Then I realized I was standing in the open, wearing nothing but a blaz- er, blouse and heels.Then I realized I was standing in the open, wearing nothing but a blaz- er, blouse and heels. "May I put my skirt back on, Mistress Linda." "No, of course not. Now, get my bags." Chastened, I got her bags out of the trunk and followed her into the mansion. I call it a mansion because I can't describe it any other way. It was a beautiful, huge house, set in the trees and hills. I looked all around as I followed my lady to the door. "Is this yours?" I asked, unable to hold back. "No, silly girl. It belongs to an old friend of mine, whom you will meet tonight. Now, no more questions out of turn." She climbed the steps and rang the bell. The door was quickly an- swered by a young woman in wearing a short, black maid's dress. The bottom of the skirt just reached the top of her white stock- ings. A white apron, a cap on her lustrous red hair, and feather duster completed the uniform. She curtsied. "Welcome Madam Linda. We are expecting you. Your usual room has been prepared. Festivities begin in a half an hour. Shall I call someone to get your bags." "No, thank you Jocelyn, my servant will take care of them. But would you please have someone move my car." Linda handed her the keys. "And tell your mistress that I have arrived." The maid curtsied again and left us alone in the hall. "Maybe you can be trained as well someday, girl. Come." Linda said to me and led me up a grand staircase. We went down a hall and finally entered a large and beautiful room. A stone fireplace was on one wall, and two walls had large windows rising from knee height to the ceiling. A gorgeous cano- pied bed sat between the windows of one wall. On either side of the fireplace was a beautiful wooden door. One was open to a bathroom. An armoire, a tall bureau, two overstuffed chairs and a side table completed the furniture. |