Chapter 1

 

'My Lady, Mr Duncan Smith is here to see you.'

'Mr Duncan Smith?' I repeated my aging butler's words as I came back to myself after looking out of the window and gazing upon the beautiful green landscape. I still could not quite believe it all belonged to me!

'Yes. Mr Duncan Smith. He is here to interview for the steward position. Do you remember now, My Lady?'

'Of course. Thank you for reminding me, Peter. It's just been a while since anyone has applied, let alone come looking for more information on the job post I put in the paper. Perhaps I have been far too cynical up till now in thinking that Mr Smith would actually turn up for an interview after he sent the letter to me all those weeks ago. But please, do show him in to speak with me at once; I will see if luck has now finally turned on my side.'

I knew that my place of residence was not for all, and that I was one of the few exceptions whom loved almost everything about the location where I found myself situated, with its varied landscape of open fields, woodlands, and lakes. I could not picture myself living anywhere else now after finding out to my surprise and delight not six months beforehand that my recluse of a late uncle had left me all of this estate in his will.

So, taking the specifics of where I lived into consideration, my expectations for finding an exceptional steward were very low as I waited for my butler to bring Mr Smith into the living room. After all, there could not be many young, attractive, and - not to mention - experienced stewards who would venture this far out to take up a livelihood in Sunderland, Scotland to live so remotely, with few neighbours and a village that was sparsely populated. Rather, I expected the position to appeal to a mature man, one not unlike my old butler Peter who I had inherited with the estate. His slightly bent back, silver hair, and pleasant but quiet temperament had become a comfortable norm to me at this point.

However, when Peter finally arrived back with Mr Smith, I found that all my predications about him were incorrect, which resulted in me being completely unprepared to receive him. I had to resist staring at him in a very unladylike fashion as I attempted to open my mouth and address him.

'My Lady, may I introduce myself? My name is Mr Duncan Smith,' he gave a slight bow as he spoke in a deep baritone voice that made me feel completely giddy. He was far from what I would have classified as old. He could have, in fact, been Peter's grandson in age standing next to him, but I estimated at the same time that he was several years older than my own twenty two years.

'Please, Mr Duncan, take a seat. Peter, can you please send for some refreshments for us?' I cleared my throat before speaking, suddenly feeling light headed and nervous as I looked into his incredible, deep blue eyes, housed in the most handsome of faces I had ever seen. He had high cheek bones and a strong jaw line, which had a shadow of hair upon it a couple shades darker than the blonde hair on his head. I also could not help but notice that he was tall in stature and had mighty, broad shoulders which spoke of his masculine physical strengthen. He certainly looked more than equipped for the job I was offering.

'Thank you, my Lady.' He sat down after he made his own observation in turn of my person. I felt his gaze lingering over my face, focusing on my lips before trailing down to take in my ample bosom and rounded hips. Finally, he moved his eyes back up again with a slightly lazy smile.

I did not know whether I should be offended by his causal behaviour as I sat in the seat opposite to him feeling flustered. Even worse, I found my fanny start to become alive and tingle. I knew immediately that the pleasant sensation I was starting to feel was all down to his presence, as my body recognised him as a hot blooded and attractive male, a very rare breed where I lived.