“Thank you,” she smiled, nodding quickly. “I shall see you tomorrow, then.”
“Mr. Hancock will be waiting for you at the bottom of the stairs to show you out.” He paused for a moment, then continued. “Until tomorrow, Rose,” he said, pronouncing her name every time with much delight.
He watched her close the door behind her, leaving him both petrified and thrilled about the future that was to befall him.
Chapter 8
Rose couldn’t sleep one wink the previous night. She kept thinking about her new position, working for the mysterious duke, who was becoming more and more alluring with each passing moment.
As she lay in her bed, wide awake, she wondered how often she would be communicating with him during her employment, how often she would be in his presence.
She was strangely titillated by the thought. While others shied away from him, shocked by his scars, she couldn’t look away. She was drawn to them, to the story behind them, to the man whose badge of honor they were. She was still thinking about him, wondering if he would come out to greet her as she followed Mr. Hancock through the grand halls of the manor house.
“Your primary responsibilities will involve maintaining the cleanliness and order of the main living spaces,” Mr. Hancock explained as they entered a spacious drawing room filled with tasteful furnishings and portraits. “This includes dusting, polishing, and ensuring that everything is in its proper place.”
The manor was just as she expected it to be, vast and impressive, each room telling a story of its own through the elaborate décor and timeless elegance. Although the duke was right. Everythingwas old. Everything seemed to belong to a different era. But that probably made it all the more precious, all the more valuable.
Rose nodded attentively, taking in all the details of the room and making sure to commit Mr. Hancock’s instructions to memory. They slowly moved on to the dining room, where a long, polished table gleamed in the center of the room, under a crystal chandelier.
“You shall assist with setting up for meals and ensuring that the dining area remains pristine,” Mr. Hancock continued. “It is of the utmost importance that the table settings are always perfect, as His Grace values a well-presented meal.”
Rose nodded once again. Next, they entered the library, a vast chamber lined with tall bookshelves brimming with volumes of all kinds. She gasped at the sight, never having seen such a place.
“The library requires special attention,” Mr. Hancock revealed. “His Grace has a tendency to spend a lot of time here, and the books must be handled with care. Dusting the shelves and ensuring the reading area is tidy will be part of your everyday duties.”
Rose felt a sense of awe at the sheer number of books and the serene atmosphere in the room. She could easily imagine the duke there, surrounded by the quiet comfort of his books. As they continued their tour of the manor house, her attention continued to be divided between his explanations and theopulent surroundings. The place was a labyrinth of beauty, each room more captivating than the last. However, something struck her as odd.
“Mr. Hancock,” Rose began, her curiosity piqued, “why haven’t we seen anyone else around? I would have expected to meet some of the other staff by now.”
Mr. Hancock paused, his expression growing more serious. “The duke has specific rules about where the staff are allowed to be during certain times,” he explained. “Many parts of the manor are closed to them, expect for particular tasks, and the staff adhere strictly to these rules.”
Rose furrowed her brow, puzzled. “I understand why you would be allowed here. But… what about me? Why am I being shown all this?”
Mr. Hancock gave her a measured look. “There are the duke’s instructions. He has chosen to place his trust in you, Miss Browning. For the life of me, I cannot understand why, when you are from that place. But I never question the duke’s decisions. He has given you access to areas of the manor that are usually restricted. I know what is said about His Grace in the village. I know the rumors and the stories, but somehow, against all odds, he believes that you will respect the trust he is showing you in giving you this opportunity.”
The gravity in his voice was unmistakable, and Rose could sense his skepticism. It was clear that Mr. Hancock didn’t share the duke’s confidence in her. “I appreciate the trust the duke is placing in me,” she said earnestly, meeting Mr. Hancock’s gaze. “I won’t let him down.”
Mr. Hancock’s expression remained stern; his approval guarded. “I hope so, Miss Browning. Understand that this is a unique position you are in and it comes with its own set of expectations. As long as you respect the duke’s rules and the privacy of his home, you’ll do well here.”
The warning in his tone was unmistakable, and Rose felt the weight of his distrust. She resolved to prove herself worthy of the duke’s trust, even as she wondered what had driven him to live by such strict boundaries. Determined to make the most of this opportunity, she continued to follow Mr. Hancock through the mansion.
She wasn’t entirely certain what to make of Mr. Hancock’s warning and evident distrust, but she couldn’t help but feel a sense of intrigue and thrill at being granted access to parts of the manor where others were not. It was as if the duke had opened a small window into his world just for her, and the mystery surrounding him only deepened her fascination.
“I hope your family isn’t worried any longer, now that they’ve seen you’re fine,” he made a passing comment as they walkedthrough the corridor. “Your aunt looked particularly concerned the other morning.”
Rose’s thoughts flashed back to the hurried departure and her aunt’s anxious face. She was quick to reassure him. “Yes, they are all fine. I also wanted to thank you for your help the other day. It was very kind of you to see me home.”
Mr. Hancock nodded, though his demeanor remained formal. “It is my duty to ensure the well-being of those in the duke’s service.”
She wondered if he would offer his help again, but she didn’t want to push it.
“Still,” she smiled. “It was most kind of you.”
They continued their tour, with Mr. Hancock detailing more of her responsibilities and the strict outlines of the household.
“You may commence with this room,” he told her when they reached the end. “All the utensils are there by the door. Just bring them down with you when you are done here, and we shall find you something else to do.”
“All right, thank you,” Rose smiled. She didn’t receive a smile in return. Only a curt nod, and a moment later, she was left alone.
