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    The Countess Lends a Hand
    The Countess Lends a Hand
    The Countess Lends a Hand
    Ebook227 pages3 hours

    The Countess Lends a Hand

    By Bonnie Dee

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    About this ebook

    WANTED: Ladies’ maid seeks love with a lord. Is there any way besides subterfuge to gain his notice?

    Meredith, the heroine of The Countess Takes a Lover, is determined to help her beloved maid Cecile Lambeaux have a fling with the man of her dreams, Sir Nathaniel Covington. Normally reserved Cecile has lost her heart to a man she’s watched from a distance. One glimpse of his kindness and his haunted demeanor and she’s willing to dare everything for even a brief affair. Meredith makes over Cecile and sets her on a collision course with her social better, not as a ladies’ maid but as a lady.

    Nathaniel attends a house party in order to escape his sadness and meets a woman who touches him deeply. But as Cecile and Nathaniel’s connection grows, her deception threatens to destroy it. Will Cecile reveal the truth before Nathaniel finds out in other ways? Meanwhile, the countess and Chris work through their own trust issues and seek a new depth in their relationship.

    This is a previously published book.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBonnie Dee
    Release dateMar 31, 2017
    ISBN9781370824960
    The Countess Lends a Hand
    Author

    Bonnie Dee

    Whether you're a fan of contemporary, paranormal, or historical romance, you'll find something to enjoy among my books. I'm interested in flawed, often damaged, people who find the fulfillment they seek in one another. To stay informed about new releases, please SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER. Help an author out by leaving a review and spreading the word about this book among your friends. You can join my street team at FB. Learn more about my backlist at http://bonniedee.com or find me on FB and Twitter @Bonnie_Dee.

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      Book preview

      The Countess Lends a Hand - Bonnie Dee

      The Countess Lends a Hand

      Bonnie Dee

      SMASHWORDS EDITION

      Copyright © 2017 by Bonnie Dee

      Cover art by Fantasia Frog Designs

      All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

      This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

      License Notes

      This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

      Chapter One

      "Madame, may I have a word with you, s’il vous plaît?"

      La Comtesse de Chevalier turned from gazing out the window of her salon to face her lady’s maid and companion. It wasn’t like Cecile to engage her in conversation, and her tone was serious.

      Is something the matter, Cecile?

      The woman’s countenance was as serene as usual. But no, perhaps there was a tightening in her lips, a slight frown creasing her smooth forehead. Could it be that she was upset, maybe even planning to end her service? What would Meredith ever do without her?

      Cecile bit her lower lip, betraying nervousness, an emotion her mistress had never seen her display. I could use your counsel, Madame, about a matter of the heart.

      Meredith’s eyes widened. When did Cecile have time for a personal life? She rarely left the estate or the townhouse when they were in London.

      Or not the heart precisely, she continued, but about the possibility of securing a paramour.

      Meredith couldn’t have been more surprised if her lover, Christopher had walked into the room and announced he planned to follow in his father’s footsteps and seek a seat in Parliament. She blinked to see if the image of Cecile twisting her hands together, self-possessed Cecile actually anxious, would dissolve like a dream.

      You wish to take a lover, and you’re asking me for advice?

      Yes, Madame.

      Please, sit down. Meredith gestured her to one of the small, gilt chairs and settled on another, determined not to display her shock at Cecile’s request. For her maid to break her habitual reserve and come to Meredith like this, her desire must be very keen. May I ask if there is a particular reason you’ve come to this decision…or a particular person you have in mind?

      Yes to both, Madame. Cecile’s light gray-green eyes—eyes that could instantly assess the appropriate accoutrements for any gown—were trained on the carpet. Her long-fingered hands—hands that could expertly curl and twist Meredith’s hair into elaborate designs in the blink of an eye—smoothed the folds of her dove gray skirt over her lap.

      You see, over the past year I’ve begun having…different thoughts and feelings about my life and my future.

      And you don’t want to spend the rest of your life as my maid, Meredith guessed, embarrassed that she’d never quite thought of Cecile as a real person with hopes and dreams of her own. Most of their conversations tended to be one-sided.

      I realize it is most inappropriate of me to broach this subject with you, Madame, but I think, over the years, we’ve become close and, quite honestly, you are my one friend.

      Meredith’s heart clenched at the soft admission. "Mon amie, you know I’ve never been what one would consider orthodox. I want you to feel comfortable confiding in me, as I have in you so many times in the past. Please, tell me what you’re thinking."

      There was a pause in which only the clicking pendulum of the mantel clock disturbed the silence before Cecile began.

      I’ve seen how you’ve changed since Mr. Whitby came into your life. Before him, despite all your wealth and power and…revelry, you were not happy. Now you glow.

      Meredith nodded, glowing inside at the very mention of Christopher. She had set out to change his life, but he’d ended up becoming the center of hers. She hadn’t meant for that to happen, to become so dependent for her happiness on another. It was frightening.

      Cecile shrugged. Of course, I don’t expect to find true love. But I should like to experience an intimate relationship with a man, if only briefly. My life is such that it is not easy for me to find the time or opportunity to make that kind of a connection.

      Because you’re at my beck and call, night and day. Oh, my dear, I never thought—

      It is my place to serve you, Madame, and I’m glad to do so. But someone in my position might go her entire life without knowing the joys of—she cleared her throat—the flesh. And I would, just once, like to experience that.

      Yes, I can understand that. It was true, a genteel woman like Cecile, with her mysterious past, might spend her life in service. Outclassing the other servants but beneath the family, such a woman occupied a lonely place somewhere in the middle.

      Meredith remembered her childhood governess, Miss Dawson, a gentlewoman who’d fallen on hard times. She’d seemed a sexless spinster then, but now Meredith remembered the abrupt nature of the woman’s dismissal and the whispers quickly hushed whenever Meredith had entered the room. Had there been an affair involved?

      You have a specific man in mind then? Her curiosity was piqued as she wondered what kind of man might have caught the stoic Cecile’s attention.

      A pink flush colored her pale complexion and she dipped her head. "Oui, a man I have seen but never spoken to, someone I would never have the opportunity to meet, not without your introduction."

      I see. Meredith was more intrigued than ever by the identity of the man who had brought Cecile to such a state. Who is it? You have me on tenterhooks!

      Sir Nathaniel Covington.

      Meredith nearly laughed aloud, but produced a choked cough instead. Oh.

      You must think I’ve lost my wits. Not only am I asking for your assistance with a most intimate matter, but the man I’ve set my sights on is clearly unattainable.

      The Earl of Hillshire’s second son, a decorated officer, knighted after the battle of Waterloo, wasn’t remotely whom Meredith would have guessed. She’d imagined Cecile would have taken a fancy to someone she saw fairly frequently, someone more suitable to her station.

      Nothing’s unattainable, but it may take considerable machination to achieve your goal. Meredith leaned forward and rested her hand on Cecile’s knee. A task I am more than willing to undertake on your behalf, my dear. You have been my confidante during many difficult times in my life. I want to help you achieve your desire.

      Thank you, Madame. Cecile’s rare smile lit her oval face and made her pale eyes shine. She was really a very striking woman, although Meredith had rarely noticed it.

      You deserve happiness, and I’m sorry if I’ve been thoughtless in my regard for you. All these years you’ve been a very devoted friend, much more than a servant, and I fear I haven’t returned the favor. I shall make it up to you now, starting with outfitting you in a new wardrobe.

      Her mind raced as she imagined all that must be done to help Cecile achieve her goal. New dresses and coiffure were only the beginning. We shall have to invent an identity. Perhaps I can introduce you as a relative from my late husband’s family, come to visit.

      A false identity? I hadn’t thought—

      A weekend party with Covington as one of the guests will be an absolute necessity, Meredith continued. And after that, if necessary, we’ll spend time in London so you may have more opportunities to bump into him.

      Cecile’s cheeks had turned from pink to pale again. I imagined an assignation of some type, but to actually attempt such a complicated charade—

      Nonsense! Meredith took her hand and squeezed it. You can do this. Change is always frightening, but if this is really what you want, you must attempt it.

      Cecile nodded, but her mouth was tense.

      If I could but follow that advice myself, she thought. Taking the next step, the one she knew Chris wanted, was too hard. Every day she avoided talk of marriage, and the more time passed, the harder it grew to discuss the subject. If she’d been with child last year as she’d thought, she would have married him, but when the pregnancy turned out to be a false alarm, everything had changed.

      Cecile, give me some time to come up with a course of action, but meanwhile, send for the dressmaker today. Whatever gowns you require will be my gift.

      Madame, that is too much. I only wish your advice. I have savings, and you know I can sew my own dresses.

      No. I insist. I want to do this. She rose and offered her hand to Cecile, drawing her to her feet. Meredith gave her a swift embrace and a peck on each cheek before letting her go. How strange to realize, all in a moment, that Cecile was as close to a sister as she would ever have.

      Thank you, Madame. Cecile’s eyes glistened, but otherwise her face was as calm and composed as always as she turned and strode gracefully from the room.

      A lover for Cecile? Who would’ve imagined the day would bring such a bizarre twist. Now that she’d promised to help, Meredith wasn’t at all certain she could manage it. Nathaniel Covington was not a close friend and had only attended one dinner here as a guest of someone else. How could she invite him for a weekend without it appearing odd, and how could she ensure he would accept the invitation?

      Sweetheart, have you seen my magnifying glass? Christopher entered the room with his gaze focused on a book in one hand. He narrowly missed tripping over one of the little gilt chairs. The befuddled professorial image he projected with his sandy hair flopping over his forehead and his clothing rumpled always grabbed her heart.

      I’m afraid not. Did you check all the drawers in your study?

      Mm-hm. I’ve mislaid the blasted thing. He sat in the chair without breaking his concentration on the illustration in the book.

      We’re going to have a party, Meredith announced, a weekend soiree with a few friends. What do you think?

      He glanced up and offered a small smile. Whatever you wish. I promise to be polite.

      You can show them some of your plants from China, she suggested. Everything in the conservatory is lush and thriving and the orchids are blooming—a lovely setting for romance.

      Chris looked at her again with more interest this time. Are you making an offer?

      She laughed. Not now. I’m talking about at the party. You see, I have an agenda and I’m going to need your help, or at least your complicity, in carrying it out.

      My darling, you frighten me when you get that eager look in your eyes. It usually means you have a new business scheme in mind—or you plan to tie me up and do unspeakable things. I do hope it’s the latter.

      I’m serious. Meredith sat across from him, resting her hands on his knees. It’s about Cecile. She’s come to me with a request for help in securing what her heart desires.

      Which is?

      A man whose attention she wishes to attract. Someone above her class, and so she needs my help in…reinventing herself. All you have to do is play along with the story we concoct. Can you do that? The idea sounded preposterous, but Meredith had made a promise and would make every effort to fulfill it.

      Chris blinked, his eyelids shuttering then revealing his beautiful blue eyes. This will not end well. You are aware it is not only mad but also unethical, aren’t you?

      "It’s no more insane than spending months fixated on the infinitesimal differences between two nearly identical varieties of Ferula olivacia."

      Lies are not a good foundation for a relationship.

      Cecile doesn’t want a relationship, merely a lover, Meredith countered.

      Ah, I believe I’ve heard something like that before. Chris’s lips quivered with humor, and she couldn’t stop herself from taking his lower one between her teeth.

      He dragged her from her chair and onto his lap, his mouth covering hers. His hands spanned her back and even through layers of fabric she felt the bulge of his cock pressed against her hip. He kissed her breathless then nibbled at her throat until she squirmed.

      Stop! You’ll muss me, she protested as he slid his hands up her back to plunge into her hair.

      I don’t care, he muttered against the hollow of her throat. And since when do you?

      Since it took Cecile nearly an hour to arrange these curls and I have an appointment with my solicitor later today.

      That’s later. I need you now. His low rumble set the hairs on her neck quivering. Chris rose, lifting her in his arms. Cecile may fix your hair again after.

      He pressed her against the bookcase, hiking her skirts up around her hips. Meredith helped him, pushing the yards of fabric out of the way and freeing her pussy to his touch. Other than a garter belt and stockings, she wore nothing beneath her dress for just such occasions as this.

      Oh, how she loved it when her dear, amiable professor turned into a wild, rutting beast. In a trice, his pants were undone and his cock sprang forth, firm and thick. With none of his usual foreplay, Chris guided himself to her opening and pushed inside. As always, she was wet and ready for him. His mere presence in a room did that to her.

      Meredith wrapped her legs around his back and held onto his shoulders as he drove into her. A hard thrust. Another. She gasped and let her head fall back against the bookshelf—coiffure be damned.

      Chris nibbled and licked her throat with a gentleness that made an erotic contrast to his ramming cock. His soft grunts puffed against her skin while his hard thrusts shook her body. Books fell from the shelves around them. Meredith laughed and plunged down, taking him as deep as she could and riding the growing tide of pleasure.

      Before he came, Chris raised his face from her neck and looked into her eyes. His were dilated so dark with desire that the blue iris had almost entirely disappeared. Love you. His voice was rough, the words choked out between groans of a more primitive emotion. But it seemed to her he always liked to let her know by a word or a look that he was with her—that the act was more than sex, and he was sharing it with her. Then his eyes closed in bliss, and he moaned as he released.

      Meredith clamped her inner muscles around him, striving for her own climax just beyond reach. Another thrust and she found it, dangling like Eve’s apple for the plucking. Ecstasy swept through her, primitively familiar yet ever-new. With it came a wave of love for this man who had brought her such happiness and fulfillment and taught her that sex could be more than a pleasurable pastime.

      She hugged Chris tight and pressed her face against the side of his neck. Love you, too, she whispered before she kissed the pounding pulse in his neck. And I want to marry you, but I’ve waited too long to admit it and now I can’t say it.

      After several moments of clinging together, Chris set her on the ground. They both tugged their clothes back in place. He grinned at her. I’m afraid you desperately need Cecile, my dear.

      She tucked a tumbled lock of her hair behind her ear and slapped his chest. You are a naughty man to take advantage of me so. She stooped to pick up a few books and rose with a twinkle in her eyes. I shall find a way to punish you for it tonight.

      Chapter Two

      Why him? Madame had been too polite to ask it, but the question had rung in the air between them like the peal of a silent bell. Cecile was glad she hadn’t asked because there was no logical answer, no explanation for the abrupt fever of want that had seized and shaken her. After a lifetime of modesty and circumspection, she’d lost control of her emotions and they were racing away with her like carriage horses run amok.

      She would never admit to Madame the depth of her feelings for the object of her desire. Unfortunately, her attraction wasn’t merely physical. If it were, she could’ve chosen someone attainable, perhaps a married shop owner or clerk, who would not wish for more than a brief arrangement. But in her heart Cecile didn’t want a cheap affair. She wanted the full attention and affection of the man who had torn her heart from her chest. Sir Nathaniel Covington held it, pumping and bloody, in his hand, and didn’t know it. He hadn’t even seen her.

      Cecile sat sewing in the patch of sunlight flooding through the window. A million dust specks danced around her like tiny fairies keeping her company. She sewed a long, even row of perfectly spaced stitches in the hem of one of the countess’s gowns. The blue fabric spilling over her lap shimmered in the bright light. Taking another stitch, she remembered the night Meredith had last worn this dress, the night that had turned Cecile’s life

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