The Only Maid Who Said No

Synopsis

I was the head maid at Harrington Manor. Eight years ago, General Herbert Harrington and his son General Dylan Harrington saved me. They found me as a girl, hiding from my drunkard father and his belt. Everyone said I was lucky, that I'd hitched my wagon to Dylan's star. Eight years later, on Dylan's mother's sixtieth birthday, she all but announced she was setting me up with Dylan. The whole room held its breath, waiting for my tearful performance of gratitude. Even Dylan's usual stern look softened, as if he, too, was waiting to hear "yes." My voice shook with tears. "Your kindness overwhelms me. But my heart is spoken for. Please, grant me my freedom. Let me return home and marry Tommy Smith." For a moment, Dylan's face went livid. He looked like he'd just swallowed a bitter pill.