The Guardian Angel

The Guardian Angel

by Kay R Seeley
The Guardian Angel

The Guardian Angel

by Kay R Seeley

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Overview

When Nell Draper leaves the workhouse to care for the five-year-old son of Lord Eversham, a wealthy landowner, she has no idea of the heartache that lies ahead of her.

Robert can't speak. He can't tell her what makes him happy or sad. Nell has to work that out for herself.

Not everyone is happy about Robert's existence.

Can Nell save him from a desolate future, secure his inheritance and ensure he takes his rightful place in society?

A love story.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780993339462
Publisher: Kay Seeley
Publication date: 09/14/2017
Pages: 356
Product dimensions: 5.06(w) x 7.81(h) x 0.74(d)

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

1890

The first time Nell saw the child her heart crumbled. It was the day she left the workhouse. The carrier dropped her off in the lane and she'd walked the length of the tree-lined drive carrying her small bundle of belongings. She pulled her shawl closer around her against the March wind. As she turned a bend in the path Inglebrook Manor came into view, its ivy covered walls and tall windows glinting in the early spring sun. Nell's eyes widened, her jaw dropped. Set amidst stately trees and beautiful manicured lawns, the majestic building took her breath away. A chill went through her. She'd never seen anything so magnificent and yet so forbidding. A lump rose in her throat. She swallowed and walked on.

She'd been told to go to the tradesman's entrance and ask for the governess, Miss Bannister. Her breath caught in her throat. She couldn't believe this was to be her future home. Her hands trembled as she went up to the side door and knocked.

A young girl with a red face and harassed expression opened the door. "What do you want?" she said. "We don't buy at the door."

Taken aback Nell said, "I'm not selling anything. I'm Nell Draper. I was told to see Miss Bannister and that there was a job for me here. The Board of Guardians sent me."

The girl's features lightened. "Ah. You're the workhouse girl. Well, you'd better come in."

Nell stepped into the kitchen, her face reddening in the sudden warmth. A fire burned in the huge range, its glow reflected on copper pans lining the walls. Pots bubbled on the stove and a mouth-watering smell filled her nostrils. A heavy set woman with rolled up sleeves stood at a large oak table rolling out pastry. She glanced up as Nell walked in.

"It's the workhouse girl come for Miss Bannister," the girl said.

"Well, best take her through then," she said, glaring at the girl.

Nell followed the maid through the kitchen and along to a small parlour off the servants' hall.

"The workhouse girl's here," she said, pushing Nell into the room. Nell glanced around. Her eyes were drawn to the woman sitting behind a solid desk. Thin faced and harried looking, she wore a severe black gown with a pinned-tucked bodice. Her dark hair was drawn into a bun and her angular features could have cut glass with their sharpness. She looked Nell up and down and sniffed. "She's to see Miss Bannister in the Nursery," she said. "You'd better take her up."

The girl nodded and Nell followed her up a flight of stairs. "It's on the top floor," the girl said.

"Oh," Nell said. "Who was that?"

The girl grimaced. "That was Mrs Grindley, the housekeeper. If you've any sense you'll keep well clear of her. Miss Bannister's all right though."

Nell smiled. "Thanks for the advice." She took an immediate liking to the girl. "What do you do here?" she asked.

"Me? I'm Jenny, the in-between maid. That means I help out upstairs and downstairs, it's all the same to me. A sort of maid of all work I am."

By the time they got to the third floor Nell was quite out of breath.

"You can leave your things in here," Jenny said softly, opening the door to the bedroom. "Then I'll take you to meet Miss Bannister."

They crept into the room. Heavy curtains drawn across the tall window made the room appear dark but Nell could make out two beds arranged at right-angles to each other. A large chest of drawers stood against the wall. A fire burned in the grate, protected by a colourful fire screen. Nell saw a small child asleep in the bed nearest the window. That surprised her. She understood the child she was to nursemaid was five years old. Where she'd come from boys of five were worked to exhaustion and beaten if they stopped work or answered back. They'd be expected to do a full day's physical work as well as having lessons. They couldn't sleep in the afternoon. She realised working here would be very different.

"Best not to wake him," Jenny said. "Miss Bannister will be cross if her afternoon is disturbed before she's finished her tea."

Nell didn't have much to leave, all she possessed were the clothes she stood up in; the dress, undergarments, stockings, boots and shawl provided when she left Salvation Hall House; a bar of soap, a comb and a book she'd been allowed to take. She put them in the chest of drawers and laid her shawl on the bed.

A cheval mirror stood in front of the wardrobe and several chairs were grouped around a low table. She glanced in the mirror, bit her lips to bring a little colour, removed her bonnet and smoothed her chestnut hair. The wind had brought a glow to her cheeks and she hoped she looked presentable enough to please the governess. She paused for breath, squared her shoulders and followed Jenny to meet the woman who would be in charge of her future.

The nursery playroom, next to the bedroom, was light and airy. A dappled rocking horse stood in front of the window where a sliver of sunlight penetrated the lacy curtains. Various toys were spread over the rug, as though a sudden interruption had called their owner away. Nell couldn't help but compare the luxury afforded to the child here to the deprivation of the workhouse children. A rock hardened in her stomach as it always did whenever she thought about those children.

Miss Bannister sat at a small round, white clothed table, set out with the finest china. Nell guessed her to be about thirty. Blonde waves framed her face. Several strands of hair had escaped the tight bun at the nape of her neck to fall onto the cream collar of her blue day dress. Her face lit up at the sight of Nell. "Ah, the workhouse girl," she said, her gaze washing over Nell. Every fibre of her being hoped she would meet with this woman's approval. If not she'd be sent back until another job came along.

Miss Bannister smiled. "Please come and join me; I was just about to have tea." Nell eased herself into the chair opposite the governess, horribly aware that if she was to be working under her it would be as well to make as good an impression as she could.

"Now, you must tell me all about yourself. Do you have a name? What do they call you and how old are you?"

In the workhouse she'd been 'girl number 27' but she could still remember when she was called Nell and she lived with her mother many years ago, in happier times. It was something she'd vowed never to forget.

"Nell," she said. "My name is Nell Draper and I'm sixteen."

Miss Bannister poured the tea and said, "My brother is on the Board of Guardians. They speak very highly of you."

Really, Nell thought. That was another surprise. She was always getting into trouble for cheeking Matron or speaking up for those too sick to work.

"I believe they have given you a reference."

Nell pulled the letter she'd been given from her pocket and handed it to the governess, who read it while Nell sipped her tea, her heart pumping.

The governess nodded. "Excellent," she said. "They say you have a way with children, are not afraid of hard work and excel at obeying orders. Is that correct?"

"Yes, Miss." So that's what the Master had told them. She hoped the shock she'd felt at hearing the words hadn't registered on her face. Blind obedience had never been her nature but she guessed they had to say that to secure her place.

"I understand you have experience of working with the sick, both mental and physical. In the infirmary?"

"Yes, Miss," she said, unsure what else to reply. She didn't know where this conversation was leading but she'd have said anything. The fear of not being good enough loomed large. She swallowed the dread rising up inside her.

"You'll be on a month's trial as nursemaid to Lord Eversham's son, Robert. A shilling a week, all found. I understand you have no family so you'll not be needing any time off, which is just as well."

Nell swallowed again. "Thank you, Miss," she said.

"Good. Now let me tell you about the family you will be working for. Lord Eversham is in Government and well respected in the county. He has two daughters, Ellen who is nine and Martha who is seven. They are a delight, very bright and willing to learn. They are my charges. You will see them occasionally about the house and gardens, although most of the time they are out riding, at music lessons or in the schoolroom. They sleep in the west wing of the house as do I."

She took a sip of her tea. "You will sleep in the nursery with Robert. The schoolroom is on the floor below, but I see no reason for you to bring your charge there."

Nell nodded.

Miss Bannister picked up a piece of paper from the table in front of her and handed it to Nell. "I have made a list of your duties, his daily routine, which you are to follow to the letter. You will report any difficulties to me personally. I hope that is clear."

Nell glanced at the list. It didn't look too daunting. "Yes, Miss," she said.

"Good." Miss Bannister smiled. "Robert, although just five, is proving to be a bit of a handful. The last girl left after only two days." She looked Nell over again. "I do hope you are made of sterner stuff."

"Yes, Miss," Nell said. She felt sure that her past experience would stand her in good stead. "I'm sure I'll love it here. I can't wait to meet young Robert and get to know him."

The governess laughed. "You haven't met him yet."

Nell wondered what could be so terrible about the child. In Hall House she'd cared for all sorts of people, from the very young to the elderly and infirm. She was sure she'd be able to cope with anything that a five-year-old could throw at her.

Miss Bannister checked the fob watch she wore pinned above the breast of her smart blue dress. "He should be awake now," she said. "I think it's time you met your charge."

Nell followed the governess as she walked towards the bedroom. She heard an ear-shattering crash. Miss Bannister hastened her step. The nursery chair lay on its side, fragments of the cheval mirror scattered around it. In the middle of the room a small boy stomped up and down pushing the other chairs over, toppling them against the wardrobe with loud bangs.

"Robert, stop that at once," Miss Bannister said. The authority in her voice had immediate effect. Robert stopped, a bewildered look on his face.

"He's had one of his tantrums," she said. "He doesn't have them often, but when he does they're impressive." She moved to the bell pull and rang for Jenny to come to clear away the glass and have the mirror replaced.

Nell stared at the child and her heart lurched. He was the most striking child she had ever seen. Curls of blonde hair accentuated his fine-boned, delicate features set in a face as pale as an angel's wing, but the look in his piercing, blue eyes appeared defiant. It reminded Nell of the gaze in the eyes of recently orphaned infants when they first entered the workhouse; brimming with bravado but unsure of what might lie ahead of them. She'd seen so many pale-faced, vulnerable children she didn't think her heart could be moved by another but this small boy with his questioning gaze stole it completely.

The governess strode over to the window and drew back the curtain. Light flooded the room revealing sky blue patterned wallpaper. "Robert, meet your new nurse," she said.

"This is Robert," Miss Bannister said. "You'll be responsible for his care."

Robert was dressed in grey knee-length breeches with a grey waistcoat, a high necked white frilled shirt, dark socks and black shoes. He appeared smartly dressed and yet heartbreakingly fragile. Then his lips spread into a ridiculously radiant smile that lit up his face like a sparkling shaft of sunlight. Nell found herself held captive in his gaze and falling totally under his spell.

She crouched down. "Hello, Robert," she said. "I'm Nell, your new nursemaid. I'm very glad to meet you."

"He doesn't speak," the governess said. "In fact he does very little, but you'll find that out."

Nell stretched her hand towards him. He stepped forward, took her hand and sank his teeth into it. Nell didn't flinch. She'd had worse. She merely removed her hand from his mouth and said, "We don't bite people." He raised his hand to hit her. She caught his fist. "And we don't hit either," she said.

Then, before he could recover, she jumped up and said, "Come on, let's find some toys." She walked away into the playroom. The boy followed, his face creased with interest.

In the playroom she took some bricks from the shelf and put them on the rug. "Show me what you can build with these," she said.

Robert started to play with the bricks, picking them up and throwing them into a wooden box already out. He rarely missed. "Well done," Nell said, clapping her hands. She went to the box and tipped the bricks out so he could start all over again.

All the while Miss Bannister watched them. "If he gets out of hand and needs to be punished please don't hesitate to let me know," she said.

Nell got the impression that punishment was not an uncommon fate for the child. "Oh, it's just high spirits. He'll soon settle and we'll get on famously."

The governess grimaced. "If you say so, but don't forget I'm here to help you. He can't learn much but he does need to learn how to behave. Good manners are the least we expect from him and it's your job to see he has them."

"I'm sure I'll do my best to see he behaves in the future," she said. But she wanted to know more. "You say he can't learn much and can't talk. Is there some reason for that?" She was used to children in the workhouse being so traumatised by the brutality they experienced they no longer spoke but couldn't believe that to be the case in this instance.

Miss Bannister sighed. "I suppose I'll have to tell you about him." She walked over to the table, felt the teapot and poured herself another cup of tea. "It was a difficult birth," she said. "His mother died having him." She paused. "The birth of a son and heir to a noble family like the Master's should be a cause for joy and celebration, but his birth is something we've all come to regret." She sighed again. "Robert's been seen by the best doctors in London, but the prognosis is poor. They say his brain was addled at birth. He'll always be backward and probably feeble-minded."

Feeble-minded! The expression shocked Nell. That description didn't fit the boy she'd just met. Unruly and young for his age maybe, but that could be down to his lack of speech. She'd come across feeble-minded before. It was a world away from what she'd just seen.

Miss Bannister shook her head. "It's such a shame. He'll never amount to anything, well, nothing of which his father can be proud. We just have to look after him until a decision is made about his future."

A cold chill rang through Nell's veins. What did she mean – a decision about his future?

"He's to have his meals with you in the nursery. The Mistress doesn't want him mixing with his siblings. Doesn't want them getting attached," she said. She placed her cup and saucer back on the table. "Well, I think you have everything you need. Jenny will bring tea and supper for you and Robert. You will stay in the nursery until he goes to bed. Once he's asleep you may use the servants' hall downstairs." She indicated a bell rope by the fireplace. "If you need anything else just ring and Jenny will see to it. Now, I'll leave you to get acquainted with your charge. If you need me I'll be in the schoolroom on the next floor down." She turned to leave but stopped and, glancing at Nell she said, "I hope you will be happy here. You seem like the sort of person who may do Robert some good. Heaven knows he needs all the help he can get."

With that she swept out of the room. Nell didn't know what to make of her or Robert, but she was new and perhaps there were things about the boy she didn't yet understand.

CHAPTER 2

Nell walked around the nursery. A large wooden doll's house with a white painted front and red roof, stood along one wall next to a collection of miniature prams and a push-along dog which she presumed had once belonged to Robert's older siblings. A tall bookcase contained an assortment of books and small toys. A closed cupboard stood alongside the bookcase.

She went to the cupboard. As she opened the door a worn rag doll with an embroidered face somersaulted out. She picked it up and replaced it on the shelf next to a row of exquisitely dressed china headed dolls. Stuffed toys and a box of tiddlywinks sat on shelves unused. The musty smell of neglect reached her nostrils. She saw a box of toy soldiers complete with barracks, Noah's Ark with all its animals and a toy drum with its drumsticks all neatly packed away. She picked up a clockwork toy and wound it up. The smiling faced monkey clapped his brass cymbals and jumped around on the shelf, toppling off as it turned around. Nell laughed with delight.

It seemed that no expense had been spared in providing things for the boy, but any sign of affection from the family was definitely lacking. It felt as though he'd been put away, out of sight, like a toy for which they had no further use.

She picked out a jigsaw puzzle and took it to a small table near where Robert was playing with a spinning top, intently watching it circling around. "Come on, Robert, come and help me with this puzzle," she said, tipping the pieces onto the table.

(Continues…)



Excerpted from "The Guardian Angel"
by .
Copyright © 2017 Kay Seeley.
Excerpted by permission of Enterprise Books.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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