“Happy Birthday, Mother. This is a gift from Mary Margaret and I.” Her sister smiled, thinking that it was very generous of Elana to include her. When Doris opened the package, her mouth dropped. Slowly she removed the beautiful shawl caressing its softness, as Elana had done at the market. Tears rolled down her face. She stood and embraced both of her daughters.
“This is the most beautiful gift I have ever received. Thank you both. I am not going to ask how you could afford such a lovely shawl. I just thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have made my birthday very special.”
Elana had explained to her sister earlier how she had come upon the shawl. Mary Margaret watched Elana’s young face as she talked about Daniel. Remembering the earlier conversation, she thought, you are smitten. Good, now you have a distraction and will be less concerned about what I am up to, and with whom. She looked from her sister to her mother. Mother will you never understand that I love Charles and he loves me?
“I think I should like to hear a song. Mary Margaret, will you sing me the new hymn you sang today?” Mary Margaret stopped thinking about Charles and sang for her mother. She loved to sing because it made her feel free and alive.
Weeks passed and Daniel settled in. Farm work suited him and at night he could spend his time writing and sketching. His life was so much better now. No more cotton dust in his lungs. Just fresh country air to breathe. His bruises were healing. He would never let anyone hit him again. Happy and content, he asked Elana to go walking in the hills with him on their day off. She was delighted.
Daniel and Elana were quiet at first, shy in each other’s company. They tread softly on the forest path, each lost in their own thoughts. Elana spoke about the crops and the weather and soon they found a comfort in the togetherness. The two young people found a babbling brook, flowing through a small glen. Surrounded by huge trees, singing birds and the smell of the earth, it was like heaven to both of them. They sat on a huge boulder beside the brook. Daniel took out his sketchpad and began sketching Elana. She had trouble sitting still. “You must stay still Elana, I want this to be perfect.”
“But my behind is getting sore sitting here so long. Can’t we walk a little and then you can finish drawing me?” She pouted. He found it charming.
“I’m almost done. I will be happy to rub your behind for you if you like.” He laughed, teasing her.
“My good sir, I can rub my own behind, thank you very much. And you are very cheeky to suggest it.” She feigned shock at the suggestion in her best aristocratic accent.
“You sounded just like the old dragon just then. My, but she’s a pugnacious woman.”
“Evil more like it. Funny, Lord Birmingham is such a nice man and how he could ever marry her is beyond me.” She sat up very straight, looking down her nose at him, “Now back to your drawing, you lazy lout.” He tumbled over with laughter at her imitation of Lady Birmingham. Soon they were both rolling on the ground in the throes of hysterics. The afternoon was a great success. He walked her to the road that led home, holding her hand. They both departed smiling to themselves, Elana firmly clutching Daniel’s drawing in her hand.
Elana walked slowly across the moors to the road that led back to the cottage. She heard faint voices off to her left. She stopped and listened. Standing in the deep shadow of the hedge, she turned from side to side trying to see who it was. Suddenly, she clamped a hand to her mouth. Elana could not believe her eyes. Across the road by the old willow trees by the lake, she could see two figures leaning together against one of the huge old trees. The couple was lost in each other’s embrace. She knew it was Mary Margaret, but who was she with? Elana leaned closer. It was him! Charles Birmingham. Oh dear, her mother would be furious. Why did Mary Margaret ignore her mother’s warnings?
She didn’t let them see her, but hurried off down the road. Should she say something to her mother? She didn’t want to upset her. Doris had been so happy since her birthday. Elana decided she would confront her sister.
Mary Margaret and Charles Birmingham sat together under the overhanging boughs of the huge tree. She tilted her face up to him. He kissed her again, lost once more in her warm softness. Charles knew he could lose himself in her lips forever. When their lips parted, she leaned against his side. They sat silent for some time, each lost in their own thoughts. Charles looked at her face, and. Mary Margaret looked like she was sleeping. Then, her eyes were open and she was looking at him. He knew he should say something. “How do you feel, my Love?”
“I feel wonderful; better than I have in a long time.” She laughed a beautiful, charming laugh that sounded like tinkling bells to his ears. They lapsed again into an easy silence between two people who have secrets together. Neither knew what the future held, but it didn’t matter at this moment. They were together and they were in love.
That night Elana waited until her mother had gone to bed. “I saw you today.”
“What? You saw me, where?” Mary Margaret grew pale.
“I saw you with him. You know mother doesn’t approve. The Birminghams are not our kind. You are just an easy way for a rich man to get his pleasure, his whore. You mean nothing to him.”
Mary Margaret stood and slapped her sister’s face. Elana recoiled in shock. “Don’t you ever say that again. I love Charles and he loves me.” Sitting on her cot, she started to cry.
Elana rubbed her cheek, before she put her arms around her sister. She knew that Mary Margaret would never hurt her intentionally. The woman was distraught. “There, there, why are you crying?”
“Because his family, especially his mother will never let us be together. We love each other Elana. We love each other very much.” She sobbed, her hand taking the small handkerchief that Elana offered her. The younger girl held her sister tightly. She loved Mary Margaret with all her heart and it was upsetting to see her distressed. Elana was torn between her sister’s desire for the man she loved and her mother’s strong warnings about the Birminghams. She knew her mother would not be any happier about the relationship than Lady Birmingham would be. Secrets were not something she was comfortable with. Elana could sense a great darkness descending on all of them. It made her shudder.
“I’ll keep your secret, but you had better be careful. Mother will be furious.” She kissed her sister and climbed into her cot. Pulling the blanket up to her chin, she sent a silent prayer skyward. Mary Margaret climbed into bed and closed her eyes, thinking of Charles.
Upstairs, Doris lay on her bed. The cottage was small and sound traveled in the silence of the night. A tear ran down her face. Her daughter was headed for heartbreak and there was nothing she could do about it.
The next day Doris talked to the cook about the situation. “I know he will break her heart, Maude. I just pray he won’t get her with child and leave her with a bastard.” Maude placed a mug of tea in front of her friend and sat down opposite her. She and Doris had worked in Birmingham Manor since they were teens. They were very close friends.
“You know the rich use the poor for their amusement. All you can do is warn Mary Margaret to stay away. If she won’t, there’s owt you can do about it, Doris.”
“All I have to give my girls is the tiny cottage that my father left to me. There isn’t money for another mouth to feed. But I won’t turn my back on her.” Doris wiped a tear.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself now, Doris. The girl might be smarter than you think.”
Just then Jill, one of the upstairs maids, interrupted them.
“He’s comin’, the Lord’s up and he’s headin’ this way.” Doris and Maude looked at each other in surprise. Lord Birmingham was a sickly man and very seldom well enough to come downstairs. The both stood up, ready to go back to work.
“Morning Maude, Doris. Lovely day for a walk don’t you think?” Lord Robert Birmingham entered the kitchen looking better than he had in months. Some of the color had returned to his face and he smiled widely. Everyone in the kitchen was surprised.
“Morning, your L
ordship. It is a fine day indeed.” Doris was the first to find her voice. She liked Robert Birmingham. He was a kind and gentle soul. He smiled at her. He wore a sack coat, a loose-fitting, single-breasted coat with a small collar and short lapels. The coat had two welt pockets on the hips. Robert reached into one of his pockets. He produced several small candies.
“Ladies, may I tempt you with a small morsel?” The women smiled and took the candy offered. “It is not much, just a token.”
“The worth of a thing is best known by the want of it,” chirped Maude as she popped the morsel into her mouth, savoring the delicious chocolate. The staff was always pleased with Robert’s small tokens.
“Oh your Lordship, these are delicious. I don’t think I have ever tasted such delicious chocolate. Thank you kindly.” Jill gushed. “My Da always brought us chocolate.”
Wanting to stop Jill before she went into one of her long drawn out conversations, Doris interrupted. “Are you feeling much better, your Lordship?”
“Much better thank you, Doris. Maude, is there any porridge left for breakfast?” He took one of the chairs at the kitchen table, lowering himself carefully. It was obvious he was frail.
“I will rustle some up for you. Wouldn’t you like to sit in the dining room, Lord Birmingham?” Maude quickly took one of the large pots from its hook and began filling it with water from the pump.
“No, I am fine right here. Now tell me what I have been missing while I was cooped up in my room.” Did he really expect them to tell him what his wife had been up to?
“I must get back to the dusting. It is nice to see you up and about, your Lordship.” Doris took her leave. She could not help but think how pleasant his lordship was compared to his wife.
Robert Birmingham made his way to the stables after his breakfast. “Max, Max my man, where are you?” Max looked up from the saddle he was repairing, surprised to see his lordship.
“Right here, my Lord. It’s a surprise to see you.”
“That is what everyone has said. I wasn’t dying, man. I just had a slight touch of the consumption. I feel much better now. I want you to tell me what I have missed. Those women in the house are all tight lipped.” Max looked at him knowingly. No one wanted to speak out against Lady Birmingham. He would have to tread lightly.
“We have lost quite a few men to the cities. Factory work seems to be the promise of the future, I’m afraid. Farm hands are getting scarce. I spoke to her ladyship about it just last week.”
“And what did her ladyship tell you to do?” Robert pulled a bale of hay over and took a seat. He seemed out of breath at the effort. Sitting down, he pulled air into his lungs. Max took note of the loud wheezing sound he made.
“She told me to hire three men, which I have done. It would be nice to have one of those new steam farm machines, but apparently that’s not in the budget.” The lord laughed loudly.
“Not in the budget, eh? Well Evelyn would know all about the budget. She spends more time studying our finances than she does anything else. Very interested in our finances is Evelyn.” He coughed. Taking his handkerchief from his waistcoat pocket, he held it to his mouth.
“Here is one of our new men now. Daniel come and meet his Lordship.” Daniel looked at the two men, sitting comfortably on the hay like two old friends. This was not how he had imagined his first meeting with the Lord of Birmingham Manor.
“Your Lordship.” He removed his cap. Standing patiently, eyes down, in front of the Lord, he looked as if he were waiting to be disciplined by an angry headmaster.
“Daniel, nice to make your acquaintance, young man. How do you like working for Max?” Daniel looked up. He was surprised at the friendly tone and the casual attitude.
“Max, he’s a chap up to snuff, alright. I appreciate him giving me this job. I won’t let either of you down your Lordship. Max, I have the sheep in the west meadow just as you asked. I am going to go and mend the gate in the north pasture now.” Daniel turned to Robert. “Very nice to make your acquaintance, your Lordship. I’ll be making tracks, and thank you for the job.” He bowed and left the barn.
“Nice young chap.” Robert watched him go. Max nodded in agreement.
“You should see the sketches he makes,a very talented lad that one.” Robert remained in the stables for a few more minutes. Eventually he grew tired and headed back across the lawn to the manor.
Evelyn Birmingham stood at her window, surveying her estate. A silver hand mirror rested loosely in her hand. She always thought of it as ‘her’ estate, never ‘our’ estate. Robert was such a weak man. No backbone, not suitable to run an estate of this size. She looked out over the meadows, the trees and the outbuildings. Something moved on the huge expanse of lawn between the manor and the outbuildings. She saw him. What was Robert doing outside? “Doris! Doris, come in here this minute.”
Doris who was cleaning the hall outside of her ladyship’s room hustled into the room.
“Yes, your Ladyship?”
“What is my husband doing outside? Why didn’t someone come and tell me he was downstairs?” Her body was stiff with tension. She was growing angrier by the minute.
“I really don’t know, your Ladyship. Perhaps he is feeling better?”
“Better? The man is suffering from the consumption; he is not better. Go and fetch the butler and tell him to get Robert inside right now.” Evelyn gripped the handle of the hand mirror tightly.
“Yes Mam.” Doris turned to go.
“What did you call me? I told you to address me as her Ladyship. Are you stupid, woman?” She raised the mirror. For a moment Doris thought she was going to strike her.
“No, your Ladyship, I’m very sorry. I’ll go right now.” Doris curtsied and left the room. That woman was so infuriating. Doris rushed down the stairs to find Thomas.
Evelyn turned back to the window. She was fuming. Her jaw was clenched tight. The tension built in her body until she had to find release. Suddenly she threw the hand mirror against the wall. The mirror shattered in pieces on the floor.
Jill, the handmaid, arrived just as the mirror hit its mark. She flinched, backing into the hallway in fright. Evelyn saw her and shrieked, “Clean that up, girl. And you saw nothing, do you understand?”
“Yes, your Ladyship. I will fetch the broom right away.” Jill shrank from the room terrified. Evelyn straightened her dress, fixed her hair and went to speak to Robert.
Robert was quickly hustled back into the house by the staff, but refused to go to his room. “I will sit in the parlor. Tell my wife to join me.” The butler looked at him strangely. No one told her ladyship to do anything. “Did you hear me? Tell my wife to join me. I am still the Lord of this manor.” The old butler shuffled off to find her.
Charles arrived moments later. “Father, you are up and about. Are you feeling better?” He went to his father and clapped him on the shoulder. “You seem to have much more color in your face.” Charles sat down opposite Robert. “Does Mother know you are up?”
“Apparently she does; she sent poor old Thomas outside to bring me back inside. Poor old man is scared stiff of her. All of the staff seems to be intimidated by your mother.” Charles just smiled. Intimidated was putting it mildly. He accepted his mother as an unfeeling, cold-hearted woman, but as her son, he believed he loved her. Robert Birmingham, on the other hand, was a lovable, kindhearted man. Charles was devoted to his father.
“Charles, you are home.” Evelyn swept into the room in a rustle of taffeta. She kissed her son’s cheek before turning her attentions to her husband. “Robert, what are you doing downstairs? You know the doctor told you to stay in bed.” She gave him a stern look.
“I got bored. Now sit down and tell me about the estate and what is going on. I feel better and I want to know what is happening to our farm.” He turned to Charles. “How was Oxford, my boy?” Evelyn watched her husband and her son. She silently surmised the situation. She was not about to relinquish control to Robert. Her son was not much stronger than
his father, but she would mold him to be a fine Lord some day. As the only son and dauphin, he would inherit everything when Robert died. She had to be sure she would always be in control of the estate. There were things only she knew and she intended to keep it that way. She knew Charles would marry, but she had someone perfect in mind; someone meek and mild that she could manipulate.
Chapter Four
“I tell you, we are expecting a visitor, someone that is staying for quite some time apparently.” Maude put several oatcakes into a small pouch for Doris to take home.
“You couldn’t expect the lady of this house to take anyone in, be it out of relationship, pity or poverty now could you? I wonder who it is?” Doris picked up the packet, securing it in her handbag, out of sight.
Jill the handmaiden, looked up, “Maybe it is a relative that is in distress or need of a place to stay. Family doesn’t turn its back on family.”
“You’ve got a lot to learn about her ladyship, dear.” Maude and Doris looked at each other knowingly. Jill talked much too much. “Empty vessels make the most noise.” Maude directed her comment to no one in particular, but Doris knew she referred to Jill.
Doris interjected, “Whoever it is, her ladyship is responsible so we had better be on our toes in the morning when the mystery guest arrives. Good night, Maude, Jill.” Doris left by the kitchen door.
“The devil makes work for idle hands,” said Maude looking directly at Jill. The young girl quickly returned to her work.
All the way home Doris wondered who was coming to visit the manor. If it was a friend of Lady Birmingham, it had to mean trouble.
The next morning the staff’s curiosity was put to rest. A distant cousin of Charles Birmingham, Lady Jane Windsor arrived in a flourish of luggage and excitement. Robert and Charles had been out for a morning ride when Lady Jane arrived. Evelyn ordered the staff to take her visitor’s luggage upstairs and she and Jane went into the parlor. The two sat in deep conversation until the men arrived.
When Fate Steps In Page 3
