His Contrary Bride (A Gentleman's Guide to One Upon a Time - Book 2)

by Charles, Jane

  Also by Jane Charles

  A Gentleman’s Guide to Once Upon a Time Series

  His Impetuous Debutante

  His Contrary Bride

  His Not So Sensible Miss

  The Wiggons’ School for Elegant Young Ladies

  To Walk in the Sun

  To Love a Governess Novellas

  Sacked

  Handfasted

  Ruined

  A Summons From His Grace

  Regency Christmas Summons Collection 4

  Compromised for Christmas

  His Contrary Bride

  By

  Jane Charles

  His Contrary Bride

  By: Jane Charles

  Copyright © 2011 by Jane Charles

  Smashwords Edition

  Cover Design by Jerrica Knight-Catania

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, locations and events are either a product of the author’s imagination, fictitious or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any event, locale or person, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  Dedicated to

  Deb Krause – for being a good friend, always offering encouragement

  and saving my flower gardens on more than one occasion.

  Her daughters, Lauren and Nicole, for their enthusiasm over my stories.

  And her husband, Steve, for an endless supply of tomato plants each summer.

  Chapter 1

  County Surrey, England

  Fall, 1811

  Sabrina Chester grimaced and closed the door on the voices. “Cinderella, indeed,” she muttered to herself. It wasn’t particularly humorous four years ago and it was even less so today. It was a cruel lesson for the young and privileged Sabrina to learn that friendship extended so long as the wealth and connections endured. Sabrina’s change in status quickly reduced her from a pampered young lady attending Davies’ Academy for Young Women to a servant in that same school.

  She glanced in the mirror as the giggles faded down the hall. She looked no different than she had that day. Dark smudges brushed her cheeks and nose, and cobwebs bedecked her hair. The only real difference? She was four years older, four years wiser and, four years stronger, and determined not to let the other girls bother her.

  “Well if I am Cinderella, where is my prince?” She reached for the wash cloth and soap.

  Before the damage could be repaired however, Lady Millicent, with her golden curls and clear blue eyes, returned. “Cinderella, the prince is here and Lady Davies requests your presence at once.”

  Sabrina rolled her eyes, ignored the girl and turned back to the mirror. She dipped the cloth into the cool water.

  “I am serious. Mrs. Davies insisted you attend her at once.”

  Sighing and setting the cloth aside, Sabrina wondered what her employer could possibly want now.

  A number of gentlemen stood in the foyer thanking Lady Davies for her hospitality. Sabrina brought herself up short and stepped into the shadows. In the middle of the group stood none other than Prince George himself. She pasted a smile on her lips and glided down the hall. Sabrina refused to behave any less the lady she had been raised, despite her reduced circumstances. This aggravated Lady Davies and the young women of privilege to no end, which gave Sabrina no small amount of pleasure.

  Though she would have liked to forget her current appearance, Sabrina could not and held back, waiting until Lady Davies summoned her forward. From her spot by the stairs, Sabrina studied the group of gentlemen. The Prince Regent was the oldest. Had he not been married, and so old, she would have wondered if after being given the ridiculous nickname, her own happy ending hadn’t been assured. She bit her lip to keep from laughing at the bizarre thought.

  A few of the gentlemen were of a similar age to the prince. The rest were younger, close to her cousin, Ramsey’s age of twenty-eight. It was obvious they had been out riding, given their clothing, windblown hair, and ruddy cheeks. Sabrina couldn’t imagine what brought about their visit to the academy, let alone the parish they resided in. They were almost a full day’s ride from London.

  Goodness, she hoped they weren’t staying. The household was understaffed as it was. She could just image how demanding the prince would be, let alone the accompanying gentlemen. She wouldn’t get a wink of rest.

  There were ten gentlemen in all, but one caught and held her attention, though she couldn’t imagine why. He stood to the side, talking with three others of similar age. He was taller than the older men in the foyer and his brown eyes held a warm humor, full lips quirked in an easy smile at something one of his companions said. His forehead was high and his brown hair had been clipped neatly, barely touching the collar of his jacket. His nose was similar to those she had seen on Greek statues in her youth, though his had a slight bump on the top center and she idly wondered how it had been broken. The gentleman’s cheekbones were just as strong and high.

  Clearly an aristocrat.

  Though there were flaws, such as the small scar underneath his left ear, the previously broken nose, and the receding hairline, Sabrina found him to be the most intriguing man she had ever seen.

  It wasn’t so much his face, though that was pleasant in itself. It was the warmth in his eyes, the free affection of slapping his friend on the shoulder, easy laughter that revealed straight white teeth, and something else, she couldn’t name, that held her mesmerized.

  She shook the silly thoughts from her head, forced her eyes away from the gentlemen and searched for Lady Davies. It would serve no purpose to wish for the impossible. At one time, the idea of attracting a lord was a probability, if not expected. Another expectation brought to an end by her reduced circumstances.

  Millicent approached Lady Davies, curtsying to those surrounding her and sank deeply before the prince before she addressed the Head Mistress. Sabrina noticed the mischievous twinkle in Millicent’s eyes, gritted her teeth and waited.

  “I have summoned Cinderella, Lady Davies.”

  Sabrina watched as Millicent slowly walked past the gentlemen who had held her own attention earlier, smiling sweetly at them. Within a month Millicent would be leaving the academy, returning to her own home in preparations for her first Season the following spring. The gentlemen in the corner, and others like them, would soon be paying court to the young woman and Sabrina had to fight the anger and jealousy that welled up within. In the past years a number of young ladies had left the household for the same purpose and most had married. It had never bothered Sabrina before, so why did it bother her today?

  Lady Davies nodded her head and Sabrina approached her employer. Sabrina, too, gracefully sunk into a deep curtsey before Prince George, then a less dramatic curtsey to those standing with him, before she turned her attention to her mistress.

  Lady Davies looked down her nose, clearly displeased with Sabrina’s appearance and sniffed. “His Regent’s horse has suffered a minor injury. The horse will stay here while Thompson sees to the poor thing.”

  Sabrina nodded politely and wondered what a lame horse had to do with her, unless the prince had decided to stay with the animal.

  Lady Davies continued. “Mr. Marius Parker has agreed to remain behind and return the horse when he has healed.”

  Good, Sabrina thought. Only one of them would stay.

  “I need you to prepare the cottage. See to it immediately.”

  She dismissed Sabrina and turned her attention to the prince and continued, “I would offer a room within this academy, but we have a number of young ladies from good families, and I feel it best for all if a bachelor is not
sleeping under the same roof.”

  The prince laughed. “After Lady Millicent’s appraisal of Parker, I can well understand your concern.”

  So, one of the four was Mr. Parker. She couldn’t decide if she wanted him to be the brown eyed one or not. She curtseyed, left the hall and made her way to the cottage and wondered if Lady Davies had suggested this place as another form of punishment. The cottage hadn’t been cleaned since spring and Sabrina couldn’t imagine why the woman wished him to stay here when there were vacant rooms in the guest wing. It wasn’t as if other gentlemen hadn’t stayed before. Then again, they had been fathers or brothers visiting. Perhaps Lady Davies was concerned the stranger would take advantage of one of the young ladies, or vice versa, if she had paid any attention to the appraising look Millicent had given the younger men.

  She unlocked the door, stepped inside and couldn’t help but groan. Thank goodness it was small, with only three rooms. Otherwise, it would take a week to remove the dust and bring the place up to living standards. As it was, she wasn’t sure the task could be accomplished before it was time for Mr. Parker to retire.

  * * *

  At first Marius Parker was not at all pleased when Prince George asked him to remain behind. He agreed, only because it was Prinny who asked. The last place he wanted to spend the next few evenings was in an Academy for Young Ladies. How many were in residence? One would be too many.

  The task Marius had been assigned would normally have been given to a servant. Unfortunately, none had accompanied them on this particular trip and the prince would not allow even one of his guards to remain. Thus, the pleasure of staying with the royal horse fell to him.

  Relief flooded through him when he heard he would be staying in a cottage. At least he would be allowed some privacy and solitude. Perhaps he would be left completely alone. Unfortunately, he knew all too well that wasn’t likely to happen. Besides meals, he was sure the young ladies would offer entertainment that evening. Probably of a musical variety. He was a captured male guest and would have to endure politely until he could make his escape.

  While the prince and the older gentlemen relaxed over tea with Lady Davies, Marius, and his friends, Dillon Chamber and Lord Felding, were accompanied by six young ladies on a stroll in the garden. While the girls smiled and blushed, Noah and Dillon continued to charm them. Only Lady Millicent remained at Marius’ side, attempting to draw him into conversation. Due to his years of practice, Marius responded politely but refrained from being too attentive.

  “Oh, look,” Lady Millicent stated, with a laugh while pointing beyond the garden. “Cinderella is on the roof. Whatever is she doing?”

  He shielded his eyes against the sun and looked to where she pointed, as did his companions. It was as she had said. The servant who had been told to see to the cottage was indeed on its roof and apparently reaching into the chimney. Surely her name wasn’t really Cinderella.

  What had possessed her to climb onto the roof? Wasn’t there a male servant around to see to the task? It was dangerous enough to climb in pants and boots, let alone a skirt. He wondered if he should assist somehow when she withdrew something from the chimney. He couldn’t see very well from this distance, but guessed it was a bird’s nest. He hoped so, recalling the time he had dislodged a similar nest from his hunting lodge. Except in his case, the chimney had become a home to a family of badgers and the mother had not been happy with his disruption.

  The group watched Cinderella cross the roof to a nearby tree. Steadying herself, she reached and placed the nest on a limb. Marius held his breath, afraid she would fall. When he started forward, Lady Millicent held tight to his arm. “Don’t concern yourself, Mr. Parker. Cinderella is used to this type of chore. After all, she is a servant.”

  Marius was reminded once again how lowly servants were sometimes viewed by his class. They didn’t matter and were easily replaced. “Surely there is a man about who could have seen to the task?”

  The ladies laughed in unison. “She is perfectly capable of the chores assigned and our male servants certainly have more important duties at the moment,” Lady Millicent insisted.

  Was the young lady so ignorant that she didn’t realize the need for what Cinderella was doing and not simply rescuing birds. It would be pointless to explain he supposed.

  Once the chimney was finally unblocked, Cinderella carefully descended the ladder to return inside.

  “See, she has survived,” Millicent added. “Of course, no real lady would have undertaken such a task.” Her female companions shared a look and laughed. Their humor was lost on Marius.

  “I could think of one,” Noah offered in a dry tone.

  Lady Millicent smiled up at Noah, a dimple at the corner of her mouth. She must have thought Noah to be jesting. “Who would that be, Lord Felding?”

  “I am sure he is referring to his sister, Lady Sandlin.” Dillon chuckled.

  “Lord Sandlin’s wife?” .

  Sandlin came up from behind. “Did I hear my wife mentioned?”

  Marius turned toward him. “Felding was just remarking how we do know one particular lady who would retrieve a bird’s nest from a chimney.”

  Sandlin groaned. “I have no doubt. However, let’s keep this particular instance to ourselves as I don’t want to give my wife any ideas.”

  The smiles fell from the young women’s faces and they exchanged looks of confusion. Marius was not about to enlighten them to the reckless nature of Lady Sandlin.

  “I have come to retrieve you,” Sandlin announced. “Prinny is ready to leave.”

  Marius wanted to scream and beg them to not leave him alone. Instead, he politely escorted Lady Millicent back into the house and bid farewell to the prince and his companions.

  * * *

  Marius leaned against the doorjamb and studied her in silence. The maid knelt on the floor and leaned into the hearth. A shapely ankle stuck out from beneath the pale blue, muslin skirt. He had only observed her for a short time earlier, while she stood to receive her instructions from Lady Davies and had been intrigued then. Clearly Cinderella was a servant, but she held herself and had the mannerisms of a lady. While his hostess talked down to her, Cinderella had kept her chin high, back rigid, yet respectful to her employer. Though she had been dirty from her chores, for one couldn’t miss the dirt smudged at the end of her pert nose, nor the cobwebs in her russet hair, she was far from a filthy scullery maid. Beneath the dirt were rounded, rosy cheeks, full, equally rosy lips and dark blue eyes, fringed with dark lashes. Her figure on the other hand was completely concealed by the large dress that resembled a sack. Only the full apron, tied behind her back gave any hint that Cinderella was concealing a rounded, shapely figure. The type of figure he always found himself attracted to over the slimmer ones.

  That name. It couldn’t be. He had to know. “Surely your name isn’t really Cinderella?” He tried to hide his humor, if indeed that was her christened name.

  She jumped at his voice and hit her head on the bricks above. “Ouch!” she yelped. With a hand rubbing the back of her head, she settled back on her heels.

  Marius immediately kneeled beside her. “I am so sorry.” He certainly hadn’t meant to startle her. Lifting his hand, he felt behind her head where her hand had rubbed, brushing his warm fingers against hers.

  For an instant their eyes locked. She pulled away first. Standing, she straightened her gown and finally smiled at him. “I am fine.” She laughed softly.

  Her smile was beautiful, dimples on either side of her mouth. No, not beautiful. Adorable, Marius thought before remembering his place. He tried to forget the instantaneous emotion, or perhaps it was desire, that shot through him when her dark blue eyes looked into his at the same moment their fingers brushed together.

  He wondered if she felt the same instant attraction. “Is your name truly Cinderella?”

  “Only if you are my fairy godmother.”

  Marius returned her smile. “If I were?”

  Her e
yes sparkled with amusement. Tapping her fingernail against her chin, oblivious to the black, greasy spots on the back of her hands, she seemed to consider the question. “Well, I do have a rather large pumpkin in the garden. I am sure I could find some mice in the barn. I don’t have any rats though. Do you suppose birds would do?” She asked in all seriousness, tilted her head to the side, and looked at Marius for an answer.

  “I am not sure,” he returned, trying to remain as serious as she. “I will have to give it some thought.”

  Cinderella sighed. “Of course, unless you know of some young, handsome prince having a ball, there is really no need.”

  Marius was intrigued by this adorable woman. “Alas, my dear lady I know of no ball.”

  “Then I suppose I’ll leave you to your privacy and return to the house.” She curtseyed. “Please let me know if you need anything Mr. Parker.” She picked up her cleaning items, and started for the door.

  “There is one thing, miss.”

  She turned toward him. “Yes?”

  “Your name. What is it?”

  She smiled, revealing her dimples once again. “Sabrina,” she answered with another quick curtsey before leaving the cottage.

  Chapter 2

  Marius strolled to the main house for breakfast, in no real hurry to spend time with Lady Davies and the young women. He had checked on the horse and learned that it would be at least another day before the animal could walk any distance. Perhaps even more before it could hold a rider. If that were the case, Marius would consider another means of transportation for himself and find a cart for the horse if necessary.