Page 2 of The Rise of a Forsaken Lady
Chapter 1
The Earldom of Allerton
October 1814
The butler bowed to Edward Dawson. “Your guest, My Lord, as by your orders, is in your study,”
“Wonderful,” the youngest Earl of Allerton tugged off his riding gloves from his long fingers. “Tell him I will be in shortly. Where is Lady Penelope this evening, Gastrell?”
“I believe she is in the library, My Lord, regaling her maid with a tale in French, one which I believe, she had written herself.”
“Really…” Edward’s voice dipped to a suspicious tone. Knowing his sister’s wily ways, he looked at the butler directly. “Are you sure about that?”
“As sure as I can be, My Lord.”
Edward huffed under his breath. Gastrell was not the one who would know about the avant-garde behavior that defined Penelope. It was her maid Martha Bell, Penelope’s best friend, and herpremier partenaire en crime.He suspected Penelope had snuck out to go riding while he had tended to matters in the town, but he did not have time to investigate her activities at the moment.
Since the death of his ailing father, Richard Dawson, and late Earl, the estate had come to the point it needed an overhaul. Though he could rely on Gastrell and Mrs. Copperfield to assess all the maids, footmen and other servants needed to run the estate, Edward allowed himself the eccentricity of doing this one on his own.
England was still at war with France, and although the majority of the battles were fought—many won and some lost—he was not going to allow the mistake of allowing just anyone into his home. His father had been no-nonsense when it came to rule over his Earldom, so he had to be especially careful.
A friend is only an enemy in disguise, his father had told him.
He took a moment to swallow a mouthful of water, quickly changed his shirt in his bedroom, and went to his meeting. This was the last footman he was going to hire, and the agency had sent this Heath Moore over on high recommendations.
Edward entered the study; the man stood and bowed. That was a positive note in Edward’s book. The second was his posture. This man had the body for a footman, tall, and strapping.
“Thank you for seeing me, My Lord,” Mr. Moore’s rolling, lax Midlands accent confirmed what had been in his recommendation—that he had lived and worked in Staffordshire.
“Not a problem, Mr. Moore,” Edward gestured for him to sit down. “Normally, any other lord would have used their subordinates to interview you, but I prefer to have a personal hand in these matters, so humor me.”
Edward sat back and crossed a leg over his left knee. “As your past occupation was much like this one, I assume you are proficient in all the activities of your post? Shadowing the butler, dining room duties, trimming lamps, attending to the fires?”
“I am,” Mr. Moore replied. “I have also been trained in horse care and driving if you need a carriage driver.”
The Earl’s eyes danced up. “That is…unusual.”
“I concur. My previous master, the Viscount Masseur, was very thorough and particular,” Mr. Moore replied. “I was also trained in assisting his hunts, skinning and tanning his kills, managing his vast collection of weapons and even disposing of the trash. But I was not allowed to touch his clothing. As I said, he was very particular.”
Edward leaned forward, “Gastrell is in charge of my suits, but I am a sort of aficionado of weapons, pistols and swords myself, and have not found anyone to help me in that avenue. The collection was handed down from my great-grandfather.”
“I would be happy to assist you,” Mr. Moore spoke with an air of surety.
As the conversation went, Edward was growing to like this young man. He was very respectful and proved himself to be smart in household duties. An hour later, Edward hired him without further questions.
“I think you will be a brilliant addition to my household.” Both men rose and shook hands. “I will have you situated immediately on the morrow and have Gastrell look to your livery. I find the powdering of hair unneeded and frankly repulsive, so you will not be required to do so.”
“Thank you, My Lord.”
“Your salary will be twelve guineas per year and your livery of three guineas from the Old Bond Street will be taken care of,” Edward said. “I am glad that you are tall and agile, those attributes are very needed in a footman.”
“Those thanks are my father’s, My Lord,” Mr. Moore said. “But I will accept them on his behalf.”
“Now, our bond: Do you swear fidelity to my family and will you uphold all the needs of the Dawson’s, primarily our safety, security, and comfort?”
“I do swear, My Lord.”
“Wonderful. Let me take you to Gastrell who will take your measurements. Tomorrow, he will introduce you to the rest of the staff.”
