Page 6 of Blood and Roses

Rosa took extra time to do her makeup carefully and pin her hair neatly. Once the dress was on, it wasn't as bad as she thought it was going to be. It had three-quarter sleeves, a modest scoop neck, and a belt that gave the straight shift some shape. Paired with the stockings, flats, and a pair of silver hoops, she didn't look too bad at all. She had hesitated for only a moment before she put her necklace back on, tucking the pendant out of sight.

Rosa would be forced to meet the family, so she practiced a friendly smile in the mirror. It was more like a grimace, but she hoped that when the time came, it would have improved. She remembered the polite smile and acknowledgment from the eldest Vane the night before.

Maybe they won't be as stuck up and awful as you think, she lied to herself.

Rosa found Cecily in the kitchen, multitasking and giving orders. Five servants were moving about as Vera, the formidable cook for the last thirty-five years, was frying and stirring. She stopped when she saw Rosa.

"Ha! There she is! Get over here and hug your auntie!" she bellowed. Rosa couldn't remember the good-humored face surrounded by a riot of gray hair, but she certainly recognized the booming voice. She obliged the old cook who squeezed the life from her.

"What's all this then?" Rosa asked, looking over the crowded benches.

"Just the usual morning chaos," Vera huffed as she went back to flipping bacon. "The Masters like breakfast at 11 am. These rich folks don't understand mornings at all."

"To be honest, I don't either," Rosa admitted. "Can I help?"

"And get you all sweaty and splattered before you meet the family? Unlikely, my girl. This lot is almost ready if you want to help the others take it upstairs."

Five silver trays were arranged neatly on the breakfast bar, and Cecily took Rosa's arm, moving her out of the way as Vera started arranging the plates.

"You cook five separate meals for them? Whatever happened to filling a bain marie and getting them to serve themselves?" Rosa joked.

"Well, there's no point wasting food, and five meals isn't a huge task," Vera said.

"They are picky," Cecily added as she put small plungers of hot coffee and pots of tea on the trays.

"Why doesn't that surprise me?"

"Now, dear, let me look at you," Cecily said as she arranged Rosa's sleeve and brushed some invisible lint off her dress.

"Mother," Rosa warned, and Cecily stopped fussing.

"Is it so wrong that I want my beautiful daughter to look neat? First impressions count."

"I'm a servant. I don't think they give a shit."

"Language!"

Rosa picked up a tray, as did Cecily and three other girls, quickly introduced as Julie, Jenny, and Jessie.Because that won't get confusing, Rosa smiled and said hello. Cecily led the way up through the servant's passage and into one of the hallways.

The house was stone, paneled oak, and plasterwork. Elaborate carpets protected polished wooden floors, and everywhere Rosa looked were fresh flowers, exquisite artwork, and gilt-framed mirrors. A male servant opened a pair of double doors for them, and high female chatter echoed out. The room was filled with light and done in a blue and cream color palette the reminded Rosa of marzipan.

"Food! Excellent," a young man of about twenty-five, exclaimed. He had sandy colored curls, pale blue eyes, and a smiling mouth.

Jenny preened at him as she set his food down at a long mahogany table.

Good Lord, Rosa almost burst out laughing.

"Keep it together, Saul. Anyone would think you hadn't drunk half the cellar last night," answered a striking brunette woman with dark freckles. "Thank you, Julie."

"You're welcome, Miss Lily."

"Are you going to eat today, Pearl?" Lily asked.

A graceful, white arm lifted over a nearby lounge, and a small, delicate woman rose languidly to her feet. She had blonde bobbed hair and wore an elegant white jumpsuit with a string of pearls. She reminded Rosa instantly of Daisy Buchanan inThe Great Gatsby. Beautiful, privileged, and undeniably damaged.

"I suppose I can try," Pearl said as she sat down in a chair next to Lily. Jessie stepped forward and arranged the meal for her. Pearl's gray eyes settled on Rosa. "Who are you?"

"This is my daughter Rosa," Cecily said before she could open her mouth. "She's up from London."

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