Gentlemen and Brides: Regency Romance Collection

by Joyce Alec

  Alice had worked for Lady Jane for two years. Lady Jane envied Alice, whose porcelain and delicate features conveyed an air of a lady, rather than a lady's maid. Lady Jane felt very plain in comparison to her maid, but Alice was extremely loyal, and Lady Jane could feel superior in her position as her mistress.

  "Yes, m'lady. I have some dresses to dispose of while we're in London."

  Suddenly their conversation was disturbed by a man shouting for everyone's attention. It was Barker, the butler, and his Lordship, Lord Guildford.

  "Papa, whatever is the matter?" Lady Jane had rushed out of her bedroom, and standing at the top of the stairwell, shouted to her father.

  "Everyone is to gather in the hall. Now. Barker, get to it." His Lordship shouted when no one appeared to move.

  Barker checked that the staff was all present before he made his announcement. The family retired to the study.

  "His Lordship and I have discovered a theft. The Bankwell Jewels have gone missing. Lady Jane was to wear them tomorrow evening, and now they are nowhere to be found. Does anyone wish to tell me anything?"

  A hush had fallen over the whispers when Barker told them of the theft. Alice looked around. Who would do such a thing? It had to be one of the new hires they had taken on.

  "No one has anything to say. Very well. I am beginning a search. You are to remain here."

  With Barker's leaving, the staff began to point fingers at the new staff members who were vehemently denying any involvement. The Guildfords were a fine family to work for and treated their staff well. Connie Lakes, lady's maid to Lady Jane's younger sister, spoke up.

  "Was it you, Alice? Are you looking for a little extra money and think you can blame the new staff?"

  All eyes fell upon Alice, and she blushed. It was a condition that plagued her since childhood, given her pale complexion and reddish tinge to her hair. She could never lie. Her constitution could not cope with deceit. She only wished she were quick-witted in her retorts, but she wasn't.

  "Why would you say such a thing, Connie? The good Lord knows I am no thief. That is a dreadful thing to point a finger at someone."

  Alice looked at Connie wondering why she was smirking. Connie had taken an instant dislike to Alice upon her arrival, and while Alice had tried to mend the relationship on numerous occasions, Connie never failed to make her uncomfortable or pass comments while they were in the company of others.

  She knew that Connie had reason to be annoyed with her. Connie's new chap, Archie, had tried to coerce a kiss from Alice a few weeks earlier before they arrived in London. Alice felt embarrassment, assuming Connie had set him up to do it, but when Connie had come upon them, it was clear that Connie was not part of the plan. Despite Alice pushing him away, Connie had been extra vindictive towards her.

  But while she prayed for the strength to forgive Connie and Archie for their behavior, Alice was having difficulty turning the other cheek. She had avoided Connie as best she could, but now they were to be more confined in a town house, Alice had no choice but to see Connie every day.

  "He's coming back," someone whispered, and sure enough, Barker was returning and went to the library. They couldn't hear what was being said, but after what seemed a very long time, Barker came out to address them.

  "You are dismissed. Every one apart from you, Alice." Barker's eyes fell on Alice, and she frowned with concern. Why had he singled her out? Connie guffawed and bumped Alice deliberately as she walked by.

  "You had it coming, Miss High and Mighty," Connie sneered, but took care to ensure no one else had overheard.

  "What did you say, Connie?" Alice, in her innocence, looked at Connie and wondered what on earth was happening.

  "Alice, don't keep your Lordship waiting!" Barker snapped at her.

  "Certainly, Mr. Barker."

  Alice walked into the library, and the Guildfords looked at her. Lady Jane was in tears, being comforted by her sister, and her ladyship looked pale. His Lordship was sitting at his desk.

  "Alice, do you know why I wish to see you?"

  He had never spoken to her in such a severe tone before.

  "No, my lord. Have I done something wrong?"

  "You were looking after the jewels for Lady Jane, were you not?"

  "Yes, Your Lordship. I put them away when we arrived. Into the safe, as Mr. Barker had directed."

  Alice's legs were wobbling under her as she had to remember the day of their arrival. There was so much upheaval and Lady Jane had called for her and she was rushing about.

  "What would you say if I told you that Mr. Barker had found earrings in your suitcase?"

  "No, my lord. That is quite impossible. I never separated the jewelry."

  "Are you saying Barker fabricated the story?" His Lordship's eyes pierced through her.

  "No, my lord. But I did not put the earrings in my case. I assure you of that."

  She was trying to be strong, but it was very difficult when the focus was upon her, and she felt her face redden.

  "And what if I told you a witness had come forward and said you had been acting out of character recently. You left the house without reason yesterday."

  Alice looked at Lady Jane who stared back at her, but then looked away. She had gone on an errand for Lady Jane, but her parents wouldn't like to hear how their daughter was extending an invitation to the son of an earl that she fancied. Alice prayed that Lady Jane would reveal the truth, but Lady Jane didn't say a word.

  "I was on an errand, your Lordship," she said calmly, hoping that Lady Jane would back up this part of the story.

  "An errand, you say. Well, Lady Jane, did you send Alice on an errand?"

  "No, Papa, I did not. In fact, I was looking for Alice, and she could not be found."

  "Lady Jane?" Alice called out.

  "Shush, Alice. Are you trying to tell me that Barker and Lady Jane are somehow in cahoots? You have put me in a very difficult situation. I've a good mind to call for the police and have you arrested, but Lady Guildford is fond of you. I do not wish any scandal either. The gutter press would love such a story."

  Alice could only bow her head as she tried to hide her tears. She wondered what fate was before her. Then she remembered, Connie had distracted her that very morning. In fact, Connie had been unusually pleasant, and Alice, not wanting to cause offense, had let Connie see the jewels. It was Connie who had promised to lock them away.

  "Your Lordship, I do not wish to speak ill of others, but it was Connie who had the jewels last." Alice said, praying the Lord would forgive for implicating others.

  "Yes, Connie told Barker you might say something like that, but in fact, it was quite the opposite. Please do not try to implicate others. Connie has an alibi, which is what you seem to be lacking."

  Lord Guildford seemed quite pleased with himself.

  Now Alice understood. When Alice arrived in the house with the position of lady’s maid, without working her way up through the ranks, Connie was jealous of her.

  Lady Guildford, as patroness of the orphanage, had taken a liking to Alice who was polite and genteel, despite her background. This was the payback for standing out as someone special, and no doubt Archie's liking of her, which drove Connie to come up with such a cunning plan.

  "You will leave our employ at once, Alice. There will be no reference, as this incident has caused her Ladyship much distress. She gave you a chance of a better life, and this is how you repay us. Only for the kindness of her Ladyship's heart are you being spared jail. Barker, make sure she only takes what she is owed and pay her up today. I wish you would return the jewels, but I'm sure it is too late by now."

  Alice's life was over.

  "But where will I go, my lord? I have no one and no place to sleep. You can't turn me out onto the street. Please, Lady Jane."

  But her pleas fell on deaf ears. While Alice had lived in London, it was in the orphanage, and she hadn't been allowed out alone, so she didn't know the city very well. Moving to the Guildford’s fami
ly estate had been her only home, outside of the orphanage.

  She hadn't much to pack and soon was on her way out the door. Mrs. Dempsey, the cook, gave her hug and pressed a piece of paper into her hand.

  "Alice, go to Betty, who used to work in the household. She'll take care of you. I know she will."

  "But I didn't do it, Mrs. Dempsey. Why is this happening?"

  Alice was in a daze as she was escorted onto the street. An hour earlier, she was thinking about new hairstyles for Lady Jane, and now she was in a strange city without anyone to care what would happen to her. Where was she going to find work? She was trained for nothing except being a lady's maid, but that career was over for her.

  She had to take a cab to Betty Cooper's home. There was no way she could walk the streets at this time of night. She didn't know Betty very well, as she had left shortly after Alice's arrival. She had married and was living in London. Now she was the only contact Alice had.

  Much to her surprise, Betty was welcoming. Mrs. Dempsey had kept Betty abreast of all the gossip in the household.

  "That Connie. She's a sly one. Tried something like that on me a few times. She doesn't leave a trail, but some day she'll take on the wrong person and then she'll get her comeuppance. We don't have much, but you are welcome to stay as long as you like, Alice. Mrs. Dempsey spoke highly of you."

  With the little space Betty had, Alice thanked the Lord for the charity she was receiving. Betty was helping her from the kindness of her heart. As Betty and her very quiet husband, Jim, settled into bed in a curtained off section of their one-roomed home, Alice lay by the fire. She began to cry.

  Her faith had always been strong. She prayed, but couldn't help question the Lord on why He sent her this trial. She had always been a good girl, helpful and obedient. Yet it seemed to her that the bad ones seemed to flourish.

  "Dear Lord, I trust you have a plan for me. It is not for me to understand everything. I pray for the strength to trust in Your wise ways, for now, I cannot see any reason for my predicament."

  It saddened her to feel abandoned, but that was how she felt. How could the Lord allow Lady Jane's conscience to lie, how could Connie come up with such a plan when Alice had never done wrong towards her? It was so confusing. What work was she going to get now?

  Despite herself, Alice fell asleep, to be woken in the early morning by Betty who needed to get the fire started to make her husband's breakfast.

  Alice's new life was about to begin.

  2

  Edmund, the Marquess of Cholmosley, was getting ready to visit his great uncle, the Duke of Donningford. As heir to the dukedom, his position came with many temptations. His previous life as Earl Loftus had afforded him a quieter life, but with his elder brother's death, Edmund was thrust into the limelight.

  He was dreading the encounter with the duke as the carriage made its way to Mayfair. It was never a good sign to be summoned by the duke; Edmund knew that, and he also knew the duke's patience was wearing thin when it came to him. Even as a child, Edmund's more sickly nature seemed at odds with the duke's hardiness, whereas his brother was more robust and acted in a way the childless duke felt children should behave.

  His heart thumped in his chest as his carriage stopped outside the house and immediately the front door was opened by Jarvis, the butler.

  "My lord, His Grace wishes you to join him in the study. He has been waiting for you," Jarvis said as he took the marquess's coat and hat.

  "How is his mood today, Jarvis?"

  "Variable at best, my lord. It is not wise to delay him any further," Jarvis led the way to the duke's study.

  "I have a good mind to find another heir. It just isn't right. I’m thankful that your poor mother isn't alive to see this. She was my favorite niece, and that is why, I suppose, I give you the benefit of the doubt, but these foolish ways have to stop."

  "Yes, Your Grace. I apologize," Edmund said as the duke continued to berate him.

  "You have a responsibility as my heir, and I do not want my good name associated with any scandal. You need to mend your ways. No more drinking and no more spending time with those friends of yours that would seek to ruin you. No, I've decided that for the time being you will reside with me. It is the only way I can see that you are becoming a better—“

  "Your Grace, my estate. I cannot stay in London…" Edmund interrupted, but the way His Grace stared him down, Edmund realized it wasn't a choice. He would have to stay in London.

  "Jarvis, see that his Lordship is suitably set up. He will be staying with us for a while."

  That was the end of the discussion. Edmund would be under the watchful eye of his great uncle.

  It shocked Edmund to see that his entire wardrobe had been brought to Mayfair. His staff had known before he did that this wasn't just an overnight stay. He felt he was being treated like a child. After all, he was a grown man, he told himself. He needed to write to his friend, the Earl of Bosley, and give his apologies that he would not be able to attend the card game they had planned for that night.

  "Jarvis, will you see this is delivered immediately?"

  Poor Edmund really had no idea of how far reaching the duke's demands were. Jarvis was under strict instructions that none of Lord Loftus' writings were to leave the house until the duke decided otherwise.

  As the days passed by, Edmund grew concerned that he hadn't received any invitations or letters from his friends. Was the duke right? Were they just friends with him because of his title?

  For the first time in a long while, Edmund had the solitude needed to reflect upon his life since being earl, and becoming the heir to the duke. He had been such a quiet and shy young man. The social activities that came with his new positions gave him a great deal of anxiety, and he found that alcohol helped to transform his character into a bon vivant. However, the days following any excessive bouts of drinking were usually filled with forgetfulness and such a sore head that he wondered if it was worth it.

  His home was filled with various types. Some he didn't know, but was too shy to exclude in fear of being left alone. Now that he was under the care of the duke, the Loftus estate was being cleared of its unsuitable guests.

  Edmund’s disgraceful ways had come to the duke's attention some months earlier, by way of an acquaintance seeking money to keep quiet about the marquess's shenanigans. While the duke had paid the man off, it had only served to open up the floodgates and the duke had enough. His reputation for his great wealth preceded him, and Edmund was an easy pawn for those who sought to lead him astray and take advantage of his innocence. Edmund was unaware of how the duke suffered because of his behavior.

  His only saving grace, from the duke's perspective, was his mother. As the duke and his recently deceased wife, hadn't been blessed with children of their own, they had doted upon their nieces and nephews.

  As they dined one evening, the duke was interrupted by the arrival of a strange man. Jarvis had done his best to get the man to leave, but the man was insistent on seeing the duke. Edmund had no idea of the trouble he had gotten into, but this time, the duke had to act quickly or else Edmund would be implicated in a criminal matter. Edmund continued with his dinner, unaware of what was happening in the duke's study.

  With the stranger suitably dealt with, the duke retired to his bedroom. Was Edmund's past ever going to stop catching up with him?

  "Jarvis, we'll get him a wife this Season and that should cool him and bring about an end to these stories. Will you make sure that man is evaluated closely, and that what he says is true? Edmund has been a very foolish young man."

  "Yes, Your Grace, I will deal with the matter myself," Jarvis said as he helped the duke to his bed.

  Edmund was getting restless. He hadn't been allowed to leave the house since he arrived and he was bored. He had to find a way to make his escape as it began to dawn on him that the duke may not be letting him receive any guests. It wasn't fair, he told himself. He was capable of making his own decisions, and the old
duke wasn't going to keep him a prisoner. He wanted to be part of London life, and especially as the Season was getting underway, many of his friends would be in town. He was going to find a way.

  In the meantime, life was every bit as difficult for Alice as she had anticipated. She had difficulty finding work, and while Betty was gracious and hospitable, sharing the little she had, Alice knew the situation couldn't continue for much longer. She could see that Jim's eyes now rolled when he arrived home to find Alice still without work.

  She continued to pray for guidance, but the good Lord didn't seem to be listening to her prayers. Alice felt alone, and now that her money had run out, she was in desperate need. While life in a grand house was hard work, there was a lot to be said for its clean living conditions. Alice had become accustomed to order and cleanliness. It had been her job in the orphanage to care for the younger children, but in this building, full of families, the children she saw running around were filthy and uncared for, and the odors seemed to penetrate her skin and hair. The building stank.

  But she had to be grateful for this shelter, bad and all as it was, for without money, she couldn't support herself. She clasped her one belonging in the world, her necklace. She would have to sell it. There was nothing else she could do.

  Betty gave her directions to where she might get a good price, and seeing as she had one of Lady Jane's old dresses in her bag, decided to wear it. If she looked like a lady down on her luck, the shopkeeper would be less likely to accuse her of stealing it, and therefore only give her a fraction of its worth. Betty agreed it was the best way and helped her with her hair. Alice was quite some sight leaving the slum that day in all her finery, although it pained her to relinquish the last connection with her mother. She had dreamed that one day, she would be reunited with her family. All she knew was that her mother had died in childbirth, but she never gave up hope that she would find her way to her true home.