That evening’s bath was a very welcome way to end the day. While Violet sat in the other room, Isabella soaked beneath the warm water with her eyes closed. Though she hadn’t had a coughing fit yet, the stress of the day had her concerned one was waiting around the corner. They usually popped up in these situations and tended to only make her feel even worse. Which then prompted more of the fits. A vicious, annoying cycle. When she finished, Isabella pulled the plug and stepped out of the tub. Mercifully, the water carried itself away, especially since the two women had to fill it themselves with buckets. Once out, she grabbed the towel waiting nearby and began to dry herself off. The first time she’d taken a bath after Violet arrived, the handmaiden had tried to come in and help her. However, Isabella sent her away after her cheeks had turned a light crimson.

Once her body was dry and hidden away in a nightgown, Isabella moved into the bedroom and sat at her vanity. Only then did she call for Violet to join her and take over drying her hair. Isabella’s eyes usually remained downcast and to the side during this, but now she looked up into the mirror that sat atop the table. There she found Violet’s face while she worked and the student couldn’t help but stare. She really was beautiful, there was no doubt about it. Her blue eyes, the way her nose came to a point. Even her perpetually stoic face had an air of maturity around it that only seemed to enhance her attractiveness. Isabella wondered for a moment if Violet even realized how pretty she was. Probably not, considering her personality.

Isabella continued to observe her until Violet’s eyes rose to meet hers in the mirror, which prompted the young woman to look away in embarrassment. After another minute or so, with eyes still peering to the side, Isabella’s curiosity got the better of her. “Doesn’t it bother you to have to do this?” The question came from an attempt to distract herself, and Violet, from what had just happened. But there was also genuine interest there. Isabella didn’t think she’d be able to do such a thing, especially not for someone as difficult as herself.

Violet didn’t answer right away, but her hands slowed noticeably. “It doesn’t bother me.” 

This prompted Isabella to look up into the mirror once more and her face contorted into something akin to disbelief. One eyebrow raised; head slightly tilted. “Really? Even though you’re only meant to tutor me and this is all to keep up the facade?”

This time Violet didn’t miss a beat, and her hands worked the towel with renewed vigor. “Really. I don’t mind it. In fact, I find the work satisfying.”

Isabella kept waiting for a change in tone or an expression that would indicate she was being sarcastic or pulling her leg. That really didn’t seem to be Violet’s style though, which meant she was being sincere? “Satisfying…” Isabella muttered to herself, doubt still filling her mind. How could anyone find this satisfying? But, as she continued to mull this puzzle over in her mind, her thoughts drifted to bath nights long in the past. Of washing and caring for her younger sister, Taylor. Well, an orphan that she came to take care of, but the love she felt was all the same.

Even as Violet switched to brushing her long hair in silence, Isabella’s thoughts remained with the young girl she’d left behind. Memories of brushing that fiery orange hair caused the barest hint of a smile to form on her lips for a few moments before the sadness of their separation began to take hold. Deep down she knew it was better this way. That the orphanage her adoptive father had set Taylor up in could provide so much more than Isabella ever could. Well, except for the embrace of someone that truly card for you. There was no replacement in the world for such a thing. 

Thinking about the little girl eventually caused tears to well up in the corner of her eyes and it wasn’t until one rolled down Isabella’s cheek that Violet noticed and stopped her work, removing the brush from the mess of hair. “Miss York, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you; I’ll be gentler going forward.”

Realizing that Violet saw the tears caused a heat to burn on Isabella’s cheeks and she reached up to wipe away the water where it streaked. “No, no. It’s fine, it was something else. Memories. That’s all.”

Violet paused for a moment more but ultimately nodded and returned the brush to Isabella’s head, slowly working the bristles back through the hair. Thankfully, it only took a few more minutes for her to finish her work. Once she was, Violet stepped to the side and placed the brush back on the table before excusing herself and heading back to the bathroom.

While she took the time to bathe, Isabella climbed into bed to settle down with a book. That first night, the same night with the bath incident, Isabella had offered to help her new handmaiden refill the tub for her own use. However, Violet refused and washed with a bucket of warm water. True to form, her experience in the army was offered by way of explanation.

Every so often as Isabella read, her eyes rose from the book to catch a glimpse of pale skin from the bathroom. Or long, blonde hair being tossed and brushed. Of course, she would immediately hide her eyes once more behind the pages. Still, they always seemed to come back up after a few minutes, as if hoping to catch another quick look.

Eventually, Violet finished and emerged from the bathroom in the same white slip that Isabella herself wore to sleep. That all the girls wore to sleep. At least Isabella assumed they all did, like with the uniforms. Before getting into bed, the handmaiden made her way around the room extinguishing candles and oil lamps. Except for the one next to Isabella’s bed. “Miss York, I’m going to sleep now. Please don’t stay up too long reading, it’s another busy day tomorrow.”

“I won’t…” Isabella’s expression turned sour and she sank deeper into her pillows. “I just want to finish this chapter.” A few minutes later, her wandering eyes peeked out from behind the book to glance over at the handmaiden’s bed to confirm that Violet had fallen asleep. She usually did rather quickly, and the still form turned away from the light seemed to confirm that.

Despite Violet’s warning, one chapter turned to many. Finally, Isabella resolved herself to get some sleep and closed the novel before turning to set it on the bedside table. She leaned over to blow out the candle next and noted how far it had gone down while she read. Crap. Violet would notice in the morning; she was sure of it. And would no doubt comment on how late the woman had stayed up. Again.

—

Sometime later, in the dead of night, Isabella awoke to a violent coughing that shook her whole body. 

No…no! Not now! 

She tried her best to roll over onto her pillow in a vain attempt to muffle the noise. If she couldn’t stop it, she at least didn’t want to wake Violet and have to suffer that embarrassment. However, the fit continued and she soon had to rise to try and get some relief. Once sitting, her eyes strayed to Violet’s bed to check on the other woman, only to find she wasn’t there.

I’m…alone? Where is she? Where is Violet!? 

Her mind went back and forth between relief that Violet wasn’t here to witness this, and anger at her disappearance. Soon enough, another fit racked her body and Isabella had no choice but to close her eyes and cover her mouth before hunching over. Somewhere in the noise of her coughing she could hear the door open and then close again, but didn’t have the strength to look up. 

Violet? 

It wasn’t until she felt something solid gently running along her back that she knew Violet had returned. Isabella wanted to sit up again, wanted to yell and ask where she’d been, but it was too much and she remained curled over on the bed.

“It’s alright Miss York. I’m here.” The words were soft, reassuring, and paired well with the hand that continued to rub her back. After another minute or two, the coughing finally subsided enough for Isabella to rise so she could glance over at Violet with teary eyes. Before she could say anything though, Violet lifted a glass of water to her lips while indicating it with a nod of her head. “Don’t speak yet, have some water first.”

Isabella did as she was told and took a few big gulps of the cool liquid. It did much to soothe the burning feeling, at least for the moment. After Violet dropped the glass away, Isabella cleared her throat. “Where were you?” It was all she trusted to get out before she focused on her breathing.

In response to the question, Violet’s hand had stopped its movement but still rested firmly on her back for support. “You started to cough in your sleep. So, I went to get some water in case you worsened. I’m sorry I didn’t make it back in time to be here when you woke up.” Well, that explained the water then, and her absence.

“Oh, I– ” Isabella was about to expand on her remarks but trying to speak only exacerbated the problem. So much so that more coughing interrupted whatever she was about to say. 

“It’s ok. Save your strength.” Violet’s hand was on the move again, rising and falling along nearly the whole length of the sick woman’s back. Never stopping to rest. When it appeared this latest fit had passed, Violet finally removed her hand before turning and hopping out of the big bed. Curious about what she was up to, Isabella turned her head and saw Violet gathering up her pillows before making her way back over.

“Here, let’s try and get you comfortable.” In addition to hers, she grabbed Isabella’s pillows as well and fashioned them all into a shape vaguely resembling a “U.” Done, Violet helped her scoot back into the heart of the creation. The final position kept her nearly vertical while being able to rest.

Isabella had to admit it wasn’t bad overall. The pillows were fluffy and the new way she lay seemed to not aggravate her coughing. Amongst her fortress of softness, she was once again able to close her eyes. To top it off, Violet found the woman’s teddy bear and placed it in her arms. The last thing Isabella remembered before submitting to her exhaustion was the handmaiden sitting by her side, watching over her with a concerned look on her face.

When she woke the next morning the sound of birds and rays of sunlight came pouring into her small room. After stirring, Isabella reflexively squeezed the hand that held her own. Until her mind awoke enough to question whose hand it was.

“Taylor?”

With a grumble, she opened her eyes to find that Violet was still seated in the same position as the night before, her hand outstretched with fingers wrapped delicately around Isabella’s. The metal had long warmed, most likely due to the heat from her skin and, even though the digits were rigid, Isabella still found some comfort in their grasp. As more and more of consciousness returned, she became increasingly aware of their contact. It was…pleasant. However, seeing that she was waking, Violet withdrew it to give her some space.

“Just Violet, Miss York. How are you feeling? Did you sleep well?”

Isabella almost reached out after the retreating hand and the comfort it gave, but ultimately shied away. Instead, she brought her hands to either side of her body so she could sit up in the bed.

“I feel…fine. I think I slept through the night after waking up.” In her new position, she paused to try and rub the sleepiness from her eyes before dropping her hands to her lap. “Wait, did you stay up at my side?”

Violet nodded in response before turning and observing the rising sun through the window. “Yes. I stayed right here to make sure you slept. Don’t worry, I’ve had training to lessen the effects of lack of sleep.”

From the army, no doubt. 

Thankfully, Isabella only thought the words instead of muttering them under her breath. If anything, she was curious to know more about Violet’s life beyond these small snippets. The things she’d done, all the places she must’ve seen. How exciting! If only she’d known the horrors behind those assumptions.

“Violet…” Isabella knew what she wanted to ask, but the words caught in her throat. To help gather the strength, she turned away and dropped her eyes to the bed. When no other words were forthcoming, Violet turned back and interjected.

“Yes, Miss York?”

After another moment’s hesitation, Isabella looked back to Violet. Locking eyes with her handmaiden, an almost sullen expression on her face. “Why don’t we talk and stuff, like friends do? I’m not very good at it, but I’d like to try. With you, at least.” 

Once the question was out there, hanging in the air, Isabella couldn’t bring herself to hold her gaze while she waited for a response. It was probably going to be a negative one anyway. Especially after the events of the previous day. When Violet didn’t answer right away, she even closed her eyes. Ready to choke back any tears from the realization that not even her handmaiden wanted anything to do with her beyond her job.

In a rare display of emotion, Violet’s eyebrows knit together ever so slightly. “Miss York…you instructed me to not say anything beyond what was necessary for your education. Back when we first met. If that is no longer your wish, I would be happy to converse with you on any subject you like.”

Isabella’s eyes went wide before her gaze shot up to Violet, an increasingly familiar heat blooming on her cheeks. “I said that…” Searching her memories confirmed it to be true and she had to bury her face between her hands to hide the shame that came springing up. All this time she had no one to blame but herself! Of course, Violet would’ve complied with her wish. 

I’m such an idiot! 

“I’m so sorry, Violet. Please forget I said that.” The muffled apology slipped out between her fingers before the woman began to lightly shake her head. “You must think I’m so stupid…” Again, she felt the touch of metal on her fingers as Violet took hold of one of her hands. With enough of a grip, the handmaiden began to gently pry the hand away, revealing the face beneath. 

When Violet came into view, Isabella could see that she was smiling. Small and reserved, but still a smile. “Miss York, I do not think you are stupid. The opposite, in fact. Though, you can be a little lazy and you stay up too late sometimes.” 

That last comment had Isabella groaning as she dropped both hands away, even though the one remained in Violet’s grip. “The candle?” She asked, even though she already knew the answer. 

“The candle, yes.” Well, Violet did have all night to stare at it. And even though being labeled that way hurt somewhat, it wasn’t as though it was far from the truth, at least in this setting. No one would’ve accused her of being lazy back home. She would’ve done anything for Taylor, anything to make sure she had something to eat every day and a place to sleep. But here, in this place, it was all so overwhelming and pointless. 

“It’s just…” Isabella started but paused for a moment to gather her thoughts. “This place, these girls. I don’t know how I could ever fit into this world. So, why should I bother?”

Violet remained silent while she considered her answer. “I understand, it’s not easy. It’s still hard for me sometimes, to fit into my new life. You don’t have to do it alone though.”

Her statement caused Isabella’s eyes to widen slightly. After everything Violet had put up with so far, she was still as willing as ever to help. However, before Isabella could respond properly, Violet took up her other hand. Then she slipped from the bed and began to pull Isabella towards her.

For her part, Isabella let herself be drawn in. One foot softly fell to the ground, then the other before finally Violet lifted her from the bed. No words came as she stood, only silence as she stared up into the eyes across from her. Mesmerized for a few moments until Violet squeezed her hands and let them fall. “Let’s get dressed, Miss York. It’s time to start the day and we don’t want to be late.”

“R-right. Let’s get ready then.” She had been hoping to have a chance to talk before heading out to class, but it appeared that would have to wait for now. Sadly, Isabella had to return to the world she loathed. However, she found she didn’t hate the prospect nearly as much. Violet had said she didn’t have to face it alone, but she didn’t want to give herself over to hope yet. Not fully anyway. A little couldn’t hurt though, could it?