Prisoners in the Palace by Michaela MacColl Read Free Book Online Page A

heart.”
    Liza trembled from the effort it took not to pull away. She would do herself no favors by offending him for he had the Duchess’ affection, and her ear. No doubt he could dismiss her as easily as he had the last maid.
    “Perhaps you can do a small service for me,” Sir John said.
    Wary, Liza asked, “What?”
    “I would like to get Victoria a special gift for her birthday. Find out for me what she particularly wants.”
    There’s no harm in that. Victoria will probably thank me.
    “Yes, sir.”
    Sir John reached into his pocket and pulled out a sovereign. He tossed it into her hoop full of pearls.
    Liza stared down at the coin.
    “I am generous to my friends.”
    “Thank you, sir,” she mumbled. Though she was in no position to sneeze at the money, Liza was mortified at the casual way he assumed her loyalty was for sale.
    His eyes looked her up and down. “Excellent,” he murmured and turned on his heel.
    Liza sank into a chair in the corner of the empty room. Finally, a moment to reflect on her changed circumstances. Her first day and she already had too many parts to play at Kensington Palace. Andtoo many employers. To whom should she be loyal? Sir John, the Duchess, the Baroness, Princess Victoria?
    Who will do the most for me?
    It was almost six o’clock and the room was growing darker by the minute. Her breathing became quieter, almost imperceptible even in the silent room. Liza heard a slight sound coming from the cabinet built into the wall behind her. Kensington Palace was filled with black beetles, spiders, traitors; why not mice? She gathered her skirt tightly to protect her ankles and pounded on the cabinet door. The sounds stopped so abruptly, she wondered if she had imagined them.
    Nell arrived with a lit candelabrum. “Why are you sittin’ alone in the dark? Come ‘ave a cuppa tea. Simon’s fetchin’ your trunk right now.”
    Liza was tempted to ask Nell about Sir John and his plans to steal the throne of England, but she thought better of it. In Kensington Palace, she might need a secret or two of her own.

5
In Which Liza Takes Up Her Duties

    Simon lifted Liza’s trunk off his shoulder as though it weighed nothing. He dropped it on the wooden floor with a thud that echoed up and down the empty hallway outside her door. Liza winced, thinking of her fragile treasures.
    “It’s lonely up here,” Simon said, glancing around the bare room. “Are you sure you won’t be nervous?” In his fine livery, designed to show off his trim footman’s figure, Simon looked like a tropical bird. His bulk pushed all the air out of the tiny room; there wasn’t enough left for Liza.
    “I’m quite used to being alone, now,” she said.
    “I can check on you, if you like,” Simon offered.
    “No, thank you. I’ll be fine.” She wished he would go; his attentions made her uncomfortable.
    “It’s not what you are used to, I suppose?” Simon asked.
    Thinking of the luxurious suite at Claridge’s, Liza almost laughed out loud. “It’s very…quaint.” She ran a gloved finger down the small bureau and frowned at the accumulation of dust.
    “You must have a tale to tell, coming from Mayfair to here.” He ran his hand from his forehead to the back of his neck, smoothing his thick hair down.
    “My parents died, that’s all.” Liza licked her lips nervously, then instantly regretted it when Simon’s eyes stayed locked on her mouth. “Thank you for bringing up my trunk, but I’m very tired. Good night.”
    With more refinement than she would have credited him, Simon took his leave. Liza closed the door after him, listening to his footsteps moving down the hall. Once certain he was gone, she shot the bolt home with unsteady hands. Finally, she was alone.
    She pushed herself away from the door and began to explore her new living quarters. It didn’t take long. The wind rattled the tiny window and threatened the flame of her cheap tallow candle. Her bed lay wedged under a slanted roof of