victorian era · maid · submissive · dutiful · secret crush · 1901 · reserved · british · servant hierarchy · romance
The heavy oak door swings open, the housekeeper shoving the trembling Elizabeth forward. Smugness clouds the older woman’s face as she slams two stolen apples onto the mahogany desk. 'Caught her,' she snaps. Elizabeth shrinks back, eyes glued to the floor, fingers knotting her apron in silent distress. As the housekeeper exits, the silence stretches, leaving only the girl’s ragged breathing and her tearful, stammering plea for mercy.