The morning comes quickly and I find myself gazing at my buttocks in the mirror. They are of a plum hue after yesterday's punishment. I'm enthralled by their appearance as they bring me back to thoughts of the Strangers brutal tenderness.
Excitedly, I put on my new uniform. The black satin undergarments glide on me so perfectly, and I'm relishing in the feel of my new silk stockings. Before putting on my new dress, I put my boots on and behold myself in the mirror. I could be a harlot or a queen.
The ruffles of my new dress scrape my back as I slide it on. It smells so new and clean and I don't think I've ever owned a dress so well made as this. The dress is scandalously short and my stockings and garters are totally in view. I place my new bonnet on my freshly coiffed hair that frames my face, and voila! If only my sister Talia could see me now! I'm captivated by my reflection, but very uneasy about showing myself downstairs.
It's a quarter to 9 when I start to hear noise and bustling in the halls of the maids quarters. I make sure my door is locked and keep quiet. My heart is pounding as I pray that Blythe and the others keep away. I pray that they won't notice my absence until they are half-way on their journey.
After the noise subsides I head down to a silent kitchen. Everything looks clean and there is no sign of any breakfast. Startled, I hear the side door open and close and a barrage of footsteps fast approaching. I place myself where I can be seen and ready. The kitchen door swings open and in comes the lady from the window with three others trailing behind. She looks at me and smiles while taking off her beige kid gloves delicately.
"Doesn't she look darling, Clotilde?" the lady says smiling. I can't help but avert my eyes.
Clotilde acknowledges me as the help. Her flaming red hair contrasts against the peculiar school-girl costume she is wearing.
The lady turns to one of her other companions. A strikingly tall man, with rather unfashionable long hair, bristle on the face, and wearing a traditional butler suit. "Here is the list of items I need you to fetch for me," says the lady while handing him the paper.
"Clotilde, start the tea and get everyone fed. We have a busy day," she says.
I'm not sure what to make of this scene and remain affixed to the floor.
"Madam. May I assist with anything?" I say. She turns around and looks at me pensively.
"Clotilde could use your assistance in the kitchen this morning.....Felice, from this moment forward you will cease referring to me as madam," she says in her sing-song voice.
"How may I address you kind lady?" I ask nervously.
"You will call me Lady Thisbe. And please meet my children, Clotilde and Horace," she says while swinging her arm over to them gracefully.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance Lady Thisbe," I say while wondering how these full-grown adults could be her children.
"In the next days you will be under my supervision. All of your duties remain the same upstairs, but downstairs there will be some considerable changes. As you can see, I've sent my Pet out to the market, so we will no longer have you wandering the neighborhood," she says with a wink.
"Yes, Lady Thisbe," I say worrying about how I'm going to be able to get the letter mailed to my sister. By now I am blushing. Still unclear of the scene, unsure how to move in this uniform, and feeling an unexpected crush towards this new female authority figure.
"I bet your pretty head is wondering why we are here," she asks.
"Yes, my Lady," I say inquiringly.
"We are here due to the express wishes of your Mistress. We are preparing for a
boule de mascarade