Of immediately service only to the master and lady of the house were the valet and the lady's maid. They were upper servants and were accorded respect just like the butler and housekeeper. They were the only servants that did not answer to the butler and housekeeper. Their only duties were to assist their employers whether it be with their bath, to dress, to act as a companion, to dress hair, or make sure their employers clothes were pressed and in good repair. As they were seen in public with their employers, preferably they were young, neat and reasonably attractive. The most desirable lady's maid was French.
The nursemaid was a necessity to any house with children. It was a job that didn't require any special talent other than being able to keep an eye on her charges. Many were teenagers. Her job was to dress and care for the smallest children, taking them to the park and for walks. They were the only females allowed out without an escort, so were of great interest to soldiers and policemen in London parks.
While not really a servant, the governess was another member of the household. They were not accepted as a member of the family nor were they accepted by the servants. Care was taken to hire one that was not attractive. They supervised and taught the children of the family until they were old enough to be sent away to school or college. It was a job for many middle class girls who needed to earn their own way, as well as upper class genteel girls who found themselves orphaned or in "reduced circumstances." She was expected to be educated, with the manners of a lady, but was treated by the family as a servant. It did, however, put her in a position to catch the eye of a younger son who had no hope of inheriting the family fortune.
