Lady Sarah

Chapter six

I watched him go and found myself looking forward to seeing him again. Then I caught myself, how could I start forming feelings of attachment to the Duke?. I looked at Mrs. Canines and hoped she did not notice my disposition.

“Emma was that a wise decision? Agreeing to go riding with the Duke?” I asked, in need of someone to tell me how foolish I am being.

“Let’s go Miss, we have walked far enough-and no, I think it a good thing. The Duke is a good gentleman” Mrs. Canines said and we turned back.

As we were drawing closer to the Lieven house we saw a coach and activity at the front of the house.

“Why are the staff not awake Mr. Boxton, 3 months of my absence and the whole household goes into disarray!” Spoke a tall elegant blond woman dressed in fine green travelling dress and furs. She was standing in front of Mr. Boxton and giving him a long speech about household rules that have been broken and how utterly disappointed she is that she might just change the lot of them.

Poor Mr Boxton appeared terrified and stood straight looking ahead as this woman made him look unskilled and ill trained. I felt pity for him.

“That must be Lady Lieven” Mrs Canines said beside me. I looked around and saw two of the stable boys and two menservants rushing towards the coach and tending to the horses and luggage. They seemed half dressed and must have been just awoken. The time was 6am and the staff usually stir at around 8am and breakfast and served at 10am. At first I found it was strange habit but have come to like the stillness in the morning but I see it is not the norm if Lady Lieven is addressing Mr. Boxton about it.

Mrs. Canines and I walked forward and drew near. As we drew near we saw who I can only assume to be Uncle Harold Lieven, Earl of Essex nearer to the other end of the coach stroking one of the animals. He did not seem to be paying attention to neither Lady Lieven nor the servants. He looked thoughtful.

He was tall, broadly built and dressed in a black riding habit. He had dark brown hair and a well groomed beard and sharp eyes and features. He did not look very old at all, I expected him to be grey at least.

As I was assessing and observing the Earl the Lady of Lieven dismissed Mr. Boxton, then turned and saw me and Mrs Canines standing there.

“What are you?” She rudely asked and gave me a look I recognized from Victoria. One of suspicion.

“My aunt Lady, I am Lady Sarah Lieven McCartney” I politely introduced myself and slight curtseyed.

  She looked a little surprised but maintained her hard face as she looked at me carefully. I waited patiently hoping she had better manners then her daughter.

“Welcome Miss Sarah, I hope our accommodation has been to your satisfaction” She said with a refined air. I knew then that she would be hard to read. She was a lady of society and expressionless face.

“Thank you my lady, it has been a pleasure”

“Let’s not talk here, go in and change for breakfast and you may meet the Earl then” She said and walked into the house.

I and Emma followed her in and went up to my room to change.

After only 20 minutes lapsed Lizzie came rushing in and informed us tea would be served. I gathered Lady Lieven has had the cook make a hasty tea and breakfast will follow.

I went down to the breakfast rooms nervous and found the whole family there with the Earl sitting at the head of the table and Frederick to his right and Victoria facing him whilst Lady Lieven occupied the lower end.

“My Lord, my lady” I curtseyed and greeted them. I looked up and found a pair of dark piercing eyes focused on me. The Earl was closely observing me. He reminded me of a hawk observing his prey with calculation before snatching it.