In a time of poetic conversations, sumptuous ball gowns and aristocratic men... dwelled three maids. And by maids, I don't mean quiet, delicate country girls who donned a bonnet and an apron, I mean working kitchen-hands who wore female garments as if they were men's trousers, who had a powerful right hooks hidden beneath demure innocence and laced with wit as sharp as a Toledo blade.

These feisty lass's names were Mina, Liara and lastly Verushka. Circumstance had placed them below stairs but destiny was due to take them in odd and exciting directions. One to the stage, the other to the young Queens secret guard, and the last of the three was to venture to the inevitable glittering ballroom, but all paths were to lead to a charming and devilish Rake. For, much more is stored in the kitchen than eggs and flour - in the Bexley House, there is Persuasion in the Pantry.

Chapter 1

"Verushka!" her friend Liara hissed.

"Huh?" Verushka jumped awake startled, "What?"

"What? You ask?!" Liara replied incredulously, "You're the pantry maid, that means you bake the bread, not form a close personal relationship with it by sleeping together!" she continued.

"But it's so early!" Verushka complained as she yawned widely, "The sun's just come up."

"You'll be lucky to see the sun come down. Madam Sheila is having a fit, she's been asking where you have been." Madam Sheila was the tyrant of the kitchen. Rumour had it that she had a soft heart but the girls were yet to uncover it.

Noises of footprints echoed on the cobbled floor of the corridor and Liara darted to Verushka's side pulling her up and to laden her with bread trays. "Mina, is trying to hold her off," Liara informed her quickly. Verushka raised an eyebrow, Mina was notorious for sticking her nose into the elders business, and the only way she was going to stop Madam Sheila was with one of her lectures...and that never went down well.

A roar then promptly sounded, resounding through the stone, "What do you mean?! I hired that lazy child to bake the bread before the sun comes up. Its already six in the morning, the noble family are waking up and I will bet five pounds that she is less awake than THEY are!"

"She's just coming Madam. But the real point of concern is the time the bread must be set to rise. You yourself have noted the time Lord and Lady rises. I think..."

"That is the real problem Mina. YOU, child THINK too much."

Liara's groan drowned out the sound and she rolled her eyes saying "I think it's time for me to jump in. Follow me in a moment," she said turning to run along, stopped for a moment to throw a cloth over Verushka's shoulder and smear flour over her cheeks and then took off down the hall.

"Madam Shiela!" Verushka heard Liara exclaim. "How lovely to see you this bright morning. Except, the bread you see, is having difficulty rising!"

Mina coughed rather severely and Verushka ran down to meet her fate once again, as she did most mornings when she had stayed out late taunting the stable boys that night and when the sun warmed the spot behind the bread stacks so perfectly. Verushka should have known then, that that immediately meant trouble.

Madam Shiela's reprimand was loud, terse and well practiced. Verushka was surprised that she could still manage such depth of passion when she had to yell at the girls all the time; Liara for sleeping behind the stacks, Verushka for reading behind the stacks and Mina for her perpetual preaching. However today's sermon from the headmistress of the kitchen was a touch more frantic.

"Of all days to be sleeping, Verushka! Especially when there is work to be done and we are already lacking one housemaid today. What a time for her to fall ill, when the young master has returned!" the Madam screeched.

The girls eyebrows shot up. The older Lord's son was a notorious rake. Of course the girls had no proof as the were not privy to such circles but they had heard stories...of seductions, intrigue, betrayal... all things to light up Liara's eyes and set a firm scowl on Mina and Verushka's face.

"The master is here?" Verushka questioned eagerly

"Yes" Madam Shiela barked shortly, "He's just back from Oxford college, not that that makes any difference to you three. I don't fancy him coming down to the pantry for bread that doesn't 'rise properly'," she snorted.

"Madam, I thought that the Master was gone to Windsor to well... socialise?," Mina questioned.

"We already had this discussion Mina... you THINK too much. You were not hired for your brains, which is fortunate for us, and what you three have contrived about the MASTER are very likely to be falsehoods built on the disappointed fantasies of a dozen servant girls."
Liara snickered.

Madam Shiela snapped her head around, "What?!"

Liara couldn't resist and answered, "Well Madam, it's a rather large household and so if only a dozen maids have been disappointed then a great number of the rest must have been - aack." Liara received a quick kick to her behind from Mina, well she thought it was Mina, but Verushka had a curious smirk on her face.

"If you need any assistance Madam we'll be glad to help," Verushka offered.

"Hah!" Madam Shiela scoffed. "You three can barely manage kitchen labour, there in NO way I would let you serve above stairs!"

Just then Maria, a petite young housemaid ran into the kitchen, peeking her head through the parlour door and stepping tentatively over the cobbled floor. Verushka noticed the other girls looks of condescension but had to agree- this pretty blonde thing didn't belong down with them. The said girl then opened her delicate mouth and her voice rang out like pleasant bells, "Excuse me Madame, but there is a terrible commotion in the dining hall. If it is at all possible could you have one of your maids deliver the young Master Bexley's breakfast to his chamber. He should be awake shortly, so they have a little time to carry about the morning duties required without being noticed."

Madam Shiela gave a quick nod of acquiescence and Verushka almost thought the Madam would curtsy - to a housemaid! This was very odd indeed.

"Thank you ever so, there is so much to be done," the maid continued then quickly composed herself again, gave a little polite smile, a brief curtsy and disappeared up the stairs.

Madam Shiela turned around to face the three girls. "Well, isn't this unfortunate," she began, "but as you can see, most of the kitchen staff are busy at work - all of them in fact, except for you three!"

The girls looked around at a very busy kitchen where flour flew, the stove sizzled and every hand bustled in kneading, cutting and frying to produce lavish dishes.

"And so," she continued, " it is with great reluctance that I am going to send Verushka to deliver Master Bexley's breakfast" she finished, her eyes narrowing on the girls.

"What?!" Liara whined, "why her??"

"Not that I have to explain to you Liara, but it's because she looks the most presentable should she be seen."

Verushka shifted uncomfortably.

"And really Liara, if I sent you, I wouldn't see you again and as pleasant as that would be, we need assistance today. If I sent you, you would probably tour the house and acquaint yourself with the guests, let alone what you might do to Master Bexley! And for God's sake- tie up your hair!" the Madam screamed.

Liara swept up her (windswept) hair with a comb and a scowl.

"And before you ask, if I sent up Mina she would most likely eat the Masters breakfast before he saw the better part of it."

Mina reluctantly nodded as her stomach grumbled in agreement.

Within the next few moments Verushka was made as presentable as possible and shoved with silver platter in hand up the stairs and towards the younger Lord Bexley's chamber with a pounding heart and trembling hands. The thoughts of his notoriety fresh in her mind... and apparently also Liaras' as she heard giggling at the base of the stairs and the latter's voice yell up "Enjoy yourself Verushka!"

Verushka nearly missed a tiled stair.

A tangle of tears, dreams, hidden emotions, curiosity, and excitement coursed through her, till all of a sudden she found herself staring at a set of large cream double doors with gold filigree inlay, and saw her hand raise to the brass doorknob and twist it open...

Verushka stepped into the extensive room in awe. It was beautiful. It was fragrant with freshly picked white roses and warm with morning sunshine. Her gaze fell on the bed where a large lump protruded from the bedding. She growled under her breath exasperated- All the stories probably ARE true! What a lazy man, relying on his family's money and wasting away the day asleep, she thought furiously, completely ignoring her own attempt to do just that earlier in the day.

Verushka slammed down the platter, opening dishes and arranging cutlery noisily. "Damn...stupid... nobles. So self absorbed, probably wouldn't have done a days hard work in his life. Wouldn't even know a good girl if she hit him in the -." Verushka quickly came to her senses and realised that she didn't even know why she was angry - then fear swept through her as she saw the sheets rustling and then a masculine groan sounded out...

"Zarina?"

** End of Chapter 1 **

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