthday and against the wishes of his wife, who disliked all young girls being near her husband since the accident that had left her paralysed and bed ridden. Her shrill voice could often be heard around the south wing of the house, raised, screaming at her maids. None of them stayed in her service for long, her tongue was so acerbic.
Ruby shivered, the process taking her from her thoughts and bringing her back to her small, cold, candlelit room. Dropping her nightdress to the floor, her nipples came erect in the chill air. She shivered once more, her skin goosepimpling as the cold rag she used to wash with slipped up and down her arms.
Her washing finished she dressed quickly in long drawstring bloomers, separate legs, tied around her waist, a long chemise bodice encasing her small breasts. Pulling her long, thick black stockings up her legs she fastened them with her hand-tied garters. Standing straight, she pulled her shapeless dress over her head, buttoned it up and then covered it with her white pinafore. She slipped her feet into her polished black shoes and bent down to button them.
That done, she screwed up her long dark hair on top of her head, pinned it in place, and covered it with a white mob cap.
She took a last look at herself in the tiny, fly-blown mirror and blew out the candle. She walked out of the door closing it behind her and descended the long staircase to the kitchen.
Hurrying in Ruby said her good mornings to the cook and bowed her head as she passed the butler, quickly scurrying to get the coal for the master's breakfast room.
Collecting the shining brass coal scuttle from the coal house, she carefully carried it back into the main house, going into the breakfast room in the east wing. Ruby cleaned the fireplace and set the new fire in the grate, carefully avoiding getting coal dust on her whites as people came and went setting the table and bringing in the breakfast.
After five minutes of silence, Ruby heard the door click open. Continuing her work she finally lit the fire and sat on her heels to make sure it caught alight.
"Thank you," a voice rumbled behind her. Ruby drew in her breath and stood quickly, her eyes to the floor and her hands clasped in front of her.
"What is your name girl?" The master asked.
"Ruby, Sir," she answered.
The master mentally sought out the details of the servant standing before him, stopping as he recalled her.
"Do you like working here Ruby?" he said, taking in her uniform and her demeanour, remembering her peach complexion and her bright green eyes.
"Yes Sir," Ruby answered, somewhat surprised at the conversation. "Very much Sir"
"You are dismissed Ruby," The master said, watching her.
Ruby bobbed a quick curtsey and turned to pick up the coal scuttle.
The master watched her, taking in the line of her bottom, her rounded hips against the worn material of her day uniform. She stood and walked from the room, the weight of the coal scuttle and the awkwardness of the shape making her hips sway exaggeratedly.
Ruby left the room and shut the door quietly behind her. In three years the master had never spoken to her and her heart fluttered hard. Making her way down to the kitchens she took the coal back to the coal house and stopped in the yard to wash her hands. Making her way back into the kitchen, she made her way to the laundry to pick up towels for the upper floors.
The master sat and ate his breakfast, his butler bustling around the room, serving and ordering maids and footmen about.
"Miles, tell me about Ruby" the master suddenly announced.
"Ruby Sir?" the butler answered.
"Ruby, Miles. Dark hair, green eyes. Ruby the maid," the master said curtly.
"Oh yes Sir ... Ruby. As I recall Sir, she has been in service some three years now. Came to us from a poor family Sir, widowed mother Sir. Recently celebrated her 18th birthday as I recall Sir" answered Miles.
"A good worker?" the master asked.
"Yes Sir, diligent, hardworking, never been a problem, a quiet child generally," Miles replied.
"Pretty girl. Is she courting?" the master asked trying to remain disinterested. He had been disquieted by her, thoughts rising unbidden in his mind that he had not had since before his wife's accident six years previously.
A flicker of surprise was quickly covered on Miles face. "No Sir, not courting as far as I am aware."
The master nodded and continued with his breakfast, servants clearing up around him while he read his newspaper.
