[Harlequin] - Sarah Westleigh - A Highly Irregular Footman (txt), Ksiazki, txt
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A highly irregular footmanbysarah west leighDID YOU PURCHASE THIS BOOK WITHOUT A COVER?If you did, you should be aware it is stolen property as it was reportedunsold and destroyed by a retailer. Neither the Author nor the publisherhas received any payment for this book.All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination ofthe author, rind have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same nameor names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known orunknown to the author, and all the incidents are pure invention.All Rights Reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in partin any form. This edition is published by arrangement with HarlequinEnterprises H B. V. The text of this publication or any part thereof maynot be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic ormechanical, including photocopying, recording, storage in an informationretrieval system, or otherwise, without the written permission of thepublisher.This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of tradeor otherwise, be lent, resola~ hired out or otherwise circulated without theprior consent of the publisher in any form of binding or cover other thanthat in which it is published and without a similar condition including thiscondition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.MILLS & BOON and MILLS & BOON with the Rose Device are registered trademarksof the publisher.First published in Great Britain 1996 Harlequin Mills & Boon Limited, EtonHouse, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 ISR 1996ISBN 0 263 8(X)19 9Set in 10 on 12 pt Linotron Times Typeset in Great Britain by CentraCet,Cambridge Printed and bound in Great Britain by BPC Paperbacks Limit eeLAylesburyCHAPTER ONESEBASTIAN TOPE sat ensconced in an upright armchair in his overheated,over-stuffed bedroom. His bushy grey eyebrows drew together and his wrinkledlips pursed as he scrutinised the latest applicant for the vacant position offootman.Thalia Marsh stood to one side, hands clasped at' the waist of her sensiblegrey gown, a bunch of keys, symbol of her office, hanging at her hip. Thiswas the third creature to answer her advertisement in the Kentish Times and,on the face of it, by far the most suitable."Think you can lift me, young man?" Mr. Tope demanded abruptly of thestrong, youthful figure standing deferentially before him."Aye, sir.""Then prove it. Help me up and over to the bed." Thalia watched theperformance with critical eyes.Mr. Tope's valet, Pringle, hovered anxiously about his master, his facesour. She knew how much he resented any intrusion into the cosy relationshiphe enjoyed with Mr. Tope, but his puny frame could not cope with thedisabilities of a heavy man crippled by a bad fall from a horse. Now that hewas out of bed Mr. Tope needed a sturdy arm to lean on. It had takenPringle, Jenkins the elderly footman, Rose the par lout maid, and herself, tojuggle Mr. Tope into that chair."Told him he shouldn't've bin out riding, not at 'is 5age," Pringle muttered to no one in particular as he watched the young manheave Tope to his almost useless feet. Tope grunted and winced with pain,deepening the lines of suffering etched on his face; the fellow clasped himround the waist and half-carried him to the high bed where he sank downgratefully on its edge.The prospective footman gently lifted the crippled legs, turning the body sothat Tope could lie back.Stretched on the bed, his shoulders comfortably supported by several pillows,Sebastian Tope smiled for the first time."Began to think there weren't any respectable strong men left in England," hemuttered darkly."The only one I had here met up with a recruiting sergeant and got himselftricked into taking the King's shilling when he went into Sandwich on his dayoff. Thought I'd have to bring in one of the grounds men all yokels, the lotof 'em. What do they call you?""Jack 'amilton, sir.""Hamilton, eh? And what does a fine young fellow like you want with a joblike this?"Jack Hamilton shrugged his wide shoulders."I shall be fed, 'ave a roof over me 'cad, sir, live in a decent 'ousehold."This was the longest speech the fellow had made. Thalia frowned slightly.His gruff voice held an undertone of culture-- the dropped aitches didn'tquite fit."If you want food and somewhere to sleep, why not join the army, eh?""I did, sir, some years back. Discharged, I was, at the Peace."Ad enough of kinin', sir, don't want to go back.But it ain't easy to make an honest livin', sir. ""Hmm." Tope, his shrewd old gaze fastened on the downcast eyes of JackHamilton, pursed his lips again."Can't say I blame you. Not a deserter, are you?" he suddenly barked."No, sir!" The cry was indignant.Tope smiled again."Good. Where d'you come from?""North Kent, sir.Sevenoaks. ""What's your age?""About six and twenty, if me ma's reckoning be right." He looked younger,though not much, for beneath his crop of fair curls his was the face of a manof hard experience."Very well. Fifteen pounds a year and all found. Wednesday and Sundayafternoons off, not tomorrow, though,;~ Won have been here a day. You helpme to move and attend me whenever I call, run errands on foot or onhorseback--ybu can ride?" A nod from Hamilton satisfied him."And serve at table whenever I entertain, which ain't often. D'you want thejob?""I'm very grateful, sir," said Hamilton gravely.Thalia, still watching, thought she saw some other emotion flick momentarilyacross the long face, undoubtedly handsome despite its aquiline nose andbushy, straw-coloured eyebrows. But when she met his eyes, all she saw wastheir peculiar colouring, amber next to the pupil, shading through blue andgreen and grey to a dark outer rim. They stared back at her guilelessly andshe felt a strange reluctance to break off the contact."When can you start?"He looked back to Tope."Immediately, sir, if thatwould suit. Though I shall 'ave to collect me pack from the King's Arms inthe village. "Tope nodded."Put me back in my chair."With the manoeuvre executed with the minimum of fuss, Tope sighed hissatisfaction."Aye, you'll do. Mrs. Marsh'll look after you, she's in charge here, you'llobey her orders after mine. You do agree, Thalia, my dear?"Thalia inclined her head, acutely conscious of the lack of a ring on herwedding finger. Mr. Tope had used the courtesy title accorded to allhousekeepers."Of course, Mr. Tope."As she led the way from Sebastian Tope's room, with the new footman closingthe door carefully behind them, Thalia fir Ted her lips, glad of the severityof her scraped-back hairstyle and of the white cap, plain but for thenarrowest of frills, that she wore to cover her abundant brown hair.Her outfit was one she thought necessary to her position in the house. Itwas difficult enough with the other servants but, to compensate for her lackof years, she would need all the added authority an austere appearance couldafford her to keep this fellow in his place.The impression was solidified when, on entering the housekeeper's office, shelooked up to see irreverent humour dancing in his strange eyes."Not a bad old codger, is 'e?" he remarked confidentially.Thalia stiffened. She held Sebastian Tope in some affection, which she knewwas returned. The elderly bachelor had treated her with nothing but kindnessand understanding and it was not on his orders that she kept so strictly toher position as housekeeper. She could so easily have slipped into the roleof his daughter, mistress of the house, had her own sense of rectitude notprevented her taking advantage of his good nature."If you cannot show respect for your employer, you may take your leave,Hamilton. I have the power to dismiss you and shall not hesitate to use it.""I'm sorry, ma'am. No offence meant." He gave her his most winning smileand all Thalia's hackles rose.Why did this indispensable young man have to remind her of that scoundrelVarley? It must be the fair curls, the air of irresponsibility, theirreverence that his remark had confirmed lay hidden beneath his outward showof deference when in the presence of Mr. Tope. Varley had brought her tothis; she needed no unpleasant reminders of his falsity to plague her everyday.But Mr. Tope's needs must come before her own. While he required thisfellow's strong arms she would put up with his presence in the house. Butshe'd see that he behaved.She sat behind her large desk and eyed the tall figure, neatly if poorly cladin rough brown breeches, woo lien socks and a darker brown frock coat ofindeterminate age."You'll need a uniform," she told him."I might find one to fit.Otherwise, no doubt, Mr. Tope will order one made for you. "He inclined his head gravely."Yes, ma'am.""Jenkins, who has been with Mr. Tope for years, will show you to the room inthe servants' quarters that you will share with him, and explain thehousehold routine,"she went on coldly."Then you may go and collect your things. Be back within the hour, if youplease. Stonar village is a mere fifteen minutes walk.""Yes, ma'am, I know," he answered deferentially."Iwalked here. "Why did she think the deference assumed? She didn't know, she couldn't pinthe reason down, for his face was deadpan, his voice subdued, yet somethingin his attitude told her he was not used to being in service.She...
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