“I … I am not here to deliver anything.” She cleared her throat and found her voice, holding her head high. “I am here for the governess position. Lord Sheffield sent word that I was to arrive today.” She hoped her voice came across as confident despite the hesitation she felt.
The man seemed to size her up for a moment, taking his time to observe her grey travelling coat and hat. “Yes, His Lordship did say that you would be arriving today,” the man seemed to conclude and proceeded to open the gates. The iron creaked in protest, signalling a deep desire for oil.
“Thank you,” she said curtly and stepped onto the cobbled path that led to the front door. Her bags were heavy and weighed on her arms, but the man didn’t seem as if he would offer any help.
“My name is Thomas Smith; you can call me Thomas. I am footman and butler here.” He gave her a pointed look as if he were waiting for her to reciprocate.
Footman and butler?
She had never heard anything as peculiar as a butler doubling as a footman in all her years of service. Realizing that the man was still waiting for a response, Livinia snapped out of her daze and smiled. “I am Livinia Campbell. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Thomas.”
Thomas ignored her cheerful demeanour and raised his eyebrows before moving along. Gesturing over his shoulder, he signalled for her to follow.
Hesitating for a moment, Livinia wondered if she hadn’t made a mistake in taking on a position with a family she had never met. Yet there was nothing more she could do at present. Lifting her bags, she hurried behind that butler who doubled as a footman. Dry leaves crunched beneath her boots as they made their way up the stairs and through the front doors.
A shiver instantly ran down her spine as she entered the cool entrance hall. The inside of the manor was cooler than the outside. The entrance hall comprised a high ceiling and many windows that overlooked the back gardens on the opposite wall. A tall winding staircase seemed in desperate need of dusting.
Turning to her as if he could read her thoughts, Thomas began to explain, “The house consists of Lord Sheffield and his younger sister, Lady Theodora. You and I are the only staff that will reside in the manor itself. A lady comes in daily to cook, and a maid helps with the chores. I must warn you, Miss Campbell, Lord Sheffield is a very private man. You are not to converse too much with the outside help.”
The instructions struck Livinia as odd. What kind of manor employed staff that did not reside on the property, and what kind of Earl valued his privacy to the point where servants had to keep to themselves lest they divulge any information by accident?
Livinia was left with little time to ponder the matter before Thomas began moving again. He was a handsome man of roughly thirty-five, or at least that was what Livinia thought. His manners weren’t lacking per se; it was more like that man was guarded, too scared to speak unless he said too much.
Fear and curiosity knotted in the pit of her stomach as she took a deep breath and began to climb the large staircase that undoubtedly led to her chambers. The lack of family portraits on the walls struck her as odd, but then again, nothing that had happened to her since her arrival had been what she’d expected.
“Your chambers will be in the attic on the women’s side of the servants’ quarters. It’s a lonely life here in the mansion, but I suspect that will change for you once you’ve met Lady Theodora,” he remarked stiffly as they made their way over the gallery and onto a second set of dusty stairs.
“Is Lady Theodora a lively young girl?” she asked breathlessly, trying her best to haul her bags up the stairs. Her life would be a lot easier if the man would just relent and offer her a hand.
“Lady Theodora is sixteen and acts accordingly. Her troubles and triumphs aren’t unlike any other young lady of the ton,” he answered briskly without lessening his pace.
Trials and Triumphs?
What kind of butler describes a young woman’s trials and triumphs instead of her character? Despite his handsome features, Thomas Smith was a strange kettle of fish.
“Here we are; I had the maid dust and put things in place for your arrival.” He stopped abruptly and opened a door at the end of a dreary passage.
“Lord Sheffield and Lady Theodora will be back from an outing this evening. You are welcome to explore the house in the meantime, but I wouldn’t stray too far if I were you. Lord Sheffield does not look kindly upon tardiness,” Thomas warned just as Livinia stepped into the room and shut the door in his wake.
The sudden slam of wood made Livinia jump, her heart racing from more than just the physical exertion.
What kind of household is this?
She shook off her feelings of unease and looked around the room that was to be her home for the foreseeable future. The single bed and meagre furnishings were a far cry from her lavish room in the Fletcher household. Yet there was still something homely and comfortable about the place. Sighing, she placed her bags beside the bed and looked out the window at the forest surrounding the mansion.
Sheffield Manor was certainly secluded. Feeling drawn towards the dark trees and mysterious shadows, she crossed the room and hugged her waist.
What is he like?
She wondered about the mysterious and private man who would be paying her wages.
The sound of a galloping horse made her look toward the gate. A tall, dark, and handsome man came into view as he slowed his horse, bringing the chestnut stallion to a walk.
Is that His Lordship?
Livinia couldn’t help staring at his rugged stature. There was an air of mystery and danger about him, the kind of demeanour that drew many a young lady into having their hearts broken. She placed the tips of her fingers against the pain of glass, touching his outline as her heart began to race with excitement.
Dark eyes looked in her direction as the man’s head came up. She wished she were close enough to see their colour.
Ducking out of sight, Livinia placed her hand on her chest, feeling her heart pounding. Had he seen her staring at him? Her skin felt strange and tingly, as if he had looked into her soul. The man was attractive, that was for sure, but there had been something else there that had drawn her in. Was it the look in his eyes or the strong outline of his jaw?
She shook off the feelings of heat that coursed through her body and decided to focus on her unpacking her bags. If the handsome man on horseback were Lord Sheffield, then she would find out soon enough.
Chapter 3
The sun was beginning to set over the trees when Livinia heard a soft knock on her door. It was about time that Thomas summoned her to meet the family. She had chosen her finest dark brown dress for the occasion and plaited her long blonde hair down her back. The Fletcher girls had often commented on how the colours brought out the gold flecks in her hazel eyes.
Not that I am trying to impress His Lordship.
She checked the floor-length mirror to ensure everything was in place before answering the door. To her great surprise, Livinia was confronted with an air of excitement within seconds.
“You must be Miss Campbell; I can’t tell you how excited I am to have another lady living here. Why did you leave your last position, and why did you choose to come here of all places?” The young girl came into the room with a flourish, excitedly looking around before turning to Livinia with a wide-eyed expression of enthusiasm.
Livinia felt as if she had been blown away by a tornado; her thoughts barely had time to settle before the young girl continued to chatter.
“Do you think we will focus more on finding me a husband, or are you the kind of governess that prefers books and accomplishments over attracting suitors?” The girl’s light green eyes shone with excitement, not unlike the mischievous way that Adelaide’s had done. This young lady however seemed wilder than the eldest Fletcher daughter. She was untamed and unbridled with a fiery spirit.
Taking a deep breath, Livinia composed herself. “You must be Lady Theodora; I am Miss Campbell. My former charges called me Livinia, but you may call me Miss Campbell if that is more comfortable for you.”
