Chapter 2

A week had passed since Lila first set foot in the Harrington manor, and already, the enormity of her responsibilities had begun to weigh on her. As Lady Victoria Harrington’s new lady-in-waiting, she was expected to cater to every whim, no matter how trivial or demanding. Victoria was a woman of impeccable taste but little patience, and her disdain for those beneath her social class was palpable. Lila had quickly learned that any misstep, no matter how small, could lead to swift and merciless retribution.

Yet, despite the hardships, Lila couldn’t help but relish the small privileges that came with her position. Being the lady-in-waiting set her apart from the other servants; she was allowed access to parts of the manor that they could only dream of, and she received a slightly larger portion at meals. These little advantages filled her with a sense of pride and superiority, even if she was only a few rungs above the others on the social ladder. For once in her life, she felt like she was part of something grand, something that ordinary people could only admire from afar.

Now, she stood in Victoria’s dressing room, carefully arranging a series of evening gowns in preparation for the night’s dinner. The manor was buzzing with activity as everyone prepared for the arrival of the master of the house, Alexander Harrington, who was returning from a long and arduous business trip. Victoria had been in a frenzy all day, barking orders at the servants, ensuring that everything was in perfect order for her husband’s return. She had even dismissed one of the maids for the minor infraction of dropping a vase, the delicate flowers within spilling out onto the pristine floors. Lila had watched it all unfold with a mix of fear and admiration. The woman truly loved her husband; that much was clear. Victoria had gone through the house with a fine-toothed comb, ensuring that every detail was to her satisfaction. She had tasted the food, inspected the rooms, and even adjusted the curtains herself when they didn’t meet her exacting standards. Lila could understand the anxiety—after all, Mr. Harrington provided her with the kind of life most women could only dream of. The least she could do was ensure that his homecoming was as flawless as possible.

“Lila,” Victoria snapped, pulling her out of her reverie. Lila looked up from the dress she was laying out, only to find Victoria’s cold eyes fixed on her. “That dress is my husband’s least favorite color. Are you trying to ruin my night?”

Lila’s heart sank. How was she supposed to know that? She had never even met the man, let alone been privy to his sartorial preferences. “I’m sorry, madam,” Lila stammered. “I’ll pick out another one right away.”

“See that you do,” Victoria said with a withering glare, turning back to the mirror to continue her preparations.

Lila hurried to the wardrobe, mentally cursing herself for the mistake. She had chosen the dress because she thought it was the most beautiful of the collection. Her eye for fashion had served her well in the past, but here, under Victoria’s sharp scrutiny, it seemed like nothing she did was ever quite right. She selected a deep red gown this time, hoping that it would meet with Victoria’s approval. The dress was luxurious, made of the finest silk that clung to Victoria’s curves and shimmered under the light. Victoria slipped into the dress and examined herself in the mirror, her lips twitching into a rare smile of satisfaction.

As the evening wore on, Lila could feel the tension in the manor rising. Mr. Harrington was running late, and with every passing minute, Victoria’s anxiety grew more palpable. Lila hesitated, unsure if it was her place, but finally decided to step forward and offer some reassurance. After all, part of her job was to attend to Victoria’s needs, and right now, what she needed most was comfort.

“Don’t worry, madam,” Lila said softly. “I’m sure he’ll be here soon.”

Victoria’s head snapped towards her, her eyes narrowing with irritation. “Who do you think you are?” she hissed. “Get back in line!”

Lila’s face flushed with embarrassment as she quickly retreated, joining the other servants who were lined up in the hallway. Some of them snickered under their breath, enjoying her discomfort. She kept her head down, trying to swallow the lump in her throat. She had only meant to help, but once again, she had overstepped her bounds.

Finally, the sound of the large iron gates creaking open echoed through the manor. A sleek, black vehicle rolled up the driveway, rounding the fountain before coming to a stop at the foot of the grand steps. Victoria’s face lit up with excitement, and she practically bounced on her toes as the chauffeur stepped out of the car and opened the back door.

Lila watched from her place in line, curiosity gnawing at her. She had heard so much about Alexander Harrington, the enigmatic master of the house, but she had yet to lay eyes on him. As Victoria rushed forward to greet her husband, planting eager kisses on his face, Lila strained to get a glimpse of the man who had captured such a cold-hearted woman’s affections.

As the couple ascended the steps, the servants all bowed their heads in respect. Lila tried to keep her gaze lowered, but her curiosity got the better of her. She dared to lift her eyes just as they passed by, desperate to see the man who had so entranced her employer. But her boldness did not go unnoticed.

Victoria halted in her tracks, her gaze locking onto Lila’s with fierce intensity. “You have grown bold in the one week you’ve been here,” she spat. “You’ve proven that you’re not fit to work in such a place. Pack your things this instant.”

Lila’s heart plummeted into her stomach. She dropped to her knees, pleading with Victoria to reconsider. “Please, madam, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any disrespect. I promise it won’t happen again.”

Victoria was unmoved. “Gareth!” she called, summoning the chauffeur. “See that she’s removed from the premises.”

But before Gareth could respond, a smooth, deep voice cut through the tension. “There will be no need for that,” Alexander Harrington said, his tone calm yet commanding.

Lila’s breath caught in her throat as she looked up, finally seeing the man who had caused such a stir. He was even more handsome than she had imagined, with piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through her. “Stand,” he instructed, and she obeyed, rising shakily to her feet. “What’s your name?” he asked, his gaze never leaving hers.

“Lila, sir,” she replied, her voice barely a whisper.

“You must be new here,” Alexander said, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. There was something almost magnetic about his presence, something that made it impossible for Lila to look away.

“Yes, darling,” Victoria interjected, “she’s my new lady-in-waiting and has yet to learn her place.”

Alexander’s smile widened slightly. “She soon will. There’s no need for such rash decisions on my first night home.” His gaze lingered on Lila for a moment longer before he turned back to his wife.

Victoria’s expression softened immediately. “Alright, darling. Only for you.” She took his arm, guiding him towards the entrance, her irritation forgotten as she chattered excitedly about the evening ahead.

As they disappeared into the house, Lila let out a long, shaky breath. She had narrowly avoided disaster, and yet, she couldn’t help but feel that her curiosity had paid off. She had seen Alexander Harrington, and in that brief encounter, something had changed. She didn’t know what it was, but the memory of his piercing blue eyes and the warmth of his smile would stay with her, leaving her in a trance long after he had gone.