My Dearest Lucy,
I got employed at Duke Blackmere's household. I just got hired as the secretary for the Senior Duchess Blackmere. You are also hired, although I'm not sure yet as the kitchen or household staff.
Something horrible happened at the Whitcombe House, but I am well now. I will tell you more when you arrive.
Pack your things. I will also write to Mrs. Branagh. I enclose the fee for your carriage ride. Go straight to Duke Blackmere's House at the address below. Tell you are Lucy Fairleigh at the gate.
I can't wait to see you again,
Eliza
*****
Lucy was of course very surprised to receive that letter. Eliza? Working at a duke's house? Hired as the secretary of a senior duchess???
That sounded too amazing to be true. Then again, knowing how smart her sister was, she acknowledged if anyone could be the secretary of a Duchess, her sister would.
So she packed her suitcase with the little things she owned, said her farewell to the orphans she was the closest to, talked with Mrs. Branagh who informed her that very morning, there was a butler called Mr. Sterling from the Blackmere House asking for a reference letter for Eliza.
This was all too hard to believe for her realistic sensibilities. People from her class didn't usually cross paths with dukes or duchesses.
Still, Lucy fell asleep excitedly, and rode the carriage at 7 AM, and arrived at Blackmere House around 8 AM.
"I am Lucy Fairleigh. I am called by my sister, Miss Elizabeth Fairleigh."
"You are expected. Please follow me."
*****
For the past hour, Duchess Elinor had spent her time briefing Eliza about her routines. Eliza took notes on several sheets of paper, before the duchess moved on to explain the charities she was leading.
Sterling entered the room then, announcing "Miss Lucy Fairleigh, Your Grace."
Eliza beamed when she saw her sister.
She turned to the duchess, and the lady bowed.
She then ran to Lucy and hugged her, they both laughed.
"I'll give you one hour. Come back after you help her settle," Elinor said.
"Thank you very much, Your Grace!"
The two then went to Eliza's room, then hugged once more.
"I was so shocked when I had your letter! Secretary to a Duchess!" Lucy squealed.
"Yes. It is wonderful. But it started with a….horrible situation."
"Something must have happened at the Whitcombe House, to make you leave it after merely a month!"
"Mr. Whitcombe...tried to rape me," Eliza said with a shaking voice.
"Oh no!!!" Lucy shouted, immediately started crying.
"I—I ran away from the window. Climbed the lower fence."
"You must be so afraid…."
"I was," Eliza confessed, wiping her own tears. "London at night was scary. It was foggy. But that house was even scarier. He always…..looked at me in a scary manner. It's as if the devil was staring at me…..I couldn't think of anything else and just bolted that night. And I—I don't know. Maybe God was protecting me. Or it's our parents? I met a man on the road. I begged him to not let Mr. Whitcombe took me away. And he—miraculously, he was a good man. And he happened to be Duke Blackmere."
"The duke just—took you home and let you stay???"
"Yes. It was kindness beyond measure. It would be kind even if he just escorted me to take shelter in a church. But he took me to his house, and introduced me to the duchess."
"The duchess! Is she scary?"
"She is," Eliza admitted, chuckling, "But she also gave me a job, so she's the best and the scariest grandmother in this kingdom!"
Lucy hugged her again.
"That evil Mr. Whitcombe is the past, Sister. Do you hear me? You are now the secretary of a duchess! And you deserve it! I know you do! I'm going to work hard too, and earn a place in this house!"
Eliza nodded.
"You and I, Lucy, we will survive."
"That we will," Lucy nodded, holding Eliza's hands tight.
*****
That afternoon, Richard finally could give the duke a detailed report about Harold Whitcombe.
It took a few days because Richard had to post a few servants from the Blackmere house to pretend to be sellers of scones and a hawker to be able to talk to Whitcombe house's servants and the servants' around that house to gain insiders' perspective.
"Mr. Whitcombe, based on the testimonies our footman gathered from the servants at his own place and the neighboring houses' servants, is an abominable man, and I'm grateful Miss Fairleigh managed to escape him," Richard opened his report with an emotional tone.
"Tell me everything," Nathaniel ordered.
"He is famous for assaulting his servants and the governesses of his children. At least half a dozen girls who worked there had told the servants in neighboring houses that Mr. Harold Whitcomb spied on them, and that their bedroom doors got no lock. They said he entered their rooms at night or when the madam was outside."
"There were suspicions that some servants and governesses became pregnant because of him. He might bribe or threaten them to not report him to the police. Servants around that house said they wouldn't work for him even if they were paid tenfold, which is truly saying a lot."
Nathaniel was quiet for some time after hearing such horrible news.
"Continue this investigation. Find the exact names of his victims, and their whereabouts. Also, call Sterling, I need to talk to him."
"Are you planning to report him to Scotland Yard, Your Grace?"
"That. Or something worse for him. For the time being, we collect facts, first."
"Very well, My Lord. Let me get Mr. Sterling."
Sterling entered the room promptly as a seasoned butler who knew something serious was happening.
"Sterling, how safe do you think is this house?"
Sterling was surprised, but he answered quickly, "Quite safe, I should say, Your Grace. We have two guards guarding each gate around the clock. All gates and exits are all bolted and locked at night."
"What is the chance of a stranger forcefully entering this house?"
"Zero, My Lord. I have trained all the guards and servants to never allow a stranger inside. Anyone who has no appointments will not enter the house. Everyone who delivers groceries and other necessities cannot go farther than the outer kitchen, and even there he is constantly watched, because even the dining utensils in this house are pure silver."
"Are the gates sturdy enough? Have you checked the fences lately?"
"They are made of solid iron around this townhouse, My Lord. I check it regularly every season."
"I request that you check all the gates and fences tomorrow morning, Sterling."
"Certainly, My Lord, although, may I ask, is there a thief around? Did you hear any dangerous news?"
After thinking for a while, Nathaniel asked Richard to tell about Harold Whitcombe.
"Also, Sterling, find me guards to guard my grandmother and Miss Fairleigh wherever they go. You know how my grandmother is always busy, and she goes out a lot. Make sure she and Miss Fairleigh are always followed by two guards."
"Understood, My Lord."
"Never let Miss Fairleigh go out on her own. To the modiste, the market, the stationary shop, anywhere. Make sure at least one maid goes with her."
"Yes, My Lord."
The discussion was over, Nathaniel then got up and took his hat.
"To your club, Your Grace?" Asked Richard.
"No, I'm taking a walk."
They both knew, whenever the young duke felt the need to calm down, he'd take a long walk around the house.
"It's showering lightly, My Lord, I'll get your umbrella," Sterling announced, moving with so much speed it was amazing in his age.
"Tea with the duchess later, or at your club, My Lord?"
"With my grandmother."
Sterling bowed, and Nathaniel walked out the front door.
*****