Of all people, Elsie found servants to be the most judgemental: jealous of their master´s station, since it was tied closely to their own. Rupert´s London household had turned their noses up at her when she arrived from the match factory. Her confession that she hadn´t kept domestic help since her mother died had sealed their contempt. Only respect for Rupert, and Rupert´s warning glances, made them civil.
This is followed up by a scene in which the main character Elsie, who is accompanied by her cousin Sarah, has to change her dress in a carriage.:
Sarah leant forward. "What will you do? You´ll need to get changed straight away, without being seen. And Rosie isn´t here!
No, Rosie was unwilling to leave her London life and wages to live in this backwater. Elsie could not blame her. Andf to be honest, she was secretly relieved. She´d never felt comfortable changing in front of her lady´s maid, having strange hands against her skin. But she would need to hire another one soon, if just for appearances´ sake. She did not want to get the reputation of being one of these eccentric widows populating the countryside.
"I daresay I´ll manage without Rosie for now."
Sarah´s face brightened. "I could help you with the buttons at the back. I´m good at buttons."
Well, that made one thing.
Well, that was fast. I´m on page 20 and I already detest the main character.
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