Lord Worthington walked into his chambers to find a new maid dusting his mantle. He usually wasn't in at this time and wasn't aware that he had a new maid. He stood silently watching her for a moment. She was average height, with a slim waist and from what he could see, a pleasing behind. She had reddish brown ringlets tucked up under her cap. He liked what he saw so far and was eager to view her from the front. He cleared his throat, and she jumped at the sound. Turning and very prettily blushing, Lord felt a twitching in his pants. She had large green eyes and a very ample bosom.
"Oh m'lord, I'm so very sorry. Please excuse me."
She turned towards the hidden servant's entrance, but he stopped her. "Wait a minute, lass."
Turning back to him, she eyed him nervously. "Yes sir?"
Looking her up and down again with a smile teasing his full lips, he asked, "What's your name girl?"
"Suzanna, sir," she said shyly.
Removing his coat and draping it over a chair, he asked, "How old are you Suzanna?"
"Eighteen," she answered, her nervousness growing.
"And are you now responsible for cleaning my rooms?" he asked.
"Yes," she answered, beginning to relax. Perhaps he was only going to give her some instructions.
He approached her and pulled off her cap. Her mahogany curls tumbled down her back. "You are not to wear a cap. I like to see a woman's hair. Especially when it's as nice as yours," he said with a smile, walking behind her. He lifted a handful of soft curls and ran his fingers through them. "I'm also going to change your uniform. The one you have on is so frumpy. I like to see a little skin," he replied, walking around in front of her again, eyeing her body.
Her nervousness returned. She wasn't sure she liked where this was going. Meekly, she merely replied, "Yes sir."
"I think perhaps I'll also see to having your duties slightly changed. I'll speak with the head housekeeper and she'll let you know. You can go now," he dismissed.
Clutching her cap in her hands, she rushed to the servants entrance. As she hurried down the hallway, she found herself trembling. What was he going to have her do, she wondered.
The next morning, Mrs. Simms, the head housekeeper called Suzanna into her cramped office. "Lord Worthington has requested some changes to your duties," she said briskly. She picked up a sheet of paper and reading from it said, "Your new duties, effective tomorrow, are as follows: You are to wake Lord Worthington at nine o'clock every morning. You will do this by entering his room with a cheerful salutation of 'Good Morning Lord Worthington' and opening his curtains. A comment on the weather is appropriate." She paused before continuing. "In his dressing room, you should have his itinerary for the day and you will lay out the appropriate clothes."
"Mrs. Simms?" Suzanna interrupted. "Excuse me, but these sound like the duties a man servant should have, not me."
"Yes, Miss Brown, I know. But Lord Worthington has expressly asked that you perform these tasks." She eyed the young woman sympathetically. "Miss Brown, I usually don't do this, but I must warn you. Lord Worthington has a tendency to get very familiar with his maids. If you keep your wits about you and don't fall for any flattery, you should be alright. However, if he does make a pass, it is acceptable for you to make a modest refusal but if he insists, you must endure, if you wish to keep your position."
Suzanna recalled how he had eyed her yesterday, and she nervously whispered, "Yes ma'am, thank you." She hesitated before asking, "How old is Lord Worthington?"
"He's twenty-eight, but behaves more like he's a randy fifteen year old," she replied with disapproval. She cleared her throat and continued reading the list of Suzanna's new duties, all tailored to specifically taking care of the Lord.
When she had finished, Suzanna asked, "He also mentioned something about me having a new uniform?"
Mrs. Simms was unable to meet the young woman's eyes. "Yes, it will be ready for you tomorrow. That is all Miss Brown," she said, unable to bear having this poor creature in her office another moment.
She didn't see the Lord that day and the next morning she was presented with her new uniform. She was horrified as she pulled the laces tight. "Oh my, Rosy, look," she called to her roommate.
"What, is that your new...oh no, Suzy!" she exclaimed.
Suzanna tugged at the low neckline, trying to pull it higher. "I can't wear this!" she cried. "Lord Worthington said he liked to see a little skin, but this dress is scandalous!"
Unable to suppress a smile, Rosy commented, "It does make you look rather fetching, though."
"Please Rosy, this is no time for jokes. One false move and I'll be flashing my nips at him!"
"I would wager that's what he wants," she replied.
Knowing her friend was right, she only sighed. "If only there weren't such a shortage of jobs in this town," she muttered, again trying to pull the neckline higher.
At 8:59 that morning, she stood before Lord Worthington's bedroom doors. As the clock struck, she took a deep breath and opened the doors. The night had been a hot one and as she entered the room, she noticed that he had flung off the blankets and his bare torso was exposed. His muscled body stopped her in her tracks and she stood breathless for a few moments before proceeding to the window and calling out 'good morning'.
As she pulled the curtains back, he replied in a clear voice, "I'm already awake."
She was suddenly aware that he must have heard her footsteps stop by his bed for a few moments before she called her greeting. Her fear was confirmed when he said, "Do you enjoy looking at me Suzanna?"
Without turning, she replied, "I only stopped out of surprise, sir, not admiration."
"You weren't admiring me?"