Aspirations of a Lady's Maid by Eva Shepherd

Author:Eva Shepherd
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2020-05-07T11:22:26+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Lockhart Estate was even grander than Nellie had expected. Mr Lockhart’s Belgravia town house had stated loud and clear that he was a man of wealth, but this magnificent three-storey mansion, surrounded by sweeping lawns adorned with fountains and statues, clearly showed that he was every bit as wealthy as the aristocracy he so blatantly wanted to join.

The carriage drove up the long, tree-lined drive, through the ornate gold and black wrought-iron gates and past the formal garden in front of the house. Nellie fought hard not to be overawed by the grandeur. But she was fighting a losing battle. How could she not be overawed by such splendid surroundings? How could she not wonder what he thought of her humble little rooms above her shop and parlour?

If Nellie still harboured any foolish illusions about herself and Mr Lockhart, this house had swept them all away. Even fantasising that a man who lived in such a place could ever mean anything to her was so ludicrous it was laughable. This was his world and it was as far removed from Nellie’s small business and two-room living quarters as it was possible to get.

He had the wealth. Now all he needed was the position in society, and Lady Cecily would provide that. He might have shown a spark of interest in a former servant with a small but growing business, when he was recovering in her rooms, but that’s all it ever would be, a tiny spark of interest that would never ignite into a bigger flame.

The carriage pulled up in front of the grand entrance. Nellie looked up at the imposing façade containing so many arched windows it seemed impossible to count them all. The house was big enough to accommodate all the families in her neighbourhood, with plenty of room to spare.

She lowered her head and remained frozen in her seat. She was going to stay in this home that was nothing short of a mansion. She had visited other stately homes when she was a lady’s maid, but this time it was different. She was the one who had been invited, not her mistress. She wasn’t going to be sleeping in the servants’ quarters. She was almost, but not quite, a guest.

This was what she wanted. She had made it clear that she was not a servant and would not be treated like one. But perhaps she should have just accepted her place. Perhaps she shouldn’t have tried to be grander, more important than she actually was. Nellie drew in a long, sustaining breath and exhaled slowly. It was too late to turn back now.

Oh, well, Nellie Regan, you’ve made your bed and now you’re going to have to lie in it. At least you’ll be lying in a comfortable, feather bed with silk bedcovers.

She looked away from the splendid house and stared straight ahead. She could do this. She just had to remember to behave herself, for once in her life.

Remember, you’ve already caused enough trouble for Mr Lockhart.

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