Between the Pages and Lines

Chapter 8: Not a Word in Edgewise

Malorie opened the door and motioned for Evelyn to enter ahead of her. Following her she quickly closed the door behind her. Turning on her quickly she looked at her with wide eyes and a wide smile on her lips

"Lord Williams is just the most handsome gentleman I have ever met," Malorie sighed. "Don't tell anyone I said such a thing though. How inappropriate of me. It was only a moment of weakness on my part please forgive me."

"You know you needn't watch your tongue around me," Evelyn laughed at Malories distressed face before going to sit in a chair near the vanity. "You are in the right saying he is quite handsome though."

"I see he seems to be infatuated with you as well," Malorie giggled as she began to unpin the curls that made up Evelyn's extravagant updo. Before Evelyn could refute her claim of perceived affection Malorie went on. "Have you always been close? How long have you known him? I know he is your cousin. However there are many cousins of mine that I have yet to meet. Not that I have endeavoured to have plans to meet them. I wouldn't dream of leaving the manor and they have no intention of visiting me here.

"Wouldn't that be the talk of the town? If someone came to visit a simple maid. I would certainly regret all that attention to be directed at me. The last time I was the subject of talk in the sitting room was when I was a simple hand maid for Lady Davenport. That didn't go over very well. She was long since engaged to being engaged with Duke Wellington and well when it didn't happen as she would have liked I was put in the blame. Not the right hairstyles or attire choices. However I can't imagine them being together.

"Oh I shouldn't be gossiping about this but something about being with you makes me feel comfortable enough to just keep lip flapping along. I hope that is alright? I wouldn't want to offend the one friend I seem to have made in this place."

"Oh of course you're alright," Evelyn explained getting up from the chair when her hair was all down her back in a loose braid. "I love that you can be yourself around me so soon. I really don't mind your ramblings and it makes me feel at home."

Malorie smiled at that and went about undoing buttons and ribbons on Evelyn's dress and helping her into her bed clothes. Again as Malorie folded up everything she had worn to the ball Evelyn couldn't help but marvel at everything that went into evening wear. It was almost like twenty pounds of fabric had been lifted off her.

"I wish everyone felt the same as you do," Malorie sighed. "When you leave I fear it's back to the kitchen for me. I don't know why the Duke hasn't just let me go. I can only venture to guess the reason is he is far too kind for such a thing. You see my family has worked for his family for many generations. I just can't help but feel... Oh I don't know.

"Anyway you're all ready now and I'll be here in the morning to help you dress again. Our tailor will be coming tomorrow as well to measure you for some new dresses and riding outfits, hats, bobbles and other various things. That will be good to have some of your own things again. I can't imagine losing a trunk full of my belongings on the road. Truly, it must have been devastating.

"Clothing says so much about a person you know. I hope that they have some fun fabric that you'll really like. I love the feel of fabric. Would you mind terribly if I stayed for the measuring? Usually another seamstress is in the room so you wouldn't be alone but I wouldn't mind seeing how the beginning work is done. I've always loved the idea of how clothes are made."

"I don't mind at all," Evelyn smiled after washing her face and getting into the bed. "I am sure that it would be educational to watch for you. Perhaps that might be something you want to do later instead of being a maid that is."

"Oh I would never dream of such a thing," Malorie gaped. "I have always been what I am and my mother and her mother. I am sure it goes further back, a few generations to be sure. I wouldn't know the first thing about being a seamstress."

"Well that's what learning is for," Evelyn laughed. "I am sure we can figure something out if you really want to pursue something like that. You just leave it to me. I can be quite persuasive when it comes to things I want. I want to make sure that you are happy before I leave here. You have become a dear friend to me in the past few hours. Made me feel right at home. Comfortable with all your talk. I want to be able to return the favor. I think this might be the perfect way to do just that."

"Oh dear," Malorie sighed before walking to the door. She gave a quick curtsy. Still talking even as she lowered herself to the ground holding her skirts with her fingers. "You must do things differently in America to be sure. However, I do appreciate your confidence in the matter. I would not put all your eggs in this basket as it were."

With that Malorie left closing the door behind her gently. Evelyn yawned again loudly. Malorie had taken the last of the light with her when she took her candle. She must really been out of sorts when Evelyn mentioned being a seamstress. She hadn't lit any of the candles on her way out. The room was pitch dark as Evelyn squinted her eyes to try to look around. Evelyn couldn't help but wish she had looked around more while her hair was being taken out. Though, she didn't want to move her head and make it harder to pull out the pins.

Moving forward she gingerly kicked her feet in front of her before she eventually made it to the large four poster bed. Pulling up the sheets and blankets she slid in feeling the empty place where a hot brick had been lovingly placed under the sheets at the bottom of the bed. In its absence a feeling of warmth enveloped her toes sending the heat all the way to the tip of her head.

"I wonder where I will wake up tomorrow," Evelyn sighed, pulling the covers up to her chin and snuggling into the warm bed. "I don't think I would even mind if I spent a few more days here. Not forever but a few more days wouldn't be horrible."

Closing her eyes sleep came faster than she thought it would. With the exhausting events of the day she fell into a deep dreamless sleep. 

Authors Note: Girl if I was stuck in a regency romance with this towering hunk of man looking at me like I was something fine. I would be clinging to anything in reach to not get sucked back up into reality haha! What about you guys how would you handle being stuck in a book? Would you enjoy it or would you be just waiting out your time until you got home, or would you be freaking out trying every possible thing to do just that and as fast as possible? Let me know!