Maggie

By Susan Williams

Set in Victorian England, this is the story of Maggie, as she takes her first tentative steps into the world of love.

Maggie feels that her life is going nowhere, and she is secretly in love with the master’s son. Her feelings are reciprocated, but if Wilbur marries her, he will lose everything. Will he forgo the lavish lifestyle he leads to be with Maggie, or will he have second thoughts?

Or will the handsome, headstrong, cheeky young man named Tom Smith, who lives in the poorest part of London, be her first love. Will she open her heart to him, or will it stay closed? He can be reckless, foolish, exciting and fun, but is that what she wants?

Or will she find love with James, who is a landowner and a Gentleman.

Life has a nasty habit of putting obstacles in your way, and Maggie must deal with several life changing issues before she chooses the right man.

In the end, will she marry for love, convenience or necessity?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Williams
• Release date: Oct 14, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463459027

Susan Williams

Hi, I live in Dorset, England and I was a Teaching Assistant. Due to Covid 19 I have decided to retire. Not sure what the future holds with regards to work, but for now, I'm concentrating on my writing and other hobbies.I am married and have two wonderful sons.I enjoy, reading, writing, playing darts, crafts, exploring coffee shops and mooching .

Book preview

Copyright 2019 Susan Williams

Smashwords Edition

Maggie

Bleary eyed, Maggie walked into the servant’s hall and into the kitchen and Mrs Brean handed her a cup of tea. Then she walked over to the range and warmed her hands.

‘It’s going to be another cold one today,’ Mrs Brean said as she gave her a piece of bread and some cold ham.

‘Looks like it,’ Maggie said unhappily, as she went and sat at the huge table that took up almost half the kitchen.

Ten minutes later, the butler walked in. Mr Forster was a portly man with grey hair, grey eyes and a craggy face, leaving the common man in no doubt that he’d had a hard life.

‘Where the hell are the others,’ he said angrily, then added abruptly, ‘There’s plenty of folk who want a job, and if they don’t start doing as they are told they’ll be out on their ear.’

Two minutes later, the rest of the staff sauntered in.

Bert, the footman, sat down in his usual place next to her. He was a young man of about 22, four years younger than she was and he was rather good looking, but he didn’t appear to have much behind the ears.

Rose, the housemaid, sat next to Bert and as usual, she couldn’t take her eyes of him. Rose was infatuated with him and Maggie could never understand why.

Anne, the Nursery maid was the next to sit down. She was a beautiful woman who was roughly the same age as herself. She had long black curly hair and Maggie envied her curls, especially as she’d been stuck with straight hair.

Mary, the governess, sat next to Mr Forster. She thought herself something. She was about thirty-five with a severe countenance that drove most suitors away. Being tall and gangly didn’t help her much in the pursuit of an admirer either.

‘Where is Iris, has she slept in again. Mrs Brean you really must keep that girl in check. I know she’s only thirteen, but she has to pull her weight.’

‘I know, but the poor girl is shattered, and she needs a lie in. She was up until three last night doing the laundry the poor thing.’

Mr Forster grunted and then tucked into his plate of bacon and eggs and Mrs Brean, as was the normal practice, went and sat next to him.

When they had finished eating, as he normally did, Mr Forster barked out his orders, and just in case people were not certain where they were supposed to be, he put a list up in the scullery.

As usual, her first job was to empty the chamber pots and then clear out the grates and light the fires. She just hoped that the gentry upstairs were up and going about their business. The last thing she needed today, was to come face to face with Master Wilbur because he was a terrible flirt.

Fortunately, Wilbur, his brother Arthur and their father Mr Edmond had all gone to work at their father’s bank. The mistress was in the morning room and the two younger children were in the nursery with Anne, so she was able to go about her duties in peace.

By dinner time she only had the dusting to do, but with six bedrooms to dust, she knew that it would take most of the afternoon to do it. By rights, they should have two maids, but the Master was tight and had decided that one of the chambermaids could help out, but even when she’d finished her own work, the one and only chambermaid never helped out, choosing instead to escape to her room for an hour or so. Thankfully, the bedsheets didn’t have to be changed today and she was grateful for that.

At five o’clock just when she’d finished the last room, Master Wilbur, having been looking for her for the last ten minutes walked into the room.

‘Don’t worry about me Maggie, just finish what you’re doing, I’ll sit and watch.’

Maggie looked down at the dressing table and smiled. She loved the way Master Wilbur was at ease with her. He was twenty- four, tall, with black hair and dark brown eyes and she found him attractive to the point that sometimes, he made her heart flutter.

She was aware of him looking at her as she dusted and knew that he wanted to say something. Wilbur, not known for his patience walked over to her. She looked up and smiled then quickly dodged passed him as he started to purse his lips. This wasn’t the first time he’d tried to steal a kiss, nor the last. At least she hoped not, because knowing that the Master found her attractive made her life more interesting. She waited outside the door for a moment and smiled to herself when she heard Master Wilbur giggle. He had a heart of gold that one.

At eight o’clock when she’d finished cleaning the brass, having forgotten to get changed and been reminded by Mr Forster to do so, she got ready for dinner. She loved sitting around the table chatting with the others and listening to all the gossip. For an hour at least they were able to relax, even though the Master and Mistress could ring for them at any time.

Sadly, there was little or no news to report and there was an eerie silence around the table. Then everyone breathed a sigh of relief when Mr Forster started to read the evening paper to them, and they listened intently. Apparently, Trafalgar square had finally been completed and had attracted a big crowd and the bobbies had to be called in, and although there was some trouble, they had coped with it well.

Maggie decided that on her next day off she might take a walk and look at the square, that’s if it didn’t rain of course, and if she could persuade somebody to go with her. It got dark early and she didn’t fancy walking home on her own, for there were a few dark alleys and some unsavoury characters around, and a girl on her own was an easy target. Only yesterday a maid at number ten had been sworn at and threatened by an unsavoury character.

‘Wednesday is your half day off isn’t it?’ Bert suddenly declared, and everyone looked at him, and when Maggie noticed he was speaking to her, she said suspiciously, ‘It is Bert, why?’

‘I was wondering if you were going anywhere near the docks. I thought you might deliver a note for me.’

‘Maggie won’t be going anywhere near the docks young man. It’s not safe down there. Full of undesirables.’

‘Alright Mrs Brean, keep your hat on.’

Mr Forster looked at Bert, his eyes burning into his and said sternly, ‘If you want a message delivered you can do it yourself Bert Smith.’

‘I only asked,’ he groaned, unhappy with the fact that the butler was speaking down to him.

Trying to diffuse the situation, Maggie whispered, ‘Sorry Bert, I’m not going that way. I thought I might pop down the market for