Aspirations of a Lady's Maid

by Eva Shepherd

Nellie’s tense body relaxed. This was what she had come to Lockhart Estate for. Now she was in her element, doing what she knew she was good at. She brushed out Miss Lockhart’s long hair and observed her face structure and appearance in the gilt-edged mirror to decide which style would best suit her.

  ‘Now we’re alone,’ Miss Lockhart said, her voice lowered as if they weren’t alone and she might be overheard, ‘you must tell me all about what happened to Dominic. He’s hardly said a thing, just that he had been set upon by some vagabonds when he was down in London and that you came to his rescue. So, what really did happen?’

  Nellie recounted another edited version of the events that led up to Mr Lockhart being set upon by Patrick Kelly and his mates. She chose to downplay the part where Nellie had put Mr Lockhart in a compromising position by inviting him to The Hanged Man. And she thought it wise not to mention how she had been worried that he was going to tell her off because of her somewhat risqué impersonation following the engagement party. She most certainly did not mention how she had stolen an illicit kiss from him as he slept, or how his body had expressed its interest in her when he had caught her getting washed in the morning.

  Miss Lockhart listened with wide-eyed interest as Nellie gave her vivid account of the attack and how, although he had been outnumbered, the men had shown him no mercy.

  Miss Lockhart shook her head slowly and put her hand on Nellie’s arm. ‘That must have been terrifying for you, Miss Regan. I hope you weren’t too scared.’

  ‘No, I was more concerned for Mr Lockhart and I felt so guilty for causing him so much trouble.’

  Miss Lockhart’s brows knitted together. ‘It wasn’t your fault. You didn’t attack him. And it’s so like Dominic to forget about himself when he thinks someone else is being treated badly. I can just imagine him jumping in to defend a lady’s honour, without a thought to his own safety.’ She sighed and turned back to face the mirror. ‘Although sometimes I wish he’d think of himself a bit more.’

  Nellie began rolling up Miss Lockhart’s long brown hair. ‘Oh, what do you mean?’ Nellie forced her voice to remain even, as if she were merely making polite conversation and not desperately curious to find out everything she could about Mr Lockhart.

  ‘Well, take this engagement to Lady Cecily Hardgrave, for example. Dominic thinks it will be good for the family. He hasn’t thought for a moment whether it will be good for him. He thinks we all live under the stigma of not being members of the aristocracy. We have no position in society, we’re hardly even considered gentry, all because of our father’s background.’

  Nellie curled up a long lock of hair. ‘Oh, and why is that?’

  ‘Well, I don’t know if you know, but our father started his working life as a stable boy.’

  Nellie paused, a tress of hair suspended in mid-air. A stable boy. A position much lower in the social order than even a lady’s maid. She clipped the hair in place. ‘Oh, that’s interesting,’ she said as evenly as possible.

  ‘But he advanced his position in the household until he was in charge of the stables and had responsibility for his employer’s stud farm. He bred quite a few grand national champions, you know, and also winners at Royal Ascot. He became much sought after and he managed to secure a very good position with the Duke of Dalemont, managing his large stud farm.’

  Miss Lockhart looked around as if about to impart a secret she wanted no one else to hear. Nellie leaned in, anxious to find out about the family scandal. ‘My father put a few bets on his own horses and won a tidy sum. He used his winnings to set up his own horse-breeding and training business. It was very successful and grew rapidly. He also seemed to have a knack for making money, because he then increased his fortune substantially on the stock market. Making wise investments is a knack Dominic has inherited as well. That’s why we’ve become so...’ She waved her hand around. ‘You know.’

  Being a well-bred young lady, she knew better than to mention something as common as how much money they had, but that was what she meant. The Lockharts were now quite obviously a very wealthy family.

  Nellie resumed her work. Miss Lockhart’s confession wasn’t quite as scandalous as she had expected or secretly hoped. Money was money. Who cared if her father had made it through horse breeding, gambling at the races and on the stock market, or had inherited it from a long line of ancestors?

  ‘Your father sounds like a most impressive man.’ Nellie suspected that the older Mr Lockhart would have been someone she would have admired, a man who had made it in the world on his own terms.

  ‘Oh, he was. In many ways he was a lot like Dominic, hard-working, determined,’ Miss Lockhart said, smiling brightly as she turned back to the mirror. ‘I can see why Mother fell in love with him despite his background.’

  Nellie began weaving strands of hair to create a final ornate effect. ‘So, your parents married for love?’ she probed, making sure her voice sounded as if she was still making idle chit-chat. But it was a question she was very curious about. If the parents did marry for love, it was one area in which the father differed from the son. Mr Lockhart junior did not see love as being a necessity for a successful marriage.

  ‘Oh, yes.’ Miss Lockhart nodded and sighed. ‘And that’s something Dominic was never able to forgive them for. My mother was a baron’s daughter. She was expected to marry above her station, not below it. When she married Father, she was ostracised by her family and everyone from her class. It didn’t matter that Father was by then a prosperous man.’ She sighed again. ‘And it didn’t help, I suppose, that Father never made any effort to fit in with the aristocracy. He spoke the same way as he’d always spoken, mixed with the same people, and Mother’s family couldn’t cope, especially as he never deferred to them or acted as if they were any better than him.’

  Good for him.

  Nellie was admiring this man more and more and couldn’t see why his son should disapprove of him, unless Mr Lockhart was a complete snob and ashamed of a man because of his origins, even though he had achieved so much.

  ‘But it did get a bit hard for Dominic,’ Miss Lockhart continued. ‘When he was sent off to boarding school, he got into so many scrapes because of people making fun of Father’s accent and his background. That’s why he’s so determined to move up in the world. He doesn’t want anyone else in the family to be looked down on. After his marriage to Lady Cecily our family will be reconnected with the aristocracy. And he’s hoping it will mean I’ll be able to marry a man with a title. This is my fourth Season, you know, and Dominic’s worried I might never marry anyone, but he particularly wants me to marry a titled man.’

  She shrugged her shoulders as if this was no real concern of hers. ‘And next year one of my younger sisters, Violet, will come out. Dominic’s hoping she’ll be presented at court and that can only happen if someone who has already been presented at court arranges it, such as Lady Cecily.’

  She shrugged again. ‘So, you see, his marriage to Lady Cecily will mean we might marry men with titles, then our children will have titles and the so-called shame of Father’s background will be erased.’

  ‘I see,’ Nellie said, failing to keep the note of disapproval out of her voice. It was starting to look as if Mr Dominic Lockhart was indeed a complete snob after all. It was just what she would have expected from a man in his position.

  ‘But I wish he wouldn’t think he has to sacrifice himself in order to achieve all that on our account,’ Miss Lockhart said and sighed lightly.

  ‘Sacrifice? How so?’ Despite her growing disapproval, Nellie was still interested in hearing all about Mr Lockhart. But just to confirm her belief that he was an insufferable snob, that was all.

  ‘Well, this marriage. Cecily Hardgrave is such a...well, she’s not for Dominic. Dominic has such a strong personality he needs someone intelligent who will challenge him, who’ll stand up to him, and I’m afraid that’s not Cecily Hardgrave. She�
��s nice enough, lovely really, but she’s not the woman for Dominic.’

  ‘And what does Lady Cecily think of this?’

  ‘Oh, she’ll do whatever her father tells her to do.’

  ‘So, is she in love with Mr Lockhart?’ Nellie knew she was getting far too familiar. How Lady Cecily felt about Mr Lockhart was hardly the business of the woman who had come to style Miss Lockhart’s hair. But Miss Lockhart gave no appearance that she was offended. She furrowed her brow as if giving the question serious consideration.

  And Nellie was desperate to hear the answer. Lady Cecily had spoken to Nellie of love, that wonderful, devastating emotion that changed everything, so, despite her cool behaviour, she must be in love with Dominic.

  ‘I don’t know,’ Miss Lockhart finally said. ‘It’s hard to tell what she thinks, she’s so guarded. But her father arranged this marriage for her and she seems to be happy to go along with it.’

  Nellie shook her head, not sure if it was the answer she wanted to hear or not. But it hardly mattered. They were engaged, they were to marry and there was no reason why Nellie should concern herself over whether they were in love or not. But the griping of her stomach and the burning in her throat suggested she did care, far too much.

  ‘It sounds like a very suitable marriage for all concerned,’ Nellie forced herself to say, trying to console herself that in one area she was more fortunate than Lady Cecily. Women from Nellie’s class could marry whoever they wanted. Well, she couldn’t marry a man like Mr Lockhart obviously, but within her own class she could marry for love. Whereas for the aristocracy and gentry it was all about jostling to achieve the best match possible for the family. As Mr Lockhart said, love and happiness had nothing to do with it.

  Nellie stood back to admire her handiwork as Miss Lockhart smiled at herself in the mirror. ‘Oh, Miss Regan, that’s wonderful. My lady’s maid could never do such an intricate style. Dominic said you’re now running a very successful business in London and I can see why you’re doing so well. The women in London are so lucky they can use your services.’

  ‘Really, Dominic... I mean, Mr Lockhart said that?’

  ‘Yes, he was very impressed.’ Miss Lockhart moved her head from side to side to inspect her hair. ‘And so am I. And not just because you’re so good at what you do, but because you’re so independent. It must be wonderful to be an independent woman, to be able to do what you want when you want.’

  Nellie smiled at Miss Lockhart’s reflection. ‘Yes, it is.’

  ‘You’ve got your own business, your own place to live, your own money. You must be so proud of what you’ve achieved.’

  Nellie’s smile grew wide and she nodded. ‘I’ve been very lucky, and I’ve had lots of help, but, yes...’ She gave a slightly embarrassed laugh. ‘I am rather proud of how well the business has done and I’ve got lots of plans for the future. I’m training my two assistants and teaching them everything I know about hairdressing. Soon they’ll be able to take charge of their own hairdressing parlours. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll have parlours and training schools throughout England.’

  ‘Oh, that’s wonderful. I’m sure you’ll achieve your dream.’

  ‘Anyway, enough of that. Let’s see what you are going to wear for the ball.’

  Miss Lockhart rushed to the wardrobe, removed a pale lemon dress and, smiling, held it up for Nellie’s inspection.

  ‘Are you sure you want to wear such a light colour? I think you’d suit something in a darker shade.’ Nellie looked in the wardrobe and saw that all the dresses were of a similar hue.

  Miss Lockhart’s smile faded. ‘But my lady’s maid said that I suit pale colours.’

  ‘Hmm.’ Nellie suspected the lady’s maid had dark colouring and it was she, not Miss Lockhart, who suited pale colours. Like most mistresses, Miss Lockhart no doubt passed last Season’s gowns on to her lady’s maid, so the maid was making sure those dresses suited her by giving Miss Lockhart false advice.

  ‘Well, I’m sure you’ll look lovely in it. But perhaps we should liven it up a bit. Do you have any jewellery or scarves in a stronger colour?’

  Miss Lockhart looked through her jewellery box and removed a dark red garnet necklace and frowned. ‘This belonged to my mother, but I never wear it. The colour always seemed a bit bold for me.’

  ‘Nonsense. You’re a very bold young woman and everyone at the ball tonight should be made to know it.’ She put the necklace round Miss Lockhart’s neck and clipped it closed. ‘See how the gems bring out the colour in your cheeks. Do you have the matching earrings?’

  Miss Lockhart rustled through her jewellery box and brought out a pair of stunning garnet and diamond earrings.

  ‘Perfect,’ Nellie declared and attached them to Miss Lockhart’s ears.

  Miss Lockhart smiled. ‘Oh, Miss Regan, you’re a gem as well, they look perfect. Even if this ball is as boring as every other ball I’ve been to this Season, this one will be different because I’ll be the envy of the other women. When they see my hair, they’re all going to be so jealous and wish they had a lady’s maid who can create the latest French fashions with such flair.’

  ‘You find balls boring?’ Nellie had always liked the idea of dressing up in a beautiful gown, listening to wonderful music and being whirled round the dance floor by a man dressed in formal clothing. But, she supposed, if it was something you did all the time, it could perhaps become boring.

  Miss Lockhart nodded and sighed. ‘Deadly. The men are all dull and the women are such snobs. When I came out at eighteen I was really excited, but I soon realised that the men weren’t interested in me and that Season was just horrible. And the women were just as bad. They saw it as a chance to let me know I wasn’t really one of them. Each Season has been worse than the one before and now the only way I can endure it is to get the polite chit-chat over as quickly as possible, then find myself a quiet corner where I can sit out the horrid thing.

  ‘And tonight’s ball is going to be even worse than all the rest. Dominic is going to expect me to land myself a husband before the end of the Season. After all, one more Season and I’ll be officially on the shelf. That’s why he’s hosting this ball. He’s invited just about every eligible titled man in the land. It’s all so demeaning, really, like being inspected at a cattle market.’

  Nellie smiled at the sad face reflected in the mirror. ‘It doesn’t have to be demeaning nor does it have to be boring. There’ll be music and dancing, and, as you said, the other women are going to be envious of your new look. Just have fun and enjoy yourself. And don’t see the men as there to inspect you, see it the other way round. You’re a wonderful catch, you’re beautiful, intelligent and vibrant. Any man who’s got a brain in his head will realise that. So, tonight is your chance to make a careful inspection of what’s on offer to see if any of these men are worthy of you. And if none of them are, well, who cares? It’s hardly your fault if you’re too good for them, but that shouldn’t stop you from having fun.’

  Miss Lockhart looked at her as if she had just said something outrageous. ‘But Dominic really wants me to find a husband.’

  ‘Who cares what Dom...what Mr Lockhart wants? You, too, are an independent woman. So, all that’s important is what you want. And tonight, if I’m not mistaken, you want to have a good time and not worry about all this foolish husband-hunting business.’

  Miss Lockhart’s restrained smile soon turned into a full, beaming grin. ‘You’re right. I am an independent woman and I will enjoy myself. After all, what do I have to lose? I’ve had a miserable time at every other ball and not found a husband. If I have a good time and still don’t find a husband, it will make no difference, but I’ll have had a good time anyway.’

  ‘Exactly.’

  Miss Lockhart stood up and took off her day dress. Nellie gave her corset laces a tight tug to cinch in her waist a bit more and helped her into her silk pet
ticoat. Miss Lockhart then stepped into her gown and Nellie buttoned up the small ivory buttons running up the front. She helped her into her white satin shoes, then stepped back and admired Miss Lockhart’s appearance and smiled.

  ‘You look beautiful, Miss Lockhart.’

  Miss Lockhart moved over to the full-length mirror and did a little twirl, the long train of her satin gown swirling around her ankles. ‘Oh, Miss Regan, it’s wonderful and you’re so right about the garnets. In future I’m going to get all my gowns made in much bolder colours.’ She smiled at Nellie. ‘Now let’s go and show Dominic what you’ve done.’

  She pulled on her elbow-length gloves, picked up her lace fan, then grabbed Nellie’s hand and led her towards the door. It was as if they were now the best of friends, both excited about the night to come.

  ‘Dominic,’ Miss Lockhart called out from the top of the stairs. ‘What do you think of my new look? Nellie’s completely changed the style and she’s given me lots of good advice about what colours I should wear. Oh, thank you so much for arranging this, Dominic.’

  Nellie looked down to see Mr Lockhart standing at the bottom of the stairs. Her stomach clenched, her heart skipped a beat. His face had recovered substantially over the last month and from this distance there was no sign of the bruises and swelling that had distorted his handsome appearance. Now he was back to how he looked when she had first seen him. All smouldering intensity, dark good looks and upright bearing.

  Like a buzzing noise beside her she could hear that Miss Lockhart was still chattering, but her attention was focused on the man staring up at her. She fought not to react. To achieve that goal, all she had to do was stop her heart from pounding as loud as a big bass drum, extinguish the fire that had burst on to her cheeks and release the small trapped bird that seemed to be fluttering inside her chest.

  You’re not some little shop girl, Nellie Regan, who has fallen for a rich gentleman. You’re a sensible businesswoman. Now start acting like one. This man is not for you.