So,
this was a new idea I penned while watching
the movie adaptation of the Love Comes Softly book series.
Hope you enjoy!
I really tried to channel writers like Jane Austen, the Bronte Sisters,
and other classic literature writers…while still keeping my own style.
Also!
IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE: I do have a bit of a supernatural side plot for this,
but idk if I should do it: so let me know. And the whole 'Chewing Gum' scene, I doubt
that's legit.
Also: The legit-ness of the time period may be off because…I haven't lived there. xD
So, sorry if anything's off…but Chewing Gum has been in certain forms since the Stone Age.
So that's legit!
Ch. 1: Becoming Charlotte
I breathed out a sigh holding onto the train rail; the seats of the cars were full, so I opted to stand on the boarding platforms with the conductors. This was the last train heading into the countryside, and the only way I could get to where I was going.
"Where are you headed?" The conductor nearest to me, who opted to watch my bag, decided to start a conversation.
"Austen Manor." I stared out at the wide expanse of blues and greens, "I have to start working now that I'm old enough."
"How old?"
"Sixteen."
"Why the Austen Manor? Haven't you heard the rumors spreading around that place?"
"Of course I have." I blew out a sigh, "My cousin works there, she's the one who referred me to work. They're in need of a new maid."
"You're going to be a maid?"
"Yes."
..:….:..
The past couple of years seemed simple enough; we lived in the heart of London. It was myself, my twin brother, my mother, and my father; when my twin and I turned fifteen, father took him to get a job with him at the city paper. When I turned sixteen, mother took me to the train station-having already called around to find me a job.
We never were the family who lived lavishly, but we get by. Since we're a little low on income, it's now my turn. According to mother, half of my salary will be sent home, and the other half is mine to keep.
"Well, this is your stop." The conductor noted as the train whistled, "Thornfield-the Austen Manor is about five miles from here. How do you pan on making the rest of the route?"
"Not sure." I shrugged as the train pulled into the station; since Thornfield is away from the main city, the Station was just a wooden platform with a small building nearby.
"Have a nice stay; I've heard the Austen Manor is one of the finest around here." The conductor tipped his hat while I grabbed my old carpet bag. The train took off, and I stood on the platform watching it go.
Time alone frightens me; I've never had so much of it before now. I guess growing up is inevitable, but I never thought that it would happen this soon. I watched the sun set, and hoped that the station building wasn't unemployed.
"Excuse me." I looked up; through the red of the sunset, a young girl's head looked out from the window of a horse-drawn carriage.
"Yes?"
"Are you the girl who answered the maid position?"
"Yes."
"Hop in then."
I handed my bag to her, and she placed it on the bench she sat on. I took the opposite bench, and she shut the door. The carriage started up.
"So." She brushed her raven hair back behind her ears, "Where are you from?"
"London." I smiled dryly, "I live with my family…well lived. We're a bit tight on money, so my mother asked my cousin if there were any openings."
"Right, Phoebe? Such an eccentric name."
"Well, her parents are very eccentric." I shrugged, "My name's Charlotte, but my family calls me Sharpay. So, I guess we're a little eccentric as well."
She laughed heartily, "I'm Prudence, but everyone in the manor calls me Prue."
"Prue." I smiled, "It's nice to meet you."
..:….:..
"Up there ahead." Prue pointed out the window; her finger arrowed to the large bricked mansion down the stone path we were traveling. The windows were large, and there were many on each flor. There were at least four floors, and I now understood why this place needed so many staff members. Outside, the path we were traveling was lined with oak trees on either side. The area itself was quite shrouded with many trees, plants, and most notably-various flowers.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Prue mused softly while eying the area, "I've been working here for three years, but I still find it enchanting each morning." I smiled in agreement; we stopped at the front door, and got out of the carriage. I held the handle of my bag tightly. Prue led the way into the manor; I gawked in awe.
"This is the foyer, up the stairs starts the cascade of the second and third floors. Through here is the parlor, and down the hall is the kitchen and dining area." Prue smiled, "Taking it all in?"
I nodded; the first floor alone held countless pieces of art, expensive flooring and walls…much more extravagant than the little house I shared with my family.
"Well, if you follow me we can get you started on your first day." Prue led the way up the stairs, "You couldn't see it from coming, but on the left side of the building is a small hallway that leads to a small wing. The first floor houses the gardeners, the second houses the butlers, the third houses the cooks, and the fourth is for us. The maids."
She took me through the hall, and beyond it felt less…enchanting. The walls, and floors were plain and monotone—it seemed rather lousy. Various staff workers were pacing about, seemingly in a heap over something.
"Oh thank God…" A young woman breathed a sigh of relief, "Prue…we have a slight problem."
"Did you knock another vase over Catherine?"
"No worse." Catherine sighed, "Kitty…well, it'll be easier if we just show you."
A group of maids, and few butlers followed Catherine to the second floor of the manor; inside, what appeared to be a family member's room, two other maids stood at the mantel of the fire place.
"Kitty…" Prue sighed while another maid turned to face her, "What happened."
"Ummm…" She pointed to a painted portrait hanging above the mantel, "I was dusting the frame, and…a bottle of writing ink fell out of my apron pocket."
"Oh…I see." Prue stared at the painting; a thick line of black ink fell along the young woman's portrait, "Well alright…uh…I'm not sure what we can do to fix it."
"I do." Everyone turned to look at me; the newer maids seemed shocked while more veteran girls rolled their eyes.
"Alright, great time to prove yourself." Prue gave me a wink before ushering me towards the painting. I had a few butlers bring over the ladder from across the room.
"So what's your plan?" A maid that followed us into the room asked in disbelief.
"Yes, what?" Kitty seemed hopeful.
"Anyone have any chewing gum?" I asked while heading up the ladder; in the process, Kitty handed me a packet. I put a few pieces in my mouth, chewed them up well, and spit them oput.
"Oh…that's disgusting…"
I shrugged to the disturbed maid before placing the large wad of gum at the beginning of the black line. While I rolled it down, the black ink came off, "I'm taking a guess that the ink spill was done recently. Also, that since the painting itself seems to be finished and dry, the gum wouldn't compromise the actual paint…and done." O threw the gum away; it landed in the trash bin near the fireplace.
"Well done." Prue nodded; when I came down the ladder, Kitty gave me a hug, and mentioned that she owed me her life. I just shrugged my shoulders, and followed everyone back to the staff's quarters.
"That was extremely impressive." Prue smiled while leading me down the hall, "Have you done any other house work?"
"Just the chores my mother assigned me to." I let out a slow sigh; as impressive as my feat was, I still feel the nerves.
"Well, I had our roommate take your bag." Prue stopped at a door marked with the number thirty-six, "And this is where you'll be staying."
"Hi!" My cousin Phoebe smiled at me after Prue opened the door, "How are you?" We hugged.
"I haven't seen you in so long." I sighed happily, "How's living here?"
"Well, you'll find out." She smiled, "Your bag is on your bed, I need to head back to The Room. Bye." She walked in between Prue and me.
"Well, dinner's at seven thirty." Prue waved, "I have some work as well. So, get settled then meet me on the second floor."
That's all for now.
Shout out to Jane Austen for the rich family's last name.
Please review! Peace & Hearts.