The Housemaid's Promise – A Historical RomanceEleanor Gray, a devoted housemaid, never expected to care for the reclusive Lord Sebastian Whitmore, a nobleman bound to a wheelchair after a tragic accident. As she tends to him, an unspoken bond forms, challenging the barriers of class and duty. But when hidden truths emerge, their growing love is put to the test. Will Eleanor's promise to protect him cost them both their happiness, or can love rewrite their fate?
Chapter 1 A New Beginning
The iron gates of Whitmore Manor loomed before Eleanor Gray, their imposing height a stark reminder of the world she was about to enter. The estate stretched beyond her view, its grand stone façade bathed in the soft glow of the late afternoon sun. It was a house of wealth and legacy, but to Eleanor, it might as well have been a cage.
She clutched the handle of her small travelling bag, her fingers tightening as she took a steadying breath. This was not the life she had dreamed of, but dreams were a luxury she had long since abandoned. A position as a housemaid at Whitmore Manor was an opportunity-a chance to escape the hardships of her past and build something stable for herself.
"Miss Gray?" A stern voice pulled her from her thoughts.
Eleanor turned to see a woman standing at the top of the stone steps leading into the manor. Her sharp eyes appraised Eleanor in an instant, taking in her simple dress, worn boots, and the travel dust that clung to her.
"Yes, ma'am," Eleanor replied, straightening her posture.
"I am Mrs. Langley, the housekeeper," the woman said briskly. "Follow me. His Lordship does not like to be kept waiting."
Eleanor hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward. The grand doors creaked open, revealing the vast interior of the manor. Polished floors gleamed beneath the glow of a chandelier, and the scent of burning wood from the massive fireplace filled the air. Every inch of the place spoke of wealth and status, a world so different from her own.
Mrs. Langley led her through the main hall and down a dimly lit corridor. The air grew quieter here, the grandeur giving way to a more solemn stillness. They stopped before a large wooden door, and the housekeeper knocked twice before pushing it open.
Eleanor stepped inside, her breath catching as her eyes landed on the man seated near the window.
Lord Sebastian Whitmore.
Even in repose, he commanded attention. His dark hair was slightly dishevelled, and a shadow of stubble lined his strong jaw. His gaze, a deep and piercing blue, shifted from the window to her, scrutinizing her in silence.
"So, you're the new maid," he said, his voice smooth but edged with something unreadable.
Eleanor curtsied. "Yes, my lord."
For a long moment, he simply studied her. Then, with a weary sigh, he turned back to the window.
"You may begin your duties tomorrow," he said. "That will be all."
Dismissed so quickly, Eleanor hesitated. But as Mrs. Langley motioned for her to leave, she swallowed the questions forming in her mind and stepped out into the hallway.
As the door closed behind her, one thought lingered-Lord Whitmore was not just a nobleman confined to a wheelchair. There was something else beneath his cold exterior, something broken.
And somehow, she had a feeling she was about to be caught in the middle of it.
Chapter 1 A New Beginning
21/02/2025
Other books by Neai
More