That Young Man: STUNNED
In the area where they live...
Boys of age knows of that beautiful maid working for the retired Mrs. Stowner.
Miss Emma.
Beautiful, slim and tall, nice, gentle and demure, an ideal girl. Normally one her age should be married, but most women prefer working than marrying, and she's one of those.
Accompanies her mistress where she goes...
However, one time someone snatched her lady's purse?
She personally chased down the thief like a bloodhound onto a scent of blood with how fast she ran, grabbed the thief by his collar and wrestled him swiftly in a second.
She has a string of police records...because she often takes care of slights against her lady. Snatchers? Pickpockets? She was hyper-aware. She beats them herself and calls the police who would take her quarry away.
But if its a child doing it, she was a lot nicer. She catches them, but never laid a hand on them. Instead, gently chiding them and giving them advice to have it better.
Her reasoning?
'Children need more money than adults do.' and she would buy the child a piece of meat to bring home!
So some kids, seeing this, never dared go near Emma and Mrs. Stowner and attacks others instead.
Thus Emma the beautiful maid, was also known as the 'Guard Dog of Mrs. Stowner'. Attack Mrs. Stowner at your own risk. For a lady, she has no qualms fighting back and getting involved with violence, as long as it's self-defense. Nobody in Victorian England, has ever heard of a young woman capable of beating up men twice her size.
Heck, it's even in the Newspapers.
MAID CATCHES AND WRESTLES SNATCHER
Emma became a controversial existence in London. Women would ask about Mrs. Stowner's situation through letters as just what kind of maid she's got.
Kelly would cheerfully reply, 'Emma's a highly-good cook, sensible and responsible, though even I didn't see her fighting skills coming. Well, she once told me she's a street orphan where anything can happen in the streets, and the girl meant anything, that Emma did all she could to survive and avoid being yanked into Slave Trade by Midnight Carriages, thus violence was a necessity for an orphan girl society ignores as those who don't exist in legal records, are often ignored and no justice ever comes for them, so she learned violence as a necessity in life'. Kelly defended her maid to anyone who wrote to her.
Thus realities of an orphan child were laid bare that horrified most married women who had children and grandchildren and what would become of them, should anything happen to the parents.
It was a scary world they can't imagine while for former orphans, understood the dark side too well. But not even they went as far as Emma did.
Very few understood and accepted that 'scary maid' whose violence only comes out, if her lady was attacked. She was an otherwise, sweet girl most of the time.
EVERYONE can see that. So basically, leave them alone, or she'll attack you. Simple as that.
xxx
Emma felt that as years went by, she experienced the Industrial Revolution with her own eyes...however fatal it is to one's health.
Victorians wanted color, clutter and material excess, which is a symbol of wealth in those days.
That definitely explained No.12 Grimmauld Place. So much JUNK it's hard to move around in, sheesh.
However, Emma is aware of Hidden Victorian Killers in one's home, as housewives follow Mrs. Beeton and Cassell's books to live a tasteful victorian life to show off to friends. Unaware of the danger they're bringing home to themselves...and their families.
In regards to wallpapers, while green was a popular color? She would tell Kelly, 'Everyone in our street owns green and gas lighting, yes? Watch for news of widespread illnesses within days after buying green wallpaper.'
Fainting spells? Falling ill? Comatose and even death among the well-off after buying green wallpaper. Kelly thought that it's because of Cholera back then but, 'In well-off homes? I'd understand Cholera if we live in the gutters and drinking filthy water and living in filth.'
After several more evidence, particularly when a little boy DIED after chewing green wallpaper? Yep, Kelly bought white instead with safer colors made out of non-toxic material. This was essential, as homes are lit by gas lamps. If material is heated, fumes would come off, right? Emma had to watch out for gas leaks, too. That every morning before she cooks, she opens ALL windows. This is because all homes, use gas heating. No more fireplaces in modern London while in the countryside, coal heating, was still a thing.
But when gas explosions happened TOO often, electricity became fashionable...it was good Emma was a very modern girl, thus unlike servants like herself who gets hurt, maimed or worse, dead for using deadly things and not trained to use them, she didn't suffer such issues and their house is perfectly fine...
As for corsets? She didn't need to wear hers so tight, as she was very slim to begin with. Just three inches off her waist and she's ideal beauty without slowly killing herself, and she can still function just fine! And Kelly who lost weight from Emma's healthy diet, started wearing hers loose as well.
Thankfully, Kelly didn't wear make-up. Then again, natural look was all the rage. Problem? Blemishes. Powders and beauty products were all the rage...but they too, contained poison, unfortunately. Thus Emma went organic to look good.
Unknown to Kelly, Emma knows her science in the 90s, before Hogwarts happened in her life. And instead of going to the Pharmacy, Emma went to Oriental Quarter if they ever get sick...or to the local florist for herbs, seeds and even spices. She would process it herself. Takes time, but definitely...and actually works as Kelly found out.
One day, Kelly has an unexpected guest, during afternoon tea time.
Today's tea is Peppermint Tea, with yummy petit fours and macarons. Both women have free time.
Knock knock!
'Its a little late for mail and newspaper.' said Emma wryly. Because as far as she's concerned, her boss has a clear schedule thus has time for a Mr. Graham later when he calls.
'Go see who it is.' Kelly instructed and Emma approached the door.
'Yes, who is it?' she called out.
'It's William Jones! Is Teacher home?' Emma looked at Kelly for confirmation and the woman sighed in fond exasperation.
'Let him in. Honestly, even when retired there's a thing called scheduling.' she said wryly as Emma let William in. He was a handsome, blue-eyed blonde who was just as stunned when looking at her. She was fair skinned. Smooth-skinned with no blemish on her youthful face. Her teeth was also very white!
His former teacher also has seen better years it seems, and enjoying cute cakes his sisters would have loved.
Like a good maid, Emma led William to his seat, and offered him tea, and two each of a petit-four and macarons with a fork, before standing behind Kelly.
'These are something Grace and Vivian would love.' said William, looking at the cakes. 'Where do you buy them, teacher?' he asked, sipping the warm tea before beginning snacking. The bread is moist, but fluffy and airy! And a lot sweeter!
'Oh, Emma made them!' Kelly smiled. 'She's a talented girl I ended up tutoring her as well.' she said.
'Oh wow, really?'
'She's very talented, and can definitely go far one day if she decides to be anything other than a maid.' said Kelly, telling him all she taught Emma, amazing William.
'As much as I want to, for me to do that I'll have to go to the land of the free; America.' said Emma wryly. 'There's more job opportunities for women there and more freedom there even if gender roles remain the same...more importantly, us ladies are paid equally there for the same amount of work, unlike here in England where as long as you're a girl, your pay is 20 or 30% less than a man's no matter your job rank or competence level.' she sighed. 'But as ship tickets are pricey even if its economy-class, I'll have to save up some more for a ticket there.'
'Well, this one knows what she wants in life and has her life mapped out already. By having a goal in life, you have at least, an idea of what to do to achieve your goals, something most women her age fail in as they focus on marrying up.' Kelly snorted in amusement before the phone rang. 'That must be Mr. Graham...you know, there's a thing called scheduling young master!' she chided jokingly. 'Pen me a letter so I can tell you when we can meet again, we'll have a longer talk next time. You've caught me at a bad time as Mr. Graham has come a long way.'
'Ahahaha, right...' said William sheepishly.
'It's only basic common sense that when you wish to visit, plan a schedule in advance and inform the person you're visiting first, so they can find a time to accommodate you! Even we retirees have schedules!' she chided as William squirmed under her playful gaze. 'Answer!'
'Yes ma'am!'
xxx
'He's clumsy.' Emma commented as the two women left their home after locking it.
'Well, he's a long way to go before his father Mr. Jones retires.' said Kelly wryly. 'He too, is a little lost.' and they walked to the station to meet their guest.
xxx
Jones Manor...
William got his goal at least.
He got to see his teacher's...infamous maid. She's a beauty alright! Not even his fellow gentry has daughters as pretty as she was in terms of complexion and smoothness. Her teeth are white. Its like she's a noble who ran from home and ended up a maid or something!
She also didn't look like the violent maid of rumors. She carried herself with a demure and graceful air about her.
...this isn't a novel, OK?
But still, those cakes are tasty. He'll have to ask for some recipes later.
It seems Mrs. Stowner's life just got a lot tastier starting with the tea alone.
