The Victoria Era

The Town

After having the talk with Sebastian that I couldn't stop thinking about, I got to pick up my little sister who was coming down to stay at the house with me for a little before returning to London for my sister's wedding. Suddenly, I saw a girl delivering milk on my doorstep and I wanted to tip her. " Oh, hello." I said greeting her. I pulled out my purse and handed her two pence. " I'm sorry it's not much but it's all I can afford with the ball tomorrow."
She took the money with a curt nod and said, "Oh, no worries. A ball? When is it?"
"You have not heard? That is shocking. Tomorrow night there is a ball being held- " I handed her the most recent invitation:

People of Wilksin---

All are invited to join me at my mansion on the hill for the Meet and Greet Ball! Please bring friends and family as this is a grand day for us all! The day after the ball Wilksin will be officially put on the map as a major town. Because of this accomplishment we will be celebrating! This is a formal occasion but should be entertaining. It will be held at the strike of 9 and ends when we can't stand anymore!

Mr. Wilksin

After I saw she had finished reading it, I said, "See, everyone is hopefully attending, Including you I presume?"
"Alas, I shall work that day, provided drinks at the ball. Maybe you will see me, working. It is quite odd, my job." She said with sorrow in her voice.
"Clarissssssa..." Marie whined tugging on my skirt.
"What, Marie?" I asked irked.
"I thought you said we were going to the ribbon store to get me bows..." Marie whined again.
"We are but be patient." I said and turned back to the girl. I held out a hand for her to shake and replied, "Well, I hope to see you as a guest instead of a worker."
She shook my hand and said, "Maybe. Just maybe." She got back to work immediately.
"Clarissa, let's goooo." Marie complained.
"Marie, keep your manners." I glared at her. "Do you need help, Miss?" I looked to the hard worker again.
"That'd be lovely, but you seem quite busy." She replied placing more milk on another doorstep.
"No, I don't think we have anything that terribly important. Right, Marie?" I said looking down at the bored little girl.
"But-" Marie started.
"Great!" I cut her off. I peeled off my gloves and rolled up my sleeves. "Here, I can help."
"Why thank you, but if my Aunt Harriett catches us, she'll---" She made a sound that resembled a whimper and moved on.
I raised an eyebrow. "She'll do what?"
"Hit me and beat with wine bottles..." She silenced after that and flashed signs of long scars on her arms and legs. "That's why I keep my limbs from showing."
"Oh my Lord! You must leave! Can you do nothing to stop her?" I stared at her worriedly but made a point not to look at her scars.
"Not at all, no. She beats me for every small thing. I sneezed cooking with pepper while she was snoozing, and she woke up and beat me!" She shuddered seemingly terrified. "She left prison twice for abusive behaviour, then she was free. I am locked up in the basement , unless I'm working."
I stopped walking and looked at the distracted Marie. "Marie, the ribbon shop is right over there." I nodded my head towards the small shop. "There is a very kind lady who goes by Henrietta. Tell her you are of the same bloodline as I and she will watch over you for a time."
"Yes, sister." Marie said, giddily skipping off.
"Tell me more of your predicament." I said firmly.
"Perhaps, I shall talk about it. A restaurant? No, how silly of me. A peasant such as me shalln't be asking anything from you, milady." She bowed. "I must ask, I haven't felt concern before. Why do you care so?"
"Well, to be the utmost truthful, I have never been that social as I had my sister, Lisa, and my other siblings to keep me entertained but now both my brothers are looking for wives, my little sister too young to talk to, and my best sister is now engaged and planning to move to London. Now, I need people to converse with and I find the best to be the ones with work on their hands. Also, I would love to take you up on that offer. I do not believe in class lines." I said indignantly.
"My Aunt Harriett is such a...a foul beast! She hates me. Oh, dear! You might besmirch your dress if you sit on this dirty, filthy ground." She held my dress up off the dirty ground. "She's forcing me to get married to this rather hideous looking man. His name is Alistair. He is quite rich. He has been having an eye on me seen I have been working at the bar. He also is an abuser. He nearly killed his last wife!"
"Oh, dear, this dress is easy to clean. Please, do not fuss. *delivers last milk* Alright, shall we to lunch? I think I have a proposition to make. When are you being wed?" I said worriedly.
"Next week, I presume. The matter is, I shall not betroth this horse looking man because I am running away from home!" She stomped her foot opening my eyes wide.
"That is bold. But listen here, what if I could offer you an easy way out. See my brothers are searching for a wife and you seem like a good candidate but I could see how this could be unsatisfactory. So, another option would be you could work at my house as a maid and my family would refuse to let you marry. Running away seems precarious and I think there are easier options to choose from." I whispered, my mind reeling.
She sighed. " I'm not ready to marry, but that sounds like a good choice, I shall accept it. I will pack up my things and head out at night. Harriet will be out drinking herself silly again. 9 or 10 pm, ma'am?"
"Whatever fits you. The back door will be locked but here. *pulls out keys from her purse* This is the key corresponding with the back door. Now, know, I expect you to not raise a finger until at least after the ball! The house is yours and please make yourself at home!" I said excitedly.
"Thank you so much! I will find out somehow to repay you." She said running off.
I smiled. "Haha! Do not mention it!" I yelled after her. I went to the ribbon shop searching for my sister.