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Chapter 1
Laura Hawkins peered out the window of her cosy little room on the top floor of Sage Brook Manor. It was grey and dull outside, something that Laura had become accustomed to. Although Laura greatly enjoyed the freedom of being a maid in the grand estate, having a room to herself, and even her very own desk, she knew that something was lacking.
She’d read the large stack of books that sat in the corner, learned not to bump her head on the quaint slanted ceiling, and had even excelled at teaching herself French. All of this progress was due to the fact that there was practically nothing to do at Sage Brook.
She kept herself busy, nonetheless. The manor was so expansive that Laura was always dusting and sweeping, even if she was dusting and sweeping the very same places that she’d cleaned the day before. The master of the house, Lord Norman Pembroke, Duke of Bancroft, was the reason why the staff was so enormous at Sage Brook, but there was still little to do.
Not much for entertaining, nor even finding a wife to bear him children, Norman Pembroke preferred sitting in his library for hours on end, reading old tomes, and gazing into the fire. Granted, there was not a speck of dust on any of those old books. Laura had seen to that. But aside from frequent cups of tea and the occasional biscuit, Norman was in no way demanding.
Because of all this free time and the lack of livelihood at Sage Brook, Laura had space to dream. She wished to one day be a governess. As she turned from the dull scenery outside her window to look in the mirror, she admired her finely starched black and white uniform. It was simple, which was always what Laura preferred in terms of both apparel and conduct.
Still, if one day her dream came true, and she became a governess, she could wear something much more fetching. Laura knew that it wouldn’t be a significant boost to her station in life, but it would be a boost, nonetheless. Instead of dusting books, she’d read them to children. Instead of sweeping floors, she’d teach children to dance and comport themselves befitting a child in society. There would be laughter and playtime, and while the children were learning, Laura would be learning, as well.
Laura frowned to herself in the mirror. Perhaps she was reaching too high. Her chocolate brown hair was swept back in a neat bun, her alabaster skin was becoming, and her figure was fine. These were all features to be proud of, but deep down, Laura didn’t want to draw any attention in the slightest.
Her shy exterior was a mask that she wore in order to get through. It was only after a long day of hardly working that Laura would return to her room, set her hair free, and pop her nose into a book, where she felt like she truly lived.
Laura brought a hand up and clasped the locket around her neck. She opened it, looking at the picture of her late mother, Constance. Constance herself had been a maid after the death of her husband. Laura was raised in a different estate where Constance worked, but the grounds were nowhere near as stately as Sage Brook Manor. Laura couldn’t quite believe it when, following the tragic death of her mother, she was offered employment at Sage Brook.
The Duke of Bancroft was one of the wealthiest in all of Britain, and Laura was surprised by her luck. It was later explained to her that the duke could see Laura’s pedigree and valued the fact that she had been raised on a separate estate. All of these things came together to place Laura at Sage Brook, where, despite the boredom, Laura found happiness from time to time.
Exiting her little room, Laura made her way down the winding stairs and headed towards the kitchen. There was some commotion, which was very surprising. The butler, Percival, ran around like a chicken with his head cut off. This was most surprising considering that Percival was prone to sitting on the front steps smoking a pipe, something that would not have been approved in any other household. “Where is Stanley? I must speak with Stanley!”
Stanley was the chef. Another man that spent a great deal of his timebidinghis time because Lord Pembroke seemed to live off a diet of baked fish and asparagus. Laura watched as Percival entered the kitchen, and she followed him. What she discovered there made her eyes widen. Her jaw dropped towards the floor. Never had she seen such movement. Pots and pans were being carried about, fresh flowers were brought in from the garden, and Laura could smell, of all things, a hot chowder on the stove. And was that fresh bread? Lord Pendergast always refused bread. Surely, something extraordinary was going on, and Laura wished to get to the bottom of it in the quietest way possible.
Choosing not to speak to Stanley or Percival directly, as it wasn’t her station, Laura sought out her friend, confidant, and fellow maid, Diana Cooke. Although the two girls didn’t spend much time together, they communicated much through glances, winks of the eye, and raising of the brows. Laura was amazed by how much could be communicated in just that way. Going from room to room, Laura finally discovered Diana polishing a vase that was already perfectly clean. Laura tugged on Diana’s apron.
Laura spoke in a whisper. “What is going on?”
“Oh, Laura. You frightened me!”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”
Diana grinned from ear to ear. “You haven’t heard the news?”
“What news?” Laura cocked her head to the side.
“Why, the duke’s brother is making an appearance.”
“You talk as though he were the Regent.”
“He practically is. Have I not told you about Edward Pembroke?”
“You have not, and I’m mildly offended.”
Diana smiled at the little joke. “He hasn’t been here in some time. Although he is a lovely man, rumour has it that the two brothers had a bit of a falling out.”
Laura wished to be polite. “That’s unfortunate.”
Diana continued to polish the vase, going over the same surfaces that she’d already gone over. “It was most unfortunate because all the staff of Sage Brook positively adore the duke’s brother.” Diana leaned in and brought her voice to a hush. “And I hear say, no less rich than Norman Pembroke.”
Laura sighed. She’d never been terribly impressed by money. Laura saw it as a means to an end, but she could understand why some women got themselves all aflutter over wealthy dukes and society titans. It would be nice not to have to work at all, but Laura assumed that those society women must be so terribly bored. Just then, Percival ran by once more, his hands in the air. Stanley followed him.
“This is a disaster. The first major event at Sage Brook in years, and no one remembers how to do their bloody jobs.”
“How dare you blame me,” Stanley protested. “The broiler has suffered from disuse.”
“Well, fix it, old chap.” Percival checked his pocket watch. “There is only one hour remaining.”
