Miss Lambert, my Lord. Roberts left the room and closed the door.
The Duke stood up and walked towards Victoria, his black hair bouncing. I'm Edward, Duke of Haslemere. How may I be of assistance?
Victoria was instantly taken by his looks. His father may have taken the family estate in a beastly way, but his son was a fresh looking young man with a continental look to him.
My Lord, please forgive me for intruding into your evening. I come on a matter of great importance to myself, and I fear I will be obliged to throw myself upon your kind nature.
Edward took pity on her. She appeared cold, and she looked tired. Please, come and sit by the fire. I will have Roberts bring us some tea. She sat down gratefully and held her hands out towards the warmth. Tell me what I can do for you.
It is a very long and confusing story, my Lord. But I shall try to make it as clear as possible. She sat upright and prepared herself for the undertaking. My father died recently, and when I was looking through his belongings, I found some documents regarding an estate called Landsborough. Edward was listening attentively but was slightly distracted by the grace with which she spoke; It was not in keeping with the way she was clothed. Her dress was not of the most expensive cloth and at some point it had been altered. It seems from the documents and the information I was able to gather at Jones, Acheson, and Hopkins, firm of solicitors in Haslemere, that my father's name was Landsborough and that he lost the estate in a card game. The man he lost to was your late father.
So that's it. That is what the letter was about. He'd won the estate in a card game, felt guilty about it and decided to give it back, except, he never sent the letter. As you may or may not know, he paused when Roberts arrived with the tea. He smiled at Victoria as he poured her drink into a cup and saucer of the finest quality. Sorry, as you may know, my father also passed away recently. I have taken over the running of the estates we own, and I too found out that the estate was won by my father in a card game. Quite extraordinary. He shook his head and smiled. You introduced yourself as Lambert.
Yes, I have always thought our family name to be Lambert, but it now appears that it is Landsborough, and we were wealthy landowners until my father's foolish behavior. Mr. Jones, the eldest of the lawyers in town, told me the story. My poor father had a terrible gambling affliction.
Where do you live now?
In a village, fifty miles away called Ashworthy. I work in the mill there.
Indeed, he said. I don't know anyone who works in a mill. Alright, we seem to have established that you father lost it, and my father won it, what do you want?
My Lord, I understand that my father was foolish. Indeed, it was not only foolish but selfish. My poor mother spent the rest of her life in poverty, far from the life she should have enjoyed. She looked at the fire as it spat a piece of coal onto the hearth. However, I must add that your father hardly acted in a gentlemanly fashion. He should have realized that my father was not of sound mind and refused to accept the bet.” Victoria looked the Duke straight in the eye. “I would like you to return the estate to me.
He nodded. He'd expected it, as soon as he had become aware who she was. She was a beautiful woman, and he had no desire to hurt her in any way, but requiring him to give the estate back, after so many years, was a tall order. I understand your position. I hope you will allow me time to consider how best to resolve the situation.
Of course, my Lord.
Miss Lambert, it is late, and I suggest you stay here. I will ask one of our maids to look after you.
That is very kind of you. I don't think there is any transport back to my village at this time of the evening, and I don't want to stay at an inn alone.
Edward asked Rosie, a ladies maid who had no lady to look after, to make up a fire and warm the bedsheets in the green room. They continued to drink tea and talk until Victoria was no longer able to keep her eyes open. When she entered her bedroom, she was astounded at the luxury. A giant four poster bed, a large marble fireplace and the very best Turkish rugs on a polished wooden floor. Rosie was waiting for her with a hot bath and clean nightdress. When she helped Victoria undress, she could see Victoria's was used to manual work. It was slender and the muscles well formed. The bath was warm and as the fire crackled Victoria didn't want to get out. When eventually she did, she fell asleep instantly and slept for ten hours.
The next morning Rosie knocked on the door at ten. Victoria usually rose at five when she had to go to the mill. Rosie helped her to dress, and showed her to the breakfast room. Edward was waiting. Victoria liked Rosie. She was in her late twenties and homely.
Good morning, Miss Lambert. How did you sleep?
Very well indeed, much better than I am used to.