14. Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fourteen
Jane walked into the mansion and stopped, taking it all in. The entryway ceiling was divided into raised sections, with gold medallions decorating each intersecting piece. The floor was constructed of glossy inlaid marble tiles, while an elegant curved staircase led to a landing featuring a large window.
And Christmas? It was everywhere. Garland wrapped the length of the staircase banister, and two Christmas trees were within view, one at the base of the stairs and another on the landing. Blown glass ornaments glimmered in front of the trees’ electric lights, and each one was topped with a beautiful angel. She thought ruefully of how proud she’d been of the plain homemade ornaments the girls had made back at the home. No wonder Miss Sheridan hadn’t been impressed.
In the past, she had tried to imagine how wealthy people lived, but she could see now that her imaginings had never even come close. Her vision had come from seeing how Daddy Warbucks lived in the Little Orphan Annie comic strip. Seeing it come to life was another thing entirely.
Even as she stood in awe, she was aware her time here was limited. At any moment she was going to be returned to the home, so if she was going to tour the mansion, it was best to do it right away. She could go a lifetime and never have another opportunity to see a house this luxurious. She climbed the stairs, pausing to look at the tree on the landing and then continuing to the second floor.
Jane peered into every room, expecting to find someone, anyone, but all was empty and quiet. One of the rooms had a pastoral scene painted on the ceiling, and others had velvet drapes and statuary on pedestals, as if this were a museum. When she came to a room with women’s clothing strewn on the floor, she had a feeling she’d found Jacquelyn’s bedroom.
She went inside and looked at the framed photographs that lined the dresser. Each one was a time capture of Jacquelyn Sheridan’s privileged life. Most of them had been taken with her parents or brother, posing in various rooms in the mansion. Jane could only imagine such a life.
Next, she paid attention to the clothes lying on the carpet. Mrs. Irving’s words, “Always leave a room better than you found it,” echoed in her ears. With that in mind, she picked up each item. She set a damp towel aside and placed the clothing on the bed. When done, she assessed the collection. None of them seemed dirty or rumpled. In Jane’s world, that meant they could be worn again. She investigated further and found that the doors on one wall led to a spacious bathroom and a closet combined with a changing area. So many clothes, and all for one person!
Jane hung the damp towel on a rack in the bathroom and inspected her reflection in the mirror above the sink. Still wearing the red coat and hat, she felt like she was Jacquelyn Sheridan.
Would she switch lives with Miss Sheridan permanently if she could? She tilted her head and gave it a thought. It would be nice not to have to work so hard and have so little to show for it. And sometimes the commotion of all the girls chattering at once gave her a headache and made it hard to think. Working at the home, it was easy to think her life wasn’t leading to anything in particular. She’d always wanted a home of her own, a husband, children, travel. None of that seemed forthcoming in her current life, but that didn’t mean that her efforts lacked purpose. She saw the difference she made with the little girls every single day. They loved her and she loved them. It would be hard to walk away from that.
While in the bathroom, she took the opportunity to wash her face and rinse her mouth. Quietly, she got into the large claw-foot tub, careful to drape her feet over the end so as not to scuff the surface. Soaking in a bath this deep would be heaven.
When she left the room, she was startled to see a woman silently putting the clothing on the bed into a wicker laundry basket. The woman, who appeared lost in thought, had hair pulled back into a severe bun and wore a gray dress with a lace collar and a frilly apron. She turned when Jane came into the room and gave her a big smile. “ Oh, there you are! I’m sure you’re hungry. I have soup on the stove, if that would please you. Or I can make something else. Just say the word!”
Jane’s stomach rumbled. “Soup sounds delicious, thank you. Oh, and Mildred?”
“Yes?”
Such a relief to know that she’d guessed correctly. This was Mildred, the one Eddie had referenced. “I need to tell you that I’m not Miss Sheridan.”
“Oh, I know. Eddie told me there was some kind of mix-up at the home.”
“I don’t know that I’d call it a mix-up.” Was the older lady understanding what she was saying? It didn’t seem like it, but Jane couldn’t think of a way to say it more plainly. “It was not my idea, but we switched clothing to see if anyone would notice. She told me not to say anything until Eddie noticed. I tried—”
Mildred said, “You don’t need to explain to me. I make a point to keep my nose out of the family’s business. I’m here to do my job.”
“I see.”
“Just come downstairs when you’re ready, and I’ll get the soup for you.” Mildred headed to the door but stopped just short of leaving. “Why don’t you give me your coat and hat?”
Obediently, Jane unbuttoned the coat and shook it off her shoulders, then handed it to Mildred. The hat was a little trickier since it was held in place by a long hatpin. She felt around the crown until she located the jeweled end and successfully pulled it out .
Mildred took the hat, then said, “Shouldn’t you insert the hatpin into the brim so they stay together?”
“Of course.” That made sense. She reunited the hat with the pin, and Mildred left with a satisfied smile. There was so much to remember here. The complicated undergarments, the extensive wardrobe, and Mildred, who worked for the Sheridans but didn’t get involved in anything beyond her own duties.
Jane went into the bathroom to tidy her hair before heading downstairs for soup. Now all she had to do was find the kitchen.