“I am.”
Walking over to the dressing table, Mary put the tray down before saying, “You missed breakfast, but I did secure a tray for you.”
“That was most thoughtful of you.”
Mary solemnly turned back towards her. “Would you care to dress for the day?”
“I would.” Ellie sat up in bed and put her feet over the side. “I do appreciate your assistance.”
“You don’t need to thank me. It is my job to serve you.”
Ellie cocked her head. “May I ask how old you are?”
“I am sixteen.”
“That is rather young to be a lady’s maid, is it not?”
“My main duties consist of being a housemaid, but I was asked to assist you while you are residing here.”
“Do you enjoy working as a lady’s maid?”
Mary nodded. “Very much so, miss.”
Ellie took a moment to consider Mary, and she found herself curious about one thing. “Are you always this serious?”
“I am,” Mary replied. “My job keeps my family out of the poorhouse.”
“Is that so?”
Mary gave her a sad smile. “My stepfather passed away last year, and my mother is at home with young children.”
“How many siblings do you have?”
“Three.”
“Your mother must be very proud of you.”
A small smile escaped Mary’s thin lips, and Ellie felt like she had secured a small victory. “I hope that is the case,” Mary said. “She taught me how to read herself.”
“That is impressive.”
“My mother used to work in a fancy house such as this,” Mary explained. “She married one of the grooms and was fired when she started increasing.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“When I turned ten, my father died after a horse trampled him.”
Ellie gasped. “That’s terrible!”
Mary clasped her hands in front of her. “It isn’t all so bad,” she remarked. “I was fortunate enough to be hired on here as a scullery maid, and I’ve worked my way up to housemaid.”
“You must be a hard worker.”
“Yes, miss.”
Ellie rose and sat at the dressing table. “I must confess that I have been without a lady’s maid for the past year.”
“But who dresses you?”
