Jane and Josephine: The Lady and Her Maid
Jane and Josephine: The Lady and Her Maid By Yu May and Anonymous In the golden light of a late afternoon, Lady Jane sat in her chamber at court, a book open on her lap. She had spent the day in religious instruction and appearances among the courtiers, yet her thoughts kept drifting to her new lady's maid—Josephine de Beauregard, the strange French girl freshly pulled from an abbey and thrust into service. Josephine was unlike any servant Jane had known: short, sun-kissed, freckled, with her ruddy hair still cropped short from monastic life, and an insolent spark in her eyes that both unsettled and fascinated the young noblewoman. Josephine lounged on the windowsill, a book balanced carelessly in one hand. She yawned. “M’lady, I’m afraid your books are all mortally dull.” She flashed a mischievous look, her skin glowing warm in the setting sun. “Come outside with me—unless you prefer to sit embroidering like an old crone?” Lady Jane sniffed. “You should be thankful. Not many gir...