Downstairs Rules Read Free Page A

of her husband. He believes that marriage and life at Baxter Hall will settle her, and I’m counting on you to assist to that end.”

    Ella felt a stirring of unease. “I’m sure I don’t quite understand, sir,” she said.

    “It’s quite simple really,” York said. “Ann Baxter is young and foolish, but smart enough to realize she is in a situation a bit out of her depth. She will look to you for guidance, and I expect you to steer her towards stiller waters if you see her tempted to roil them.”

    “Mr. York, I’m her maid. Not her mother…”

    He stepped closer to her and Ella felt intimidated by his size and nearness. His voice seemed even deeper as he spoke.

    “Alastair Baxter hand-picked you, and he is Lord over all here. Over me, over you and over his wife. He has instructed me to explain to you the way things are. He is a firm man and if Lady Baxter errs, she will face consequences from her husband. And if that happens, I will hold you responsible and see to your correction. Is that understood?”

    Ella wanted to tell him that she did not understand, not at all. But Mr. York intimidated her, and the last thing she wanted to do was to get on the wrong side of the man before she had taken time to ponder the implications of what she had saying.

    “You’ve given me a lot to think about,” she said, and felt a surge of relief when he did not press her.

    “When in doubt, think it out,” her father had always said. Malcolm Carter believed the less said the better, especially when one was at a loss for words. So Ella held her tongue as she followed York up the back staircase to a pair of double doors.

    “This is the female servants’ wing,” he said. “Your room is the second on the left. As Lady Baxter’s maid, you have the privilege of your own room.” I’ll give you half an hour to get settled in before you come down for a bit of tea. After that, you will be introduced to her ladyship I expect you to be in uniform; you’ll find it pressed and ready in the wardrobe.” He paused. “Do you have any questions?”

    “No,” she said.

    “Very good. See you in half an hour.”

    He turned away and she watched his broad back before he disappeared around the corner. With a shake of her head and a sigh, she turned and walked through the double doors to her room. It was Spartan but comfortable, with a tub, washbasin, bureau, wardrobe and comfortable bed. The window overlooked the kitchen garden and a pear tree not yet in bloom.

    Ella unpacked her meager belongings and changed into her work uniform, a dark-blue dress and crisp white apron and white cap. Everything fit, including the stockings and shoes. 

    She checked her reflection in the mirror over the washbasin and frowned. With her large blue eyes and heart-shaped face, she looked younger than her twenty-five years and wondered if that made York think she could be so easily led. Ella was pleased with herself for giving the butler an answer that did not commit her to full obedience. She’d always been a loyal ladies made, and would continue to be so, god willing. With Lady Chatworth she’d kept confidences. She’d never told anyone how Lady Chatworth had cried over her husband’s infidelities, and wished aloud more than once that she’d never married the man who was sharing his bed with other women while spending the generous dowry she’d brought into the marriage. She knew in her heart she could not be taken into someone’s confidence and then betray them, not even for some perceived greater good.

    But York had mentioned consequences if she did not obey, and she did not want to even ponder going back to her father in disgrace, having been dismissed. It was a great shame to be dismissed from service; her father had always looked down on those who had lost their positions in fine houses. Like a good servant, he always sided with the Chatworths if a servant was dismissed; he was willfully blind to the flaws and shortcomings of his