The Lady's Maid Read Online Free PDF Page B

‘Yes, Mrs Evans.’
    ‘But I need Minnie here with me,’ Cook said crossly. ‘I’ve got luncheon to prepare for the mistress and some of her friends and the family are entertaining tonight, so there’s a five-course dinner to prepare. I can’t do without her for a whole morning.’
    Mrs Evans raised her eyebrows and Kate could see a vein throbbing in her temple. It was not a good sign. She held her breath, not daring to say anything.
    ‘Well, then,’ Mrs Evans said after a moment’s reflection. ‘The second parlour maid will have to help Minnie.’ She shot a searing look at Kate. ‘And you will take her place serving at dinner this evening. You will work longer to make up for the time lost this morning.’
    ‘Yes, Mrs Evans.’ Kate forced herself to sound meek but inwardly she was seething at the unfairness of being punished for something that was none of her doing. All this fuss had been caused by Josie’s habit of riding roughshod over anyone who stood in her way. Such behaviour had not mattered when they were younger, but now things were different, especially in London where the gap between the classes was even wider than in the country.
    ‘Go then,’ Mrs Evans said, pointing dramatically to the door. ‘Go with Miss Josie, but don’t think this is the last you’ll hear of this business, Coggins. Servants who get too friendly with them above stairs invariably come a cropper.’ She whisked out of the kitchen, leaving Kate to face an irate Cook and a rebellious Minnie . Elsie poked her head round the scullery door and seeing the looks on their faces she retreated hastily.
    Half an hour later, Kate followed Josie out of the house. They set off on foot, Josie having refused Toop’s offer to send for the barouche. His expression was one of outraged dignity as he closed the front door, causing Josie to cover her mouth with her hand in order to stifle her laughter.
    ‘Poor man,’ Kate said, walking a respectable two paces behind her mistress. ‘You’ve hurt his feelings.’
    Josie stopped, proffering her arm. ‘He’ll recover in time. Walk with me, Kate. I’ll not stand for this silliness any longer.’
    Reluctantly, Kate took her arm, glancing over her shoulder in case any member of the household happened to be looking out of the window. ‘It’s not the done thing,’ she murmured. ‘What will the neighbours say?’
    ‘As if I care.’ Josie tossed her head and her dark eyes gleamed with mischief. ‘I’ve been cooped up in that house for days. I feel like a caged bird but now I’m flying free and so are you.’
    Her good spirits were infectious and once they were clear of the square Kate began to relax. ‘Where are we going?’
    ‘Soho Bazaar. It’s in Soho Square, which is only a short walk away. I’ve heard all about it and longed to go there but Miss Hickson refused point blank, saying that it was not the sort of place for respectable young ladies to be seen. Such nonsense.’
    ‘Why would she say that?’
    Josie’s dimples deepened and her eyes gleamed mischievously . ‘Because louche gentlemen go there to ogle pretty women. It’s considered a fashionable thing to do, so I’ve heard, and I want to see for myself.’
    Kate was not convinced. ‘Perhaps Miss Hickson was right this time.’
    ‘She’s never right. I hate the old trout, but Mama thinks she can do no wrong, and Hickson trades on Mama’s good opinion. If it weren’t so ridiculous I’d think that Mama was sometimes a little afraid of the wretched woman.’
    Kate tugged at her arm, holding her back as Josie was about to step off the pavement in the path of an oncoming dray. ‘You’ll get run over if you aren’t careful.’
    Josie tossed her head. ‘They wouldn’t dare. Anyone can see by my clothes that I’m a lady. They wouldn’t dare knock down a baronet’s daughter and her maidservant.’
    ‘Don’t be silly,’ Kate said, losing patience. ‘How would they know who you are?’
    Josie gave her a pitying