Lucianna

by Bertrice Small

  “Try to speak English, Balia, as I do, so the others may understand you, for it is possible they may be able to help you. Alvina has a supper for us down in her warm kitchens.”

  “Yes, mistress,” Balia said, a bit sour at being even gently rebuked in front of an unimportant maidservant.

  In the kitchens, Alvina had hot bowls of rabbit stew for them. Neither of the women had ever tasted the dish, but on this chilly, wet London night, they both voiced their approval, mopping up the rich gravy with crusty bread.

  “I like your kitchen, Alvina,” her new mistress told her. “It not only smells good, it’s warm. I don’t believe it gets this cold in Florence.”

  “It’s the rain, mistress. Always makes it feel worse than it is,” the cook said with a chuckle. “I’ll try to keep your meals simple to begin with, for I suspect you are not used to our English foods. What would please you for breakfast? We find it best to begin a cold, wet day with hot food.”

  “Then that is how I shall begin my day, and Balia too. We also enjoy poached eggs, but what would you cook tomorrow morning?”

  “I will give you a nice hot cereal to start your day, mistress, and my fresh bread with butter and jam,” Alvina said.

  “I suspect that will taste good after a cold night,” Lucianna said.

  “Oh, it really isn’t cold yet,” Alvina told her. “But it will get cold later on when winter finally sets in. This is just the end of the autumn.”

  Lucianna nodded, although she wasn’t too pleased to hear it. Then she changed the subject entirely. “You will need a helper for your kitchens,” she began. “And Cleva, you will need another lass to aid you. Do we have a gardener? And I will need two litter bearers. Do you think Sam can manage the stable by himself? I believe Mistress Kira will help us with that, and I will speak with Sam in the morning. Oh, what is this?” she asked as Alvina put a dish in front of her and another before Balia, who with good food was now feeling more amenable.

  “Fresh apple tart,” Alvina said, and then she poured a bit of heavy cream from a pitcher over their portions.

  “I shall become fat as a country pig,” Balia said. “You are an excellent cook and provider, Alvina.”

  The two English servants and Lucianna laughed, and the cook thanked Balia for her compliment. Once they had scraped up every bit of the delicious sweet, the two diners bid the cook and the maid a good night, and went upstairs.

  When they were gone, Alvina said, “Well, she seems like she’ll be a good mistress, and they both have good appetites.”

  “How can you tell just because they liked the supper that she’ll be a good mistress?” Cleva asked.

  “Because while she must certainly be exhausted by her travels, she did not arrive demanding and filled with complaints. She was gracious about eating in my kitchen, complimentary of the meal, and she is already considering that we will both need additional help to manage this house. Another maidservant to help you has moved you up in the ranks, Cleva. She is putting you in charge. Eventually, you will gain the position of housekeeper if you do your job well, and do not allow it to go to your head,” Alvina advised. “To be the housekeeper to a wealthy woman is not a bad thing.”

  “I had not thought of it that way,” Cleva said slowly.

  “Well, my girl, you had better begin using what few wits God gave you,” Alvina advised. “Go upstairs now, and make certain she is comfortable for the night. Hurry!”

  Cleva hurried off upstairs and found her new mistress had already reached her bedchamber. Knocking, she stepped quickly. “I have just come to see if everything is to your liking, mistress. Of course, we will need draperies and bed curtains made as quickly as possible, but for the next few nights I think you and Balia will be comfortable.” Then she remembered her curtsy.

  “I have brought my bed curtains with me and the drapes as well,” Lucianna said. “You and Balia can hang them tomorrow, although I will probably have heavier ones made for the colder months. Mine will suffice for the interim, Cleva.”

  “There is a pitcher of water in the coals,” the maidservant said.

  “I must have a tub for bathing,” Lucianna told the girl. “We will have to keep it in the pantry of Alvina’s kitchens, for I can see the difficulty getting it filled with warm water in a small house.” Then she laughed. “Perhaps we should have one household manservant for the heavier chores.”

  “’Twould be a great help, mistress,” Cleva admitted.

  “Balia, is there anything else we need for tonight? You seem to have managed getting my traveling bag upstairs, and that should do for tonight. I will want fresh clothing in the morning, however.”

  “I will see to it, mistress,” Balia said. Then she looked at Cleva. “Thank you for coming to make certain we are settled. Good night.”

  “Good night, mistress,” Cleva said, curtsying politely, and then left them.

  “Presumptuous wench,” Balia muttered.

  Lucianna laughed. She had never before seen Balia so testy, and realized it was because she was unsure of herself in a new house, in a new land, and speaking a new language. “She is attempting to make a good impression on me. Certainly you can understand that? She is in a new house with a new foreign mistress and does not know what to expect of either of us.”

  Balia sighed, and then laughed at herself. “I must seem very fierce to the little wench,” she admitted.

  “It will be easier on you both eventually, when you become used to each other and our new surroundings,” Lucianna said. “Now, where are you planning to sleep?”

  “There is a small chamber right next to yours, mistress. See?” She went across the room and opened a little door. “I have a bed, a chest, a chair, and there is even a tiny fireplace just big enough to take the chill out of the chamber.”

  “How wonderful! Now help me get ready for bed. I am exhausted, and I imagine you must be too,” Lucianna said.

  Both women slept deeply that night, but Balia was, as always, up before her mistress. Dressing quickly, she hurried downstairs, finding the trunks that had been brought in last evening for safety’s sake. They would have to get those holding Lucianna’s clothing upstairs today. Spying a chest she knew held gowns, she opened it and pulled one out.

  Though she had packed each gown carefully to avoid wrinkles, there would be some. She took it down to the kitchen, hoping to find an iron.

  Alvina and Cleva were sitting at the large kitchen table, eating their breakfast. Cleva jumped up on seeing Balia, but the older woman waved her back into her seat saying, “Just tell me if you have an iron in this kitchen, please?”

  “I wouldn’t have known what it was if Mistress Kira had not explained it to me,” Alvina said. “In the pantry on a shelf. Come and have something to eat first.”

  Balia hesitated a moment, and then she laid the dress on a nearby chair and said, “Thank you, I will.” She sat down on the table’s bench.

  Cleva ran to fill a bowl with hot cereal and put it with a spoon before Balia.

  Balia thanked her and began to eat. To her surprise, the gray mass in the bowl was very tasty, and she took Alvina’s suggestion to add some honey and heavy cream. The hot cereal filled her belly and seemed to give her energy. She ate quickly, though, as did all servants. Seeing Cleva was done, Balia instructed her to heat the iron in the fire, telling the girl how to do it. Then, finished with her own meal, she arose, took the gown from the chair, and ironed out the few wrinkles.

  “Never saw anything like that,” Alvina said, “but you’ve got the mistress’s gown looking fine now.”

  Balia grinned. “Give her half an hour and then bring her breakfast upstairs,” she said, and was gone from the kitchen and up the stairs, to find Lucianna just stirring awake. Within the half hour the younger woman was up, washed, and dressed. She ate her breakfast quickly and commented on how good it made her feel.

&nbs
p; Then she went downstairs just as Yedda Kira arrived.

  “I have brought you some chairs,” Yedda said as she came into the house, two men following her. “Where would you like them?”

  Lucianna laughed, already liking the practical woman. “Follow me,” she said, and led them to her library. “We can speak privately here. Just set them down by the fire,” she instructed them.

  “Wait by my litter,” Mistress Kira said as the two men exited the room. “Ah, now, we are comfortable.” She plumped herself into a chair as Lucianna did the same. “How may I help you, Mistress Pietro d’ Angelo?”

  “First, let me thank you for all you have done,” Lucianna said. And then she went on to explain what she would need in the way of furnishings and additional servants.

  “If you trust me to obtain the rest of your staff, you will have them by the evening,” Yedda Kira told Lucianna. “The furnishings are another matter. Do you object to visiting a small shop with furniture that has already been used elsewhere?”

  “If it suits my taste, no,” Lucianna said. “The two men who carried these chairs for you, do you believe they might carry my litter so we may go together now, and quickly?”

  “An excellent idea,” Yedda Kira agreed.

  Lucianna’s litter ride through the rainy morning was quite a revelation to her. Despite the weather, the streets were crowded and noisy, every bit as much as her own city of Florence. Finally they stopped at an undistinguished shop and went in. The proprietor greeted the two women, and then left them to their business.

  “But everything here seems new,” Lucianna said.

  “It has been nicely refurbished. Broken and cracked, it would not bring the shopkeeper what it is really worth.”

  They immediately found the long rectangular table Lucianna was seeking for her library, as well as several more chairs and small tables. They found a table that was just perfect for the house’s small hall, along with the seating for it. There were two beds for the two other bedchambers in the house, and more tables and chairs. The shopkeeper watched with ill-concealed delight, totaling up the price he would get from the lady.

  Finally, Lucianna said, “I believe that will do for now.”

  Yedda Kira spoke to the shopkeeper. “It must be delivered today,” she said in a stern and not-to-be-trifled-with voice.

  “Of course, madame, you have but to direct me,” the man oozed.

  “And how much will you charge for these poor pieces? My lady has just come to London and must furnish her dwelling quickly, which is why we are here. Do not attempt to overcharge her.”

  The shopkeeper named a price.

  Yedda Kira looked at him, obviously displeased. She turned to Lucianna. “Come, my lady. There are better shops than this one that will not take advantage of two helpless women.”

  The shopkeeper made a more reasonable offer, and while frowning, Yedda agreed for the sake of her lady’s convenience. Reaching into her purse, she drew out the required coins. Then she gave him the address. “The staff is yet small. See your goods are brought into the rooms where they belong.” Then she turned. “Come, my lady. We will go to the draper’s next,” and she led Lucianna from the shop.

  Once outside, the two women dissolved into laughter.

  “Oh my, my mother would like you,” Lucianna said. “You are very fierce to deal with, Mistress Kira. I would have given him what he first asked and still considered it fair.”

  “Believe me, he made a goodly profit on what we paid him,” Yedda assured Lucianna.

  They spent the remainder of the morning shopping for the household items that Lucianna would need, finally returning home to the little house that was now hers. It was there Yedda Kira took her leave.

  “I must go now to choose the servants you will need,” she said, not even going into the house with Lucianna. “Within a few hours you will be fully staffed.”

  Lucianna thanked her for the morning and went into her house, where Balia was waiting for her.

  “The furnishings have arrived,” she said. “I can only hope you did not pay too much for them. A new country, and new coinage, can be difficult.”

  “Not when you have Yedda Kira with you,” Lucianna said. “My mother would fully approve of her. You should have seen how she bargained with the shopkeepers. It would have made a Florentine proud. And we will have the additional servants shortly. I have chosen fabric for the bed hangings and drapes.”

  “You have been busy,” Balia approved, “but so have I. You will find your bedchamber just as it should be.”

  “Where is Cleva?”

  “In the kitchens with Alvina,” Balia said. “Would you like me to fetch them for you?”

  “Nay, let’s go down to Alvina’s domain. It still seems to be the warmest room in the house,” Lucianna remarked.

  They descended into the kitchens, where they found Alvina stirring a pot over the fireplace, and Cleva seated at the table. The younger girl jumped up, seeing her new mistress, and curtsied.

  “I hear you have been busy this morning,” Lucianna began. “Mistress Kira has now returned to her home and will send us a few more staff by evening. Alvina, I have asked for a helper for you, and a helper for you as well, Cleva. Sam will have a boy to aid him too, and we will gain two litter bearers. I think we will be able to manage with those few, but if not, you will tell me.”

  “Thank you, mistress,” Alvina said, speaking for herself and Cleva. “Cleva will prepare the sleeping places for the new women and men. The boy can sleep in the stables with Sam.”

  “Excellent,” Lucianna replied. “Have Balia bring them to me when they come.” Then she turned and went back upstairs with Balia.

  David Kira sent a message saying he would come on the morrow to take her to the shop they had rented for the Florentine silk merchants. Lucianna sent an answer back with his messenger saying that she would expect him at nine o’clock in the morning. The additions to her household staff arrived shortly thereafter. She spoke with each of them.

  Bessie would help Alvina in her kitchens. She was an excellent baker, she told her new mistress. Alvina was very pleased to learn that.

  Welsa would serve as Cleva’s underhousemaid. Dunn and Gerd, two boys no older than eleven, would work in the stables for Sam. Finally, there were the two sturdy brothers, Flynt and Ford, who would serve as Lucianna’s litter bearers. All were clean and polite. Once again, Yedda Kira had served her well.

  The autumn afternoon slipped into evening. Lucianna ate a small meal and retired with Balia, who had spent some time in the kitchens so she might inspect these new servants. “The boys are boys,” she said. “The others, respectful and polite. They are all glad for work in a respectable household, my lady.”

  “Good, then the household will run smoothly. When I was out this morning, I ordered liveries for the litter bearers. They are simple but will add a modicum of importance to my stature.” She climbed into her bed, made up with her own fresh linens, and snuggled down.

  “Do you think we will see your earl now that we are in London?” Balia wondered aloud.

  Lucianna laughed. “He isn’t my earl, Balia. I honestly hope we will see him, but perhaps he has taken a wife since his return. If he comes, I will welcome him, of course. Tomorrow I will go the the shop and see what must be done.”

  “Will you bring the silks you brought with you?” Balia asked.

  “Nay, not until I have determined what is necessary to display them properly. Whatever I do, it must be as perfect as I can make it to attract customers for the guild. If they decide I am not doing well, they could send someone else, and I would have to return to Florence.”

  “You do not want to go home?” Balia was surprised.

  “We have been here only briefly but, despite the rain, I like it. London is different from Florence. Its look is unfamiliar, its smells are not the same, but I
want to know more of this England.”

  Balia smiled. “You like it because you are more your own mistress here. You do not have your mother fussing at you to take another husband, or your father burdening you with the work that rightfully belongs to your brother Marco, or Marco whining about his adored Clarinda. Here, you are truly your own mistress.”

  Lucianna sat up a moment on her elbow. “I am, aren’t I?” she said, smiling. “It is a little overwhelming, Balia, but I like it!”

  Balia smiled back at the younger woman. “Go to sleep now, mistress. The morning will be here soon enough.” Then she made certain the hearth had sufficient wood to keep the fire going and went into her own little chamber.

  In the morning, Lucianna arose, ate, and dressed. She knew her litter would be waiting at the door, for Balia had spoken to the bearers the previous evening. “Good morning,” she greeted the two brothers. “In a few days you will have your livery. Do you know where you are taking me?”

  “Yes, mistress,” one of the brothers answered. “We were told by Master Kira before we came yesterday.”

  “Then let us go,” Lucianna said, climbing in to sit down.

  The two litter bearers carried her quickly and smoothly from the residential streets into the heart of the city.

  Lucianna was fascinated to see the busy streets and shops they passed. They hurried through a market that actually did remind her of Florence, with its farmers selling vegetables, late-autumn fruits, meats, chicken, milk, and other items. She saw both men and women with trays of buns and other edibles, selling their wares as they went. And there were women shopping in the markets, some servants and some ordinary housewives, seeking items for that day’s dinner.

  Finally, the litter was set down before a shop, and David Kira stood waiting for her. He helped her out, greeting her pleasantly. “I think you have brought some of your sunshine from Florence to us today,” he said.

  Lucianna laughed at the compliment. “I hadn’t actually noticed; I was so busy staring at this wonderful city of yours.”