by Vella, Wendy
She was watching him as he spoke, eyes weary again.
“I have spoken with them and they would like to come here and help you with the children, Mother. There are two rooms off the kitchens they could have.”
Esmay Fletcher rose and began to walk again while Luke stayed where he was. She stopped a few minutes later and said, “I want to see the rest.”
They walked all over it, saw the five bedrooms, and the extra two for Mr. and Mrs. Elders. He’d put comfortable mattresses on all the beds, and lots of blankets. The furniture wasn’t brand new, as he knew his mother would hate that, but it was comfortable.
He left her alone once they had completed the tour, and took his brothers and sisters outside to inspect the barn. They ran around the gardens and played on the swing he’d had made in one of the trees.
“Luke!” His mother called him from the front door and he left the children to go to her.
“Well?”
“You’re a sneaky one is what you are, Luke Fletcher.” She had her hands on her hips but he saw the smile playing around the edges of her mouth and excitement in her eyes.
“You taught me.”
“I’ve decided that we are moving in here, and the Elders will come, too. They’re a gentle couple and they can both read and write which will be good for the children. I’ll call in there now and see them.”
“All right, and I’ll organize to help you move at the end of the week, as I still have a few things I need to do here before you do.”
He saw her tears as she reached for him, and he held her tight as her shoulders shook.
“Thank you, son, for doing this even though I told you not to. My pride stopped me from seeing what was best for us all.”
“Let’s tell them now, and then the arguments will start over who is having which room.”
Luke heard his mother’s laugh and thought that perhaps it was the first one she had shared with him for a long time.
CHAPTER FOUR
Bella arrived back at Willow hall determined to put the incident with Luke from her mind. Lord, that was a pathetic word for what had transpired between them. When his lips had touched hers, she’d felt it through her entire body. Her heart had raced as every part of her ignited, and places she had never known could feel that way had stirred to life. His arms had crushed her to his chest and she had felt the strength of the man she loved, felt the need that Luke Fletcher felt for her. Yet there could be no future for them until he saw that she had changed, really saw it, both inside and out, and maybe Bella needed this time to understand those changes, too.
“Are you ready to do your stretches?” Sally said as she entered.
“Yes, thank you.”
Sally spent the next fifteen minutes pushing Bella’s leg gently into various positions and then finished the treatment by rubbing it vigorously, which hurt, but Bella was used to the pain now. Walking to her washing water after Sally had left, she thought of Luke again. Not only she had changed; he, too, was different. His clothes had changed his appearance, but that was not the only transformation. Luke was changing inside. He may not see it, and perhaps she hadn’t before she went into the clinic, but it was happening. He was making decisions that affected his future, too.
Picking up the wash cloth, she sank into a chair and buried her face in the cool fabric. She thought about what her father had asked him to do. No matter what Luke had said to the contrary, it had kept him in Twoaks and at her side when perhaps he may have chosen to leave. Rising, Bella changed her dress and then made her way to the kitchens where she knew Jenny would be.
“Did you enjoy your walk?”
Even though Jenny no longer needed to spend time in the kitchen now she was married to Freddy, she still did. ‘Taint right to have someone else cook for us, when I’m perfectly capable,’ she’d said when Bella questioned her.
“Yes. Thank you.”
“Well, you just go through to the parlor and sit with Freddy and I’ll bring you some tea.”
“Before I do, Jenny, I want to ask you something.”
“Of course.” Putting down the spoon in her hand she came to stand before Bella.
“Did you give Luke Fletcher a letter from father?”
“I did.” Jenny nodded. “He asked that I did so not long before he passed away.”
Bella had known he would never lie about something as important as this, but she’d still had to check.
“Luke said that you did, and I was just confirming.”
“Is everything all right?”
She forced a bright smile onto her face. “It certainly is, and it can only improve after I have eaten a piece of your ginger cake.” Leaning forward, she planted a loud kiss on Jenny’s cheek and then left to find Freddy.
They chatted over their tea until a knock sounded at the door, which Jenny hurried to answer. Minutes later, she walked back in smiling, followed by Thea.
“Thea!” Bella hurried to her friend and hugged her close. “How is it that you are here?”
“Will sent word you had stayed the night, so I had the carriage bring me here, and you can take me home when you leave to go to his house.”
Althea Ryder was Bella’s dearest friend. They had known each other for as long as she could remember and over the years they had shared much. Raven-haired and gray-eyed like her brother Will, she was a lady of determination and spirit, yet with a humor that often sent Bella off in peals of laughter. They had not spent much time together over the past few years, and Bella was looking forward to changing that now.
“Will you walk with me to the village, Thea? It seems so long since we have talked, just the two of us.”
Thea stepped away from her and looked her up and down.
“I can see the changes in you, Bella, and even though it is cold enough to freeze my toes, I would be delighted to walk through Twoaks with you.”
Bella turned to Freddy and Jenny hoping they did not object.
“Go now in case the weather gets worse.” Jenny waved them from the room and Bella hurried upstairs to retrieve her coat, bonnet and gloves.
“Your pain has gone, Bella. I can see it in your eyes.” Thea took her arm as they left the house and made their way towards the street.
“It has, Thea. I have limitations, of course, and cannot overdo things still, but I can walk without help and a cane, and as long as I take care when I do, then yes, I can walk without pain.”
Thea’s smile was wide as she hugged Bella close.
“And we are going to have a wonderful season now, Bella. It would have been wonderful even if you were injured still, but now you will be able to dance and enjoy as I have always wished you would.”
“It still hurts if I overdo things, Thea, and I must rest when that happens.”
“But it does not cause you constant pain any longer and that is what matters.”
“No, it does not, and yes, I am now a much nicer person because of it.”
“You were always a nice person, Bella. You just lost a bit of yourself to that pain.”
Bella took her friend’s hand and swung it a couple of times. “The thing was, Thea, I was not very nice to be around during those years and the pain, coupled with other reasons, was why I kept away from you.”
“Had you told me I would have helped you, Bella. We all would have. Had you needed a shoulder to lean on while you were in pain I would have offered you mine.”
Bella heard the hurt behind her friend’s words. She was upset that Bella and her sisters had suffered alone.
“Thea, I know you are angry that I did not tell you what was happening, but it was not my story alone to tell. Livvy did not want anyone pitying us, nor word to get out about our situation. And I know you would have been there for me, but in truth I could not bear to speak of my injury.”
“Then we won’t,” Thea said, squeezing Bella’s hand. “Instead, tell me everything that happened to you in Scotland.”
Thea asked lots of questions about the clinic as the
y walked over the bridge, and they took precious moments to look down at the water below.
“It’s still frozen; I have seen the children skating on it a few times.”
“I want to skate on it,” Bella said, meaning every word. Surely her leg was strong enough now?
“Well, you can’t as neither of us have our skates, thankfully.”
Bella let Thea tug her away and they walked down into the town, which was, as usual, bustling with activity. She smiled and waved at the surprised looks on the faces of the people who knew her. There was no longer a limp, nor a cane, and she saw no pitying glances or hushed comments.
“I missed this. The shops, the people, and the feeling of belonging,” Bella said as she waved to a gentleman who smiled and doffed his hat.
Twoaks was a village that its inhabitants were proud of. The paint never looked chipped, nor the windows dirty.
“Yes, it’s nice to know there is always a special place in the world that is where we belong.”
“Shall we buy a length of ribbon from Mr. Todd, to go on the shawl that Phoebe is making for our niece or nephew, Thea?” Bella veered towards the shop that had many trims and buttons displayed in the window, plus a bonnet that Phoebe would have pulled all the ribbon off and replaced with something prettier.
“That’s a lovely idea,” Thea said. “I wonder why Mrs. Todd lets her husband dress the bonnets sometimes?” she added, pointing to the window where a hideous creation of pea green and orange sat. “She has a better eye, don’t you think?”
“Undoubtedly,” Bella whispered as they entered.
“Miss Langley, how wonderful that you have returned to us.”
“Thank you, Mr. Todd.” Bella smiled as she looked around the brightly colored displays. She’d loved this shop as a child, loved everything about it, but most of all she loved that Mr. Todd let her touch things. “We are here to buy Phoebe some ribbon, Mr. Todd.”
The proprietor flushed with color at the mention of her sister. He had always done so, and was worse when Phoebe was present. She had that effect on men.
“I would like yellow, white or cream, Mr. Todd, if you please.”
They spent the next ten minutes studying various lengths of ribbon until they both finally agreed on one. With the purchase tucked into her reticule, Bella and Thea were soon back out on the street to continue their walk.
“Good day to you, Mrs. Fletcher.”
Bella smiled as Luke’s mother approached. She did not look overly happy to see them, which surprised Bella, as they had always been on good terms, or so she thought.
“Lady Althea, Miss Langley.” Her curtsy was swift and then she was gone with no more words spoken.
“Well! That has to be the first time that Esmay Fletcher has not spent time talking with us.” Thea watched the rigid back of Luke’s mother as she spoke.
Bella urged her friend on, and as they continued to walk through the village, she wondered what was behind Esmay’s reaction to them. Did it have something to do with Luke, or more importantly her?
“One hopes her son is in a better mood today.”
Bella stopped as Luke walked out of the bakery before them with a large package in his hands.
“I hope you have a bun in there for us, Luke Fletcher. As I’m sure I have brought you your fair share in the past.” Thea was all smiles but Bella struggled to find one. She felt off balance around him now; their relationship had changed after that kiss and she knew it would never again be the same.
“Lady Althea, Miss Langley.” She watched him bow elegantly. “You may of course take a bun. My siblings will not mind sharing, I’m sure.”
“Now I am stricken with guilt and shall not take one. No sibling likes to share.”
“That’s true. I can’t imagine Will sharing with anyone.”
He’d never really been one to converse openly, yet Luke seemed comfortable doing so with Thea. This was another thing that had changed about him.
“Is your mother all right, Luke? We just greeted her, but she did not stop for her usual chat. In fact, she seemed in a hurry to leave,” Thea said.
His eyes flicked from Bella and back to Thea again, and she knew then that the reason for Esmay Fletcher’s reaction was indeed because of her. But why?
“She has a few things on her mind at the moment,” was all he said. “My family is moving to a new home shortly, and my mother is busy organizing that.”
“How wonderful.”
Bella listened as Luke and Thea conversed. He’d kissed her yesterday and now she wanted to feel those wonderful sensations again. The hot pressure of his lips on hers, his chest pressed against hers.
Oh, bloody bothering hell.
“Come, Thea, Luke is probably busy helping his family, too. We shall procure some buns of our own. Good day to you.” Bella urged Thea past Luke and into the bakery. Once inside, she brought buns for them both, and then extras for her family which she would pick up later. Livvy loved these currant buns.
“Care to tell me what is going on with the Fletcher family? And why you greeted the man, who has been your friend since you were born, as if he were a stranger, Bella?”
“I have been away, Thea. Things change.” Bella bit into the bun. Hopefully Thea would not expect her to answer if her mouth was full.
“You’ve been away for a few months.” Her friend’s response was wry. “Not a year or two, Bella.”
“Things change,” Bella said, and took a larger bite this time. Thea simply waited for her to swallow before starting her next question.
“I have never broached the subject of Luke Fletcher with you but I do know that you have loved that man since you were old enough to know what the emotion was, Isabella Langley. And whilst your differences once kept you apart, I thought that when he returned, and with the change in his circumstance, that perhaps—”
“How do you know I love him?”
Thea stopped in the middle of the street and simply stared at Bella.
“It’s rude to stare,” Bella muttered, but Thea simply raised an eyebrow, looking like Will, and remained silent. “All right,” Bella yielded when she could not stand the silence a second longer. “Yes, I do love him. But there is much more between us than that, and it is conflicting and confusing as we are both changing. Therefore, I’m having a season and if he still cares for me we will discuss our futures after that.”
“Of course he will still loves you,” Thea said softly. “The man is never more than a few feet from you at all times, and he cannot keep his eyes off you.”
Bella felt a surge of joy at her friend’s words.
“He was given a letter from my father that asked him to care for me,” Bella said, dropping her eyes as she began to pick out the currants from her bun. “I wonder if he hadn’t been given that, if he would have stayed in Twoaks.”
“He never told you that?” Thea looked horrified.
“He did, and Jenny confirmed that she was the one to give it to him.”
“He would have stayed anyway, Bella. There is more to this than a letter. But I will leave it for now, as I see by the look on your face that you have no wish to talk on the matter further. However, there will be plenty of time in London for me to interrogate you more.”
“There is nothing to discuss, Thea, honestly. It is best for us both to have this time. He still sees me as I once was, a pathetic woman in need of his continual support, and I fear that may never change.”
Thea said nothing further and continued to eat her bun as they began to make their way back towards Willow Hall, but Bella knew she was thinking about had been said.
“My dear Miss Langley, look at you!”
“Lord have mercy,” Thea muttered as Mrs. Popplehinge hurried towards them. Tall and stick thin, the woman was dressed in a black flowing cloak that would have been suitable for evening wear, but hardly appropriate for a stroll through the village, and a hat made entirely of fur that stood off her head in the shape of a cone.
“Mrs
. Popplehinge. My, you are looking quite lovely today,” Bella said when she could find her voice.
“Oh, you are a dear,” the lady said loudly enough for anyone silly enough to be standing outside in the cold to hear.
“I have noticed something about you, Miss Langley. You are not lame any longer,” she cooed. “No longer the little lame Langley.”
Bella felt Thea stiffen, but she held her smile. Mrs. Popplehinge was not a mean person; in fact, the Langley’s and she had become quite comfortable with each other over the last few years. She was, however, totally without discretion.
“Thank you, Mrs. Popplehinge. I am most grateful for your kind words.
Bella looked over one of the woman’s shoulders as a movement caught her eye, and met Luke Fletchers gaze. He was leaning on the gate of Mrs. Elliot’s house, eating his bun with one of his siblings. Bella remembered the little boy as being the youngest Fletcher, Graham. He was perched beside Luke, his little body leaning into his big brother while he, too, ate a bun. They looked comfortable sitting there in the cold, and Bella closed her eyes briefly, remembering how it felt to be pressed against Luke.
“I never liked that particular description,” Bella said, pulling her eyes from Luke’s. “I would be most grateful if you did not use it again, Mrs. Popplehinge, as it no longer applies to me, as you can see.”
“Oh, well, of course I never meant to offend you—”
“I know that you did not, Mrs. Popplehinge. You, of all people, have been kindness itself to my family. But there are others…” Bella let the words hang in the air between them. “And I know I can count on you to change the views of those who do not know better,” she said gently.
Mrs. Popplehinge straightened, her thin shoulders now forming a line.
“Indeed, my dear Miss Langley, say no more. You leave it to me. I shall not allow another person to speak in such an insulting way about you again.”
They watched as she hurried away, no doubt ready to slay anyone who said little lame Langley again.
“You’ve changed,” Thea said when they started walking again.
