JAMES FROZE, NOT expecting the revelation. "That is impossible."

"Is it, Your Grace? I have been watching her the last few days. While she makes a terrible servant, the way she carries herself, makes it clear that she has aristocratic roots."

James snorted still not believing what Mrs. Shrine was saying, "And how does she carry herself?"

"Elegantly, with dignity and kindness even when being scolded."

"That," James drawled, "is not sufficient enough proof."

"No, it is not." His housekeeper agreed. "However, I've seen the way she eats, with proper decorum, it is vastly different from the other maids that are employed at Chalcott Manor. I have seen her gaze linger a tad bit longer over the books in the library as if she's reading the titles slowly. Although the item that is most puzzling is a pendant she keeps hidden underneath her dress; it is a bright green like the emeralds one might find on the neck of a fine Lady."

"She might have stolen it from a previous mistress, which would explain why she was fleeing when she arrived here."

Mrs. Shrine shook her head, "She reaches for it even when she is not aware. That reaction explains that it has been with her for a long time."

He did not know what Mrs. Shrine wanted from him. It seemed impossible for Vivienne to be an aristocrat. James could not remember the dress she'd sported when he found her in his manor but it would do little to help him—the mud and stains would have made it impossible to see the true value of the fabric. Another thought burst into James' mind—one that left him near breathless. It was possible that she could be the missing daughter of the previous Earl of Westmoreland.

Lady Selina.

"If you observe her for a couple of days, you will see how she's different."

The voice of his housekeeper brought him out of his thoughts. He had better things to do then spend his time watching over some chit but if there was even a slight chance that she was his betrothed—it would be worth it.

"Fine," he muttered.

Mrs. Shrine's eyes lit up and James held up his hand. "It still doesn't mean anything. If I do not believe your tale, she will be relieved of her duties effective immediately."

Mrs. Shrine's bobbed her head, "Thank you, Your Grace."

She exited the study, leaving James to ponder once more at the absurdity of the tale he'd been told.

***

Vivienne listened to see if there were any sounds from the cots beside her. She could faintly make out the sounds of Chrissy's light snore, and she covered her mouth with her hands to stop herself from bursting into laughter. Chrissy indignantly believed she did not make any sounds in her sleep and she'd gotten into quite the argument with another maid over it. Sensing the stillness from the other girls, Vivienne slowly moved off the cot.

There was a creak as she opened the door and Vivienne winced before spinning around to see if anyone had woken. It seemed liked all the girls were still asleep. Slowly, she pulled the door closed behind her and began walking through the dark manor. When she couldn't sleep the last few days, she'd taken to exploring the place at night. Here she couldn't trip over something nor could she upset the other servants—as it seemed like that was all she did during the day.

Vivienne was trying her best to learn, but unlike the rest of the servants who had been in service for years, it was her first time doing many of the tasks. She hoped that Mrs. Shrine wouldn't relieve her of her duties, but she'd seen the housekeeper glancing at her more than once. Maybe she was waiting for the duke to return to finally let her go.

His Grace had returned today. Vivienne had heard the horse gallop to the manor, and she'd seen him step down from the beast through one of the windows she was supposed to be cleaning. That was the last sighting she had of the man as he had locked himself in his study. The servants had been instructed to stay away but Vivienne wasn't foolish enough to approach him anyway. He had an aura of authority around him and she knew deep within her soul he wasn't someone she should cross.

Grabbing a candle she'd placed on one of the mantles earlier in the morning, Vivienne walked towards the library. It was a place she'd happened upon accidently when trying to escape footsteps she'd heard the first night. Now, whenever she could not sleep, she would visit and sit amongst the books. It gave her peace, and a chance to escape everything around her.

The door slid open with relative ease and she set down the candle on one of the shelves before scanning for her next book. Moonlight filtered through the massive windows casting an eerie blue glow on the items in the room. Her fingers picked up a novel called Pride and Prejudice. She had not heard of it before, but it looked to be promising. Settling into a settee, Vivienne opened the book and began reading.

It was quite some time later when she heard a faint creak, causing her heart to beat rapidly. She closed the book and sat still. It was unusually for anyone to be awake at this hour. She wondered if it might be a thief. The footsteps continued getting louder. Move, Vivienne commanded her body, but she was frozen in place. The door to the library swung open and light poured upon her face. Holding her hands to shield her eyes, Vivienne peeked through the gaps in her fingers and gasped.

It was the duke! She stumbled from the settee and curtsied. "Your Grace."

The duke looked at her curiously for a moment, as if he couldn't place who she was. She was a fool. It was natural that he didn't know her! When they had first met, she'd been covered in dirt and grime from her days of travel. That was the last time they had crossed paths before he left for London.

Cheeks burning at the attention, Vivienne looked at the ground. "Apologies for being here, I'll take my leave now."

He still didn't say anything, but Vivienne glanced up to see that his gaze was upon the book still resting on the settee. He walked over and picked it up, his thumbs flipping through the pages curiously.

"Jane Austen, huh?"

"Have you read it before?" she blurted out, surprised by her own question.

The duke raised an eyebrow. "I can't say I have. Not exactly the literature I prefer."

Vivienne nodded. She couldn't see him reading the novel. He was probably someone who spent his time reading agriculture periodicals.

The he surprised her by asking, "Is it any good?"

"I've just began reading but it does seem promising."

The duke nodded, his eyes gazing into her own. In the dark light, they almost looked black, but she knew that wasn't their true colour.

"Where did you learn to read? It is very uncommon for a servant to know how to do so."

Her heart leapt furiously as her breathing began rising rapidly. Had she given herself away? She'd forgotten that most servants didn't know how to read. When Vivienne still didn't speak, the duke stepped closer to her and she nearly shivered. His height was evident now more than ever as he loomed over her.

"Is something the matter?"

Vivienne looked up at him, and she sighed. Something within her told her to be truthful with him.

"I was taught by a friend."

"Was this at your previous employment?"

Vivienne shook her head, "No, it was before that. She was a governess; her name was Agatha."

The duke's eyes widened, and he took a step back. "You're Vivienne then?"

Vivienne nodded her head embarrassed that he had not recognized her until now, "Yes, Your Grace."

She watched as the duke settled into the settee she'd abandoned.

"How are you finding the work in Chalcott Manor?"

Vivienne couldn't very well tell him it had been quite miserable the last few days. Although she had gotten better at washing the linen sheets and dusting the drawing room, she was still prone to making errors that irritated the other servants.

Knowing the answer he expected, Vivienne gave him a small smile which she hoped hid her lie. "It is excellent Your Grace. I am very grateful to be working here."

He gazed at her once more but didn't say anything for a few minutes, it was clear that he was deep into his thoughts. Her heartbeat slowed and she hoped that he had not caught her lie. After a few more moments of silence, she realized her presence was no longer appreciated so she curtsied low, "Goodnight, Your Grace."

And without looking back, she fled back to her cot, trying to sleep among the snores.

***

James felt a bit foolish hiding in his own manor spying on the girl. He had been extremely hesitant to believe Mrs. Shrine's words however, after their surprise meeting in the library last night—his curiosity was unnaturally aroused. It was clear that Vivienne knew how to read, she also told him it had been a governess who taught her. Why would a governess teach a lowly servant unless it was her ward? Thankfully, she'd given him the name and just this morning James had sent a submissive to the Bow Street Runner to inquire about Lady Selina's governess. If his inkling was correct, Agatha would be her name.

He also took it upon himself to follow her around and observe her actions as Mrs. Shrine had requested. So far, all he'd seen was that she was a terrible house servant and if the circumstances were different, he would have sacked her the first time he saw her fumbling with a painting in the hallway. It was one of his most expensive pieces and somehow, she'd gotten the frame stuck in the hems of her plain dress almost causing her and the painting to both come tumbling down.

James had stood at the top of the stairs watching her struggle and wanting to step in but he stopped himself. Unless he was proven wrong, she was a servant—and he didn't need to associate with the likes of them. Now he was watching in the shadows as she took her meal. She didn't eat with the rest of the servants. The other maids huddled in the kitchen around a poor standing table while her chair was pushed towards the end, near Mrs. Shrine but still a healthy distance away. He watched and frowned as she picked up the fork and knife before cutting the vegetables in a delicate manner. Her moves were precise, as if she had practice wielding silverware on a regular basis.

It still, however, did not prove that she was a lady. After all, the same governess could have taught her table manners. Although it did once again beg the question as to why a governess spent time teaching a low born servant instead of making coin by being in the employment of any other aristocratic family. James would get the answers he needed from his Bow Street Runner soon enough.

He watched as Vivienne stood up, her posture was immaculate, he had to admit. It was like the chits from one of London's many finishing schools, she looked as though she had a rod rammed into her back. As she walked, the sun hit her hair, turning it into a splendid shade of golden. It appeared as if it was the sun itself.

It had been the hair that threw him off last night in the library. When he'd first seen her, there had been so much dirt and grime, the colour was indescribable, now it shone like golden threads. He scowled and forced himself to break free of his thoughts. It was just hair after all.

For the rest of the afternoon he followed Vivienne at a safe distance as she went about her tasks. He was pretty sure she'd almost caught him a few times as she had looked over her shoulder and frowned more than once before going back to her tasks. It was in those times that James formed his decision of what he was going to do next.

Settling into his leather chair, he rang for his housekeeper.

"You called, Your Grace?"

James nodded and looked Mrs. Shrine in the eye. "Inform Vivienne to join me in my study at once."

--------------

What is James going to do with poor Vivienne? Have any of you read Pride and Prejudice? I'll admit it's been quite a while, I might read it again...