Read The Fallen Woman (A Regency Romance) for Free Online

your optimism, I know I am far from being a picture of health. My time is limited. I know this for a fact.”
    John grumbled.
    Nell whimpered.
    Dubois’ magnanimous nose responded with a sniffle.
    “If you want to leave your posts, I completely understand. When I die, I can’t guarantee my cousin will keep you on. I’m afraid I don’t know anything about my cousin. He might be understanding… I suppose,” Tristan continued, “However, I will say I would like you all to stay with me for the remainder of my days. To be surrounded by familiar faces would give me comfort. If you left, I know I would die a very lonesome death.”
    Nell snorted into Tristan’s handkerchief, and he decided he would have to let her keep it. Forever.
    “My lord, I would never think of leaving you!” Dubois exclaimed, laying a hand over his heart. “Your father pulled me off the streets when I was hopeless, and I have been with you since you were a tiny l’enfant! I am your servant ‘til zee end, monsieur!”
    Tristan imagined there might be many people shocked by how openly his servants spoke to him, but he didn’t care. He appreciated the frankness of Dubois’ feelings. “What about you, John?”
    “Ehh.” John hitched a shoulder. “I don’t suppose I’d be able to find work elsewhere. I might as well stay with you, my lord.”
    Nell peered at him behind the handkerchief. In a shaky voice, the maid answered, “We can’t leave you by yourself, my lord! We’re your servants, but we’re good people! We’d have to be horrible to leave you at a time like this! I’ll stay with you as long as you need us!” She sniffled. “You’ve always been so good to us, my lord! I wish this was all just a dream!”
    “I, too, wish the same thing,” Tristan said with a sigh. He sat across from Nell and gave her a pat on the hand. It might have been an inappropriate gesture, if not for the fact that she was nearly sixty, and more like a dear aunt than a maid. “I feel it’s important to tell you about my plans. I don’t intend to sit around here waiting for my death to come. I’m leaving London,” Tristan said, “and I’m returning to the family estate in Berkshire. It’s been too long since I’ve been back to Randall Hall. I’m sure it’s in a shocking state of disrepair, but we’ll manage somehow.”
    “I’ll clean it for you!” Nell vowed. “I’ll return it to its former glory, even if I have to do it single-handed-like!”
    John’s ruddy lips twisted with concern. “Wait? Leavin’ London? You never said nothin’ about that! What about me fiancé? I can’t leave her behind!”
    The butler raised his chin and shot the valet a look of disapproval. “Do not speak to his lordship like that! He iz zee best man in zee world, and you’ll speak to him with respect, or I’ll take you outside and tan your hide!”
    “I’d like to see you try, old man,” John countered. “It doesn’t sound all that threatening when you say it in your puffed-up French accent!”
    “John, please ,” Tristan spoke up. “Dubois, John does not have to come with us if he doesn’t want to. I’m sure I can manage on my own. I’ve been known to tie my own cravat on occasion. In fact, I don’t see much need for a valet. It’s not like I’m going to need to be dressed to the nines. I’ll go around in my shirtsleeves if I want to… with scuffed boots!”
    John heard a challenge in the viscount’s words. “No, my lord! I’m coming with you!”
    “What about zis fiancé of yours?”
    “Yes, who is she?” inquired the ill-fated viscount. “It’s the first I’ve heard of her. What does she do?”
    John looked at the ceiling, as if the answer would fall from the sky. “I don’t know, my lord. She’s a baker’s daughter. She don’t do nothing, really.”
“Can she bake?”
    “I ‘spose so,” John answered with a shrug. “She makes good treacle tart.”
    “Well, I see no reason why she can’t come with us. I’m sure