The Duke's Shadow by Louise Charles

Author:Louise Charles
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fictionhistorical fictionvictorian era
Publisher: Louise Charles

CHAPTER TWELVE

‘I don’t believe you Sarah Nuttall! You’ve always been one for telling fibs. Like that time about the fire, when there weren’t one at all.’

Mabbot watched from the shadows as Sarah, one of the maids, put a hand on each hip and stared back at Bertie Ragg, the head gardener’s son.

‘I swear on my life, Bertie. I did see Lord William and he did speak to me, once. He told me it was our secret and I shouldn’t tell anyone I’d seen him in the tunnels. He was dressed real differently, with a short jacket and very natty tie and those new style breeches. A real gentlemen he were too, not like you, you ruffian.’ She shoved his chest playfully. ‘And anyway, it would have turned into a fire if I hadn’t told anyone you were playing with matches, I was only little at the time, how was I to know you were burning leaves on a bonfire?’

‘You fancy yourself working up at the big house, don’t you?’ Bertie wrapped his arms around her and squeezed lightly.

Mabbot moved his weight from one foot to the other. The young pair were too engrossed in each other to notice him. He must have a word with the housekeeper about this Sarah and her fraternising but for the time being he had a feeling that she might prove very helpful to him.

‘I’m surprised you still want to mix with the likes of us. I’m sure we’re not good enough for you.’ Bertie stuck his nose up in the air and sniffed haughtily. Sara laughed and spun around in his arms, kissing him lightly on his lips before pushing him away again. She checked her apron, replaced her cap, securing it firmly with a hairpin and smiled.

Mabbot knew that they met regularly in the tunnel which led from the big house to the main road. It wasn’t hard to get information out of a recently appointed young scullery maid who was eager to please and wanted to keep her job. Mabbot liked to establish the lines of authority from day one and it appeared that Sarah trusted the newcomer with the tawdry details regarding her admirer. How naïve these people were, Mabbot thought as he shifted from one foot to another.

Bertie bent to retie his boot lace.

‘Well I got to be getting back, or I’ll be missed,’ Sarah said. ‘Poor Lord William looks worried all the time. No wonder he wants to come down here to escape.’

Bertie pulled her back towards him seeking a last kiss. She held onto her cap and obliged for a second.

‘And how many times have you met your master down here? It makes me think you and ‘im are up to no good. It ‘appens you know, masters and servants. They don’t care for you and he don’t care for you no matter that he saved you from the pond. I was there, remember? I was the one who called the alarm, I was the one who really saved you.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.