Part 2
"Alright here's your uniform" Frau Schmidt said handing Maria a short black dress and a white apron along with some black shoes which were conveniently her size.
Maria nodded in thanks and continued to follow the older lady into the kitchen "Now your quarters are still being cleaned out so you will have to sleep on the floor in the kitchen for tonight, I'm sorry about that but don't worry we will put blankets down and we will keep the stove on for you if it's too cold"
Maria nodded not minding that she had to sleep on the floor, she had done so many times, but she had a feeling that the wounds from her uncle's last whipping would protest somewhat.
"You must be up and dressed by quarter to six in the morning breaks are at eleven and two o'clock. Dinner for us is at seven and the family's is at six. You will help serve the food and take it in and finally clear the table. All the sheets in each bedroom are changed once a week, don't worry our other maids will help you and teach you the ropes. Yes I think that is all for now, go along and change and you can met the rest of the maids so they can teach you what needs to be done" she said "Just go through here and there is a small staff changing room" she said ushering Maria towards it.
Maria went down the small corridor and soon found the small room, there were benches and a couple of changing rooms. Maria opened one and dumped all of her things on the floor as she slumped against the wall. She didn't think she could do this, it was too much to take in all at once. Maria drew her hand through her hair and slowly started slipping off her shoes and dress. What if she did something wrong? Would they chuck her out? Would she be cast onto the street without a penny? She had no doubt that they probably would. Oh calm down she told herself, it didn't do any good worrying about what may never happen, she just had to take it a step at a time she thought as she zipped up her black dress and tied her white apron on. Finally she slipped her black shoe's on and exited the small cubical.
She put her possessions in a corner and took a breath. Okay she could do this, all she had to do was listen to what everyone said and make friends, surely that wasn't hard right?
Walking back in the kitchen she hesitantly walked up to the small group of people who were dressed like her. There were 3 girls and 2 boys, her stomach did flips and she felt almost sick as she walked up to them, forcing a smile to grace her face "Hi" she said as she reached them.
A girl with brown hair and green eyes turned to her and smiled "Hi, I'm Leanne, you must be the new maid" she said gently.
Maria nodded "Yeah, apparently" she said and Leanne chuckled.
"Well I'm Leanne, this is Sarah" she said motioning to a small red headed girl "This is Mandy" her hand pointing to the last tall girl with mousy brown hair and deep brown eyes that were un-missable "And these two are, Dominic and Ed" she said finally all of them shaking her hand as Leanne called out their names. Dominic and Ed were obviously brothers but Ed was completely blond and Dominic had dark brown hair.
"Nice to meet you" she said to all of them, well they seemed nice enough at the moment she thought.
Leanne clapped her hands "Well we best get going, come on I'll help you and show you what to do" she said and Maria was thankful for her kindness.
For the rest of the day Maria was shown where things were and how to make the beds properly. She was also shown how to polish the antiques around the house along with the cutlery. Leanne had obviously seen Maria's distress at so much information and assured her that she didn't need to know everything all at once and that she would help her through the next few weeks. Once again Maria had been extremely thankful.
"Alright well it's almost tea now, so come with me and when the cooks are ready we can take out the food" Leanne said.
Maria panicked "What? Me? Help?" she stuttered unable to form coherent sentences.
Leanne smiled "Yes, you. You can serve can you not?" she said challenging her.
Maria bit her lip "Well yes but…"
"No buts, you will be fine, come I will help you" she insisted and Maria had no choice but to follow.
Once in the kitchen Leanne grabbed two plates and put some water on them. Handing one to Maria they walked towards the door that lead into the dining room. Just before they entered Leanne stopped "Okay just watch what I do, this is just practice, so if you muck up we can practice again" she said and Maria nodded nervously handing Leanne the other plate.
From the door Maria watched as Leanne entered the empty dining room and put down one plate with grace as she held the other steady, not one drop of water moving as she plied down. Once it was down she rose back up and placed the other plate down in the place setting next to her.
Leanne turned and smiled and then nodded Maria over "Come on your turn" she said handing Maria the plates. Maria sighed and walked back and tried to repeat Leanne's actions with the same grace.
She walked steadily balancing both plates. Leanne followed her but as she bent her other plate tilted slightly but Leanne held it and put it back straight.
"Don't bent forward, bend your legs" she said and Maria did as she was told. With success Maria managed to but both the plates down. She squealed with happiness at her achievement and hugged Leanne who hugged her in return "Oh thank you thank you thank you!" she squealed.
Leanne chuckled "Its ok, you did very well" she said pulling back "Come on, now it's time for the real thing" she said.
Maria nodded and picked up the two plates bringing them back. Once in the kitchen they waited for the food to be finally cooked and Leanne told Maria about the family and how many children the Baroness and Baron had had.
Maria nodded and smiled at some of Leanne's slightly ruder comments when Margret's voice interrupted them "Come on girls foods up" she said and Maria felt sick.
They walked over and took the plates of hot food. I can do this she thought as she felt her stomach do summersaults.
The taller girl smiled before she entered the dining room "Don't worry" Leanne whispered and then she was off through the door and pacing the plates down. Maria soon followed and nervously placed her plates down in front of a young blond girl and a dark haired older one. Sliding through the small gap she repeated her actions from earlier. She bent her legs and plied down, putting one on the table and then the other next to it. Maria sighed with relief and went back to get the other plates. Soon every plate had been served and Maria squealed with delight at her success. Leanne and Margret chuckled as they watched her beam with happiness.
The evening continued and plates were easily served and taken away it was only at the end when Maria was collecting their empty glasses did her luck run out, just as she put the last glass on her tray did her concentration sway, her tray tilting and the glasses smashing onto the table in front of the Baron.
The little ones gasped and squealed at the commotion and Maria quickly apologised and started picking up the glasses which thankfully had not broken.
"Do you not know how to hold glasses girl!" the Captain snapped and Leanne quickly rushed in.
"Forgive me Captain she's new" she said somehow trying to help a distressed Maria out.
"Well I suggest you teach her how told hold a damn glass! Or are you not capable of that!" he shouted.
That was when Maria lost it and slammed the now full tray down on the table "Why don't you try holding a whole damn tray full of glasses with one hand when you've never done it before Captain! She's done her job just fine so leave her alone!" Maria shouted ignoring the gasps and shocked faces of the people around her and the gathering staff.
Georg slammed his hand down on the table and stood up so he was towering over her "How dare you! Watch your tongue young lady or I will fire you!" he shouted.
Maria scoffed "Fine fire me! Do you think I want to be here? Do think I wanted to be shipped off to some stupid high society house! I was sold god damn it, I've been living far worse than you can ever imagine! So if you want to fire me then fine, do your god damn best, for I will thank god that at least your punishment didn't physically scar me!" she yelled tears in her eyes.
No longer able to hold herself she rushed out of the room ignoring all the shocked faces and ran into the staff changing room. Maria started changing but soon collapsed down in tears and held herself regretting her out lash and trying to sadly accept that she no longer had a home.
Oo00o0
Back in the dining room everyone was silent, all of their faces stricken with shock at the unusual scene.
Agathe shook her head with disgust and threw her napkin on the table as she stood "It was her first day Georg!" she snapped as she pushed out her chair "There was no need for your anger, what is wrong with you lately?" she said as she started walking out.
"The girl was out of order!" he shouted back.
Agathe spun around quickly "And so were you! She dropped some glasses god damn it, it's bound to happen and the lashing she gave you was only a small ounce of what you deserve. She is not fired, end of!" she said walking out to find the poor girl.
Georg slammed his hand back on the table and stormed out leaving the children stunned and silent along with the staff.
After a few minutes Leanne broke out of her stunned trance and coughed "So, would you children like desert?" she said trying to ease the tension in the air.
Leisl the oldest nodded and smiled weakly, thankful for the distraction.
O0o0o0
In the small staff changing room Maria wiped her tears and crawled across the floor grabbing bag and didn't notice when Agathe came in, the sight of Maria's exposed and scared back making her gasp. Maria quickly turned and pushed her back against the wall hiding it from her view.
"Child, what happened to you?" she exclaimed as she rushed forward, kneeling on the floor and forcing Maria to turn so she could see her back again.
Maria shrugged her off "Baroness please, I'm fine" she said trying to stand to stand but Agathe forced her back down.
"Sit" she ordered in a motherly tone.
Maria complied despite her extreme reluctance.
Agathe looked at the pink and sore fresh wounds with worried eyes. How could anyone do this? To a poor innocent girl barley 20 "How far do they go? She said keeping her voice calm.
Maria closed her eyes, why did she want to know? What could she do? What was done was done, why couldn't she just leave it? "It does not matter" she said trying to shrug off the Baronesses grasp once again.
"I am trying to help you, so how far do they go?" she said more firmly.
Maria sighed knowing she wouldn't be left alone until she told her "They go all the way down my back, if they didn't my uncle made sure they did" she said sadly as she wrung her hands.
Agathe's eyebrows rose "Your uncle did this to you?" she whispered and Maria nodded.
Maria didn't like people knowing about what her uncle did to her and though she felt strangely comfortable telling the Baroness it was that part that scared her "May I go?" she said quietly.
"Well yes I suppose but tomorrow I'm calling a doctor over for you, I would clean them myself but I've never had to deal with wounds so big and deep, only little scrapings" she smiled.
Maria looked at her with wide eyes as she stood "So I can stay?" she said shocked.
Agathe nodded "Yes, I'm sorry for my husband's behaviour" she said but Maria cut her off.
"Oh no, it was me who was out of order, I shouldn't have said what I said and I shouldn't have dropped them glasses, if anyone is to blame it's me" she spurted out.
Agathe shook her head "No, my husband was in the wrong it was only inevitable you would react that way. But that being said, I wouldn't do it on a regular basis" she said smiling.
Maria smiled "Thank you"
Agathe bowed her head "You're welcome" she said before leaving.
O0o0o0
After the Baroness had left, Leanne had come in. Maria had apologised profusely but Leanne too had been just as forgiving as the Baroness. After the pots, pans and plates had been cleaned and cleared Leanne had helped Maria lay down lots of blankets and cushions for Maria to lie on and had turned on the fire. So now as Maria lay warm and happy in front of the stove she thanked god for her second chance. Maybe things were looking up despite her few mishaps she thought smiling.
Suddenly the sound of footsteps interrupted her thoughts. She sat up and saw the Captain walk in, a shocked look on his face at seeing her.
Authors note: Alright so things are starting to unfold more. Please please review it's always a pleasure to hear what you think and is extremely appreciated! :D thank you!