Master and Maid

(OOC: Closed for Vikingstone and myself...)

Martha had been a maid in the house of the Darkwood family since she was 14 and after 10 years of faithful service she had been promoted to the level of personal maid to Lady Darkwood. Martha was sweet, kind and devoted to the family she served. After the deaths of her mother through illness and her father through drink (and a broken heart she believed) she had been brought into service in the mansion, from that moment on she had become a part of a new family.

Always a little on the short side for her age, she seemed to have grown very little in her time at Darkwood house. She had grown up though, her soft features had become more defined, her bright blue eyes had become more inquisitive and her softly waving dark hair now reached almost to her waist. Not that it was ever on show. Every morning she carefully pinned it all up and then carefully placed her white cap on the top of it. She had developed a womanly figure beneath her corset and black dress but she barely noticed it. Why would she? She had no looking glass in her small attic bedroom and the thought to look at herself whilst in her mistress’ chamber had never occurred to her. She merely dressed herself each morning and then went about her duties, helping to dress her mistress, helping out with any sewing and mending that might need doing, occasionally helping out in the kitchen or serving at the family’s dinner table. Sometimes she tending to guests staying at the mansion, but rarely was she called to serve upon Lord Darkwood, he had his own valet for his needs.

However, one fine morning, as she was helping her mistress to dress Martha was informed she would have extra duties from the following day. Their son, the honourable Robert Darkwood was returning to the family home after spending the last few years travelling the world. She would need to help him as and when he required until a suitable valet could be found. Martha had been unable to suppress the smile that curved her soft, pink lips. She and Robert had been playmates and confidantes when they were much younger and she had often found herself wondering what he had been up to since leaving the house. He was witty and generous, he’d taught her to read and write and shared the things he was told by his tutors. She knew he was handsome but at the age they had been, such things counted for little. Besides which, he was the son of her employers, to think of anything beyond mild friendship was unthinkable. And even if it wasn’t, why would he look at her when he could have any woman of his choosing. Anyway, the chances were he was going to come home with a pretty young wife from overseas. Martha sighed a little and then smiled at her mistress and said she’d be happy to be of any service she could. If nothing else, she was genuinely happy to know he was safe and well and on his way home.

Once her mistress was dressed, Martha was excused. Knowing she would have a few hours before she was needed to help with the serving of luncheon, she headed out into the grounds for a walk. Something she did quite a lot. Walking through the sculptured gardens, with their ponds and rosebeds, secluded groves and alleys of trees she was free to get lost in her own imagination. Little did she know that Robert Darkwood was on his way home sooner than expected…

Robert Darkwood

Robert Darkwood
6'
220 pounds of muscle
Black Hair
Green Eyes
26

Robert had just gotten back from his journey's early, and hasn't gotten to the house yet. His bags were still in his convertible, and he had decided to take a long walk on the grounds. He saw the beauty that was coming out of the house at the time, and smiled to himself. He could see it was one of the maids. but didn't know which one it was at this time. He watched her go out to take a walk, so he decided to catch up with her, and make some small talk. When he got closer, he couldn't believe his eyes at who it was. "Martha, is that you? God girl, it's been quite a few years, and you look great."

"Martha, is that you? God girl, it's been quite a few years, and you look great."

Martha spun on her heels, her eyes wide as she looked up into the handsome, smiling face behind her. "Robert...?! I mean, Master Robert, sir, it is good to see you," blushing at having displayed such familiarity she looked down at the ground as she bobbed in a curtsey before him. After all, they were no longer children. He was her employer as much as his parents were. "Your mother said you were not expected until tomorrow..." She straightened up and looked up a little shyly. Not failing to notice just how much he had grown up. He had always been taller than her but now he towered over her with broad shoulders and physique that was almost overwhelming. "Would you like me to send word to the house of your arrival, sir?"

Robert

Robert smiled and shook his head. "Not yet Martha, let's continue on this walk. It's a beautiful day, and you look like you were getting ready to enjoy yourself on the walk." He smiled at her again, serindipedly checking her out, hopefully without her noticing him doing it.

Martha

"Not yet Martha, let's continue on this walk. It's a beautiful day, and you look like you were getting ready to enjoy yourself on the walk."

"Thank you, sir, I was intending on taking a walk through the grounds before I was needed to help with the luncheon..." She bobbed another brief curtsey before beginning to walk slowly beside him.

She felt a little awkward, although she did not know why, she'd grown up with person walking alongside her but now...he was a man, the man who would inherit the great house within whose gardens they now walked, who would inherit her service...should he want her...

"So, how was your trip, Master Robert?" She asked after a few moments of silence had passed. "Rumour had it you were searching for a bride," A mischievous sparkle entered her eyes. "But I think you have returned alone..."

Robert

Yes he had been looking for a bride, but couldn't find one that even brought a candle to the lady that had his eye. Like she would ever even think of him that way, for she would always think of him as her master. "Your right, I wasn't able to find anyone that even held a candle to the one I have always had my eyes on Martha, but she is so unavailable to me, because she would think that she isn't worthy of me, whereas I think that I'm not worthy of her."

"Your right, I wasn't able to find anyone that even held a candle to the one I have always had my eyes on Martha, but she is so unavailable to me, because she would think that she isn't worthy of me, whereas I think that I'm not worthy of her."

Martha frowned slightly at his sadly spoken words, stopping walking so that he stopped beside her.
"You not worthy...?" Martha smiled softly, all but reaching out to touch his arm. "You are worthy of any woman in the world and if she is so lucky as to be the object of your desires and affections then she is a fool if she refuses you..." Martha spoke plainly, but gently. Her eyes seeking his, as they had done when they were younger, to reassure him as much as she was able. "If you truly think you have found the object of your desires then you should-" Martha's words were cut off by the sound of a bell being rung in the mansion. Her presence was required. Tutting she glanced back over her shoulder to the house and then back to him. "I...I should go but...it really is good to have you home, Robert..." This time she allowed herself to reach out and gently rest her hand on his forearm for a moment. "I shall no doubt see you later on, sir" Quickly removing her hand and curtseying once more she turned and carefully ran back towards the house, calling back over her shoulder happily. "I won't tell your mother you're home...I'll let you do that yourself!" Her gentle laughter came back to him on the breeze as she headed up to the house and disappeared through the servants' entrance.

Robert

"I just wish that it were that simple Martha." He smiled as she ran back off to the house. "Why can't I just tell you that it's you Martha that has caught my eye." He shook his head, and headed back to the house, telling one of the servants to get his luggage out of the car, and then went to find his mother. He snuck up behind her, and wrapped his arms around her kissing her on the cheek. "Hello mother, it is so good to see you healthy and well."

Martha ran inside the house, shutting the heavy door behind her and then leant back against it for a moment. Not sure why she all of a sudden felt so depressed. Surely the news that while Robert hadn't found anyone yet, he did have someone in his thoughts...and in his heart...surely that hadn't been the cause. Had it?
Frowning, an un-natural expression for her usually smiling face, she headed towards the kitchen.
It had been cook who had rung for her. One of the scullery maids had been sent to bed with a fever and so she needed someone to help with the preparation of lunch, so Martha sat down and began work on peeling and cleaning the small mountain of potatoes on the table. All the while her mind replaying the conversation she'd had with Robert.
He had looked so desperate when he'd spoken of this 'lady'...Martha sighed, whoever she was she had certainly woven a powerful spell over his heart. Maybe she would be able to help him, if only in listening to his worries, like she had always done.
Finishing up the potatoes she helped cook with the rest of the preparations. Within the hour lunch was ready and Martha helped to serve it to the family.
Her mistress was deep in conversation with Robert and barely registered her entrance into the room, Martha didn't mind, that was how it was. She moved around and around the large table serving her mistress and Robert.
Once they had all the food they wanted, Martha stood off to one side, in case her services should be needed any further. While she stood watching, she couldn't help thinking back that it was a little strange that whenever she'd allowed her eyes to wander across the table towards him, his eyes seemed to have been looking at her. She stood with her hands behind her back and her head held at the correct angle, high but not proudly, Martha stood silently throughout the meal.
She shook the thought off though, knowing he was most likely absorbed in his storytelling and not really looking at her at all.

Robert

Robert was chatting with his mother about his travels and everything that was going on in his life. "I am telling you mother, I haven't found anyone that could match her in looks, and in my heart. There has to be a way for me to be with her." He then looked up and noticed that Martha was eyeing him from time to time, and he smiled at her. He then leaned in and whispered something into his mothers ear, only for her to hear. "Is there some way that I can get Martha to notice me without her thinking of herself just as working for me."

Lady Darkwood

Lady Darkwood looked at her son with soft eyes, seeing that his words were deeply rooted and not just some passing fancy. She had suspected for years that he had a soft spot for the girl but hadn't realised how deep it had grown.
"If it is her you truly desire then your father and I will of course not stand in your way, she is a sweet girl and I have no doubt that you would both be happy together but it is a strange situation, she has spent her life here as servant to this family. I doubt if she really knows any other kind of life. You must be careful not to frighten her. I know of some young men in your position who would think nothing of using a servant for their own pleasure," Lady Darkwood's fine nose wrinkled slightly in disgust at the thought, before the smile returned to her face, "You and Martha were friends as children, why not start there...talk to her, try to let her know you think of her as an equal and then...I'm sure you'll find a way of telling her how you feel..." Lady Darkwood then smiled once more, leant across the table to kiss her son's forehead and then left the dining room with Lord Darkwood. Leaving Martha and Robert alone.

Robert

Robert thanked his mother and then looked up at Martha with a smile. He put down his fork. "Martha, why don't you come and sit with me for desert, you know how I don't like to eat alone." He smiled at her letting her know that he wasn't joking, and really wanted her to join him.

Martha

"Martha, why don't you come and sit with me for desert, you know how I don't like to eat alone."

She couldn't help but smile back, he used to use those same words when they were younger. He'd always make sure he was the last to finish at the table and that his mother and father would leave and then she'd join him and they'd talk. About the world, about everything and nothing.
But they'd been children then...

"I-if you're sure you'd like me to..." She hesitated before moving over to the table, pulling out a chair opposite his and sitting down. Glancing almost shyly across the table at him, the candles between them sparkling in his green eyes. "Your mother seems happy to have you home again..." She said after a moment or two had passed. "Are you glad to be back...? Will you get chance to see your 'lady' while you're here...?" She asked, almost teasingly. Her eyes twinkling mischievously, feeling much more relaxed than when she had first met him in the gardens. Now, it was almost as if he had never left and they had always been sitting like this. As friends.
Almost...because when they'd sat like this before, she'd never felt her body trembling the way it was, or her skin feeling unusually flushed.

Malcolm

"I talked to mother about my lady friend and my problem of her thinking that she wouldn't be good enough for me, and she said I should go for it, let her know how I feel. Martha we have known each other for years now, heck, we grew up together. What I'm trying to say, is that the girl that has stolen my heart is you Martha." He looked at her with eyes that showed how he felt about her without saying a word.

Martha

"I talked to mother about my lady friend and my problem of her thinking that she wouldn't be good enough for me, and she said I should go for it, let her know how I feel. Martha we have known each other for years now, heck, we grew up together. What I'm trying to say, is that the girl that has stolen my heart is you Martha."

At first Martha wasn't sure she had heard him correctly. As if she was listening to his voice through a high wind or through water. But as soon as his eyes met hers the reality dawned on her.
"Me...? W-why...why me...?" She mumbled, all of a sudden feeling both hot and cold at the same time. Her heart had begun to pound loudly in her chest and she knew her eyes were growing bright with tears. "Robert, you could have any lady of name in the world, why choose me...?" Then she stopped herself, realising that she was making it sound as if she didn't want him or as if she wasn't interested when, if she was honest with herself, he was all she had ever wanted...but never believed she would ever have in her life as anything more than a friend. "I mean, I have cared for you all my life...I never dreamed you felt anything in return...I was your family's servant, you were the son of my master...I never dreamed of the chance of being anything more..." Her voice was growing more excited but still quiet, almost as if she believed this all to be a dream and that if she spoke too loud...it would shatter around them both... "Are you sure...are you sure that it's me that you want...?" She asked softly, almost hesitantly, her eyes meeting his and knowing the answer to her last question before he could open his mouth.

Enter the Antagonist

Eustace Morgan, second son of the Darkwood's dear friends Dr. Sir Cornelius Morgan and his philanthropist wife Mary. Though not of the peerage, they've been accepted by the highest rungs of society for their copious good works, Sir Cornelius's service during the war including advancements in battlefield medicine etc. It also helps that they trace their lineage back to a crown-sanctioned privateer whose fortune in french and spanish gold has been duly multiplied by successive generations and is now a vast pile o' cash.

Eustace has therefore had every advantage a second son of an honored and wealthy Victorian gentleman may possibly be afforded, except the respect and deference his older brother George receives as Number one son. Instead of channeling his considerable intelligence and talent into acts of generosity he is consumed with jealousy and bitterness.

At 21, Eustace is irrepressibly charming with boyish good looks. More slightly built than Robert he is nonetheless no one to be trifled with. He is an expert with a rapier, a crack shot and has studied a variety of hand to hand combat techniques. All these pusuits he's undertaken at the behest of his father who has tried desperately to interest the young man in something other than alcohol and women. He's already impregnated one of the chambermaids, a fact successfully hushed up by Sir Cornelius, sending the poor girl off to America with more than enough money to live comfortably for the rest of her life.

He has Lady darkwood wrapped around his little finger, though his Lordship is a bit dubious. Consequently he has run of the house and grounds and is warmly welcomed and catered to during his frequent visits.

Robert

Robert smiled and nodded. "You know I would never lie to you about something like this Martha. I think that it was that we grew up with each other, and know so much about each other. I think I fell in love with you before I left, but followed my fathers idea that I should go out and see the world, and maybe find someone else, but you have always had my heart, and there weren't any others that caught my eyes as much as you have it. You have me hook line and sinker Martha."

"You know I would never lie to you about something like this Martha. I think that it was that we grew up with each other, and know so much about each other. I think I fell in love with you before I left, but followed my fathers idea that I should go out and see the world, and maybe find someone else, but you have always had my heart, and there weren't any others that caught my eyes as much as you have it. You have me hook line and sinker Martha."

Martha felt the tears welling up in her eyes, her heart beating that little bit quicker as he spoke so earnestly to her. Could it really be happening...could it really be happening to her...?
"Oh Robert...I...I think I've always loved you too..." She looked away shyly and when she looked back a tear of sheer joy had escaped from one eye and was creeping down her soft cheek. "And I think I always will..." She leant a little closer, taking his hand in hers and squeezing it gently.

Robert

Robert smiled brightly and took her into his arms. "It makes my heart sing to hear that you love me also Martha." He then shyly leaned in and kissed her softly, but with meaning behind it. Sitting up from the kiss, he smiled even brighter if it was possible, "That was wow."

Ripples of excitment, nervousness and sheer delight washed over her as he took her into his strong arms.

"It makes my heart sing to hear that you love me also Martha."

Martha leant towards him as he leant towards her, closed her eyes and sighing as his lips touched hers for the first time. The kiss was gentle and soft, but with passion flowing undeniably through it. It was her first kiss and she was so happy that it should be with Robert. Robert who loved her.

"That was wow."

Martha giggled as his bright smile beamed at her, she couldn't help but smile back. "It was definitely worth waiting all these years for..." She agreed softly before nestling against his chest, enjoying the safe, secure, natural feeling of being in his arms, hearing his heart beating so closeby. It seemed his heart was beating as quickly as hers. Her smile grew as she allowed her own arms to creep under his and curl around his back. The pair of them sitting the dining room, candle light flickering around them, to Martha it seemed perfect. Like a dream, but better than any dream she'd ever had.

Robert

Robert smiled as he held her here. He loved her, and she loved him also. He didn't want to spend another day without her, and was wondering if she would care to make things official.

He looked her in the eyes and smiled. "You know that I was out searching for a wife, and now that I have admitted to you my feelings, how would you feel about taking that roll for me. In other words, will you marry me Martha?" He pulled out the ring that he had in his pocket, having brought it with him, in case he had a chance to talk to her about what he was feeling.

"You know that I was out searching for a wife, and now that I have admitted to you my feelings, how would you feel about taking that role for me. In other words, will you marry me Martha?"

Martha was certain that for a moment her heart stopped, convinced that any second she would awake to find herself alone in her little attic room, lost in her dreams once more. But this was really happening...
She looked from the ring in his hands to the eyes looking so happily into her own and felt fresh tears of happiness filling her eyes.

"Of course I will...there is no one else I would want to spend my life with than you..." She managed to reply in a somewhat shaky voice, her entire body tingling as she watching him slip the ring onto her finger.
She leant forwards and pressed her trembling lips against his, this kiss was a little more firm. Still innocent, but definitely more passionate. Lifting her hands to gently rest upon his broad shoulders as she felt him returning the kiss.

Robert

Robert was so happy, and he had the love of his life. He kissed her happily and hungrily. They would soon be husband and wife, and he was happy. He knew that his parents would approve also, they have always liked Martha. "We need to tell my parents, but I don't think they will be surprised." He grinned at her and placed his forehead on hers.

"We need to tell my parents, but I don't think they will be surprised."

"I hope they'll approve," Martha whispered softly, enjoying the feeling of being in his arms. She felt excited and nervous all at once, safe and yet on edge. She didn't doubt that Robert's love for her was as strong and as deep as hers was for him but she hoped his family would agree of their union. After all, feelings aside. He was the son of a Lord, she was the maid of a Lord. Hardly a common combination.

But she pushed her fears to the back of her mind, if he had spoken to his mother already then she must have given her consent of a kind to their marriage...
Pulling her head back to look into the face she had loved for as long as she could remember, and was going to love for as long as she was able, she smiled. His green eyes meeting hers in the same almost hazy way that her eyes were looking back at him.

"When...when did you want to tell them...?" She asked quietly, not wanting to spoil the special, romantic quietness all around them.

Robert

Robert thought a moment. "How about we make an announcement at dinner tonight, we can spend the rest of the day together, walking through the gardens, and stuff." He thought that this was a good idea, and he kissed her again in delight.