Chapter 1
ELLA
KINGDOM OF WüRTTEMBERG
“Don’t leave,” I beg Claire for the third time this afternoon. She’s been a trusted housemaid for my family since I was a child. What will I do without her?
“Ella, I have to go.” She gives me a pleading look. “I’m sorry, but I’ve got to feed my family. I’ve waited two months for your father to return and pay me. Two months of nothing doesn’t feed little ones. Besides, Dr. Wissen said he’s hiring.”
“Dr. Wissen?” My mouth falls open. “Not that vile man.”
She scrunches her nose. “I have to take my chances.”
“But you’ve been with our family forever.”
“I’m sorry, you know I am. Your mother was a wonderful mistress—even if she was from the Southlands—but she’s gone, bless her soul, and who knows where your father is.”
My heart pangs at the mention of my mother, but I shove down those emotions. “He’ll return. I’m sure of it.”
“I hope he does for your sake, but I can’t wait any longer. And Dr. Wissen pays.”
I grimace, unable to deny her words. Instead, I wish her luck and walk her to the front door of the manor.
My heart sags as she hurries away, and I clutch the bluebird pendant my mother gave me like a talisman.
She isn’t the only servant who has left, and I’m tired of it.
Tired of keeping this manor running. Tired of managing a household without the funds to do so.
Tears threaten to escape, but there isn’t time for tears.
If anyone needs to be strong, it’s me. It’s been nearly a year since Father and I buried Mother, and three months since he up and left without so much as a goodbye.
It’s taken every ounce of willpower to get out of bed each morning, eat my meals, take care of the animals, and try to keep the manor running.
“Any day he’ll arrive,” I’d tell Gertude, our housekeeper. Or when I spotted Herman, our steward, fretting over the crops, I assured him with, “Father said not to worry over the harvest. It won’t be long before he returns.”
But deep down, I know Father never got over Mother’s death. He loved her too much. He hasn’t been the same since her passing. Maybe I haven’t either.
But the immediate issue is that the servants and fieldhands are leaving.
Soon I’ll be rattling alone in this massive house with fields of ripe crops that can’t be harvested.
I clench my fists. Father may have abandoned us, but I refuse to give up.
This is my home. My mother’s home. Someday he’ll return, and when he does, he’ll see my success and be proud I kept our family name from ruin.
With renewed determination, I stalk down the time-worn wooden hallway to Father’s office. Oddly, the door is cracked open. Voices drift out to where I hover at the edge of the door—Herman and an unfamiliar male voice.
Who could that be? And why didn’t anyone tell me we had a visitor?
I smooth down my black muslin dress, straighten my back, and step into the office. The visitor whose back is to me is tall, with brown hair and wearing an expensive jacket with long tails.
“Hello,” I say.
Herman stiffens. A horrified expression washes over his usually bored features. Probably because I entered without introductions. Not that he should be surprised. I tend to toss protocol to the winds.
But when the visitor turns, my heart sinks. Unfortunately, I know him all too well.
Dr. Wissen.
He’s almost unrecognizable in all his finery and—I hate to admit—looking quite handsome. Once he was a lowly local carpenter. He decided to change his profession and somehow amassed more power and wealth than a man could possibly gain without foul play.
Rumor has it he sold his cart and oxen for fine clothes and a medical ABC book. Then he nailed a sign on his door, offering doctoring services. It sounds ridiculous. Probably because it is.
“Good morning, Ella.” The doctor bows smoothly, blue eyes twinkling in delight. “Word in the village is you’re in a bit of trouble. A full harvest without the funds to pay workers to reap it does put you in a difficult situation.”
My eyes narrow. “Our estate is none of your concern, Dr. Wissen.”
“I came as soon as I heard about your trials. I’d love to offer my assistance.”
I frown as I take in the scar running along his cheek, the only blemish on his perfectly chiseled features. “I can hardly think why you’d come to help me.”
“I’ll harvest the crops and sell them for you. We’ll split the profits. Seems fair enough to me.”
“That’s hardly fair,” I cross my arms, “and you know it.”
“Come now.” He steps closer. “I know your father abandoned you. Let me help. Otherwise, you’re going to lose everything, and then you’ll be forced to sell the property to me anyway, but for a lower price.”
“I’m afraid whatever rumors you’ve heard are simply…rumors,” I counter loftily. “We’re not in need of your help, but thank you kindly. You may leave at once.”
“Ella,” Hermon whispers, stepping forward. “Please reconsider.”
“Leave at once?” Wissen’s forehead wrinkles. His eyebrows lift, taking on a hurt expression. “My dear Ella, you must let me help. I insist. Allow me to finish my conversation with your steward, and then we’ll have coffee and cake to celebrate.”
I’d rather sleep with the vermin than let him rule my house.
“If I’m going to have coffee and cake, it won’t be with you,” I say.
“If you’ll excuse us for a moment, Dr. Wissen,” Herman says. He scrambles to my side and draws me into the hall.
“Ella, what are you doing?”
“You brought that crook into my house?” I seethe.
“You don’t understand.” Herman mops the sweat from his brow with his handkerchief.
“I checked your father’s records and the coffers to pay the servants.
There’s no money. Your father took everything when he left.
Five servants left just today when I told them I can’t pay them until the master returns.
The crops are ready to be harvested, but we don’t have enough servants to collect them.
We need Dr. Wissen’s help. With that money, we can survive through the winter. ”
“Through the winter?” I scoff. “Dr. Wissen is getting the upper hand here. What will Father think when he returns?”
Herman’s face falls. He withdraws a parchment from his breast pocket, opening it. “A letter from your father arrived last week. He’s not returning for some time.”
“What?” I snatch the paper. Scanning it, I discover he’s right. Father has no plans to return anytime soon. This is a disaster. “Why didn’t you show me this letter?”
“Ella, you’re twenty years old, no longer a young lady. Right now, you need to put your focus on searching for a husband. All could be righted instantly with a wealthy match.” His voice switches to a whisper. “And I think he’s interested in your hand.”
“Why didn’t I think of that? I’ll just stroll through our village’s streets, announcing I’m ready to wed but only to a man with a heavy purse.
” I choke out a laugh. “Herman, it doesn’t work that way.
Besides, we don’t have time for me to enter society or money for dresses so I can attend the latest balls.
We need answers now. Father said I should run this estate, and I will. ”
“I don’t know why you hate Dr. Wissen, but he’s a good man. He’s saved the village time and again from the wolf pack. I advise you to consider his offer.”
“I’d rather be devoured by wolves than marry Dr. Wissen.”
Herman’s face falls. But he also has a point. I’ve spent every hour since Father left moping about, ignoring the problems around me, and accomplishing nothing other than stitching some horrible needlework. What else can he expect?
“Tell the servants I’ll pay them tonight after I return from the village,” I say, undaunted. “Also, tell them that anyone who helps harvest the crops will receive a payment reward for their efforts.”
“How can you promise the impossible?” Herman sputters.
A crawling sensation skitters over my skin. I look back at Father’s office to find the doctor practically hugging the doorway.
“Eavesdropping, Dr. Wissen?” I lift my eyebrows. “I’d think that was beneath a man of your caliber.”
“I couldn’t help overhearing your situation. I didn’t realize it was so bad.”
Wretched man. “Thank you kindly for your offer. Herman will escort you to the door. Good day.”
“Of course. But if you change your mind, send a courier to my home right away. I’ll be happy to oblige.” He smiles, one that would make most women’s hearts melt. “But do remember, Ella. I always get what I want.”