Short Story

The Downstairs Maid

Nancy's Notes šŸ–ŠļøšŸŽ¶

Written for OLWG #393 where our prompt words are
1) broken yellow teeth; 2) Austin Pendleton – as Fred; 3) prodigal.
This is my story.

Frederick Beecham was a bitter, mean-spirited man; his only companions were his bad memories, schemes and his wheelchair. Frederick had no family or friends; over the years he had alienated everyone who ever cared a whit about him. Even the postman fell victim to his vile tongue and resorted to delivering the mail as quickly as possible, his hat pulled down low over his eyes. 

It wasnā€™t always like that for Frederick. True, he was a plain-looking man with a pronounced overbite …. not attractive like his half-brother …. but he was a gentle soul and kindhearted.

Frederick felt out of place at his parentā€™s extravagant dinner parties and never wanted to attend but as the only biological son and rightful heir of the richest man in the county, it was his obligation to make an appearance. Thatā€™s when he saw the alluring Natalie Harris .ā€¦ the new downstairs maid with long legs, a tiny waist, and lustrous raven hair. Frederick was smitten at first glance but was too shy to stare let alone talk to Natalie.

Gentle ways and a trusting nature went just so far; any young single women who dined at the Beecham’s had eyes only for Frederick’s brother, Austin, the handsome actor. Only Natalie paid Frederick attention with a barely perceptible wink of an eye and a shy but sensual smile.

One fortuitous day, Frederick happened upon Natalie preparing the table for dinner. The two struck up a conversation which developed into a flirtatious friendship which in turn blossomed into a romance. Frederickā€™s parents were livid about the relationship but Natalie encouraged Frederick to be a man and speak up for himself and their newfound love. His parents were too stunned by his sudden display of courage to respond.

Frederick had always been resigned to life as a lonely bachelor; now heā€™d fallen madly in love with a servant in his parentā€™s employ and he didnā€™t care who knew. He was enthralled by Natalieā€™s bewitching ways, intoxicated by her knowledge of erotic lovemaking. Frederick could not believe someone as beautiful, beguiling and seductive as Natalie could love him in return.

Too bad Frederick was such a trusting soul; no one was more shocked when Natalie betrayed him …. with his brother.

NARĀ©2024
#OLWG

This is ā€œOh! Darlingā€  by Graham Bonnet

OLWG# 394- el Reo

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