The Duchess in the Dorm [Published - Sample Only]

Chapter 1 - Off to University

The Duchess in the Dorm (part 1)

Lizzie had taken all of the A-levels and GCSEs in her own name. Her marks were amongst the highest of her class at prep school and she was offered admittance to Cambridge, Oxford, and even Sandhurst. As for the latter, she did not think that a military career would be conducive to her mission to save the old family estate. Her late father had graduated from Merton College, Oxford so that school was a natural choice and she accepted. He had been a second cousin of her Majesty the Queen and even though Lizzie carried the same name, she was either a great grand niece or second cousin once removed or some such thing. It was beyond her as to why anyone in London would care about her one way or another.

Even though she was little-known and never did anything to rate a story in the tabloids, she took the offered option of enrolling in college as Elizabeth Wilson. Identifications and transcripts had been arranged and with a bit of luck, she could retain her anonymity as a student for as long as possible. On one fine late August morning, Lizzie was quietly eating a light breakfast with her mother in the small dining room. "Mother, I know that you disagree but this is the right decision for me and I made a promise to father."

Lady Jane sipped her coffee and thought for a moment. "Yes, my love. I understand and will support you in this adventure for two years and then we will reevaluate the situation."

Lizzie ground her teeth and thought silently. We shall see about that.

On Monday the 20th of August, nineteen-year-old Elizabeth Wilson nee Windsor double-checked her packing list as provided in her Oxford welcome package. She intended to live the austere life of a student for the next four years. It was a great relief for her to leave the trappings of the aristocracy behind; at least temporarily. She brought her two suitcases and one overfilled backpack downstairs and out the main entrance where the driver was waiting. "Brandon, please put these in the boot. I'll say my goodbyes to Lady Jane and be right along subsequently."

The older man, who'd been working for the family since before Elizabeth had been born tipped his cap. "Yes, my Lady."

Lizzie looked up at the sky straightened her long leather coat. The forecast from ITV4 was for a bright morning with increasing clouds and rain in the afternoon. She went back into the main house and found her mother in the solarium enjoying the view of the magnificent gardens while drinking tea and reading the morning paper. The well-dressed, attractive 41-year-old gestured to the teapot. Lizzie shook her head. "Sorry no, I had a cuppa' whilst I was packing. Brandon is waiting to take me to the train station."

Rehashing an old discussion, Jane gestured with her hand. "I can have him take you all the way; it's only about a two-hour drive."

"No mother, the train will be just fine. I just want to arrive like most of the other students and blend in with everyone else you see."

"Very well. I shall miss you dearly my love, please ring when you get settled."

Lizzie pointed to the new iPhone in her jacket pocket. "I will, and you have my new number. Please don't give it out to anyone else. Only you, Thomas, and my friend Annie have it."

With that, Jane stood up, the two of them hugged cordially and Lizzie turned to leave in silence. Outside the main entryway to the 440-year-old Manor house, the plain black four-door Volvo sedan was waiting. Lizzie took one last look around at her family estate and got into the back of the car. She rode in silence the 20 minutes or so to the train station in the nearby town. The first ten minutes of the drive were all on her property. They arrived at the station and her driver unloaded the two bags. Lizzie smiled at him. "Thank you, Brandon, I'll see you at Christmas break."