Charlotte wondered what it would be like in her new position. Would the other servants accept her? She was good at getting along with people and she always worked hard. That should help her. Plus, her mother had once been a housekeeper and provided Charlotte with many suggestions. There were a few tricks to the job, and she was eager to get them into practice.
But it was going to be a big change for her. Charlotte had never been to Kent, and she had never been this far away from her family, not even when she had been married. It was different and Charlotte felt a mixture of fear and excitement as she looked out the window and watched the countryside change and fly by.
The two of them stopped a few times along the journey to water the horses and for Charlotte to stretch her legs. Benjamin looked after her. He had known her since she was a baby and was very protective of her as they went into a nearby public house to have lunch. Charlotte did get a few men bothering her, but Benjamin kept them back. Charlotte was grateful; she didn’t want to get into anymore problems with men, not after Donald. He had been too much for her and now she was inclined to keep men were off-limits.
Not that a man would want to take on another man’s child as their own.
It was past teatime, and the landscape was turning orange-gold under the setting sun when Charlotte heard a loud cracking noise and the carriage suddenly lurched to one side. Charlotte was thrown back and into the corner, her elbow jamming hard against the wooden side and her head bouncing off the back. The horses whinnied in panic and the carriage came to a stop. Moments later, there was a scrabbling noise, and the door opened. Benjamin looked in, his face creased up in worry.
“Are you hurt, Miss Charlotte?”
“I think I may be.” Charlotte tried to sit up and found herself tipping back. “Help me out, will you?”
Benjamin took her hand and managed to get Charlotte out of the carriage. The wind was starting to pick up, and the air was a little cooler. Charlotte shivered in her cloak. Her head hurt and her elbow was throbbing, but she was upright and walking.
“What happened?”
“The wheel’s gone.” Benjamin pointed at the back wheel. “A couple of the spokes have gone.”
Charlotte could see what he meant. The wheel looked like it had exploded, hanging dangerously off the axle. She was surprised that it hadn’t come off completely.
This was dreadful.
“Can it be repaired?”
“I could fix it, but I would need to get it off the carriage first.” Benjamin gave her an embarrassed look. “And no offense to you, Miss Charlotte, but you’re not strong enough to help me.”
“I’m not offended, Ben.” Charlotte sighed and wrapped her arms around her waist. “I simply wish there was a way I could help.”
Chapter 2
Help From a Nobleman
“Just stay in the tree line. It’s getting windy, and it’s most definitely not safe in the carriage right now.”
Charlotte wasn’t inclined to argue with that. She hurried to the nearest tree and sat on a thick upturned root, watching as Benjamin struggled with the wheel. It was a frustrating sight and Charlotte wished she was able to help. But she wasn’t a man, and that was what they needed for this.
After what seemed like an age, Charlotte heard the sound of horse hooves and could see a horse appearing in the turn of the road. It was going at a leisurely gallop but seemed to gain speed when it saw the scene before it. The rider pulled the horse to a stop and alighted with a nimbleness that Charlotte had never seen before.
Benjamin stopped as the newcomer approached. Then Charlotte saw his eyes widen, and he dropped into a low bow.
“Your Grace! Forgive me, I didn’t recognize you for a moment.”
Charlotte sat up. This was a duke? The duke laughed and clapped Benjamin on the shoulder.
“I’m not surprised. What’s happened here?”
“The wheel’s broken, Your Grace. I can fix it, but I need some help to get the wheel out.”
“What about your passengers?”
Benjamin indicated Charlotte.
“I’ve only got one, thankfully.”
Then the duke turned to her. And Charlotte forgot how to breathe. Tall, raven-haired, and carrying a fine figure underneath his riding clothes, the man was handsome. Ten years her senior, surely. Even unshaven as he was, he was still the most handsome man Charlotte had ever seen.
The duke approached and knelt before her, taking off his hat.
“Are you all right, miss?”
Charlotte’s mouth was dry. She swallowed hard and nodded, managing a smile.
“I’m fine, thank you.”
The duke smiled and Charlotte’s heart missed a few beats. Then he took off his riding coat and put it around her shoulders, tucking it tightly around her.
“You stay here and keep warm. We’ll have this sorted in no time.”
No man had ever before offered her his coat or even put it around her for her welfare. Charlotte tried not to burrow into his warm fabrics and take in the delicious scent. She smiled and nodded at the duke who seemed to be openly staring at her.
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
***
The woman was lovely. West had never seen quite a woman like her. Petite, blonde with porcelain skin. Her profile was beautiful. And even in these trying conditions, she managed to keep her composure. West knew several women who would be in an absolute state about getting rained on and stuck out in the middle of nowhere.
He had only stopped to check on the carriage and its occupants. It was incredibly bad form to ride away if someone needed help; and West was very glad he had stopped. It was starting to rain hard and his hands were freezing as he helped Beale, the driver, get the wheel mended and back onto the carriage.
It took longer than he expected, but the carriage was finally back on four wheels. Beale straightened up with a relieved sigh and stretched out his back. Then he seemed to remember his manners, turned and bowed to West.
“Thank you very much for your help, Your Grace. I can’t thank you enough.”
“Anything to get my hands dirty.” West grinned and held up his hands, which were covered in dirt. The palm of his left hand was cut but West barely noticed the sting. “And I can’t very well leave a beautiful lady in distress on the side of the road.”
Beale chuckled and wiped the rain off his face.
“I’ll make sure to travel with beautiful passengers in this part of the country in the future, then.”
Then he turned and beckoned for the girl to join them. Miss Roberts came hurrying out from under the tree and took Beale’s hand as she climbed into the carriage. West didn’t want the meeting to be this fleeting. He nodded at his horse, who was tied to a nearby tree and nuzzling noses with one of the carriage horses.
“Check on the horses. I’m going to check on Miss Roberts.”
Before Beale could answer, West stepped up into the carriage. It was a relief to get the rain off his head, having forgotten his hat when left home. He sat across from Miss Roberts, who was staring at him with flushed cheeks, her eyes wide. Young and innocent with no pretensions, she was looking at him with such wonder.
He turned on his most charming smile.
“How are you feeling, Miss Roberts? I hope you are not too wet?”
“I’m all right. The tree gave me some cover.” A smile tugged at her sweet-looking mouth. “You know, I never thought I’d have a duke come to my rescue.”
“Well, I’m full of surprises.” West chuckled. He sat forward and took her hand. “I don’t think I’ve properly introduced myself. Peregrine Asquith, Duke of Westminster.” He kissed her fingers. “But you can call me West.”
“I…”
Did she suddenly blush? Before West could look more closely, her face went even redder, and she swallowed hard.
“Charlotte Roberts. No title, I’m afraid.”
“No title?”
“No status. I’m just a lowly servant, Your Grace.”
“I’m so appreciative you came along when you did.” Charlotte added, giving him another smile.
West couldn’t deny that smile and found himself returning it.
“So am I. Where are you heading, Miss Roberts?”
“To my new position. I was hired…. I was asked to fill a recently available position.” She glanced out the window. “I start tomorrow and I’m afraid I’m going to be late now.”
West could understand. People around in his part of the county weren’t known for tardiness. They liked punctuality as did he. If she didn’t get going, Charlotte Roberts would be even later.
He wanted to know what household she was going to be in, but it was intrusive, to say the least. West was sure he would find her in the hallways of one of his neighbors when he went to visit.
But he also had to be getting back. Much as he enjoyed himself in Charlotte Roberts’ company, he needed to be on his way.
“I’d better take my leave.” He grimaced at the rain. “Or my staff will be huffy for missing dinner.”
“Do you always bow down to your servants?”
“No but it helps to be amiable to your staff. Goes a long way if you need a special favor.” West winked at her, pleased when he saw her blush. “Have a safe journey, Miss Roberts.”
“And you, Your Grace.”
She wasn’t even trying to get him to stay but there was something about her that West didn’t want to leave. But he had to. He jumped out into the rain, the wind blustery around him, and hurried to his horse.
West had no idea if he was ever going to see Charlotte Roberts again. But in his heart he indeed would like to.
***
Charlotte racked her brains, trying to figure out what she had forgotten. She turned to the young red-haired woman who was folding the duke’s shirts.
“Have the sheets gone to the laundrette already?”
Angela Dixon looked up and laughed.
“Yes. Young Eddie Carfax took them half an hour ago, remember? I’ve got the clean sheets in the utility room, ready to go on the beds.”
“That’s good.” Charlotte adjusted a pin in her hair and walked over to help the maid. “I was going through the list of jobs in my head and I couldn’t remember what I’d done with the sheets.”
Angela grinned.
“Oh, you don’t need to fret so much, Miss Charlotte. You’ve been working really well here and everything’s under control. It’s even better than when Mrs. Daniels was the housekeeper.”
“It’s very kind of you to lie.”
“I’m serious. Things are very efficient and it’s all running smoothly.”
Charlotte couldn’t deny that. The Duke of Westminster’s home was very efficient. Everyone knew their place and worked diligently. Charlotte didn’t even need to give them much encouragement; they got on with their jobs.
Chapter 3
Life with the
Duke of Westminster
But there was that undercurrent going through it all. The undercurrent of slight hostility. Everyone had been incredibly shocked when they saw that their new housekeeper was a good fifty years younger than the previous woman, almost younger than most of the servants in the household. They couldn’t understand how she had managed to get the job at such a young age. Surely she must have done something spectacular to secure the position of housekeeper.
They complied with her orders, but they were received with a certain wariness. Charlotte had been at the duke’s house for a week already and she found it difficult to take a commanding stance when everyone was giving her strange looks, simply because of her youth.
But they were beginning to come around. Mrs. Bartlett, the cook, was surprised at Charlotte's willingness to help out in the kitchen. from her. The butler, James, was starting to warm to her after Charlotte ran around helping him with some work when the duke needed him. And even the duke’s own valet, the young Edward Lewis, was starting to treat her with some respect.
Angela was the only one who had warmed to Charlotte from the start. The upstairs maid was a bright, smiling woman with a no-nonsense demeanor. She and Charlotte seemed to take to each other pretty quickly. Charlotte had no complaints about her new friend, who had showed her the ropes and given her secrets on the other servants to get them to warm up to her.
It was working. But Charlotte knew she still had a long way to go.
“I wish I could say the same for everyone else.” She placed one shirt aside and started folding another. “They keep giving me looks and question me all the time.”
“Well, you are the youngest housekeeper they’re aware of in the county of Kent,” Angela pointed out. “Most of the servants here are older than you, a few old enough to be your parents. They don’t like change, especially drastic changes as this.”
“I’ve noticed.”
Angela’s expression softened, and she gently nudged Charlotte.
“Don’t worry. They’re starting to come around to you. I know Mr. Lewis is. He spoke very highly of you when we conversed yesterday.”
“Only because he’s sweet on you,” Charlotte pointed out.
Angela sighed and patted her bun.
“Can I help it if I’m irresistible to men?”
Charlotte had to laugh at that. Angela knew how to make her smile. It made being away from her daughter more bearable. She moved on to the duke’s socks and began to pair them.
“What is the duke like?” she asked.
“You’ve not met your employer yet?” Angela frowned. “I thought he hired you.”
“His lawyer hired me. And I have met the duke but…” Charlotte didn’t know how to say it. “Not since I arrived here. He helped my driver put the wheel back on the carriage on the way over here.”
“Oh, did he?” Angela’s eyes glinted. “And how was he?”
Charlotte wondered what she should say.
“He is very handsome. A fine-looking figure of a man, I’ll admit that. And he was…very charming.”
That was an understatement. Charlotte could still feel the warm butterflies in her stomach as she remembered those few brief moments in her carriage. West certainly knew how to charm a woman.
“That sounds about right,” Angela laughed. She reached for a pair of trousers. “You’re an attractive woman and he’s a fine-looking man. Just because you’re not of noble blood doesn’t mean you’re off-limits to his charisma.”
“Does that happen all the time with him?” Charlotte asked. “Using his charisma?”
“You obviously haven’t kept your ear to the ground with the gossip. He’s known all around Society for his love affairs. Goodness knows where they happen because they never happen here.”
Charlotte shuddered.
“Good. Because I don’t think I’d want to know.”
Angela giggled.
“Well, it’s nothing new to see the duke charming a handsome young woman, no matter who she is. He has a reputation as a rake you must hate but you can’t because he’s so endearing. Although a few of the men in his social circles would have something say about that.”
“I’m sure,” Charlotte murmured.
The duke hadn’t passed himself off as a rake, but rather quite chivalrous from what she had witnessed. She couldn’t place judgement on anything after just a short amount of time, however. He could be an absolute cad, for all she knew.
“What are you thinking?”
Charlotte looked up to see her friend giving her a curious glance. She sighed and lowered the socks.
“Sometimes I wish I was fortunate enough to be married to a man who would treat me like a queen.”
Donald had never treated her like a queen, or even a duchess. There had been love at the start but
not towards the end of his life.
“To say the truth,” Angela leant over and squeezed Charlotte’s hand. “I’m sure it’ll happen. Your daughter would prefer a mother who loves her completely than two parents who are simply together because of her.”
At least someone had some sense. Charlotte just wished she hadn’t taken leave of hers when she had met her late husband. Then again, Mary wouldn’t be here if she had.
***
West’s head was throbbing. It felt like someone had smashed his skull open. Whatever was in the drink the previous night had been incredibly strong.
He was managing to sit up with a grimace when the door opened and the dark-haired young man who served as his valet entered, bowing to him.
“Good morning, Your Grace. Would you like some hot water?”
“Good morning, Lewis.” West rubbed his eyes and then pressed his fingers to his head. “And yes, please. I need something to shock me into being more alert.”
Lewis nodded and began his morning duties, which included fetching hot water for West’s shaving and washing, and laying out his clothes. West managed to stagger into his chair without falling over and Lewis shaved him with a delicate, quick hand. Then West managed to wash himself and slowly moved towards the bed. He was starting to feel a little more human but not much.
Lewis gave him an amused look.
“Late night again, Your Grace?”
“Always.” West managed to tug off his nightgown, tossing it onto the floor. “I think I’m getting too old for hobnobbing.”
Lewis laughed as he helped West into his underclothes.
“I can’t see you sitting at home in slippers smoking a pipe by the fire.”
“That might be me in a few years if I keep going like this.”
West tried to keep his head steady as he dressed. Lewis accommodated his dilemma without batting an eyelid. They had known each other since Lewis was a mere lad of thirteen, West just turning seventeen. Despite their relationship as employer and servant, they were friends. Lewis was West’s confidant when West needed advice that wasn’t tainted by snobbery. He had proved himself invaluable.
Regency Romances for the Ages Page 11