My mistress ordered me to fetch her finished gowns from the seamstress last night. She had ordered new dresses of silk and lace for the many elaborate parties she would be attending for the season and they would be ready first thing this morning. I attempted to look graceful if mildly apathetic about the chore. The truth was I was giddy thinking about visiting the dress shop. The seamstress was a beautiful woman, tall and fair, her blonde ringlets falling softly past her bosom. Her emerald green eyes sparkling with a slight gleam of mischief. I loved the seamstress but I was unsure if she returned my affections.
I bustled my petticoats and began my trip. There was no carriage for servants so I walked. My leather boots were worn in, but well maintained and comfortable. Many other servants hurried about fetching things for their mistresses and masters. I stopped briefly to talk to another servant I knew, one of the houses my house was connected to by marriage.
"Miss Camelia!" I exclaimed, trying to get her attention.
"Rose! My goodness you are flushed, are you well?" She had pointed out what I hadn't noticed. Even the thought of the seamstress had me blushing like a debutant.
"Quite well, just fetching the mistress' gowns, And you?" I was curious why Camelia was out at this early hour with a ball tonight.
"The madam ordered new jeweled combs for her daughter, they seek to marry her rich and quickly." Camelia giggled.
"Ugh, these girls are simply desperate. They'd marry anything with a title and a pulse." I was exasperated at the thought of the ball tonight, as I knew after the seamstress I would be styling hair all afternoon and of course the twin daughters of my mistress only wanted the newest most fashionable styles. They were fetching young ladies but I felt a more simple style would be far more effective in highlighting their fine features.
I bid Camelia farewell in a storm of giggles over the fanciful nightmare that was being a servant of high society. My strong legs and full figure had served me well in the life of a servant. I was able to carry many heavy dresses and packages without having to call for a porter. That was why I was the mistress' favorite. A favorite of her daughters as well due to my eye for hair styling. My light brown hair and hazel eyes allowed me to be fair enough to accompany and chaperone the girls but not steal attention.
I finally arrived at the dress shop. The walk had not been overly tiresome and I found the fresh morning air quite invigorating. I opened the door and the small bell rang.
"Ophelia it is only me." I called out so she did not feel rushed.
"Ah Rose, what a pleasure, please join me in the back." Ophelia called from her workshop. I flushed again at the compliment. I walked to her workbench where a fine dress lay, it was unusual however. Your order is on the racks behind me but if I could trouble you for your assistance for a few moments. I knew the mistress wouldn't be up for hours and even so, wouldn't need my assistance until long after.
"Of course Ophelia, I would be happy to do anything to aid you." I said realizing I sounded a little desperate, but she seemed unbothered.
"Please put on this piece and stand upon the raised stage." She handed me the unusual gown. I made my way behind the racks and quickly removed my servant's garments, slipping on the fine silk. It felt cool and smooth against my warm skin. It hugged around my hips, unusual for a gown, most likely a new style from France or Italy. The neckline had a deep V shape and was far more revealing than any gown I'd seen worn during the balls. It showed a great deal of my breasts and was most scandalous. The deep green looked as if a forest had cried out this silk as its tears. The shoes to match were quietly passed behind the rack, also a deep green with a very high heel. I put them on and walked carefully to the raised stage.
"You look like a goddess Rose. Like a deity fallen to earth." Ophelia gasped.
"I look sinful." I giggled awkwardly.
"No dear, you make others feel sinful looking in such a way." Ophelia said mischievously. Was she flirting? I was awestruck. She stepped onto the platform joining me. The gown was tight making movement difficult. She gently traced her hand down my cheek.
"You are such a stunning little creature Miss Rose." I was a good bit shorter than her and I only became truly aware of it when she said that. My mouth fell slightly agape. She tucked a stray hair from my braid behind my ear.
"Such a perfect lady should only be dressed in the finest silks." I was awestruck by the angelic seamstress' poetry. She traced her hand along my exposed bosom.
"This cut suits you perfectly, I knew it would." She had made the gown for me? I was shocked.
"Me?" I stammered.
"Of course you, darling. You have become my muse, my inspiration." She whispered in my ear, her warmth against me, her hand on my waist.
"Bring your order back to your mistress. Once they leave for the ball, return here." She didn't phrase it as a request or an invitation, this was an order.
"Yes Ophelia, I will." I responded dumbly.
"Good girl." Ophelia cooed. I practically ran back to the manor with the dresses. The mistress thankfully hadn't woken up. I carefully ironed the silks to perfection, and hung them for madam. She woke, and broke her fast. I helped her dress in her fine gown and styled her hair in a simple twist. I delicately placed a comb to hold it and carefully curled the hairs by her face to frame it.
"Beautiful as always Rose." The lady praised me.
"Thank you ma'am." I replied, eyes down on the floor where they should be.
"Please go take care of the girls. Ensure they are looking their best as tonight's ball will be their chance to snare a husband." She demanded. I almost laughed, she made it sound like they were going hunting for men. I nodded, and hurried out to the hall before I started laughing. I had a good laugh and then made my way to the miss' room.
"Rose thank god you're here, I need you desperately." The first daughter Mary panicked.
"Take a deep breath, Miss, or you will swoon. We don't have time to deal with an unconscious young lady today." I reassured humorously. She smiled at me, took a breath, and allowed me to dress her. I chose a light pink dress, it was light and flared at her waist making her look like royalty. I took half of her ebony hair and styled it into an elaborate crown of braids placing a tiara in it, and then curling the rest around her shoulders. She looked like a princess, innocent and graceful. She smiled warmly at me.
"Rose, you know just how to make me feel as if I can achieve anything." She flattered. I smiled back at her.
"You are husband hunting tonight?" I teased.
"Indeed I am." She seemed anxious.
"Don't look for money, look for intelligence, look for kindness, and look for humor. Money will not carry a conversation or a marriage." I advised. She looked at me with her big blue eyes.
"Thank you Rose." She said softly.
"My pleasure, dear girl." I was only a year older than her but the life of a servant of my caliber was a lonely one. I didn't mind, I loved the girls as my own family. Their mother, not as much. I was newly thirteen when they hired me. The girls were twelve, we had grown up together. I made my way quickly to Molly's room.
