Emily's POV
I woke up the next morning and got dressed; I realized Erik still wasn't there. Maybe he was just finishing something and had been late. I pondered this for a moment then heard a knock on the door. I looked out the widow hoping it was Erik.
I was slightly disappointed when I saw Jean standing at the door with a handful of women. I opened the door and greeted them. "Here are a few maids." He said once everything was settled.
"Hello Madame." They all said at once and curtsied.
"Emily this is: Eleanor, Cosset, Lilly, Madeline, Anne, and Julia." I smiled and motioned for them to sit.
"Hello girls." Their smiles brightened.
"I am very sorry to some of you. I have no need for more than two maids." They all sat up strait awaiting to be picked. I scanned them and folded my hands in my lap.
"I assume all of you can cook and clean." They all nodded. "Do any of you know how to handle children?" A few of the girls frowned and three nodded happily. Jean looked at me and studied me for a moment.
"Yes Jean." I said answering his unspoken question. I turned back to the girls. "Can you three please stay? I'm sorry to the rest of you." The girls who frowned all stood and left without a word.
I studied the three girls in front of me. "Cosset, Madeline, and Anne. Correct?" I said pointing to each of them as I said their names. They nodded. "You are allowed to speak you know." I was instantly bombarded with questions.
"Wait hold on not all at the same time." They all sat back in their seats. I pointed to the girl with red hair and brown eyes. "Cosset? What skills do you have?"
"I can clean and cook. I can do just about anything you ask me to. I can take care of children, I have three little brothers." She frowned and scratched her head. "I just can't change the baby."
I nodded and pointed to the blonde girl, Anne. "Cook, clean, and take care of children." I nodded and turned to Madeline. "Everything." She said simply. After a few more questions and answers I had to send Cosset away.
"I'm sorry Cosset. If we do need another maid I will send for you right away." She nodded and stepped out. "Well girls." Anne and Madeline jumped up and rushed to me. Madeline's black hair following her.
"The kitchen is down stairs and the nursery will be across from my room. As you can see I won't be expecting for a while." I smiled and rubbed my stomach. The girls gave a large smile. "I suppose we can get to know each other, and start cleaning up the house." I said gesturing to the dust in the corner of the room.
I showed the girls around the house and told them what their duties would be. Afterword's we sat in the parlor talking a drinking tea. "Do you have a husband?" Anne asked after a while.
I paused and looked into my cup. "No, he's my fiancé." I said although it wasn't the complete truth. Both girls looked at each other than at me. They paused and gathered their thoughts.
"Will he be living here?" Madeline asked. I put the cup down.
"I hope so; he is very different from other men. It is very complicated." She nodded and left the parlor after gathering the tea cups. "Thank you girls." I said before they left. I looked around the room then rubbed my stomach.
"You better be on your way." I mumbled as I made my way down to the kitchen. "Girls, make sure the house is locked up. If anyone comes to the door be sure to tell me. I'm going to bed."
"Certainly you don't want us to wake you." I looked at Anne for a moment.
"You're right. If you see a man with black hair and dark clothing let him in and tell him I'm upstairs."
"Will that be you're fiancé? And if so how do we know it's the right man?" I scratched my head and looked out the window for a moment.
"He will have a white porcielin mask on." I said turning to go back upstairs. "If you see him don't ask him about the mask though. He may have a temper with you." I warned as I went upstairs.
Erik's POV
I rode I my black stallion Caesar for half a day until nightfall. Caesar's hooves patted the ground as we rode into town. I jumped down and secured him near a hotel. I walked inside keeping the hood of my cloak over my face.
"Monsieur," I said approaching a man at a desk. He looked up at me and starred for a moment before my words caught his attention. "May I ask if there is a new resident in town? She goes by the name of Firmin." He looked down for moment thinking. "I believe so, she just moved in. My daughter just became one of her maids."
I raised my brow. "So she is here." He shook his head.
"Not in town. She lives about five miles outside of town. It's late Monsieur it would be rude to wake her. If I where you I'd wait 'til morning. I can get you a room." I nodded and he held out is hand.
I paid him for a room and he gave me a key. "My horse is outside, he needs feed and water."
"It will cost extra." I nodded and gave him more money before going upstairs.
He is coming to get her. Awe he misses her already. Please Review.