The next time her gaze fluttered open it was morning. The sunlight was streaming through her curtains and there was a cheery fire blazing in the grate. Not only that, but as she sat up, she noticed that her door was standing wide open and there was a silver serving tray sitting on her dressing table.
Her stomach instantly started to growl, and she padded over to the fare. She lifted the lid and sighed at the scent of ham, kippers, eggs, scones, and fresh, buttered bread. It was the most heavenly thing she’d ever beheld. There was also a teapot and cup with cream and sugar on the side.
She sat down and immediately dug into the meal with gusto. She would certainly offer her compliments to the kitchen staff and whomever had brought it to her.
Sighing in contentment when she’d finished, she was nearly done with her tea when Marlene felt another presence. She turned to see a young maid with pale hair and large, hollow blue eyes standing patiently in the doorway of her chamber.
“Good heavens, you startled me.” Marlene put a hand to her chest, but she stood to offer the girl a smile that she hoped was friendly and welcoming.
The girl didn’t offer the same warm greeting. Instead, she bobbed a light curtsy and went toward the chair to gather the clothes Marlene had discarded the previous evening. Before she left, she offered, “My name is Amy, miss. I am assigned as your chambermaid.” She said nothing further as she walked out of the room.
Marlene sighed heavily. She was starting to wonder if the entire household had the same dreary demeanor. Perhaps the moors were as melancholy as she had always imagined. However, at least that answered one of her questions. There were still several that she intended to ask the master.
She gathered one of her neatly pressed gowns from her trunk, a green, watered silk with embroidered flowers about the hem and stomacher. She donned her chemise, stays, petticoat, and panniers, and finally, her over gown and yellow silk heeled shoes. She styled her hair, arranging it in a neat bun in the back with a large plume in the front.
Feeling as though she was as presentable as she could be to meet Lady Erica Marchbanks, Marlene left her room. She was surprised that she hadn’t been roused before now, but perhaps they decided to let her sleep because of her long journey.
She made her way to the room next to hers, where the master’s aunt was said to be, and lifted her hand to knock.
“She’s out in the gardens taking the air.”
Marlene spun about to find the handsome master of the house standing opposite her in the hall. She recalled the manners that had been drilled into her head from the time she was a small child and dipped into a curtsy. “Sir Gothry.”
He stared at her for a moment and then pushed off of the wall and started walking toward the stairs, saying over his shoulder, “This way, Miss St. Clair.”
Marlene clenched her fists in irritation but said nothing as she followed silently behind him. She had hoped that, by accepting a paying position as a live-in companion, she wouldn’t feel like too much of a servant, but at the moment she felt more inferior than the housekeeper.
As they walked out into the mid-morning sun, she held up a hand to shield her eyes from the glare. After giving her vision a moment to adjust, she found that in the bright light of day, her host was even more appealing than he had been the night before when he gave off such a mysterious air in his study. Now, his black hair shone with an almost blueish tinge, and she could tell that his clothes were perfectly tailored to him. His dark coat hugged broad shoulders and enhanced his masculine figure with ease. The white stockings leading to his silver buckled shoes showed off muscular calves. He was surely one of the most magnificent men she’d ever laid eyes on.
When he turned a corner of the house and headed for an older woman sitting in a chair with a blanket over her legs, Marlene focused her attention on her quarry, praying that there would be at least one person she might win over at Rosedale Heights.
Chapter 2
“Aunt, this is Miss Marlene St. Clair from London.”
Marlene enjoyed the sound of that smooth baritone. It was as haunting as it was captivating. Again, she had to remember the real reason she had traveled all this way, and it wasn’t for Sir Gothry.
Glancing at the woman, Marlene took in her wrinkled skin and gnarled hands. Then the lady’s blue eyes lifted and pierced her with a gaze that looked remarkably like that of her nephew. She was dressed in a simple chemise a la reine, and her white hair was pulled back into a knot with a slight plume.
“You’re a young one,” she noted boldly.
Marlene barely withheld a smile. “Some might say the same.” She dared to risk a teasing glance at the master, but other than crossing his arms and regarding her with that intense stare, he said nothing. She cleared her throat and spoke somberly. “I promise you that, while my experience might be limited, I am dedicated to your care.” She spread her skirts out around her and knelt down before the chair. She reached out and laid her hand across the wrinkled one. “It is my honor to serve you, my lady.”
Those steady eyes narrowed, and then a slight smile graced her mouth. “How very eloquent,” she murmured. She turned to her nephew and said plainly, “She’ll do fine.”
He inclined his head reverently. “I’m pleased to hear it, aunt.” His gaze flicked back to Marlene, and for the first time since she’d arrived, she thought she caught a glimpse of respect.
Perhaps it wouldn’t be so unbearable here after all.
“I’ll leave you both to get acquainted.”
As Sir Gothry made to leave, Marlene rose to her feet as well. This might prove to be the only time she would catch her employer alone. “Might I have a word before you depart?”
He narrowed his gaze slightly, the wariness returning immediately. “Of course,” he clipped.
He started to walk, and Marlene made to follow. Before she did, she told Lady Erica, “I’ll return in just a moment.” Sir Gothry had already made it a fair distance across the lawn. She had to lift her skirts and walk briskly to keep up with his purposeful stride. She waited to see if he would encourage her to speak, but when he didn’t, she took the lead. “Sir Gothry, I know you are a very busy man, but I wondered if I might request a few items to be sent to my room.”
He didn’t pause, his gaze fixed in front of him. “And that would be?”
