Betrothed?

"These are the laundry you have to do for the mistress." The Head maid and personal maid to the baroness dropped a whole basket of clothes for Hannah and Rose to wash."Make sure they are neat and clean or else your pay will be reduced".She continued as she looked at them with disgust. She was just like her mistress, proud and bitchy. Always talking to people of their class and status and never mingling with the lowborns.

"We won't disappoint you Madam"Rose said picking the clothes and selecting them to start washing.

"Yes you will have nothing to worry about Madam" Hannah Concord to what her daughter said.

"Better be" she scoffed and walked away from them.

Hannah and Rose were already used to this kind of response and attitude from these type of people. The baroness's house wasn't the only house that they go to.They cook,clean,wash and do all other sorts of Jobs at rich people's homes to get money for their upkeep.

"You should rest dear you look tired" Hannah saw how Rose has been washing the clothes without even taking a break. She hated how she had to put her daughter through this kind of stress when she deserves so much more.

"I'm fine Mummy...instead you should rest I can finish up" Rose said smiling as she took her mothers portion of the clothes.

"Thank you dear"Hannah touched her daughter's hair. She rested her head against a tree nearby.

"You don't have to thank me Mama....you'd do the same for me,and you have been working so hard these past few days.I don't want you too be sick or something so I'll help in any way I can" Rose took her mother's hands and kissed them lightly.

"God bless you child,may you find happiness all your life...I love you dear."

"I love you too mummy" Rose said with teary eyes before going back to washing the clothes.

They finished the laundry and hanged them on the clothes hanger for them to dry. Which will be inspected by the head maid herself.

"Hmm they look okay to me" Gai the head maid assessed the clothes Hannah and Rose washed. "Follow me"

Hannah and Rose waited outside of the big mansion for Gai to bring their pay.

"This place is beautiful Mummy" Rose ran her eyes over the flowers and greenery in the compound.

"Yes it is Darling" Hannah said with a smile.

"Here's your money" Gai threw the money on the ground and marched back inside the house.

"Thank you" They chorused as Rose picked up the money in a small brown bag.Just as they were about to leave, the Baron and baroness pulled up in a carriage.

"Good evening your grace"They greeted and curtsied.

"A fine evening to you too"The baron replied "and you are?"

"They are just maids dear why bother knowing them?"It was the baroness that spoke. She came down from the carriage and walked towards her husband.

"Your grace" Hannah curtsied before the baroness.

"Yes,yes I heard you! have you done the laundry?" The baroness asked in an irritated mood. She didn't like to waste time talking to them,it was below her status.

"Yes we have your grace"Rose replied with her head down.The baroness turned to who answered her.

"Lift your head up!"

Rose lifted her head and stared at the baroness and the baron.

"Beautiful" The baron muttered to himself.

"Is she your daughter?" The baroness asked Hannah.

"Yes your grace"

"What is her name?"

Rose"

"Hmm..Alright....you may go" she was surprised at how such a beautiful girl like Rose ended up being a pauper.Her beauty clearly out stands even the prettiest in the village. She entered her house with deep thoughts.

"Your daughter will make a fine wife for my son,he is eighteen and very well to do" The baron suggested to Hannah.

"I appreciate the offer your grace..but Rose already has a betrothed"A surprised Rose turned to look at her mother who in return just smiled at her.

"Ohh it's okay, I'll be going inside now"The baron started walking towards his house.

Goodbye your grace!"

"Mummy were you serious about me having a betrothed?"

Hannah stopped in her tracks and looked at Rose.

"I was serious Rose,you do have a fiancé"

"But..you never told me mama"

"I didn't think you were old enough that's why..but now..now my sweet daughter is maturing rapidly and turning into a young woman".She hugged Rose and patted her head.

"Before you were born,your father and I had some close friends, a couple. We were so much like family that when their son turned two we made an agreement that if I was to give birth to a girl,it would be their son's fiancé"

.

"Ohhh that's nice" Rose said with a little excited.

"Yes it is dear,when the time is right,he'll come and get you"Hannah said happily.

"What's his name Mummy?

"Derek"