Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid (Kellington Book One)

by Maureen Driscoll

  Both Lynwood and Jane stared at him.

  “You were going to have my daughter stay in the house of your friend’s mistress?”

  “It’s not an ideal situation, but much better than your plan for a hotel you can’t afford, especially when you won’t let me pay for it.”

  Lynwood looked at his brother. “I’m still trying to get past the portion of the arrangements where you were going to stow Miss Wetherby and Miss Violet in this house without my knowledge. Just where were you going to place them? The old nursery? A cupboard in the attic?”

  “I told Heskiss to put them in the east wing.”

  “I see. Ring for Heskiss, then give us the brandy. Do both with some haste.”

  Heskiss arrived promptly when summoned.

  “Yes, your grace?” asked Heskiss as placid as ever, even though he had to know this was the most exciting event to occur at Lynwood House since the previous duke’s marriage to the daughter of a lowly baronet.

  “Heskiss, please move Miss Wetherby and her daughter to the family wing in adjoining bedrooms. Unless, your daughter would prefer the nursery, madam?”

  Jane was so surprised by the change of plans she couldn’t speak for a moment. “No, thank you, your grace. I have no governess, and believe she’d be frightened staying so far away from me in an unfamiliar house.”

  “Very well, Heskiss,” said the duke, dismissing the butler.

  “Very good, your grace.” Heskiss began bowing his way out.

  “And Heskiss, do be so good as to replenish my brandy stock and keep plenty on hand. I have a feeling I’ll need it.”

  “Of course, your grace.”

  As soon as the butler departed, Jane looked at the man she couldn’t figure out. “Your grace, while I’m quite appreciative of your invitation to stay, I must point out that it is highly inappropriate to have an unmarried woman and her child staying under the same roof as your sister, especially given my…connection to Lord Edward.”

  “You have the right of it, Miss Wetherby, that it is indeed a highly unusual arrangement. But Lady Elizabeth is an unusual young lady. If her eyes hadn’t already caught the striking resemblance between Miss Violet and Ned – and I assure you very little gets past our sister – then I must remind you that she and our two other brothers have been with the girl these many minutes now and have no doubt coaxed the story out of her, as far as she knows. Which reminds me, does she know Ned is her father?”

  “All we’ve told her is he’s an old friend of the family, your grace.”

  “I see. Then we shall all become old friends of your family, at least until this is cleared up. Now, unless there are further developments to discuss, and I pray there aren’t, let us all see if there are any more biscuits.”

  The three of them walked to the door, then Jane turned back to the duke.

  “I’m trusting you with my daughter, sir. I’m trusting you with all I have.”

  “And I am trusting the same to you.”

  * * *

  “Then what happened?” asked Hal, as he took another bite of his biscuit. He, Arthur and Lizzie were gathered around Vi, who was sitting at the table. Cook was nearby, pretending not to listen, but hanging on every word.

  “Then Ned picked me up and carried me to Mama. He was cross with me at first for not running away, but I think he forgave me, because his eyes were filled with tears the way Mama’s are when she’s worried and thinks I don’t notice.”

  “You were very brave, poppet,” said Arthur, “but the next time someone you know tells you to run, you should run. You could’ve been hurt.”

  “That’s what Ned said. But I couldn’t let the bad men hurt him.”

  “Do you think Ned and your Mama like each other?” asked Lizzie.

  Cook leaned just a bit closer to them.

  “Yes,” Vi said with a big smile.

  “Why do you think that?” asked Hal. “Although I hesitate asking the question of a small child and in the presence of an innocent lady. I am, of course, referring to Cook.”

  “Master Hal, you can mind your tongue, you rogue,” said Cook, as she handed a second biscuit to Vi. “Now let the poor mite speak.”

  “I know Ned likes Mama because he’s always looking at her. The same way Mama always looks at him.”

  “Looking at each other. How dreadfully disappointing,” said Hal.

  “That’s because you don’t have a romantical bone in your body,” said Lizzie. “How do they look at each other?”

  The girl thought for a moment. “Like they want to kiss each other,” she said, making it sound perfectly disgusting. “Then we played a game where we pretended they were married.”

  “Now, the story is looking up,” said Arthur. “Lizzie, maybe you’d better leave.”

  “I most certainly will not! Why’d you play that game?”

  “We stayed at an inn and there was only one room, so we pretended to be a family. I liked it. I hope we get to play that again.”

  Arthur, Hal and Lizzie exchanged glances and it was at that point when Lynwood, Jane and Ned entered the kitchen.

  “Mama! I saved you part of my biscuit,” said Vi as she held up one bite. “And Cook has a burn on her arm she’s trying to hide.”

  All eyes turned to Cook, who was embarrassed by the attention.

  “I don’t know how Miss Vi could’ve seen that.”

  “My daughter is most observant,” said Jane with a smile.

  “She certainly is,” said Hal with a wink.

  Ned glared at his brother. “Cook, Miss Wetherby has a knack for fixing people up. She has the dubious distinction of having saved my life in Belgium.”

  “You did that?” asked Lizzie in awe.

  Jane nodded and it was her turn to be embarrassed.

  “I thought it was some chit named Johnston,” said Arthur.

  “She used a fake name for reasons of safety,” said Ned.

  “Smart move,” said Hal. “You can never be too careful. Now, I on the other hand can be trusted absolutely.”

  “Don’t listen to a word he says,” said Arthur.

  Jane smiled, then turned to Cook. “May I see your arm?”

  “It’s nothing. I put some of my salve on it. It’ll heal up in the next day or so.”

  “I’m sure your salve is excellent, but I’d like to mix up a batch of my own.” Jane turned to the duke. “Your grace, may I make use of your stillroom?”

  “It is at your disposal, Miss Wetherby. Please do whatever you can to attend to Cook. She’s the only indispensable occupant of Lynwood House, with the possible exception of Heskiss.”

  “Liam, we’re occupants of Lynwood house,” said Arthur, with mock hurt.

  “Besides,” added Hal, “have you forgotten how many times Cook paddled your bottom?”

  “Master Hal!” said Cook blushing.

  Vi looked at Cook with wide eyes. “You paddled his grace?”

  “It was a long time ago,” said Ned. “And he deserved it.”

  Vi looked up at Lynwood. “I don’t believe you’d be bad.”

  “Thank you, Miss Violet. I have since mended my ways. Ahh, Heskiss. Be so kind as to arrange a light supper for Lord Edward and our guests. It has been a long day. For everyone.”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Daylight was streaming into the room, as Jane opened her eyes after the first good night’s sleep she’d had in as long as she could remember. Well, at least since Ned had arrived in Marston Vale. But as Jane got her bearings from the most comfortable bed she’d ever had the pleasure of collapsing on, she noticed a maid hanging a dress in the wardrobe.

  “Good morning,” said Jane.

  “Oh, Miss, I’m terribly sorry I woke ye,” said the young maid, as she bobbed a curtsy. “I was just layin’ out yer things. I can come back later.”

  “No, that’s quite all right. I appreciate your seeing to my clothes. They look lovely. I’m sure they were quite wrinkled.”

  “Were my pleasure to help ye, M
iss. And I was to tell ye that Miss Violet woke up an hour ago. I helped her wash and dress, then Lady Elizabeth took her downstairs.”

  “She was up an hour ago?” Jane glanced at the clock. It was half past nine. What would Ned’s family think of her for lying about so late? “Thank you, what is your name?”

  “Louise, Miss. Shall I bring ye some chocolate?”

  “No thank you, Louise. I believe I shall dress then find my daughter.”

  “Don’t ye worry about the young miss, Miss. Lady Elizabeth will take good care of her.”

  Twenty minutes later, Jane arrived in the breakfast room to find everyone but the duke at the table, which was just as well, since she wasn’t looking forward to another meeting with the slightly terrifying man.

  “Mama!” exclaimed Vi, as she leaped out of her chair and ran to give her mother a hug. “Look at all the food! Kippers and eggs and ham and bacon and kedgeree. Plus, Lord Hal said if I eat up everything here, they’ll just send to the kitchen for more. Can you believe it?”

  Jane hugged her daughter, and avoided the eyes of everyone else. It’s not that Jane ever let Vi go hungry, but the variety of food they had at home certainly couldn’t compare to the feast that had been set out here.

  “May I fix you a plate?” Ned had risen and was standing by the sideboard with plate in hand.

  “Thank you, but I can fill my own,” said Jane as she made her way to the table.

  “I realize you’re capable of it, but I wouldn’t mind being by your elbow in case you have any questions about the food that Vi has already described as bang up to the mark.”

  Jane took the plate from him and began filling it. But, true to his word, he stayed only inches away from her. Too close for Jane’s senses.

  “Vi has been telling us of your medical work,” said Arthur. “I must say I’m quite impressed with what you’ve done for the residents of Marston Vale. Of course, we still haven’t forgiven you for sewing up that scoundrel of our brother so soundly. Couldn’t you have at least given him a limp?”

  “Or a scar across his forehead to give that face of his some character?” added Hal. “I would’ve liked to have had a conversation with him when he had concussion, to see if he made any more sense than he does when he’s of supposedly sound mind.”

  “Please feel free to ignore my brothers,” said Ned. “Rumor has it they were raised by wolf pack in the wilds of Northumberland.”

  “Really?” said a wide-eyed Vi.

  “Hush all of you,” said Lizzie. “You’re giving Miss Wetherby and Vi a terrible impression of our family, even if it is all accurate. So where shall we go first? Bond Street for shopping or Gunter’s for an ice?”

  It took Jane a moment to realize Lizzie was speaking to her.

  “I’m sorry, my lady. While I would like to help you in any way I can, I don’t believe I’d be a proper companion for you on your outing,” said Jane with a blush.

  “Companion! Lud, I hope I don’t need one of those. No, I’d love to take you shopping for clothes.”

  Ned held the chair for Jane as she took her seat, hoping her plate didn’t look as laden with food as she thought it did. But Vi had the right of it. It had been a long time since she’d seen this many dishes.

  “Lady Elizabeth, I’m afraid I’m not able to shop for a new wardrobe at this time, but I thank you for the offer to go with you.”

  “Please call me Lizzie. I understand your circumstances, Jane – may I call you Jane?”

  Jane nodded.

  “I understand your circumstances, Jane,” continued Lizzie. “But if I may be blunt….”

  “Have you ever proven otherwise?” asked Arthur.

  “If I may be blunt, if we are to be victorious with,” here Lizzie cast a quick glance at Vi, who was happily drinking chocolate, “certain members of the ton, it would be in your best interest to meet them on their battlefield, so to speak. That means a whole new wardrobe. I don’t mean to disparage the clothes you brought with you, but since styles change every few months due to the whimsy of ladies with more hair than sense, staying au courant requires an almost constant wardrobe change. And don’t worry about the cost. It’d be my pleasure to pay for your clothing.”

  Well done, thought Ned. And played almost exactly as they’d rehearsed. Lizzie had brought the subject up as tactfully as possible, especially given her natural penchant of speaking her mind. And to say she’d pay for the clothes instead of him – even though he would, of course, reimburse her – neutralized any concerns Jane might have about the propriety of becoming indebted to him. Although, given the many years in which Jane had supported their child entirely on her own, he knew he owed her much more than a few gowns. And he looked forward to getting the chance to repay the debt.

  Jane was touched beyond words by the offer, even if she had a suspicion from where it had originated. “Thank you so much…Lizzie, but your family has already done so much for us, simply by allowing us to stay here. I’m sure I can meet the person I’ve come to see with the clothes I already own. It was very kind of you to offer, but I cannot accept.”

  “Of course you can. Shall we meet in an hour? Marvelous,” said the whirlwind otherwise known as Lizzie as she departed the room, giving Jane no chance to refuse the offer again.

  * * *

  “My lord, you have a visitor. Lord Edward Kellington has come to call.”

  The Earl of Huntington frowned. “Tell him I’m not at home.”

  “If you will forgive me, my lord, Lord Edward said it was concerning Miss Wetherby.”

  His granddaughter? Huntington didn’t know what to make of it. He’d had limited dealings over the years with the Duke of Lynwood and didn’t care for the man. Too unwilling to mingle, too independent. Didn’t have enough respect for his elders. Why the younger brother would appear, and in connection with Jane, Huntington was at a loss to explain, but curious.

  “Send him in.”

  The butler returned a short while later with Lord Edward. After curt salutations, Huntington told him to be seated.

  “How do you know my granddaughter?”

  “She saved my life on the battlefield.”

  Huntington visibly bristled. “Don’t you dare speak to me of such things.”

  “Then I’ll speak to you of a grandfather filled with so much spite that he’d leave his dependents without proper food and shelter, then arrange for a heinous crime to be committed.”

  “Who are you to speak to me with such insolence?” asked the old man, who began to shake with anger. “I should have you thrown out of my house!”

  Ned had no care for how much he was upsetting the earl. It was all he could do to remain seated in at least a partially civilized manner. “Perhaps you could use one of the men who tried to kidnap your great granddaughter a few days ago. I should like to see them again so I might finish what I started.”

  “I have no great granddaughter.”

  “You do. And it is truly your loss and yours alone that you don’t acknowledge her. But what I have come to say is that if you ever attempt to harm her or her mother again, vengeance will be swift and exacting. I’ve killed in defense of my country. I will do whatever I must to protect those I hold dear.”

  The earl looked at him with disdain. “Are you threatening me?”

  “Yes. A threat I’ll follow through on if you don’t cease all nefarious activities.”

  Huntington stared at him. “Does Lord Barrington know you’re here?”

  “I cannot see how he has anything to do with this.”

  “Everyone knows you’re to marry his eldest. But now I see you have an infatuation with my granddaughter. Well, you’re too late. I already arranged for a husband for the chit and I don’t want you botching the deal. The husband I have in mind knows she’s soiled goods, but even he won’t go into this if everyone knows he’s not the only one plowing her.”

  Without thinking, Ned vaulted over the desk and got in one punch before the door flew open and the butler cam
e in, followed by several footmen. Ned was dumped into the street moments later.

  It hadn’t been his most productive hour. But it had felt good.

  * * *

  Several blocks away, Jane was unable to comprehend how a simple shopping trip to get “just the essentials” had turned into two hours of having every part of her measured at least three times and the ordering of a complete wardrobe. All of her objections had been met with quick dismissal. Lizzie was more capable than any general on the battlefield and more stubborn than most mules.

  They were now sitting in Gunter’s enjoying an ice. Vi couldn’t get over the excitement of the day. She, too, was getting a whole new wardrobe. She loved every last ribbon and flounce and even thought the shoes might be tolerable. The ice had simply been the best portion of an already excellent day.

  “Jane Wetherby, what are you doing here?”

  Jane turned to see Madeleine Merriman, along with her mother and sisters, staring at her. They did not look pleased.

  “Madeleine, I didn’t expect to see you in town.”

  “I can expect you didn’t. But it makes sense for me to come to London. What I cannot understand is why you should be here. You have no friends I am aware of, nor do you have the means to spend any amount of time here. What I would like to know is why you are here and with whom are you staying.” Madeleine’s voice could be clearly heard by those at nearby tables. It was obvious they had a rapt audience.

  “I would ask for an introduction,” said Lizzie to Jane, “but I cannot fathom why I would like the acquaintance of anyone with such dismal manners.”

  “How dare you insult my daughter, you insolent chit,” said Lady Barrington. “It’s bad enough that Gunter’s serves the likes of Jane Wetherby and that…that natural child, but to be insulted by a nobody is quite beyond the pale.”

  “Lady Barrington,” said Jane so sternly it made Vi blink. “I cannot allow you to be rude to my daughter or my friend.”