By The Sea, Book One: Tess Read Online Free PDF Page A

spirits were not locked away
in the Meller pantry and drinking them. (Mrs. Moran was often drunk
and an uneven cook as a result, but this was not within the
province of the court to punish.) Sir Meller, a fair man but
unrelenting, had insisted on dismissal, and Lady Meller had
softened the blow by writing accolades for everyone.
    Mrs. Moran had died aboard ship on her way
to America, and the family's grief was cut short by the need to
find work. A cook was far and away the best paid member of a
domestic staff; without Mrs. Moran, the family's prospects were
grim. Still, there were always slots to fill in the larger houses,
and the Winwards had more slots than most. To William Moran, who
had been a smithy on the Meller estate, quite naturally fell the
responsibilities of the groom, with young Will close at hand as
stableboy. Maggie was assigned to the laundry, but Tess was offered
a choice: still-room maid or laundry maid. She'd hesitated, torn
between the higher, more appealing tasks of the housekeeper's
assistant and the grueling duties of a laundry maid. She chose to
work close to Maggie, of course; and Mrs. Bracken never got over
the perceived slight. Mrs. Bracken remembered everything: every
little inefficiency, every little mistake. Tess's mother would not
have lasted out the week.
    The younger maids were afraid of Mrs.
Bracken, and the older ones resented her. No one had ever been
favored with a soft smile or a kind word from this most thorough of
professionals, which was why Tess approached the interview as she
would a walk along a high wire.
    Mrs. Bracken was seated at a large oak desk
which was tucked into an alcove in the apartment. She motioned to
Tess to take a chair alongside.
    "You know, of course, of the madness that
overcame the staff, Tess?" Her expression was haggard but
businesslike.
    "Some of it, ma'am. Bridget told me."
    "Oh—Bridget! Believe very little of what
that magpie says. And for heaven's sake, don't pass on any of her
version of events; it would be most disloyal to Mrs. Winward. You
understand, of course, that changes must be made affecting you and
your family. It is most important that the staff be set to running
smoothly again: a large party of guests is due tomorrow—indeed,
some have already arrived—who will stay in anticipation of The
Breakers Ball next week."
    "Yes, ma'am." Changes affecting you and
your family.
    "A new butler will take over within the
week, a Mr. Ransom, who comes highly recommended. In the meantime,"
Mrs. Bracken continued in a careful voice, "I have sat down with
Mrs. Winward in an effort to contain the damage as best we might.
Bridget will replace Enid as head laundry maid."
    "Yes, ma'am." Bridget!
    "She has been an indifferent kitchen maid,
and could never hope to rise to the position of cook. There is no
talent there, as even she admits. Your father had to be let
go—"
    "Father!"
    "—and as a result there seemed no point in
keeping the boy on. It's unfortunate, but Mrs. Winward simply
cannot tolerate fisticuffs among the staff."
    "But Father didn't do anything!" Tess burst
out angrily.
    “He did, and he has the bruises to show for
it. The matter is closed, Tess," she added brusquely. "It is not
why I asked to see you, in any event. As it happens, but not in any
way connected with today's events, young Miss Winward will soon be
losing the services of Marie du Plait, her personal maid. Marie has
announced that she is marrying and emigrating to Australia. Marie
is under the illusion that she will find her fortune there. We
shall see."
    Mrs. Bracken, whose everyday expression was
a stern grimace, pulled the corners of her mouth down a bit
further. Her gray hair seemed to turn grayer; her bun, to coil a
little more tightly. The housekeeper accepted the everyday
insanities of the lowest class of servant, but had nothing but
contempt for the indiscretions of upper-house domestics who should
know better.
    "In the meantime," she continued, "it has
not escaped the notice