Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Daniel straightened his waistcoat and took a deep breath. The butler, Mr. Porter, had just informed him that the applicant for the maid position had arrived. He was ready for another routine interview, but as he stepped out of his study, shock reverberated through his body.

Is it…?

It cannot be…

But it was.

That was not a woman he had expected to see again.

She stood in the hallway, gazing at the paintings with an expression of quiet admiration. Her simple dress and shawl did nothing to hide her beauty; if anything, they accentuated her natural grace. Her eyes, which he remembered vividly, were filled with a mixture of awe and apprehension.

It was the woman he had rescued from the alleyway.

Daniel felt a rush of emotions: surprise, curiosity, and something else he could not quite identify. He had assumed she was someone that he would never lay eyes on again, a stranger he had helped in a moment of need. Yet here she was, standing in his home, seeking employment.

"Miss Monroe, please come in," he said, keeping his voice calm despite the whirlwind of thoughts racing through his mind.

Her head snapped around, eyes widening in recognition. For a moment, she seemed just as at a loss for words as he was. But she composed herself quickly, giving him a polite nod before stepping into the study.

He watched her closely, admiring the way she carried herself. Despite her obvious nervousness, there was a dignity in her bearing that spoke of strength and resilience. He could see why Eileen had recommended her.

"Please, have a seat." Daniel gestured to the chair opposite his desk, trying to focus on the task at hand.

He needed to conduct this interview professionally, despite the unexpected connection.

Isabella hesitated for a moment before taking the offered seat. Her cheeks were flushed, and she avoided meeting his gaze. Daniel could sense her discomfort, but his curiosity overrode any concern.

"Miss Monroe," he began, choosing his words carefully, "I must admit, I did not expect to see you again, especially not here."

Her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red, and she seemed to shrink slightly in her seat.

"My lord, I...I believe there has been a mistake," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

"A mistake?" Daniel repeated, raising an eyebrow. "You mean you are not here to apply for a position as a maid?"

Isabella shook her head, her eyes fixed on her hands in her lap.

"No, I mean...Yes, I am here for that. But I did not expect...I did not realize that you were...I mean, after the other day..." Her words tumbled out in a flustered rush, and she seemed on the verge of tears.

Daniel leaned forward slightly, his expression softening. "Miss Monroe, there is no need to be embarrassed. I am simply curious. When I saw you a few days ago, you were dressed as a lady. Now, you are here seeking employment as a maid. I would like to understand why."

Isabella took a deep breath, seemingly working out how best to tell this truth. "My lord, I apologize for any confusion. The day you saw me, I was disguised as my mistress, Lady Marie, who wanted to sneak out alone, without any constraints. We swapped dresses at a modiste. I had to return to our arranged meeting place, but I was attacked, and you came to my rescue." She paused, gathering her thoughts. "I'm sorry for the trouble I caused."

Daniel listened intently, his expression one of genuine concern and understanding. "Please, do not worry about it. I am glad I was able to help." He rose from his chair, walked over to a cabinet, and retrieved a small velvet box. "I believe this belongs to you," he said, opening the box to reveal the stolen necklace that he had managed to retrieve.

Isabella gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "How did you find it?"

Daniel offered a reassuring smile. "I found it at the scene of the attack. I kept it safe, hoping I might somehow return it to you."

Isabella's eyes shimmered with gratitude and something deeper…relief, perhaps, or the realization that she was in the presence of someone she could trust. She took the necklace with trembling hands, her fingers brushing lightly over the delicate pendant.

"Thank you, my lord," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "Now I can clear my name."

Daniel nodded, understanding the weight of her words. "I am glad it found its way back to you."

Isabella clutched the necklace tightly as if it were a lifeline. For a moment, the room was filled with a poignant silence, both of them lost in their thoughts.

Daniel then cleared his throat, bringing them back to the matter at hand. "Miss Monroe, I understand the circumstances that brought you here. But I have to ask, are you still interested in the position? It seems your situation is quite different from what I initially assumed."

Isabella took a deep breath, looking more composed. "My lord, I'm grateful for the opportunity, but I must decline. After all you have done for me, I cannot take advantage of your kindness by seeking employment here."

Daniel frowned slightly, surprised by her refusal. "Miss Isabella, I am seeking a maid here, and it seems like you need a job. Here, we could help one another out."

Isabella's eyes widened in disbelief. "My lord, that is incredibly generous, but I do not deserve such kindness. I am just a maid, and I cannot repay you for your help."

Daniel leaned forward, his gaze earnest. "Actually, you can."

"What do you mean?"

He shrugged. "I enjoy your company. In fact, I must insist that as a part of your employment, I should like you to spend an hour a day with me, talking about anything you like."

Isabella blinked in surprise, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "An hour a day, my lord?" she asked, her tone light and playful. "You do realize that most employers expect their staff to work during all their hours of employment, not sit around chatting?"

Daniel chuckled, the sound warm and genuine. "Most employers do not have the luxury of such stimulating company," he replied with a wink. "Consider it a condition of your employment. Your presence and conversation are highly valued."

Isabella's laughter rang out, a bright, melodious sound that filled the study. "Well, my lord, how could I possibly refuse such a unique offer? But I must warn you, my conversation might not be as stimulating as you hope. You may tire of it quickly."

Daniel shook his head, a serious look replacing his earlier amusement. "On the contrary, Miss Isabella. I have no doubt that our conversations will be the highlight of my day."

A blush spread across Isabella's cheeks. "Very well, my lord. I accept your terms. But do not blame me if you find our talks mundane."

Daniel's smile broadened, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "I assure you, Miss Monroe, mundane is the last word I would use to describe our interactions."

Daniel straightened his waistcoat and took a deep breath, feeling a wave of satisfaction wash over him. "Excellent. When you return in the morning, Mr. Porter will show you to your quarters and help you get settled in."

Isabella nodded, her expression a mixture of relief and something else…perhaps anticipation.

She stood, and Daniel moved to the door to open it for her.

They walked together down the hallway, the silence between them comfortable now, rather than charged with tension.

As they reached the door, Daniel paused, turning to face her. "Isabella, I want you to know that I am here if you need anything. You are part of this household now, and your well-being is important to me."

She looked up at him, her eyes reflecting gratitude and a newfound confidence. "Thank you, my lord. I will do my best to serve you well."

"I have no doubt about that," he replied, giving her a reassuring smile.

They stood there for a moment, the weight of their unspoken thoughts hanging in the air. Finally, Isabella curtsied gracefully. "Goodbye, for now, my lord."

"Goodbye, Isabella," Daniel said softly, watching as she stepped out into the courtyard.

He stood in the doorway, observing her as she walked away.

Her steps were light and purposeful, and he couldn't help but admire the way she carried herself. Even in her humble attire, she possessed an elegance that was impossible to ignore.

As she disappeared from view, Daniel felt a pang of something he could not quite define.

Perhaps a blend of longing and curiosity. He realized that he was looking forward to their conversations, to getting to know the woman who had unexpectedly reentered his life.

With a final glance at the courtyard, he turned back into the house, his mind already racing with thoughts of the future and the intriguing presence of Isabella within his home.

As Daniel walked back into the house, he made his way directly to Mr. Michael Porter, the steadfast and reliable butler who had been with the family for years.

Porter was in the kitchen, overseeing the preparation of dinner, his keen eyes missing nothing as he coordinated the staff with practiced ease.

"Mr. Porter," Daniel called, causing the butler to turn and bow respectfully.

"My lord, how did the interview go?" Porter inquired, his tone polite but with a hint of curiosity.

Daniel smiled, the satisfaction from the encounter still evident on his face. "It went quite well. Miss Isabella has accepted the position. She will be joining us starting tomorrow morning."

Porter's eyes brightened with genuine pleasure. "That is excellent news, my lord. Miss Isabella came highly recommended, and from what little I saw, she seems to be a person of good character."

Daniel nodded, his thoughts momentarily drifting to their conversation. "Indeed, she is. There is something about her that suggests she will be a valuable addition to our household."

"Please ensure that she is made to feel welcome and that her quarters are prepared adequately."

"Of course, my lord. I will see to it personally," Porter responded, a hint of curiosity still lingering in his eyes but kept in check by his professionalism.

Daniel gave a nod of approval. "Thank you, Porter. That will be all for now."

He had no idea what the morning was going to look like, but he had a feeling that everything was going to be a little different from here on out. Isabella was going to bring a light to his home that he had not experienced for a long time, and with a bit of luck, now that she had the necklace back, she would be able to put whatever was troubling her behind her.

There had been no theft from Isabella, he could attest to that. If anyone had asked around, they would have immediately discovered that.

It was truly a shame how some members of the ton chose to treat their staff as if they were absolutely worthless, just because they were not born into money.

That would never be him.

He would always try to treat people with respect, no matter how they were born. He could never see eye to eye with the ton about that. But Daniel did not mind being seen as different, because he knew that he was right. Money and status simply was not everything, despite what they were all brought up to think.