An Ideal Duchess by Evangeline Holland

Author:Evangeline Holland [Holland, Evangeline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Historical, Sagas, Romance, General
ISBN: 9781490371399
Google: ZBNRYd4wRFgC
Publisher: Createspace Independent Pub
Published: 2013-06-09T16:00:00+00:00

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Jacky Wilcox was a man of few words, but when he did speak, most shut their gobs to listen. Maggie felt a qualm of anxiety mixed with defiance when she noticed her brother entering the servants’ hall, the dark quietness of his chauffeur’s livery (she finally learned to pronounce the French word) matching his quiet demeanor. His brown hair was parted in the middle and brushed back with sweet-smelling brilliantine until it gleamed in the lamplight, and more than one housemaid who happened to be in the hall blushed and giggled shyly at his appearance at the table. Jacky, however, paid them no mind; he saved his passion for his automobiles and aeroplanes.

He moved easily to where she sat at the head of the table near Mr. Fowler and Mrs. Finch, settling his tall, lean frame onto the bench beside her. She continued mending the lace on the duchess’s handkerchiefs, forcing her eyes to remain on the nimble-fingered, detailed task.

“Well, our Maggie,” He sighed deeply

It wasn’t a statement like, his deep sigh indicating a question.

“Hello Jacky,” She replied coolly and carefully bit the knotted end of her fine silk thread with her teeth.

“I expect you would be liking a cup of tea before thy trip then, Wilcox?” The cook, Mrs. Alcock stepped from the kitchen, her hands on her hips.

“Aye,” Jacky answered.

“Nellie!” Mrs. Alcock called for the scullery maid as she returned to the recesses of the kitchen.

Not a minute later, Nellie scurried in with a cup of tea for Jacky, her hands red and chapped, lifeless hair falling in her face from her cap, and her apron dirty with vegetable shavings and bits of meat. She blushed a furious red when Jacky thanked her as he took his cup, and beat a hasty retreat back to the scullery. Maggie finished her sewing as her brother finished his tea and then folded the handkerchiefs into neat, matching triangles before tucking them inside of the wooden handkerchief box. She sensed rather than heard Jacky’s entreaty for her to remain, and she stifled the urge to scowl at him as she remained seated, waiting for him to finish his tea.

He set the cup down on the table and flicked his fingers in a familiar gesture. Talk, it seemed to say.

“Her Grace is waiting for me upstairs, Jacky,” She murmured. “I mustn’t delay.”

“I’ve the motor running,” He said calmly. “Won’t go without me behind the wheel.”

“It was Mum who put you up to this, weren’t it? I know she doesn’t want me to leave Bledington.”

“I, Maggie, it were I.” Jacky’s gaze sharpened on her face. “You’re too young to go gallivanting about the countryside in strange houses.”

“I’m seventeen. You’ve motored across France with His Grace and you’re only three years older.”

“I’m a man.”

“Being in service knows no sex, Jacky. If I am Her Grace’s lady’s maid, I must go where she needs me.”

Jacky pursed his lips. “This trip doesn’t sit right with them upstairs and I don’t want you mixed up in it.

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