Black Road to Heaven

Chapter 15: Emily

As I ran along the long corridor with Ella, half of me is scared that Charles had seen me and half of me was thrilled to be racing halls with a new friend.

With pumping hearts and no breath left if our bodies, we stopped at the end of the hall, and I had time to reflect on how jolly pleased I was that Freda had liked my curtsy.

After I had left the room and gone to find Ella, she asked me why I was here in the house. I was reluctant to tell her in front of Anna, so she asked me if I would like a bath. I said yes, and while she bathed me, I told her all about what Lady Freda (Ella told me how rude it was of me to refer to her with no title) wanted me to do for her.

Most of the baths I had ever had, had consisted of sitting in a big tin thing watching the nice clean water turn grey and then brown as the flecks of dirt broke away from my skin and floated to the top of the water. The local bath house costs one shilling too, so I did not go very often at all. This bath was nice and hot and soapy; the best bath I have ever had!

Then Ella wanted to take me to meet the rest of the servants, but I did not want to; I was too nervous that they would be like Anna.

Eventually Ella persuaded me, and I am so glad that I did, everyone is very good.

I met Katy, another pretty girl with sharp features, short, brown hair and a cheeky grin. Ella and she are apparently best friends and are both the same age; nineteen.

I met Jane; a small, skinny, anaemic-looking woman who I thought was the same age as Ella and Katy but turned out to be twenty six. She was nice enough, she smiled and said that if I was ever lost then she would be pleased to help me, but then she ran away somewhat anxiously. Ella told me that she was always like that.

I met Mrs Rosemary the cook. She was a plump woman with red and rosy cheeks and a big smile. She was very loud and welcomed me very warmly, making me giggle.

I met Thomas too, he was very nice! He tickled me and made me fall onto the floor. Ella kept giggling and telling him to stop; they were definitely making eyes at each other! I shall have to ask Katy if they are stepping out.

The last person I met was Albert. He was very old and appeared to be in charge of all the servants. He shook my hand and told me his name saying, “You may think that because of my age, I have seen many negros. You would be correct to assume that, and although I do not altogether approve of you becoming a part of this household, as long as you respectful and work hard, I will try to guide you and make you feel welcome.”

I smiled at him, “Thank you very much, I appreciate it, most people on the streets are not so kind to me as everyone has been today.”

He blinked slightly at my voice and I remembered what Lady Freda said to me, but then he nodded and told me to be one my way.

Ella then decided I should learn how to curtsy.

“But how did you know that I did not know how to curtsy?” I asked of her, and she smiled.

“I know because just now you did not curtsy to Albert,” she said.

I blinked at her, “But I think even if I had have known how to curtsy, I would not have done so just then. I did not know I had to curtsy to him, he is not gentry is he?”

Just as I was wondering if I had just been awfully rude, Ella laughed and said, “You curtsy to anyone who is of a higher position to you.”

“Even you?” I asked her.

“Well no...” She stopped.

“But why, you are of a much higher position than me!” I pointed out.

“That is debatable, but servants never really curtsy to each other,” Ella explained.

“But Albert is still a servant, and we curtsy to him and we are servants!”

Ella sighed, “Oh do stop making everything so confusing! You curtsy to anyone higher than you unless they are a servant, but if they are Head of Servants or something like a valet, then you curtsy to them too, alright?”

I nodded and she then showed me how to put my foot behind me and bend my knees. The of course, we went to show Lady Freda the new, presentable me.

And now we were stood at the top of the stairs, out of breath from our escape from Charles.

“Do Lady Freda and Sir Charles get on well Ella?” I asked her as we walked slowly down the stairs.

“It is Lord Charles, and they did when they first married, they could not keep away from each other! But ever since Lord Charles began to lose money, Lady Freda appears not to be able to stand him.”

I sighed, “What a shame, Lady Freda must be awfully lonely then. Who are her friends, I know she has Lady Catherine Beaumont.”

Ella looked at me, “How on Earth do you know that? I see you did your research before you came here! And yes, she does appear quite lonely but she goes to and hosts balls every so often. Apart from that, she barely socialises. You should see her at the balls Emily, she enjoys them so much, and there is such gaiety in her eyes. I can tell she would so love to be one of those women who were featured in newspapers and travelling to Paris and Milan!” Ella said.

I did not know where Paris or Milan were, so I ignored that remark and said, “How lovely, I should love to see a ball, rich men and women in suits and dresses! I can only dream of how wonderful it must be.” Ella nodded and I continued, “Ella, how does Lord Charles lose money?”

She grinned at me and said, “Is that not what you are here to find out?”