Beauty and Grace

Prologue

“Maude! Lady Holloway and her guest have been patiently waiting for their tea while you’ve been fuddling about like a blind goat!” Mistress Bernice yelled as Maude ran into the kitchen, her cheeks burning.

“My apologies mistress, I was finishing-“

“I don’t want to hear your little excuses, go serve them tea and if I find out you’ve spilled even a drip I’ll have your days pay docked!” Mistress Bernice scolded.

Maude looked at the ground, rushing out of the kitchen with the tea. Maude moved with her tray of tea into the drawing room. She set the tray on the table and started to serve tea. Her face was too hot for her to pay attention to anything other than pouring the tea for the two women.

“He’s returning from his country estate tomorrow afternoon.”

“Oh Anna, he’s lovely….” Wilmaette said smiling.

“But?” Anna pressed.

“But, the Rosewood daughter… she’s not a… fine example of a young lady….”

“I’m aware, she’ll never make a good wife with her… proclivities.”

“If she doesn’t marry she will leach off you.”

Maude made sure there were no spills as she exited the room, hoping she hadn’t made any mistakes.

Wilmaette was the last thing Maude heard as she left. “You must find a way to rid yourself of her.”