Footsteps in the hallway indicated that the maids were moving around the manor house, performing their various cleaning duties. Shuffling sounds were heard along the hallway, coming closer, but the duke did not move from where he was seated.
The door suddenly opened and the duke turned in his chair. He gracefully rose to his feet as he saw her—the maid in the moonlight—standing in the doorway.
“My sincerest apologies, Your Grace. I was not aware anyone was in the study,” she apologized profusely and turned away.
The duke held his hand up and said, “It is quite all right. Please, do continue.”
The maid glanced at him, her brow furrowed in confusion.
“Please do not mind me.”
“Very well, Your Grace,” the maid answered hesitantly and continued into the study.
The duke watched her, noticing how quickly and thoroughly she cleaned. Her eyes were averted from him at all times, but he managed to see her light green eyes from below her dark brown lashes. Her golden hair was tied securely at the nape of her neck, and her small lips were both lovely and alluring. He wondered whether she was aware of how much she intrigued him.
The maid stopped in front of the heavy drapes and asked, “Shall I open all the drapes for Your Grace?”
“That would be lovely. A bit of light and air would brighten the study. Or what do you think?” he answered.
The maid’s brow furrowed again and she hesitated with her answer. “I am not at liberty to say, but if Your Grace wishes it, then it shall be done.”
“Thank you,” the duke answered, continuing to watch while the maid worked her way around the study. “Pardon my frankness, but I do not believe I have seen you here before.”
“I have been working here at the estate for nearly two years, Your Grace.”
The duke glanced at her, raising his brows in surprise. “Two years, you say?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
The duke wondered how he had not noticed this beautiful young maid before, and felt rather foolish for not noticing her for two entire years. “My apologies. It seems that my mind has been elsewhere.”
The maid did not utter a word, which intrigued the duke even more. He shifted in his chair and asked, “What is your name?”
The maid froze and straightened her shoulders. “I beg your pardon, Your Grace?”
“Your name,” he repeated.
“Maria, Your Grace. Maria Trew.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Maria.”
Maria nodded shyly and turned away.
“I am truly sorry that we have not had the pleasure of meeting officially. I am not in charge of selecting the staff. I simply sign the contracts of employment.”
The maid nodded stiffly, and the duke understood that she had been trained not to engage with him too much. Although the duke respected her work ethic, he wished she would contribute to the conversation more.
“Do you enjoy working here?” he attempted one last time. If it failed, he would have to find a different approach.
“Indeed, Your Grace,” she answered and glanced at him briefly. “Is there anything I can do for Your Grace before I leave?”
The duke glanced solemnly at her, wishing he could tell her what was on his mind, but instead he pursed his lips. He studied her features, her delicate frame, and cocked his head. She was truly beautiful, even in her maid’s attire. He wondered for a moment how striking she could appear in an exquisite ball gown, her hair swept off her face, her lips rouged. The moment was fleeting, however, when Maria glanced at him expectantly.
“No, thank you,” he answered.
She turned away wordlessly and left him in the study, alone. The duke was now even more intrigued. He wished to get to know her, although he feared she would most certainly keep her distance from him.
A smile formed slowly on his lips as he brought his hand up to his chin, pondering his next move.
***
Maria’s brow was still furrowed and she was still perplexed, and in utter disbelief, as to the encounter she’d had with the duke. In the two years which she had been working at the estate, the duke had not spoken to her a single time. His sudden interest in her was perplexing, and unsettling. Why on earth would he wish to know her name now? Why would he wish to know anything about her? She was his maid, and he had mentioned himself that he was not the one who was in charge of the employees, although any employer would have some sort of authority to know his employees.
Maria sauntered along the hallway after she had cleaned the upstairs parlor, as well as the drawing room, walking back to the kitchen.
Anna, an older maid, and the best cook Maria had ever known, glanced at her as she entered the kitchen.
“Is something the matter, child? You are as pale as a sheet. Did you see a ghost?” Anna asked.
Maria glanced absentmindedly at Anna and pursed her lips.
“If you have, you would not be the only one to do so. Clara-belle and Sarah both saw a ghost in the upper hallway near the library,” Anna carried on talking, even if Maria didn’t respond, “but then, those two tell untruths on more than one occasion. Far-fetched if you ask me, or perhaps just seeking attention.”
Maria snapped out of her stupor and her brow furrowed. “What?”
“Ghosts, dear child.”
“Oh no,” Maria exclaimed, although it would have made much more sense to her than the duke attempting to converse with her in the study. “I did not see a ghost, Anna. I merely had a very strange encounter.”
“No ghosts?”
“None,” Maria vowed.
“All right, let’s hear it then.”
Maria glanced apprehensively at the older women who was firmly kneading a large lump of bread dough on the large kitchen table. She was not certain whether she should share her tale with Anna, but Anna was one of the people she cared for dearly at the estate. Maria also knew that Anna would not gossip about anyone; she was a kindhearted soul with a heart of gold.
“It was rather strange, Anna. I did not know how to react,” Maria explained. “I entered the study, and His Grace was inside.”
Anna’s hands moved at a constant speed kneading the dough while focusing her attention on Maria.
“I apologized, but he insisted it was quite all right. He even told me to carry on with cleaning the study. He simply sat there, watching me. It was quite eerie,” Maria continued.
“That seems very unlike His Grace,” Anna pointed out.
“I expected him to scold me, but he did not. Instead he asked me what my name was, and whether I enjoy working at the estate,” Maria shrugged.
Anna’s hands stopped abruptly and she glanced quietly at Maria. “His Grace asked that?”
“Indeed he did. I was gobsmacked. I had not an inkling of what to say to him,” Maria answered.
“But you did answer him?”
“Of course. It would have been rude not to.”
Anna narrowed her eyes for a moment and carried on kneading the dough. “Perhaps His Grace seeks the conversation of an intelligent woman for a change.”
“I would suggest he seek such conversations elsewhere. I am not at liberty to converse with a man of such …” Maria’s voice trailed off and she lowered her gaze, silently scolding herself. She could not simply speak her mind about her feelings towards the duke, as it could land her in trouble. “He is a duke, and I am a maid. What on earth would a man such as the duke wish to speak to me about? I am a maid. I am no one.”
Anna scoffed and asked, “You believe that?”
“Indeed I do. It is the way life works.”
“Perhaps, but we all have a destiny of our own. We simply have to embrace it.”
Maria approached the table and sat down on the stool opposite Anna. “Anna, may I ask you a question?”
“Of course, dear child, as long as it is not related to love or men, as I have experience in neither,” Anna chuckled.
Maria smiled wearily and placed her hands on the
table, her fingers drawing circles in the flour. “I feel conflicted at times.”
“Regarding what, my dear?”
“Whether I am doing the right thing for my family. I am here, working, ensuring that there will be food on their table and clothing on their backs, but I feel as though I am missing out on their lives. I work long hours and am not home most days. I do not wish for them to resent me,” Maria admitted.
“I doubt they will resent you. They appreciate what you do for them, and would never feel any differently.”
Maria nodded and glanced down at the flour circles she had drawn.
“It bothers you,” Anna said simply.
“What does?”
“The duke’s treatment of women.”
Maria shifted uneasily on the stool and asked, “Why would that bother me?”
“You tell me.”
Maria cocked her head and sighed. “In the two years I have worked here at the estate, I have seen countless young women leave the estate. Some were angry, some were desperate to be loved by his Grace. Some professed their love for him, and some sobbed as they entered the coach or the carriage before they were taken back to their homes. His Grace merely stood in the doorway, not uttering a single word, or showing a shred of remorse. Does he not possess a heart? Does he truly feel nothing for those women?”
Anna sighed and shook her head. “Although it is not our place to utter a word of it, we cannot deny that it is not happening right under our noses. The duke does not believe that emotions and feelings have a place in his life.” Anna lowered her voice considerably. “Not very many people are aware of this, but the late duke and the late duchess were married because of an arrangement by their parents. They despised one another and the duke learned from his father that love was overrated and unnecessary. The duke simply did not wish to be as miserable as his father had been all those years.”
“But I heard that he was a wonderful man, the late duke.”
“He was, but even wonderful people have to endure terrible situations in their lives.”
Maria nodded. “How do you know all these things, Anna?”
“Many years ago, I was the late duchess’ chambermaid, and she confided in me many times. It was only after she passed away that I was placed in the kitchen, as I would be better suited here, in the opinion of the late duke.”
“Perhaps it was to force you to hold your tongue,” Maria muttered.
“Perhaps, but I am not at liberty to say,” Anna answered.
“Thank you for speaking with me, Anna. I feel much more assured than I did before I came here,” Maria said as she stood from the stool.
“And do not fret yourself too much over your encounter with His Grace. I am certain it did not mean anything. Perhaps he was merely lonely.”
Maria shuddered as the thought of the duke attempting to woo her into his bed filled her mind. If that was the only manner in which he saw her, then she would prefer to stay as far away from the duke as possible.
She most certainly did not wish to be one of his many women, crying in the carriage with a broken heart.
“Do not fret, Maria. All will be as it should, dear.”
“Indeed it will,” Maria answered, and quietly left the kitchen.
***
The day passed slowly, and Maria could simply not forget her encounter with the duke, despite her attempts to push it from her mind. She wondered how the duke’s parents’ relationship had affected him, and tried to imagine living in a home where there was no love between two parents. It seemed rather difficult, and Maria could imagine that it would not have been a suitable situation. It was clear that the duke had been affected, but she still could not fathom the fact that the duke treated women the way he did.
In her opinion, would it not be better to attempt to find a woman whom he had feelings for, as opposed to doing what he was doing now?
Maria bit down on her bottom lip and did not realize that someone else was in the room with her until she caught movement from the corner of her eye. She whirled around and her body froze for a moment as she stared wordlessly at the duke. He looked even more handsome than when he was in the study, but she lowered her gaze.
“My apologies if I startled you, Maria,” the duke said sincerely, or at least it was how it seemed to Maria.
Maria was also rather impressed, and startled that he remembered her name, as well as having the audacity to approach her again. Had her abrupt nature towards him not deterred him? Clearly not.
“Your Grace did not startle me. I simply thought I was alone in the parlor,” she answered, continuing to remove the tray and last of the cutlery left over from his lunch.
“Do you reside in the area?” he asked suddenly and she glanced up at him.
“I beg your pardon, Your Grace?”
“It seems that I am making it a habit to speak unclearly,” the duke answered wryly.
“My apologies, Your Grace. It is not your voice which is unclear, or that I cannot hear adequately. I am merely surprised that Your Grace would take the time to speak with me,” Maria answered honestly.
“That is understandable,” he answered. “It may be difficult to believe, but have I decided to take an interest in my staff.”
Maria raised an apprehensive brow at the duke, uncertain whether his words rang true, but she could not say for certain. She remained silent, simply staring at the duke, waiting for him to continue.
The duke’s demeanor suddenly changed and he stepped away from her. “Please excuse me. There is something I must attend to.”
Within a few moments the parlor was silent and Maria cocked her head in confusion, despite the feeling of relief which washed over her. She caught sight of her reflection in the glass of the window, and touched her colored cheeks. Her heart pounded in her chest, and as she let out a breath, she scolded herself for being foolish. Maria was fully aware that she and the duke were from different worlds, and those two worlds could not exist in harmony. He was a duke, highly eligible, sought-after by all women, despite his lack of feelings and willingness to commit, or feel anything.
There was clearly no future for her and the duke, and she had been foolish to think, even if it was for only a single moment, there could ever be.
Maria wished she was able to switch off the feelings which had developed inside her every time she saw the duke, or was in his presence, but it was not possible. It was beyond her control, much to her dismay.
As Maria clutched the polishing rag, she vowed not to waste her energy on the duke, as his only intention was to bed her and discard her, as he had done with all the others. She also realized that the duke would be insistent, as he had not experienced a woman denying him in the past, and his pursuit was only to prove that he could have any woman he wished.
Chapter Three
May 1817
Beltham Hall
Westhampshire
England
The heat of the late morning was evident as the duke sat on the terrace and stared at the horizon. Lost in his thoughts, he had no awareness of any activity which happened around him. He was solely focused on the green hills in the distance, while his mind whirled.
The sound of footsteps approached him, but as he turned his head, he was pleasantly surprised by who he saw.
“Adam,” the duke said as he stood.
Lord Kenilworth, the duke’s cousin, grinned broadly as he stepped out onto the terrace.
“Good to see you, Elias,” Lord Kenilworth greeted.
“Please, sit,” the duke offered.
The men sat on the chairs and the duke glanced at his cousin. “What brings you to the estate?”
“I have not seen you in a while. I wondered whether there was something the matter,” Lord Kenilworth answered.
The duke grimaced. He had been rather withdrawn from the outside world, but he had had a few things which required his attention. Maria was still avoiding him, and he was not certain what to do. He had attempted speaking with her, invit
ing her to join him on the terrace, but she had abruptly declined all his invitations.
“Whatever is the matter, cousin? You can surely tell me,” Lord Kenilworth said.
The duke breathed deeply through his nose and said, “I met a woman.”
“I should have known. With you, it is always a woman.” Lord Kenilworth rolled his eyes.
“This is very much different. She is different.”
“How is she different?”
“She is kind and humble and beautiful, but I cannot seem to impress her. She will not give me the time of day and it puzzles me,” the duke answered.
“It puzzles you that there is a woman intelligent enough not to be swayed by your charm?” Lord Kenilworth scoffed. “That is rather pretentious.”
“Perhaps, but I cannot stop thinking of her. I have attempted it many times, but I cannot. I wish to know her. I wish to make her laugh.”
Lord Kenilworth narrowed his eyes at the duke and asked, “I had never heard you speak in such a way before. Who is this woman?”
“You would not know her,” the duke said as he lowered his gaze. “I do not know what to do.”
“Have you tried speaking to her?”
“On multiple occasions. She simply nods, answers abruptly, and leaves, leaving me feeling cold and empty.”
“Perhaps she is aware of your previous behavior. Women speak amongst one another more than you will ever know. Perhaps she heard from an acquaintance of your indiscretions and it deterred her from you,” Lord Kenilworth explained. “Perhaps explain to her that you do not wish to treat her the same, and prove it to her.”
“How do I do that?”
“You are an intelligent man, Elias,” Lord Kenilworth pointed out.
“Perhaps not as much as I thought,” the duke muttered.
“Treat her with kindness. Give her thoughtful gifts which do not cost any money.”
The duke glanced at his cousin and nodded. “Very well. I will try that.”
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