by Dayna Quince
“Hello, ladies, I’ve been sent to find more brandy. 1600 and French if you plea—” His eyes focused on the girl standing over a pile of dishes ready to be washed, and froze. Her eyes widened in horror and she began to shake her head in the negative.
Lilly looked around to make sure no one witnessed her silent communication with the gentleman.
“I will help you, my lord. Follow me.” She ungraciously pulled Chance into the wine cellar and down a narrow flight of stairs. Once out of earshot, she turned to him.
“What are you doing here?” he hissed.
“What does it look like? I’m hiding out.”
Chance pinned her with a glare. “I have been worried sick over you. Everyone thinks you fell off the face of the earth.”
“Good, that’s what I need right now.”
“How long do you plan to masquerade as a kitchen maid?”
“As long as I have to, possibly the rest of my life—and I’m a cook’s assistant, not a maid.” Lilly folded her arms indignantly.
“Oh God, you didn’t just say… Oh no, this is a bloody mess.” Chance sat on a barrel and put his head in his hands.
“What… What’s wrong?”
Chance mumbled to himself. “All the years I’ve known you, Lilly, I have never had to pull you out of such a scrape.”
“What do you mean?”
“How did you get hired here?” he asked suddenly.
“Ellie helped me.” Lilly wrung her hands nervously.
“Your cook?”
“Yes! Now, tell me what’s so wrong with me working here?”
Chance stared at her. The beautiful, vibrant girl who used to glide across the dance floors and make men fall at her feet was covered in grease and flour. She had dark circles under her eyes and her frazzled hair hung limp and lifeless around her face.
“He noticed you, Lilly. You have to stay away from him.”
“Who?” Her voice squeaked with alarm.
“Lord Redwick.”
“Oh.” She sighed with relief. “He doesn’t know me. We’ve never met before last night.”
“Last night?” He glared at her again.
“It was an interview, nothing else, just talking.”
“He may have been talking, but that’s not what he was thinking. Christ, I’ve got to get you out of here.”
“But I’m safe here,” she cried.
“No, you’re not. You don’t stand a chance against a rake like him.”
Lilly raised her chin stubbornly and looked away. “I’ve faced plenty of rakes before, Chance.”
“Not like him.”
Lilly scoffed. “You act like he is some kind of god. He’s just a man, and even though I’m dressed as a maid, I can still put a man in his place, earl or not.”
“Fine, Lilly, have it your way—for now. But I’m going to find a way to get you out of here.”
Lilly’s eyes softened. “Thank you, Chance. I’m glad I can still count on someone to help me. I don’t want to stay like this if I do not have to.” Her voice choked on the last word.
Chance pulled her into a brotherly hug. “Just be careful and stay away from Dominic.”
“I will, promise.”
“Good. Now, I will need that brandy, if you please.”
Lilly laughed with a freedom she had not felt in days. It felt good to have an ally who knew who she really was.
“And don’t forget to call me Millie. Millie James is my new name.”
“I’ll try, but I won’t be able to talk to you directly. We might have to set up some sort of correspondence.”
They returned to the kitchen and eager stares of the staff.
“Thank you, Millie, for your delightful assistance.” Chance winked at her and left the kitchen, brandy in hand.
Lilly rolled her eyes at his retreating form. “God’s gift to women, he thinks he is.”
When Chance returned to the library, he found Dominic leaning against the fireplace mantle and gazing into the fire.
“That took you long enough,” he said without looking up.
“She’s innocent, Dom. Don’t ruin that for her.”
Dominic looked up and narrowed his eyes. “I’m not a monster, Chance. Beautiful as she is, there is something different about her that I can’t put my finger on.”
Chance eyed his friend warily. Dominic’s eyes were too sharp for this to go on for even a week. He had to act quickly. However… What if Dominic could help?
“She’s just a maid, Dom. Enjoy her talents—her culinary talents—while you can. She’s probably from some well-born impoverished country family, forced to leave home and find work.” Chance smiled. “Better keep her happy before Lord Tuttle buys her off. His chef needs at least four assistants.”
Dominic finally relaxed and sat down again.
Relieved that the tension between Dominic and himself had dissipated, Chance relaxed. It was time to go home. The transition from Dominic’s old life to his new one as earl was proving far more difficult than he had thought, and Chance worried about him. He was the closest thing to a brother he had ever known. Although Dominic had had an elder brother, they had never been close. The heir was kept busy with lessons and lectures about his future role, and Dominic, the spare, had been left alone most of the time. His family had not been a family at all.
Chapter 4
“I believe you are the hardest worker in my employ, Miss James.” Dominic could tell he had startled her once again. He had endured two hellishly long weeks avoiding the kitchens and spending countless hours interrogating the upper class, albeit quietly. He felt like he was being led on a merry chase, looking for a girl who vanished into thin air. All the while, he could not get his mind off a maid in his kitchen. Day and night, she rotated in is thoughts like a windmill. A man could go crazy living like this.
She slowly turned to him. “Is there anything I can do for you, my lord?”
“No, Miss James, I just wanted to congratulate you on the excellent fare of this evening’s dinner.”
“I wasn’t working alone. I only aid the cook in her mastery.”
Dominic smiled to himself. He slowly began to stroll forward, knowingly backing her into the corner of the counter and stove. He stopped just a foot away, immediately sensing her slight intake of breath. He looked into her sparkling brown eyes, and she daringly looked back. Dominic leaned closer and braced his hands on either side of her waist, effectively caging her in his arms. He smiled like a cat with a cornered mouse.
“I like to get to know my employees, Miss James. Who they are, where they came from… It inspires loyalty.” He gazed down at her face, the curve of her cheek, her soft pink lips. Christ, he thought, he was a monster. Never before had he been so tempted by such a small scrap of woman, but something about her called to him like no other.
He did not look up as he asked, “Where are you from, Miss James?”
“Uh…Hampshire,” she finally said.
“Do you have any family left?”
Lilly shook her head no.
“What do you do in your spare time?”
“I don’t have any spare time.”
“I will have to remedy that.”
“Please do, all the staff would appreciate it.”
He smiled again and met her gaze. “Are you happy here, Miss James?”
“Happy, my lord? Why yes, until this evening, I had not come upon any lecherous rogues making improper advances toward me. All of your staff has been exceedingly polite and proper.” She smiled sweetly.
Dominic took a good step back, releasing her from the cage of his arms.
“That pleases me, Miss James. I am glad you find yourself comfortable and at ease here. I would not want your naive senses to be insulted.” Dominic smiled charmingly but was not sure whether he should be insulted or humored by her bold tongue.
“I am not naive, my lord.”
“Ah, so you have experience with the male gender. And you may call me Dominic.”
<
br /> “I have enough, my lord, to understand that I should not be standing here at this hour talking to you, let alone addressing you in such an improper manner.”
“And why is that?”
“You know very well why.”
“Does my reputation precede me?”
“Actually, I had never heard of you before the day we first met.”
“Pity that. What other reason would you have that would not permit you to stand in a kitchen with me. Afraid I will kiss you?”
Her stunned silence was not what Dominic expected.
“I could lose my position here,” she said coldly. “I would be put out on the streets. Would you want that on your conscience?” Her cool tone did nothing to dissuade his rising passion for this woman. He had to know if she would taste as good as she looked. She was nothing like the usual women he lusted after, maid or not. She was ripe for the picking, a woman he would never grow tired. Not in bed or in his life.
“I have to kiss you,” was all he said as he closed the distance between them again.
“Lord Redwick, please.”
She again found herself trapped between the corner and stove. His words had startled her. There was no charm or debonairness attached to them, just a gruff statement of fact. He had to kiss her.
“Why—” was all she could say as his knuckles oh-so gently pushed the hair from her face, and he cradled her chin in his hand. He looked briefly into her eyes and then focused on her lips.
“I don’t know why,” he said, before sealing her lips with his.
The kiss was nothing like Lilly had ever experienced before. It was sweet—sweet and sensual and hungry, very hungry. He caressed her lips with his own, smothering her anxiety beneath a wave of sensation. Deepening the kiss, he applied just enough pressure until Lilly gave in and opened her mouth. His warm tongue was a shock to her senses, and little by little, she relaxed into his embrace. He placed her arms around his neck and pulled her body against his, caressing the arch of her back. His hands sent warm, swirling sparks throughout her body.
Lilly was sinking, sinking into the glorious abyss that was his mouth caressing hers. Her body reveled in the glorious heat of his, and his hands awoke a need to get closer. All thought was useless. In the event that her sanity returned, her body would only blatantly disobey. Lilly had only dreamed of being kissed like this, and now that it was a reality, she could not deny herself.
“You have to stay away from me.” His tone was gruff and angry. “It’s for your own good.”
“As you wish, my lord.” Her eyes immediately became wary and then sparked with anger. She turned and strode for the servants’ stairs.
Lilly reached her room and leaned against her closed door, her cheeks still flushed, her skin still warm from his touch. Inside, she ached in despair. She had not realized all that she had lost when she abandoned her former life.
Desire.
Something Lilly had never personally experienced until now. She had imagined it, read about it, hoped one day she would feel it. Along with all those other blissful emotions when she finally found the man she would marry and love forever—childish as that dream seemed. Her parents did not love each other, but it was possible. There were some couples in society who found love, married for love, and lived happily in love. It was just rare. Did desire and love go hand in hand? If she desired Lord Redwick, did that mean she loved him?
Impossible.
Lilly flushed in embarrassment, despite being alone in her dark room. She moved away from the door and lit the stub candle on her nightstand. As she began to undress, her thoughts remained on the elusive master of the house. She could not love him; she did not even know him, let alone want to love a man who would try to seduce his own staff. He was a scoundrel, a rake, more dangerous than any fop Lilly had previously dealt with. This man was different, and he made Lilly feel different every time he moved closer to her. She blushed, thinking of her own responses to him. Lilly had never behaved so wantonly before. What was wrong with her? Lilly’s nerves were frayed beyond repair, and his sensual onslaught was quickly melting the steel backbone her years in the ton had given her. Lilly needed to act quickly to preserve her façade and her maidenly virtue. She had been cornered by rakes before, but none as devilishly handsome as the earl. How was she supposed to behave? She thought playing the innocent might get her out of the situation, but then again this man looked like he ate innocence for breakfast, and that wasn’t a dish Lilly was willing to serve. Best to rely on old habits; there was nothing like rejecting a suitor with brazen honesty.
She climbed into bed and blew out her candle. But even in the still darkness, the rest she had longed for earlier in the evening eluded her. Why could she not stop thinking about him?
“Uuugh!” Lilly pulled the covers over her head and tried to banish him from her thoughts. This would drive her mad. She had to stay away from him at all costs. Chance was right; she was in a royal mess, and she needed to find a way out of it.
She could not live the rest of her life as a cook’s assistant. She wanted her life back, to be known as herself again and not have to hide and live in fear. If Chance were willing to help her then she would use that help. She would escape this horrible situation and regain at least some of her former life.
It almost seemed hopeless, but Lilly was going to try. It just was not in her to give up. After all, she had nothing to lose. They couldn’t imprison her for someone else’s crimes, could they? There had to be some protection from her father’s name. Drat that fool of a cousin; if only he had returned when summoned, Lilly might not even be in this mess. He was her legal guardian and had not even returned to check on her, let alone provide for her. What was Olivia’s favorite curse word? Lilly scrunched her face in disgust.
Oh yes: bastardo.
The new Duke of Cranston was definitely a bastardo, and every other foul word in the English and Italian language. Tomorrow, Lilly would write to Chance. Together they would work something out, provided she had a single minute to herself to pen a note. This new life was proving to be more work than Lilly had anticipated. Never again would she underappreciate the working class and all they managed to get done in a single day.
Finally, Lilly’s eyelids grew heavy, and she snuggled tighter under the blankets. Cursing her cousin in her head seemed to help drown out thoughts the earl. It was scandalous enough to even think of him as Dominic, let alone use it aloud, but nothing about this man was normal. He was undoubtedly an aristocrat, but something about his eyes and the way he spoke hinted at something rougher, more dangerous. It was as if underneath his cool exterior was a different man altogether—someone with a very dark past.
Chapter 5
The next morning began with gray, dreary skies and heavy rain. After a night of tossing and turning, Lilly slept late and was rudely awakened by Laura and her obnoxious morning brightness.
“Wake up, Millie, it’s late. The sun has already risen.”
“Humph,” was all Lilly said.
“Mrs. Fields will have a fit. I don’t have any more excuses for you.”
Grudgingly, Lilly got up, washed her face, and donned a clean uniform.
“Hurry up and grab your cloak, we have to milk Roberta.”
“Roberta?”
“Yes, the cow in the stables!” Laura said impatiently. “Now hurry!” She tugged Lilly in the opposite direction of the kitchens and out a side door to the rear of the house. Lilly halted on the steps and moodily took in the dripping wet landscape before her.
“It’s raining,” she said blandly.
“We’re not going to melt, Millie, come on.” Laura tugged her into the downpour and towed her all the way to the stables. Once inside they pulled back their hoods and breathed in the warm smell of hay. The stable was surprisingly cozy. Lanterns hung before each stall and gave off a warm glow. All the doors and windows were kept tightly closed against the chilly wet weather.
Laura tugged her past the beautiful horses, which whin
nied softly at her passing, and in the very last stall stood Roberta, a dairy cow of surprising girth. Lilly could not help but be intimidated by the size of the seemingly docile animal.
“I’ve never milked a cow before, Laura,” she said nervously.
“Never? Well, there’s a first time for everything, love. Pull that stool forward and have a seat.”
Entering the stall slowly, she pulled the stool toward Roberta and gingerly sat near the massively swollen udders. Laura came to squat beside her with a bucket.
“Now spread your knees and place the bucket in between. Warm your hands by rubbing them together, and then place your finger and thumb here on each tit.”
Lilly tried to hide her blush, and thankfully the dim light came to her aid.
“Now squeeze gently as you slide your hand down, and aim for the bucket.”
A spurt of fresh milk was the result. Roberta looked back impatiently at the girls and stomped her hooves, effectively scaring Lilly right off the stool. Laura laughed and helped her up.
“Here, keep trying on this side while I start on the other.”
“All right,” Lilly said, but she did not have much confidence without Laura sitting beside her. However, she did have some results by the time Laura had filled her bucket to the rim. Lilly’s bucket was only half full, but it was enough to boost her spirits. Laura left Lilly to take her bucket to the kitchens while Lilly kept working on her side.
Lilly had not been alone for five minutes before she heard the voice that had taunted her in her dreams all night long.
“You’re not doing it right.”
For a moment, all Lilly could do was grind her teeth and pray for Laura to return. She did not have the patience to play submissive servant with him this morning, and doubted her ability to do so anytime soon.
“Milked many cows, my lord?” She smiled tightly.
“As a matter of fact no, but I’ve been told I have a certain touch.” He pushed away from the stall door and squatted beside her.