Chapter 1
“How about the personal assistant to a Latin prince?” I circled the wanted ad in my copy of the Lady magazine with a red pen.
“We both know what Latin princes are like.” My best friend, Helen Holiday, raised a pale blonde eyebrow as she regarded me over the top of her newspaper. “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten the experience in the faux chateau with Prince Leopold the Third? I still have his handprint on my backside.”
“That’s not an experience I’m ever going to forget.” I grimaced at the memory of our rather too hands-on former employer.
“He must have smacked my behind a dozen times before I threatened to break his fingers.”
“I do remember that shortly after you had that interesting conversation with him, we were looking for new jobs.” I held aloft my copy of the wanted ads and grinned at Helen. She was the light to my dark, a mess of blonde curls, bright blue eyes, and killer curves. I was darker, with hip bones that jutted out and a dependence on padded bras to give me shape.
We’d grown up together and now shared a compact two bed apartment on the outskirts of Oxfordshire.
“It was time for a change,” Helen said. “Other than a Latin prince needing staff, what other jobs are available to test our extraordinary skills?”
“The pickings aren’t great this month,” I said with a sigh. Helen and I worked as a team; Helen was a seamstress and laundress extraordinaire, who could get the stains out of anything, and was a genius with a needle. And I was a whizz when it came to paperwork. Give me a pile of filing or some letters to type, and I was your go to girl.
“So far, I’ve seen a part-time pig handler role or a domestic servant to some crumbling sounding estate that’s over five hundred miles away,” Helen said. “Nothing the two of us can do.”
“I can see you in overalls, a pig staff in hand as you try to round up some noisy porkers,” I said.
“It doesn’t sound so different to some of the jobs I’ve had in the past.” The late morning sun slanted through the sash window behind Helen and lit her up like an angel. “Remember that dreadful uniform Viscount Templeton ordered me to wear? I swear the hem on the dress was about two inches from indecency.”
“Which was why he wanted you to wear it.” Helen’s legs were long and toned. Any man would have trouble not leering at them when she got her pins out. “And don’t forget, he tried to get me to put on some sexy secretary glasses and gaze over the top of them while I did his dictation.”
“So we’re looking for a non-sleazy boss this time around,” Helen said. “Someone who pays us what we’re owed and leaves us alone so we don’t need to lock our doors at night.”
“That sounds like the perfect job.” In truth, most of the jobs we went to were fine. We specialized in working for the well-to-do and the aristocracy. The jobs were well paid, and all of them gave us the opportunity to live in some of the most beautiful parts of the UK, and sometimes abroad, and revel in the castles, stately homes, and manor houses we often found ourselves in.
I’d never be able to afford a slice of life like that if it weren’t for my job. Plus, it meant we weren’t tied to any location and could go exploring whenever we fancied, using our tiny but cozy apartment as a bolt hole when we needed a vacation from all the poshness and old fashioned etiquette that could drive you crazy.
The door to the living room crashed open. Flipper, my adorable scruffy mixed breed dog, dashed through. He launched himself onto the flower covered chair I was curled in.
I was smothered by his warm doggy smell as he pressed his nose against my neck.
“Someone wants a walk,” Helen said.
“We only went out a few hours ago.” I scratched behind Flipper’s ears as he nestled in my arms. It wasn’t the most comfortable experience. Flipper was a chunky dog, but I’d cuddled him like this since he was a puppy. The habit had stuck, even as he’d grown into forty pounds of loyal furball.
“I’m sure he’s got some collie in him,” Helen said. “He’s always full of energy, like a child who’s eaten a bag of chocolate coated candy.”
“You’re probably right. But before we go for any walks, we need to find jobs to apply for,” I said. “And it needs to be dog friendly. I’m not leaving Flipper behind. He hates to be on his own.”
As if he understood what I’d said, Flipper whined and licked the back of my hand. I’d had Flipper since he was a puppy, after discovering him abandoned by the side of the road five years ago, a small bag of food and a tatty looking toy in a bag next to him with a scribbled note attached. Apparently, his former owner decided a puppy was too much work and couldn’t be bothered taking him to a shelter.
One look at those sad blue eyes surrounded by messy gray fur, and I’d been suckered in. I’d scooped him up, gave him a bath, food, and lots of cuddles and that was it, partners for life.
He’d barely left my side since then, apart from one short-lived attempt when I worked away from home without him. That had ended in a chewed sofa and three pairs of shoes I’d had to destroy. When I took on a new job these days, it was always with the condition that Flipper and Helen came with me. We were like the Three Musketeers, just without the swords, or fighting skills, or horses.
I shifted the magazine from underneath Flipper’s belly and turned the page. “How about this?” I said, after a moment of reading through the ads. “Personal assistant to Lord Galbraith and domestic assistant for general household duties. Immediate start and good rates of pay. Accommodation included. Couples welcome.”
“We could be a couple,” Helen said.
“The ad doesn’t specify what gender the couple needs to be,” I said. “I wonder if they’ll take Flipper as well?”
“These old houses usually accommodate dogs. And Flipper’s such a good boy. Who wouldn’t want to have him around?” She made kissy noises at him.
Clearly reveling in the attention Helen gave him, Flipper jumped off my lap and loped over to her.
“He’s such a turncoat.” I lifted my phone and dialed the number on the ad.
“You’re going to apply now?” Helen stroked her fingers through Flipper’s dark gray fur. In certain light, he looked almost wolf-like, with his ice blue eyes.
“Why not? We need a job, and this could be ideal for us.”
The call connected.
“Galbraith Manor,” an extremely posh male said.
“Hello, my name’s Lorna Shadow. I’m inquiring about the positions you have advertised in the Lady magazine. Are they still available?”
“Yes, the positions are still vacant,” the posh man said. “In fact, I placed the ad myself. I’m Lord Sylvester Galbraith the Fifth. Are you interested in a particular role?”
“I’m interested in both of them,” I said. “I’m an experienced personal assistant, and my partner is a skilled laundress and seamstress.”
“You would be coming as part of a couple?” Lord Galbraith asked.
“If that’s acceptable. I can send you references and details of my experience.” I gave a discrete thumbs-up to Helen who sat snuggled on the sofa with Flipper, both of them listening to my conversation.
“Your details would be most appreciated,” Lord Galbraith said. “I am in somewhat dire need of a personal assistant. My previous girl left on maternity leave. She promised to come back, but it would appear the allure of a baby is more enticing than I am. Never could understand that myself. Babies make so much noise and mess.”
“So I’ve been told.” I didn’t have children. Maybe one day, but it would take a special man to make me give up my independence. Besides, Flipper was my baby. Fur babies I could handle.
“You say you have experience working in a personal assistant capacity?” Lord Galbraith asked.
“I have five years’ experience as a personal assistant. I’ve been assistant to Count Carnarvon and Viscount Reedswell.”
“Excellent! Bertie and Simon are friends of mine,” Lord Galbraith said. “I will be sure to speak to them and get recommendations of your work.”
“Please do so.” They’d give me good references. I’d enjoyed working for both men, especially Viscount Reedswell, who was partial to having afternoon tea with tiny cakes and champagne every day. He always invited me to join him, and I often said yes. It meant I’d gained half a stone while I worked for him, but those cakes were worth it.
“If you’ve worked for those chaps, and they vouch for you, I see no reason to go through a formal interview,” Lord Galbraith said. “Send me your resume and your partner’s details. I will check them over, then give old Bertie and Simon a call. It’s been too long since I’ve spoken to them. If they say you’re good for the role, I’ll believe them.”
“Thank you so much,” I said. “And you want an immediate start?”
“That’s right,” Lord Galbraith said. “I was tardy in placing the ad for help. I’m afraid things have gotten out of control here. You’ll have your work cut out for you by joining the household. But I assure you, we’re a fair and friendly bunch. If you work hard, we will reward you for that. And if you were able to get my old friend Bertie into shape, I’ll be a pussycat in comparison.” He chortled down the line.
“I’d be happy to accept,” I said. “There’s just one small thing I want to ask you before I do.”
“Go ahead,” Lord Galbraith said.
I took a deep breath, knowing this revelation might destroy the job prospect. “I have a medical condition. It means I sometimes faint.”
“You faint!”
“It’s nothing serious, and I assure you it doesn’t affect my work,” I said swiftly. “But I have a companion dog who comes with me. He acts as an early warning system to alert me if I’m about to faint. He’s well-trained and extremely loyal. You won’t even know he’s there. But it would mean an awful lot to me if I could bring him to the house, as well. For peace of mind if nothing else.”
“I see no reason why he can’t accompany you,” Lord Galbraith said after a short pause. “I’m rather partial to dogs. Although I don’t have any of my own at the moment.”
“He’s excellent company and friendly. If you ever wants to walk him, he’d be happy to come with you.”
“That’s a lovely idea,” Lord Galbraith said. “And you’re certain this… medical condition of yours won’t interfere with your daily duties? I don’t like to discriminate, but if you’re unwell, perhaps you should be in the hospital, not coming to work for me.”
I stifled a laugh. If only he knew the whole truth about my condition. “My work will be unaffected by this. And with my dog by my side, I always know if I need to take a break. But I guarantee you, I’ll be committed to the work. It won’t impact anything I do in my role.”
“That’s good enough for me,” Lord Galbraith said. “Let’s get the details sorted. If everything pans out, we can start with a three month trial. And if all goes well, you may like to stay here on a permanent basis. Reliable staff are hard to find.”
I took down a few more details from Lord Galbraith, emailed him my resume while we were on the phone, and we said our goodbyes.
“You’re such a liar,” Helen said. “Fainting fits!”
“I can hardly say I have a built-in ghost detector, can I? That would be a sure-fire way of never getting paid work again.” That was a special skill I never listed to potential employers.
I’d been able to see ghosts ever since I’d almost drowned as a child. When I’d come to after that frightening incident, I had a knack for seeing ghosts.
And as for Flipper being my companion dog, he was actually my furry ghost detector, giving me a heads-up whenever one was about to appear. He would usually whine, paw the ground, and rush to my side.
“I think listing ‘ghostbuster’ in your summary of special skills would be a good thing.” Helen knew all about my special ability. Having grown up together, she was used to me speaking to ghosts. What had convinced her that my ghost friends were real was when her Grandma appeared and told Helen off for weeing in the kettle when she was five years old. Ever since I’d revealed that nugget of information, Helen was a true believer when it came to me seeing ghosts.
“Ghostbusting aside, if all goes well, we could be in a new job by the end of the day,” I said.
“How exciting,” Helen said. “I’ve got a new mix of stain remover I’ve been longing to try.” She was geekily obsessed with cleaning products and loved nothing more than spending hours in the kitchen mixing all kinds of pastes and liquids.
“You do know how to let your hair down,” I teased.
“I aim to do my best work for our demanding clients.” She thumbed her nose at me. “And you know how demanding our posh lot can be. Everything needs to be starched, crease free, and not a stain to be seen.”
Our employers were demanding, but it was one of the reasons I liked to work for them. I had high standards myself, and liked to do the best possible job for the people I worked with. The fact they paid me well and gave me beautiful accommodation to live in were added bonuses.
“Let’s hope this one wants us to stay long-term.” It had been several months since either of us had been in full-time work, and bills didn’t magically pay themselves.
“I have a good feeling about these jobs,” Helen said.
An hour later, so did I, having received a phone call from Lord Galbraith, confirming Helen and I could start our jobs immediately.
I put the phone down and turned to Helen. “Pack your bags. We’re going to the manor house.”
