Tea for Two
by Cheri Chesley
This is a work of fiction, and the views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author. Likewise, certain characters, places, and incidents, unless specified in the acknowledgements, are the product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events or locales, is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Published by Chesley Books
Copyright 2015
Tea for Two
Cheri Chesley
Acknowledgements
When I originally wrote this story more than twenty years ago, I still had so much to learn. I’m grateful for my husband, Bryan, who always insisted this story was worth saving, and to my children who continue to give me so much support and encouragement. I’m inexpressibly blessed to have an extended family who continues to support my writing, and a network of talented writers, editors, and publishers who continue to mentor, offer advice, and generally encourage writers still fairly new to the craft.
Much thanks, again, to Crystal Liechty, my editor, for her praise and suggestions. You have a talent for helping me see my story’s potential.
And, as always, I offer my gratitude to God for my talents, and also for the wonderful people He has put in my life to help me best express what He has given me.
For Bryan, my forever love.
Nineteen years, and it still feels like yesterday.
The world of Eeryan is not unlike our own—kingdoms and principalities with rich histories of love, hate, vengeance, war, peace, epic battles, and natural disasters. There are diverse kingdoms to discover and vast land masses to traverse, as well as a Great Sea that essentially holds it all together.
In the land of Brundidge, so far across the Sea from kingdoms like Demarde and Fayterra as to be almost unheard of, there is no remaining magic. There is, however, a just king and stately queen, the right amount of heirs, and a love story that will warm your heart.
CHAPTER 1
Don’t tell! Promise me you will never tell.
Shannah pushed Garnette’s words back into the recesses of her mind and concentrated on scrubbing the flagstones. She thought of her sister often this time of year, but she couldn’t afford to be distracted. Everything had to be just perfect for Viscountess Wyndham’s birthday celebration, or the entire household would suffer—and they all knew it.
The Viscountess wasn’t a particularly difficult woman to please but she had her preferences, and since her husband’s death last autumn, she had pressed her inclinations without exception.
But even before his death, the viscount made certain his wife’s annual birthday celebration was a party to be envied. A certain standard had been set, and it was a point of pride among the household staff that the standard be upheld.
Shannah frowned at a particularly stubborn spot of ick. Her ladyship would not be pleased if her guests saw that. She worked it away, alternating with the brush and her fingernail until the spot gleamed like the rest of the stones. She didn’t take the time to wonder what she’d just scraped up, though she dipped her hand in the soapy water for good measure.
Boot steps behind her drew her attention. Viscount Wyndham climbed the stairs that led to the front door, to where she knelt, his freshly muddied boots leaving a whole new mess on the gleaming front steps.
She gasped and he looked up, noticing her. His rich chocolate eyes quickly took in the bucket, her scrub brush, and the mud in his wake.
He had the grace to look chagrined. “I’m terribly sorry. That was thoughtless of me.”
Shannah refrained from agreeing. Instead she started to rise.
“Here.” He moved like lightning to her side, a hand at her elbow.
“Thank you, my lord.”
“Please, don’t. It’s silly to thank me after the mess I’ve just made for you.” He gestured toward the manor. “I’ll send someone to help you. It’s the least I can do.”
“Everyone is busy preparing for my lady’s ball, my lord,” she said. “Mrs. Scrab can’t spare another.”
“Ah, yes.” He shot her a disarming smile, white teeth gleaming against his midnight complexion. “My mother’s party. I should get out of your way, then.”
She looked up at him. “If I could, my lord, I would suggest you leave your boots outside. Alice and Jayne have spent the last hour polishing the floor.”
“A wise suggestion. Thank you, Shannah.”
She blinked. He knew her name?
He seemed to read her mind. “Come now, I haven’t accumulated so many servants that I can’t remember all their names.”
She lowered her head. “My lord.”
He slid off his boots and left them by the door before entering the house. Shannah watched him go. His father had been a rather serious, stern man, but the new viscount was so nice. She could almost forget how dangerous he was.
Shannah looked at his boots and imagined Joshua, his valet, retrieving them for cleaning. She shook her head and took a rag to them, wiping all the excess mud off the boots and the steps where they sat. They would still need a good polishing, but at least mud wouldn’t drip from them onto the carpets as Joshua carried them up the stairs.
She returned to the steps and cleaned off all the fresh mud the viscount left behind. Once she’d finished, Shannah carried her things around to the kitchen entrance of the house. She’d just poured the filthy water from her bucket when she heard a crash followed by a cry of pain.
Shannah raced into the kitchen. She didn’t get far, though, because a crowd had started to gather around Jayne, who sat wailing on the floor, an overturned stepladder behind her. Mrs. Scrab, the housekeeper, stood over the maid, wringing her hands.
“What happened?” Shannah asked Alice, who stood nearest.
“Mrs. Scrab told Jayne to fetch the pan up on that high shelf, and Jayne said she wouldn’t because that ladder’s too rickety.” Alice shook her blond head. “Mrs. Scrab told her to mind, so up Jayne went. But the ladder gave way.”
Shannah’s eyes went to Mrs. Scrab. Jayne wasn’t well liked, for she had a tendency to be lazy and was more outspoken than most, but kindly, plump Mrs. Scrab had always been kind to Shannah. Now tears were gathered on those pale, round cheeks, and Shannah slid through the crowd to put an arm around her friend.
“What is this racket?”
Even Jayne quieted at Lord Brendan’s voice. He stood at the door that led into the hall, his hands on his hips. Shannah’s eyes swept over his boot clad feet. It struck her funny that he hadn’t appeared before the staff in his stockings.
“Oh, my lord, it’s my fault!” Millie Scrab wailed. “I made Jayne fetch for me but the ladder gave way and she fell. I’m afraid she’s hurt badly.”
Shannah watched his face. He didn’t look entirely pleased, but his frustration didn’t appear to be directed at his housekeeper. She breathed a sigh of relief.
Lord Brendan strode quickly to where Jayne sat and knelt beside her. “May I have a look, Jayne?”
Shannah noticed Jayne didn’t appear to be in horrible pain as she studied the handsome viscount. “Of course, my lord,” Jayne said and offered him her ankle. “I think I turned it when I fell.”
He took her foot in one hand and carefully felt her ankle with the other. After a moment, he let out a sigh. “Nothing appears to be broken. Can you stand?”
“I shall try, my lord,” Jayne said.
He got to his feet and offered her a hand. Once upright, Jayne stepped gingerly on her injured foot but brought it up w
ith a cry of pain.
Lord Brendan smiled at her. “I think I shall have to carry you.” He didn’t wait for a reply but swept Jayne into his arms. “The rest of you, I trust, can get back to work now. Millie, send that ladder out to be repaired.”
“Yes, Lord Brendan,” Millie said to his retreating back. She grabbed Shannah’s elbow.
“Go with them, girl. Who knows what Jayne will do to the poor boy once she’s got him alone.”
Shannah followed reluctantly. Let Jayne have her fun, she thought. Lord Brendan could take care of himself.
Jayne directed the viscount to the room she shared with Alice and Louise. He placed her gently on the bed, but Jayne didn’t seem inclined to let go. Shannah noted he had to remove her arms from his neck so he could stand.
He noticed her then. “Ah, Shannah.”
“Mrs. Scrab sent me to help,” she said.
“That’s all right, Shannah,” Jayne said, her flushed face a message Shannah read with ease. “I’m sure his lordship has everything well in hand.”
Lord Brendan cleared his throat. “Nonsense. Shannah can wrap your ankle much better than I ever could. Will you see to it, please?”
Shannah nodded and went to fetch bandages from the cupboard. When she returned, Lord Brendan stood near the window, as far from Jayne as he could be without actually leaving the room. Jayne pouted on her bed.
Shannah sat on the edge of the bed and carefully took Jayne’s boot and stocking off.
“Ouch! You clumsy oaf,” Jayne hissed at her, blue eyes narrowed.
“I’m sorry,” Shannah said. “I’m being as gentle as I can.”
“You’re doing just fine.” Lord Brendan had moved to stand just over her shoulder.
Shannah caught herself before she flinched. She concentrated instead on wrapping Jayne’s ankle. He appeared satisfied that she knew what she was doing and moved to the window. Shannah’s hands slipped once when she stole a glance at his handsome profile. She turned back to the bandage resolutely. Brendan Wyndham was treacherous, and she would do well to remember that!
CHAPTER 2
Brendan remained at the window, but his attention centered on the girl behind him. Shannah had an inescapable beauty, with her pert little nose, caramel skin, and large eyes. That mass of ebony curls hanging down her back didn’t hurt, either. But he’d never consider dallying with someone in his employ. He’d been raised better than that. Still, watching her care for the injured maid stirred something deep within his heart. Something he would do well to resist.
He heard the bed frame creak when she rose, and felt her draw near to him. But when her hand touched his arm, it was all he could do not to leap out of his skin. He turned and looked down into the depths of her eyes. Brown hardly did them justice. They were the color of honey on a warm day.
“I am finished, my lord,” she said.
“Very well.” He pulled away from her, suddenly desperate to put distance between them. “Jayne, I trust you will be more careful in the future.”
“Wait,” Jayne said from the bed. “I am in need of something else.”
Brendan closed his eyes, willing for patience he didn’t feel. Jayne had been hurt in his home, she was his employee, and he bore some responsibility for her. She didn’t deserve to suffer simply because he had an odd reaction to Shannah.
“What is it?” he asked, forcing kindness into his tone.
Jayne cast her eyes about a moment before throwing her arm dramatically over her face. “Oh, my head, my lord. It aches so fiercely. I fear I cannot stand it.”
Brendan did sigh then. Why women felt playing at being helpless endeared them to men he would never understand. He had learned from his military service that he preferred people to be capable—male or female.
“I’m certain Shannah can tend to your needs,” he said, biting back the impatience he felt. “I am of little help in a sick room.”
Shannah nodded. “I’ll get you a cool cloth and pull the drapes.” She moved immediately to the windows.
Brendan’s relief could surely be felt throughout the room. “Thank you, Shannah. Jayne, I do hope you feel better soon.” And without waiting for a word from either of them, he disappeared into the hall.
Brendan returned to his study to seek a moment of privacy, only to find Mrs. Scrab waiting for him. “Is everything all right, Millie? I trust dinner hasn’t been delayed.”
“Oh, no sir,” she said. “I only wanted to remind you Jayne was supposed to serve at your mother’s party, and now I will have to replace her.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You don’t need my approval for that. Do whatever you feel is best.”
Millie seemed anxious as she approached him. “Yes, of course, thank you. I plan to ask Shannah to serve. She’s been trained same as the other maids, but she’s never served at the table or at a party before. But I have no one else.”
Something in her tone pricked his curiosity. “I’m sure Shannah will do fine. Do you doubt her abilities?”
“Oh, no,” Millie said. “Shannah’s my best worker. It’s just that she usually doesn’t stay late into the evening, and I worry about her.”
Brendan had the distinct impression he’d missed an important fact. “Millie, what is it you’re trying not to tell me?”
Still the woman hedged. “Well, there were some things the girl told me in confidence. I’m not sure I should divulge them, but it’s clear you don’t know and you probably should.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose to ward off the coming headache. “If you feel there’s something amiss, you should certainly tell me. She’s not stealing, is she?”
“Nothing like that,” Millie said. “There’s no one more honest or hardworking in all of Brundidge. But that’s just the thing. Shannah arrives before the other maids, volunteers for upstairs duties if there’s a girl sick, and has even helped out the stable boys on more than one occasion.”
Brendan leaned forward and steepled his fingers. “Why would one girl work so much?” he wondered.
“If you’ll bear with me, my lord, I’m getting to that. You see, Shannah’s parents and sister all died in the same epidemic that took your dear father. So it’s fallen to her to tend the family cottage, and care for the young ones her parents left behind.”
Millie held herself so seriously it was all Brendan could do not to laugh with relief. Younger siblings? This was Shannah’s dark secret? He didn’t interrupt when his housekeeper continued.
“It’s because of them that I always make certain she leaves before dark. I’d hate to have her travel the distance through the woods alone at night. But, if she serves at the party, that’s exactly what will happen.”
Brendan smiled. “I’m certain one or two of the footmen would be happy to escort her home.” But the words soured on his tongue and sounded wrong to his ears. “Or I could see her home myself.”
Millie gasped. “Oh, my lord, I’m certain she would appreciate your kindness, but you will have guests and responsibilities.”
Brendan’s smile faded as he considered that truth. “I can send her home in the carriage. Don’t fret, Millie. We’ll sort everything out. My mother would be most displeased if we served short-handed at her birthday celebration, but I can’t very well turn one of my maids into the night with no protection or care for her well-being. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.”
Millie curtsied. “Of course, my lord.”
Alone, Brendan tried to turn his attention to matters of business, but his thoughts kept returning to the soft-spoken servant and her beguiling manner. What would cause one girl to work so much? Had her family left her with debt? He eyed the mounting pile of bills for his mother’s party. Surely Shannah didn’t have an elaborate lifestyle, but there were other things that could incur debt.
And why did it suddenly matter so much to him? His interest in Shannah began and ended where it concerned her employment, as it should. The fact that she spent more time here than any other servant shouldn
’t worry him. At least the work got done.
Millie’s conviction of Shannah’s honesty sat well with Brendan. If only the same could be said of all of the people in his employ. But if she was so honest, why did he feel she had secrets?
Brendan mentally shook himself to rid his mind of Shannah’s image so he could concentrate on the bills from his mother’s party. However, his traitorous thoughts kept returning to the maid. She intrigued him—only it was more than that.
After a moment, Brendan realized Shannah’s odd story presented a mystery—an honest, hard worker with secrets. He’d never been able to let a puzzle alone without at least attempting to solve it. Perhaps this was why he had so much trouble getting her out of his thoughts. He had to understand.
It took no time at all for him to convince himself that, as her employer, he had a right to know what she did with her time and why. He didn’t pause to examine the correctness of that conclusion, but accepted it and formulated a plan. He would have to investigate. He would have to talk to the girl. He would have to see her in her natural environment—at her home.
Now, how to accomplish that without appearing to be up to something nefarious?
CHAPTER 3
Shannah did her best to contain her elation as she chopped potatoes. Serving at the ball? She’d be able to see all the ladies’ beautiful gowns up close! Millie had returned from speaking with the viscount and informed her of the change in plans. Shannah had nodded obediently and returned to her work.
“Oh, dear, I also spoke to Lord Brendan about your unique circumstance,” Millie said from behind her.
Shannah froze. “Which circumstance?” she asked, hating the quiver of fear in her voice.
“We are both concerned about you walking all the way home in the dark after the ball.”
Shannah relaxed. “I’m certain I will be fine, ma’am.”
“Nevertheless, the viscount has promised to provide you with an escort so you can return home each night safely. He’s so considerate.” Millie bustled away.