Page 30 of The Girl Who Fell Through Time
A small, incredulous smile touches her lips. She had not expected to smile today.
Her fingers hover over the letter, tracing the signature.Granny.
Selene realises—far too late now, of course—that her grandmother would likely have protected her from the Duke if only Selene could have got toher. She would not have had the same level of protection that her marriage to Dorian offers, but she’d have more freedom, more opportunity.
Of course, the Duke likely would have found her, and she doesn’t relish that thought.
It’s too late now, either way. Selene has to make peace with the path she’s chosen. She just really, really hopes that she gets to see her grandmother again. There’s no avoiding her death forever, but they have a little bit more time together.
A knock on the door rouses her from her thoughts. Ariella appears. “You’ve got a visitor from the village,” she says. “A Marta Napesmith inquiring about your job as lady’s maid.”
“Oh!” Selene stands abruptly. She isn’t yet dressed for company—which is, of course, the reason she needs a maid in the first place. Ariella helps her into a dress and fashions her hair into a simple bun. There isn’t time to do anything more.
“Where is she now?” Selene asks.
“I’ve shown her into the morning room,” Ariella replies. “She seems eager enough, though a bit nervous.”
Selene nods and straightens her shoulders. “Best not to keep her waiting, then.”
The morning room has been tidied since yesterday, its long-neglected furnishings dusted and the windows opened to let in the crisp morning air. Seated stiffly on the edge of a chair is a girl in her late teens, her dark brown hair plaited and woven into a lovely bun. She’s dressed simply but neatly, her hands folded tightly in her lap. At Selene’s entrance, she stands quickly, smoothing her apron.
“My lady,” she says, dipping into a small curtsy. “Thank you for seeing me.”
“Of course,” Selene replies, gesturing for her to sit. “You’re from the village?”
“Yes, my lady,” Marta says. “Born and raised in Lower Thornmere. My mother is a laundress, and my father was the village blacksmith before he passed.”
Selene takes a seat opposite her, studying her carefully. She seems steady, practical. Not timid, but not overbold. “And you’ve worked as a lady’s maid before?”
“Not as a personal maid, my lady, no. But I’ve worked in service since I was twelve. Mostly as a housemaid at the mayor’s residence.” She hesitates, then adds, “I learn quickly, and I’m good with a needle. I can style hair, mend clothes, and keep a household in order. I’d be grateful for the opportunity.”
A practical answer. No embellishments, no false humility. Selene finds that she likes her, but she has been wrong before about who to trust, and she doesn’t want to take the first person who offers. She quizzes Marta instead, asking her about her past experience, how she’d handle certain situations that Cassie had handled with ease, and finally asks her if she did her own hair. Marta offers to demonstrate, if that isn’t too bold.
“Do you like cats?” Selene asks, as Marta pins her hair in place.
“Cats, my lady?”
“Yes, I have one.”
“I love cats!” Marta exclaims, dropping a pin in her excitement.
The interview lasts almost an hour. By the time they’re done, another two women have arrived. Selene interviews four throughout the day, and is still reviewing her choices by dinner time.
Sally has experience as a lady’s maid, but she admits her sewing is not the best. Delia is highly skilled at embroidery, but she’s a little shy. Poppy has excellent references, but she isn’t sure about travelling with Selene if she ever returns totown. Marta doesn’t have experience as a lady’s maid, but Selene is very taken with her hair styling.
Dorian finds her still reviewing her options when he ventures out of his room for dinner.
“I hear you’ve been interviewing lady’s maids today,” he says.
Selene nearly jumps out of her skin. She’d quite forgotten that mealtimes didn’t have to be a solitary affair. “Ah—yes!” she says, dropping her papers.
“Have you decided who you’re going to employ?”
“I’m still deciding,” she says, and talks him through the women she’s met and their various skills and drawbacks. “Do you know any of them?”
“I know them all,” he says.
“And?”
