A/N: This is my first fic. There are so many good stories out there; I hope I'm not lowering the standard. If you have time, reviews would be most appreciated! Thank you for reading!
St. Louis, 1904
The bell tinkled softly as the door shut. He stood frozen for a moment before feeling his shoulders relax. They were gone, these people from another country, another continent. Another world.
At one time, it was his world, too.
On your feet, Charlie. I know you're tired, but they're not home yet. We've got to stay up and wait. Helping the scullery maid scrub the pots-whatever became of her? The piles and piles of boots to clean during a shooting party. Running up the stairs to the door to the hall, peeking through to see the grand ladies and gentlemen. You're a good lad. A hard worker. Someday you may be a footman, or someday the Butler. Head of the downstairs staff, eh? Would you like that?
At one time, it was the only home he knew. They were the only family he had.
But that was a long time ago.
He shuffled over to the ledger and opened the pages. It was best he recorded the details now, while they were fresh in his mind. He was meticulously scratching his Lordship's order and the cost when he realized that she hadn't moved.
She stood, as frozen as he had been, staring out the window. The sun coming in illumined the dust particles around her hair, the auburn strands still distinct.
"Feels like something out of a fairy tale, doesn't it?"
His baritone startled her out of her reverie. She laughed, shaking her head.
"You're not far from the truth there." She wondered why they affected her so. Was it the accent? She bit her lip, thinking. Remembering. The back stairs were steep, more so when she was barely awake to climb them. Dusting the drawing room, vanishing noiselessly when one of Them decided to come in. Yes, milady. I'll see to it, sir. The quiet satisfaction in a job well done, even if no one knew it but her.
But she wasn't the only one who knew. Elsie, you're the best I've ever had here. You'd do well at a larger house, I think. Have you ever considered being head housemaid? Or a housekeeper?
Thoughts long since forgotten flooded her mind. Not doubts, really, just what if...
The question tumbled out.
"Do you...ever wish you'd...gone another way?"