Evelyn looked at the clock and frowned. She had less than an hour to get the rest of the rooms ready before the guests started arriving. She knew she still had three rooms left to turn down and to get herself looking presentable before anyone showed up. She hurried through her chores and took throw pillows off the beds, straightened the towels in each bathroom, and checked each fireplace to assure they each had enough wood for the night.
She smoothed down the silky sheets in each room and dreamed of how wonderful it would be to wake up in a room filled with books and a crackling fire. She imagined what it would feel like to lay in bed all day reading and enjoying the view of the water outside of the window. Evelyn had never known what it felt like to have freedom but she loved thinking of all the things she would do if she did. She pulled the curtains closed and checked the clock one more time before finally going back to her own empty room to prepare for the party.
She looked at herself in the mirror while getting ready. She made sure her blonde hair was brushed and pulled back into a tight ponytail and that her mascara and blush were perfectly placed. She put on some chapstick and slipped her feet into her black flats. She smoothed out her black uniform for wrinkles and tied her apron around her hips. She could hear the people arriving downstairs and she knew she had to get a move on before anyone noticed her absence.
"Evelyn, where have you been? The guests are starting to arrive and you know how upset Master Eric will be if you're not out there serving food right as they come through the door!" Jen shoved a platter of food into Evelyns hands and ushered her through the main dining hall. She straightened out her uniform once more before walking out into the forming crowd of people. She took a deep breathe and forced herself out into the hall.
'I can do this.' Evelyn thought to herself. She was new to Master Eric's household and this was the first party she had to attend. He didn't throw very many parties, but Evelyn had been told he was in and out of town on business more recently and this was his welcoming back party. She wanted to make sure she did her best to impress everyone. She had only done the behind the scenes work with the bedrooms and cooking his dinner when he was home. She had never actually seen Master Eric or any of his friends before. She was on strict orders to drop the food off at his door and to knock. But he had never answered and she never waited around for him to. She would simply pick the empty tray back up on her rounds back to the kitchen.
Of course there was talk about what he looked like but Evelyn was still nervous to see him in person. She couldn't even explain why the pit of her stomach was in knots other than she didn't want to disappoint him. She had heard rumors from others about his brown eyes, his brown hair, what his voice sounded like. Evelyn had only been a member of his household for a few months, not long enough to pay close attention to them. But tonight was different. She might finally catch a glimpse of the mysterious Eric who had bought her after her previous Master died. Surely it wouldn't matter what he looked like because he was kind enough to save her and give her a place to stay.
She continued to hand out small finger foods and walked around to each guest smiling and offering. Luckily her uniform didn't make her wear heals so she was able to flutter around the tables without worry of tripping. She was actually feeling confident about her performance between the kitchen and the dining hall and making sure everyone had food on their plates. This night might not be as bad as she was thinking the entire day. She was so nervous about the party it was all she could think about. She didn't want to disappoint the other servants or herself, she had to be perfect tonight. She headed back to the kitchen for another round of small appetizers.
"Master Eric should be here soon. All of the other guests have arrived so you better be on your best behavior. Take this bottle of wine and make sure every glass is filled out there." Jen passed her a bottle of the most expensive red wine she had ever held. She almost worried about dropping it out of nerves. She couldn't shake the butterflies in her stomach over the thought of Master Eric. How could someone she'd never met make her feel nerves like this?
She hurried through the door again and started to offer the wine to every person seated at the table. She noticed right as it hit 7pm they all started to take a seat and wait for Eric to arrive. As she started to pour the last of the bottle she heard the door open and watched Eric make his grand entrance into the room. She couldn't believe he was as handsome as everyone else had said. He really did have the chestnut brown hair and brown eyes that the other slaves would whisper about. He was wearing a black suit that fit him perfectly and looked molded to his body. He had a demanding stature when he entered the room and Evelyn noticed everyone else was looking at him in awe too.
She didn't dare study him too long in fear she would get reprimanded by Jen. She finished the bottle of wine and walked to the kitchen while still staring at Eric from the corner of her eye. He looked muscular underneath his tailor made suit and had a square jaw line that could make anyone jealous. No wonder all the other maids wanted to pick up his dinner tray, turn down his bed, and clean out his bathroom just to sneak a glimpse of this man. Evelyn could see why he was the talk of the servants. Clearly he was handsome with dark features and kind from all the stories she had heard of him.
By the time she came back with another bottle he was seated at the head of the table in deep conversation with those around him. From what she had picked up on a new war was starting and they wanted him to lead the south side of the country. Evelyn had never been around war talk since her previous Master was too old to lead. She was unaware of another war forming and her stomach dropped even more than it did when Eric arrived. She had been around the war most of her life but heard that they were negotiating peace and reuniting both sides of the country. She carried on pouring wine and taking empty plates back to the kitchen. She stayed out of Jens way and away from the war talks aside from serving the final course.
"You can turn in for the night Evelyn. I'll take care of the rest of the dishes and see you in the morning. When you get up make sure you round the rooms for fresh wood first."
"Thank you Jen, have a good night."
Evelyn took off her apron and threw it in the laundry room on her way to bed. She was exhausted from being on her feet all day and was looking forward to laying in bed until morning. She went to the communal bathroom where it was filled with tubs for the servants. She was finally by herself and looking forward to relaxing. She started the faucet to the tub and filled it with water high enough to cover her body. She ditched the rest of her uniform and sank down into the warm water. Her hair was pinned up to her neck and she laid down flat and closed her eyes. All she could think about was Eric. The way he commanded attention just by walking into the room. How powerful he must be if all of those people trusted him to lead the entire south into war. He had the most beautiful brown eyes she had ever seen and he looked like he could easily pick her up and toss her over his shoulder.
The entire bath all Evelyn could think about was her Master. After all these months of wondering what he looked like she finally understood the awe. She could feel herself start to get aroused at the mere thought of him. How wonderful it must feel to have his arms around her, or his lips on hers.
What was she thinking? She had never been touched by a man and now she was day dreaming about being touched by him? She shook her head and closed her eyes. There was no way she would be like the other maids and fawn over the chance of seeing Eric again.
She took her washcloth and poured some soap onto it before running it over her skin. She swirled each arm lightly and circled around her belly before she stopped right above her private area.
'Just a touch.' She thought to herself. 'No one would even know.' But she would know. And she would feel guilty thinking about touching herself to Master Eric who didn't even know she existed. She squeezed the cloth and washed her legs and feet. She thought about chores for the next day and how much wood she needed to bring to each room before the fire went out. She stayed in the bath until it got cold trying to get her mind on anything else but Eric.
But her mind wandered back to him. What his strong hands would feel like grasping her. What it would feel like to be taken by him. She slowly circled her finger around her hooded clit.
"Enjoying your bath?" A deep voice filled the room and Evelyn felt paralyzed realizing she was naked in front of the man she was just fantasizing about. She had no idea how long he has been standing there watching her. She never heard the door open or his footsteps across the room. She did her best to cover herself up with her small rag but it felt useless. Even if she was completely covered she would have to eventually get out of the tub.
"Well you don't have to cover up for me. I was enjoying seeing you like that." Eric was looking at her and she could feel him getting under her skin. She didn't move and kept the wash cloth right where it was. She couldn't move even if she wanted to. She didn't believe he was in the same room as her. In the communal bath no less.
"I'm sorry Master, I know I've been in here for too long." Evelyn shifted and sat up covering herself with her arms.
"You weren't bothering me, Evelyn." She looked up to see him leaning against the corner wall staring down at her. This was the he first time he had ever said her name and suddenly she felt nervous again. She grabbed the towel beside her and let the tub completely drain before she wrapped herself up.
"I should be getting back to my room anyway. I have to be up early for chores, Master."
"No need to run, Evelyn. How about I walk you back?"
