Anything for You, My Lady: Finding Home, #0

By Mary-Celeste Ricks

What good are riches without freedom? 

 

Lady Virginia Sackville would rather read a book alone than attend yet another superficial high society party with her controlling mother. She steals snatches of freedom where she can find them until one day she meets Ralph Clifton, an injured naval lieutenant with a charming smile. 

 

Ralph didn't recognize the pretty young woman as a peer of the realm when he flirted with her, but he does notice the effect she's had on his heart. When he learns of the chasm between his and Lady Virginia's stations, he tries to keep his distance but finds it far more difficult than he anticipated. Do they each have what it takes to challenge the social order keeping them apart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mary-Celeste Ricks
• Release date: Jun 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781639011940

Mary-Celeste Ricks

Mary-Celeste Ricks earned a BA from Brigham Young University in humanities with an emphasis in English and minors in editing and Italian. She finally dared to imitate her hero Georgette Heyer after studying abroad in London, taking Romantic period literature courses in both English and Italian and sneaking peeks at 19th century manuscripts while working in the archives. She has two darling children, loves to learn, and enjoys cooking and eating delicious food. She loves love and is currently living happily ever after with her handsome, nerdy husband playing board games, D&D, and video games.

Book preview

Chapter One 

June 1, 1813

Brighton, England

Virginia made sure her mother was not looking at her and then took and buttered a second scone for breakfast. She was not exactly in danger of losing her girlish figure, but her mother would’ve criticized her had she noticed. As she ate, she stared out the window at the people walking along the marine parade by the seashore and ignored her mother’s never-ending monologue recounting all of the juicy society gossip Virginia was supposed to crave.

But she found she craved only scones and freedom.

"And Lady Fitzgibbon’s granddaughter is getting married to a tradesman!" her mother, the Duchess of Dorset, said with relish.

Virginia blinked a couple times. Her mother was looking at her expectantly now, waiting for a response. Really? she managed.

"Yes, I know! We never thought she of all people would stoop so low, but everyone knows her father was too speculative by far and lost half their fortune on some harebrained scheme or other. One cannot be too surprised that she has had to forgo respectability in favor of a fortune. But I could never bear to shake hands with a tradesman, let alone marry one."

Then it is fortunate that you are already married, Mother, Virginia said.

What was that? her mother snapped.

Nothing, she said quickly. Her mother never let a flippant remark go unpunished.

The duchess squinted at Virginia before nodding approvingly at her respectful silence. She set down the gossip column she had been reading. Virginia set her scone down—her appetite was gone.

"Virginia, have your maid set your hair to rights. It looks untidy. Then let us go out walking and make a visit or two. Everyone of import will be out on the promenade at this hour on their way to somewhere or other. Must you wear that horribly plain blue morning gown for visits? At least put on a necklace. Five minutes, darling!"

Virginia obediently stood and walked upstairs to her room, her mind empty, her heart joyless. As she opened the door, she heard a slight shuffle in the corner.

Oh, it’s only you, milady, her maid said with relief. She had a biscuit in one hand and a novel in the other. I came up here to clean your fireplace. She took another bite of her biscuit. And have a bite of breakfast in private, she said with her mouth full.

Virginia smiled. You’re welcome to escape here as often as you feel you need to, Mandie. You know that.

Mandie grinned and stood, finishing the rest of the biscuit in a hurry. Sit, she ordered, her mouth still full of crumbs.

Virginia sat before her dressing table and Mandie dusted off her hands before unpinning the messy bits of Virginia’s coiffure, combing them, and neatly repinning them. Too soon, the duchess was calling up the stairs for Virginia and she rose to her feet.

Chin up, milady, Mandie reminded her. You never know but you might meet a handsome new beau out along the promenade!

Mandie gave a wink and Virginia could not help but smile at her optimism. She wished she could remain at home with Mandie all day, but when she first came out into society four years ago she had become an unwilling extension of her mother. The duchess had been eager to parade her daughter before the haut ton and revel in their approval of her. Virginia had hated every moment of it.

Her first season out, she had been determined to enjoy herself, but her nerves had made her giggle a bit too loudly once and made her an object of ridicule for an evening. She had misstepped while dancing and had been teased for weeks afterward. Two or three suitors had initially caught her interest before she had realized they were only fortune hunters who found her a dead bore. It had seemed that all of the young ladies in society were eager to feign friendship with her, due to her father’s rank, but even those she had befriended inevitably spread vicious gossip about her.

It had now been over a year since she had willingly gone out in society without being commanded or coerced. She had been blessed with beauty and a wealthy, titled family, but in her mind it had been far more of a curse than a blessing. It seemed that others around her were always either determined to tear her down or to tolerate her presence only to profit from her in some way. She had learned not to trust anyone but Mandie.

As she was about to walk out the door to meet her mother, Virginia paused. Come with us, Mandie, she begged. Please. Then perhaps we can go off on our own for a spell.

Mandie smiled. You don’t need to ask me twice! Mandie hurried out of her apron and up the stairs to her room. Moments later she was back and, wearing a light spencer well suited to the brisk late spring weather, she followed Virginia out the door.

The duchess did not mind having Virginia’s maid accompany them. After all, who else would carry their purchases should they find something lovely in a shop window along their way?

As they walked along the cobblestones, Virginia was struck only by how sunny the morning was, and she smiled at the way the light glittered on the broad, blue-gray surface of the sea. She felt a sudden surge of gratitude toward her mother for the idea to walk without a specific destination in mind, but it was short-lived.

You see that house there? The Earl of Bindon’s put his mistress there. And it’s finer than the family home! The countess was beside herself. As her mother prattled on beside her, Virginia turned to Mandie and made a face. Mandie snorted with laughter and the duchess frowned disapprovingly at her, which made Virginia swallow a laugh too.

Oh! Virginia said. Look there, Mother. I see your friend Lady Stanfield. Would you not like to visit with her while Mandie and I continue walking ahead?

The duchess hardly listened. Oh! Yes, very well, Virginia. Lady Stanfield! Have you heard the latest news?

Virginia hurried away with Mandie’s arm in hers. Come, Mandie! If we hurry she will not be able to keep up with us.

Where are we going?

"Anywhere she isn’t," Virginia muttered, determined to get some breathing room from her mother before playing her favorite game of make-believe. Once they were out of sight and in the midst of a bustling crowd before a row of shops, Virginia let herself relax.

Mandie tried to pull her arm out of Virginia’s but Virginia held tight. Milady? Mandie asked.

Mandie, call me Virginia, Virginia said.

What? Last time I did that the cook heard me and threatened to box my ears.

Well, the cook isn’t here, is she? Please?

Mandie shook her head. What has gotten into you, my la—er, Virginia?

Virginia smiled. "I often I wish I were ordinary, Mandie. Nobody of consequence. What if we were not lady and maid, but simply friends?"

We are already friends, Virginia. We have been for quite some time.

I know that, but sometimes I like to play pretend that my mother runs a boarding house and my father sells fish.

Mandie chuckled. "And most little girls dream of being a princess in a tower, like you."

Virginia wrinkled her nose. That’s only because they don’t know how miserable it is.

Mandie tutted disapprovingly. Any shoes that don’t fit are going to hurt your toes. Your life simply doesn’t fit you, milady. That does not mean it’s a bad life.

Virginia begrudgingly conceded this point. You are right. I ought to be more grateful.

Mandie smiled and patted Virginia’s hand comfortingly. There, there. At least you have me. You could have ended up with someone far less interesting than I for a lady’s maid.

Indeed! In truth, I don’t know what I would do without you, Mandie.

Nor do I, her maid answered cheekily. Oh, don’t look now, but there’s a handsome stranger giving you a look. Just over there to your right. Wait a moment. Don’t look. Wait. There! Do you see him?

Virginia laughed and shook her head. What are you talking about, Mandie? she asked. Virginia cast her eyes about to see who Mandie could’ve been talking about and saw that a tall, handsome man with dark hair was smiling a crooked grin at her. She looked away from his face, her heart quickening from his obvious admiration, and noticed that he was favoring one leg and used a crutch. His clothes were neither fashionable nor fine. She frowned when she saw the crutch. Was he a cripple, begging? She reached into her pocket to see if she carried any coins and found she had a spare shilling or two. Perhaps it would help him.

What are you doing? Mandie hissed as Virginia began walking toward him. You haven’t been introduced! she teased.

Virginia cleared her throat as they drew nearer to the man, who was still watching her. He cocked his head and smiled as she approached. When there were only a few feet between them, Virginia stopped. He carried no container for spare coins and looked quite clean and well-kept upon closer inspection, despite the ill fit of his suit coat and the coarseness of his neckcloth. He was quite obviously not a beggar. Her face flamed as she realized her mistake, but it was already too late.

Good day, Miss. May I help you?

Virginia could think of nothing to say, and could only stand there awkwardly, frozen with her fingers clasping the coins in her pocket.

I’m afraid we’re unacquainted, but I’d love to remedy that, the man said smoothly. My name is Ralph Clifton.

Virginia smiled shyly and withdrew her hand from her pocket. There was a gentleness in his tone that put her at ease despite the awkward situation. My name is Virginia, she said. Virginia. . . Sowell. And this is my friend Mandie Heron.

Mandie shot her a look briefly, but nodded politely to the young man.

It is very nice to meet you, Miss Sowell. Miss Heron.

It is nice to meet you too! Virginia said with a smile. And it was. It certainly wasn’t every day she was able to meet a handsome stranger without the burden of his first knowing her father, title, and the exact amount of her substantial dowry.

He surveyed her curiously. Can I help you, Miss Sowell? he asked again.

Virginia’s cheeks flushed anew as she remembered her mistake. I. . . I saw your crutch, she admitted. And I was going to ask you the same.

He looked mildly ruffled, but after a moment he laughed. It serves me right, he said. "I injured myself a few weeks ago and the navy doesn’t want me at the moment. I’ve been out of commission for a spell now. I am begging, after a fashion, but for honest work, not coins. I ought to be able to walk on it again soon without the aid of this blasted thing, he gestured to the crutch, but for now I must seem pathetic, for no one has hired me."

Pathetic! No, Virginia insisted. Never pathetic.

He smiled at her in a way that made her feel warm to her toes, but she told herself it was only the June sunshine.

We were just out walking, Mandie said. If you would care to join us, Mr. Clifton?

Virginia shot her a look, but Ralph agreed quickly and walked alongside Virginia. You haven’t happened to hear of any work for a man like me, have you? he asked.

Virginia shook her head. No, I can’t say that I have. But if I hear of something I will be certain to let you know.

Mr. Clifton’s answering smile was filled with mischief. "Oh, you’ll be letting me know, will you? And how