Forced To Be The Duke's Maid

Forced To Be The Duke's Maid - Part 2

I felt like someone had taken the air out of my lungs, how could I leave this place, the only home I had ever known, the only people I had ever known? And to make matters worse I seemed to have no say in the matter whatsoever. Mrs Campbell stood with her back to me, staring out the window. I could tell by her demeanour she was upset, but why wasn’t she stopping this? Why is she letting some strangers take me away without a fight?

“Can I refuse?”

She turned to face me now, her eyes full of tears. She reached for a hanky from up her sleeve and dabbed her eyes before responding. “You could refuse Celeste; you could run away right now. That’s what I want to tell you to do.”

I sensed there was a but coming. “But?”

“There are things you must understand. This is not a new thing; it has been happening for a long time. With other females in the past, I mean. That’s why I sent you to the laundry, I had to hide you from him.” Mrs Campbell looked so beside herself, I almost felt bad for her.

“Why are you letting it happen? He can’t just come and take young women from here like possessions. We have to stop him.”

“Celeste, it is not as straightforward as that. The duke is…a doner. There’s a reason why this is the best workhouse in the country, the nicest sleeping quarters, the most wholesome food. The duke funds us and helps to give us all a better life here, including you.”

“So what? It means he can take women from here against their will because he pays towards their food and board? How can you justify this? What happens to them when they leave here? Are they still alive?”

Mrs Campbell gasped. “Of course, they are still alive. Do you think I would condone murdering girls who have been in my charge for years? The duke is an arrogant, narcissistic fool, but he’s not a killer. In fact, the girls he has taken from here all went on to be educated and live good lives. Far better then the one they had here. The only reason I didn’t want you to go Celeste is because I will miss you, you’re the closest thing I have to a daughter.”

A lump had formed in my throat at hearing her words. I had always felt like Mrs Campbell had been like a mother figure to me, clearly the feelings were mutual. I didn’t stop to think too much about it, I just ran into her arms and hugged her as tears began to flow down my face. “Will I still be able to see you?” I whispered.

She shook her head. “Unfortunately, this will be goodbye Celeste. The one thing they demand is that you cut all ties with your previous life here and all you know. It’s a fresh start, a new beginning. Look at it like you’re a beautiful butterfly just breaking out of her cocoon for the first time.” She wiped the tears from my face, as she stifled sobs back herself. “Do me proud Celeste, I know you will go on to do great things. Maybe one day, when you are able, you’ll come back to visit us here. This place won’t be the same without you.”

I hugged her again, tightly. I didn’t want to let go; I didn’t want to leave…but what choice did I have? The duke might stop the funding, and everyone here would suffer. I couldn’t be selfish, as much as I wanted to be. “I promise I will. And thank you Mrs Campbell, you have been the best mother to me that I could have wished for.”

We both stood in each other’s embrace for a few moments longer, then Mrs Campbell helped me pack the few belongings I had. My diary, my books, the necklace that Freddie had made for me for my 16th birthday and the few pieces of clothing I owned. Mrs Campbell took my hand and placed something in the palm of it. I unfurled my fingers to see an ornate silver ring. “I can’t take this; you wear it every day. It was your mother’s.”

“And now it is yours, wear it always to remember me by. I never had children of my own, so it’s only right it should go to you Celeste.”

I felt hot tears starting again, so I hugged Mrs Campbell before they erupted into full blown sobs. “I will wear it always.” I said, before slipping in onto the middle finger of my right hand.

There was a loud knock at the door. Mrs Campbell moved to open it. It was Bertha. Her eyes were all puffy like she had been crying too. “I am sorry Celeste, they sent me to bring you to the car out front.” Then she pulled me into a tight hug. “We can’t believe you’re leaving us; this place will never be the same without you love.”

I hugged her back. “I will see you all again, you don’t get rid of me that easily.”

Bertha just nodded then pulled a handkerchief out to blow her nose. “We best get going love, best not to keep Miss High and Mighty waiting.”

All three of us walked down the hallway in silence. I felt like I was having an out of body experience, how could I be leaving my home so quickly when only an hour ago I was dancing with Freddie. Oh my goodness, Freddie!

“Mrs Campbell, where’s Freddie? I can’t leave without seeing him.”

Bertha gave my shoulders a squeeze before telling me the bad news. “Freddie was sent to the butchers on his bicycle to bring back bones for soup. We will tell him you said goodbye love, it’s probably for the best.” As she said it, she looked over at Mrs Campbell, who was tearing up again. “Let’s go, I will tell everyone you wanted to say farewell but ran out of time.”

I nodded, but inside I felt as though my heart was being ripped from my chest. Would I never get to see Freddie’s cheeky grin again? Who would twirl me round and play jokes on me? My life would be utterly dull without him. I stopped and pulled open my bag, I grabbed the book that Freddie loved me to read to him Moby d**k from inside of it. Reaching into my bun I took the pencil and scrolled inside the cover.

To my sweet Freddie, never forget me, for I will never forget you. Think of me when you read this. Love Celeste

I handed it to Mrs Campbell. “Can you please make sure he gets this?”

She just nodded and dabbed her eyes again. “Of course, now you best not dilly-dally girl. Do me proud.”

I smiled and squeezed her hand before walking out of the large wooden doors into the rain and wind. My hair billowed round my face as I walked down the steps towards the car awaiting me. The driver stood outside of it, he opened the door for me, helping me inside with my bag, before slamming the door closed again. I turned nervously around to see Mrs Dawson glaring at me.

“You took your time; do you think tardiness will be allowed at Elstree young lady? Punishment is severe, you do not want it, believe me.” She tapped the window nonchalantly and the car moved swiftly away from the pavement and onto the busy streets.

Any other time I would have loved this new experience, being in a car, heading off on a new adventure, Instead, all I felt was sick, emotional, and scared of what fate awaited me at Elstree. Mrs Campbell had assured me that all the girls who had gone there previously lived happy lives now, that was no consolation for me right now though. All I kept thinking about was how I was going to survive this she-devil sitting across from me. Even now she was giving me looks that could kill, she hated me already. Why did she choose me in the first place if I was so repulsive to her?

The car slowed slightly, and I happened to look out the window. I could see Freddie; he was filling the basket of his bicycle with a brown paper wrapped parcel. I knocked the window and shouted his name. He looked around before his gaze finally landed on me. It took him a few seconds to recognise what he was looking at, just as the car lurched forward to drive off again.

I couldn’t help the cry that left my lips. “No! Please let me say goodbye to him. Please. He is my friend. “

Mrs Dawson just tutted. “Your old life is gone, there will be no more tears girl. The duke will not stand for it. Now sit back and be quiet, wipe your face too, so unsightly to have a wet nose and puffy eyes, especially on such a beautiful face.”

I sat back in defeat and closed my eyes, silently asking God to give me strength not to throttle this woman. A loud bang on the window startled me out my prayers. I opened my eyes to see Freddie, cycling along side the car shouting my name. The anguish on his face cut through my heart like a shard of broken glass, I reached up and placed my hand on the window, he did the same. I silently wept and mouthed the words goodbye. Tears were running down his face now too as he tried to keep himself upright on the bicycle.

“Speed up George, lose the riff-raff.” The old crone said through gritted teeth.

I balled my hands into fists and watched as Freddie drifted off behind us, I could still hear him screaming my name. Then it went quiet. He was gone.

I closed my eyes again, hoping that if I wished hard enough this would all be a bad dream. Maybe when I opened my eyes, I would be back at Exeter House dancing with Freddie? Instead, all I felt was a pain across my left cheek and lower jaw. My eyes sprung open to see Mrs Dawson’s rage filled eyes.

“If you ever try to pull a stunt like that again, embarrass me in public with all the screaming and sobbing, that slap will feel more like a tickle compared to what will come next. Do you understand me?”

I touched my face; it was hot and stung where her hand had slapped me with quite some force. I dread to think what else she had planned for me. “Yes milady, I understand.”

“That’s more like it. Now when we arrive at Elstree you will be shown to your room and given a list of all the rules and duties you must abide by while living under the duke’s roof. If you do as you’re told when you’re told, you will live a reasonably good life at Elstree. If you break the rules or do not obey your master, the punishment will be severe and shall fit the misdemeanour. Is that understood?”

“Yes milady.”

“What is your second name girl?”

“I do not know; I was abandoned on the doorsteps of the workhouse at one day old. There was nothing but a letter saying please look after Celeste for me. Nothing else.” I looked away quickly and focused on the trees out the window. The last thing I needed was for her to see a weakness in me.

“I am sorry girl, that must be very hard for you. Not knowing where you came from or who your parents were. You impress me more and more.”

I was stunned. Was she being kind to me? “I do?”

“Yes, look what you have gone through. Brought up in the workhouse from one day old, yet you speak so eloquently, you’re a beautiful girl with an intelligent head on your shoulders. The duke will be pleased.”

It was starting to make more sense now. The only reason she chose me was not because she liked me, but because the duke would. “Why will the duke like me so much? I’m just an orphan girl with nothing apart from a few books and some stockings. What could I possibly have that would please the duke?”

She smiled at me now, a twinkle in her eye that I had not seen before. “Your innocence, that’s what will please him most of all."