by Rose, D. L.
Dominic raised an irritated brow as Lord Douglas began to shuffle through papers completely dismissing his presence. He left the office with no further comment and returned to the bustling street outside. Forgoing his carriage, he decided to walk to his residence which was only a few blocks away. Walking seemed to clear his head, giving him room to think about how to find a missing debutante as soon as possible. He had a life to get back to, not a terribly exciting life, but it did not include murder and secrets and that suited him just fine.
***
“There’s to be no fraternization with the footmen, stable boys, and especially his Lordship’s acquaintances or you will be dismissed. Insubordination or cheeky attitude, unkempt hair and uniform, sloppy work, or clumsiness will not be accepted. Fail to meet these qualifications and you will–.”
“Be dismissed, yes Mrs. Fields, I understand you perfectly.”
“Good, now what did you say your name was?”
“Li–I mean, Millie James ma’am.”
“Now come along Millie. You must pass muster under Mr. Fields, my husband,” Mrs. Fields said proudly, “before I can show you the kitchen duties.”
“Yes Mrs. Fields,” Lilly hurried after the portly woman through a maze of doors and short corridors in the underbelly of the house lit only by wall sconces. They stepped through a door into what looked like a butler’s pantry where an older, slightly fatherly looking, man was making entries in a ledger behind a small desk.
Mrs. Fields stepped politely in front of the desk and cleared her throat.
“Mr. Fields, I would like to introduce you to the young lady applying for the position of cook's assistant.”
Mr. Fields spared her a single glance before looking back to his papers, “She’s too pretty,” was all he said.
Mrs. Fields waved Lilly forward and she curtsied and introduced herself.
“My name is Millie James and I am very honored to be interviewed by such a prestigious household,” Lilly paused when she noticed the--oh so important--Mr. Fields staring at her.
“Where did you learn to speak like that girl?” He took his glasses off and stared at her dubiously.
“I ah …”
“Well?” He barked.
“Sir,” Mrs. Fields stepped in, she felt obligated to help this poor girl, “Miss James comes from the Duke of Cranbury's house,” she paused, “before the incident of course.”
Lilly braced herself for the worst.
“Did you stay with the duchess Miss James or follow the new duke’s household?”
Lilly took a deep breath and steadied her nerves before she answered. “Neither Sir, after his Grace passed away I was called to my ailing Aunt’s residence. I don’t believe the new duke has returned from his travels and I did not witness the duchess’ remarriage.”
“I see …” Mr. Fields put on his glasses and resumed looking over the papers, “Last I heard, he was still gallivanting about Europe. How long were you working in the kitchens before you left Miss James?”
“Eleven years sir, I grew up in those kitchens,” Lilly said confidently. Out of the corner of her eye she could begin to see a smile form about Mrs. Field’s pert mouth.
“Why don’t you show her the kitchen Mrs. Fields?”
“Excellent Mr. Fields, right away. Come along Millie.”
Lilly nearly collapsed with relief. This was the first step in her new life as a servant and she could only imagine the hours of labor her future would entail. Nevertheless, it was better than ending up in New Gate for treason. Entering the dim corridor again, Lilly followed Mrs. Fields down a short hallway.
“Was it confusing to have a surname so similar to your employers Miss James? Did you ever meet the Miss St. James? I had heard she was a beautiful child,” the housekeeper chattered on pleasantly.
“No ma’am, I would imagine the daughter of the duke would not be allowed to grace the kitchens.”
“So true Miss James, some houses are very strict in their formality.”
“And you are not?” Lilly asked.
“Oh not to worry my dear, the master is rarely at home and why would he ever enter the kitchens? The sight of him alone sends Bertha into fits. He is a devil that one.”
“One can hope to never meet him,” Lilly said to herself aloud.
Mrs. Fields paused in her stride and turned to face Lilly, “Now you don’t have to worry about that Miss James. This is a very respectable household for a young woman such as yourself, despite what you may have heard about the Earl and his reputation.” She patted Lilly on the shoulder in a motherly fashion and resumed her pace. “Besides, the odds of you two crossing paths are as likely as a fish in the Prince Regent's tea.”
Lilly smiled to herself behind the housekeeper’s back. She liked those odds.
Chapter 2
April 3rd, just after luncheon.
“You need to get out Dom.”
“This is my study,” Dominic said dryly as he watched his good friend peruse the shelves of books. He knew what he was getting at.
“I meant into society. Breathe some fresh air, get some sun on your face, and see your mistress ...” Chance looked to his old friend and gave him a sarcastic smile.
“As you well know,” Dominic drawled, “Jena and I had a falling out. Do you have interest in that area? ”
“Hell no, that’s too much drama for my taste.”
“Well, she is an actress.”
“And the world is her stage. Did she throw things? Try to scratch your eyes out?”
“No, not nearly as dramatic as you would like, just merely…disappointed.”
“High hopes?”
“Very.”
“Did she honestly think she could leap from actress to countess in six weeks?” Chance asked in astonishment.
“It would seem so,” Dom said with a heavy sigh. He got up and strolled to the large bay window looking out into the desolate gardens the winter had refused to release into spring. Some vegetation fought vigorously to bloom while others remained skeletal and drab.
Dominic was tired of his life, tired of meaningless affairs and bone tired of being hunted by greedy women. It seemed everywhere he looked he could see that manipulative gleam in every eligible woman’s eye and even the not so eligible.
He despaired at the thought of ever finding someone to marry. Dominic wanted a companion in all things, a woman he could trust and rely on to anchor him to earth instead of this meaningless drift. Not a woman anxious for someone else’s title and money to carry them through life. Dominic refused to do it.
He would find a woman who loved him or never marry at all, social duty be damned. Had his elder brother Nathaniel not died in a hunting accident he would not have married at all, but being so close to death for so many years made a man think about these things. Think about what was important in life.
“You need a good ride Dom,” Chance's voice broke through his melancholy thoughts. “I’ll tell Fields to saddle your horse and we can burn off your sour mood.”
Dominic smiled to himself as his friend left the room. Chance Armstrong, in his company one could always count on high spirits and a good time. Chance took it as his personal duty to raise his friend’s mood. It's what made him so damn likable but what the hell; Chance was right, he could certainly use a good gallop in the park.
***
Lilly hummed to herself as she lightly seasoned the beef flank she was prepping for tonight’s supper. It was only her second day, but already she felt completely at ease with the other kitchen staff. They were extremely friendly and helpful. Bertha, the cook, was an artist in the kitchen. Lilly was excited to be working under her as her assistant. Lilly’s hands froze mid shake as she thought maybe, just maybe, even though her life was now drastically different than what she grew up with, she might still have a chance at happiness.
Lilly started when some cad burst through the side door cursing and stomping the mud off his boots, rudely interrupting her daydreaming. Eyes blazing with
anger she turned to the stranger and set about putting him in his place.
“You Sir are a pig and after you clean that mess up you can kindly remove yourself to a pen.”
“I beg your par–,” Dominic started to say, but his words froze the moment his eyes met hers, a melody of gold and brown, wide with shock and embarrassment. His gaze missed nothing as he took in her face and form. Her hair was a shade of brown so dark it could almost be black. She had a small heart shaped face, soft alabaster skin, and perfect winged brows over her eyes. Her nose was decidedly aristocratic along with her firm, but feminine chin. Her lips, Dominic decided he could spend hours staring at those lips, so soft and pink, and just begging for a kiss. She looked so innocent with her hair pulled into a sedate knot at the back of her head and a crisp clean maid’s uniform covered by a clean white apron. That last was like a bucket of cold water over his head.
One of them had to speak, for they had been standing there for what felt like an hour just staring at each other. It was at that moment that another man entered the kitchen.
“If we have to pull Hilbrook off his ass one more time I’m going to shoot him,” Chance said. He stood angrily next to Dominic, not noticing his friend’s lapse of attention or the woman in the room. He looked at his mud-caked boots disgustedly, “Dobbs will kill me for sure, they must be ruined Dom. Are you listening?”
Dominic shook his head to clear the daze and turned to his friend.
Lilly did the same and much to her horror recognized the second man that entered the room. It was Chance Armstrong, a very good family friend that she had spent the past three years relying on to entertain her at balls and what not. He would recognize her in an instant and she would be doomed. Luckily, he was still chatting away to who she could only now assume was the Earl of Redwick.
She had never met him before in society and after the insult she gave him was not inclined to do so now.
With a clumsy curtsy and a rushed, “Good afternoon, my lords,” Lilly made a hasty retreat up the back stairs never meeting the eyes that locked on her the moment she spoke and followed her all the way out of sight.
“Who was that?” Chance asked.
“A cruel joke. No man should have such a temptation living under his roof.”
Chance looked at his friend quizzically, “Did you hit your head while lifting that phaeton out of the mud? You’re not making any sense.”
Dominic chuckled warily and turned back to his friend, “You’re probably right Chance; I must be out of my mind. Now let’s find some good brandy and chase the cold from our toes.
***
Lilly made it to her room without any witnesses to her escape. She collapsed on her bed, covered her face with her hands and willed herself to calm down. Concentrating on deep even breaths, she sat up and reviewed the scene that had taken place moments before. Lord Redwick would not recognize her, that is for sure, but Chance would see through her disguise in a heartbeat and possibly give her away. What would happen then? Would she be arrested? Chance wouldn’t want that, he was a good friend and would protect her as much as he could, maybe even help her. The idea had some merit, if she had an ally like Chance out searching for information she herself could not reach, then maybe she would be able to get herself out of this mess. Maybe even return to the life she once had, or at least something like it.
As an unwed duke’s daughter with no family to take her in, Lilly had nowhere to go and with her only guardian, her stepfather, on the run for treason, few of the aristocracy would even associate with her. At least not until the blackguard was caught and if it was with her help, she might regain some of her respectability. By law, she should be placed as a ward to her cousin, the new Duke of Cranbury. Unfortunately, Giles was off gallivanting on the continent enjoying the perks of his new title and meanwhile Lilly was forced into hiding as a cook’s assistant or else be put on the streets regardless of her former standing and association. Once the accusations were made her entire life fell apart. In the eyes of the ton she might as well have died. If it were not for the servants that she had known since birth, she would have nothing. If not for Ellie, her old cook and friend, she would not have this new position and a warm bed to sleep in. She was lucky to have clothes on her back and warm meals every day.
All those hours in the kitchen growing up had saved her life. She had once been Lillian St. James, daughter to the sixth Duke of Cranbury and now she was merely Millie James, cook’s assistant. She had chosen the name simply for its likeness to her own. It was easier to respond to that way.
She should get back to the kitchen, Lilly thought morosely, Lord Redwick and Chance should be long gone by now. Hopefully. With one last look around her sad, but functional little room, Lilly went back to work. There was plenty to do before dinner and if she wanted to keep her position, she had better get to it. The kitchen was empty when Lilly returned with the exception of Laura, a kitchen maid, who had instantly befriended Lilly on her first day. She looked up from sweeping the dried mud near the door.
“It doesn’t matter who ye are, if yer a man yer a bloody mess!”
Lilly laughed, grateful for the distraction Laura always provided and returned to the beef flanks. “It wasn’t too big of a mess I hope, do you need some help?” Lilly asked kindly.
“Nah, I’m just about done.”
Bertha arrived to begin the stew for tonight’s supper. She inspected Lilly’s work and nodded in approval.
“Now before it gets dark, I need you to go to the market and pick up some fresh strawberries, cloves of garlic, and one pound of flour. The earl is having a small dinner party tomorrow evening and has requested strawberry tarts for dessert.”
“Garlic for strawberry tarts? That does--.”
“Not together Miss Laura, now you go with Miss Millie. Safety in numbers I always say.”
“Yes ma’am,” taking Lilly’s hand, Laura hauled her through the kitchen door and out into the private alley of the townhouse.
“Come on, we can take Georgie with us for protection. He’s a terrible flirt,” Laura winked coyly back at Lilly.
“Laura you know that’s not allowed, you could lose your job.”
“I’m not that kind of girl Millie,” she scoffed. “He just makes me laugh, what harm is done in that?”
After collecting Georgie, a broad shouldered footman with sandy hair and a boyish face, the party of three set off for the market. Georgie was great fun and Lilly was grateful for the extra male protection he added. Life in the working class was vastly different from her old station, but Lilly was beginning to enjoy the newfound freedom of not being under society’s rules. Georgie kept them entertained with his rakish charm and quirky wit. He kept Lilly’s cheeks a healthy pink all the way to the market. Most of the playful banter was directed at Laura, whom Lilly suspected had a slight affection for Georgie.
“Okay Millie, you search for the strawberries and I’ll search for some garlic and flour. Make sure those berries are nice and juicy.”
“I know how to pick strawberries Laura.”
“Oh yeah I forgot, you just seem new to this that’s all,” she shrugged.
Lilly did not know what to say at first. She did not think she appeared to be any different from other servants. Was Laura on to her? No, she couldn't be.
“Of course you’re right,” Lilly said, “I only worked in a country household. I am new to this bustling and noisy city,” Lilly smiled sheepishly.
“It’s okay Millie. Georgie you stay with her, I would hate for our Miss Millie to get lost in this crowd.”
“Right’ O Laura, we’ll meet you back at this spot in 10 minutes,” he winked.
“Agreed.”
Taking Lilly’s elbow, he directed her to a stand of hothouse strawberries up the small street. Using the basket she brought with her, she began to pick the best strawberries for tomorrow’s dessert. It was not long before she began to have the oddest feeling that someone was watching her. She looked to Georgie, who was idly
chatting with a fruit seller. She continued to look around the crowd of people hurrying to buy and sell wares before evening set in. Lilly looked to her right and immediately made eye contact with a man standing not fifteen feet away. His eyes bore into her with an intensity that startled her causing her to drop the basket from her slack fingers.
“I say Millie, you all right?”
Lilly jumped as she turned back to Georgie who was picking up the basket and spilled berries.
“Oh, I’m so sorry I don’t know what came over me.”
She looked back to where the man had been standing, but he was gone. Retrieving the basket, she inspected the food for bruises, but there was no harm done.
“They should be fine, let’s hurry up and leave Georgie, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed.” She gave the shop keep his necessary funds and they collected Laura and began to walk home.
Laura and Georgie resumed their normal chatter, but Lilly kept quiet. In her mind those eyes kept looking back at her cold and black, almost as if they knew exactly who she was. She absentmindedly said farewell to Georgie and followed Laura into the kitchen making only the small responses required to keep Laura talking and unaware of Lilly’s churning thoughts for the rest of the evening.
Chapter 3
After dinner was served and the kitchen cleaned for the night, Lilly prepared to head for her room and some much needed rest. She had been distracted with her thoughts all afternoon and evening, it was no wonder she did not hear the kitchen door swing open as someone entered the room.
The other servants had long retired for the evening. The only source of light was a single candle Lilly would use to make her way to her room. She gazed into its vibrating flame and moved to get up from her seat at the servants table.
“Miss James, I presume.”
Lilly nearly jumped out of her skin. She covered her mouth with her hand to squelch her squeal of surprise when she met the eyes of the master of the house.
