by Karen Tuft
They were nearly back at the house when they spotted Alex heading in their direction.
“Ah, there you are,” Alex said when he reached their side. “And you’re together. Excellent. Once again, I have been assigned to summon you to our parents, Louisa. And you too, Farleigh.” He looked thoughtful. “I always liked to think that the title of earl would amount to more than being an errand boy, but alas.”
William actually laughed at Alex’s silly joke. For the second time in one afternoon, William laughed.
Alex shot him a look of mock disdain. “Well, what do you know. My baby sister discovered a human being behind that block of wood you call a face.”
“That she did,” William said, grinning, before planting a huge kiss on Louisa right in front of her eldest brother and making her face heat up. “What a magnificent woman she is.”
“She ought to be after the inordinate amount of time and money my parents spent to make her more than the veriest nitwit. It was all Anthony and I could do to tolerate her most of our lives. She only became interesting quite recently, in fact.”
“Who precisely is this nitwit you are speaking of, brother?” Louisa asked, arching an eyebrow at him. “The one who constantly outshone you at mathematics and spoke such excellent Latin that you begged the tutor to make me leave? The one who shot the bull’s-eye during a country archery tournament? The one who—”
“Enough! I surrender,” Alex said, raising both hands in defeat. “You see what Tony and I have had to put up with all these years, Farleigh. I don’t envy you a bit.”
William laughed again, and Louisa thought her heart might escape the confines of her body and soar heavenward with joy.
Grimshaw opened the door when they arrived back at the house. “Lord and Lady Ashworth and Lord Anthony are in the sitting room,” he informed them. “They are expecting you.”
“Excellent,” William said.
Grimshaw shot him a puzzled look as he opened the door to the sitting room.
William strode into the room. “Lord and Lady Ashworth, Lord Anthony, welcome back to Farleigh Manor, such as it is. You are my welcome guests, and we will endeavor to make your stay as comfortable as possible—even if that means securing lodging in the village at the George and Dragon.” He smiled.
Louisa watched with glee the shocked looks that came over her parents’ faces.
Her father recovered his senses first. “Lord Farleigh,” he said, “I apologize for my progeny, who recently imposed upon your hospitality without permission and intentionally intruded on your privacy. I beg your pardon.”
“No apology is needed, your lordship,” William said. “I am glad they came. I should have invited Louisa here sooner. You see, Lord Ashworth, Lady Ashworth, it is I who owe you an apology, not the other way around,” William said. “I put you all through the strain of a forced betrothal for the sake of my own interests, after all.”
“He makes himself sound so selfish, Papa, when the opposite is the truth. He would sacrifice his own happiness for the people of Farleigh Manor.”
“It is turning sickly sweet in here,” Alex drawled, wandering over to the window.
William ignored him. “I love your daughter with my whole being,” he said. “I cannot imagine a life without her. Lord Ashworth, Lady Ashworth, may I have your permission—your blessing—to make Louisa my wife? I am acutely aware that I have little to offer her other than my heart and my promise to do all in my power to make her life a happy one.” He reached into his breast pocket and withdrew a folded paper.
“Stop!” Louisa cried, panicking. “If that is the special license you told me you’d obtained, don’t tear it up! Mama, I don’t want to wait to marry William. And there is a family chapel here, a lovely little place; William’s parents are buried next to it. I should like to be married there. Is that all right with you, William? I know it’s not a large London wedding, and I am your only daughter, Mama, but I don’t need that, truly. I would rather be married here since all of you are already here and Mrs. Holly and Grimshaw and Mrs. Brill and Mary and Matthew and Samuel and—oh, everyone—is already here.”
Mama turned to Papa. “It is a good thing I instructed your valet and my maid to pack for an extended stay after all, Ashworth. It appears we are going to be here for a few days.”
“I daresay you are correct, my dear. However, we have some marriage settlements to finish discussing first, Farleigh—unless you’d rather wait for your solicitor to be present.”
“Not at all, your lordship. And if you have any concerns about Farleigh Manor, I expect your eldest son has gathered all the information you will need.”
“You are undoubtedly right,” Papa said. “And if he hasn’t, then I’ll be doubly ashamed of him.”
William laughed. Oh, how Louisa loved seeing him freed to do something so simple as laugh! And then, in front of her entire family, he dropped to one knee and took Louisa’s hand in his. “My beautiful Louisa,” he began. “Here, with your parents as my witnesses, I declare my love for you. If my father did only one thing right in his life, it was to wager and win against your grandfather and require he sign a vowel; otherwise I would not have met you. Will you consent of your own will to be my wife?”
“Yes!” Tears spilled from her eyes, but she didn’t care, because tears were welling up in his too. Her William was a man of intense emotion, something she never would have guessed on their first introduction.
Her William.
He rose to his feet, and right there in front of her parents, he kissed her.
Papa cleared his throat. “Enough of that, now,” he said. “You’re scandalizing Lady Ashworth.”
“Nonsense,” Mama said. She was smiling and, perhaps, shedding a tear or two herself.
“I will inform Mrs. Holly and the rest of the staff that our wedding will take place day after tomorrow,” William said softly, kissing each of Louisa’s hands while gazing into her eyes. “If that meets with your approval, my love.”
“Yes,” Louisa said. “Oh yes, my dear William, it does.”
* * *
William sought out Mrs. Holly and asked her to gather the staff. She scurried off, and before he could almost blink, the entire staff had joined them in the sitting room, standing at attention. Obviously, they’d all known something was up and had already collected in the kitchen, curious to find out what was going on at the soonest possible moment.
Lord and Lady Ashworth sat together on the aged sofa, Halford leaned his shoulder against the fireplace mantel, and Lord Anthony rested his hip on one of the shabby tables in the room. William led Louisa to the better of the two chairs, and she sat, and then he took his place in front of the staff.
“There are no words to express what I am feeling right now,” he began—and then he laughed. “I’m so inexperienced with words that I doubt I could find the right ones anyway, but I shall try.” He paused and looked at each person in the room, and then he knew what to say. “I owe you each a debt of gratitude for safeguarding my inheritance for me. Farleigh Manor is my home, as it is your home too. It took me far too long to understand this, and I hope you will forgive me.”
“No forgiveness needed,” Grimshaw said.
“Indeed not,” Mrs. Holly echoed.
William smiled, suspecting that Louisa’s parents might be somewhat appalled by the informality of his staff. He doubted Gibbs would have spoken up in such a way. “Nonetheless, I want the words said,” William said. “My fondest memories of Farleigh Manor involve all of you—even you, Sally and Jim. You remind me of how young Mrs. Holly and Matthew were when I was a boy and how loyal they have remained. You remind me that Farleigh Manor has new life and a new future in store.”
“They don’t remind you of me though, do they?” Grimshaw said. “I was born old.”
William chuckled. “You undoubtedly were, Grimshaw, my good man. Let us say that you lend the estate gravitas.”
Grimshaw nodded, pleased.
William took Louisa’s ha
nd and assisted her from her chair so she could stand with him. “Now, it is with great pleasure that I announce that Lord and Lady Ashworth have given their permission for Lady Louisa and me to marry, and furthermore, she and I have decided to marry posthaste. I possess a special license, which I have kept safely in my pocket, and with your help, we wish to wed here, at Farleigh Manor, in two days’ time.”
“It goes without saying that everyone involved will be pulling off a miracle to be ready in time,” Lord Ashworth said. “I hope your staff is up to the challenge, Farleigh.”
“I believe they are, your lordship,” William said.
Mary suddenly made an odd sound, and everyone turned to look at her. She was flapping her hands wildly.
“Mary, hush now,” Mrs. Brill said in a low voice, trying to calm her. “Isn’t it lovely? There’s to be a wedding, right here, at Farleigh Manor. And you and I, we’re going to make the cake, and it will be a nice gift for our Will and his new viscountess from the two of us. There, now.” She tried to put her arms around Mary, but Mary fought her off, her hands still flapping about.
William was dumbfounded by Mary’s reaction. She knew of his intentions toward Lady Louisa, and he’d been relatively certain she’d understood what he’d been saying and had even been happy about it. He cleared his throat to regain everyone’s attention. “Well, that’s enough for now. I’m sure my bride and her mother will wish to consult with you on the particulars, Mrs. Holly, and you too, Mrs. Brill. Thank you all.”
“Congratulations, me boy,” Samuel said, pumping William’s hand vigorously before shrugging and wrapping him in a bear hug. “Ye know I can’t be more thrilled than I am for ye.”
“Thank you, Samuel,” William said.
“But I might not let ye soon forget t’was the girl who came after ye and not t’other way ’round.”
William laughed. “I should have listened to you.”
“I been tellin’ ye that yer whole life boy.” He hugged William again. “Ye were a lad set upon by troubles ye didn’t deserve, but ye grew into a fine man. I’m that proud of ye, son. My felicitations to ye and yer bride.”
Grimshaw came forward next and, surprisingly enough, patted William energetically on the shoulder. “Many congratulations,” he said.
“Truly, sir, best wishes,” Matthew echoed, taking the next opportunity to shake William’s hand.
The three men offered their congratulations to Louisa, too, as did Jim and Sally.
“Oh, Master William, our dear, dear boy,” Mrs. Holly said, hugging him too. William couldn’t remember receiving so many hugs before. “What a happy day this is! I couldn’t be more thrilled.”
Beyond her shoulder, William could see Mrs. Brill take a mumbling Mary firmly by the hand and leading her out of the room. William started toward them, but Louisa put a hand on his shoulder to stop him.
“Let them be,” Louisa said. “I’m sure her mother will take care of her.”
“Lady Louisa is right,” Mrs. Holly said. “No need to worry. This is a time for celebration.”
“I’ve never seen Mary like that,” he murmured. “And the wedding is not a surprise to her—only the fact that it will be here and sooner than expected.” He really ought to check on her. He couldn’t think of what he’d said in his speech that would cause such a reaction from her.
The staff eventually dispersed and went about their duties, and Louisa and her mother began discussing plans for the wedding while her father and brothers talked about the estate and what Halford had learned during his stay here. William tried to take part in the men’s conversation but found himself distracted by Mary’s reaction.
“And what do you think about that, Farleigh?”
“Er, what?” William said. He wasn’t sure who’d asked the question.
Halford rolled his eyes.
“Halford suggested turning some of the farmland into additional pastureland for grazing and bringing in more milkers,” Lord Ashworth replied.
“Oh. Good. Yes, more milkers.” Good heavens, he’d not even realized it was his soon-to-be father-in-law, Lord Ashworth, who had spoken to him. That was imprudent on his part, especially if he wished to stay on his lordship’s good side. Had Mary been distressed by the formal announcement? Perhaps she’d been overly excited about the prospect of a wedding at Farleigh Manor. Perhaps that was it. Perhaps Mary didn’t know how to express—
“Go and take care of the matter, Farleigh,” Lord Ashworth said with a sigh. “You’re going to be worthless in any discussion we have until you are assured that the girl is all right. Halford mentioned that the two of you grew up together and have a special bond, that she’s like a sister to you. Go on, then. Be off with you.”
“Thank you, Lord Ashworth.” He took his leave of the men, went to Louisa’s side to bid her and Lady Ashworth adieu, and made his way swiftly to the kitchen.
William found Mrs. Brill alone sweeping the kitchen floor. “Where is Mary?” he asked.
“That foolish girl,” Mrs. Brill said, shaking her head as she continued to sweep. “I says, ‘Mary, what’s got into you, luv?’ And she says, ‘I got him,’ over and over again—don’t have a clue what she meant by that—and then she rushes out of here as if there was fire at her heels.” Mrs. Brill brushed the dirt into the dustpan and emptied it into the bin. “She’ll be back when she’s good and ready though, like she always does. Don’t you worry.”
Louisa approached him after he’d concluded his search of the main floor. “You haven’t found her?” she asked, a look of genuine concern on her face. “Have you checked her room?”
Blast him for a fool. “Let’s go see, shall we?” He took Louisa’s hand in his, comforted to have her with him, and they went upstairs to the servants’ quarters, knocking on each door and calling Mary’s name. Again, there was no response.
With few options left to consider, he ascended the narrow stairs that led to the attic, Louisa following closely behind, and opened the attic door, holding up the lantern so he could see the shapes and shadows. “Mary,” he called. “Mary, Louisa and I are looking for you. Are you here? Please answer me!”
Nothing.
He went inside and lifted the dust covers to peer underneath them and searched behind boxes. “Mary! Where are you?” He waited, listening intently. Still nothing.
Discouraged, he closed the door, and they turned to leave.
Louisa suddenly stopped. “Shh,” she whispered. “I thought I heard something.”
He froze in place.
“When Mrs. Holly showed me the attic before, I thought I heard scuffling sounds,” Louisa whispered. “I assumed it was a mouse hiding in the wall, and I didn’t think any more about it. Do you think what I heard was Mary? Are there any other rooms up here?”
“Not that I know of . . . but perhaps . . .” He handed the lantern to Louisa and began feeling the wall of the corridor opposite the attic door, looking for anything that might indicate a hidden cubby or small room that had been forgotten over the years. It was possible, he supposed. There had been a faint sound when he’d inspected the attic upon returning too.
His fingers searched, starting at the top of the wall near the ceiling and working downward and back and forth. He could feel nothing that stood out beyond the normal irregularities in the wood and plaster. He crouched down, searching farther . . .
That was when he spied it—the tiniest thread of light escaping where the floor met the wall. It was so slight, it was difficult to see and would be easily missed.
Louisa crouched beside him and held the lantern close while William painstakingly ran his fingers over the wall once more. It took several minutes, but he eventually found what he was looking for—a small notch cleverly hidden behind the joining of two wallboards, which he’d missed the first time, that connected to a lever of some sort.
He locked eyes with Louisa, and she nodded back in acknowledgment. “Well, Louisa,” he said in a carrying tone, still looking at her. “I don’t think Ma
ry is up here after all. We’d better check the rooms on the next floor.”
“I think you’re right, William,” Louisa replied, matching his volume.
Then William put his finger to his lips . . . and they waited.
They didn’t have to wait long before they heard it again—the scuffling noise Louisa had described. The sound was definitely coming from behind the wall, and seemed to be getting closer. As it did, William pushed on the notch in the wall . . . and a portion of the wall shifted out toward them. William immediately slid it to their left.
On the other side of the door was a guilty-looking Mary, her eyes huge in the dim light.
“Well, what do you know, Louisa? Here’s our missing Mary,” William said. “I never knew about this place. I didn’t have the foggiest idea Farleigh Manor had a priest hole.”
“Don’t be angry, Will,” Mary said. “They said everything was to be yours when he was gone, and we was to save it for you. I saved what I could, but it got trickier and trickier. And now he’s gone and you’re here finally. I hate him.”
“Oh, Mary,” William said. He made his way through the little door—he had to crouch down to do so, and once he was through the threshold, Louisa watched him wrap his arms around the girl. “Mary, what have you done?”
It was then that Louisa got her first real look inside the room, beyond Mary and William. She gasped, her hand flying to her throat.
The tiny room—priest hole or whatever it had originally been intended to be—was filled to the rafters with urns, paintings, small sculptures, decorative tables, and other items. Farleigh Manor had been stripped of her finest adornments, but it appeared that a good share of them had made their way into this room. Thanks to Mary.
