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

  “How in the world did you come to be associated with the little castaways?” asked one.

  “They are children who have no parents because of the conditions of the mines. They were killed deep in the earth while mining coal. The church looked after them until the last mine closed.” She looked at the woman directly. “The other families had to move to find work. It takes everyone in Brookwood to care for the children left behind with no parents.”

  The woman sniffed. “Surely there are places to put children like that. I presume their parents died due to carelessness?”

  Isabelle stood. “They died mining coal so your grand homes will be kept warm for you during the cold winter hours.” She bowed slightly to Miles. “Excuse me and the children. We will be leaving now. My Lord, if you will please summon the carriages.”

  She hurried to the children and gathered them up. “It is time for us to go now, children.” They scurried behind her. A few grabbed small cakes from the plate having no time to enjoy desserts. Miles rushed outside after her.

  “Please, Isabelle, I apologize for my mother’s behavior as well as my sisters’. There is no excuse for any of it. I beg of you to let the children remain. Come. We have games on the large side lawn for them.”

  Isabelle shook her head vigorously. “We cannot stay, my Lord. I did not prepare the children for this kind of treatment. I will not stand for it for myself either. Thank you for the invitation to visit your beautiful estate but we must go home now.”

  Miles knew she was determined. Anthony had summoned the carriages. He had not been at the luncheon and had no idea what had happened. But knowing Caroline’s and Sophia’s attitudes toward anyone outside their circles he had a good idea of events.

  When the children were inside and Isabelle ready to step up into the carriage, Miles gently took her elbow. She turned to him.

  “I want to see you again, Isabelle. I will be in town tomorrow afternoon and perhaps we can talk when things settle down.”

  She shook her head. “We cannot allow this to go further,” she said. “We are from two different worlds, Lord Spencer. Nothing good can possibly come of it all.”

  Back at the small hut in the woods, the children chattered to Madeline telling her of their day spent in the large mansion. They had no idea why Isabelle swept them away so quickly but none of them appeared to think anything of it. As for Isabelle, she felt hot tears stream down her face as she hurried home. The humiliation now hit her full-force. More than the way Lord Spencer’s family and friends treated her, she was appalled at her own manners when she spoke to them.

  Ruined

  Louisa Sanders shrugged her shoulders when her neighbor inquired as to why Isabelle spent so much time with the thieving waifs.

  “She is a generous soul is all I can say about it. I do not approve her spending so much time out in those woods but she is determined.”

  They were interrupted when Isabelle burst through the gate and rushed past them. Louisa noted moisture pouring from her niece’s eyes. She hurried inside.

  “Isabelle, what in the world is wrong? Are you hurt?”

  Isabelle sat down in the paisley chair and her head sank in the palms of her hands. She told her aunt of the invitation to Lord Spencer’s Estate and how things unfolded.

  “I do not believe he will continue to help the orphans at all now. I behaved badly, Louisa. Above all, I cannot face him again. I choose not to continue to take the children to greet his Troops daily.”

  Louisa silently agreed that Isabelle had blown the opportunity of a lifetime. She should never have taken offense at mere words.

  “Please, Louisa, send me to live in Winchester with my Aunt Harriet. I will begin anew there and you will be relieved of any humiliation I have caused you and Edward.”

  “I will speak to your uncle tonight, Isabelle. In the morning things will look different for all of us.” Louisa knew things would not ease overnight and what about Edward and his means of livelihood? Once word got around about her niece’s behavior in the home of Lord Spencer, they would be ruined.

  After Isabelle spoke rudely to her and her guests, Lady Spencer laughed and said. “That is a good example of how young ladies in the hamlet act. Such poor manners and to think I invited all of you here to witness it.”

  Her friends assured her they found the entire afternoon most amusing. One by one they thanked her again and left. Miles had his stable marshall saddle his favorite horse. He got onto it and rode like the wind for several miles. When he reached a rushing creek, he allowed his horse to rest and take drink. Thanks to his mother and sisters he had lost the love of his life. His anger boiled over until he had no kind thoughts for any of his relatives. They not only humiliated Isabelle, but him as well. He cared nothing for their treatment toward him, but how could they have done that to someone as gentle and compassionate as Isabelle Sanders?

  It took several hours but Miles finally rode slower back to the stables. When he got home everything had been cleared of people and luncheon remnants. He went into his study to make some decisions. He must win Isabelle over. He would deal with Lady Spencer and his sisters in good time.

  The next day when he led his Troops down the cobbled street of Brookwood, he was chagrined when he saw very few people along the roadway. The children and Isabelle also stayed away. Once again, he rode into town that afternoon in search of Isabelle. He went to her home and Louisa told him she did not know where Isabelle went. No one in town seemed to have a clue and all closed their minds and friendliness toward him. He had again become an outcast here. If any knew where to find Isabelle they had no intentions of letting him know. He had already tried the hut in the woods. The children were polite but not as excited to see him as before. Madeline told him Isabelle was not there.

  Miles turned around toward the woods behind the hut. Anthony rode by his side.

  “She may be back at the abandoned mine where I saw her that first day,” he said.

  The two men rode in that direction. They searched every abandoned mine entrance. There were no signs that anyone was there or had been recently.

  * * *

  Several weeks passed and Miles grew despondent. He spent endless free time from Court duties in his study running his large estate.

  One day a good friend of Lady Spencer’s had tea with her. Lindsay had not spoken to her son since the fateful day the orphans and Isabelle came for an afternoon of fun. She tried repeatedly to contact him but to no avail. She had never seen him this angry before.

  “Lindsay, it seems Miles will be leaving soon,” said Catherine.

  Lady Spencer looked surprised. “I do not know what you are talking about.”

  “Word is getting around that he has asked George Prince Regent for a transfer to one of the colonies in Africa or maybe Australia. I am not sure. Has he not spoken to you about it?”

  Lindsay told Catherine how her son had not spoken since the upheaval the day of the luncheon with Isabelle and the orphans. “What will he do so far away?” Her heart constricted to think her son would be so far from England.

  “He will take an envoy with him and see after England’s interests there. I am surprised he has not at least told you that. Perhaps he has spoken to Caroline or Sophia regarding his plans.”

  “I will ask them first. Please, Catherine, do not let others know Miles has not spoken to any of us. I believe I was too harsh in my actions toward the woman, Isabelle. I do not recall her last name, but you do realize who I speak of.”

  Catherine nodded her head. She would never forget how Miles had looked at the woman or how ill-mannered she was when she left so suddenly. She and Lindsay were close friends and she vowed to Lindsay she would say nothing of the rift.

  When her friend left, Lady Spencer immediately grabbed her wide-brimmed hat and called for a carriage. She must find Isabelle Sanders. In spite of her assessment of who Miles should marry this apparently was the woman he had fallen in love with. She finally allowed the hurt look on her son�
�s face when Isabelle stood up, to penetrate her mind and heart. She felt ashamed for the first time over how she treated a guest in her son’s home. The look on his face was now seared into her mind, and it was up to her to do something about it.

  She summoned Anthony Greene. When he arrived, she met him in the gardens and asked the full name of Isabelle. After talking with him, she recalled Lord Sanders when he was the one in her son’s position. He had been a fine soldier and a valiant one. Everyone admired him.

  “Lady Spencer, do not hope to find Isabelle Sanders. Lord Spencer has searched for weeks to no avail. No one in Brookwood will reveal her whereabouts even if they know where she is, which I am sure they do. They are very protective of her.”

  “I must find her, Anthony. I now understand how much Miles is in love with her. I hope I am not too late. Did you know he has petitioned George for a transfer to Africa?”

  Anthony knew it was to Australia but did not correct her. “I will do all I can, Lady Spencer.”

  “Thank you. I will let you know if I will need you. In the meantime, try to delay my son’s move as much as in your power to do so.”

  Anthony left knowing there was no way of finding Isabelle Sanders before Lord Spencer left for Australia. In ten days he would be far from England. His Aide knew how heartbroken Miles was. He looked haggard and beat down farther than he had ever seen a man reach.

  Miles did feel defeated. There had never been a challenge before in his life that he could not master until now. His thoughts and dreams crowded over with Isabelle Sanders. He must relinquish the notion of ever marrying her. This was harder to do than possible but there was no other answer. Thanks to his mother and sisters, prospects of a life with the one he loved had been shattered.

  He was brought to attention at the news he had a visitor. When informed it was his mother, he reluctantly met her in the drawing room.

  “I have heard you are taking a post in Africa, Miles. I am here to beg you not to leave for such a remote part of the world.”

  “It is Australia, Mother, and it is something already approved of by George.”

  Lady Spencer hid her shock at the mere shadow in front of her. All animation was gone from his demeanor. What had she done to him? She shuddered and again begged him to rethink things.

  “Does this have anything to do with Isabelle Sanders?” she asked.

  He looked at her with cruel eyes. She drew back.

  “It has to do with my own mother and sisters treating her so badly that she wants nothing to do with me. When I leave, I hope to forget her and the unhappy circumstances all of you brought into my life.” He knew he acted like a petulant child but for once his relatives should understand how their cruel words affected others.

  “I am so sorry, Miles. You are right. We behaved badly and are very sorry for it. Perhaps you can find her and spend more time explaining our behavior had nothing to do with your feelings for her.”

  He smiled weakly and turned toward the expansive windows. “If there is nothing else, Mother, then I am very busy finishing details before I leave.”

  She was being dismissed. Once back in her carriage she knew things were not over yet. Lord Miles Spencer would never make it to Africa, or Australia, or wherever it was that he planned to go. She had a few cards of her own left to play. Back home again, she summoned an old friend of her husband’s.

  Charles Standish was one of an elite group of policemen in England known as a Bow Street Runner. Lindsay knew he dealt mainly with violent offenders but since elected to join the group, he was adept in all fields of the job. She recalled how he once found a kidnapped child of someone close to George II. It had not taken long for the child to be returned to the parents and the perpetrators served with justice. When Officer Standish came to her door she welcomed him as an old friend and laid out her plan of action to him.

  “I hope you do not think this is something frivolous to summon you here for.” Lady Spencer’s eyes held concern.

  “Not at all,” said Charles. “This will be a nice break from hunting down hardened criminals. I recall Lord Sanders. England lost a fine soldier.”

  Once Charles left, Lindsay breathed a deep sigh of relief. She was sure everything would come together as planned. Then she began to think about Isabelle Sanders and had to smile. She was a courageous woman to stand up to her friends and their hurtful remarks. Not only that, but Lindsay now saw that she had not been rude at all when she suddenly left with the children. She had been brave and Lindsay could not imagine Caroline or Sophia being that fearless in front of their guests.

  Within a few days, Office Charles Standish arrived at her home again and this time he brought her good news. Isabelle Sanders had been located.

  “Is there any other service I can provide?” he asked.

  “This is more than enough, Charles. Thank you so much for such an expedient outcome.”

  There was the next step if her plan was to work. Lady Lindsay Spencer took to her bed. She rubbed a pale powder on her face and practiced listless looks in the mirror until she was satisfied. She ordered light meals brought to her suite. Her maid in waiting became alarmed at her appearance. She had never seen the lively Lady Spencer so taken with illness. The Physician was called and Lindsay confided in him of her plan. He took pleasure in joining her in the ruse.

  He called for Lord Spencer and together they carried out their devious plan to further her cause.

  Winchester

  When Miles came upstairs to his mother’s quarters he was alarmed at her condition. He knelt by her bedside and chided her for not sending for him sooner. She kept her voice low and it wavered appropriately when she spoke.

  “I have one last favor to ask of you, Miles, before you leave England.”

  “I will leave when you are better, Mother. Ask me anything. I will see that it is done.”

  “Please, take me to Winchester. My Physician has recommended someone with more expertise than he has to figure out what is wrong with me.”

  “Winchester will be a hard trip for you, Mother. Surely, we can summon this Physician here.”

  Lady Spencer was ready for his objections. “It is recommended fresh air will help me. I must get out of these stuffy quarters. If the carriage is made comfortable I will be fine.”

  “Why hasn’t Caroline or Sophia told me of your illness?”

  Lindsay noted his frustration increased. She must keep him on track. “They are both abroad for a few weeks basking in a villa with friends. I did not want them to know until I found out what is really wrong with me.”

  Lord Spencer calmed down and searched his mother’s face. No longer did he see pink cheeks and her eyes appeared listless. Then he noticed her hands and arms looked thinner. He stood up quickly.

  “We must hurry with these plans if you insist on going.” She assured him she must follow the Physician’s orders. “I will give instructions to Marie, your maid. She will pass word to the appropriate ones to ready the carriage,” said Miles. “We will leave early tomorrow morning.”

  As Miles mounted his horse, he decided to head straight for the Palace and ask for a short time with George. He had no intentions of leaving his mother in this state of health. His post must be delayed for as long as it took for her to get well again. George liked his Commander and had no problem granting him an unplanned audience. He seemed genuinely concerned about Lady Spencer’s condition. He ordered a carriage from his own Stables and insisted on the most comfortable accommodations be provided. Miles expressed his thanks more than once before excusing himself from the presence of the Regent.

  Since leaving Brookwood, Isabelle Sanders relaxed more and more. Word had reached her that Lord Spencer no longer asked her whereabouts in the village. Weekly baskets of food continued to arrive at the orphanage in the woods and framing for a new house had begun. For that she was thankful to Lord Spencer. He kept his word which caused less worry for her in that regard.

  Isabelle enjoyed her new home with her spinster aun
t. Harriet Mendel was a robust woman and rarely showed signs of negativity as Louisa had. Both women were active in the church in Winchester and Isabelle soon discovered needs here though the people were not as desperate as in Brookwood. She mainly ministered to the sick in their homes and gave of herself wherever needed. She cooked meals ahead when necessary for them and swept their homes. No one found fault with Isabelle.

  “Today I thought we should plant some vegetables in the garden,” said Harriet. “It is not too late to plant more root vegetables. Winter will arrive before we know it and they will store well in the cellar.”

  Isabelle agreed to help though planting was not her forte. She much preferred harvesting the bounty than planting and weeding. She knew there would be no produce unless effort went into it first. She gathered the tools and took them from the small shed to the garden spot where Harriet began tilling a small patch of dirt.

  “I hope you have found peace here, Isabelle,” said Harriet. She rarely interfered in her niece’s personal thoughts and feelings. Isabelle looked up quickly.

  “I have found much satisfaction here, Harriet. I do hope I have not been a burden in any way.”

  Harriet assured her that she enjoyed the company. Until Isabelle arrived, Harriet had not realized how lonely she had been. Her niece was so much like her mother. Harriet felt sadness when thinking of the plight her sister had after her husband was killed in the war. After Isabelle went to live with Louisa and Edward, her health declined. She died before anyone got the news she was not well. Harriet still regretted not knowing about her illness and often chided herself for hindsight in thinking she should have brought her into her home and cared for her. Perhaps Isabelle filled the gap and that notion at least assuaged her conscience.

  Miles often glanced at his mother as the carriage jogged along. He ordered the footmen to tell the driver to stop more often than his mother preferred. They stopped at stage stations for breaks where they were served refreshments. He told his mother not to be in a hurry to get back into the carriage too soon. More than once, he wondered why he agreed to this trip to begin with. Ordinarily it could be made in one day’s time but Miles insisted his men go ahead and prepare overnight lodgings for Lady Spencer and the entourage.