by Mercy Levy
Jane nodded her head, “Roland wanted to come too but he caught a cold. Nanny says it’s because he wasn’t a good boy and didn’t his lessons.”
Valerie grinned as Lord Fergus had to nearly drag his talkative daughter from the shop. He once again tipped his hat, politely, before leaving, “Good afternoon, Miss Reiner.”
Valerie thought the entire incident very odd and said so as much at dinner. She then repeated the previous incident at the table as well.
“Girls are dumb,” Greggory announced from his place as he mashed the potato on his plate.
“Ohoho,” His mother exclaimed, “Who broke your heart, love?”
Mrs. Dumphrey shook her head, saying something about today’s generation whilst Valerie watched Mrs. Cullen try to extract the story out of her eight-year-old son who was determined to take his secret to the grave.
Two days after the incident, another letter arrived for Miss Valerie Reiner.
CHAPTER 4
“Well, read it aloud.”
“Mrs. Dumphrey! Now you go on ahead and have some privacy, Miss Reiner. Honestly,” Mrs. Cullen shook her head at her elderly tenant.
The latter grumbled, “I have no suitor. There is no man to write me a love letter. Some romance soothes the soul.”
Mrs. Cullen rolled her eyes and put the pie in the brick oven, “I’ve seen Mr. Fred give you the eye every now and then. He’s a nice chap. Why don’t you just give in? You two are gossiping together all the time as it is. Nasty habit.”
“He’s old,” Mrs Dumphrey complained, ignoring her last compliment.
“Well you’re not getting any younger, Mrs. Dumphrey. And he is rather good looking.”
Her tenant ignored her and picked up her knitting, eyeing the quiet Valerie. When Valerie got up and left the room, she and Mrs. Cullen exchanged a worried glance.
Oblivious to the world, Valerie entered her room and sat down on the bed heavily. He wanted to meet her?
“Dear Miss Reiner,
My children are both very young and desperately in need of a mother’s guidance. Thank you for your kind words. My wife’s death left a gaping hole in our family. My daughter is a fanciful child and very endearing. My son, on the other hand, has a wild streak in him. I will often find him with his clothes torn due to one scrape or the other. I know this is very sudden but I would like to meet you. I hope I am not being too forward.
Yours faithfully,
Henry”
Valerie stared at the letter in her hand and then looked at the door. She had friends here. Why was she doing this alone? Determined, she took a new step forward. She had never been one to share her problems.
The parlor was a loud affair with Greggory arguing with Mrs. Dumphrey and the latter waving her knitting needles at the boy, furious at his cheek. Mrs. Cullen was ignoring the two of them and doing some reading. When she saw Valerie in the door, she said, “Oh, Valerie, dear,” Then she blushed, realizing what she had just called her.
Valerie smiled, “I guess we have reached that point now.”
Her voice caught Mrs. Dumphrey’s attention and she demanded, “Well?”
“I-“ Valerie stepped forward, “I came to ask your advice. I need it from both of you.”
“Greggory, darling, go play outside.”
As the furious little boy left, he stuck his tongue out at the elderly tenant who raised her knitting needles, threateningly.
“Mrs. Dumphrey, why do you take anything that child says so seriously? He is eight years old.”
The older woman scowled, “Back in my day –“
“We are in your day and age, Mrs. Dumphrey. Now shush, let us here what Valerie has to say.”
The latter sat down and then gave her companions a bewildered look, “He wants to meet me.”
“Well do you want to meet him?” Mrs. Cullen asked, carefully. Mrs. Dumphrey had extracted the name of Valerie’s suitor at breakfast after she had received the first letter.
Valerie looked at her, “I don’t even know him. What if it comes to nothing? What does he even know about me? Just that I am straightforward?”
Mrs. Dumphrey studied her with shrewd eyes, “Maybe that is all he needs to know.” She sighed dreamily, “When I met my first husband, he was a teacher-“
Mrs. Cullen cut her off with narrowed eyes, “I thought you said your first husband was an officer in the war.”
Mrs. Dumphrey bared her teeth at her in a smile, “Did I now? I’m old. I forget things. Anyways, this is not about me, Lydia. Please do not cut in.” She sniffed, “As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, Edward was a teacher and the first day that I met him, he went to my father to ask his permission for courting me. And six months later we were married.”
Valerie blinked and Mrs. Dumphrey made an impatient noise, “My point is that give him a chance. He might not be a bad chap.”
A knocking at the door interrupted their conversation. The maid brought in a huge bouquet of roses and handed them to Valerie, “These were sent for you, Ma’am.”
Valarie was a little flustered. She read the card and blushed. “These are from Henry.”
A silly laugh escaped her lips before a tear fell down.
“Valerie!”
At the distressed voice, Valerie raised a hand, “I do apologize. It’s just – No man has ever looked at me twice. I was always too plain or I was too prim or something. This is the first time a man has thought me worthy enough to give flowers too.” She choked, “It is such a nice feeling to finally be wanted.”
Mrs. Dumphrey declared that she would pop out any man’s eyes if he spoke such a vicious lie again. Mrs. Cullen ordered the maid for some tea and told Valerie that she was perfect just the way she was.
Valerie smiled at the unhidden support and buried her face in the flowers, tears in her eyes. And she realized that for the first time in her life, something was finally going well for her. She thanked God in her heart.
The next day at work, she hummed to herself and was oblivious to the giggles from her employees. She had stuck one of the roses into her bonnet and swore that she wouldn’t take it out until it had completely dried out.
So when she went for a short break, she ran into Mrs. Dumphrey at the newspaper stand. The elderly lady was batting her eyes at the man who was standing there. She knew who he was. A few weeks here, in such a small town, she found herself familiar with most people. Fred loved gossip and his favorite time of the day was when Mrs. Dumphrey would come by.
Mrs. Cullen had told her that the two of them were thick as thieves. “Shameless”, she had called out loudly from the kitchen, while Mrs. Dumphrey cackled at a very humorous piece of gossip, “Discussing people’s lives like that. It’s just not right.”
Fred was in his sixties and Valerie hid a smile when the two of them blushed on seeing her, “I came for the newspaper, Mr. Fred.”
“I really don’t see why you don’t just get it delivered like everybody else does. It is such a hassle for you to come and pick it up yourself.” Fred shook his head as he accepted the money and handed her the paper, “And you’re looking rather lovely.”
“I like the walk and thank you. That’s very kind of you.”
It was then that her companion at the RedFort Inn noticed the flower, and smirked, “No wonder. Have you written a reply yet?”
Valerie didn’t get a chance to reply as a shadow fell across her and she turned around, startled to see Lord Fergus standing behind her, “Good morning, Miss Reiner. How do you do?”
Composing herself, Valerie smiled, “Very well, thank you. How is Jane?”
“She is in the carriage,” Valerie noticed that Lord Fergus’s eyes were fixed on the flower on her bonnet and she blushed, “I’ll go greet her and then be on my way.”
She didn’t notice the pleased little smile playing on Lord Fergus’s lips as she curtsied and made her way towards the carriage.
Mrs. Dumphrey, however, did. She eyed the man who studied her calmly. “You thi
nk I don’t know Lord Fergus, but you forget. When you were a little lad running around here, I always knew when you were up to something. It’s in your eyes, boy.”
Lord Fergus shrugged, delicately, “I have no idea what you are talking about. But I must say that you look as lovely as always.”
Mrs. Dumphrey pointed a finger at him, “I know you. Just like I knew what you did with Mrs. Anne’s geese.”
Lord Fergus blushed and apologizing, hurried off for an appointment.
“What did you mean, Rose?”
Rose Dumphrey shook her head, “That boy is up to something and enjoying himself thoroughly.”
Valerie had returned to the shop and was dealing with a customer when Lord Fergus entered. He waited patiently while she finished her dealings with the customer, and turned to him, “Did you need the bonnets, Lord Fergus?”
His eyes were on the rose again, she noted and when she raised a brow, he hastily said, “Yes, please.”
Valerie went into the back where the women were working and chatting, simultaneously. She never stopped them from talking. In fact, she encouraged them to relax. Once they knew that they had freedom here as long as they maintained a good work ethic, the women had relaxed considerably and the results were very productive. Picking up the bonnets, she brought them back to the front of the shop and started packing them.
Lord Fergus was silent for a while before he murmured, “That is a very vibrant rose.”
Valerie’s fingers automatically went to touch it. With a pleased smile, she said, “Thank you.”
“Where did you get it?” When the woman in front of him looked a little wary, he immediately said, “Jane loves roses. I thought I would get her some like the one you’re wearing.”
“Oh,” Valerie frowned, “Well, I don’t really know.” She tried her hardest not to smile, “I received them as a gift.”
“So you like them? The roses?”
She looked a little uncertain, “Of course. It was a fine gift.”
When Lord Fergus left, Valerie felt that he looked ridiculously pleased with himself. She shook her head. No matter what anybody said, the man was strange.
CHAPTER 5
“I agreed to the meeting.” Valerie told Mrs. Cullen over tea, the next afternoon. She had returned from the shop for lunch and Mrs. Dumphrey was missing.
“That’s wonderful. What will you wear?”
Valerie looked down at her clothes, “What I’m wearing now? Or something similar? I do not have many clothes.”
Mrs. Cullen bit her lip thoughtfully, before saying, “Give me the best dress that you have and I will turn it into something appropriate. When are you meeting?”
“Tomorrow afternoon. In the park. It will be busy at that time so I thought that it would be best.”
“You must be so nervous.”
Valerie let out a breath she did not know she had been holding, and then laughed, “I have never felt this alive and excited ever before!”
She handed the dress to Mrs. Cullen and went back to her shop. To her surprise, Lord Fergus strolled in again.
“Lord Fergus? This is a surprise. Was there something wrong with the bonnets?”
“What bon- Oh no. No, Jane loved them.” He pondered for a split second, “Which is why I am here. To thank you on Jane’s behalf.”
Valerie looked puzzled but she smiled, “There was no need for you to make such an effort. But if you are here, won’t you give this to Jane?” She handed him a small basket of homemade cookies.
“My landlady was teaching me to bake and I thought of Jane so I made some extra. I’ve also put in enough for you and Roland.” The tips of her ears turned red, “I hope you don’t mind.”
Far from upset, Lord Fergus looked absolutely delighted which Valerie found very unsettling. They were just cookies. Maybe the poor man had been craving something sweet?
“I had been planning to get them delivered through your gardener. He had to pick a bonnet for his wife.” She said by way of explanation.
“Thank you for these. Jane will be very pleased.”
Valerie smiled and then there was silence. Lord Fergus dawdled for a few minutes before taking his leave.
What a strange man, Valerie thought.
As she wrote up a report for her employer at the end of the day, Valerie pondered over Lord Fergus’s strange behavior. Sighing, she shook her head, putting him out his mind and went to post the report she had written. Her mother had written to her, demanding she return, that they had found a suitable partner for her and they wished to see her wed.
Valerie had refused, as much as it had pained her heart to hurt her parents. She had sent some money with her reply. Her father was a prideful man and the fact that he could not earn anymore made him give into bouts of anger and depression. As his daughter, despite his opinion of her, Valerie wanted him to be at ease and gave him everything she could. She just wished that he would love her in return.
The dress she had handed to Mrs. Cullen had been transformed into such a beautiful one that her tenant had been quite stunned. She had sat at the dinner table and kept rubbing her hand over it in disbelief.
“I never thought I could own something so pretty,” Valerie told her, “Is there anything you cannot do?”
Mrs. Cullen had laughed and patted her shoulder, and pointed at her son and older tenant, “I cannot stop them from fighting. My boy keeps needling her and she keeps falling for it.”
Even now, the two were disagreeing over something very trivial. Valerie wondered at that. As annoying Mrs. Dumphrey seemed to find Greggory, she was also very fond of him, sneaking him sweets every now and then. Valerie looked around the place. This was a family. And Mrs. Cullen drew everyone in. Even if things did not work out with her mysterious Mr. Henry, Valerie did not think she would be too broken. She was happy for the first time. It seemed that she had finally found her place here.
When the day came for her meeting, Valerie was anxious, worked up and panicking, “What if I say something wrong, Mrs. Cullen?”
“Do you want me to accompany you?” Mrs. Dumphrey called out from the corner of the room.
“No, she doesn’t,” Mrs. Cullen said, firmly.
Ten minutes later, Valerie was on her way to the park. She wondered what he would look like. Sitting on a bench, she looked around and watched the children playing. She wondered what it would be like if she ever had children of her own. She wanted to have her own family, a husband who loved her, children who she could pamper and love.
Her thoughts drifted to Lord Fergus and she wondered at his odd behavior. From what she had heard, he had recently been visiting the town on a very frequent basis. She wondered why he had never remarried. She would have thought that he would have been an eligible bachelor and would have been highly sought after. Maybe he probably was. He was a striking man, even if he did not have the classic features. His daughter was a lovely child. She would grow up to be a charming young woman.
“Miss Reiner,” Valerie looked up to see the very man she had been thinking about walking towards her. She looked around. Lord Fergus really showed up at the most inappropriate of times just now.
She stood up, “Lord Fergus, how are you?”
“I am very well, thank you. And you?”
She really did not want to make small talk. What if Mr. Henry saw Lord Fergus and left?
Quite anxious, she looked around but so no one aside from the children and a few adults. She sighed.
To her annoyance, he looked almost amused, “Were you waiting for someone?”
“Yes, I am, in fact.”
“Oh,” He smiled that small little smile that she was starting to become accustomed to, “May I take a seat?”
Valerie hid her disappointment, “Of course.”
He sat down next to her, and when she tried to hide her scowl, she heard him chuckle.
“Is something funny, Lord Fergus?”
He shook his head but she could see his shoulders shaking with mirth.
She looked away. Maybe she should walk some distance. But, she glanced at the time, and her heart clenched. It was past the time she had to meet Mr. Henry. Perhaps, he had decided to change his mind.
“You look rather disappointed, Miss Reiner,” Her companion commented.
“And you seem rather happy, my Lord.”
“I am happy. We are finally meeting, aren’t we?”
Valerie looked a little confused, “We just met recently.”
“I’m glad you liked the roses.”
“The - ?” And then Valerie blushed furiously and got up, “It was you? You’re Mr. Henry?!”
He stood up and gave a short bow, “Lord Henry Fergus. I already introduced myself.”
Valerie blinked and then sat down, heavily, “This is a lot of information to take in. You’re,” She waved her hand, gesturing, “You. I thought you were a widower. I mean you are a widower, but I imagined –“
She stopped talking, “This is so confusing.”
He gave her an anxious look, “You are not displeased, I hope.”
Valerie looked at him and then shook her head, “It is not that. It is just – “ She looked him in the eye, “Why did you answer the advertisement?”
Lord Fergus smiled, “It was very blunt. A little too blunt. It may seem hard to believe, Miss Reiner,” He sighed heavily, “I am not looking for a young wife. I want a partner, a companion and a mother for my children. I cannot play these games that women play. I find them very tiring.”
Valerie looked at him as he continued, “I want someone who is kind and understanding. And who will love my children even if they are not hers. I have come across many advertisements with flowery descriptions and then I saw yours.”
Valerie studied the ground, “Did you know who I was when I first met Jane?”
Lord Fergus smiled, “No. I knew about you from your advertisement but I when I saw you then, I was not aware of your identity. It was when I asked around and found out and I saw how protective you were of Jane.”
Valerie was a little happy but a part of her drooped. He was interested in her because of her attitude towards his children. There was nothing else about her that stood out to him. Maybe this was it. She wasn’t destined to be one of those women whom men found particularly attractive.
