leave of absence, but I don’t know how long I can stay without risking my position.”
“What do you do?” said Chastity.
“I’m a clerk for a law firm. It’s a wonderful situation and I’m lucky to have it. But there’s only me, my younger brother is in service and cannot get away. I plan to do what I can and then will engage someone to help her on a more permanent basis. If you’ll need a place to stay, I can highly recommend it.”
Chastity blushed. “It is expensive to stay there?”
“I don’t think so. Perhaps, if you like, you could stay a night as my guest. If you don’t like it, you could leave the next day and be none the worse off.”
Chastity shifted a little in her seat and stared directly out of the window. “Do you always help young women you find alone on a coach?”
“Oh no, please forgive me, I meant no offense. Really, the place gets so dreary with just my mother there, I was simply hoping for some company my own age.”
Chastity looked down into her lap and gave the matter some thought. It was certainly a generous offer. She had to be careful with the little money she had. Moreover, like he said, if she hated it, she could leave the next day. On the other hand, she knew nothing about this young man, what if he was a rogue set upon abusing her defenseless situation? She had heard of such men, and if he were such, this could turn out very bad for her indeed. She must guard herself against dishonor at all times. She had all but made up her mind to say no when she looked up and stared into his innocent young eyes. As he rocked with the motion of the coach, Chastity saw no lie or cunning in his face, just simple, youthful friendliness. She exhaled a long, submissive sigh and bowed low to destiny.
“Very well,” Chastity said. “I will promise to stay for one night, after which, if I’m not satisfied, I’ll be on my way.”
“Excellent.” William relaxed after that, and they spent the remainder of their journey in idle banter. Chastity listened with interest, anything was better than dwelling on her feelings for Lord Esher. The miles rolled away more pleasantly than she had ever imagined they could.
THE INTERVIEW
Smallpox had been rife throughout the region, but just as the outbreak seemed to abate, Lord Warren’s valet fell sick with the disease. Tom stood in front of the mirror adjusting his wig. While a replacement was being sought his butler was standing in, but he had a heavy hand and the results never seemed to satisfy. It would not do for long.
Though most household appointments were undertaken by the butler, Tom took an active interest in this selection as the man chosen would spend so much time on his person and toilette. He would not accept just anyone. He insisted that as well as being a competent valet, the man selected must be well-formed physically with agreeable features so as not to embarrass him when traveling abroad. Thus far the men interviewed were well suited to the post in all regards but the latter, and Tom was beginning to despair of ever finding a suitable candidate.
The servant’s quarters were below stairs, and he found his butler seated behind a small desk in the pantry. Standing with his back to him was a short man, around the same height as Tom himself, his sandy blonde hair tied back in a tidy bow. He had a stocky figure, but he carried himself well, and his clothes were better cut than a man of his standing could generally afford.
The moment his Lordship entered the room, the man turned and bowed respectfully. Tom was instantly struck by the cherubic beauty of the young face before him. The candidate’s eyes were a soft blue, at once both gentle and inviting. He had a round face, with flawless skin, and if he wasn’t mistaken the man was blushing. Before he even opened his rose-bud lips Tom had hired him in his heart, and the interview became an instant formality.
“Your Lordship, may I present to you Mr. Zachariah Moore. He
“What do you do?” said Chastity.
“I’m a clerk for a law firm. It’s a wonderful situation and I’m lucky to have it. But there’s only me, my younger brother is in service and cannot get away. I plan to do what I can and then will engage someone to help her on a more permanent basis. If you’ll need a place to stay, I can highly recommend it.”
Chastity blushed. “It is expensive to stay there?”
“I don’t think so. Perhaps, if you like, you could stay a night as my guest. If you don’t like it, you could leave the next day and be none the worse off.”
Chastity shifted a little in her seat and stared directly out of the window. “Do you always help young women you find alone on a coach?”
“Oh no, please forgive me, I meant no offense. Really, the place gets so dreary with just my mother there, I was simply hoping for some company my own age.”
Chastity looked down into her lap and gave the matter some thought. It was certainly a generous offer. She had to be careful with the little money she had. Moreover, like he said, if she hated it, she could leave the next day. On the other hand, she knew nothing about this young man, what if he was a rogue set upon abusing her defenseless situation? She had heard of such men, and if he were such, this could turn out very bad for her indeed. She must guard herself against dishonor at all times. She had all but made up her mind to say no when she looked up and stared into his innocent young eyes. As he rocked with the motion of the coach, Chastity saw no lie or cunning in his face, just simple, youthful friendliness. She exhaled a long, submissive sigh and bowed low to destiny.
“Very well,” Chastity said. “I will promise to stay for one night, after which, if I’m not satisfied, I’ll be on my way.”
“Excellent.” William relaxed after that, and they spent the remainder of their journey in idle banter. Chastity listened with interest, anything was better than dwelling on her feelings for Lord Esher. The miles rolled away more pleasantly than she had ever imagined they could.
THE INTERVIEW
Smallpox had been rife throughout the region, but just as the outbreak seemed to abate, Lord Warren’s valet fell sick with the disease. Tom stood in front of the mirror adjusting his wig. While a replacement was being sought his butler was standing in, but he had a heavy hand and the results never seemed to satisfy. It would not do for long.
Though most household appointments were undertaken by the butler, Tom took an active interest in this selection as the man chosen would spend so much time on his person and toilette. He would not accept just anyone. He insisted that as well as being a competent valet, the man selected must be well-formed physically with agreeable features so as not to embarrass him when traveling abroad. Thus far the men interviewed were well suited to the post in all regards but the latter, and Tom was beginning to despair of ever finding a suitable candidate.
The servant’s quarters were below stairs, and he found his butler seated behind a small desk in the pantry. Standing with his back to him was a short man, around the same height as Tom himself, his sandy blonde hair tied back in a tidy bow. He had a stocky figure, but he carried himself well, and his clothes were better cut than a man of his standing could generally afford.
The moment his Lordship entered the room, the man turned and bowed respectfully. Tom was instantly struck by the cherubic beauty of the young face before him. The candidate’s eyes were a soft blue, at once both gentle and inviting. He had a round face, with flawless skin, and if he wasn’t mistaken the man was blushing. Before he even opened his rose-bud lips Tom had hired him in his heart, and the interview became an instant formality.
“Your Lordship, may I present to you Mr. Zachariah Moore. He
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