The Butler’s Dowry

Chapter 6

Unfortunately the problems never actually got better. Mister Richard never seemed to notice and when he did he would put me to the task of solving it just as he’d always done. Only problem was that there was no way to solve it without him saying something to Sussana.

While away on their honey moon the rest of the staff and I enjoyed a nice relaxing month of simple chores and talking together. When Richard and Sussana came back I had prepared many good things for them to eat and had made sure the house was spotless. Sussana had taken her maid with her on her honey moon and so when she came home it added a new staff member, even though she was really only required to answer to Sussana. I didn’t mind however seeing as I had enough staff to keep the house running.

But none of us had much time to get to know the lady’s maid very well as she was gone within two months. And feel bad for having to be the one to suggest she leave but I had to. I was looking over the books one day and noticed that the pay the Lily was receiving was dipping into our funds immensely and if we kept her on too long we would be living in the poor house before too long. I took the book to Richard and Sussana one evening as the sat together after dinner.

“Yes Charlotte what is it?” Richard asked politely.

“I was hoping we could discuss a very important matter Sir.”

“Of course! What is it?”

“The books sir, it doesn’t look good. I hate to say it but I’m afraid the ladies maid is pulling too much from our funds.”

“Our funds?” Sussana asked. She still hadn’t gotten used to the way I spoke to Mister Richard and was trying to conform me into the perfect servant.

“I mean your funds.”

“Well then I suppose she must go.” She said pertly. “But when she goes who will wait on me? Surely not the valet.”

“No, I was thinking more of the parlor maid. She cane be your maid for part of the time and help me with meals the rest of the time. I think it should work out quite nicely if we can work out the details.”

“It sounds excellent Charlotte!” Richard said clapping his hands, I knew he would agree with me.

“Good then, I shall have to inform her of her dismissal. I will of course give her this month’s wages and she should have a reference so she can find work elsewhere.”

“And I suppose you could be in my place as well? Do you think I don’t know how to dismiss a maid? I think it is my job not yours to let her go.” Sussana interrupted.

“I was only trying to make it easier on you.” I said sincerely. I don’t understand what is wrong with her. I was trying to help her and she was getting angry with me. And on top of that Richard wasn’t saying a thing in my defense! This house was slowly on its way into turmoil I could see it with my own two eyes.

“Well then I shall leave the letting go to you and will continue with my own work. Good night.” I didn’t add any Misses’ or Mister’s just ‘goodnight’. I went downstairs to finishing cleaning up after dinner and I let Mary know of her new assignments.

But that was only the beginning. Whatever money we regained from firing Lily was quickly used up supporting Sussana. She bought new furniture for the parlor and new clothes and hats for herself and within a matter of a few weeks I was struggling to put proper food on the table with the amount of money I had left for the household. And when I brought this up with Mister Richard, in private, he sighed and suggested we let Mary go.

“But Sir we can’t! Who will help in the kitchen? Who will help Lady Sussana?”

“Perhaps you could help her out from time to time, just until I can get business up and running well enough so that we can get a new house maid. Charlotte, we need to make adjustments now that Sussana is here, please help me make her feel at home. And soon I will talk to her about her spending, after all she can’t buy too much more.”

“Of course Sir. I will let Mary know this afternoon. Will you be writing her a reference?”

“I don’t know, if you think she needs one go ahead and write one. You know I don’t have time to pay attention to these sorts of things Charlotte.”

“Of course Sir, but you will sign it?”

“Yes, fine, fine.” He seemed to be getting frustrated so I curtseyed and left.

Poor Mary cried her eyes out when I had to tell her the news.

“Have I done somethin’ wrong Miss?” she asked with tears streaming down her cheeks.

“No Mary you’ve done absolutely wonderful. And because of that I’m sure you will be able to find a job very soon. I have a reference here for you. You take it to this address and give it to a Mr. Fulton; he’s a friend of mine. He will do everything he can to get a perfectly wonderful job somewhere else. Please don’t cry anymore Mary.”

But she couldn’t stop it seemed. She cried almost all that day while I gave her a few last things to do and then she cried the next morning when Pierre helped her carry her things to the cab waiting outside. Mister Richard didn’t know about the cab but I remember Mary telling me she’d always wanted to ride one and I had taken it out of my own purse to get her one to take her home. It was the least I could do to try and make her feel slightly better in her situation.

When she had gone i realized that I would have to change everyone’s work schedule to make up for the loss in help.

“Pierre I know it’s not your place but you’re going to have to learn how to wash the dishes because I can’t do it all myself. And Martin you will have to take over some of the footman responsibilities. I know that none of this is suitable for your positions but I’m afraid there’s no other way, there isn’t enough money to hire a new maid at the moment. So if we work hard enough and are thrifty enough we can hopefully help Mister Richard in his plight. Do you all understand?” I looked at both of them and they nodded.

“You know I won’t let you down Miss Charlotte. I never have and I don’t expect to start know when I’m needed.” Pierre told me as he got up to go back to work.

“And I have done some footman duties before so it shouldn’t be too much of a burden on me.” Martin assured me. I felt better knowing that I still had two faithful people down here to help me out.

“Thank you both I appreciate you willingness to work. It can’t be too long before things will go back to normal around here.”

Oh how I wished I hadn’t said that and gotten their hopes up! For the next three months all of us worked like dogs trying to finish everything. And with me having to help Susanna with her daily needs I had less time to cook and prepare meals, which made her very upset.

“My goodness Charlotte you have really been slacking these past few days, haven’t you? First I bring some friends for tea and I find the parlor has not yet been dusted and there is no tea ready. Then I wish to go upstairs and rest to find the beds aren’t made yet and the water hasn’t been changed for washing.” She lectured me. I stayed quite and waited for her to finish her little lecture on how to run a household, something I’ve been doing for long than she has.

“I looked at the books not too long ago to find that you pay is far higher than is common. If you wish to be a true butler I see no reason for you to get a higher salary than any other butler. You salary from here on out is reduced from forty pounds to thirty pounds.”

I was dumbfounded. She had just lowered my pay to little more than what girls are making in factories. Mister Richard and I had agreed on my salary several years ago and had come to a very good understanding that I would keep those wages no matter how hard I worked to keep him from having to bother with it and to keep him out of financial strain.

“Charlotte if you value your place in this household I suggest that you start shaping up. You are dismissed.” I curtseyed and went straight up to Mister Richard’s office.

“Sir there is something I must speak with you on.” I said immediately after coming in.

“What is it?”

“My wages Mister Richard, she’s reduced them to thirty pounds. Surely you didn’t know of this.” I told him. He looked up from his papers and took of his glasses. He frowned slightly and looked at me.

“What business does she have doing such a thing? You are my butler, not hers. Well mostly anyways. I’m sorry for the mix up Charlotte I will fix it as soon as possible. Now please be a dear and get my tea please I’m a bit hungry.”

“Yes Sir, and thank you for understanding.”

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A/N: A bit of foreshadowing in there huh? Well hopefully I can start slowing down a little on this story, so it’s not too fast. But it is meant to be a bit more of a fast paced story as I doubt you want to hear about every dish that was washed and dust speck that was swept up so I’ve omitted all that stuff. Please review folks I love to hear from all of you!