Jane Ashford Read Online Free Page B

woman, she felt at ease in it and a little less strange to herself. She had put it on and was sitting at the dressing table brushing her hair when there was a hurried knock and a plump young maid rushed in, looking anxious.
    “Oh there, ma’am, you’re dressed and all already,” she said breathlessly. “I just ran down to the yard to see the trunks bein’ carried in. I only meant to stay a minute. I am sorry. Here, let me help.” She took the brush from Laura and began rather inexpertly to dress her hair.
    Laura smiled. The girl was obviously not used to acting as a lady’s maid. Sandy-haired and freckled, she looked entirely good-natured but rather heedless. “Who are you?” asked Laura.
    The maid started guiltily. “Oh I beg your pardon, ma’am. I’m Mary, Mary Holworth. Mr. Dunham said I was to wait on you, seeing as how your maid is took sick. I’m not too handy with such things as yet, but he said it made no matter because it’s just temporary, until your own maid is better.”
    Laura’s smile had broadened. “Mr. Dunham?” she asked.
    Mary nodded. “The master’s valet, you know. He is quite a gentleman, he is. Why, if he was to become angry with me, I’d, I’d…” Words seemed to fail the girl, and she shrugged. “Well I’m not rightly sure what I’d do, but it would be bone-chilling, I can tell you that. When Mr. Dunham cuts up stiff, he has a rare sharp tongue, ma’am.”
    “Does he?” replied Laura, much amused. “I must take care not to offend him.”
    Mary looked shocked. “Oh he wouldn’t scold you . But he is in charge of the servants, you know, and a stern one he is.”
    “What of the butler? Does he not object?” Laura wondered if she would find herself managing a rancorous household.
    “Well, there ain’t, beg pardon, isn’t a proper butler in the house, ma’am. Mr. Dunham, he oversees everything.”
    “I see.”
    Mary returned to the task of brushing out Laura’s hair. “How shall I do this, ma’am? Mr. Dunham said I was to be quick and not chatter. My tongue does run away with me sometimes. Mr. Dunham says I’m a regular gabblemonger and must mind it. I do try.” She pulled rather hard at a tangle, jerking Laura’s head and making her eyes water. “Oh I’m so sorry, ma’am. Did I hurt you? I’m all thumbs this evening, I’m that nervous. I’m just not used to doin’ hair.” The girl looked as if she might burst into tears.
    “It’s all right, Mary. Let us just twist it in a knot here.” Taking the brush once again, Laura deftly pulled her hair up onto the top of her head and fastened it, leaving several curls hanging above her ears. “There. That will do, I think.”
    “Oh yes, ma’am,” breathed the maid. “It looks beautiful. ’Course it would on you.” She gazed admiringly at Laura.
    At that moment there was another tap on the door, and Clarissa burst into the room. She was wearing a dress of deep rose pink, with pink ribbons in her hair. “Are you ready, Laura?” she said. “Come, let us go. I am dying to see the play.”
    “One moment,” answered her sister. She clasped a bracelet on her wrist and draped a gauzy evening wrap over her arms. “There, now I am ready.”
    The sisters stood together before the full-length mirror. Clarissa, slightly taller than her older sister, was also slender and willowy. Their coloring was the same, and they looked much alike. Clarissa’s face had perhaps more vivacity than Laura’s, but the older girl possessed the more classic beauty. The vibrant hues of their gowns accentuated their striking looks, and altogether they were a very attractive pair.
    Mary breathed a sigh behind them. “Lud, what a picture you two do make,” she said. “Begging your pardon, ma’am, but you and your sister are beauties and no mistake.”
    Clarissa’s eyes lit with amusement. “Thank you…”
    “Mary,” put in Laura.
    “Thank you, Mary,” continued her sister. “Do you think we shall pass in