A Cinderella for the Duke

by Abby Ayles

* * *

  “I suppose it would be the right thing for me to go and at least see if I could ease the blow a bit. After all, I have experienced the loss of a father and can comfort my cousins in that way.”

  * * *

  Lady Gilchrist broke out in a satisfied smile before setting the note aside that had resided in her hand for the whole of their conversation.

  * * *

  “I will write to your aunt today and suggest the arrangement.”

  * * *

  Lady Louisa nodded before turning back to her hot chocolate. She wondered how her mother would fare all alone here. With the Earl of Gilchrist and his wife, Abigail, gone to the Americas, there didn’t seem to be anyone here to keep her company.

  * * *

  Of course, she did have all their friends here as well as London and several societies to keep her busy. Perhaps her mother would scarcely notice her absence. Though the year mark of her father’s death had brought her mother into a deep depression, she had been wise in keeping her hands busy. In that way, the Dowager Countess had overcome the memory of the darkest day in her life.

  * * *

  Lady Louisa reflected on this new-found information on her mother and father. If she had never been told, she was sure to have believed they had married for love. The affection and warmth that seemed to emanate from her memory of her parents never once speaking of an arranged marriage.

  * * *

  Perhaps while she was away with her aunt, she could somehow show that her mother had never meant to slight her sister. Nor had she intended to take away any possession that belonged to Aunt Sarah.

  * * *

  Lady Louisa knew that pride and jealous were not easy vices to overcome, especially one rooted so deeply for such a long time. Perhaps in her own small ways, though, she could begin to help her aunt see the providence in her elopement and the resulting marriage of Louisa’s parents. For surely all things were done for a purpose. If there was one thing that Lady Louisa was actually good at, it was to see the goodness, the answer amid the darkness.

  Chapter 2

  Lady Louisa did her best to calm her inner turmoil as she saw the Hendrickson’s house come into view. Really, the only other country estate she had to compare it to was Wintercrest Manor. Naturally, it was not as vast as Isabella’s home. Lady Louisa had no memory of her own family’s country estate as she had not been there since her early childhood.

  * * *

  Mentheith House, as she had learned it was named, may not have been the vast estates of Wintercrest, but it had its own charm. It was a simple house that looked worn with age. Along the front was a wall of ivy climbing and twisting amongst the windows.

  * * *

  Exiting the carriage that had brought her thus far, she was surprised to see that no one was outside to greet her. They had to have heard the clamor of wooden wheels and hoof prints clacking on the pebble and dirt road. There was no other property nearby; they would know that it was she arriving and none else. She could smell the pungent odor of the pig barn just to the left of the house and hear the whine of their own horse in a stable.

  * * *

  For the most part, she found the country refreshing and invigorating. She had experienced so much just in her short ride she couldn’t even imagine how much more the country might have to offer.

  * * *

  She waited patiently as the coachman removed her chest from on top of the carriage. Lady Louisa wondered if she should walk up to the chipping blue painted? paned? door and knock. Before she could raise her hand, the door opened and an elderly looking footman came out.

  * * *

  “You must be Lady Louisa,” he said in a quaking voice with a bow. He was vastly unkempt compared to her own footmen. His clothes were soiled, nails dirty, and hair flowing free in cobweb wisps.

  * * *

  “I am,” Lady Louisa responded timidly as she brushed the dust of travel from her grey muslin dress with her leather traveling gloves.

  * * *

  “I am Mr. Johnson, the head butler,” he said moving over to her luggage.

  * * *

  He promptly took the hat box from her hand and laid it on top of the chest to take them both. Lady Louisa hesitated for just a moment. He seemed far too old to be doing such hard work.

  * * *

  “I thank you for your kindness, Mr. Johnson, but perhaps there is another that could take my things in? I fear it may be quite significant in size and weight.”

  * * *

  “That’s very kind of you to worry after me, m’lady, but I promise you I am quite capable, and the only one available.”

  * * *

  “You could not possibly be the only groomsmen for such a house?” Lady Louisa inquired.

  * * *

  It may have been of humble size compared to Wintercrest, but even her own London house had a butler and two groomsmen.

  * * *

  “There are three others, m’lady. However, during the day they are to tend to the fields of the property and see to the animals. I promise you that we do our best to be sufficiently staffed with what we have. Lady Hendrickson has her own lady’s maid and two for the use of her daughters, Miss Hendrickson and Miss Mary.

  * * *

  You will be happy to know that for your visit you will be attended by one solely for your needs. ”

  * * *

  “Oh, I see,” Lady Louisa said.

  * * *

  She hadn’t meant to seem presumptuous or rude. Really she was just surprised to hear such little staffing of the estate. She hadn’t expected that.

  * * *

  “I am grateful for my aunt's willingness to see to my comfort. Perhaps I will be received by her shortly so that I may speak my thanks in person?” Lady Louisa asked doing her best not to seem rude again.

  * * *

  “Lady Hendrickson will receive you in the drawing room this afternoon,” Mr. Johnson informed as he hoisted up her chest.

  * * *

  She followed behind him promptly not wishing him to have to tarry for her any more than needed as he struggled into the house. She did her best to study the surroundings as they made their way up to her room.

  * * *

  Most of the walls were darkened with the black soot of time. Even the portraits on the wall were scarcely recognizable. Other than the general disrepair of an old home with limited resources to maintain it, the house seemed rather cozy and home-like.

  * * *

  Mr. Johnson led her up the stairs and down the hall past several doors. Soon the hall became narrower, and ceiling seemed to brush against Mr. Johnson’s head. He didn’t seem much taller than Lady Louisa herself. She was sure he was taking her through the main sleeping area and into the servants’ quarters.

  * * *

  “Forgive the tight space,” Mr. Johnson said as he slid open the first door in the narrow hall. “The estate doesn’t afford guest rooms.”

  * * *

  He pushed open the door and walked in setting down her trunk. Lady Louisa entered after him. In the room were two simple beds with drawers between them. Next to the door was a simple washbasin stand; the only other fixture in the room was the large window with blue shutters. Lady Louisa noticed that they matched the color of the front door.

  * * *

  One of the beds had a much finer quilt while the other was thread barren. She guessed that the room was meant for the female servants. She walked forward to look out the window. Lady Louisa gasped at the sight.

  * * *

  In her view was the vast of the property with a beautifully clear lake in the distance. She could see one of the groomsmen working in a field below her as well as several gardens in disrepair. Since they were facing the back the house, she guessed them to be the kitchen and medicinal gardens. Lady Louisa hoped that she could peruse them thoroughly, for she dearly loved to learn about plants and their therapeutic and health benefits.

  * * *

  “What a beautiful view,�
� Lady Louisa commented.

  * * *

  “Yes,” Mr. Johnson said with a huff as he set down her chest at the edge of the fine quilted bed. “Madam is kind enough to afford us our own rooms on the estate, but with your coming Bess was quick to volunteer hers. She knew how breathtaking the view is. Your ladyship will be even more impressed in the evening. The sun sets just there,” he moved forward and pointed over the lake.

  * * *

  “It is a most spectacular view as it reflects in the water,” he said with a soft smile.

  * * *

  “I am most grateful for your sacrifice on my behalf, and Bess’ as well.”

  * * *

  “Well,” he said scratching some stubble on his chin in embarrassment, “we are more than happy to oblige.”

  * * *

  “There is plenty of room, however. I don’t mind sharing the space with Bess.”

  * * *

  “Oh, no m’lady. We wouldn’t have it that way.”

  * * *

  Mr. Johnson excused himself from the room, and Lady Louisa reflected on the odd happenings that had already occurred since arriving at her aunt’s house. For starters was the butler's final words. He spoke as if he and the other servants would not have allowed such a thing.

  * * *

  Surely her aunt had other guests visit her. Did she make them all stay in the quarters with the servants, and if so was it in a shared room with them as it seemed the butler and others were the ones against such a thing?

  * * *

  Lady Louisa did her best not to contemplate the strange beginning of her little visit too hard and instead prepared to meet her aunt. She felt overly nervous for her first meeting. It was odd as it was that her aunt wasn’t present at her arrival.

  * * *

  After freshening up and changing into a rose silk dress, Lady Louisa felt prepared to meet her aunt. She wanted to make the best of the first impression for she had a feeling that the whole trip would hinge on this.

  * * *

  Her dress was a little ruffled from the time in the trunk, and she hoped her aunt wouldn’t hold it against her. Not to mention her hair was still a bit worn from the two-day ride from London. She had hoped that Bess might appear and help her get ready.

  * * *

  Usually, she wouldn’t have cared much about her looks, but today seemed to be the day that putting her best foot forward really counted. She retraced her steps back down the hall and stairs not entirely sure which room was the drawing-room she was meant to go to.

  * * *

  Luckily, just as she descended the stairs, a maid with a tea tray appeared around the corner.

  * * *

  “Could you perhaps point me in the right direction, since it seems you are also headed that way?” Lady Louisa asked.

  * * *

  The maid smiled kindly at Lady Louisa and nodded her understanding. Without another word, Lady Louisa fell in step behind the maid. She paused for just a moment before the door as the maid walked in clinking cups and teapot in hand.

  * * *

  Lady Louisa hesitated as she peeked into the room. She could see three ladies already seated. Lady Louisa could only assume it was her aunt and two cousins. She took a deep, steadying breath. Finding her stomach full of knots, she made her way into the room.

  * * *

  She stood before her aunt and cousins without introduction as the maid set down the tray. All three pairs of eyes looked at her rather skeptically. She felt like crumpling against the wall.

  * * *

  “I suppose punctuality is not something practiced or taught by my sister, the Dowager Countess,” Lady Hendrickson said looking reasonably bored with her niece.

  * * *

  “Forgive me, Aunt Sarah. I wasn’t told where or when you were expecting me.”

  * * *

  For a beat, silence filled the room. Lady Louisa was waiting for some kind of response and her aunt seemed to relish the awkward feeling it was giving her.

  * * *

  “Indeed,” Lady Hendrickson finally said. “You have quite a familiar tone with someone you are meeting for the first time.” She let out a long breath of distaste. “I suppose you should take a seat. I would rather not have my own garden statue in the middle of the room.”

  * * *

  Lady Louisa tried to laugh it off as if her aunt meant it as a joke. Her stone-cold face told her otherwise. Lady

  * * *

  Louisa had a feeling that mending any bond between the two families, or even creating a friendship between her two cousins, was going to be significantly harder than she had first hoped for.

  * * *

  “I expect you will be needing an introduction,” Lady Hendrickson said with a raised brow.

  * * *

  Lady Louisa couldn’t believe how much her aunt reminded her of her own mother in looks. Perhaps it was the fact that Lady Hendrickson was completely garbed in a black dress, as her mother had chosen since her own husband's death.

  * * *

  It was more than that, however. Though Lady Hendrickson looked vastly more worn with age, and had a roundness that her mother was altogether lacking, it was still possible to pick out their similar blue eyes and matching golden hair. Unlike her mother who, even in her darkest times, had a glow in her eyes, Lady Louisa ’s aunt only seemed to have a face full of disdain and unhappiness. The lines of her displeasure ran deep along either side of her still plump cheeks.

  * * *

  “I think I can figure out names,” Lady Louisa said as pleasantly as possible as she took a seat in a high back chair. "You must be Miss Elisabeth Hendrickson, and you Miss Mary,” Lady Louisa said turning to each one of her cousins. She did her best to take note of the fact that Lady Hendrickson didn’t seem to care for familiar terms between relations.

  * * *

  Though Mary gave her a soft smile, Elisabeth seemed to share in her mother’s expression of abhorrence. It was easy to see that not only was her aunt going to be a difficult person to win over but her daughters also.

  Chapter 3

  They stayed in the drawing room for the remainder of the afternoon and on into the evening. It was strange to Lady Louisa not to leave and dress for dinner. Since no announcement was made to do such, and neither of the other ladies said anything about it, she kept her mouth shut on the matter.

  * * *

  It seemed that Lady Hendrickson’s need for propriety was most duplicitous and only mattered regarding Lady Louisa. As Lady Louisa spent the time either in awkward silence or answering loaded questions laced with disdain, she felt very much like the schoolgirl of her youth being tortured by the other students.

  * * *

  Lady Louisa couldn’t quite imagine at that moment how she was ever going to make an extended stay here at Mentheith House. She felt no more welcome than a mouse looking for crumbs in the pantry.

  * * *

  Finally, Mr. Johnson entered the room. Lady Louisa took notice that both his hands were cleaned, thread barren coat brushed, and hair pulled back smoothly. She couldn’t help but feel a little relieved when her aunt’s scrutiny left her and turned on the poor groomsman.

  * * *

  “Have you no gloves?” Lady Hendrickson spat at the man. “After all we have a very fine guest with us tonight,” she continued waving in Lady Louisa’s direction.

  * * *

  “Oh, please aunt- I mean- Lady Hendrickson, I don’t ask for any special treatment while I am here.”

  * * *

  “Do you hear that girls?” Lady Hendrickson said turning to her two daughters. “Your cousin seems to be gracious enough to come down to our level,” she said with a snake-like hiss.

  * * *

  “I only meant that I have come to assist you in any way I can. I do not wish to make more work for the household. It’s my goal to help you. After all, I too have felt the loss of my father. I know how it must tear at your hearts.”

  * * *

 
Lady Louisa turned the last of her words to her cousins. She had to remind herself that they were going through a difficult time and much of her aunt’s negative disposition had to be the result of the current stress and grief she was under.