“Have you started to put your plan into action? I really need to know what is happening, Father. If I have to sit through one more whining session with Lady Jane, I shall go insane.” Robert laughed, but it brought on a coughing spell. It was a few minutes before he could speak.
“It is all taken care of. I have told your mother that the two of us and Lady Jane will travel to Essex to deal with her estate, an estate that would be yours if you were to marry her. Are you sure you want to dismiss her completely?”
“Her estate means nothing to me. I am sure Mother is very interested in it, however.”
“Yes, I am sure she is.” Robert was reminded of just how intrigued with wealth and power his wife had become.
“But I don’t want to go to Essex.” Robert was fidgeting.
“Now listen to my plan. I have told your mother that you will join us in a day or two. I am going to send you to see Lord Chamberlain in Manchester on important farm business.” Robert was about to protest, but his father continued. “Of course you won’t really go. Just go to the inn for one night. The next morning we will have gone.” Robert looked at his son to see if he understood his part in the plan. Charles looked very confused.
“I am not exactly sure what this will accomplish, Father.”
“Did you not say you had a woman picked out that you wanted for a wife?”
“Yes.” Robert was not sure where his father’s plan was going.
“Well, take her to Gretna Green and marry her. Then it will be too late for your mother to hatch her plan and you will have the woman you want. That is, if this young woman agrees. May I ask whom this woman is?” Charles stared at his father open mouthed.
“Marry her? Now? But father….” Charles was stammering. Robert looked at him sternly.
“Either you want this woman or you don’t and if you don’t, then stop wasting both of our time.” Robert was getting agitated and started to cough again. Charles handed him the glass of water sitting on the nightstand.
“I do want her; it is just such a rush. I don’t know if she will agree.” Robert started to imagine whisking Mary Margaret off to Gretna Green for a whirlwind marriage. He smiled.
“Then go and do it man. It is time you started to act like the Lord of Birmingham and not some little boy whose mother makes his decisions. Lord, help me, I didn’t stand up to her all of these years and now I am not strong enough. I will do this for you, but it will take all that I have.”
Charles hugged his father tightly. “Thank you, Father. I shall never forget what you have done. I love you, Father.”
“I love you too, Charles, now go and see your lady. Who did you say it was?”
“Mary Margaret Madison and I love her more than life itself. Thank you, Father, thank you.” Charles rushed from the room beaming with happiness.
Robert collapsed back on his pillows, thinking. Dear God, the housekeeper’s daughter. Evelyn will have a fit when she finds out. It is worse than I thought. Good luck Charles, you are going to need it. He closed his eyes. It was harder and harder to keep up his façade and he was very tired. Robert Birmingham knew that his days were numbered. When he told his son it would take all he had, he had meant it, but he loved his son more than life itself. It was an easy decision.
Remembering the early days with Evelyn, Robert lay back and started to relax. His own mother had liked Evelyn’s confidence and intelligence. He too, had found it appealing. Robert’s father died and he became Lord Birmingham at age twenty-five. His father ruled the estate with a firm hand, but he was good to his staff. People enjoyed working for him. Robert wished he was more like his father, but he knew he was too soft. His mother knew it too; that is why she was happy when he married Evelyn. Their first years were good ones. Little did he know she would turn into a power hungry tyrant.
Charles found Mary Margaret under the willow tree. He watched her for a few minutes before approaching. She is so peaceful, so gentle. I do want you Mary Margaret. All doubt was erased from his mind. He called out to her; she turned toward him smiling.
At first Mary Margaret could not believe what Charles was telling her. She didn’t want to run off to Gretna Green to be wed.
“I wanted a nice small wedding with Mother and Elana present. I wanted weeks to plan it and revel in the joy.” She looked so disappointed. For a moment he thought she was going to refuse.
“I understand Love. I wish I could give you what you want, but if we want to be together, this is the only way. When Mother and Father return, it will be too late for her to stop us. Please Mary Margaret, I promise you I shall spend the rest of my life making it up to you.” She was trying to decide what to do. However, he convinced her it was the only way.
She looked at him with such love, “Oh Charles what will become of us?”
“We will be so happy together, Darling, please say yes.” Mary Margaret was doubtful, but she wanted Charles with every beat of her heart. She loved him more than she feared his mother.
“All right, Charles. Yes I will go to Gretna Green with you. I love you, Charles Birmingham.” They embraced and he kissed her, a long endearing kiss that sealed their fate forever.
Mary Margaret went home and packed a tiny bag. Doris and Elana had not arrived at the cottage after work. She couldn’t tell Elana or her mother what she was going to do. She just couldn’t face them. She wrote a letter and left it on Elana’s bed. By the time they got home, she was gone.
Elana went to the room she shared with her sister. She dropped her sweater on the chair and turned to see the note. Slowly she read her sister’s confession. Elana put her head in her hands, pressing on her temples. How could she break the news to her mother? She sat there for several minutes forming the words in her mind.
“Mother, I think we need to sit down.” Elana walked into the small kitchen where Doris was preparing the meal. Fresh bread and a small helping of pork were laid on the table. Doris looked up at her youngest daughter. Her face was white.
“What is it? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Elana sat down, but remained silent for a few minutes. “What is the matter, child?”
“It’s Mary Margaret. Now don’t get upset Mother, but she has gone off to marry Mr. Charles Birmingham in Gretna Green.” Doris put her hand to her mouth to stifle the scream that threatened to escape. Her heart pounded in her chest and fear filled her very soul.
“Dear God in Heaven, Lady Birmingham will kill them both.” Elana went to her mother and held her tight. A cold chill ran down her spine.
Chapter Five
The newlyweds arrived at Birmingham Manor late in the day. Both were flushed and happy from their brief honeymoon stop at the Gretna Green Inn. The marriage was short but sweet and they were both very happy. The carriage stopped in front of the large stone steps. Charles looked at his bride; his heart was brimming with joy. “Well Mrs. Birmingham, welcome home.” She shuddered as she looked up at the large double doors. She was terrified. Seeing the look of terror on her face, he pecked her cheek reassuringly. “It is fine, Mary Margaret. You are my wife and my mother will just have to accept that fact. Besides she won’t be back for days.”
“I hope so, Charles because I have to tell you that I am very frightened of her.”
“Come here. I am going to carry you over the threshold, my Darling.” He whisked her off her feet and carried her up the stone steps. When he reached the door, the butler, Thomas, opened it as if he were expecting them. “Thomas, we are home.”
“Welcome home, Master Charles, and I assume by your posture that this is the new Mrs. Birmingham?” He stepped back and allowed Charles to sweep into the foyer with Mary Margaret in his arms. Heads appeared from stairwells, doorways and everywhere. The servants were stunned to see Master Charles twirling his new bride around and around. Thomas was laughing. It was nice to see some happiness in this house again.
He set Mary Margaret on her feet and she stood taking in the size and elegance of the foyer. Portraits of the Birminghams lined t
he wide staircase. The ceilings were high, the chandeliers sparkling crystal. For a minute, she thought she was dreaming. “Your palace, my princess.” Charles teased her. The servants began to make an appearance; their curiosity had gotten the better of them. First Thomas offered his congratulations, then cook, the handmaids and then from the top of the stairs came Doris. She slowly descended the large staircase, her eyes fixed on her daughter. Mary Margaret stared back at her mother. Their eyes locked, but it was only love that she saw in her mother’s eyes. She ran to her. The two women embraced and tears flowed freely. Doris looked over to Charles who held his breath. “Mr. Birmingham, I welcome you to our humble family.” She offered her hand, but he pulled her into a hug. She patted his back and smiled. “I can only hope your family will do the same. Congratulations on your marriage.” The other servants watched with interest. This was very exciting. What would her ladyship do when she returned? No one wanted to spoil the moment by thinking about that. They all put their hands together and clapped in celebration. Charles beamed, escorting his wife into the parlor. He called Thomas, Doris and Maude to join them.
“My wife and I will take up residence in the west wing. I know it has not been used for years, but I trust all of you to get it ready as soon as possible. Start with the large bed suite and we shall move in tonight. Now please, get busy. If you need more help, get the stable and farm lads to give you a hand. I want at least one room cleaned and ready in a few hours.” He smiled at Mary Margaret who sat silent and overwhelmed on the settee. Charles was eager to have his new wife in the comfortable solitude of their bedroom; secure in their own private world, where he could make love to her. Bringing himself back from his daydream, he stood and left the women alone, but not before placing a kiss on his bride’s cheek.
Doris hugged her daughter and then rushed off to make a comfortable home for her and her husband. She passed Maude in the foyer, “The stone that lies not in your road need not offend you. The west wing is a brilliant idea,” Maude shouted as Doris passed.
Doris organized the cleaners, thinking, Thank God he has the sense to live in the West Wing away from his mother. Be happy while you can my love, for she will make your life a living hell.
Soon the newlyweds were safe and happy in their huge canopy bed. Mary Margaret told Charles she thought the staff had performed miracles. The room was beautiful. Pink and cream carpets covered the floor. Heavy burgundy drapes hung on either side of the two bay windows that overlooked the lake. A feather duvet in the palest rose covered the bed and fresh flowers sat in a vase on the bed table. She had seen such rooms in the Douglas Manor, but never had she slept in one. The reality of being Mrs. Charles Birmingham was beginning to settle in her mind. She was excited, happy and terrified all at the same time. Charles was a gentle and satisfying lover. She felt complete lying by his side. Her fingers stroked his blond hair as he slept, sated by their lovemaking. She would not think about the future. She would enjoy every moment they had together, and remember them always.
The village was aflame with gossip. The Lord had married the daughter of the housekeeper. It was simply not done. The villagers were happy that one of their own had broken through the aristocratic gates, but those of high society were not impressed. Charles and Mary Margaret would meet with some opposition to their union.
Elana and Doris were surprised when Mary Margaret and Charles appeared at the cottage the next night. They had just finished supper and were clearing the table when the couple arrived. Elana ran to embrace her sister. “How beautiful you look. You’re happy aren’t you?” She held Mary Margaret at arm’s length and looked deeply into her sister’s face.
“I am very happy, Elana.” She smiled up at Charles.
“Welcome to our family, Mr. Charles. It will be strange working on the estate when we are related. We do still have our jobs, don’t we?” Elana never hesitated to say what she was thinking; Doris cringed at her daughter’s forwardness.
“Of course you do, if you want them. I can take care of both of you now. You don’t have to work anymore.” Doris and Elana exchanged a look.
“Thank you, but we are capable of supporting ourselves. And yes, we will be continuing to work at the manor, as long as we are welcome.” Doris knew that once Lady Birmingham returned things might change drastically for both the newlyweds and herself and Elana. They might all be sharing this tiny cottage, if her ladyship went on a rampage. “Would you like tea?”
“I was wondering if you might know of two young women that would come to work in the west wing. I want to have our own staff so that we are not imposing in any way on Mother and Father.” Charles looked from Doris to Elana. “I suggested you might like to come and stay in the west wing, Elana, but Mary Margaret assures me you are much happier outside on the farm.” Elana laughed. She thanked him, but declined his offer. She loved working the farm. There would be no housework for her.
“I know two lasses in town, Georgina and Betsy, who are looking for work. I will send them around tomorrow,” Elana offered.
The visit went very well. Mary Margaret sang for them all as they sat around the fireplace. Doris and Elana were surprised with how relaxed Charles made them feel. Mary Margaret was thrilled. Her husband was a special man without prejudice. He liked people without thought to their station in life. She had been very pleased to see his relationship with the staff. Everyone did all they could to make her feel at home, but still the underlying current of tension was obvious. They were all holding their breath until her ladyship returned.
The next four days were like a wonderful dream for Mary Margaret. The staff cleaned and dusted the entire west wing. It had been uninhabited since Charles’ grandmother had passed away. All of the furniture remained, but was covered with large sheets of fabric. The sheets were removed and the wood polished until it shone. Two young girls from Chatsworth were hired into service in the west wing. Betsy and Georgina were fifteen years old and spent more time giggling together than they did working. Doris would have to train them.
The parlor was a large room filled with exquisite furniture. The deep greens, browns and golds made the room rich and warm. The huge fireplace glowed to life. But the main attraction for Mary Margaret was the piano. She ran her fingers over the keys and began to sing. Doris arrived from the kitchen. Mary Margaret stood in the middle of the room with her mother. “It is like a fairytale. Imagine me, the mistress of this beautiful house.”
“Not exactly of the entire house, but certainly of the west wing. It is wonderful to see you so happy.” Doris was very pleased with the room. “You can rearrange the furniture if you like. I will have one of the stable boys come and help you.”
“No, I like it just as it is.” She grabbed her skirts and twirled around the room. Just then Charles appeared, laughing at the sight of her.
“Happy are you, Love?” He walked over and kissed her gently. Doris could see the love that the two shared glowing on their faces. “I see Doris has those two scrubbing the kitchen. The new cook, Bertha, has arrived. Soon we shall take our meals here; alone in our own dining room.”
“I have to get back to work in the main house.” Doris smiled at her daughter. “Good morning Charles, and thank you for making my daughter so happy.” Doris left the young lovers alone. He wanted to take Mary Margaret upstairs and make love to her. She kissed him and he remembered that the carriage was waiting outside.
“Come on, Love, the carriage is waiting. We are off to pick up your china.” Mary Margaret smiled widely. She was giddy with excitement.
“Wonderful, I know it will look beautiful in the dining room.” Charles had encouraged her to pick her own china pattern and crystal glassware, although the west wing was fully equipped. He wanted her to make this her home by adding touches of her own taste. She was overjoyed to be browsing the different patterns in the huge department store in Manchester. Never had she seen such crystal, china and fine cutlery. As a matter of fact, she had never been to Manchester before. Her whole world was exp
anding by leaps and bounds.
Doris headed back down the long corridor that joined the west wing to the main house. Again, she was dreading the return of her ladyship. Thomas met her as she entered the foyer.
“Everything alright in the west wing, Doris?”
“Wonderful, Thomas, but I fear it will be short lived. Her ladyship will do everything she can to destroy their happiness.” Thomas patted her on the shoulder. He shuffled away, head down. Doris took one last look over her shoulder, smiled and went up the stairs.
Out by the stables, Elana and Daniel finished piling the potatoes in the wagon. It was market day and she and Max were off to make deliveries. Max finished hitching the horses and took his place in the driver’s seat. Elana bid farewell to Daniel and hopped up beside him. Daniel watched the wagon pull away before returning to his chores. He whistled while he worked, so pleased to be out in the fresh air and away from his uncle. Daniel was a grateful young man; he appreciated his uncle for giving him shelter when his parents had been killed, but the man was a harsh taskmaster. Verging on cruel, Daniel had taken the brunt of his fist many times. No sense thinking about those days now-life is good here and Daniel was making the most of it. He would ask Elana to go walking again on their day off. He liked Elana. She made him laugh and she liked his drawings and his stories. He would write another one for her before the weekend.
“How is your sister settling in, Elana?” Max let the horses make their own way. Week after week they covered the same road and needed no prodding.
“Mary Margaret loves the west wing. Mr. Charles is certainly making her at home. He is teaching her how to play the piano. He plays himself, but not well. She sings and he plays and together they are making beautiful music. Today they went to pick up their new china. She is very excited about it.” She grinned and then gave him an impish look. “I don’t know why anyone would get excited about china. I am more interested in the food on the plate than I am in the plate itself.” Max laughed. Elana was such a light-hearted young girl. Innocent and carefree was how Max saw her. He was worried that the storm of her ladyship, would rain down on her as well. He couldn’t help, but think, there is going to be Hell to pay when the dragon returns.
When Fate Steps In Page 5
