The day everyone had been dreading finally arrived. Lord and Lady Birmingham arrived home.
“Thomas, have someone fetch our bags.” Evelyn barked as she waltzed into the foyer. “Where is everyone!”
“Working, your Ladyship. Everyone is working.” Thomas shuffled over to close the door behind Lord Birmingham. “How are you, my Lord?”
Robert didn’t look well. His face was pale and he seemed to be straining to catch his breath. “Take him upstairs! He needs to lie down. It has been a long trip.” Evelyn snapped at Thomas. He cringed. He had not missed that voice in the fortnight they were gone.
“Yes, your Ladyship. Come along, Lord Birmingham.” Robert went with Thomas without argument. He knew that soon his peace would be broken and the future was going to be dark and dangerous. He needed all the rest he could muster right now.
Once in his room, he asked Thomas, “How is my son?” The old man looked at him quietly for a few minutes. Robert’s mischievous grin led him to believe his lordship already new of his son’s marriage.
“Mr. Charles and his new bride are settled in the west wing, your Lordship.” Robert smiled.
“Good, the west wing is a good choice. Thank you, Thomas. You are a good man. Tell Charles to come and see me.” Robert settled himself on his bed. Thomas poured him a glass of water, arranged his pillows and left him.
When Charles arrived, his father was asleep. He stared at him for a few minutes, thinking that he did not look well. He seemed to be even more frail somehow. “Father?”
Robert’s eyes opened slowly. “Charles, my boy. It is done then?” Charles looked at him and nodded in the affirmative. “Good, batten down the hatches Son, because the storm is about to begin. I hope your Mary Margaret is a strong woman.”
“She is, Father, and I will not back down. Mother will just have to accept it.” He looked at his father for confirmation, but neither one of them believed Evelyn would accept this marriage.
Evelyn went to her own room to freshen up after her long trip while Jill unpacked her things. The chatty girl could not contain herself. “So you must be pleased about Mr. Charles’ marriage your Ladyship.”
Evelyn twirled around and stared at the young girl. “What did you say?” Jill looked at her in terror. “I asked you a question, girl. Out with it.”
“I…I just asked if you were pleased about Mr. Charles’ marriage.” She backed away from Evelyn, who closed the gap between them in seconds. She grabbed the girl’s arm. The youngster cried out in pain. “Ouch, you are hurting me. Please, your Ladyship, let go of my arm.”
“Who told you such malicious lies? Answer me girl.” She gripped Jill’s arm tighter.
“No one told me. They are living in the west wing. Please, you are hurting me!” Evelyn reached her free arm back and struck the girl across the face. Jill screamed.
“Who is it? Who did my son marry?” She still clung to the frightened girl. Evelyn was losing control. Her entire body shook with intense anger.
“Mary Margaret, Doris’ eldest. It is Mary Margaret.” Jill sobbed, holding her face. Lady Birmingham shoved her away roughly.
Doris, who was cleaning in the next room, came running. Now there was pandemonium in the bedroom. Evelyn reached for the back of the chair. Her mouth opened wide as if she was gasping for air. One hand clutched her throat. Jill cowered in the corner. Doris sprang to the dressing table and grabbed a bottle of smelling salts. Waving the contents under Evelyn’s nose, she seemed to revive slowly. When she saw Doris, she shrieked. “Get away from me! You are fired, and take your conniving daughter with you. Get out, get out!” She was hysterical. Doris backed away from her. Thomas and Charles rushed into the room. Doris grabbed Jill’s arm and pulled the poor frightened creature from the room.”
“What happened here?” Charles addressed Doris.
“She nearly passed out. I had to keep wafting the salts under her nose. She seems to have come around, but she is furious.”
“What happened to Jill?”
Doris answered him, “Your mother struck her; that woman is insane. I have been fired and she told me to take Mary Margaret with me. Now it is all up to you Mr. Charles and may the Lord be with you.” Doris took Jill and headed down the stairs. Charles ran his hand through his hair before going to his mother. Thomas was fanning her, as she sat on the chair gasping for air.
She looked up at her son with hatred in her eyes. “What have you done? You stupid man, are you mad?” She shoved poor Thomas to the side, knocking the fan out of his hands. He stumbled backwards trying to regain his footing. Charles reached out and steadied the old man.
“I am neither mad nor stupid, Mother. I have simply married the woman I love.”
“You will have it annulled immediately. I will not have it. Do you hear me? The daughter of the housekeeper, you must be mad.” Evelyn screamed, her face was red with rage.
“There will be no annulment, Mother. Mary Margaret, my wife, and I are living in the west wing. If you will only give her a chance, you will see that she is a lovely woman.”
“Lady Jane Windsor and you were betrothed. You cannot do this to her. She will be devastated.”
“No, Mother. We were not betrothed. I didn’t even like Lady Jane. You and only you were the one that wanted me to marry her. I know what you were trying to do and it did not work. No, it did not work, Mother.” He stood his ground. She looked at her son, fully aware of his shortcomings.
“You are a fool. A weakling and a fool, just like your father. How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child.” She spat the words at him.
“Sometimes, Mother, I hate you.” She recoiled at his last words. Her son, her Charles saying he hated her. What has this woman done to him? She was affronted to think he would speak to her in that way.
“Charles, do not say such things. I am your mother.”
“Then it is time you acted like a mother and meet the woman that I have married. We will be at supper this evening. You will be polite and you will not cause trouble.” Charles stood tall and unyielding, “Father supports me in this Mother, so you had better behave.” She laughed at the implied threat. She was not afraid of Robert or Charles, but she remained aloof.
“I will see you at supper, Charles. Please leave me now.” Evelyn was fuming inside. How dare he go against her wishes? She would be hard at work making arrangements for the bone of contention to be removed from her house, as soon as possible.
Doris was waiting for Charles at the bottom of the stairs. She was visibly shaken. “Doris, go home and rest. Tomorrow I want you to come back to work as usual.”
“But her ladyship said….”
“I know, but I am telling you to come back as usual. If necessary you will come to work in the west wing. I am going to speak to my father now and then I must go to Mary Margaret and let her know what has happened. I am sorry, Doris.” Doris looked at him doubtfully. She didn’t think things would be smoothed over that easily. She went to the kitchen for her hat and coat.
“Well, we knew she would explode when she found out. I am sorry you got caught in the middle of it, Doris.” Maude handed her a loaf of bread. “Jill is recovering. That girl needs to learn to keep her mouth shut. This is a good lesson for her.”
“Goodnight Maude. Thank you for the bread.” Doris didn’t feel like talking. She needed to go home and think.
When Charles told his father what had happened, Robert was not surprised. “Just give them time to get to know each other, Charles. Let’s try and make tonight a pleasant one, shall we?” Charles nodded and left to find his wife. This was not going to be easy.
He found her arranging the new china in the cabinet. She was so fond of it; she dare not let the two youngsters near it. Each plate was gently and lovingly placed in the cabinet. Mary Margaret was very pleased with her new china. It gave her a feeling of having succeeded somehow. She didn’t really understand it, but it made her feel special.
“Darling, come and sit
down. We must talk.” She turned and smiled at him. Seeing the troubled look on his face, she went over and sat down beside him taking his hand.
“What is it, Charles?” He didn’t know how to start.
“Mother and Father are home.” She understood now what was troubling him.
“She is not pleased then.” She looked down at her hands in her lap.
“No, she is not, but that doesn’t matter. You and I are married and she will just have to accept it. I have just told her as much.” Mary Margaret looked very troubled. “Please, don’t worry about it. I told you I would handle it and I will. Father is very pleased.”
“At least one of them is pleased.” She had been dreading this day. Everything was wonderful up until now. “When do I have to stand trial?”
“Darling, don’t think of it like that. You must try to be your wonderful self and she will come to accept you.” She looked at him skeptically, “Tonight at supper, we are joining them in the formal dining room.” Charles was doing his best to be positive, but Mary Margaret was not convinced.
“Yes, we will go with a positive attitude and show her how much we love one another.” She kissed his forehead. “I must go and get ready. It is a good thing you helped me shop for dresses or I would have nothing to wear.” She left him sitting in the dining room of the west wing. Once she was gone, he put his head in his hands. This was going to be the most difficult battle of his life. As he looked up, his eyes fell upon the portrait of his grandfather. Give me strength, Grandfather. Help me be as strong as you were.
Robert and Evelyn sat at opposite ends of the long dining table. He was dressed in his dark blue jacket and waistcoat. Although he was not feeling well, he was determined to support Charles in this battle. Evelyn sat at the end of the table staring at him. Although she was wearing a very expensive gown and her hair was perfectly coifed, she looked more evil than beautiful.
“You knew about this, didn’t you? You tricked me into going away.” She glared at her husband.
“Yes, I did. As you will learn, I am not as weak and feeble as you think. I am still the Lord of Birmingham, Evelyn, and I think you need to be reminded of that fact.” He made his voice as strong and loud as he could, praying that he would not start coughing.
“You might be the Lord of Birmingham, but it is me and me alone that has run this estate for the past year. You are sick, Robert, and your son has gone mad. So what am I to do now?”
“Charles is as sane as I am. He simply married the woman he loves. Do you remember what love feels like, Evelyn?” A sudden sadness passed over his face as he watched her.
“Love is for weaklings and cowards. Strength and control is what it takes to run an estate like this and it appears I am the only one capable at the moment.” She was not backing down and it upset him. Just then, Charles and Mary Margaret appeared.
“Mother, Father, I wish to introduce my wife, Mary Margaret.” He ushered her over to the table. She stared at the floor shyly. She wore a deep burgundy gown with fitted sleeves. The bodice was tight fitting with a low waist. The skirt was bell shaped. Charles thought she looked beautiful. Her stomach was doing flip-flops and her hands were shaking. He pulled out the chair and she sat down. Only then did she dare to look at Lord Birmingham. A wide smile graced his face, joy apparent in his kindly eyes, and she immediately felt better.
“My dear, welcome to our family. I must say you look lovely in that gown.” Mary Margaret felt herself relax a little, until she turned her head. Lady Birmingham’s eyes were cold and evil, staring at her as if she wanted to kill her. A cold chill ran down Mary Margaret’s spine.
“Mother, do you have something to say to my new wife?” Charles glared at his mother challenging her. He took his seat opposite Mary Margaret.
Evelyn looked at her son and then turned to his wife. “So you have married my son. I hope Lady Douglas was not sorry to lose you. You were one of her maids, if I remember correctly.” She could not resist making a derogatory comment.
Robert looked first at Charles and then at his wife. “Evelyn, that is enough.” Charles clenched his fists and glared at his mother, but it was Mary Margaret that spoke next.
“Lady Douglas was a wonderful employer. All of the staff is happy to work in such a beautiful manor for such a generous, kind-hearted woman. She was most kind to let me go so that Charles and I could be married. I am going to tea with her next week. Perhaps you would like to join us.” She smiled at Evelyn and then at Charles. He stared at her in surprise. Robert looked at Charles, eyebrows raised. He almost burst out laughing.
The maid appeared with the soup and the meal began. Evelyn was seething at the end of the table. Who does this upstart think she is? Tea with Lady Douglas indeed. Last week she was scrubbing the floors in that manor house.
After the meal, Charles played the piano and Mary Margaret sang. She felt uncomfortable for the first time in her life. Singing was always relaxing and fulfilling, but on this evening she felt nervous. After two songs, she sat down. Charles looked at her strangely, but rose from the piano bench and joined her. Robert applauded, but Lady Birmingham remained silent and aloof. Soon Charles and Mary Margaret excused themselves and returned to the west wing.
“Darling, you were magnificent. Father almost burst out laughing when you asked her to join you for tea. I love you.” He pulled her into his arms.
“I have to learn to be strong, Charles, otherwise she will destroy us. I won’t have it. I have never been happier in my life and I won’t let her spoil it. But I have to tell you my hands were shaking under the table when I spoke to her. She really is very frightening.” Charles kissed her, holding her hand gently. “I almost referred to Lady Douglas as Jesse, but I knew that would have been going too far. Even I have trouble believing she and I are now friends.” He laughed. His fingers stroked the back of her hand. He lifted her to her feet and walked her to the bedroom.
Back at the main house, Robert bid goodnight to his wife. “You will have to get used to it, Evelyn. Charles and Mary Margaret love one another and you will not come between them. Now goodnight!” She had the desire to grip his shoulders and shake the life out of him.
“You and Charles have deceived me. I shall never forgive either of you, Robert.” She clenched her hands tightly. After all she had done for him. How could he betray her like this?
“Evelyn, just give the woman a chance.” He was appealing to her. “Can you not try to accept her, for Charles’ sake, at least?” Robert made one last attempt to reach the Evelyn that he loved.
She looked at him and there was no softening of her features. Her next words sealed his heart. “The very look of her repels me,” she spat. He shook his head and left her alone. There was nothing left of the Evelyn that he had fallen in love with. Just a cold, hard shell of a woman remained; it saddened him.
Evelyn paced in front of the fire in her bedchamber. She recognized that here was someone who would think for herself. No matter what, her son’s wife would not be swayed. She would become harder and harder to handle as time passed. She had too much influence over Charles already. How could she get rid of her?
Chapter Six
Elana convinced her mother to do as Mr. Charles had said and go to work the next morning. She walked as far as the manor house with her mother. “Don’t fret, Mother. Mary Margaret and Mr. Charles will take care of everything.” Elana skipped off toward the barn, happy that she didn’t have to deal with her ladyship.
Doris entered the kitchen with great trepidation. Maude looked up and smiled at her.
“Come in, for heaven’s sake, no one is going to bite you. Mr. Charles was here earlier and told me to tell you that his father said for you to continue working as usual.” Doris stared at her friend. She had a terrible foreboding that would not go away.
“What about her ladyship?”
“Just go to work and see what happens. It is all you can do, Doris. Mr. Charles said to come and see him if there were any problems. Apparently, Lord Bi
rmingham has experienced a setback. Poor man looks like he is on his last legs.” Doris hung her coat and hat on the hook, as she had for more than forty years. She picked up her mop and bucket and walked out into the foyer. Lady Birmingham was coming down the stairs. Doris quickly ducked into the back hallway and waited until her ladyship walked through into the study. Doris did not want a confrontation.
Elana finished feeding the chickens and ducks and headed for the stables. Daniel had asked her to walk with him the next day and she wanted to make sure they were still going.
She found him mucking out the stalls. “Daniel, are we on for tomorrow?” He looked up and smiled.
“I will meet you at one o’clock at the bend in the road. I have a surprise for you.” She nodded impishly, smiled at him and then skipped off to finish her chores.
When she delivered the eggs to the kitchen, she slipped around to the west wing to see her sister. Knocking on the back door, she was greeted by a large, heavyset woman. “Can I help you, Miss?”
“I am looking for my sister. She is the mistress here.” Elana then added curiously, “Who are you?” The large woman stood back and allowed her to enter.
“I’m Bertha, the cook. Your sister is in the dining room. Shall I announce you?” Elana pushed past her, and opened the door to the main hall.
“No thank you, I know the way.” Bertha shrugged and went back to her cooking.
“Mary Margaret, where are you?” Elana shouted.
“In here, and must you holler. You really must start acting like a lady, Elana.” Mary Margaret looked up from the table, where her breakfast was barely touched. “Sit down and have some tea.”
“Where is your husband? Has his mother driven him away already?” Elana asked in jest. Mary Margaret gave her a slap on the arm. The sisters laughed happily.
When Fate Steps In Page 6
