I furrowed my brows as I watched her pour warm water from the kettle into a washbasin. That poor girl. She was just an innocent child who hadn’t known any better, and if he’d truly taken advantage of her, that makes it all the worse. She placed the washbasin of warm water on the table next to me.

“How awful,” I mumbled, lifting my arms as I pulled my nightshirt over my head.

“It is certainly a shame,” She replied simply, submerging a cloth in the water and wringing it out tightly. I closed my eyes as she washed my back with the warm water. It was heavenly.

“What did Mr. Abraham request of you?” She asked curiously. I had almost forgotten about it.

“He asked me to take a new assignment as a footman,” I said with a sigh.

She stopped and walked around to look me in the face.

“Henry! That’s fantastic! Why do you look so glum?” She squealed, plopping down in my lap, planting a few kisses on my lips.

“He wants me to be the footman and coachman of the disgraced Duke's Daughter,” I said, placing my forehead in the crook of her neck.

“That’s what you're worried about?” She said, I felt her chuckle reverberating throughout her body.

“This position holds shame, not only for her but for us!” I replied, looking up at her seriously.

“Henry,” She said, cupping my face in her hands.

“This is a great opportunity for you, for us. We could start a family sooner than we’d hoped,” She said, kissing my lips lightly.

“People may talk, but that’s all it is. It doesn’t change what you provide for this family.” She continued bringing her lips back to mine, before I was able to get a word in.

I closed my eyes, my mind growing blank as her kisses grew more urgent. She suddenly broke away and stood up. I blinked a few times, trying to bring myself back to reality. Staring up at the goddess before me, our eyes locked. Her soft lips tinted pink from our passionate kiss. My eyes lowered, her nipples had shown hard through the thin linen nightdress.

Her eyes bore through me, they were dark and needy. My heart pounded loudly in my chest as she lowered to her knees before me. I groaned as she took my partially erect member in her warm mouth. Closing my eyes in ecstasy as her magical movements sent shocks through my body, only opening them as I felt her leave me. I watched her with growing desire as she slowly bunched her nightdress up to her stomach, her hips swaying. I could see her womanly dew glistening in the room's low candlelight.

“I don’t want you to think about what others will say, Henry,” She said softly, climbing on top of me.

One hand rested on my shoulder while the other reached down and tightly grabbed ahold of my member, stroking it as she aligned herself over my manhood.

“I only want you to focus on your family,” she said, slowly lowering herself down onto me. What bliss!

I grabbed her hips tightly, thrusting upward. Urgently trying to burrow as deep into her as I could. She cried out, clinging to me as I ravaged her. Stretching myself into her innermost part. Her body suddenly convulsed, her legs clenching tightly around me. I sighed as I leaned my head against her breasts. Our sticky passion puddled between our most intimate parts.

We separated ourselves and I carried her across the room to the bed. It didn’t take long before she was fast asleep. I gently covered her with a blanket, but lay awake beside her. Unable to close my eyes. Too many thoughts had been swirling through my mind all day. At least knowing where she stood on the matter made my decision easier.

I finally closed my eyes and let sleep take me. Hoping to get some semblance of rest before what awaited me on the morrow.

~DAY TWO~

Anger

“COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!”

I opened my eyes, staring up at the wooden beams barely visible in the dark morning light. My lips couldn’t help but curl up as I thought about the night's previous events. I made my way to her side of the bed pulling her into a tight hug. She turned her head, allowing me to place a soft kiss on her lips.

“COCK-A-DOOLE-DOO!”-

“Oh, no! I’ve lingered too long! Jack’ll have my head,” I said playfully, releasing her giggling form and rolling off the bed.

I shuffled around the tiny dark room for my livery and dressed myself for the day.

I walked over to the door and opened it, looking back only to meet her barely visible eyes in the dark room. I stopped in my tracks.

“Have a good day, Henry,” She said sleepily, before lying back down.

Beautiful. 

Humming softly, I let the door close with a soft clack.

I looked over at my good friend, Jack. Perched, without fail, proudly atop the wooden fence post, his long, curved tail feathers flowed behind him like a silken cape.

“Another brisk morning, Your Grace,” I said with a smile, giving Jack a deep formal bow before trotting off towards the Alistair Estate.

Like every morning, the dawn was just as breathtaking as the day before. Dew-drenched grass glistening like diamonds in the gandering rays of dawn’s early light. I smiled broadly and walked down the dirt path to the road. Not a day has passed that I’ve not had a jump in my step, today will be no different.

I arrived at the Alistair Estate exactly on time, like always, shuffling in through the servants’ entrance. Only today, I made my way to Mr. Abrahams’ office. Standing at the door, I brushed away non-existent dust on my livery, before knocking.

“Come in,” his voice called.

I entered the room and immediately adopted the footman’s posture of watchful stillness. Mr. Abrams gestured for me to sit, a look of content on his face.

“I’ll take this to mean, you’ve accepted the assignment,” He said leaning forward handing me a thin folder and a pen.

“Yes, Sir,” I replied, accepting the items.

I began to read the document, it was an employment contract, similar to the one I’d signed before with the Alistairs. Only this one held a different title, significantly different pay, and the opportunity to go and work in the main estate upon the Duke's daughter's return. I slowly read it over, signed my name at the bottom. Handing the document back.

“Now then, please listen as I will relay your new duties,” Mr. Abarham said before clearing his throat.

“You will now be acting as footman and coachman for Lady Isadora Alistair. After this meeting you will be provided a fresh livery, befitting your position. As you perform your duties, you are expected to act with the utmost discretion and perfection.” He said with a solidly stern voice.

“You will be responsible for carrying the coal and wood, laying the fire, and keeping it burning throughout the day in Lady Isadora’s bedroom and any additional place she may commune on this estate during her day. You are responsible for rearranging and replacing any furniture in the lady’s lodgings, as well as carrying messages and running errands in and outside of the estate. All letters must go through myself prior to being sent to post,”  I nodded, taking mental notes.

“You will receive a list of approved visitors that will need to be screened prior to an audience. In addition, you will escort and announce all guests and dismiss them as needed. Do you have any questions thus far?” he asked. I shook my head, urging him to continue.

“You will serve as a carriage attendant, escorting the lady on all outings along with her knight and personal maid. You will be in charge of coordinating the usage of the estates’ carriages.” He said, glancing at his wristwatch.

“Lastly, you will be responsible for bringing all meals. This is inclusive of the early morning tray, breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and supper. You will coordinate with the personal maid and chef about meal times, snacks, and dietary preferences. You will meet with me every morning, as I shall be providing you with poison test strips. You must use them before each meal is delivered. You will meet with me to give a detailed report of the day and to return all unused strips to be discarded. Is that clear?” He asked. My eyes widened, the weight of the situation drawing on me.

“Yes, Sir.” I said with a stiff nod.

“Through those doors you’ll find a changing room and your new livery, please dress swiftly and return here,” He ordered, sitting siding down, turning his attention back to his paperwork.

I stood up and made my way through the doors. So this was the head butler’s personal changing quarters? I looked around at the neatly hung clothing, rows of shoes and accessories that were tidily and meticulously placed before quickly getting changed. The fine fabric felt soft against my skin. This is it, I thought as I made my way back out to the office area.

“We will be going to the east wing of the estate. It is currently closed off for Lady Isadora’s private use. I will provide you with a list of names for staff allowed in that area. Under no circumstances is anyone outside of that list to enter the west wing.” he said, handing me a small note card of names and a small clear vial of white strips. I shoved them into my pocket as he held the office door open for me to exit.

“Understood,” I replied, following his steady pace down the corridor. 

I had never been to this part of the estate before. As we grew closer to our destination, I noticed that the east wing, while possessing a simple elegance of its own, was certainly smaller and less imposing than the main house. It hardly seemed like appropriate housing for the heir apparent of the Alistair duchy. We approached a single solid door made of rich wood, and Mr. Abrahams gave it a few sturdy knocks.

After a few moments the large door slowly opened to reveal a small-framed mousy-looking woman. She had a round-ish face, wide brown eyes, and short dark brown hair pulled back into two tight pigtails. She wore a long-sleeved black dress that came down to her ankles accompanied by a white full-length apron. I would have immediately assumed she was kind in nature, but her eyes remained narrow as she eyes us. Her stare was cold and calculating. I couldn't help but shift uncomfortably.

“Good morning, Maisy,” Mr. Abrrhams greeted before turning to me.

“Henry, this is Miss Maisy Nolte, Lady Isadora’s personal maid, you will directly coordinate with her as you perform your duties,” he said as her cold eyes shifted to me once more.

“Mrs. Maisy, this is Henry Dorran, he has been assigned as the new footman and coachman for Lady Isadora,” he continued.

“Good morning, Mrs. Maisy. I look forward to providing my assistance,” I said bowing.

 “Good morning Mr. Abraham, Henry. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Your haste is greatly appreciated,” she said after pausing briefly.

I stopped myself from shuddering, this woman had an eerie air about her that I just couldn’t place. Her cold demeanor did not suit her sweet-looking face.

“I will leave you to it,” Mr. Abrahams said before bowing and swiftly turning afoot.

I awkwardly looked over to Maisy for directions. She smiled and ushered me inside. As I passed by I smelled the light scent of lavender oil emitting from her brown hair. I looked around at the empty vestibule, it was dead silent aside from the echo of my footsteps.

“Henry, I’d first like you to bring the breakfast. To the end of this hall you’ll find the servant stairs, if you take them all the way down the kitchen will be on your right. The head chef has all of Lady Isadora’s dietary information that will be used for the duration of our stay. You only need to bring the meals at the requested times, which the chef will coordinate. When you return, please follow this corridor down toward the Lady’s bedroom. Her knight, Sir Ashborne will be posted outside, you can not miss it.” She said flatly. Her hands crossed politely at her lower abdomen.

Upon realizing Maisy had no intention of adding anything else, I hurried off with a nod toward the staircase. It was just as she said. The kitchen could be found immediately to the right of the bottom of the stairs. The smell of fresh bread wafting through the air made my empty stomach stir with curiosity.

“-this bread is flat. F.L.A.T. Do you hear me, woman?” a voice rang out.

I stopped short in the doorway. They seemed to be arguing in the kitchen…. How awkward.

“As flat as your head Mr. Murphy! What fool keeps dead yeast?” a woman boomed in retort.

“And yet not as flat as your arse. It’s good for fertillizer, you hear me!?”

“Oh! You old-”

I cleared my throat as I stepped into the warm kitchen. They both paused and turned to stare at me. He was holding up a jar of what I presumed to be.. dead yeast, and she was holding up a.. rolling pin.

“Who are you, then?” he asked, setting down the jar on the table with a thud. His round frame jiggled with his every move.

“Good morning, My name is Henry,” I said bowing slightly.

“Ah! The footman Mr. Abraham told us about, dear,” she said, turning to me with a smile.

“Good morning, dear,” she said, placing her rolling pin back into an open drawer.

I nodded with a slight smile, shifting awkwardly.

“Right then, could I interest you in some flat bread?” he said, waving a loaf of bread toward me.

“Oh, hush, you idiot,” she said as she smacked him on the arm.

 He rubbed his wound and walked over to a large pot on the fire. Pulling out a covered bowl that had been sitting in a water bath. He placed the bowl on the table unveiling it. It was porridge that smelled strongly of rhubarb.

“Grab the warm milk, Mrs. Murphy,” he said as he sprinkled a half a handful of what looked like roasted hazelnuts on the dish before setting it atop a silver tray on the table. 

He certainly made such a simple meal appear rather elegant. I watched him adorn the dish with simple edible flowers, then place the steaming cup of milk on the tray last like the star atop a Christmas tree. I was so engrossed in the process I almost forgot to use the test strips.

“Forgive me,” I apologized, fumbling for the vial and note card in my pocket.

“Not to worry dear,” Mrs. Murphy said, shrugging her shoulders.

“It’d be more suspicious if you didn’t, considering the situation,” Mr. Murphy said, turning his attention back to his work.

Mr. Abraham must've been through with his explanation to all the reassigned staff. I pulled the small vial and note card from my pocket. The card read a list of names;

Family: 

Duke Issac Alistair  •  Duchess Beatrice Alistair  •  Lady Claudia Alistair

Personal attendants: 

Maisy Nolte - maid  •  Sir Alaric Ashborne - knight

East wing attendants: 

Charles Abraham - head butler  •  Ronald Murphy - head chef

Mildred Murphy - baker  •  Henry Dorran - footman

Anita Tillman - house maid  •  Shelby Berger - dairy maid