The Lass & The Baron: A Cinderella Story: Regency Fairytale Romance Read online

  The Lass & The Baron: A Cinderella Story

  Regency Fairytale Romance

  Charity McColl

  Contents

  1. A Personal Word From Charity

  2. The Lady and Her Waifs

  3. Where Are The Children?

  4. A Faint Pathway

  5. Parson Swift

  6. The Battle Half Won

  7. Ruined

  8. Winchester

  9. An Invitation Unexpected

  10. Want More Regency Fairytale Romance?

  Also by Charity McColl

  Thank You for Reading

  A Personal Word From Charity

  Some stories are timeless. I have often wondered why certain tales become so much a part of our lives - stories that are known across the world. Fairytales are an example of this phenomenon. This delightful regency take inspired by the Cinderella story is the result my love for such timeless tales.

  Thank you so much for choosing to read one of my books. A writer is nothing without readers and my utmost hope is that you will enjoy reading this story just as much as I enjoyed writing it.”

  Thank you for choosing a PureRead Romance. As a way to thank you we would also like to give you a wonderful story, The Pretender, by Charity McColl (plus some other goodies!).

  Click Here To Read The Pretender

  The Lady and Her Waifs

  The tall handsome man watched as the young girl raced the mare across the pasture and then turned back toward him just as quickly. Flaxen hair blew in the wind and a father’s pride swelled with admiration. Lord Sanders mounted his majestic horse and joined Isabelle. Together, they rode together from the Palace grounds and out into the open air.

  “Miss, they are coming,” shouted Elizabeth. The shrill voice jerked Isabelle from her reverie.

  She knew that she would never again stand to watch her beloved father lead his troops down the street. Her small charge’s excitement caused her to smile as she focused on the approaching horses. Lord Miles Spencer took her late father’s role as master of the guard when Lord Sanders was killed in battle in France. It was not long after her father’s death that Isabelle was sent to Brookwood to live with her aunt and uncle after learning her mother could not support her on her own. Each day she watched the pompous Lord Spencer ride where her late father once led. Her loss was only tempered by the smiles of the simple children whom she loved as if her own.

  “Line up, children, and stand tall,” she told the small group. Isabelle brought the ten orphans to this place every day. She taught them to salute with dignity and wave at the soldiers when they passed. They did not fail her today.

  Lord Miles Spencer chose to ignore the small bedraggled group of children when they greeted them each day. His thoughts were focused on issues waiting for him in Prince Regent’s court. He was expected to come with his entourage every day and spend time at George’s right hand. He was aware of his presentation and the admiration the townspeople sent his way but he dismissed it as something to be expected.

  Isabelle looked at the man who sat erect on his horse. His demeanor was one of arrogance. She knew that if her father still had the position he would at least acknowledge the children with a nod of his head. Rumors flew right and left that this Lord had no real concern for the townspeople. Brookwood was made up of mainly old men and women. The children were left here as orphans when the mines began closing and young families moved on to greener pastures in neighboring towns. They had to support their families even if they did not want to leave their childhood homes. Some were killed as a result of mine accidents and left orphaned children.

  When the last of the Troops were out of sight, Isabelle gathered the children and they walked down the path of brambles and weeds until reaching the small shack in the depths of the woods.

  “Will we go again tomorrow?” asked Jonathan. He was seven years old but looked much younger. His small bones protruded in places where they should not.

  “We will go again. Be sure you scrub your hands and faces before I get here. We must always look presentable before the Regent’s Troops.”

  A gnarled woman stood at the doorway waiting for them. She brushed wisps of grey hair from her forehead and wrung her hands as she observed her small brood. She had noticed berries beginning to ripen in the wooded area behind the small hut.

  “Hello, Madeline,” called Isabelle. “The children smartly saluted the Troops today.”

  Madeline shooed the children to the backyard and looked at Isabelle. “You do a good thing every day for them, Isabelle. They have nothing to break the monotony of their day otherwise.”

  She paused and looked at the beautiful young girl. She was sixteen years old and possessed wisdom beyond her years. Villagers admired her for her generosity toward everyone she met. Her soft nature warmed Madeline’s otherwise crusty personality. She told Isabelle about the berries coming on. Isabelle offered to take the two worn baskets along with the children and gather what they could find.

  Thus it was for the small ones left in the care of the people of Brookwood. Madeline owned the shack in the woods and allowed the children to live there. She was frustrated at the realization of how empty their lives were. She had no schooling and could not teach them anything to do with literature. Even if she could, what would that do for them? She always concluded the life they now lived was the life they were expected to endure.

  Isabelle was aware that the townspeople sometimes gossiped about Madeline and her herbal concoctions. They clicked their tongues when speaking of the notions that filled her head. On the other hand, everyone knew that if she had not taken the children in, they would be wild on the streets of the town. Some firmly believed they stole from people.

  Isabelle finished with the children and hurried home. Edward Sanders provided a good life for his wife Louisa and his late brother’s daughter. He was a successful shopkeeper and owned a small farm outside Brookwood. His business declined a little when the young families began to leave. Isabelle was a light in his household. Louisa chided her for her deficiencies on more than one occasion, though in his mind Isabelle had few shortcomings.

  When Isabelle arrived home she hoped Louisa would not ask where she had been. To date, her aunt and uncle were not aware of how much time she spent with the orphans.

  “I have a basket ready to take to Mrs. Winthrope down the road, Isabelle. I do not have time to take the food to her.” Louisa handed the basket to Isabelle without waiting for an answer. Her niece smiled and took the basket. She drew in a long sniff enjoying the smell of baking rolls in the oven. Each night, she took several from the platter and stuffed them in her deep pockets for the children.

  * * *

  Three days later, Lord Miles Spencer rode through the town leading the Troops. He was proud of the display and once again the children were there, lined up to salute. For the first time, something caught his eye. Long flaxen hair framed a delicate face. Azure eyes looked brilliant in the sunlight. He had never seen such beauty and was caught off-guard. As soon as their eyes met, she quickly lowered hers. He vowed to find out who she was as soon as possible. She definitely dressed better than the children in front of her. Then he reminded himself she must not be associated with them in any way, but why was she there at all?

  He led his Troops to the Palace and left his horse in the care of the Marshall. He turned to Anthony Greene, his Aide and best friend.

  “Did you see those children this morning?”

  “They are there every day, My Lord. Have you not seen them before now?” An
thony smiled behind his hand. He knew Miles was not inquisitive about the children. It was the beauty Anthony had seen daily with them that caught his eye.

  “I have not noticed them,” said Miles.

  “I think not,” said Anthony. “You are noticing the beauty instead.”

  Miles turned his head from his friend to hide the flush that rose in his face.

  “I did notice her today. Who is she?”

  “I do not know her name,” Anthony said. “Perhaps it is time to find out.”

  Miles failed to dismiss the young woman from his head the rest of the day. Anthony was right. They must find out who she was.

  The next day, Anthony proposed an idea to his friend.

  “To get to the lady, try getting to the children first.”

  Miles looked at him in astonishment. “She is with those straggly children?”

  “They follow her to the street every day.”

  Lord Spencer liked the idea. If she was that devoted to poor urchins then befriending them first made sense.

  Miles made sure morsels of candy were stashed in the saddlebag of the horseman who rode behind him. The man asked no questions and mounted his horse as usual. When the Troops were almost in front of the children, Lord Spencer turned slightly to his horseman.

  “Toss candy to the children,” he ordered.

  “Sir?” asked the near speechless soldier.

  “Throw candy to the children. Every child likes sweets.”

  The soldier quickly did as told. The children hesitated at first. Fear crossed their faces when they looked at Isabelle for reassurance. She nodded for them to pick up the sweets. They scrambled for the candy. Isabelle had watched in disbelief when she saw Lord Spencer give orders to the soldier. Perhaps Lord Spencer had a soft side after all, but something made her suspicious of his unusual actions. His lips remained pursed as if he had no part in the generous gifts. She watched as the entourage moved toward the Palace.

  When the children and Isabelle returned to the hut, Madeline wondered what had driven the Horse Guard of George’s Cavalry to be so generous with street urchins. Whatever his motives, she was more than pleased to see her charges so happy for a change.

  That afternoon Anthony and Miles discussed the actions of the morning. “I do believe it is a matter of a short time before the lass will thank you,” said Anthony. “It will be the opportune time for you to ask her name.”

  Miles smiled in agreement. There had been many women who sought his attentions but none managed to hold him. The odd part was this woman seemed to take no real interest in him at all. In fact, she appeared to be more interested in the fine horses in his regiment than the riders. Lord Spencer experienced renewed energies the next day. Once again, he slowed his Troops down when they approached the children who stood proudly saluting them. When they had gathered the candy, he did not move forward. He caught the eye of the oldest child, Elizabeth.

  “Do you enjoy candy?” he asked.

  He had no sooner begun his sentence when the children turned and raced from him. The lass quickly ran after them. He did not miss the frightened looks of the orphans but had no idea what was wrong with them. He did not expect the lass to run in fright. He was sure she was not afraid of the horses though the children may have been since they were so close when he stopped.

  Lord Miles Spencer held his head erect and commanded his Troops to follow him. When they arrived at the Palace, the last thing Miles wanted to do was to spend the next hours in Court only to watch George indulge more in his sumptuous meal. Daily the Regent did less ruling. He preferred his riches and the abundance of his table. He had less to say on matters of the kingdom and more on how to acquire more riches. He became lazier and this was detestable to Lord Spencer.

  “We will figure another plan,” said his Aide. “Do not worry, My Lord.”

  That night Miles formed a new plan. He would continue to order candy tossed to the children but he would then ride forward after a slight hesitation. The pause would give the lass time to bow and thank him on behalf of the children.

  Unfortunately for Lord Spencer that opportunity would never happen. The next morning when they passed the usual area where the children had been, they were absent, including the beautiful young woman. This placed a new dilemma for Miles.

  In the meantime, Isabelle had returned to the hut late the evening before and talked privately with Madeline.

  “I do not know what he wanted to say but the man is frightening, Madeline. I feel he wanted to admonish the children for something though I have no idea what that could be.”

  “His demeanor is stern and I have always known he is ruthless,” said Madeline, “but if he gave them candy surely he meant no harm.”

  “If you could have seen those dark eyes up close you would not be so quick to excuse him.”

  “Will you take the children back tomorrow?”

  Isabelle shook her head. “I cannot put them in front of him again. He has much power and they would be at his mercy. He did not smile at them. He pulled his horse closer and began to speak directly to Elizabeth. His magnificent uniform and unyielding countenance terrified all of us.”

  Madeline did not pursue the conversation. Clearly, Isabelle was adamant in her resolve. She must tell the children they were not going to greet the Troops the next day. At first, they appeared relieved but she saw disappointment in their faces as well.

  Isabelle turned the events over in her mind more than once. She did not hear his words since she concentrated on her scared charges. Now she wondered what he had said to Elizabeth. She must find something else to distract them with. She feared returning to the daily ritual.

  Above all, she wished her father was still alive. He would know exactly what to do in such a case. She had not been back to the Palace Stables since his death. She had no rights there and even if she did, she could not bring herself to return.

  Where Are The Children?

  After three days passed and still no children and no beautiful young woman, Miles’ obsession grew stronger. He must find her and ask for an explanation. Above all, he wanted to know her name and where he could find her. When Court was over that afternoon, he mounted his horse and rode into Brookwood. A few children scattered from the cobbled street and adults quickly found escape in the shops lining the street. It did not take very long for the street to be deserted. Miles spotted a young man approximately fourteen years of age and called to him before he could escape.

  “I wish to know who the young lady is who brings the children to greet my Troops every day.”

  The lad looked up at the man whose head appeared to reach the blue skies above him. He shielded his eyes against the sun and shook his head. “I do not know whom you speak of, Sir,” he trembled.

  With a show of impatience, Miles explained in more detail, giving a description of the woman. Again, the boy shook his head in the negative.

  “Away with you, then,” said Miles. He turned his horse from the boy and scrutinized the area for signs of others. Then a man who apparently had no idea Lord Spencer had ridden into the small hamlet, walked from a shop. Miles called him over. Startled, the bent man straightened to look at him. “Do you know who the young lady is who brings the children to greet my Troops every day?”

  The man, along with the whole village, knew of the incident the day before. It was in silent agreement that none would answer if the Regent’s men came asking about anyone in the hamlet.

  “I do not know who you speak of, My Lord,” said the man. His hand clinched a walking stick and his back bent him closer to the ground.

  Lord Spencer turned his horse back toward the Palace in disgust. They couldn’t be so ignorant, he thought. In a town this small surely they knew who he spoke of.

  Miles returned every afternoon for the next four days on the same mission. Each person he asked about the lass gave him the same response. He wanted to ask children but none were in sight. The streets were mainly deserted every afternoon when he came.r />
  Day after day, the children and the lass absented themselves from the side of the road. And as the days passed, Lord Miles Spencer grew more determined to find the beautiful young woman who attracted him so. He spoke to Anthony in frustration.

  “There is something else you could do,” said his friend. Miles was ready to listen. “We must pay closer attention to the way the lower class dress and their mannerisms. The speech patterns are most important also.”

  “We are masters of disguise, Anthony. Do you recall what cunning spies we were during battles in France?”

  They reminisced about those days and once again congratulated each other on the success evidenced by very few lost soldiers.

  “I will gather clothing the we will need,” said Anthony. We can transform in your office at the end of the Stables after you finish in Court.”

  When the men felt they were ready, they donned attire befitting the lower class and sneaked from the back of the building. They walked into Brookwood in late afternoon. Miles noted there were a few more people on the street. They saw three men standing outside the Pub entrance and walked toward them.

  To their relief, no one seemed aware they were in the presence of the Regent’s men. They watched them come closer but no one spoke. They were unused to strangers walking into their town.

  “We are looking for mine work,” said Anthony. Miles marveled how he managed the accent so well. “Can you direct us to one of the mine foremen?”

  “Come inside for a draft and I’ll tell you about the mines around here,” said one man.

  They followed the men inside and sat in a dark corner of the Pub. They ordered Ale following the lead of the regulars. When asked, Anthony introduced himself as Edward and Miles became Richard.

  “About the mines,” said the man who invited them in, “only two mines are still operating and the number of men who work them is highly lessened. Both mines are ready to fold as all the others have.” He eyed the two men. “You won’t find work here. Just about everyone has left to find work elsewhere.”