“Mr. Stuart Wright joins us to take on the role of a footman. As the children are growing, we find we require additional help. He is accompanied by Miss Lily Draper, who will fill the role that Miss Miller has vacated, as the duchess’ lady’s maid.”
Charlotte’s jaw dropped at the announcement as her heart fell into her stomach. A stranger would become lady’s maid to the duchess? How could she trust someone she didn’t even know? Charlotte had been with the household for years now.
She felt a warm hand touch her knee for a brief moment, and she looked over to find Philip looking at her with pity.
“I’m sorry,” he mouthed, and she attempted to shrug nonchalantly as if it was of no consequence, though she was well aware that he knew the truth. He knew her better than anyone else. A strange tremor coursed through her from his touch, but she shook it off.
Suddenly, however, his gaze and his hand left her. Charlotte followed his stare only to see one of the most beautiful women she had ever seen enter in through the door, followed by an equally dapper man.
“Philip,” she whispered in his ear, “is that them? What do you make of this?”
But he had no attention left to provide to Charlotte, for he was wholly focused on the woman before them. She smiled, her red lips curling as she nodded at the rest of them.
“Mr. Wright and Miss Draper join us from the household of the duchess’ cousin,” Reeves said, his words explaining much. The duchess’ cousin had unexpectedly passed a few months ago, Charlotte knew, and her servants must have required positions. She sighed, trying not to allow too much disappointment to invade.
Reeves turned to the newly arrived servants. “We are pleased to welcome you. You may join us for our luncheon and you will assume your duties on the morrow. Miss Miller, you will continue your duties for the duchess today, and tomorrow you will begin to oversee the household.”
Reeves did not remain to answer any questions, but instead turned and walked out of the room at his usual steady pace.
Philip was one of the first to stand.
“Welcome, Miss Draper,” he said, before adding belatedly, “and Wright, welcome to you as well.”
He pulled out the empty chair next to him.
“Miss Draper?” he said, motioning for her to sit, and she smiled demurely at him before doing so.
“Lily,” she said to all of them, although her words were predominately focused on Philip. Charlotte’s stomach twisted strangely, though why, she had no idea.
“And thank you,” Lily murmured, as she took her place. Philip’s attention never wavered.
Charlotte decided to dismiss him. A pretty face had turned him near speechless, it seemed, and she had no time to sit here and gape at his ignorance.
Mr. Wright sat down across the table, and she turned her attention to him instead.
“Hello,” she said warmly. “Welcome to Hartland Abby. I’m Charlotte.”
“Nice to meet you, Charlotte,” he said with a smile. “I’m very pleased to be here.”
They began introductions all around, and Charlotte felt her cheeks warm at the special attention he seemed to pay her. She looked over at Philip, but he didn’t seem to notice, which annoyed her slightly, although why, she had no idea. She turned, deciding to ignore him for now.
It didn’t matter where Philip bestowed his attention. So he had decided someone else was more interesting than her.
And so she had been passed over for another for the role of lady’s maid. And housekeeper, when she thought of it. There must be a reason. There had to be.
For the alternative was not one she felt like dwelling on – the idea that she wasn’t really wanted. By Philip or anyone else.
* * *
Philip was enchanted.
Miss Lily Draper had to be one of the most captivating women he had ever laid eyes on. She was beautiful, yes, but there was more to it. She had an aura about her that he couldn’t properly describe. He tried to converse with her through the luncheon, but it seemed he wasn’t the only one interested in who she was and how she had come to be there. He could hardly get a word in among all of the other servants – primarily of the male variety – and when the meal was finished, he ran after her as she began to climb the stairs to find her chamber near the duchess.
“Miss Draper, a moment of your time, if you please?” he asked as he stopped short of her, and she looked down at him with one eyebrow raised expectantly.
“Yes, Mr.… Webster is it?”
“It is,” he confirmed with a nod and what he hoped was his most charming smile. “Philip is fine, however. I am sorry that we did not have more time to converse through our lunch.”
“Nothing to concern yourself with,” she said politely. “We hardly know one another.”
“But I’d like to change that,” Philip said earnestly, wanting her to know the truth to his words. “I know we just met, but there’s something about you that is drawing me to you, Lily. I sense that the two of us could be… great friends.”
She drew herself up to her full height, and he was shocked to realize that she was nearly as tall as he was. He supposed he was far too used to being around Charlotte, who was much shorter than the average woman, barely coming to his shoulder.
“Mr. Webster,” she said in the tone of voice that told him she was going to say how sorry she was, but there was no possibility that the two of them could ever be anything more than friendly with one another. “You are very kind, but—”
“You already have a man, is that it?” Philip asked, not used to being turned down for any other reason. “My apologies to the chap.”
“I do not,” she said brusquely. “Now, I really must be going.”
She turned, her skirts swishing around her ankles, and Philip noted that she wore a light-blue day gown, unlike the typical black dress and white apron the other maids wore. He supposed it was because she had not officially taken up her duties, but it was quite refreshing to see something different.
“Lily,” he called out, reaching toward her – but as he tried to keep her from escaping, his hand grasped the back of her dress, pulling out a button, and exposing her chemise underneath. She gasped, looking up at him in shock.
“Oh, Lily,” he said, aghast himself. “I am ever so sorry.”
“Mr. Webster,” she said, her words clipped. “Your attention is noted, and I thank you for it. However, you must understand that I have no intention in pursuing anything with you. You seem like a jovial gentleman, and one that I would enjoy spending time with. But please know that is all it can ever be. Every household where I find myself placed, I am the object of affection, much of it unwarranted. I am not turning away friends, but I have no wish to be caught up in whatever flirtation you have imagined. Now, good day.”
“But—”
“I said, good day, Mr. Webster.”
Philip had no choice but to step back and watch her go. When he turned around, he saw through the door that the dining hall was nearly empty, save for Charlotte.
He was brought back to the moment when he saw her. Damn it. She must be hurting right now, with the news that another woman would be taking on the position of lady’s maid – a woman that none of them even knew.
A pang of guilt struck him that he hadn’t even thought of her while he had been focused on Miss Draper. But before he could re-enter the room, she turned, met his gaze, and then took off the other direction. Damn. When had he ever caused such an adverse reaction on the female persuasion before?
He stuck his hands in his pockets as he tried not to take it too seriously while he strode out of the room, his steps more lighthearted than the gloom that had settled over his heart.
Chapter 3
Philip was halfway through tying Lord William’s cravat when he had the most ingenious idea – so much so, that he paused long enough that Lord William turned and stared at him.“Is everything all right, Philip?” he asked, concern on his face, and Philip quickly returned to his task.
“Of course, my lord,” he said with a small smile before going back to work.
“Philip,” Lord William said in a low tone. “We are both aware that I know you far better than to believe that.”
The second son of the Duke of Devon, Lord William was the same age as Philip and much more interested in hearing about a good scandal – if he wasn’t involved in one himself – than his siblings. Philip had never known his older brother, Lord Hopewell now, very well, as he was the serious sort and always above board. Lady Ann was between the two of them, rather quite herself, and Philip had always seen the two younger girls, Lady Caroline and Lady Emily, as babies, although they now must be in somewhere between ten and twenty, Philip figured.
“Nothing to be concerned about, my lord,” Philip insisted, but then Lord William gave him that look – the same one he had used since they were children, and Philip sighed.
“It’s about a woman,” he said, hoping that Lord William would drop the subject, but instead he looked intrigued. He was always interested in a good story.
“Do tell,” he said, no longer concerned with his cravat and now focused on Philip. “Is it about Charlotte?”
“Charlotte?” Philip asked, surprised that Lord William would think such a thing. “As in, me and Charlotte? No, of course not.”
“Oh,” Lord William said with a shrug. “I had always thought the two of you would…” he made a motion with his hand, “…find yourselves together one day.”
“No,” Philip said, frowning, wondering why Lord William would think such a thing, but he dropped the subject for now. “Actually, it is the new lady’s maid that joined the staff just today. Miss Lily Draper,” he said with a sigh. “She is quite something,” he said, but then stopped talking when he heard the dreaminess in his tone. He sounded like a romantic woman, for goodness sake. That would never do.
“Did she spurn your affections?” Lord William asked, lifting an eyebrow, and Philip turned to him.
“However did you know?”
“From that melancholy frown on your face,” Lord William said with a laugh. “You’ve always wanted everyone to like you.”
“Yes,” Philip said with a sigh. “It seems as though I have not been the first to pursue her and she is not interested in any suitors. So, I must make her believe that I simply want to be friendly with her. She said she would welcome acquaintances, after all.”
“I see,” Lord William murmured. “Then be her friend, Philip, and see where it leads you.”
“But how…” his mind retreated, picking up on a thread of the conversation from earlier. “Of course. I know exactly how. Thank you, William,” he said, forgetting himself for a moment, before his old friend and now employer looked at him with some reproach and hesitation. “Ah, Lord William. My apologies.”
And with a last fastening of his cravat and a grin, he was out of the room, eager to put his plan into action.
He pulled the pocket watch – a gift from the family this past Boxing Day – out of his waistcoat, finding that it was midway through the afternoon. He cursed under his breath. It meant that Charlotte could likely be anywhere within the house. He took a quick look within the family’s chambers before making his way up the grand staircase to the second story. He finally found her cleaning out the grate in the hall, nearly imperceptible in front of the marble, as she nearly blended in with the dark blue of the wall behind her.
“Charlotte?” he said, and she jumped, obviously startled by his sudden appearance.
“Philip,” she said with some surprise, “what are you doing in here?”
“Looking for you.”
“For me?” she arched an eyebrow. “I didn’t realize I was high on your list of priorities.”
“Listen, Charlotte,” he began, knowing why she was so irked, “I’m sorry that you didn’t receive the lady’s maid position. I know it must be frustrating—”
“Of course it is,” she said, flipping her rag in the air, and he could tell that she was attempting to appear unaffected. “But what am I supposed to do? Obviously there must be something lacking in my service. My long service to the family,” she said, eyeing him as she rose as tall as her short stature would allow her to. “I shall just have to work harder.”
“Your time will come,” he said, attempting to placate her, for he needed her in a good mood for his next question. “Listen, Charlotte… I have a favor to ask you.”
“Do you?” she said, not turning around to look at him, but he could tell by the stiffness in her frame that she was not particularly pleased. “Just as I asked you a favor?”
Oh yes. That he speak to William.
“You know that Lord William couldn’t have done anything to change the outcome.”
“You didn’t try, Philip.”
“And for that, I offer you my sincerest apologies,” he said, holding his hand over his heart. “Do you accept them?”
She looked at him over her shoulder then as he tossed a grin at her, hoping that he could charm her into helping him. But when Charlotte had been affronted, it was difficult to convince her to move on.
“If the opportunity comes up again, will you try to help?”
“I absolutely promise to do so,” he said solemnly, and she sighed and turned around, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Fine,” she said. “I begrudgingly accept your apology. Now, what is it you would like?”
“You are just curious about what I want to ask you.”
“I am not.”
“You are.”
“Very well,” she said, rolling her eyes. “I am curious. Now, what is it?”
“Well…” he began, knowing he would have to be careful with how he worded his request. “I had a conversation with Miss Draper.”
“Oh yes, the woman who took my position.”
“I wouldn’t say it was ever your position—”
He caught her glare.
“Fine. The woman who is now the duchess’ lady’s maid. I find myself quite attracted to her.”
“I noticed.”
Why did she sound so irritated?
“I attempted to charm her following luncheon today, but she didn’t seem to have any interest in what I had to say.”
“That’s a first,” Charlotte said, and he laughed at the surprise in her voice.
“As I thought. It seems the issue is that she finds herself the object of affection wherever she works, and she has no interest in being pursued. Rather, she is looking for allies and acquaintances.”
“I’m not sure what you’re asking of me, Philip, but I do promise I will be polite. I just need some time to overcome my disappointment, that is all.”
Despite the fact she was now facing him, Philip wished she would look him in the eye and not at everything else in the room instead.
“Charlotte, will you provide me your attention for just a moment?”
“Philip, I have much to do!”
“Two minutes, Charlotte, that’s all I ask,” he said, pleased when her bright green eyes finally met his.
“Two minutes. That is all I have to spare.”
“That is enough,” he said, smiling at her, but she just stood there, waiting for him to continue. “Very well. Here’s the thing. I thought that, if she was under the impression that I was attached to another, she would allow me the opportunity to talk to her more, to get to know her. Then, when it seems that she is developing an attraction for me in turn, I will break my commitment to another and she will see that I am the perfect fit for her.”
Charlotte stared at him, her eyes two bright emeralds shining on him incredulously.
“Did that not quite make sense?” he asked, about to begin again, but she held up a hand.
“Stop,” she said. “I understand all right. But Philip, are you mad? A woman who has any character at all would not be charmed by a man who would leave one woman for another. At least, I wouldn’t be. And how is she going to develop feelings for you if she believes your heart belongs to
another?”
“It would just give me enough opportunity to become close to her, to converse with her,” he said. “Then she will be able to get to know me.”
“You have had one conversation with her,” she said with some exasperation, which he didn’t entirely understand. Why did she care? “How do you even know if you will like her? You don’t know her.”
“Precisely. And this will give me the opportunity to determine just whether or not I do,” he said, pointing his finger in the air for emphasis.
“And how do I fit into this scheme, may I ask?” she said, lifting her eyebrows.
He smiled wide, clasping his hands behind his back and rocking on his heels.
“You, Charlotte, are the woman I am currently madly in love with.”
* * *
For the second time that day, Charlotte’s jaw dropped open in surprise.
She stared at Philip, waiting for him to tell her this was all some joke, that he was going to begin laughing and call her a naïve fool for believing that his ridiculous plan actually contained some shred of truth.
However, he made no motion but to stare at her and await her response.
“You’ve got to be jesting,” she finally managed, but he shook his head.
“I am not,” he proclaimed. “So – will you do it?”
“Of course not,” she said with a snort, turning back to her work. She hadn’t been lying – she really did have much to take care of that afternoon. “Pretend to be in love with me – ha!” she muttered as she shook her head. “No one would ever believe it.”
“They would, if we convinced them that it was so,” he insisted. “We will have to put on a charade for everyone, unfortunately, but once it’s all through, we will go back to being friends. I promise.”
“It is not that simple,” she murmured.
“Why not?” he persisted.
A Touch of Temptation: House of Devon Book 2 Page 2