Vivian met each woman's gaze with an eager smile, before thanking Lady Theodosia again.
1800s Romance (O/O Closed)
"What will your position here be, Vivian?" Theodosia inquires, curious. She hadn't been aware that the staff needed an extra set of hands.
"I was told I was on kitchen duty until further notice, ma'am, so I myself am not sure," Vivian told her.
Theodosia blinks in surprise but nods her head regardless. Her husband must have some sort of reason for this. "I'll leave you too it then. I apologize for the interruption, ladies.'
"That's alright," Vivian said, echoing the other women, before sitting back down to work.
With one last smile directed at the other women, she turns and exits the room. "Theodosia!" Richard hollers, his voice carrying throughout the house. She flinches before hurrying towards the source of the shout.
Vivian stiffened slightly at the sound of the shout. "Is that the master of the house?" she asked, receiving multiple silent nods.
"Yes, dear?" Theodosia enters the master bedroom and approaches the tall man, trying not to appear as frightened as she is. "Your dog tore up the pillow again." Oh no. She instantly drops to her knees and looks under the bed. As suspected, her little pup is cowering in fear. "Come here, Addie," She calls out softly, tapping the ground. Slowly, the Spaniel creeps out from her hiding spot and jumps into her owner's arms.
Just as Vivian finished with the vegetables, the woman that Lady Theodosia had introduced as Marissa told her to wash up and head upstairs with a dustpan and a fresh pillow.
She obeyed, fetching everything she needed, and padding up the stairs towards the master bedroom.
"I am so sorry that she tore up the pillow, Richard. It will not happen again, I promise." Theodosia holds Addie close, her entire body tense. Rather than accepting her apology and moving on, Richard back hands her right across her face and begins to yell about respect.
About to open the door, Vivian pauses as the yelling starts. Gathering her courage, she carefully opens the door and walks in. "Here to clean up, sir," she tells them quietly.
Theodosia scrambles backwards and presses her hand against her now red cheek. she apologizes several more times before she's finally allowed to leave. Brushing past Vivian, she makes a quick gettway. Richard turns and glares at the serving woman. "Make it quick."
Resisting the urge to turn and watch Lady Theodosia leave, Vivian nods at the Master and swiftly sweeps the pile of feathers and cloth of the bed, setting the fresh pillow down and fluffing it up.
She looks to the Master for permission to leave.
Theodosia heads into the back garden, trying her best not to cry. She sits down on the swing and takes a deep breath. There's no way she can go back in there until she's calmed herself down.
Richard dismissively waves his hand at Vivian, silently telling her to scram.
Vivian obeys, rushing out the door and into the garden to throw away the remnants of the cushion. But someone sits on the swing. She walks over to the swing, stopping in her tracks upon seeing it's none other than her Lady.
Theodosia kisses the top of Addie's head, closing her eyes tight. She takes a few deep breaths and rolls back her shoulders. Things have gotten worse and worse lately. She doesn't know why but Richard's temper has gotten shorter. She hates it.
Vivian hesitates, watching Lady Theodosia kiss her dog. "My Lady?" she breathes cautiously.
Theodosia startles and quickly looks up. "Yes, Vivian?" She quickly wipes the tears away from her eyes. No one needs to see her cry.
Vivian looks sadly at her superior. "Can I get you anything?" she asks gently.
"Could you please get me some ice?" She knows that she'll be in even bigger trouble if her cheek bruises. Richard is always careful to make sure that the marks don't show.
With a silent nod, Vivian walked back inside to get a bucket of ice and the softest towel she could find. She brought both items back out for the Lady. "Will you be alright?" she asked, already mentally kicking herself. She was way out of line.
Theodosia takes some of the ice out of the bucket and carefully sets it up in the towel. She presses the now cold towel against her cheek. "Yes. I just need to make sure it doesn't bruise." With a quiet sigh, she looks down at Addie. "Thank you."
Vivian nodded and retreated back to the kitchen. Marissa, however, led her to boiler room and set her the task of cleaning and bleaching all the dirty sheets. Putting her hair up in a net, Viv set to work.
Theodosia sighs and stays outside for awhile longer before she has to suck it up and head inside. Pausing in front of a mirror, she examines her reflection. The red mark has faded considerably. That's good. She drops the ice and now wet towel off with Marissa. "Please watch Addie." Those are her only instructions before she heads upstairs to face her husband.
Scrubbing hard in the shallow wooden tub, she ignored the fact her hands stung from the harsh chemicals of the bleach. In the silence, however, she caught the brief hum of conversation followed by someone walking up the stairs— probably Lady Theodosia.
The two retire to the bedroom. Doing what Richard wants is the only way she makes it through another day. it's not ideal but it keeps her alive.
A little while later, Theodosia sits in front of the vanity in the bathroom, lacing up her coreset. At least it's over with for now.
As Lady sat at her vanity, Vivian was pinning the now clean sheets outside– she was a quick worker, no one could deny it. She was allowed back into the kitchen to help carve up the meat to be prepared.
Theodosia finishes pinning her hair up before standing and exiting the bedroom, not meeting her husband's gaze. Heading out into the garden, she spots the new serving girl. "Vivian, will you accompany me to the dress shop? I need to purchase something new for Mr. Wilson's party."
Vivian looked up from her work. "Of course, my Lady." She looked back towards the house, but no one was watching. Oh well, they'd find her unfinished work and she'd explain herself later. Washing her hands quickly, she pattered up to her Lady's side.
(I've gotta go now, goodnight!)
Theodosia thanks her and gathers her purse. She glances over her shoulder before heading down the path and opening the gate. The dress shop is only a few blocks away so they'll be able to make it there fairly quickly. She'd like to be back before dinner.
(Night!)