“By the way,” he started as Lewis buttoned up his shirt, “I’ve noticed the house looking pristine. The new housekeeper seems to be keeping order well, then?”
“Very well. It’s running even better than before Mrs. Daniels passed.”
“I’m pleased to hear that.”
Although West did miss the lovely old lady who had served his parents. At least she had a good successor.
“Did you check her out properly, Your Grace?” Lewis asked.
“No, Trelawney did. He took care of it all. I’ve yet to lay eyes on her.” West frowned. “Why do you ask?”
“Because the new housekeeper is young. Very young.” Lewis paused. “She’s almost younger than our upstairs maids.”
“Really?” Trelawney had never mentioned that, and it was something he certainly would have mentioned. “Her credentials must have been stellar.”
“She mentioned that her mother was formerly a housekeeper.” Lewis picked up West’s cravat. “She comes from a family of hard-working people. But she’s caused a bit of a stir amongst the servants, being so young.”
That was interesting. West wouldn’t have thought Trelawney would hire someone who was too young for the position. He must have seen something in the new housekeeper to hire her.
“Now you’ve got me curious, Lewis.” West tied his cravat and straightened his jacket. He could get down the stairs without falling over. “Would you let Mrs. Bartlett know I’m coming down for breakfast? I’ll be down shortly.”
“Certainly, Your Grace.”
Lewis bowed and then left. West checked himself in the mirror, brushing his hair until it was in place. He didn’t look like he had been out drinking the night before, apart from the slightly greenish tinge to his cheeks. Hopefully, that would change once he had eaten something.
Chapter 4
His New Housekeeper
West left his rooms and was making his way along the hall when he saw a welcoming sight coming up the stairs. Charlotte Roberts, looking a little red-faced and bustling in her black dress and her hair up in a chignon, and carrying a pile of fresh sheets. What was she doing here? West would have known she was here, surely?
“Miss Roberts?”
Charlotte looked up and did a double-take, almost dropping the sheets. She dropped into a curtsy, lowering her eyes.
“Your Grace. Forgive me, I did not mean to cross your path like this.”
“That’s not what I’m concerned about.” West was confused. “What are you doing here? Sneaking in to catch a glimpse of me, are you?”
Charlotte glanced up at him, arching an eyebrow.
“I didn’t see you as arrogant, Your Grace.”
“You’d be surprised how much it’s been done.” West folded his arms. Now he was very curious. “Why are you here?”
“I work here. I’ve been working here a week now.”
Now West’s mouth was falling open. He had to be living in a dream. She was working here? How? What…
Then he realized what she was talking about.
“You’re the new housekeeper.”
“That is correct, I am.”
She had known when they met and she hadn’t said anything? West stared at her. How had she managed to keep her position from him? And how had he not known that she was here?
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“It never came up, and you didn’t ask.” Charlotte’s eyes locked with his. “And how was I supposed to bring it up?”
That was a fair point. It wasn’t exactly something that would have come up. Charlotte moved from foot to foot, looking a little perturbed.
“If you’ll excuse me, Your Grace, I promised Mrs. Bartlett I’d help with the breakfast once I’d fetched the fresh linen for the upstairs maids.”
“That isn’t part of your duties.”
“I like to help the others.”
And with that she hurried away, ducking down a hallway and disappearing through an alcove. West stared after her, wondering what had just happened. How had he managed to miss that fact the most beautiful woman he had ever come across had been in his house for at least a week if not more? He must be getting old if he wasn’t that observant.
Maybe he should remain around the house more and find out what he could about the lovely new housekeeper.
***
It was late morning by the time West gave up trying to look through his account books, attempting to get his estate in order. His thoughts were consumed with Charlotte Roberts. It was driving him mad to think about anything but her.
West liked women. He enjoyed their company. And he had found a good number of them very attractive. But none had captured his attention like the new housekeeper. That didn’t feel agreeable in the least. She shouldn’t even be in his thoughts beyond household duties.
He had to know more.
Giving up on looking through his ledgers, West stood and went to the bell-pull by the fire place, pulling it once. A short while later, the door opened and his middle-aged butler, his receding hair snow-white, entered the study.
“Yes, Your Grace?”
“Could you fetch Miss Roberts for me, James? I want a word with her.”
Brett James nodded and left the room. West paced across the room, unable to sit still. Something about being in the company of the woman who had caught his eye had him feeling like a nervous young man with his first love.
It shouldn’t be an infatuation, not with a servant. But what else could it be?
West turned when the door opened, and Charlotte came in. She was dressed in somber gray, her hair pinned neatly up on her head. Even in severe clothing she looked beautiful. West didn’t think it was possible.
Charlotte bowed her head as she curtsied.
“You sent for me, Your Grace?”
“Yes.” West indicated the couch by the window. “Please, take a seat.”
Charlotte hesitated, but did as she was told, smoothing her skirts down and folding her hands in her lap. West sat on the window seat and stretched out his legs.
“I’d like to know more about the woman I’ve ended up hiring without realizing who she was.”
Charlotte’s brow furrowed.
“With all due respect Your Grace, I’m the housekeeper and I do my job well. There’s nothing else to know.”
“I know that much.” West smiled. “I’ve heard from several of my household about how proficient you are with your duties.”
Charlotte flushed and looked past West’s shoulder, out of the window.
“They don’t seem to like me much.”
“It takes a while to get used to something new. Mrs. Daniels was a loving woman, very kind. She had big shoes to fill.”
“I don’t want to fill anyone’s shoes, Your Grace.”
She had so much composure. Even nervous as she was, she was calm. West admired her grace. She could walk through Society in a brand new gown and nobody would know the difference. West had seen less refined duchesses and countesses in his time.
“Why did you take the job, Miss Roberts? You’re very young for it.”
Charlotte shrugged.
“I watched my mother when I was younger, and it was the closest thing I could find that I could do to support my family.”
“You have a family?”
“My parents and my daughter.” Charlotte bit her lip. “Mary. She’s four years old.”
She had a child? That was a surprise for West. She certainly didn’t look as though she had borne a child. And West didn’t think someone like Charlotte would have a child out a wedlock.
“You’re married?”
“I was.” Charlotte’s jaw tightened. “My husband died shortly after Mary was born. My parents recently became ill and are unable to work. So, it has fallen upon me to support everyone.”
West hadn’t been expecting this disclosure either. It took a moment for him to gather his thoughts. She had fallen on hard times. Maybe that was what Trelawney had spotted in the interv
iew. He always did have a soft heart.
“Forgive me, I was not aware of your circumstances.”
“I couldn’t bring Mary here when I had to work, leaving her alone.” Charlotte swallowed. “It wasn’t a good feeling, leaving her behind, but I was respecting you and your household by not bringing her when she wasn’t known by anyone other than Mr. Trelawney. And he had suggested it wouldn’t be wise.”
It wouldn’t have been wise to keep it quiet that was true. But she was far from the truth.
“I would have been a little annoyed that I was unaware, but I wouldn’t have objected.”
“Really?”
“Really. I like children. Most of the time,” West added with a slight smile. “And I’m sure my staff would love to have a child running around. As long as she chips in with her own work.”
“Of course she would. Mary is a very helpful girl.”
West didn’t doubt that. Not with a stellar mother like Charlotte. But he was curious. Someone as young and lovely as her shouldn’t be alone for so long. And it had been four years?
“What happened to her father?”
Charlotte’s smile, which had appeared when speaking about her daughter, now disappeared. A look came over her that was close to a scowl.
“Miss Roberts?”
“He was planning on leaving me. He and his mistress were riding up to Gretna Green in the hopes the divorce that I knew nothing about would be finalized by the time they arrived, so they could marry. They got waylaid by highwaymen in the Lake District. They refused to hand over their valuables, and they were both killed.”
Divorce? West knew divorce was a rare thing indeed. It wasn’t something that was done. When you married, it was for better or worse, no matter if you loved your spouse or not. It was partly the reason West had never married. He didn’t want to be duped by a woman who claimed to love him.
But he couldn’t understand Charlotte’s husband. He had left her for someone else? If West had been Charlotte’s husband, he wouldn’t have left her for anything.
“Forgive me. I didn’t mean to cause you to be upset.”
“You didn’t.” Charlotte lifted her chin defiantly. “I’ve gotten used to the various emotions that run through me at the mention of my late husband. Although there are times when I wish I could go back and not marry that man.”
Chapter 5
The Intended Duchess
“Then you wouldn’t have had your daughter.” West said.
“That’s what my mother keeps telling me.” Charlotte sighed and stood, smoothing her hands down her skirts. West noticed her hands were trembling. “Your Grace, I am not comfortable being here, conversing like I’m a member of Society. I have to get back to work.”
But West didn’t want her to leave. He wanted to know more, and they had barely begun. He stood hurriedly, almost reaching for Charlotte but stopping himself in time.
“I’m sure they can manage without you for a few moments.” West wished he didn’t sound so desperate. “Please? Will you stay? I want to know more about you.”
That much was the truth. He wanted to know more. Never in West’s life had he been curious of a servant beyond his valet. There was something about Charlotte that made West want to know her. She was intriguing. Very intriguing.
Charlotte looked confused.
“Why?”
“Call me curious, if you like.”
Charlotte pursed her lips. Then she sighed and nodded.
“Very well then. I will. But not for long.”
West understood. As long as he got a few more moments with her.
***
Charlotte bustled into the kitchen and found Mrs. Bartlett hurrying around the various servants who had been asked to help her with the evening meal. The room was stifling with the amount of people crammed inside; the heat was that intense.
“How is the dinner coming along, Mrs. Bartlett?” she shouted over the din.
Mrs. Bartlett gave her a smile and a nod.
“Coming along nicely.”
“Good. Let me know if you need any help.”
“I’m fine here.” The matronly woman hurried over to Charlotte, flapping her hands at her. “You go and keep an eye on the guests. That’s all you need to worry about.”
Charlotte wasn’t sure about that but left, anyway. She wasn’t going to argue with Mrs. Bartlett. The kitchen was her domain and Charlotte knew not to tread on her toes.
But Charlotte didn’t want to go back into the drawing room. Guests for the duke’s month-long holiday excursion at his estate were conversing with glasses of sherry. The topics of conversation were most boring. Charlotte preferred to talk to the staff; they had a more genuine conversation going on and there were no misunderstandings and slights.
And it also meant keeping out of West’s way. Charlotte knew she shouldn’t, but she was very drawn to the duke. It didn’t help that he was the most handsome man in the room and seemed to be head and shoulders above everyone else. It was frightening that she could feel something so intense for a man who was meant to be her employer.
Even after their talk in his study the month before. It was enjoyable, much to her surprise. And West was easy to talk to. But Charlotte didn’t want to be over-familiar and disrespectful, especially not with him. However, every time their paths crossed, Charlotte felt her heart skip several times, and it took a great deal of her composure to not look like a bumbling fool.
That wasn’t good. So, Charlotte had tried to keep out of his way as much as she could to best conceal her feelings. She needed this job, and it paid very well. Giving herself cause to be dismissed was not something desirous.
Charlotte bumped into Angela as she hurried down the hall to the dining room, her arms laden with the tablecloths.
“Where’s James, Angela?”
“He’s in the drawing room serving the guests.”
“He’s not alone in there, is he?”
“Willis and Reynolds are with him.”
That was something. But Angela was almost buckling under the pile of cloths. And Charlotte needed to help the butler.
“I’ll go and relieve Reynolds. He can help you with the mountain you’re carrying.”
“Thank you.” Angela looked relieved. “I’m about to drop these.”
Charlotte grinned and winked.
“Wait until he comes into view and then drop them. He’s always willing to help.”
Angela blushed bright red as Charlotte hurried away. She entered the drawing room and saw Reynolds standing at the edge of the room. James and Willis were spread out across the room, moving around slowly as people picked up and put down glasses in varying states of fullness. Charlotte touched Reynolds’ arm.
“Would you go and help Angela with the dining room? She’s a little overwhelmed. I’ll take over.”
She knew Reynolds didn’t like big crowds—the young man often had anxiety attacks—and he was looking pale. Relieved, Reynolds passed her the tray and hurried out. Charlotte began to circulate. She had spoken to a few of the guests previously in her last job. They knew her and they were happy to talk to her. That made her job a little more bearable.
But there was one person who Charlotte wanted to avoid at all costs. Lady Jane Foster. The daughter of a viscount, she was a fair-haired beauty who was easily the most attractive woman in the room. But that didn’t get her very far. Charlotte had met her before and although they had not spoken, she had seen an intolerable side of her. It wasn’t amiable and Charlotte preferred to keep away from her.
Unfortunately, Lady Jane looked as though she had sunk her talons into West. They were standing by the window talking, Lady Jane laying a hand on his arm as she laughed. West didn’t discourage her, just smiled at her with a twinkle in his eye. Charlotte felt a knot in her stomach. That made her miss a step.
Why was she upset about the way West was looking at the woman? They were of the same social class and Charlotte wasn’t. There was no competition. It was just her
unfortunate fancy for the duke that was influencing her feelings. And it left an undesirable taste in her mouth.
Noticing that the duke’s glass was empty, Charlotte approached them and offered her tray.
“Would you like another, Your Grace?”
“Please.” West turned his smile onto her as he replaced his empty glass with a full one. Then he raised it in a little toast at her. “Thank you, Miss Roberts. Just what I needed.”
Charlotte tried not to blush and turned to Lady Jane, fixing her smile on the other woman.
“Lady Foster?”
Lady Jane wrinkled her nose and shook her head.
“No, take it away.”
“Very well, my lady.”
Charlotte turned away and found herself next to Baroness Audrey, a matronly woman who had warmed to Charlotte when Charlotte had served her once in London. She was a very nice lady and Charlotte liked her. Baroness Audrey glanced at her, gave her a smile, and signaled for her to stay a moment until she had finished speaking to a groomed middle-aged man. Charlotte hovered nearby. Then she heard Lady Jane speak in a sneering tone behind her.
“Who on earth is that?”
“That’s my new housekeeper, Miss Roberts.”
They were talking about her? Charlotte stiffened.
“Did you say housekeeper?” Lady Jane sounded incredulous. “She’s incredibly young for her position.”
“But she’s a master at her job. I have no complaints.”
That was something. At least the duke was happy with her work. Even then, Charlotte found herself gritting her teeth at Lady Jane’s comments.
“How do you know she’s not going to betray your trust?”
West chuckled.
“I don’t think she has it in her to betray anyone, Lady Jane. She’s as honest as they come.”
Lady Jane sniffed.
“Well, as long as she knows her place. She looks like trouble. Now,” Her sneering turned into a purr, “I wanted to talk to you about something important…”
Regency Romances for the Ages Page 12