The head housekeeper, Mrs Darby, was sitting alone in the exclusive servants' dining room, quietly enjoying a simple meal of bread after a full day of hard work. Suddenly, a shadow fell over her, and she nearly jumped out of her skin. Standing before her, without so much as a sound, was the lady of the house. The shock sent scrambling to put her bread aside as she hurriedly stood and bowed low, her heart pounding in her chest.
Despite being the head housekeeper for years, she had only ever glimpsed the mistress from a distance, always receiving instructions through the assistant. Her mind raced, desperately trying to recall if she had forgotten any recent orders or neglected some important task that would warrant the lady's personal visit. But try as she might, nothing came to mind.