ladies of society did not take note of their servants, and this lord did not seem any different. She had quaked in her boots the very first time she had helped him tie a cravat, but the earl hadn’t deigned to glance at her. His eyes had been fixed on some point beyond her, and that suited her purpose well.
Since living with her stepfather, she had learned that servants were not seen or heard. They moved about their employers’ homes like little elves, working their magic in keeping the mansion cleaned, food ready, clothes laundered and pressed, and always at the beck and call of their mistresses and masters. No matter the hour of the night, her stepfather, and his son, only had to ring a bell and someone would appear, desperately trying not to appear sleepy for fear of being scolded.
Juliana had used all of that knowledge to her advantage, and everything had been going well. Then a few hours ago, in his chamber, she had seen a revelation on his face. Something about her had rattled him…and there had been another emotion in his eyes that had sent her heart surging with alarm.
How frightening and strangely thrilling the entire encounter had seemed to Juliana’s overwrought nerves. And then in the library just now! How shocking it had been for the earl to invite her to drink and play chess with him! As if they were acquaintances of similar rank. So many people wouldn’t have deigned to lower themselves to have a drink with people of a class they considered beneath their own.
Her nerves had almost shattered at their interlude in the library. Despite her nonexistent charms, she had wrapped her breasts with linen and cut her waist-length hair to make it easier to fit a wig. Yet the earl’s probing stare had been frightening. Almost as if he could see through her, see that she was indeed a lady.
She wondered what thoughts robbed him of sleep and hoped the earl demanding her presence in the late-night would not be a frequent occurrence. Despite his assurance she could sleep late, Juliana wouldn’t dare. This job was too important to her for any missteps.
“Enough,” she muttered, thoroughly aggrieved.
Juliana pushed away from the door and hurried toward the servant’s quarters. The rest of the house slept, and she made her way up the winding staircase and to her small chamber that was surprisingly comfortable.
She closed the door behind her and removed her men’s clothes. With a sigh of relief, she undid the bindings, opened her small armoire, and took out her nightshirt. Once clothed, she slipped beneath the sheets and turned onto her side.
Why did you notice me?
It was then she acknowledged the grave disquiet sitting in her belly. What if the Earl suspected her identity? Surely he would have booted her out of his house or have her arrested for fraud?
“He did fire me,” she muttered, turning onto her other side. “But I am still here.”
Perhaps there was nothing to worry about, and she only needed to ensure her duties were executed well. “I am simply to be his personal attendant for the next seven weeks. I’ll ensure his clothes are tip-top, clean his boots, carry up the water for his bath, put out his clothes for dressing, shave him if necessary, assist him in dressing if required, and pack and unpack his clothes when he travels. Also, load his rifle whenever he goes shooting or hunting, stand behind his chair at dinner, wait at his breakfast and luncheon!” Juliana huffed out a groan. “How am I to last for seven more weeks?”
Bloody hell!
Chapter 3
A few hours later, Juliana trudged up the servant’s staircase of the palatial country house, a bit breathless from the exercise. A pretty maid with curly blonde hair under a lacy cap and large gray eyes, deliberately rubbed her hips against Juliana’s as she passed her.
“Mornin’ Julian,” she said a bit breathlessly. “I didn’t see you at supper last night!”
“I was reading,” Juliana mumbled, averting her stare from the girl’s flirtation and continuing her trek. And playing chess, drinking brandy, and trying not to ogle the earl.
“I know I am not supposed to have followers, but…I like you, Julian. Tomorrow is my off day, would ye like to take a stroll with me in the village,” she said expectantly.
She was gorgeous, and playing a game Juliana did not have the time for. “Look…Molly—”
“It’s Mary!”
Juliana stared at her for a few seconds until the girl fidgeted. “Mary,