Author's Note: Hello, lovely readers! I super excited for you all to read this chapter and I do hope you enjoy it. Thank you for your patience, and thank you for your lovely reviews, follows, and favourites.
Enjoy!
London
June 1913
Though it had been closed for the better part of a year, Savoy House was still the jewel of St. James's Square, with its intricately carved limestone façade, marble columns, and gilded windows. From the windows of the servants' rooms on the top floor, one could see Buckingham Palace just through the trees, as well as its raised flag. The Royal Standard – as opposed to the Union Jack – denoted that King George V himself was currently in the residence. Savoy House was the largest townhome in the square, built by Mr. Adam's great-great-grandfather in the early eighteenth century, by the same architect that remolded the Palace of Versailles from an old hunting lodge to the glittering centre of the French Court. Lumiere had explained its history as they had ridden through the busy London streets, all crammed in the back of a cab.
Cogsworth and Mrs. Oliver had been the first to arrive at Savoy House to prepare, and then came Mrs. Potts, the footmen, and maids.
"It makes no difference to me whether we're setting the table in Kent or setting the table in London," Jasper commented now, as they were filing into the servants' hall. "A dining table's a dining table."
"But it helps to be surrounded by libraries and museums and theatres," Belle said, still amazed by her surroundings even though she was still in a servants' hall. The kitchens at Savoy House were smaller than those at Theron, but the ovens and burners were polished within an inch of their lives, the countertops sparkled, and fresh herbs and vegetables sat in large ceramic bowls. Despite being constructed in the mid-1700s, everything looked new.
"It's not like you'll be able to see them all," the footman replied.
Despite herself, Belle blushed. She hadn't told anyone – except Plumette, of course – about Mr. Adam's plan to bring her to Mr. Edmund Lynn's wedding. They had devised an elaborate scheme: On the day of the wedding, Cogsworth and Mrs. Potts were planning to take the staff for a day by sea. Belle would say she wasn't feeling well enough, and just before Mr. Adam left for the wedding, she would sneak out and then meet him at the corner of the road. Then of course, she would be back before the rest of the staff came back from their day trip.
"Enough chatter, all you," Mrs. Potts said, coming out of the housekeeper's sitting room. "Mr. Adam's arriving on the eight o'clock train and this house has to be clean from top to bottom!"
Excitedly, Belle, Plumette, and a few other maids raced up the stairs and entered the main parlour.
If it were even possible, Savoy House was grander on the inside than out. Above them were not one, but two galleries open to the parlour below. Each had marble and gilded bannisters, which also lined the grand staircase leading to the second and third floors. Massive paintings hung on the walls, one the coronation portrait of George II, and others displaying what must be Savoy ancestors. Light flooded into the rooms as curtains were drawn, and Belle lost count of the number of gilded doors being propped open. But most beautifully of all, a giant crystal chandelier hung from the very top of the ceiling. Even though its lights weren't on, each of the crystals caught the sunlight and made the rooms brighter still.
"Once you're done staring," Plumette said, tapping her shoulder gently. "You can come and help me take the sheets off the furniture in the drawing room."
Belle caught her bearings and followed her into the spacious room. "When were you last here?" she asked after a while.
"Oh, years ago. Perhaps when Mr. Adam was sixteen or seventeen? I was still a scullery maid at the time, so I didn't get to see much of the house, at least not in this light. It was always early in the morning or late at night when I was doing my chores up here." Plumette paused, thinking. After removing another white sheet from the low oak table, she spoke again. "To be honest, it was always a relief to go back to Theron after the Season. There were fewer parties, it was quieter… His Lordship typically wasn't there to shout at Mr. Adam… After a while both stopped moving back and forth altogether. They were always traveling or staying at Savoy House with a separate staff. When Mr. Adam came back to Theron last year, it was the first time most of the staff had seen him in many years."
Belle remained silent, not knowing what to say. Once they were finally finished in the drawing room and carrying the folded white sheets in their arms, Belle finally said: "I hope this time in London will prove a far better experience."
Plumette smiled gratefully. "It already has."
The night before the wedding, Adam hosted a dinner for Ned, and though he had specifically told Mrs. Oliver for a simple three-course meal, she couldn't resist pulling out all the stops. She had prepared a dinner service which would be better served to a party of ten, rather than an anxious groom and his equally anxious best man. And though Adam mentioned this to Ned, he took it all in stride.
"You know how much I love Mrs. Oliver's cooking," Ned smiled as he served himself the buttery sole meunière from Jasper's tray. "I do hope she has made some of that delectable chocolate and mint torte."
Adam laughed, remembering all the times as young boys when they would sneak down to the Savoy House kitchens in search of extra torte. Mrs. Oliver or Mrs. Potts would always end up finding them with their shirt sleeves rolled up, digging through the pantries. But rather than encourage the wrath of his father, the cook would set out a plate for them to eat in the privacy of Mrs. Potts's sitting room.
"I'm sure she's not forgotten how much you love it," Adam said, biting into a piece of asparagus roasted with garlic and butter. "And… I am sorry I haven't responded to any of your letters. I guess I was too ashamed."
"You have nothing to be ashamed for. It's really your father who's to blame."
Adam shook his head. "But I really did act terribly during my London days. I'm surprised you've managed to stay my friend all these years." He tried to laugh lightly, but it came off as unsure.
"My, the country certainly has changed you."
Not necessarily what, but who, Adam thought to himself, but he didn't dare say it aloud. Cosgworth and the footmen were still in the dining room, after all.
"Yes," was all Adam said. "Perhaps it has,"
The next morning seemed to be a complete blur up until Adam's cab stopped at the far corner of St. James's park, and Belle entered hastily.
"What is it?" She asked beside him.
Adam couldn't seem to find the right words. He was just taking in the sight of her. Belle looked absolutely radiant in the pale-yellow silk and taffeta day dress. Her hair was fastened into a low loose chignon, and a matching cloche hat adorned with sprigs of lavender completed her look.
She was beautiful.
"Mr. Adam – "
"You look…" he cleared his throat, getting a hold of himself. "You look lovely."
Belle blushed deeply. "I must say you look very handsome as well."
Adam was dressed in a morning suit he'd recently purchased from the tailor in Canterbury. The trousers were the traditional grey with thin vertical stripes, while his waist coat was a pale yellow not unlike Belle's dress. His cravat and shirt were pale blue, and his morning coat was a shade of dark grey.
"I can't thank you enough for letting me borrow the dress. How did you ever manage it?" Belle added.
Adam smiled. "Cousin Elizabeth helped me on that score. I wrote to her as soon as I told you about the wedding, and she was kind enough to send over a few of her dresses. Plumette and I picked out the one you're wearing." He couldn't help but let out a little laugh.
"I should have known Plumette had helped. She was much to giggly when I discovered the dress laid out on my bed," Belle laughed as well.
"Oh, and you must call me Adam," he said, smiling with a hint of giddiness. "Just Adam."
Belle's mouth opened ever so slightly in shock, as if he had just scandalized her. But after a moment she said, "Alright… Adam."
The cab ride continued through the busy streets of London towards St. Paul's Cathedral, and Belle couldn't help but gasp giddily every time they passed one historical landmark after another.
"I still can't believe it," Belle breathed as the Parliament buildings rolled in and out of sight. "It's better than anything I ever dreamed!"
"One day I must take you around to all my favourite places," Adam replied. Perhaps the offer was too presumptuous of him – but it felt so natural to say. He wanted nothing more than to take Belle for a walk and a picnic in Hyde Park, to the libraries of Cambridge and Oxford, then to dinner at the Ritz, and finally an evening stroll along the Thames.
"Now that would be a true scandal," Belle said, smiling.
"No larger scandal than an heir to an earldom taking a housemaid to the wedding of a son of a Viscount and a daughter of a Duke," Adam replied.
"Now you're just making me nervous all over again."
"You're going to be fine," Adam reassured her, placing his hand on her shoulder. "Everyone will fall in love with you." Like I have.
The cab soon turned onto the street leading to the Cathedral, which was lined with cars stopping and chauffeurs letting guests out to enter.
Belle didn't seem to notice the number of guests mingling about, but only the white stone façade and dome of St. Paul's, practically breathless in awe.
"You know I must go pick up Ned from his home now," Adam said as the cab pulled up to the front of the cathedral.
"I know," Belle said nervously.
"I hate to leave you, even for only a little while. I'll try to rush Ned out the door as fast as possible."
Belle smiled gratefully. "Please don't rush things on my account."
"I don't know if I can help it," Adam laughed lightly, exiting his side of the motor car and opening Belle's door. He helped her out of the cab, savouring the feeling of her hand in his. "You'll be perfect," he whispered as they lingered for a moment longer.
Belle let go of his hand, thanked him, and then walked up the steps in the cathedral. More than once, she glanced back at Adam has he got back into the cab and headed for Belgrave Square.
A little over fifteen minutes later, Adam was once again back in a motor car, though not the cab he had taken to Ned's townhome in Belgrave Square. This time, he was in a sleek black Rolls Royce owned by Viscount Uxbridge – one of the many Rolls owned by Ned's father.
The Viscount and Viscountess Uxbridge had already left for the cathedral, swiftly followed by the Dowager Viscountess Uxbridge.
"Marrying the daughter of a duke… you're finally moving up in the world, Ned," Adam commented with a laugh as the motor weaved slowly through the London traffic towards the cathedral.
"Much to the pleasure of my parents."
Adam couldn't help but have a sprig of jealousy for his friend – he was not only marrying for love, but also marrying a woman of noble birth and considerable standing who was welcomed into his family with grace. He doubted Belle would receive the same treatment if he were to marry her. But she was just as noble in his eyes, and he loved every inch of her.
"I'm sure they were afraid I would remain a bachelor for the rest of my days," Ned continued, "if Caroline hadn't come along."
"And I must know," Adam said. "If I hadn't shown up, what would you have done?"
Ned laughed. "I suppose my brother would have taken up the mantel."
"So, you did have a backup plan." Adam smirked.
"Well, of course. One doesn't become a friend of the Honourable Adam Savoy and not have a backup plan."
Once they finally arrived at St. Paul's, the groom and best man strode through the church doors, handing their top hats and gloves to the ushers. Adam immediately tried to find Belle in the crowd. There she was, sitting on the groom's side in a pew close to the front. She was talking with another young lady, whom Adam recognized as Ned's younger sister, Victoria. She seemed to be fitting in just fine on her own, she didn't even need any help.
"Now would that be your mysterious guest chatting up my sister?" Ned whispered as they walked down the aisle towards the sprawling altar.
"Yes, it would be." Adam smiled with pride.
"You're a lucky man, Adam."
Adam didn't know if he would call it luck. He cast a glance at Belle, who caught his eye and offered him a warm smile.
Suddenly, the congregation grew very quiet at the sight of two young guests walking down the aisle. The silence was soon broken when the choir started singing "God Save the King". One of the two, a man, was dressed in a formal navy blue military uniform, adorned with shining medals, a blue sash, and masses of gold braid. The other, a woman, was wearing a pale pink satin day dress with intricate silver embroidery that shined beneath the light from the cathedral's enormous windows. Her matching hat was decorated with ostrich feathers and small diamonds.
As guests stood and bowed and curtsied at the passing pair, Adam realized who he was staring at. "It seems you omitted to mention that the Prince of Wales and Princess Mary would be attending," he whispered from his place behind Ned.
"The King and Queen are old friends of Caroline's family. Of course, the Duchess invited them, but it seems their children are to represent them today."
"Well, whenever you're invited to royal cricket matches, you must remember to bring me along."
"I shall try my best," Ned laughed. "But I can make no promises. Though, I'm sure the Duchess is already planning which of our children will marry their children."
The Prince of Wales and Princess Mary took their seats at the front of the congregation on the bride's side, and Adam stole another quick glance at Belle. She must be either utterly thrilled or utterly intimidated, perhaps a bit of both.
They caught each other's eyes, and this time it was Adam's turn to offer her a reassuring smile. It's going to be fine, he mouthed. You're perfect, he added, but Belle was already standing and turning towards the bride now striding down the aisle.
So, this was Lady Caroline Weston. Adam could swear he heard a few quiet gasps as the congregation caught a glance at the bride's opulent wedding gown. It was an ivory satin dress with a full skirt, long train, with intricate lace detailing. Her tulle veil was held in place by a wreath of orange blossoms which seemed to cover most of the top of head.
Ned was still facing the alter, but as Adam glanced at the bride, he smiled. "She's beautiful," Adam whispered to the groom.
Ned didn't say anything again, but only smiled.
Adam glanced at the bride once more, and this time he couldn't help but imagine Belle walking down a church aisle towards him, dressed in a white wedding gown. He wanted the vision to come true terribly – and it was then he realized how much he wanted to marry Belle.
Though the ceremony was long – to Belle it seemed as if it had passed in a blur. There was simply so much to take in – from the splendor of St. Paul's Cathedral, to the fact that Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and Princess Mary were sitting almost across from her.
Just being at such an event brought an incomprehensible amount of joy to her, though she would not forsake her libraries of course.
When the newlywed couple started to make their way back up the aisle, Adam strode towards her, and offered her his arm. At first, Belle shot him a rather confused look.
"We're supposed to follow them," Mr. Adam whispered in a laugh.
Belle stood slowly and placed her hand in the crook of his arm, smiling from ear to ear.
"I told you, you had nothing to worry about," he said with a grin as they followed the bride and groom up the aisle.
"The sheer sight of everyone still makes me nervous," Belle whispered, gazing around at the guests and smoothing down her borrowed gown. "I mean, the Prince of Wales and Princess Mary were practically beside me."
"Did you speak to them?" Mr. Adam grinned playfully.
"Surely not! I would make a fool of myself."
"You would not."
Belle glanced back at those walking back up the aisle behind them. Directly following Belle and Mr. Adam were the maid-of-honour, Lady Caroline's sister, and Mr. Edmund brother, and they were followed by the bride's parents and then the groom's parents. And then, just behind them were the Prince of Wales and Princess Mary, quietly whispering amongst themselves in between nodding politely at the other guests still in the cathedral's pews.
"There's a wedding luncheon to follow, correct?" Belle asked, changing the subject.
"Yes, at Warwick Place in Mayfair."
"Do you think Their Royal Highnesses will attend?" Nervousness laced the question.
"I'm not sure… The Prince of Wales is known to love a good party, but of course they came representing the King and Queen and may just want to bugger off as soon as possible." The two shared a quiet laugh.
"Well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see."
"Pictures, everyone!" A photographer exclaimed as they exited the church into the bright sunlight. Mr. Adam ushered Belle out of the way to give the bride and groom space for their photographs. First, a few of the newlywed couple, and then family members were gradually added.
It all seemed to pass in a whirlwind, but Belle remembered being in a few of the photographs, though she couldn't help but think she didn't belong the whole time. Still, it was utterly surreal, being involved. At one point, she was sure Lady Caroline's mother had spoken to her, or perhaps in was Mr. Edmund's mother?
The front of the church was filling up with guests – some mingling about, talking to the families of the newlywed couple, other hopping into their motor cars to be driven off elsewhere before the luncheon. Suddenly, Belle felt she needed air, needed a break from the heavy winds of pomp and glamour. Her hand was in the crook of Mr. Adam's arm and she nudged it gently.
"Mr.–" She stopped herself, looking down her feet and blushing. "Adam, may we go for a walk? I think I need some air."
"Of course, of course." He leaned over to the groom. "Ned, Belle and I are just going to go for a walk. We should be back in time for the luncheon."
Mr. Edmund, who was completely swept up in euphoria, only nodded at his best man.
Together, Mr. Adam and Belle left the flurry of guests and walked towards the Thames. The air was warm, though not humid, with a slight breeze coming off the river. Steamships and tugboats slowly made their way along the long expanse of water, letting out the occasional foghorn blasts as they passed each other. Their walk down to the river was mostly in silence – Belle was too busy taking in the sights of the magnificent city that surrounded her.
When they reached the Thames, they found a bench and took a seat, looking out into the river and the city beyond.
"I can't begin to thank you enough for today," Belle said, breaking the long silence.
"The day's not over yet," Mr. Adam commented with a grin. "We still have a luncheon to attend."
"And then it'll be back to cleaning Savoy House. I only wish I were able to visit the museums and galleries… Buckingham Palace, Oxford, and Cambridge. There's so much left to discover and I've only seen small glimpse."
Mr. Adam laughed. "We shall have to return one day – when we can truly see the sights in all their glory."
Belle blushed. "Oh, but how will we do that? When will we ever get a chance to come here again like this?" She looked into his eyes and felt that her own her inexplicably tearing up. One beautiful day of freedom – a glimpse of what her future could hold, if she ever saved up enough money.
"We could come here again… we could travel wherever we wanted!" Adam paused and looked down at his shoes. "If… if you were to marry me," he added, a whisper so quiet she almost couldn't hear it.
Had she misheard him? Marry?
"Marry you?" Belle asked incredulously.
"Yes… Belle, I want to marry you. When I watched Lady Caroline walk down the aisle of the cathedral, all I longed was to see you walk towards me in a wedding dress."
Belle was speechless, she couldn't form any words in response.
"I know now more than ever that I want to marry you," Mr. Adam continued, insistent. "I love you, Belle… I love you." His eyes were shiny with tears, his lips inching towards hers.
"I…" Belle hesitated, unsure of what she was about to say. "I think…" she hesitated once more, but soon realized she couldn't hide her feelings any longer. "I think I love you as well… Adam."
Their lips inched even closer, and before she knew it, Belle was wrapped in Adam's kiss. Her eyes closed, she only felt his lips against hers, not gasping for air.
But Belle then pulled away, realising the gravity of the situation. She blushed deeply, looking down at the pavement.
"What's wrong? Was I too forward?"
"No… It's just… It's just impossible."
"What are you talking about?" Mr. Adam's voice sounded so damaged and hurt, she almost couldn't bear it.
"I'm talking about marriage! We've been through this already – there isn't a single chance in heaven that we would be able to marry, that I would be welcomed into your family with open arms. We're not living in a fairy tale, Adam! I can't –" Tears were now falling from her cheeks, and Mr. Adam pulled her into a tight embrace. His hand was against the back of her head, and the other against her back.
"I don't give a damn about what my father thinks. We'll go back to Theron, and I'll fight for you. I swear it, I will." He cupped her cheeks in his hands. "I won't have anyone else, Belle. I won't marry anyone else. It's you, and it will always be you."
"But what about the estate, you family?"
"We have options… we won't be out on the streets." Despite himself, he let out a small laugh. "Besides, my father can't keep me away from Theron forever, or at least I won't allow him to."
"Are you absolutely serious?" Belle asked, still a little dumbfounded by the whole situation.
"I am," he smiled. "I really, really am." He paused. "That is…" Mr. Adam stood from the bench and the got on one knee on the pavement. His hands gripped hers comfortingly. Tears were once again threatening to fall from Belle's eyes.
"That is… if you'll have me, Belle. Because I know I won't have anyone else."
"Adam, I… Yes, yes, of course I'll have you," she practically gasped with joy. And this time, she had no doubts.
Adam let out a breath of delight, and the two stood and were once again wrapped in each other's embrace.
Belle and Adam returned to Savoy House long before the rest of the staff had gotten back from their beach adventure.
They'd stayed in the library of the townhome for hours, simply talking. Adam had even gone down to the house's wine cellar and retrieved a bottle of champagne, though Belle wasn't sure if could have anymore after the wedding luncheon. Even so, she had one glass, and after Adam took both used glasses and the bottle to his room to erase any suspicion of them.
During their time in the library, they had decided that they would wait for Belle to get another job before marrying – it sounded like such a strange thing to talk about. Belle was waiting to receive notice of whether she had gotten a job as a secretary for Mr. Wells. But after a few months, they would be married, perhaps having to live in a cottage or flat or with Adam's cousin Elizabeth until everything subsided. Adam didn't know how his father would react upon hearing the news, but he knew it would never be a positive reaction. He wanted to delay telling his father as long as possible, so he wouldn't have any reason to stop the wedding.
Belle was unsure if she wanted to tell anybody, when Plumette, who knew Mr. Adam was taking her to Lady Caroline and Mr. Edmund's wedding. But when Plumette asked her how everything had gone later that evening, it all seemed to come pouring out.
"And then he asked me to marry him," Belle finished, trying to keep her voice even.
Plumette whipped around from the mirror, wide eyed and completely shocked. "He what?"
"He asked me to marry him," Belle repeated.
"And what did you say?" Plumette sat on the bed beside her.
"I said yes," she smiled widely. "But you must tell no one, absolutely no one. Adam… Mr. Adam doesn't want any of his family to know."
"Yes, of course! Oh, but when are you going to marry?"
Belle laughed at her eager friend. "A few months from now. We want to wait until I get a new job, hopefully with Mr. Wells."
"Of course, of course," Plumette said, then gazed at her friend and wrapped her in a warm hug. "You can't understand how terribly happy I am for you. I can't think of no one better who should be the Countess of Villeneuve."
And that's when it dawned on her – in the day's whirlwind of emotions, Belle never once realized that by agreeing to marry Adam, she might one day indeed become the Countess of Villeneuve.
Belle and the rest of the staff had left Savoy House back to Kent a day earlier than Adam who had spent the night at his club.
He tried to get some sleep on the train ride back to Kent the next morning. Sleep had come with difficulty the previous night – he was anxious to see Belle again, anxious about the marriage he'd proposed, anxious about his father potentially finding out, anxious about everything.
Theron's chauffeur, Booth, was there to meet him at the Kent station, his luggage already packed in the back of the motor. His heart was beating rapidly through the whole motor ride back to the sprawling estate and he imagined his staff lined up on the front grounds, there to meet him. He imagined himself rushing towards Belle and picking her up in his arms… and kissing her. God, he wanted to kiss her. The day before had been pure bliss, finally making his intentions clear and Belle agreeing to them.
Agreeing to marry him.
He could hardly wait the months until they could make it official, but he respected Belle's wishes to take on a different job first. For propriety's sake. Although, there was nothing proper about their relationship – a gentleman and a maid, it was truly something out of a novel.
Finally, the motor rounded the corner and Theron came into view. As they drove down the long gravel driveway, Adam craned his neck to view the staff lined up by the front doors.
But something was different.
In front of the doors stood a group of people whom he had never seen before.
Adam's heart raced faster, and he hardly waited for the motor to stop and for Booth to open his door before bounded out into the drive. But when he did, he immediately regretted it.
Standing before him were a middle-aged man and woman, another woman who looked to be only a little younger than himself, and a man he recognized all to entirely.
His father.
