Wooing the Heiress

Prologue 

British garrison, Malta

1858

Lucas stretched in the saddle, trying to ease his aching back as he eased his mount to a halt before the white- washed inn that was currently serving as their headquarters. A young soldier, perhaps fifteen, ran out of the shadow of the nearby stable and reached up to take his reins as another young boy took his friend Jeremy’s.

Lucas slid to the cobblestones as, beside him, Jeremy jumped down and nodded his thanks to the boy who took away his gelding. Lucas waited as his mount was led away before nodding to his friend.

“So, have you made a decision on what you are going to do?” Lucas asked as they headed for the welcoming coolness inside the officers’ quarters. Lucas was looking forward to a cold ale, his supper, and a cool bath after being on patrol with Jeremy for the past four hours.

“What I must, my indenture is up in a week, and my nieces need me; they are both so young and now without both parents,” Jeremy stated, shaking his head sadly as he followed Lucas into the cool darkness of the inn. The men turned left to walk into the large dining area that served as both dining hall and meeting room for the junior officers at the garrison.

Lucas pulled out a scuffed wood chair before a round scarred table and sat. Beside him Jeremy, ignoring regulations about appropriate dress, shrugged out of his red jacket and draped it over the chair beside him.

“What, I’m too hot to care if I’m reprimanded, and I’m not renewing my indenture. I’m looking forward to cool English breezes and green grass. You should buy out, too.” Jeremy said, taking the empty seat beside Lucas.

A young man of perhaps 17, wearing a white shirt and a large white apron, ran out to set a basket of bread before them and two mugs of apple cider.

“Night, sir, it’s boiled beef or grilled fish, sir,” The waiter said.

“Fish and an ale, please, I’m off duty for the next two days,” Lucas replied.

“And you, sir?” The waiter asked.

“The same had the boiled beef last night, and it tasted like my saddle had been cooked,” Jeremy said, reaching for a roll.

The waiter nodded and hurried away towards another table as two other officers arrived and pulled out chairs.

“Well, what are you going to do?” Jeremy asked, reaching for the tankard of cider.

“I don’t know, it won’t be the same without you. We signed up together and have been together these past ten plus years.” Lucas reached for his cider and took a sip, cutting the dust from his throat. “But there is nothing for me at home; I barely know my brothers or father, and my mother, though her duty was done with me when I was born. I doubt she even knows what I look like. I wasn’t even invited to my sister Bernice’s wedding; it’s like I don’t exist.”

“Well, my mother is fond of you; you can come home with me and help me sort things out. You were always better with numbers than I was in school.” Jeremy replied, gulping down his cider.

“I wouldn’t want to be a bother,” Lucas was tempted by his friend’s offer. He and Jeremy were both twenty- nine and had first met when they were both six at boarding school. Both of them were spare sons; Jeremy was a second son, while Lucas was a third. But Jeremy’s parents, unlike Lucas’, had showered Jeremy with love anytime he came home from school. Lucas had been sent away at six as his family didn’t want to deal with him, as he’d been a “mistake” according to his mother, while Jeremy had been sent to school because of the request of a rich grandfather. Jeremy’s grandfather had promised to leave him a sizeable inheritance if Jeremy attended the prestigious boarding school that his grandfather had never been allowed to attend. Jeremy’s mother was the daughter of a very wealthy Cornish businessman, whose father had started life as a miner and worked his way up to owning the mine.

The boys had bonded almost instantly as they shared a small attic room, and watched out for each other, protecting each other from bullies and sharing clothes and blankets in the winter. When the holidays had come, Lucas’ parents had refused to allow him to come home, so Jeremy had taken him home with him. Jeremy’s parents had been warm and welcoming and treated him like another son. Jeremy’s mother was also everything Lucas could want in a mother: warm, loving, kind, and encouraging. Lady Eaton never scolded the boys if they made a mess and encouraged them to have fun, whether it be having a snowball fight, helping her make Christmas biscuits, or making the Christmas pudding. During the summer, Lucas would come home with Jeremy and spend the summer following Jeremy’s older brother about the family’s large coastal estate, or learning to fish from Jeremy’s Cornish grandfather.

Jeremy’s family had embraced Lucas, while his own family had thrown him away. Lucas was the mistake, the unwanted extra son that had been born after the required number of children had been produced.

“Mother would be delighted to see you; you know she thinks of you as my twin now. You would probably be a comfort to her. I know you would be to me.” Jeremy replied as the waiter returned to set their food before them.

Lucas nodded, knowing that his friend spoke the truth. “You have convinced me, I’ll buy out too. Lord knows, without you to watch my back, I’ll ride off a cliff or get shot in a week.”

Jeremy chuckled as he reached for his mug of ale and lifted it to his friend. “To buying out and embracing civilian life.”

Lucas nodded as he lifted his own mug of ale and tapped it against Jeremy’s. Then men turned to their food, digging in with gusto. After a few minutes, Jeremy paused to look over at Lucas.

“I have the name of a ship that has cabins available; it’s sailing for London at the end of the month. My solicitor sent me a letter of credit for two hundred pounds to buy passage home and to buy out; it’s more than enough to purchase two first-class tickets and pay for food, lodgings, and anything else we might need.” Jeremy said.

Lucas paused. He hated taking coin from Jeremy, but it would cost at least a hundred pounds to buy out; his pay would barely cover that. While he had been saving most of his pay, he had to pay for the woman who cleaned his room and did his laundry. “Thanks in advance, and I will pay you back once I find a position.”

Jeremy shrugged, “The money is from my grandfather, he is eighty and still healthy as a horse. He asks about you all the time, you know, he thinks you would make a good manager at one of his mines. The position pays well, and there are bonuses if the mine produces more than usual.I was thinking of taking a position there myself before the accident.”

Lucas nodded, then he reached over to lay a hand on Jeremy’s arm in a quick comforting pat, before settling back into his food. The “accident” had changed Jeremy’s life forever, and his. Jeremy’s older brother Franklin, his wife, and their infant son had been traveling in the family coach. They were going to visit Franklin and Jeremy’s grandfather for his 80th birthday when a tree had fallen before the carriage. The horses had spooked and sent the carriage out of control, the traces had snapped, and the out-of-control carriage had rolled down a steep hill and then gone off a cliff into the sea. Jeremy and Lucas had both loved and worshiped Franklin as boys; he had been the perfect older brother, taking time with the two much younger boys to teach them things boys needed to know, such as riding, boxing, and how to handle bullies. The three girls had been left at home as they had colds, and Franklin hadn’t wanted to risk making his 80-year-old grandfather ill.

“I might just take him up on the offer. My family has no use for me, and my parents won’t exactly welcome me home. In all the years I have been in the army, my mother has only sent me four letters, and those were to notify me that my sisters had wed or had children. And I’ve never had a single line from my father.” Lucas tried to keep the bitterness out of his voice. The last thing his father had said to him when he was about to ship off was not to embarrass the family. Jeremy’s family had seen him off with tears, hugs, and tins of biscuits and candy.

“Thei, loss my friend, it’s decided then you shall come home with me. After a suitably long vacation, you shall take a position with my grandfather at one of his mines. He said that he wants you to stay with him while he teaches you the business.” Jeremy said, before turning back to his food.

“Thank you, you’re a good friend.” Lucas pushed down his anger again and dug back into his food.

After several minutes of eating in silence, there was a commotion at the entrance of the dining room, and a dusty rider approached the waiter, who was taking the order of the other officers. The waiter listened to the rider for a moment, and then turned to point towards Lucas’ and Jeremy’s table. The rider nodded his thanks, then walked over to Lucas and Jeremy’s table. The young man paused to salute Jeremy and Lucas.

“Lieutenant Davenport?” The rider asked.

“Yes, ensign, I’m Lieutenant Davenport,” Lucas replied, patting his mouth clean with a napkin.

The ensign saluted him, then reached to his belt and pulled out two envelopes, which he held out to Lucas. Lucas took the envelope with a frown as he returned the salute.

“The general wants me to wait for your answer; I’ll give you privacy, sir.” The ensign said, then turned and walked away to sit at a nearby table, where he sat and waved over the waiter.

“What is it?” Jeremy inquired.

“I don’t know,” Lucas, with some trepidation, looked at the return address on both envelopes. “One is from my sister Bernice, the other from the war office.” The one from his sister had a black border on it, which indicated a death in the family.

Nervously Lucas opened the one from his sister; he pulled out a letter written on expensive paper. He began to read and paused after a moment as his stomach dropped.

“Good lord Lucas, you’ve gone white as a sheet.” Jeremy said.

“There was an accident; my brothers were traveling in a curricle together when it apparently snapped an axel. The curricle flipped and they were both thrown out, they apparently died on the road.” Lucas paused as he digested the news, his brothers were dead. He should feel something about their loss, but he felt nothing. He had barely known his older brothers, he hadn’t even seen them in over fifteen years, and they had never bothered to write to him.

“Good lord, Lucas, I’m sorry, that is horrible,” Jeremy said.

“There is more. When my father heard the news, he had a heart attack and passed away. Apparently, I’m the earl now. My sister says that my brother was betrothed to a young woman from a noble family, and that my mother wants me to return, take up the mantel as the earl, and then, when a respectable time has passed, she wants me to become betrothed to this girl.” Lucas shook his head as he tossed the letter onto the table.

Lucas opened the second letter that was from the home office and quickly scanned it. “It is from the War Office, apparently, if I wish, I am released from duty upon receiving this letter. In addition, they will help me secure passage home if I wish. The war office says they can’t risk the last remaining male heir of a prestigious Earldom.”

“I am sorry, but you were planning to leave anyway. As a mere Marquis, they didn’t offer me the same courtesy; I had to pay to end my contract. What are you going to do?” Jeremy asked.

“Thank you. I know I should feel sad about their loss, but all I feel is numb. I never knew them; they never bothered with me, it was as if I didn’t exist to them. I still feel pain at the loss of your brother, but all I feel is numb and annoyed that my mother, who hasn’t bothered to write to me in a year, is now expecting me to marry a girl I never met. Well, I’ll be damned if I shall do what she wants, I’m the earl now, and I shall do as I wish.” Lucas stated.

Lucas handed the letter to Jeremy, then motioned for the ensign. The ensign put down the tankard he was drinking from and quickly stepped up to Lucas.

“Yes, sir?” The ensign asked.

“Please tell General Hammond that I will indeed be leaving, effective at the end of the week. And that I would consider it a great favor if my friend Lieutenant Jeremy Eaton, the new marquis of Axminister, were given passage with me.” Lucas stated.

The ensign nodded and then gave Lucas a quick salute. “Yes, sir, I’ll relay your message.”

“We are going home together; I think I’ll need your help, as I don’t know what to do. Your father and grandfather instructed you on what to do if anything ever happened to your brother. I’ve no clue.” Lucas said as he reached for his tankard of ale.

“Don’t worry, we shall figure this all out together, my friend, but your mother, as annoying as she is with her demand, is right. You need a wife; we both need wives. I have to think of protecting my nieces and my family seat, and you need to marry and start producing heirs. If I remember correctly, you have a second cousin who is in the Navy?” Jeremy said.

Lucas nodded after a moment, “Aye, you are right, but hopefully not a woman of my mother’s choice. I’d like to find an intelligent girl with a bit of spirit.”

“To going home and finding ladies,” Jeremy raised his tankard of ale to salute Lucas before returning to his food.

Lucas took a sip from his ale, then returned to his food as he thought about what Jeremy had said. Jeremy was right, he would need a wife, but he also remembered his mother’s cutting tongue and dismissive haughty looks. It would take a lot to stand against her and make his own way, but he would try.

****

Tabitha leaned on the railing of the steamship, watching the Statue of Liberty slide past as the massive ship headed out of the harbor. Beside her, her friends Heather and Emily were speaking in hush tones as their parents stood together sipping champagne. Hugh Emily’s adopted brother stood silent guard behind them as he had for the past year.

Emily had saved Hugh from two men who had beaten him up and thrown him into the Hudson River when she was twelve. Emily’s father, though poor, had taken him in and later adopted him. Hugh was a mountain of a man who guarded Emily and her little sister Violet like a knight of old.

“It is a lot different view than when we came to America,” Tabitha finally said.

“Indeed, last time we weren’t even allowed on deck; we had to watch through the locked iron gate to the deck. I remember thinking how big and grey everything looked.” Emily stated.

“At least you remember coming, I don’t remember anything about how I got to New York,” Hugh rumbled, earning a sympathetic pat from Emily.

“Don’t worry your, memory is coming back, and Doctor Lancaster said that returning to England will help you restore it. In a few months, you shall remember everything,” Emily replied, giving Hugh a smile and a one-armed hug.

“We had a little porthole to look through, but I remember being scared of arriving in a new country. Now I’m returning to my homeland, and I’m terrified again, silly, isn’t it?” Heather said with a sigh.

“Well, before we were all poor, with no friends and no contacts. Now we are returning with a group of supportive friends, piles of money in the bank, and houses waiting for us. Everything will be fine, you shall see. And if those snobs in the ton give us the cold shoulder, we shall just ignore them. We are all graduates of Mrs. Palmer’s School for Young Ladies. We have manners, poise, educations, and money, I say look out ton.” Tabitha stated giving her friends a buoyant smile. “Now I’m going down to the first-class lounge for a hot cocoa. Who wants to join me?”

Tabitha’s friends nodded and they headed for the door to the stairs that led down to the first-class lounge, followed by the ever-vigilant Hugh. Tabitha was pretending to be more positive than she actually felt. She was nervous about returning to England, though she didn’t know why. She and her family had made their fortune in the gold fields, she had endured scorching sun, freezing winters, animal attacks, months of little food, and back-breaking labor. Compared to everything she had endured, what did she have to fear from some rich snobs?

Chapter One

Tabitha knocked on her father’s open door; he looked up from his desk, smiling when he saw her. His blue eyes twinkling in delight at seeing her.

“Ah, Tabby, come in,” Her father nodded as she entered. He gave her a warm smile, making the crinkles around his eyes deepen.

Tabitha returned his smile, thinking what a handsome man he was. At fifty-five, he looked and moved like a much younger man. His tawny brown hair had just a hint of grey, and his dark blue eyes were full of intelligence and a hint of mischief. His well-cut jacket was pulled taut over his muscular shoulders and forearms. Years of hard manual labor and swinging a pick had left their mark. Her father was not only an attractive man, but he was well respected by other businessmen, for his knack at making money as well as his knowledge of horses and horse breeding.

Members of the ton came to him with their hands out, asking for money, loans to save them from their own folly, yet they would not invite him to dinner, as he had once been a stable master and horse trainer.

Tabitha and her older brothers were invited by matchmaking mothers and hostesses to their functions in the hope their presence would attract young marriage-minded men and women. Even though they were the children of an ex-stable master and a cook, they were rich, and the members of the ton needed money. Their money would get them invites, being rich and single made them marginally acceptable, it seemed.

“I wanted to thank you for helping your mother with finding and hiring the new servants. I know it has not been easy,” Her father motioned for her to take the empty chair beside him. “It was a brilliant idea to hire the men from the veterans’ hospital. They are all working out well, and those young ladies recommended by the pastors have done wonders cleaning the rooms.”

Tabitha and her mother had visited numerous employment agencies looking for servants, but struggled to find help. The agencies were happy to take their money but failed to supply them with household help. The owners of the agencies hadn’t wanted their reputations damaged by helping ex-servants hire servants. Tabitha and her friends had gone to several area churches in the poorer areas of town and found women on the church poor rolls willing to work as maids and laundresses. The young women were only too glad to live in a fine house, have three meals a day, clean clothing and a steady wage. Tabitha and her friends had also gone to the veteran’s hospital and found men, many with bad scars or missing limbs, who were delighted to be offered work as footmen, stable men and guards.

Tabitha and her friends and family didn’t care that the men had scars or were missing limbs; they were delighted to be given jobs and respect after being discharged from the army for being injured. While footmen were usually hired for their physical perfection, none of the men Tabitha had hired were perfect. Yet the men were all well suited for their positions, and in Tabitha’s mind made perfect guards and helpers.

“Thank you, Papa. I’m happy you are pleased. The men all need work and are so happy to be here.” Tabitha was delighted to give the veterans work. The men were all deserving of work and so much more after serving their country for years.

“But that isn’t the reason I asked you here. Lord Harding and his son Eustace are coming in a few minutes. I loaned them ten thousand pounds shortly after we arrived in London, and I offered him a favorable rate in exchange for introducing me to other peers.” Mr. Worthington paused.

“Yes, I remember it was a short-term loan and should be due soon if I remember correctly,” Tabitha stated.

“Indeed, but not only has he failed to uphold his promise of making introductions, but he has failed to make any interest payments.” Mr. Worthington shook his head.

“That is true, he has invited my brothers and I to his ball in a few weeks, but nothing more,” Tabitha replied.

“I need you to take notes of our meeting and serve as a witness. As you know, your mother and I are heading to Pennard Manor at weeks end to be with your grandparents and oversee the remodeling of the manor.” Mr. Worthington said.

“Of course I shall be happy too,” Tabitha replied.

Tabitha not only ran her cattle business but also worked as a secretary for her family business. There was a knock on the open door, and Sergeant Duncan appeared in the open door.

“Pardon, Sir, Miss, but there are two gents here to see you,” Sergeant Duncan said.

“Ah, yes, please show them in. Then let my wife know I’ll be ready in about an hour,” Mr. Worthington said.

“Aye, Sir,” Duncan turned and limped away. A few minutes later, the sergeant appeared with two well-dressed gentlemen.

Mr. Worthington rose and motioned for the men to take the seats before his desk.

“Gentlemen, please have a seat.” Mr. Worthington said.

“Thank you for seeing us on short notice, Mr. Worthington,” Lord Harding said.

“Yes, of course, and you know my daughter, of course,” Mr. Worthington said.

“Ah, yes, but what we have to discuss is best done in private,” Lord Harding stated, giving Tabitha a passing glance as if to say she didn’t matter.

Mr. Worthington frowned, “My daughter has acted as my assistant and clerk for years. Anything that you say to me, you can say before her.”

Lord Harding frowned, making the creases in his forehead deepen, “Very well. My investments have not paid off as I’d hoped, so I will need more time.”

“I see, but the agreement we made was very clear. You were to make weekly payments to my solicitor; if that didn’t happen, you would incur penalties,” Mr. Worthington said, leaning forward on the desk.

“Yes, I know, but I need more time.” Lord Harding protested.

“It isn’t as if you can’t afford it,” Sir Eustace Harding quipped, easing back in his chair as if he owned the office.

“But that is not the point. We made an agreement, if you can’t make a payment, then you must forfeit some of the collateral you put up, which I believe is a racehorse and a carriage,” Mr. Worthington stated evenly.

“You can’t mean to take Demon Flight, he has to run in a race this week,” Lord Harding sputtered, “And we need the carriage.”

“It was the collateral you listed, gentlemen,” Mr. Worthington replied, shaking his head.

Tabitha was annoyed that these men thought that just because they had titles, they should be treated differently from anyone else. When her father couldn’t pay back a loan, the banker hadn’t cared about their situation and taken their horse. Why should these men get a second chance when her father hadn’t?

“Yes, but we need more time. Surely we can come to another arrangement,” Lord Harding protested. “My daughter Catherine is soon to marry a wealthy man. After the wedding, we shall have the funds to repay you.”

Mr. Worthington studied the two men before him, noting their fine clothing, diamond cravat pins, and gold watch chains. The men before him had money by their dress; it was annoying that they claimed they could not repay the loan. Mr. Worthington exchanged a look with Tabitha, then turned back to the lords.

“I shall give you two more weeks, gentlemen, then I shall expect at least a token payment,” Mr. Worthington stated, making a note in the file before him.

“Yes, I understand. But surely we can come to some form of beneficial agreement, something that would enrich us both,” Lord Harding suggested.

“You made such an offer before. Other than you securing invitations for my sons and daughters to several functions, I have received nothing beneficial from our union,” Mr. Worthington stated. “As for the business ventures you suggested with your associates, none were fruitful. I had the so-called gentlemen investigated, and they are all deeply in debt and have questionable connections. It would be unwise to lend them funds.”

Lord Harding shifted in his seat, then exchanged a look with his son. “That is alarming news, sir, and I find it unbelievable. But it is your funds you must do as you think best. Now I was to discuss how our families could form a closer and more beneficial alliance.”

“A closer alliance?” Mr. Worthington inquired.

Lord Harding gave Mr. Worthington a twisted smile before turning his gaze to Tabitha and giving her an oily smile that made her skin crawl.

“I had wanted to wait till our families were better acquainted before I made my offer but, I think a close union between our houses would be beneficial to us both. Therefore, I am offering marriage to your daughter.” Lord Harding stated, giving Tabitha another twisted smile.

Tabitha had been diligently copying down everything said in shorthand when Lord Harding made his offer. Tabitha heard her father’s soft gasp, and she looked up to see her father was now clenching his fists while his face turned into an unreadable mask. Her father rarely lost his temper, but when he did it was something to behold. She did not want to be Lord Harding at this moment.

“I am willing to overlook your daughter’s many shortcomings and lack of looks to unite our families,” Lord Harding stated smugly.

“Do you think me addled-brained? Your offer of marriage is simply a ploy to try to gain her wealth.” Mr. Worthington stated evenly as he gripped the arms of his chair so hard that Tabitha was afraid he would crack the wood.

“Yes, in exchange, she will gain a title, and your family will be aligned with mine,” Lord Harding protested.

“If I wished to but my daughter a title, I could have done so twenty times over. We had barely moved into the house, and four penniless lords offered for her, hoping to obtain her funds,” Mr. Harding replied.

Lord Harding gave Mr. Worthington a look of indignation. “But I am a marquis.”

“Aye, and you are over fifty summers, and twice widowed.” Mr. Worthington replied. “You should know that I have had the best solicitors in England, Boston, and New York create an unbreakable premarital agreement that says everything my daughter owns shall remain hers after marriage Whoever she decides to marry will not get one pence of her money.”

“What? That is utter madness. You can’t let a mere female control her own finances; she will likely squander them on fripperies,” Eustace stammered.

“I see, but a man spending her money on drink, clubs, and gambling would be acceptable? My daughter, on her own, took six unwanted cows and created a herd of over three thousand. She runs a successful dairy business and is part-owner of a successful cotton mill. You, my lord, bankrupted your estates by gambling, whoring, and drinking. Do not tell me she doesn’t know how to handle her own money.” Mr. Worthington leaned forward over his desk again to glare at the two lords.

“I see so there is nothing I can say to change your? As I said, a union between our houses would be beneficial.” Lord Harding again turned to give Tabitha a sleazy smile.

Mr. Worthington turned to face Tabitha. “Tabitha, do you have any interest in marrying Lord Harding?”

“What you can’t ask her, she is a female, you tell her what to do and think,” Lord Harding protested.

“My daughter is capable of making up her own mind. She is a highly intelligent young woman and successfully runs her own businesses. She is also the one who would be marrying you. It is her life, so her choice?” Mr. Worthington gave the Hardings a hard look that made the pompous men sit back in their chairs.

Tabitha forced a smile while she shook her head. “While I am of course flattered by your offer, Lord Harding, I must decline. We do not know each other and have nothing in common; I do not think we would suit.”

“Then perhaps you will give me more time to get to know you, and change your mind.” Lord Harding said.

“My lord, my daughter has said no, and as to your loan, I will give you till the end of the month to repay me. Now, if you will excuse us, we have other appointments,” Mr. Worthington said. He picked up a large hand bell that was on his desk and rang it. A few moments later, Duncan appeared in the open door.

“Duncan, will you please see the gentlemen out?” Mr. Worthington stated, and Duncan nodded, then motioned towards the open hallway.

Lord Harding looked decidedly irritated for several heartbeats before schooling his features into a mask.

“Of course, and Miss Worthington, I look forward to seeing you at upcoming events. Perhaps I can change your mind yet,” Lord Harding rose and gave Tabitha a nod, while beside him, Eustace rose as well, giving Tabitha a dismissive look before following his father out of the office door.

Once the men were gone, Mr. Worthington turned to look at Tabitha as she shook his head.

“What a disagreeable man. And to think I would agree to giving you to him just because he is a count. The nerve of the man, and the way he spoke to you,” Mr. Worthington pushed back from his desk.

“Thank you, Father for not agreeing to his request. I was rather surprised you lent him money in the first place,” Tabitha finished her notes, then, standing, placed them in the folder beside her father. He added his own notes on top, then closed the folder.

“I know we were new to London, and I was told he would be beneficial for us to make new contacts.” Mr. Worthington shook his head. “And you know I would never force you to wed. While your mother and I would like you to wed into the nobility because of the benefits it would afford, you we would never force you to marry against your will. It is your life, Tabitha, and we will not tell you how to live it.”

“Thank you, Papa,” Tabitha replied. Tabitha was grateful her father was not like some fathers who demanded she marry whom he said.

Before Tabitha could reply, her mother appeared in the door.

“Morning, Rhys, you must excuse Tabby, she has to change to get changed for our appointment,” Her mother stated.

“Then you had better run along, my dear; it is not good to be late,” Mr. Worthington said.

“I’ll be right there, mother, and thank you, Papa,” Tabitha kissed her father on the cheek, then, picking up her notepad, followed her mother out of her father’s office.

* * * *

Tabitha followed her mother into the elegant sitting room of Mrs. Lincolnshire and waited for the arrival of Mrs. Lincolnshire and Lady Margaret. Her mother had seen the notice for Mrs. Lincolnshire’s employment agency and contacted her about hiring a companion for Tabitha. Mrs. Lincolnshire had responded that she had a candidate for her, a twenty-two-year old young lady who was the daughter of a lord, but who had fallen on hard times.

“The ladies will be with you shortly,” The officious, well-dressed butler said, before turning and leaving them alone in the room.

“Well, I never. He could have at least offered us a seat,” Mrs. Worthington, said looking about the room in annoyance.

Tabitha nodded in agreement; she, too, was tired of being like a dirty street urchin by not only the members of the ton but their servants. Apparently, being in trade was almost as bad as being Welsh, Scottish, and ex-servants.

“That is true, Mama. What do you think of the furniture? The parlor still needs to be furnished, as does the receiving room.” Tabitha asked, looking at the dark red crushed velvet covered chairs, two matching round end tables, and a red velvet settee.

“Two posh for my tastes, though the color does match the carpet I like,” Mrs. Worthington replied. “I much prefer the sensible furniture you purchased for your office. It is simple and well-made.”

Tabitha gave her mother a smile of thanks. What had been designed as a large formal morning room at the front of their house, Tabitha had made into her office. Tabitha’s family had insisted she take the large room as it had several built-in-book-cases, a private wash-room, and enough space for two desks and a large table.

Tabatha and her brothers had purchased the furniture at the naval yard, when it had been placed on auction. The furniture had been removed from several decommissioned naval ships and was all good solidly, built oak furniture. She and her brothers had purchased several desks, bookcases, and a large chart table. Tabitha’s desk had once belonged to a captain and had numerous and cunningly designed drawers.

“Thank you, mother, but perhaps a sofa in blue damask, like Lady Philmont’s?” Tabitha proposed.

“Oh yes, I did like that,” Mrs. Worthington replied, then, with a sigh, looked about the room again. “Hopefully, they won’t keep us waiting much longer; we both have other appointments today.”

Tabitha could only nod in agreement and hoped they didn’t have to wait much longer. She was to meet her friends for lunch and then attend a lecture on steam engines. She’d been looking forward to the lecture, even though as a female, she and her friends were relegated to the gallery.

* * * *

Margaret gave her friend Ester a nervous smile. Since leaving her parents’ home and seeking refuge with Ester, she’d been looking for a position as a companion to a wealthy woman. A few offers had come in but they were for her to work as a governess, and Ester had refused them on her behalf, saying she knew the families and it wouldn’t be safe for Margaret’s virtue to work there.

Margaret’s father had demanded she marry a much older and rather repellent lord to settle his gambling debts. When she had refused, her father had locked her in her chamber for several days and allowed her only bread and water. When he had finally let her out and made an ultimatum, marry or move out. Margaret would rather starve than marry Lord Rufus, who was repugnant to her. Margaret had moved out when her father had left for his club. When she left, her mother had slipped her ten pounds, her pin money for the last few months.

Luckily, Margaret had Ester, and she’d fled to her house. Ester had agreed to give her shelter and offered to help her find a position.

“We shouldn’t keep them waiting,” Margaret said, looking over at Ester, who shrugged. Margaret had never had to seek employment before, never even considered it before. As a young girl, she had dreamed of meeting a rich, handsome lord, perhaps falling in love and marrying. Now her future looked bleak; she was looking for work and hiding from Lord Rufus.

“If they were titled, we wouldn’t, but they are in trade, so they can wait,” Ester replied, reaching up to check her coiffeur.

Margaret didn’t want to remind her friend that she’d married a lowly baron against her parents’ wishes, who was also in trade, as was Ester. She didn’t want to end up on the street by upsetting her friend.

Lester, Ester’s butler, shuffled into Ester’s office. “They are in the parlor, ma’am.”

“Thank you, Lester, come, Margaret, I suppose we have let them wait long enough. Now, remember, let me do the talking first. I must be sure they are a good fit for you,” Ester stated.

“All right,” Margaret replied, and, forcing down her nerves, followed Ester down the wide corridor and into the parlor.

Two elegantly dressed women stood in the parlor; by their similar features, they were obviously mother and daughter. The women’s day gowns, while conservative, dark blue, were made from fine fabric and well-made, with the older woman’s day dress edged with lace. The older woman had a flower pin on her shoulder made of gold and what appeared to be diamonds. The older woman was perhaps in her late forties and was absolutely striking, with light grey eyes, strawberry blonde hair, and a good figure. Her hair was in an elegant updo under a stylish bonnet.

The younger woman was a few inches shorter than the other, with hair the color of fox fur and huge blue eyes. The younger woman had striking looks and in the right gown, would easily be heralded as a diamond, despite her lack of stature.

Both women turned as she and Ester entered and executed perfect curtseys.

“Mrs. Worthington, Miss Worthington, hello and welcome. I’m Mrs. Lincolnshire, and this is Lady Margaret. If you would like to take a seat,” Ester said, indicating the two high-backed wooden chairs a few feet away.

“Thank you,” Mrs. Worthington replied with a nod and eased into one of the chairs while Miss. Worthington took the other then looked over at Ester. “I expect you have questions for us?”

“Yes, I do. You must understand that I must protect Lady Margaret,” Ester replied, as she and Margaret took seats on the overstuffed sofa.

“Of course, you have probably read those stories in the paper about us, so I will tell you the truth. My husband was a stable master, and I was a cook and a lady’s maid.” Mrs. Worthington said. “When we lost our positions through no fault of our own and were cast from our home, we went to America. Thereafter, saving up the funds we made our way to California, and where we discovered gold, a great deal of it. My husband, sons, and daughter now each run our company, and in addition, companies of their own.”

Mrs. Worthington turned to smile at her daughter, “Tabitha attended one of the most prestigious girls’ finishing schools in Boston, where she met her current friends.”

“What is a finishing school?” Margaret asked.

“It is an American term for a boarding school that teaches subjects offered to young men at a university. Tabitha speaks five languages and knows history, politics, and science.” Mrs. Worthington said proudly.

“Good heavens. They teach those subjects to young women in America?” Lady Margaret asked in surprise. She had heard America was a backward country and was surprised to know that such subjects were taught. She had been taught to read and write basic math and how to play the piano. It was thought that too much knowledge was bad for a woman’s brain.

“Why yes, Mrs. Brewster, who founded the school some sixty years ago, believes that women are not only capable of learning everything a man does but of surpassing them. She trains young ladies to be not only wives and mothers but business owners and leaders.” Tabitha replied. “She said that more business is done in dining rooms than board rooms, and an intelligent woman by whispering in the right ear can change the world.”

“Good heavens, what a marvelous woman,” Ester exclaimed. She turned to look over at Margaret, who nodded ever so slightly.

“Now what position do you wish Lady Margaret to fill?” Ester asked.

“Tabitha and her friends, Miss Wright and Miss Ryan, are flooded with invitations daily by members of the ton who hope to form alliances with my family or with potential matrimony in mind, as they all have substantial fortunes.” Mrs. Worthington paused. “Lady Margaret would be a guide, shall we say, helping the girls meet only the right people and avoid those that would seek to harm them, as well as a chaperone.”

Mrs. Worthington looked over at Tabitha, who nodded.

“In addition, I need expert help responding to the numerous correspondences that come in, and well a social secretary,” Tabitha said giving Lady Margaret a smile. “Most mornings I respond to business letters for several hours, and consult reports, before meeting my friends to attend lectures. Then, after supper, we usually attend some events such as a musical, a card party, or a ball. We usually leave these functions by midnight as I’m an early riser.”

“If I may ask, won’t Mr. Worthington object to paying such a large salary?” Ester inquired.

Mrs. Worthington frowned. “Why would my husband object? Tabitha shall be paying Lady Margaret’s salary, and I shall be helping to fund her clothing allowance.”

“But how shall Miss Worthington be able to afford such a generous salary if you don’t mind my bluntness?” Ester asked with a frown.

“That is simple, as I said, Tabitha, in addition to owning shares of the gold mine, owns her own company and runs it. She makes a substantial profit from it.” Mrs. Worthington replied

“I see just a few more questions. In addition to your husband, you said you have sons living in the house? How many?” Ester asked, giving Mrs. Worthington an imperious look.

“I have two sons, who I assure you are perfect gentlemen,” Mrs. Worthington replied.

“Do you have any other questions for us?” Tabitha asked. She was becoming annoyed by the way Mrs Lincolnshire was looking at her and her mother, like they were beneath her.

“Yes I have one, why such a generous offer?” Ester asked. “Such a large amount is most irregular.”

“Firstly, as a sign of respect to her rank and secondly because I know what it is like to be poor, to have to wonder where your next meal will come from, if you shall be cold when you go to bed, even if you will have a place to sleep?” Tabitha replied. “If I can help another woman become independent, than I am happy to do so.”

“That is a very frank answer, Miss Worthington,” Ester replied.

“I was raised to be truthful. Now, Lady Margaret, are you interested in the position?” Tabitha asked.

“Oh yes, Miss Worthington, I look forward to coming and work for you,” Margaret replied. She had taken an almost instant liking to Miss Worthington, who spoke remarkably well and carried herself with great poise. If she hadn’t known Miss Worthington was the daughter of servants, she would think she’d been born into the ton.

“Wonderful,” Tabitha, who was still standing, extended her gloved hand to Lady Margaret, who stared at it. Margaret had only ever seen men shake hands, never women.

“It is an American custom to seal an agreement, or when you greet a new person, both men and women shake hands in America,” Tabitha stated.

“Oh, I see, how very progressive of them,” Margaret replied and took Miss Worthington’s hand, and was given a rather firm shake.

“Excellent, I shall have two copies of the contract delivered to you this afternoon. Feel free to have a solicitor look it over. I will have a carriage come by around four to bring you and your belongings to our house, that way you can settle in tonight.” Tabitha stated. “Our house is on Brook Street and overlooks Grosvenor Square in Mayfair, and is about a ten-minute ride from here.”

“Oh, I see, that is an excellent location,” Ester stated.

“Yes the house once belonged to a duke who lost his fortune,” Mrs. Worthington stated as she rose and came to stand beside Tabitha.

“Yes, that is most agreeable,” Margaret had presumed that because the Worthington’s were in trade they resided in one of the newer less fashionable sections of London and not Mayfair. She’d never imagined that she would live in Mayfair.

“Wonderful, I’ll see you later today then and I look forward to working with you,” Tabitha stated.

“Thank you ladies, Lester shall see you out,” Ester motioned with her hand and Lester shuffled forward.

“Thank you ladies,” Mrs. Worthington said with a nod, then turned to slip from the room followed by Tabitha.

When Ester heard the front door close she turned to look at Margaret.

“Well what do you think, the offer is generous and their house is in an excellent part of the city. But they are in trade,” Ester sniffed loudly as if she smelled something foul.

“True, but they both speak excellently, better than I would have thought of someone from their backgrounds,” Margaret replied.

“I’m not sure I approve of servants aping their betters, but times are changing, I suppose? I would understand if you don’t want the position, they are common after all. I received two more letters this morning, people looking for companions for their aged mothers. The pay would be a fraction of what the Worthington girls is offering, but you would be among your own kind,” Ester said, reaching for the small hand bell on the end table.

Margaret was grateful for her friendship with Ester, and for her giving her a place to live and helping her find a position, but she didn’t agree with the assessment that the Worthington’s were aping their betters or that they were common. Margaret thought that it was rather amazing that the Worthington’s had gone from impoverished, unemployed servants to one of the wealthiest families in London, if the accounts were true.

“No, that won’t be necessary. I think the position will suit me, and the salary will be enough for me to save up and buy my own cottage in a few years.” Margaret replied, pushing to her feet. “Thank you for your help, Ester. I’d better go pack.”

Ester waved her hand dismissively, “I was happy to help, and I enjoyed your company, and the finder’s fee I intend to charge them shall be more than worth any expense at taking you in. I’m thinking seventy-five pounds should be about right. If you need any help packing ask Peggy to help. She is a bit simple-minded but neat.”

“Thank you, I will,” Margaret gave Ester a smile, then hurried from the room. She truly was looking forward to working with Miss Worthington and living in their mansion. She also didn’t agree with Ester’s opinion and was rather shocked that Ester intended to charge them the exorbitant amount of seventy-five pounds. She knew that she only paid her butler fifteen pounds a year, but she was in no position to criticize her friend. Margaret climbed the stairs to the second floor and walked down the corridor to the end, where her small room was. She didn’t have much to pack, just two small bags that she’d been able to take with her when she fled her parents’ home.

Margaret opened the door and stepped into the sparsely furnished little room, wondering what her new room would look like. Mrs. Worthington had said she would have her choice of one of the suites. Suites implied more than one room which would be amazing and lovely. Even in her parents’ home, she’d only ever had a small room, as she was simply a daughter. Five hundred pounds a year and a new wardrobe, it was almost too good to be true. She was looking forward to her new life and a chance at being finally free. She would no longer be under her father’s or brother’s thumb, or even have to answer to Ester; she would have her own funds and the freedom to do as she liked, it was a rather unfathomable idea.