Page 27 of Wicked Deceptions
“Your parents are having tea with the Wemblys and should be back shortly,” Branson says.
“Very good. Please have our things taken to our rooms. I’m going to show Katie around.”
Ben takes my hand, and we walk through the main entrance hall, which is paneled in carved oak and adorned with early eighteenth-century paintings of the house and park. When I look up the grand staircase, I see a collection of oil paintings which appear to be on leather. They’re stunning. He takes me through several rooms, including the morning room, which Ben describes as a light and casual room for family. It overlooks the gardens. The breakfast room has pale-blue panels with paintings of portraits.
“That one there is Charlotte, one of my grandmothers with too many greats to say. She was the wife of the seventh earl. My father is the seventeenth, just to give you an idea.”
“This is overwhelming, Ben.”
He takes my hand. “Please don’t let it scare you away.” He looks like a sweet boy pleading for me to not take his candy away.
I shake my head. “I said overwhelmed, not scared.”
He smiles.
We then proceed to what Ben calls the Walnut Drawing Room, and this room consists of several more portraits. He gestures toward one. “That’s Elizabeth Farren, the second wife of the twelfth earl.” He gets close and whispers, “She was an actress.” He chuckles.
He then takes me to the library. He goes on to say that the thirteenth earl made a huge contribution to the library by acquiring a full collection of books on natural history. He also takes me to the dining room, where there are more portraits. There is even one of Ben, which I can’t help but admire. He is so handsome.
After about an hour of touring the house, he says, “There is so much more to show you, but I think it will have to wait for another day. Let me show you to your room, and you can freshen up. My parents should be here soon, and I am anxious for you to meet them.” He takes me up the grand staircase, and I see I was correct in my assumption. The paintings are on leather.
When we get to my room, he hesitates and then leans in to kiss me. His kiss is gentle and, to my disappointment, short. “I’ll be back to collect you in an hour.” He gestures toward a cord that hangs by the door. “If you need anything, ring this bell and a ladies’ maid will be here to take care of whatever you need.”
“Thank you, Ben.”
He smiles and turns to leave.
My case has already been brought up. I open it and am surprised to find it empty. I walk to the wardrobe and open the door. All my clothes are neatly hung inside. I feel like a queen. I begin to look through my things to find something suitable to wear. My clothes aren’t shabby by any means, but I feel they are not appropriate attire to meet an earl and a countess. But, I have nothing else, so I make do with what I have.
I wash up in the basin and decide on my plum dress with the black lace overlay. Once I am dressed and ready, I sit on the bed and take in my surroundings. The room is beautiful, decorated in pale yellows and lavender. It’s airy and bright, and I find it a huge contrast to my dim room back in London.
A few minutes later, there is a knock on the door. I get up to answer it, and when I do, Ben is standing there with a huge smile on his face.
“Wow, you look beautiful.”
I smile. “Thank you.”
He holds out his arm for me to take. “Shall we?”
I slip my arm into his, and we proceed out the door and down the hall toward the grand staircase. My nerves are all over the place, and my stomach is in knots. I cannot believe I am going to meet the Earl of Derby in a few short minutes. I have never met anyone titled before, so this will be a first for me.
When we get to the drawing room, Ben and I walk in arm and arm. There are several people in the room, two of which are older, and I assume they are Ben’s parents. There is also another man and two other women. Ben goes directly to the older couple and says, “May I introduce Miss Katherine Miller.” He turns toward me. “Katie, my parents, the Earl and Countess of Derby.”
“Lord and Lady Stanley, it is truly an honor to meet you.” I make a slight curtsy, but I’m not sure it is appropriate. I am really unsure of the proper etiquette when meeting such people of rank, but I figure it can’t hurt.
Ben then turns toward the others in the room. “That scruffy man over there is my brother, Edward, and his wife, Jane. And this”—he gestures toward the other younger lady in the room—“is my baby sister, Victoria.”
They all nod at me. “It’s very nice to meet you all.”
Chapter 13
The next several days go by so fast, I feel as if I am in a tailspin. Christmas with the Stanleys has truly been an experience, and I have been writing in my journal every chance I get. I have learned and experienced so much, I am afraid that if I don’t write it down, I will forget something. And we can’t have that.
We spent Christmas Eve at a formal dinner in the State Dining Room. Several families in the county were represented, and everything was very proper and formal. After dinner, the ladies reconvened in the parlor, leaving the men to their cigars and brandy. It was a great opportunity for me to get to know the countess and Victoria. Some of the ladies looked down on me. It was obvious I was not of their class, but the countess made it a point on several occasions to let it be known that she welcomed her son’s choice and the rest of them just needed to accept it. I like her. She has an air about her that eludes confidence and a little sass.
On Christmas morning, the staff all lined the great hall and they were given gifts from the family. It took several hours, and we all waited for them to open their gift. I have never seen so much love and gratitude like this. When I was young, although my family had some staff who were like family, the majority of the staff served us because it was their job. We were not their family; we were their employer. But here, it’s different. They have a genuine connection with these people, and it makes me smile. I think back to those early days of my life. Those carefree days of parties and ballets are gone forever.
Christmas luncheon was buffet style, so we served ourselves. When I asked Ben why the staff had disappeared, he said they get this time off so they can enjoy their Christmas dinner. I was astonished. That would have never happened in my home. Ben doesn’t know my background, and although there have been many times I want to tell him, I always catch myself and remain silent.
