James (Hot Footman Secrets Book 1) Read online

  James shook his head. “Then they go public? A rich man’s word versus a poor servant.”

  “When your father is an earl most people don’t want to make you their enemy. If I accuse him of molesting my staff, it carries weight. They won’t want the rumors getting around.”

  “Still risky,” James said.

  Fred sigh. “So you won’t do it?”

  James shrugged. “Oh, I’ll do it. Butler? Yes, I will. It might blow up on you. So I want a bonus up front.”

  “What sort of bonus?” Fred asked.

  “Enough for a ticket to America. If it goes badly I’ll head for a port. I won’t be jailed for you or anyone,” said James.

  “Fair enough. You’ll get the bonus when you bring fifteen men willing to work and train to Sherrington Park. This should cover train fare and food for the journey plus incidentals should they arise.” Fred handed over a large stack of bills.

  James took the cash and pocketed it quickly. “I’ll bring you an accounting.”

  “I trust you. I chose you for a reason. The same rules apply to you. No one is to touch you without your consent. Report any inappropriate behavior to me,” Fred said.

  “You realize fifteen men of the same persuasion will probably consent to things among themselves, sir?” James asked.

  Fred nodded. “Wouldn’t it be nice if two footmen in love were hired by the same rich duke? I can’t control or predict love but these jobs would be safer. I don’t want anyone to go to prison for who they love. I need a purpose for my life. It was the army. Now this is what I can do to make our world a little better,” Fred said.

  “Thank you, sir. I’ll send word when I’ve got all the men I need lined up. When can we head north?” James asked.

  “The place is stocked. I sent my recently hired land agent up there to set up the livestock and horses. The pantry is full. The sooner you get grooms and footmen up there, the better.” Fred smiled.

  “Right. Yes, Colonel. Sir. It might take a few days. I’ll have them up there no longer than a week from today.” James turned for the door.

  “James, we’re going to have a lot of secrets. You can call me Fred in private,” he said.

  “No, sir,” James replied.

  “Fine. Call me Colonel. Feels better than sir. Just you,” Fred insisted.

  “Yes, Colonel. See you soon.” James left and closed the door behind him.

  Chapter Two

  It was dark when James made his through London to the Molly house he knew best. He tried to appear calm and confident. In all his life he’d never had so much money. There was no way he could leave it at his brother’s flat. James had been sleeping there while he looked for work. A nephew or his brother would find the money for sure.

  Even the fact that he had a good job as a butler wouldn’t explain that much cash. James felt a strange mix of emotions. Fred had given him a chance at so much. But Fred…James couldn’t stop thinking about him. His dark curly hair and brown eyes. His powerful arms and chest were so tempting.

  Even when Fred fell flat on his face-- James only admired him more. The colonel wasn’t going to let loss of a limb stop his life. Fred could sit around his father’s grand homes and be fussed over by servants and sisters but he took on not only an estate but an elaborate operation that was dangerous.

  Pushing away his desires, James had to find the men to hire before he could go north and enjoy the privacy of Sherrington Park. James searched the notorious Molly house.

  Finally James found Thomas in the gambling room. They’d been friends at school. Thomas was James’ first kiss. In the end, they were just friends but they’d also gone very different directions in their careers.

  It was early evening so the guests weren’t there yet.

  “What brings you by?” Thomas asked.

  “Job opportunity.” James nodded.

  Thomas smirked. “You want to work here? Great.”

  “No, for you,” James said.

  “Want me to polish silver?” Thomas laughed.

  “Better than here,” James said.

  “That’s your version. I like my work.” Thomas shook his head.

  James looked around. “Does everyone? You won’t be young and handsome forever.”

  “I’m lucky. I got rejected by the draft because of my knee. I hated that limp. No one wanted me for decent work because they thought I was a cripple. Now having broken my knee when I was eight probably saved my life from a bullet. You can’t be serious. No one wants to hire a footman with a limp.” Thomas poured a shot of whisky. “Want a drink?”

  “No, thanks. It’s not just footmen I’m hiring for. I want to talk to the guys here. You might not want the chance but they could,” James said.

  “I thought you didn’t work for the earl anymore. How many jobs do you have?” Thomas asked.

  “Fifteen spots to fill. I left word with the footmen I know who might want spots. That’d only be eight at most. It’s not for everyone. Only people like us that we can trust,” James said.

  “For service jobs? Why would they want that?” Thomas asked.

  James looked around. “The war hasn’t been kind to all of them. All of you will age. There are no promotions in your work. No security.”

  “But we won’t get fired. You got the sack for screwing around. I get paid to do just that.” Thomas shrugged. “I’ll round up some trustworthy types. Don’t talk to anyone else.”

  James poured himself a drink and downed it. Molly houses had pluses and minuses. Sex was a plus. But it attracted men who were desperate. Many who had everything taken from them or had nothing as kids so they stole and used people.

  “James,” Thomas said. He nodded for James to follow him to one of the private rooms for high rollers.

  “Never seen anything this posh, have ya?” asked a young man with red hair.

  Thomas scoffed. “He worked for an earl, you fool. He’s seen better.”

  “Sorry. Patrick O’Malley.”

  “James Riggs.” He nodded to the boy who looked all of eighteen.

  “Don’t mind the new Irish kid. Old men love him.” Thomas winked.

  The room had about a dozen men. James cleared his throat.

  “It’s an odd offer, I’ll warn you. But it’s genuine. I’m the butler for a retired army colonel. The son of an earl who has been gifted a small estate far up north. He’s looking to staff up. Lots of hunting and fishing parties.”

  Patrick raised his hand.

  “Yes?” James asked.

  “What if you’re not trained?” Patrick asked.

  James stood up straighter. “It’s fine. We’ll train you.”

  Patrick raised his hand again.

  James waved him off. “I’m sure I’ll answer all of your questions if you just listen.”

  “Won’t we just end up fired like you?” asked one of the men.

  “Pipe down, Riley,” Thomas shot back.

  “You won’t be fired. The idea of this job is to train you in service and give you a reference. The master of the house will invite rich aristocrats to these parties. You show off your talents.”

  A few whistles echoed through the room.

  “Not those talents. This is about having someone they can trust in their employ and you working for someone who won’t turn you into the police if the butler finds you with another man. You might end up helping your lord with his own liaisons but know he’ll look out for you,” James said.

  Thomas scoffed. “You can’t believe that.”

  “I do. Of course, you’ll have information on them as well if something goes wrong. If you’re being pressed for sex or mistreated, you come back to the colonel’s estate. You have a safe place to stay and look for more work. Rich men don’t come here to Molly houses for older men. We’re all aging. War left us with plenty of marks. Learn to valet and serve. It’s safer than this or a factory,” James said.

  Patrick raised his hand.

  “Yes,” James said.

  “
I’d rather live in the country.” Patrick nodded.

  “Good. Other questions?” James asked.

  A man stepped out from the shadows. “Footmen have to be good looking. No one will hire me.”

  James had seen worse but he couldn’t argue the point with a one-eyed man.

  “You make anything here?” James asked.

  “He tends the bar since the war,” Thomas said.

  “What’s your name?” James asked.

  “Charles,” he replied.

  “Well, Charles. Do you like horses? You can be a groom. A skill that pays is better than living on pity and tips here. Or you could chauffeur.” James was selling the scheme his way. These were the men he wanted to save most.

  “They’ll keep you in the barn with the stinky beasts,” Riley said.

  “No, you’d be trained for all jobs including footman and valet. Whatever job you prefer or perform best at can be your goal. Regardless you do get room and board. Peace and quiet of a country life. It’s more security than you have here. Fewer drunks trying to get in your pants or insulting your looks.”

  “Some of us like the sex,” Thomas said with a chuckle.

  “Every time? Every man? The drunk ones? Mean ones? The ones who treat you like trash?” James asked.

  “I’ll take my chances.” Riley strolled out of the room.

  Most of the other men followed him.

  “Sorry, James. Not much left.” Thomas looked around.

  “I’ll go. I had a way with animals as a kid. Horses don’t care if I’ve only got one good eye.” Charles stepped closer but pulled the brim of his cap down farther.

  “It’s okay, I’ve seen a lot worse. The man we’re going to work for lost his leg well above his knee in battle. He won’t judge anyone for a limp or missing body part.” James had faith in the colonel but the other men out there… Would they really hire them?

  “Then I’ll go,” Thomas said.

  “You will?” James failed to hide the shock.

  “Sure. Paddy will too, won’t you?” Thomas asked.

  Patrick nodded. “I’d like to but…”

  “But what?” James asked.

  “I ran. I’m sort of wanted,” Patrick said.

  “Wanted for what?” Thomas asked.

  Patrick shook his head. “I didn’t do anything wrong. We just had nowhere else to go. I tried to get some money but my mom and sisters were all taken to the workhouse. I turned up here to make the money but it’s taking forever.”

  “What’s he to do about it?” Thomas asked.

  “Is it debts?” James asked.

  “No, but we got kicked out because we couldn’t pay our rent. My mom is the best cook in the world and she was trying to get work. My sister Margaret is good with figures and details. She tried to get secretarial. A lot of them don’t want Irish even though our father was a Brit.”

  “Just the two of them?” James asked.

  “Five. I got four sisters but the twins are sixteen. Keep a house cleaner than anything. All they could get was scullery work and the man of the house squeezing them. If you front me the money to get them out and rent them a flat for a year, I’ll work for three years for nothing but room and board.”

  “No, that’s daft,” Thomas said.

  “I have a better idea. You’re going with us. So is your family,” James said.

  “Thank you, sir.” Patrick wiped his nose on his sleeve.

  James had never been called sir before in his life. It felt good to help someone and be respected for it. He got what Fred wanted. Helping people felt good. James had never been in a position to help others. At least, not like this.

  “What are you about? You said you needed men,” Thomas said.

  “I’m setting up a whole household. I need a cook, a housekeeper, and maids enough to make it look real. What workhouse are they at?” James asked.

  Patrick gave him the details. Then it occurred to James. “Wait, do they know about you?”

  “That I work here?” Patrick asked.

  “That you prefer men,” James replied.

  Patrick turned red as his hair. “They do.”

  “Are they going to go on a religious lecture or call the police?” James asked.

  “No, sir. They protected me. That’s how my mom lost her place. They’re all I have left. If we can stay together, we’ll go anywhere. We’ll work harder than you’ve ever seen for you and the lord.”

  “He’s not a lord. He’s the colonel. Fine. I’ll collect you tomorrow at ten and we’ll go get your family out of the workhouse.”

  “Thank you!” Patrick clapped his hands.

  “That’s only three. You need more,” Thomas said.

  “On to the next Molly house. Don’t think you’re the only one.” James smirked. “I’ll be in touch. We leave in less than a week so be ready.”

  It was late but James needed a letter. No one would release those women to him on the word of a butler, bribe or not. He knocked on the colonel’s door.

  Paul answered. “Are you expected?”

  “No, I need to see him,” James said.

  “He’s had a couple of drinks. Might be better in the morning,” Paul said.

  James shook his head. “It has to be now. I’ve seen him drunk. We served together.”

  “It’s just for the pain in his leg.” Paul opened the door.

  Half a bottle of wine remained on the table. The colonel glared at Paul this time.

  “What?” Fred asked.

  “I’ll bring some strong tea,” Paul said.

  “If you want your plan to work, you need a housekeeper and a cook. Plus maids,” James began.

  The colonel sighed. “I suppose. We can get a chef. More footmen instead of maids.”

  “It’ll look wrong. We have to seem normal and women are cheaper. Cooking and cleaning is behind the scenes stuff but if you have no women it’ll be suspicious.”

  The colonel nodded. “Where are we supposed to get women we can trust?”

  “I have them. The mother and sisters of one of the new footmen. They’re Irish, so no love of British authority. They got tossed into the workhouse because they couldn’t pay their rent. I just need a letter from you that they have steady employment and they’re released. I’ll send them and the first batch up on a train to get things ready,” James said.

  Smiling, the colonel grabbed a piece of paper. “Eager and jumping in. I wasn’t sure you’d stick with me.”

  “I’m with you, Colonel. But we have to be convincing.” James knelt down next to his new employer as he wrote the letter. James filled in the names of the women.

  “You’re kind. That’s why I wanted you on this with me. I always liked you,” the colonel shared.

  “I always liked you. It was a privilege to serve under you during the war,” James replied.

  The colonel waved off James’ praise.

  “Before the war, before it all I saw you at my father’s house. I pay attention.” His hand slowly crept up and brushed James’ cheek.

  The lust James had ignored for so many years hit him hard. He’d buried his longing deep. War had helped dull his needs with the blood and filth. Still, attraction wasn’t enough to risk everything on. He’d been attracted to Thomas one day long ago. That didn’t mean he or his former officer were the right man.

  Paul walked in and spared James an awkward moment. The colonel’s hand dropped and finished the letter.

  “Thank you, Colonel.” James took the letter.

  “Here. Bribes also help.” The other man handed him twenty pounds.

  “Thank you. I hope you don’t plan on drinking any more tonight,” James dared to say.

  “Why?”

  James took a deep breath. “I want to help you. I want this to work. But if you’re drunk all the time, it won’t. You’ll slip. I know there is pain from war wounds. A lesser man would’ve crawled in a hole or lived in his father’s home forever letting sisters tend him. You’re better than that, Colon
el.”

  “I will be. I will be better in my own home far away from London. I should go. Get the women tomorrow. I’ll join them on the train.”

  “They’ll be in third class,” James said.

  “True, but then I can see everyone is settled in right. You can’t put them up in a boardinghouse for the better part of a week. London has never been good for me. I’ll go. Paul, pack my things. Book the train tickets,” the colonel instructed.

  “Yes, sir,” Paul said.

  “Book an evening train. I need to get the ladies out of the workhouse and purchase decent attire and uniforms for them.” James checked over the letter and put it and the money in his pocket.

  “Good. That’s a plan. No more drinking,” the colonel nodded.

  “Sir, I didn’t mean never have a small glass of port. I meant we need our wits about us.” James had to remember his place. Butler, yes, but only as long as the colonel wanted him.

  “No, I’ve used it as a crutch. I don’t want to escape my life anymore. I want to make my life happy and good for me. Take the rest of the bottle,” the colonel said.

  “No, thank you. I have to be off,” James said.

  “Paul, you take it and share it with the other valets,” the colonel revised.

  “That won’t go far here,” James commented as he opened the door.

  “It has three friends on the shelf there. Take them all.” The colonel waved. “Have fun on your last night in London.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Paul smiled and didn’t hesitate to collect the bottles. “Tea and those biscuits will do you good.”

  James hoped the colonel was telling the truth but most men too fond of liquor couldn’t stop themselves. One battle at a time, just like the war.

  Chapter Three

  Fred had settled in at Sherrington Park a week later. Being the owner and master even of a small piece of the world made him feel more secure. Like when he was given his first command. His father had actually signed over the land and given him enough cash to run it for a couple years. There was no trial run. It belonged to Fred.