“Possibly, but I will have Mary bring some warm tea and crackers to you. I’ll get you downstairs in time to say good-bye.”
“Thank goodness you are here, Nanny. I don’t know what I would do without you.” Caroline sniffed and reached in her pocket for a handkerchief as they climbed the stairs.
“Now, now, it will be all right in the end. Just you wait and see.” Nanny patted her hand, but she looked worried.
When Nanny left the room for a moment, Caroline hid the satchel. She’d look at it later.
After Caroline’s rest, she and Hannah stood in the doorway and waved good-bye to the last carriage. Caroline let out a deep sigh.
“It will be good to have peace and quiet again. I’m going to walk to the stables and see how my new puppy, Gallant, is doing. Would you walk with me, Hannah?”
“I’d love to. Isn’t it a beautiful morning, and listen to the birds? I hear a goldfinch singing.” Hannah fairly danced alongside of Caroline.
Gallant raised his little head on seeing Caroline. He stood and ran on his short legs up to her, jumping along the edge of her skirt. Bending down, she picked him up and rubbed his head.
“You are much cleaner and healthier looking. Old Peter has done a good job of caring for you.” Caroline smiled across the yard at Old Peter coming in the stables.
“He’s a cute little hound. He’ll make you a fine companion and protector when he gets bigger,” Old Peter said.
“Peter, I was hoping to see you. I will be moving to Atelstone Hall later today. I would like to employ you and your family to help me with the move, and I hope you’ll stay on to help me where needed.”
“Talked the young lord into moving, did you?” Peter pushed his hat back off his forehead.
“No, I will be moving. Lord Royston will continue to live here.” Peter stared at her with a stunned expression.
“Are you really going through with this, Caroline? Surely you would not leave without my brother?” Hannah asked.
“Damon has agreed this is for the best.” Turning to Peter, she added, “I am going to need staff, a butler, housekeeper, and any other staff you feel will be needed. Do you have any suggestions?”
Peter scratched his head and looked down. “I reckon my son and his family will help with your stables. I’ve got a cousin who could be your butler. Best ask Mrs. Parker about a housekeeper and cook.” Peter’s pale blue eyes searched her face. “I hope you won’t mind me asking, but are you sure you want to do this, milady?”
“I’m not sure of anything. But I’m going to do this. I have no choice.” She looked out the barn door and into the distance.
“I’m going to walk to the gazebo,” Caroline said. She was glad Hannah didn’t suggest joining her. She wanted to be alone. But she felt Hannah and Peter watching her as she left, carrying Gallant with her.
* * * *
Damon stopped at the Crows Inn at noon and went in to have lunch and get a fresh horse. The proprietor, a short, thin man, came forward.
“Hello, I’m Goodshall, the owner. How may I help you, milord? I have a private dining room available, and some good homemade soup, vegetables, and a beef roast.”
“Fine, and add a decent bottle of wine, if you have any. I’ll need a fresh horse to complete my journey and will pick up my horse upon my return.” Damon followed Goodshall along a narrow hallway and into a sitting room.
A table sat in the middle of the room and two cushioned chairs were arranged by the fireplace. A small fire had been lit to dispel the dampness. Damon went over to sit in one of the chairs.
“I’ll send my wife in right away with the wine. It won’t be long before she has your meal and fresh bread ready.”
“Thank you.” Damon nodded, dismissing the man. He was tired. He had slept little last night. Almost as soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted agreeing for Caroline to move out of his home. Damon stretched his long legs, encased in buckskin trousers, out in front of him.
He was really not interested in the horse he was going to see. It was an excuse to get away and have time to sort out his head. Ever since he had first seen Caroline, nothing had gone as he had planned.
Being harsh to her caused him as much distress or more, than her. Why had he thought marrying her would be a good revenge on her parents? They had seemed happy to see her married, and not at all disturbed to have her taken off to the country.
Now her father was reportedly sick. Probably attempting to get sympathy from his daughter and thereby him. When he needed to return to London and see to his business, he would insist on Caroline coming with him.
A rotund woman, evidently Mrs. Goodshall, entered with a tray containing his meal. “This smells wonderful, and I find my appetite has returned.” Damon smiled at the woman.
He would complete his business about the filly quickly and return home. Then as soon as possible, they would all leave for London.
* * * *
Caroline directed the servants in cleaning the rooms she’d need to use right away. When all the covers were removed from the furniture and all was dusted, her large bedroom was beautiful. The walls were a soft blue and the ceiling was covered with cherubs playing harps. Pulling back the darker blue curtains from two large windows, she looked across the vast lawn to a small lake with ducks swimming and deer coming up at dusk to drink.
It had been a long day, and she was tired. Mrs. Parker had suggested her niece, Mrs. Wagner, be her housekeeper. Mrs. Parker had helped today and promised her niece would start in the morning.
Nanny stuck her head in the door. “There is a young lady downstairs. She said she was to see you today, but you have been busy. She has to return home tomorrow.”
“Annie Upton, I had forgotten all about my promise to interview her. Did you put her in the small sitting room?” Caroline asked.
Nanny nodded. “It was the only decent place downstairs to seat a visitor.”
Caroline noted the disapproval on Nanny’s face. She had expressed her displeasure, saying the move was very unwise.
Pulling herself away from the window, Caroline regarded Nanny Fowler with the same steady stare. “Your disapproval will not change anything and it is very tiring for me to be surrounded with your censure. You may go back and stay at Lord Royston’s home, if you prefer.”
Nanny turned without speaking and went out of the room in a huff. Caroline felt sick, but she must see Miss Upton. She had promised.
She smoothed her hair and took her wool shawl to wrap around her shoulders. The coolness of the evening was beginning to seep through the walls.
“Miss Upton, I’m so glad you came to see me. I am sorry I was too busy earlier to meet with you. Do sit down.” Caroline indicated the small sofa. She sat in a chair across from her.
“I hope I have not inconvenienced you by calling so late in the day, but my parents wish to leave for home tomorrow.”
“Not at all. Let me pour us some tea.” Caroline smiled at the young girl she had hired to be a downstairs housemaid. The girl brought the tray with a pot of tea and small iced cakes and set it before her.
After pouring the tea and handing Miss Upton a plate with several small cakes, Caroline relaxed in her chair.
“Tell me what experience you have had, Miss Upton.”
Annie Upton blushed. “I’m afraid I do not have much experience. I only finished my schooling six months ago and have been assisting at the school in my village. There is a teacher assigned to the school already on a permanent basis. They do not need another one full time.”
Miss Upton leaned anxiously toward Caroline. “If you will only give me a chance, Lady Royston, I promise I will bring much enthusiasm to the job, and I am a hard worker.”
Caroline studied the young, eager face looking earnestly at her. Why not give Annie a chance? Most of her staff was new to the job and also anxious to please. In fact, she felt she was accomplishing her first really good deeds since leaving London.
“Can you move here right away? I
would like to get the school built and in use as soon as possible. I’m sure you can help me in many ways with the preparations.”
“Oh yes, milady.” Annie stood and walked to Caroline, taking hold of her hands. “I will never forget the opportunity you are giving me. I will assist you in any way you desire.” Her pale cheeks flushed with excitement.
“I’m sure you will. I have faith in you. Return home and get your belongings, and then return. We should have a place cleaned up for you by then.” Caroline smiled, watching Miss Upton fairly fly out of the house to go home and give her parents the good news.
Suddenly she had the feeling she wasn’t alone. A tall, dark-haired man stood in the doorway. Her hand flew to her throat before she saw it was Charles.
“Charles, what can I do for you? I’m very tired. Please tell me what you want and be on your way.”
“You did not come to see me today about your allowance, yet you have been hiring staff.” Charles walked into the room as he was talking.
“Would you like a cup of tea?” Caroline motioned him to the vacated chair.
Charles hesitated and then sat down and took the cup she handed him. “What is this? I’m surprised you’re acting the gracious hostess with me. It’s different when I hold the purse strings, isn’t it?” he said, gloating at her.
“I thought perhaps we might converse in a civilized manner. I will not beg you for money. If you don’t give me what I need, I will go to my husband.”
“Well right now he’s gone, and I’m in charge.” Charles glanced around the small sitting room. The drapes were open and beams of sunlight streamed across the flowered rug. “Whatever made you decide to move back into this old house? It’s damp and cold. You’d be much better off in the new house where you belong.”
“This is my husband’s ancestral home. The upstairs hallway is lined with pictures of his family. This is where we both belong,” Caroline retorted.
Charles stomped across the room to the windows and yanked the curtains shut. Then he returned to Caroline’s side and stood over her.
“I know you sent your friends to my home to snoop on me. Remember what I said? You will be gone soon, and I will still be here.” He laughed harshly. “Your husband trusts me, not you. Your days are numbered here at Atelstone Hall.”
“Are you threatening me, Charles?” Caroline held herself rigid, determined to keep her fear from showing.
Charles laughed. “Take it any way you want.” He started to walk out.
“Charles.” Caroline’s voice stopped him. “You are not welcome in my home. Do not come again. If I have need of you, I will see you in your office.”
Charles glared at her, before he strode down the hall. Caroline heard the front door slam. Peter stepped into the room.
“Are you all right, Lady Royston?”
“Yes, thank you, Peter. Please ask Nanny to see my meal is sent up to my room. I’m not as strong as I have always thought myself.”
She saw the faint tremor in her hands and felt the queasy feeling in her stomach. “Ask cook to send up soup. I don’t think I could eat anything else.”
She slowly climbed the stairs. The house was quiet. The few servants made little noise. Hannah had wanted to move with her, but she encouraged her to wait until her brother returned and she had talked to him.
At the head of the stairs, she looked back down to the foyer. All was in the shadows now. She walked along the hallway, stopping in front of the ancestor’s picture that most resembled Damon. It must be his father.
“Do you have any secrets to tell me? Secrets on how to deal with my husband.” Similar intense blue eyes looked back at her with a remote, steady gaze like Damon’s. “I suppose you were as difficult for your wife to understand as Damon is to me.”
“May I help you, Lady Caroline?” Mary took her arm.
“I’m not losing my mind, dear Mary. I was just wondering out loud. I would be glad of your help to get undressed and into my nightgown. It has been a long and trying day.”
“Yes, milady. Nanny Fowler said to tell you she had gone to bed and will see you tomorrow.”
“I have displeased Nanny. She will have to see I am a woman grown now. How I wish I was little again and could crawl up into her lap. But I have set my course and must follow it to the end. Hopefully, it won’t be my end, too.”
Chapter Fifteen
More staff arrived in the early morning. When Caroline came downstairs, she found servants bustling around, pulling off white covers, dusting, and others cleaning windows. Soon the whole downstairs began to sparkle.
Caroline walked outside to the back of the house and the stables. Gallant came running out, barking at her. She scooped him into her arms and continued on to where the gardeners were working on the overgrown rose bushes and cutting back shrubbery.
“It’s going to be beautiful. Thank you all so much,” Caroline exclaimed, and smiled at the small group of workers.
The men briefly touched the brims of their hats and smiled shyly back at her. She walked over to the older man who appeared to be in charge.
“Do you think we might also have a vegetable garden? I’ve some herb seeds I’d like planted.”
He nodded. “Yes, madam. There is an old vegetable garden behind the kitchen. I’ve sent two men over there already to start clearing the ground.”
Gallant wriggled in her arms restlessly and flew off down the path as soon as Caroline sat him down. She laughed and walked slowly in the direction he had taken.
Walking through a corpse of trees, she found a small clearing on the other side. A Grecian temple sat in the middle of a meadow surrounded by wild flowers. Several tall shade trees had been planted on the left side of the temple.
Caroline stepped carefully through the carpet of flowers and went inside the shaded sanctuary to sit. Song birds flitted from tree to tree, singing happily.
What an idyllic spot. She heard Gallant barking in the distance. A breeze rustled the leaves on the trees. She was right to move into the ancestral home. This was where she and Damon should raise their children. It was as though she felt a part of the past, and imagined Damon’s mother smiling down on her.
She had no idea how long she sat gazing out at the flowers and being serenaded by the birds. But when Gallant tired himself out from running around the small structure, she reluctantly followed him back to the stables.
“You know where to come for your meal, Gallant.”
Peter shuffled out of the stables. “Would you like to take him up to the big house, after I get him trained?”
“Yes, Peter. As soon as possible bring him to stay with me.”
She waved and walked around to the front of the house. When she saw the Smittens’ carriage, she groaned. Caroline glanced at her soiled dress and hurriedly slipped in a side door to change before meeting with Mrs. Smitten.
Mary helped her into a light-purple gown with a white collar and cuffs. She redid her hair in neat braids and placed a white lace cap over it.
Caroline found the Smittens in the large, cleaned, lounge.
“My dear, you have worked wonders,” Mrs. Smitten gushed. “It reminds me of when dear Lady Royston, Lord Damon’s mother, lived here. With the fresh flowers and open windows, everything is pleasant and bright.”
“You have brought life back to this old place,” Rev. Smitten agreed.
“It is beautiful, isn’t it?” Caroline sat down across from her visitors. “I’m very happy with our progress.” Caroline spoke to a downstairs maid working nearby. “Please bring us tea and crumpets.”
“I hope we are not imposing. We wanted to thank you for all the lovely activities during your house party and for hiring my niece to be your teacher. You are all that is most gracious.”
Caroline smiled. Strong praise coming from Mrs. Smitten.
“Annie will do fine. I look forward to her joining my staff. Here is the tea.” Caroline poured each a cup of tea and served the crumpets.
Nanny Fowler came
to the door and Caroline invited her in, introducing her to the Reverend and his wife. While they talked, Caroline excused herself to check on dinner before inviting the Smittens to join her. Rev. Smitten followed her out and stopped her.
“I need to speak to you privately, Lady Royston.”
“Come with me into the smaller sitting room.” Caroline led the way and turned questioningly to Rev. Smitten when they stepped inside.
“I received a strange letter last week. I have prayed over it and decided you are the one to see it.” He handed her a letter, wrinkled and smudged. “My guess is it got lost and was recently found and forwarded to me.”
The hand writing was light and full of curves and flourishes. Caroline held the envelope in her hand and turned it over several times. It was obviously written by a woman.
“Read it later when you have time and tell me what you think,” Rev. Smitten advised. “I should get back to the lounge.”
Caroline nodded and slipped the letter into the pocket of her gown. After checking with cook, she returned to ask the Smittens to stay for dinner. They explained they must leave as several members of the congregation were old and ill.
“I may need to go at a moment’s notice to their bedsides. Perhaps another time, Lady Royston.” Rev. Smitten bowed and Mrs. Smitten nodded as they went to their carriage.
Nanny stood on the steps with Caroline. “That woman didn’t stop talking the whole time you were gone from the room. I’m not sure she even took a breath to breathe. I expected her to fall over at any time from loss of breath.”
Caroline laughed. “I am glad to see you are in better humor today, Nanny.” She walked back inside the foyer. “Isn’t everything looking better already?”
Nanny nodded, agreeing. “But it would look much better if your husband were to live here with you.”
“I know, Nanny, and I am going to work on him. When he sees how nice the old place looks, I’m hoping he will change his mind.”
Caroline excused herself and went to the old viscount’s study. She had allowed no one inside this room but Peter, knowing he would not disturb anything. She had a feeling this room held the secret of Damon’s father’s demise.
The Viscount's Vendetta (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 22
