The Owl and the Pussycat by Dahlia Rose

Author:Dahlia Rose [Rose, Dahlia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical, Victorian, Multicultural & Interracial, Royalty, General
Google: 8BQ7EAAAQBAJ
Amazon: B09BMN94L2
Publisher: Dahlia Rose Unscripted
Published: 2021-07-31T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Richard’s bungalow at the seaside turned out to be another large home with more than five bedrooms, a small ballroom, a solarium and an extensive garden. The patio at the back of the mansion faced the ocean and it was completed with a full verandah so one could sit and watch the waves roll in. At their arrival, a staff of seven waited outside to greet them, lined up along the stairs.

There was a butler, a housekeeper, two scullery maids, one houseman for Richard and two additional maids for Ella. They all introduced themselves to her politely, all calling her Duchess with a bow and making her slightly uncomfortable. This was part of Richard’s titled land that ran from Bristol Cannel in the north to the English Channel in the south. His home was in the expansive beachfront town of Torquay, near the cliffs of Exmouth.

A few days later, they were settled and enjoying the warm days by the ocean when Richard took her into town to show her the picturesque seaside town and the shops tourists frequented in the summer. There she saw Diana, who looked like a completely different woman. Her hair was no longer dirty and matted. Instead she wore it up in a bun with soft blonde curls escaping to frame her face.

Diana’s dress was a soft yellow, clean and tidy, and her face even held a hint of rouge. Peter and the girls came in just as they did, and she could see the stark change in all of them. Cheeks filled out from proper food and fresh air, clothes neat and tidy. In those few short days, it had been a completely turnaround.

“Miss Ella!” Peter’s smile was wide. “I’m a different kind of errand boy now, delivering packages to customers who buy from the shop.”

Ella couldn’t help but smile widely. “Look at all of you, so rosy-cheeked and fresh-faced.”

“The girls go to school now,” Diana told Ella. “I teach Peter in the evenings after work and he is coming along nicely.”

“How is your health?” Richard asked.

“Much better, thank you, sir. The doctor here is quite kind, she said there is a remarkable change in my health already,” Diana replied. “I learned to manage the shop quickly and Mr. Robbins says I have a knack for sums and ledgers.”

Richard nodded. “Good, a few more weeks and Mr. Robbins will leave the shop in your care and move on to his own.”

“I’ll be ready, sir, you can have faith in me. I’ll do right by this honest work, I promise,” she answered firmly.

“Of that I have no doubt. Now if these girls would show me the best kind of sweets to buy for my wife,” Richard smiled kindly at the two girls who took his hand to show him the glass candy case.

Diana took Ella’s hand. “Thank you, Miss Ella. You looked past the dirt and filth and saw us as people. The people in Devil’s Acre are blessed by your caring.”

Ella felt her eyes get misty.

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