Maid of Fairbourne Hall , livre ebook

© 2011 by Julie Klassen
Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438
www.bethanyhouse.com
Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
Ebook edition created 2011
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
ISBN 978-1-4412-6992-8
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Unless otherwise identified, Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.
Cover design by Jennifer Parker
Cover photography by Mike Habermann Photography, LLC
Praise for Julie Klassen Novels
“Christy and RITA nominee Klassen creates a wonderful cast of engaging characters while neatly stirring in a generous dash of mystery and danger into the plot of her latest, charmingly romantic inspirational romance.”
Booklist about The Girl in the Gatehouse
“This story captured me in the very first pages and there was absolutely no putting it down. I highly recommend The Girl in the Gatehouse as well as Klassen’s other three novels.”
Author Vicki Tiede
“Klassen expertly infuses her Regency-set inspirational tale with a gothic atmosphere, resulting in a sweetly intriguing romance worthy of Victoria Holt.”
Booklist about The Silent Governess
“This book has scandal, mystery, secrets and a budding romance. The characters are written in such detail the reader will forget they are fictional! Klassen has outdone herself with this latest novel. Her writing is comparable to Jane Austen’s. She writes with passion and readers will not be able to put this book down.”
Romantic Times about The Girl in the Gatehouse , 4.5 stars and Top Pick
“This was one story I wasn’t able to put down at all from beginning to end. Full of intrigue and romance, The Silent Governess is steeped in gothic atmosphere and fascinating research. I have been a fan of Ms. Klassen’s since reading her debut book, Lady of Milkweed Manor , and her books just keep getting better and better. She is a must read author!”
CK2S Kwips and Kritiques
“This is an inspired and well-told story of mystery, intrigue and the politics of upstairs and downstairs folk in 19th-century England. The author takes the reader back in time effortlessly. If you enjoy Jane Austen or the Regency period, you will love this book.”
Romantic Times about The Silent Governess
“Klassen blends her tale well; each ingredient romance, friendship, healing arts, mystery is measured to produce a lively, lengthy tale that will satisfy Regency aficionados and general readers, too.”
Publishers Weekly about The Apothecary’s Daughter
“Once again, author Julie Klassen delivers a satisfying historical account with plenty of twists to make you want to read just one more chapter. Her characters carry a Dickens’ flavor. The Apothecary’s Daughter is a five-star read.”
Novel Reviews
“Klassen has written an amazing historical novel and she handles a 19th-century taboo with grace, style and respect.”
Romantic Times about Lady of Milkweed Manor
“Julie Klassen weaves a compelling story . . . fully imagined. I loved it!”
Beverly Lewis, New York Times bestselling author about Lady of Milkweed Manor
“This is truly one of the most emotionally gripping novels I’ve ever read. . . . This story is so full of passion that it will make your heart sing.”
Author Michelle Sutton about Lady of Milkweed Manor
In each of my four previous novels,
I’ve included, as a character,
a kind or helpful aunt.
Perhaps this is because I’ve been blessed
with such outstanding aunts in my own life.
And so, I dedicate this book to my aunts
Carol, Madeline, Barbara, Sharon, and Lou.
And to Lila, wherever you are.
Contents

Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Praise for Julie Klassen Novels
Dedication
Epigraph
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Author’s Note
Discussion Questions
About the Author
Books by Julie Klassen
Back Ad
Back Cover
“Judge not according to the appearance. . . .”
Jesus Christ
The only aristocrat known to have disguised herself as a servant is Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, in 1786.
Giles Waterfield and Anne French, Below Stairs
Chapter 1

London
August 1815
H e is reading my letters now too. . . .
Margaret Elinor Macy sat at her dressing table, heart pounding. Her face in the looking glass shone pale beneath curly dark hair, her light blue eyes anxious. She glanced from her reflection to the letter in her hand. The seal had been pried open and unsuccessfully re-pressed. Her mother’s new husband had obviously begun checking her post perhaps fearful the next invitation she received would not be to a ball but rather to take refuge in another house, out of reach and out from under his power.
It was bad enough when the footman began following her everywhere she went, whether the occasion warranted a servant’s escort or not. Then an hour ago she had asked to wear her aunt’s pearl necklace, only to be refused.
“Too many footpads on the streets at night,” Sterling Benton had said. Though she and her mother had always worn their better jewelry before.
Sterling had locked in his safe almost all the Macy family valuables “for safekeeping.” Privately Margaret guessed he’d sold some pieces and locked the rest away so she couldn’t barter them for passage somewhere far away.
He had long since ceased granting her any allowance, claiming strained finances. That might be true, but Margaret knew Sterling had other motives for keeping her dependent on him for every shilling. Though soon to inherit a large sum from her great-aunt, at the moment Margaret was unable to buy herself a hairpin, let alone passage anywhere.
She regarded her wan reflection once more. She was not looking forward to the ball at the Valmores’, though in the past masquerades had been her favorite. She loved the disguises, the mystery, the chance to flirt behind a mask, to pretend she was someone she was not. For weeks she had planned to appear as a milkmaid, a costume the Duchess of Queensberry had donned for a formal portrait, sparking a rage of paintings of gentlewomen in servants’ attire. Margaret guessed she would not be the only “milkmaid” in attendance that evening.
Her coiffeur was a concoction of dark hair piled high with a long spiral curl gracing each side of her neck. But she was having second thoughts about it. She had relished the notion of fooling the other guests until masks were removed halfway through the ball. At the moment, however, the very idea of costumes seemed frivolous. Besides, the dark hair did not flatter her complexion.
Reaching up, she yanked the wig from her head.
“Joan!” she called sharply.
The second housemaid had doubled as young lady’s maid ever since Sterling had dismissed Margaret’s abigail. The experienced lady’s maid, Miss Durand, was busy arranging Mother’s hair. Margaret sniffed. As if it mattered how well a married woman looked. Her future did not depend on appearing her prettiest that night.
Joan, a thin, practical housemaid in her midtwenties, hurried in carrying a lace cap and the cape she had been pressing. She tripped over Margaret’s dressing gown, bunched on the carpet where Margaret had let it fall. Why had Joan not picked it up?
“Do be careful,” Margaret snapped. “I don’t want my cape ruined or the cap crushed.”
“Yes, miss.” As Joan righted herself, irritation flashed in her eyes.
Well, she had only herself to blame. After all, it was Joan’s job to tidy the room and care for Margaret’s clothes.
“I need you to dress my hair,” Margaret said. “I have decided not to wear the wig after all.”
“But . . .” The maid bit her lip, then sighed. “Yes, miss.”
Joan had secured Margaret’s blond hair in a tight knot to accommodate the wig, but now she would need to unpin, curl, arrange, and re-pin her hair with soft height and curls at her temples to flatter Margaret’s somewhat round face. She hoped a simple housemaid was up to the task. Margaret guessed she would have to talk her through the process.
Margaret herself had become quite adept at arranging her sister’s hair. Enjoyed it, actually. Fortunately, Caroline had not yet “come out” and was not attending the ball, otherwise three Macy women would never be ready in time.
Joan unpinned the knot and began brushing out Margaret’s fair locks, using, Margaret thought, a bit more force than necessary.
“Gentle, Joan. I have no wish to be bald.”
“Yes, miss.”
Margaret had often been told her fair golden hair was her best feature. She could not, on this night of nights, cover it up. She would need all the appeal she could muster if her plan had any hope of succeeding.

Margaret entered wearing the simple blue gown, apron, and mask, with a small lace cap atop her glorious hair and a milk pail in hand. Studiously ignoring the young man beside her, she surveyed the ballroom.
The goddess Diana laughed with a sultan in turban and flowing robes. Egyptians in headdresses, jewels spangling their foreheads, danced with gypsies. Punch’s wife mingled with beggars. Some people sacrificed anonymity for attractiveness. Others, especially those wearing the ubiquitous dominoes masks over their faces and hooded capes were unrecognizable. The gay music, colorful costumes, laughter, and j