2
The carriage crossed the bridge and was heading up Union Street. There were so many houses to look at, these were densely packed, shops and parades to be seen in every direction. Sofia couldn't wait to explore as she'd no experience whatsoever of emporiums of any kind. They continued uphill into Nelson Street and then turned left along George Street into Gay Street and from there traversed the left-hand quadrant of the Circus and exited onto Brock Street. They were now in the Royal Crescent itself. From here one had the best view of Bath.
Sofia had been told by her aunt that companions and governesses were considered to be neither servants nor family, but somewhere in between. Therefore, she might be expected to enter through the rear of the premises or be allowed to use the front door.
The carriage stopped at the third house along. Jethro opened the door and let down the steps. All the houses in the Royal Crescent, apart from number one, had their own stables as well as a garden at the rear. Despite being just one of a long-curved terrace of modern edifices she was impressed. The houses were huge, far bigger than Hilltop House, more like a stately home than a townhouse in appearance.
'Good luck, Miss Brotherton, you're going to need it.'
She wasn't sure if she should thank or ignore him and decided on the latter. One thing she did know was that servants were not supposed to offer comments of this sort. It had occurred to her that for her application to have been accepted so readily, no references asked for, that the family might be in desperate need.
Miss Annabel had two older brothers and three younger sisters, that much she did know about the family. Something that had puzzled her from the moment she'd seen the advert was that young ladies were often presented at court when they were seventeen and according to Aunt Jemima were also frequently married at this age.
Too late for regrets – she must make the best of it – whatever her situation might entail. She'd asked no questions, her only demands had been that her generous remuneration would be paid in advance. The family hadn't quibbled which again was odd, but the family had been so overjoyed that the next month's household expenses were now taken care of nobody had thought to enquire.
Colette's final words as she'd left that morning were now ringing in her ears. 'I think there's something havey-cavey about this position, Sofia, the family have taken you on without investigation and have paid you double what we pay our housekeeper. I shudder to think what you might be expected to do to earn that money.'
This was hardly an encouraging farewell speech but in the flurry of departure and the excitement of the journey she'd not given it a second thought until now.
She straightened her shoulders, raised her head and walked briskly to the front door of the imposing five-storey building situated in the newly built Royal Crescent. These magnificent houses were leased only by the wealthiest, but her aunt had said they were as likely to be the nouveau riche as established money.
She paused on the top step and turned to gaze down at the beautiful city of Bath spread out below her. Cows and horses grazed peacefully in the green meadow opposite and she was amused to see well-dressed gentlemen and ladies strolling amongst the animals as if they were walking in a country park.
New money could buy anything apart from membership to the ton, this was reserved for the most prestigious and important families in the country. Those privileged to be part of this circle would be aristocrats, dukes even, and failing that they would be able to trace their ancestry back to William the Conqueror. Her father had never talked about his family. Although they were most definitely neither wealthy nor aristocratic she had a feeling they could be counted on as moderately well bred.
Someone cleared their throat behind her and she spun round to see a woman dressed in black bombazine, keys attached to her belt, accompanied by a maid who was standing nervously behind her. This could only be the housekeeper.
'Miss Brotherton, is your luggage arriving later?'
'No, I have all I need in my portmanteau.' Not waiting to be invited in, Sofia stalked past the prune faced grey-haired woman into a somewhat disappointing entrance hall. The outside might be substantial, elegant, but one only stepped into a passageway. Admittedly, it was wide, marble floored, but she'd been expecting something extravagant.
'The mistress is waiting to receive you in the parlour, Miss Brotherton.'
'Thank you, I am eager to make her acquaintance and to meet Miss Sinclair. However, first I wish to see my room and make myself presentable.'
The air crackled with disapproval and dislike but Sofia stood her ground. From somewhere she found the courage to tap her foot impatiently whilst remembering to keep her unattractive boots hidden from view.
'Mary will take you and then bring you down,' the woman snapped. As she was about to turn away Sofia called her back.
'Your name if you please? I take it that you're housekeeper here.'
'Mrs Bentley.'
'Then, Bentley, you are dismissed.'
She smiled at the waiting maid who curtsied. 'If you'd care to come with me, Miss Brotherton, I'll take you up.'
'Thank you, Mary, I'm hoping that there'll be warm water for me to wash the grime of my journey from my face and hands.'
As she'd only travelled twenty miles this sentence made her smile. She was sounding more and more like her aunt with every word she uttered. Aunt Jemima had come from a wealthy family, had lived in a house like this and her knowledge, albeit outdated, had been invaluable.
She was led up the main staircase – the one used by the family – not by the meaner servants' route. They continued to the second floor and Mary threw open the door to a pretty bedchamber the window of which overlooked the garden at the back of the building.
'You have a small dressing room, Miss Brotherton, through that door. I'm to take care of you. I own I've not had no experience of looking after ladies but am willing to learn.'
'Then we shall learn together, Mary. You'll explain to me how this house works, tell me everyone's name, and I'll be only too happy to instruct you in the duties of a lady's maid.'
Fortunately, there had always been sufficient funds for Sofia and her siblings to share a personal maid. Elsie was elderly but had a wealth of experience in grand houses and through her good offices, and that of their aunt, all three of the girls knew how to behave if they ever went into society.
