[AC] Marianne St. Meilleure

Marianne feared it was the end of the line when she’d been caught stealing from an out-of-place, but nevertheless opulent carriage. To her delight and surprise, instead of a future behind iron bars, she had landed in a gilded cage with all the extravagance and opportunity she could have ever imagined. It was like a dream come true for the once common urchin girl to become a charity project overnight. She was no fool - the old couples only appeared to show interest in her when some big event or social gathering came up for them to show off their generosity. Marianne wasn’t bothered in the slightest. Why would she be when everything she could ever want was right at her fingertips, whenever she wished? She dutifully played the part of a flawless, ornamental daughter and soaked up everything about her new life as she could. She even exceeded her “parent’s” expectations, quickly adapting to the lessons and the etiquette and the games the rich so loved to play. She worked harder than she let on, determined to shed her past and be admired and envied by all. If she ever took a misstep in the family’s little game of “house,” there were always those eager to remind her of her role and good fortune. For playing her part well, she was generously rewarded, kept in steady supplies of perfumes, dresses, jewels - finery without restraint. Here she learned the grace and manner of a proper lady and the cunning of one who was not to be denied - at least until the charade began to crumble.

With bankruptcy looming, Marianne’s dear “parents,” having done their duty, were quick to let loose dead weight. It was regrettable, they said, but since Marianne couldn’t count on her looks to reel in a substantial suitor as old as she was getting. She really should have started seeking other options sooner, they said, since origins were so scandalously humble that most families wouldn’t push the risk. Others weren’t nearly as generous as they were, her “parents” stressed with solemn looks that didn’t quite reach their wrinkle-creased eyes stolen between each other. It would pain them to see her go, they agreed, seeing as they had grown so attached to the dear girl, she was almost family. But hadn’t she heard the rumors? they whispered fiercely, they were surprised that Marianne had been deceiving them for so long when all they wanted was a child to care for as their own blood. Of course they were willing to forgive her, they cooed, since they were so fond of her - couldn’t she seek assistance from a contact of theirs? It was about time Marianne began to pull her own weight, they nodded conspiratorially.

Marianne cursed herself for ignoring the signs of her dismissal. She at least expected the family’s distress to be evident in the furnishing, but even to her sharp eye, the house had become more cluttered if anything had changed at all. Marianne was livid, but she had learned enough to know nothing would come of resisting. She had no supporters - a careless mistake, really. All that was left for her to do was visit the address on the formal letter of recommendation that was packed along with as much of her belongings as she was permitted to take.

With no other options, Marianne smiled, all charm and false breeding, to the first of many future employers. Marianne never overstayed her welcome, always leaving with the highest of praises and more than a few envious daggers aimed at her back.