by Meghan Sloan
Had Laura made it all up in her head? Had their interactions been nothing but cordial, and now Edward merely wanted an extra hand at his estate? Laura’s cheeks flushed with mortification. Yes, that was the real truth. Edward needed another maid; no more, no less. How silly it was of her to get wrapped up in so much emotion. She promised never to do it again.
Reaching the head of the table, Laura placed Edward’s dish of fruit before him. He did not acknowledge her, and Laura was almost relieved. She wouldn’t have to constantly think of Edward for another day. His request was professional, and Laura would treat it as such.
Exiting the dining room, Laura nearly ran head-on into Diana. Diana said, “They look a little worse for wear, do they not?”
“I’d say so.” It was not the right time or place to tell Diana what was happening. Laura vowed to calm her emotions. It was a mere shift in employment, that’s all.
Chapter 8
Laura peeked her head into the dining room. The men were just finishing, and she watched as Edward leaned back in his chair, his hands folded in his lap. How was it that he was even better looking in the light of day? But Laura wasn’t going to think about all that. She’d focus on her duties and continuously remind herself that Edward’s interest in her was strictly professional. Just then, his eyes wandered to hers, and she caught a smile on his lips before she retreated in shame.
Edward must think her to be bothersome. Why did he ask her to come to his estate? Just when Laura thought she couldn’t take the confusion any longer, Percival released her from her breakfast duties and informed Laura that it was time for the servants to dine in the kitchen. Even though she was hungry, Laura wasn’t sure she could eat. Nerves and excitement were too high, and she wanted to pack and be on her way at once.
Not wanting to create a stir, Laura made her way into the kitchen as she was told and took a seat next to Diana at the table. It was impossible to share the news with her just then, as she couldn’t share her genuine thoughts when everyone else was within earshot. Instead, Laura held her tongue and tried to eat a piece of buttered toast with strawberry jam. Just as she took her first bite, Laura noticed that nearly everyone at the table was glancing at her and then looking away. Did they know? Did news spread that fast?
As though Diana could tell that Laura was being glanced at, she changed the subject immediately. “Finally, the weather has cleared.”
“Thank goodness.” It was all Laura could say. She didn’t like being the centre of attention like that.
Diana peered into Laura’s eyes with a knowing gaze. “I hear you have some special tasks to perform today.”
Laura knitted her brow. Yes, Diana had to know. “There are some special arrangements to be made if you’re willing to be of assistance.”
Diana smiled. “Always.”
Laura heaved a sigh of relief. Why was she afraid of having the other staff know? Laura should be proud of what had transpired. She was going to a new estate. An estate that wasn’t always gloomy, cold, and silent. She’d venture to a new life where events transpired, the sun shone, and the birds sang. At least, that’s how it appeared in her imagination.
Finishing her tea and toast, Laura got up from the table, and all eyes were on her once more. She held her head high and pulled her shoulders back. This was it. Laura was to prepare for her new life. She practically raced up the stairs to her room with Diana following her, the two girls giggling all the way. Once they were safely in her room with the door closed, Diana burst open with a sentiment.
“Oh, Laura! Such terrific news. I’m so happy for you.”
“How did you know?”
“Everyone knows. Word spreads fast.”
“That’s what I thought.”
Diana took Laura by the hands. “Working for Edward Pembroke. Oh, how I wish I could go with you.”
“I’m surprised by my good fortune.”
“And to think, it was all from a bet.”
Laura had to pause. A bet? Percival didn’t mention a bet. He kept the circumstances behind her invitation to himself.
“Explain that,” Laura said.
“Edward and the Duke of Bancroft engaged in a game of cards last night. The duke lost, naturally. He gave Edward his money, but Edward refused. Then, he said that Edward could have any one thing from Sage Brook. He chose you.”
Laura’s jaw nearly dropped to the floor. He chose her, of all the things he could have chosen? How was that possible? Did she really make that great an impression on him? “It seems so odd to me.”
“I don’t think it’s odd in the slightest. You spoke to him twice last night. You caught his eye. Clearly, Edward wants you to be a part of his life.”
The statement seemed a little too lofty for Laura to wrap her head around. No, she wouldn’t let her mind wander to such extraordinary thoughts. Edward wanted a new maid at his estate. That was that.
“Who knows what his motivation is. I’m merely determined to do my job.”
“I hear his estate is marvellous. Not as big as Sage Brook, but filled with light and good cheer.”
“That’s exactly how I imagined it. I must admit that I’m grateful to leave the gloom of this place.” Laura looked around her tiny room. It was perhaps the only thing about Sage Brook that she was going to miss. She loved her room. Perhaps her new room would be just as cosy and quaint.
Diana sighed. “I wish I could go with you.”
“I wish for that, as well.”
“It’s been so marvellous having you as a friend the last two years, Laura. Now, who will I have to talk to?”
“Fritz,” Laura teased.
“Only if I become sincerely desperate.”
“Come, there’s no time to waste.” Laura searched for her bag and began to take clothing out of the drawers. “I’m told that I should be ready by noon.”
“You barely own a thing. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is done in mere minutes.” Diana helped to grab clothes and personal belongings.
“I prefer not to own much. It gives me a sense of freedom.”
As the two girls continued to pack and chat, Laura felt tears well in her eyes. Yes, she’d miss Diana, as well. Would she make any friends in her new life? Laura sincerely hoped so. There was nothing like good friends to lift one’s spirits. Oddly enough, the few times they conversed, Laura saw something that looked like friendship in Edward’s eyes. Or was it more?
Walking out to the carriage, Laura was in shock to see Edward standing there waiting for her. She never once assumed that she would undertake the journey with him. A fit of nerves came over her, and Laura felt her knees weaken again. Willing herself to walk forward, Laura stopped in front of Edward and clutched her bag. Edward smiled affably.
“Good afternoon, Your Grace.”
“Good afternoon, Laura.”
“Laura Hawkins,” she said with a curtsy.
Edward laughed. “Yes, I know.”
“You do?” Laura looked into his eyes and nearly collapsed. Those green orbs were shining in the afternoon sun.
“I hope that you will be comfortable at my estate. It’s not as lavish as Sage Brook.”
“That’s of no importance.”
“But your room will be well-appointed, and I’ll always be focused on your comfort.”
Focused on her comfort? Why should her master be focused on her comfort? Laura should be focused on his comfort.
“I’m sure it will be suitable.”
Laura nervously cleared her throat as she looked at the carriage. As though Edward could read her thoughts, he said, “I know that our riding together would be a strange circumstance. I’ve asked one of Norman’s older maids to accompany us.
Laura heaved a sigh of relief. Riding alone with Edward would be far too stimulating for her to bear. “That is most kind, Your Grace.”
They gazed into one another’s eyes without words for several moments. Was that how her new life was to be? Stolen, heated glances with nothing to say? Laura felt a f
lush come to her cheek. Yes, he was examining her in some way. She was under his scrutiny. Laura quickly changed the subject to calm her nerves.
“The sun is finally shining.”
Edward looked up to the sky. “Yes, the clouds have parted. Just in time for our journey.”
“I hope you’re not too fatigued from last night.”
“It was endless; I must admit. But I won my hand, in the end.”
Was he referring to Laura? Was she the prize that he had won? The thought was overwhelming, and Laura wished to diffuse the situation.
“It was difficult to say goodbye to my friend.” Laura turned towards Sage Brook and looked up to the top floor where her old room was. Diana was peering down at them through the window. Laura couldn’t help laughing.
“She’s spying on you.”
“She merely wishes for my happiness, Your Grace.”
“As do I.”
Laura looked down at the ground. Why was Edward so cold towards her at the breakfast table and now overbrimming with warmth? Did he not yet know that Laura had said yes to his proposal? Perhaps he was trying to keep up appearances for the rest of the guests. Whatever the reason, Edward had made a full reversal and his gaze cascaded onto her like warm sunlight.
Edward reached out. “Allow me to take your bag.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Why was Edward acting like her servant and not the other way around?
“I insist.” Edward took her bag and placed it in the carriage.
Laura turned to look at Sage Brook one last time. Diana was still in the window, waving. Laura waved back and smiled. Just then, Hortensia, an older maid that Laura rarely spoke to, came out of the estate, walking towards the carriage. Laura turned back to the carriage and saw Edward’s extended hand. She took it and felt his firm grasp. He had rather large hands that made Laura’s hands look impossibly small. He lifted her into the carriage as though she were light as air.
Once inside, Laura took a seat by the window and watched as Edward helped Hortensia up. Although Hortensia weighed considerably more, Edward still showed no signs of exertion.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Hortensia said.
Once all three of them were seated, Edward gave the signal that they should depart, and the carriage sped away. Sage Brook became smaller and smaller in the distance. Would Laura miss the old manor? Perhaps she would have a chance to return if only to see Diana again.
A good portion of the trip was undertaken in silence. Hortensia stared blankly out the window, and Laura tried not to constantly get lost in Edward’s eyes. Finally, he spoke.
“I’m as surprised by this as you are.”
Was he speaking to Laura or Hortensia? Edward laughed at her confusion.
“Why is that?”
“I didn’t know that I’d be returning to my estate with a new maid.”
“I promise that I’ll do my job to the best of my abilities.”
“I have no doubt.”
“And I really keep to myself most of the time.”
“You can, if you wish.”
Edward smiled at her. There was something about his smile that Laura found intoxicating. There was no deception to it. His eyes could not lie. Everything about him seemed like a dream, as did her new life.
Laura didn’t know why she was so bold, but the words poured out of her. “I wish to someday be a governess.”
“Finally, you admit it. You wouldn’t last night.”
Hortensia gave them a quick glance as though their conversation was positively scandalous, but Laura wasn’t holding back. She was seated before her new employer, and if he wished to speak with her, she’d do so. There was no threat of being fired now. Edward was inclined to be familiar with her, and Laura was beginning to see it as her job to be familiar with him, in kind.
“It’s difficult to admit to dreams in one’s mind.”
Edward cocked his head. “Why would that be?”
“Because, how can you determine if those dreams can come true?”
“You work for me now, Laura. Those dreams can certainly come true.”
Laura was flooded with warmth. If what Edward was saying was true, he might be interested in making her dreams come true in so many ways.
Chapter 9
Edward wished to converse more, but he could see that Laura was visibly nervous. She would look at him intently and then avert her gaze. What was she thinking? Was she regretting coming to his estate? Considering how unhappy the servants looked at Sage Brook, Edward didn’t assume that any of this could be true. Edward turned towards Hortensia and nodded his head. The older maid didn’t seem to care about the situation one jot.
Looking out the window, Edward was pleased to see the sun breaking through the clouds. It would be a beautiful day, fitting for taking home his new beautiful maid. Despite his wish to make conversation, Edward didn’t want to give Laura the wrong impression. Had she overhead the circumstances under which he hired her? He would explain in the most gentlemanly fashion.
“Did Percival tell you about the card game?”
Laura looked to him bashfully. “I did hear of it, yes.”
“It made perfect sense. There was nothing at Sage Brook that I particularly needed. But I did lose a very good maid just days ago. It seemed like luck was on my side when Norman gave the offer. I could tell from our brief conversation that you were good at your job.”
“I try to do my best in all things.”
“We share that in common. If only I could instill that in my brother.”
Laura looked surprised that Edward was sharing so much. She shouldn’t be surprised. Laura would learn soon enough what an affable man Edward was. Many of his staff were friends and confidants. He hoped this bit of explanation would alleviate Laura’s fears that perhaps he merely took her on because of her beauty. Although her rare beauty was a factor, the words that Edward spoke were truthful. He needed a new maid.
As the carriage glided along the smooth road, a sudden fear came over Edward. What if Laura found herself unhappy at his estate? He did not wish her to think that she was some kind of chattel.
“You know that if you’re uncomfortable at any time, I’d be perfectly happy to return you to my brother’s care.”
“That is kind of you to say.”
“I mean it. I want you to know that the decision is always yours. I’ll never force you to do anything.”
“Again, that is most kind.”
In the silence that followed, Edward watched as Laura gazed out the window. He saw a pretty smile come to her lips as she looked at the sunshine. He hoped that Laura saw it as a metaphor for her new life. Where once the skies were grey and full of tempests, now they were blue and shining. It would bode well for Laura’s happiness, Edward thought. At least, he hoped.
In the corner, Hortensia had fallen asleep and began to snore. Both Edward and Laura looked to the other maid. Both tried not to laugh.
Laura whispered, “I feel sorry for her.”
“Why is that?”
“It was not her choice to come along.”