Shine Like the Dawn

by Carrie Turansky

  Nate set Violet down, and Grandmother passed her the crutches.

  “Clara! Where have you been?” A woman’s voice rang out from the shadowed upper gallery at the end of the great hall. “Come upstairs this instant!”

  Nate frowned toward the woman’s voice. “It’s Nathaniel, not Clara, and I have some guests with me.”

  “Guests? At this hour?” Helen Harcourt appeared at the top of the stairs and started down, carrying a lantern. She wore a light-blue dressing gown, and her silver-blond hair flowed over her shoulders. As she came closer, her gaze swept past Grandmother and Violet and settled on Maggie. Her lips compressed into a firm line, and she narrowed her eyes slightly.

  Nate motioned toward Grandmother. “This is Mrs. Hayes, and perhaps you remember her granddaughters, Margaret and Violet Lounsbury.”

  “Yes, of course.” Helen’s brow creased, her gaze flicking from Maggie to Nate. “You look dreadful. What happened to you?”

  “There was a fire in Heatherton. Neatherton’s Boots and Mrs. Hayes’s millinery shop were destroyed. That was also their home, so I’ve invited them to stay with us at Morningside.”

  Helen sent Nate a sharp look that made it clear she was not pleased by the invitation. “I’ll ring for Mrs. Burnell.”

  Nate put out his hand. “It’s too late for that. Don’t disturb the housekeeper. I’ll show them up to their rooms.”

  “Very well. Good night.” But Helen’s chilly tone betrayed her true feelings. She turned away and swept up the stairs.

  A muscle in Nate’s jaw contracted as he watched his stepmother disappear into the darkness of the upper gallery. “I’m sorry. It’s late. I’m sure she’ll be in a better mood in the morning.” He motioned toward the stairs. “Let me show you to your rooms.”

  Maggie, Grandmother, and Violet followed Nate toward the stairs, but Violet stopped at the bottom and looked up.

  “Would you like a lift?” Nate’s mouth tugged up in a smile.

  “They do look awfully steep.” Violet turned toward him.

  He lifted her into his arms. Maggie passed her belongings to Grandmother, then took Violet’s crutches, and she and Grandmother climbed the stairs after them.

  When they reached the upper landing, Maggie glanced down at the shadowy great hall, and a shiver traveled down her back. Morningside Manor had always seemed to be a huge, imposing house, with its mysterious inventions and aloof master and mistress. But tonight it seemed even more peculiar and threatening.

  Nate lit the lantern and set it on the bedside table in the Devonshire guest room. “You and Violet should be quite comfortable here.” His gaze traveled around the room, taking in two canopy beds with blue curtains and plush bedspreads to his right. Straight ahead, heavy blue-and-gold drapes hung over two east-facing windows. To his left, a tall cherry wardrobe and dressing table with mirror and a padded bench stood on either side of a fireplace.

  He’d chosen the largest of their seven guest rooms for Maggie and Violet. In the morning they’d have a view of the front gardens and the bridge that crossed the ravine and stream. He knew how much Maggie had loved exploring those gardens when she was a girl, and he hoped the view would lift her spirits.

  “Thank you.” Maggie cast a glance around the room, but rather than looking pleased, as he’d hoped, a little line creased the area between her eyebrows. Was she ill at ease because Morningside was such a large, stately home compared to her grandmother’s modest millinery shop, or was it something else? He studied her a moment more, then dismissed his questions. It was after midnight. They were all tired. This was no time to draw conclusions about her opinion of Morningside.

  He turned to her grandmother. “Mrs. Hayes, if you’ll come with me, I’ll show you to your room.”

  Her silver eyebrows rose. “Oh no, I’ll be just fine here.”

  “But there are only two beds.”

  “Violet and I can share.” Maggie stepped closer to her sister and laid her hand on the girl’s shoulder.

  He motioned to the hallway. “There is another guest room directly across the hall.”

  “I’d rather stay here with the girls,” Mrs. Hayes added. “No need to take up two rooms when the three of us can share one.”

  He glanced at Maggie, waiting for her to speak, but she shifted her gaze away, looking as though she wanted to shield her thoughts from him.

  “All right. If that’s what you’d like.”

  Mrs. Hayes gave a firm nod. “It is.”

  “Very well. Let me show you the bathroom. It’s just down the hall.”

  “You go ahead, Maggie.” Grandmother slipped her shawl from her shoulders. “I’ll help Violet get to bed.”

  Maggie shot her grandmother a quick glance as though she did not like that suggestion, but the older woman was already folding back the blankets for Violet.

  Nate led Maggie down the hall and pushed open the bathroom door. “We have hot and cold running water. There are extra towels in that cabinet by the window. If you need anything, just ring the bell on the wall and one of the servants will come.”

  “Even at this hour?”

  “There is a hall boy sleeping downstairs by the bell board. He’ll wake a maid or the housekeeper if needed.”

  Maggie looked past his shoulder into the bathroom, but she stayed in the hall a few feet away from him.

  Was it the lateness of the hour or the trying events of the day that made her put up that shield and keep everyone at a distance…or was she simply trying to keep him away?

  Whatever the reason, he hated the way she seemed unwilling to renew their friendship. He took a deep breath, determined to try to bridge that gap if he could. “I’m truly sorry for all that’s happened,” he said softly.

  Her gaze flashed to his, then she quickly looked away. “Thank you.” But her tone carried no warmth.

  “Maggie, what is it? Have I done or said something that’s upset you?”

  She stilled, keeping her gaze averted. “No, you haven’t.”

  “Then why do I feel as though there is a thick wall between us?”

  Seconds ticked by as she pressed her lips together and glanced down the hallway. “Coming to Morningside brings back memories, and most of them are not pleasant.”

  He frowned, sorry that her connection to his home made her uncomfortable. Was she thinking of the times she’d come to the house with her parents before the accident claimed their lives? Of course that would be a painful memory. But what about all the times he and Maggie had tramped through the woods, exploring the trails, fishing, watching birds, and chasing rabbits? Those had always been some of his fondest memories. Why didn’t they linger in her heart?

  He studied her face again. “I can understand why you might be uncomfortable here. But I hope this stay will create new memories, ones that will ease the pain of the past.”

  She stared at him for a moment. “I’m not sure that’s possible.” Her reply was soft and strained.

  “Of course it is. We can’t change the past, but the future is an open door. We can make the path ahead as bright and carefree as you’d like.”

  She lifted her gaze to meet his, and moisture glittered in her eyes. “Sometimes the hold of the past is too great.”

  Her heartfelt words and sorrowful expression struck him like a blow to his chest, and he had to look away. If there was one thing he could not stand, it was seeing Maggie—his strong, vibrant Maggie—so close to tears.

  He swallowed hard. “I’ll leave you, then. Good night.” He strode away without waiting for her answer.

  But just before he turned the corner to the east wing, her soft reply reached him. “Good night, Nate.”

  Maggie watched Nate disappear down the dim hallway, and her heart clenched. Shielding her thoughts and feelings from him had been difficult enough when she only saw him occasionally in the village. How would she keep them hidden if she was staying in his home and would surely see him at all hours of the day?

  She shook her head.
She must keep her reason for coming to Morningside front and center in her mind. Yes, they needed shelter, but she was also seeking answers to the questions that had risen after reading her father’s journal.

  She slipped into the bathroom to wash her face and prepare for bed. A few minutes later, she stepped out of the bathroom into the hallway. Soft footsteps approached.

  Maggie stilled and stared into the darkness. “Hello?”

  The footsteps stalled, and a shadowy female figure appeared a few feet away. “Betsy, is that you?” the woman whispered.

  “No, it’s Margaret Lounsbury.” With the faint moonlight streaming through the hall window, Maggie could see that the woman was Clara Harcourt, Nate’s sister. She wore a dark hooded cape and carried a small satchel. What was she doing dressed like that at this time of the night? Why didn’t she carry a lantern or candle?

  Clara stared at her. “Miss Lounsbury, I don’t understand. What are you doing here at Morningside?”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. Let me explain. There was a fire in the village tonight. Our shop was destroyed, and your brother offered us shelter.”

  “Us?”

  “Yes, my grandmother and my sister Violet are with me.”

  “Oh, I see. I didn’t realize there’d been a fire.” Clara’s tone softened. “I’m sorry to hear about your shop.” She looked over her shoulder, then back at Maggie. “Please don’t say anything to my mother about seeing me. She’d be very angry if she discovered I’d gone out.”

  Maggie hesitated. “I’m afraid she already knows.”

  Clara’s eyes widened. “How could she?”

  “I’m not sure, but when we first arrived, the great hall was dark. She couldn’t see who we were, and she called out for you from the upper gallery. She seemed quite upset when she came down. I wasn’t sure if that was because of our unexpected arrival or her concern for you.”

  Clara sighed and slipped off her hood. “Probably both. Mother doesn’t like to be surprised or defied.”

  A smile touched Maggie’s lips. “Yes, I could see that.”

  “My mother likes to be in control, and that means she keeps a stranglehold on me and everyone else in this house. But I’m almost eighteen. I won’t allow her to have that kind of power over my life any longer.”

  Conflicting thoughts coursed through Maggie’s mind, making her uncertain how to reply.

  “Well, I don’t want to keep you. It’s late.” Clara stepped away. “I hope you sleep well, Miss Lounsbury.”

  Maggie bid Clara good night and walked back to the guest room. Where had Clara been at this hour? Should she say something to Nate? Clara wanted Maggie to keep her secret, but was that wise? If someone caught her sister sneaking in at this time of night, Maggie would want to know.

  Waves of weariness washed over Maggie. Her thoughts felt foggy and her steps leaden. It was too late to make sense of it all tonight. She would deal with it and the one hundred other things weighing on her mind in the morning.

  Early the next morning, Mrs. Burnell gave Lilly a dress and undergarments for Violet. She said they used to belong to Clara, and she would look for some clothing for Maggie and Mrs. Hayes later.

  Lilly took the clothes and undergarments to the guest room and helped them dress, then she led them down the servants’ stairs to the lower hallway and past the kitchen. “I’ll show you where we have our meals.”

  News of the fire that had destroyed her father’s shop had spread through the staff like lightning and left Lilly reeling. Where had her father and brother gone? What would they do now? Just thinking about her poor old father having to deal with this kind of disaster at his age made her heart ache. And he wasn’t the only one grieving losses today. Maggie and Mrs. Hayes’s shop had burned down as well.

  It was almost too much to take in.

  Lilly noted the weary slope of Mrs. Hayes’s shoulders and the shadows beneath Maggie’s eyes. No doubt they were shocked by all that had happened and had not slept well.

  Lilly stepped into the servants’ hall. “Just have a seat, and I’ll let Mrs. McCarthy know you’ll be eating—”

  Mrs. Burnell walked through the doorway. “Thank you, Lilly. I’ve already taken care of that.” She turned to Mrs. Hayes and motioned toward the table. “You may be seated. Breakfast will be ready soon.”

  “Thank you.” Mrs. Hayes pulled out a chair and sat down while Maggie helped Violet with her crutches. Sophie, Andrew, and several other staff members took seats around the table.

  Lilly sat next to Maggie and placed her napkin on her lap.

  Maggie leaned toward her. “Have you heard from your father or brother?”

  “Not yet. I’m sure they’re both terribly upset.”

  Maggie nodded. “I’m sure they are. I still can’t believe it. When I woke up this morning, I thought it was all a bad dream, then I smelled the smoke in my hair and I knew it really happened.”

  She was about to answer when Mr. Jackson walked in and all the staff quickly rose to their feet.

  “You may be seated.” Mr. Jackson looked toward Mrs. Hayes. “We’re sorry to hear about the fire and the loss of your shop. If there’s anything we can do to assist you or make your stay with us more comfortable, please let me know.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Mrs. Hayes nodded to the butler. “We are quite comfortable. Everyone has been very kind.”

  “Good.” Mr. Jackson’s gaze shifted to the staff. “Before breakfast is served, I want to make you all aware of a few changes to our schedule today.”

  Lilly listened until her duties had been listed, then her thoughts drifted to Rob. How she wished she could see him and tell him about the fire, but today was only Tuesday and she wouldn’t be free to return to the village until Sunday. Even then she might not be able to speak to him if he was working that extra shift at Clifton.

  She could write him another letter, but it wasn’t the same as speaking to him face to face. Lilly sighed and made up her mind. Exchanging letters was better than silence. As soon as she had a spare minute, she’d go up to her room and tell Rob everything that had happened and ask him to pray for her and her family, and for Maggie and her grandmother too.

  Nate strode into the dining room, glanced at the empty table, and came to an abrupt halt. His stepmother always took breakfast in her bedroom, but he had expected to see his guests and sister seated and waiting for him. A quick look around the room told him the only person present was his aging butler, standing guard by the sideboard.

  “Jackson, did one of the maids wake our guests this morning?”

  “There was no need, sir. Mrs. Hayes and her granddaughters were up quite early.”

  Nate glanced at the covered dishes on the sideboard and frowned. “Have they already eaten?”

  Jackson’s silver eyebrows rose. “They’re having breakfast in the servants’ hall.”

  Nate frowned. “Why are they eating downstairs?”

  “Mrs. Harcourt sent a message to Mrs. Burnell earlier this morning with those instructions.”

  Nate drew in a slow, deep breath. His stepmother had overstepped again. She obviously still thought of herself as mistress of the manor and the one who should give orders to the staff concerning their guests. It was time he set the record straight, and he would begin with Jackson.

  He turned to the butler. “As you know, I am the master of Morningside now. Mrs. Harcourt no longer has the final word concerning how this house will be run or how my guests are to be treated.”

  Jackson straightened. “Yes, sir. I’m sorry, sir.”

  “There is no need to apologize. We all need time to adjust to these new roles.”

  “Shall I go down to the servants’ hall and ask your guests to come up and join you in the dining room?”

  “No. I’ll see to it myself.” Nate motioned toward the table. “Set three more places.”

  “Very well, sir.” Jackson nodded to Nate and then shuffled off.

  Nate strode out of the dini
ng room and took the servants’ stairs to the lower level. Voices in the kitchen caught his attention as he rounded the corner of the hallway.

  Mrs. McCarthy, the cook, bustled across the room, carrying a heavy, steaming pot. She plopped it down on the large worktable in the center of the kitchen. “Mary, take that tray into the servants’ hall, and be quick about it.”

  The young kitchen maid scooped up the tray filled with a platter of toast and two pots of jam and turned toward the door. Her mouth dropped open when she spotted Nate, and her eyes grew as round as boiled eggs. “Good morning, sir.” She dipped a curtsy and jostled the tray.

  Mrs. McCarthy spun around and lifted her hand to her heart. “Mr. Harcourt! Oh my. Is everything all right? What…can we do for you, sir?”

  “Everything is fine. No need to be alarmed. I’ve just come down to speak to Mrs. Hayes and her granddaughters.”

  “They’re in the servants’ hall. We’re just about to serve breakfast.” The cook gave the kitchen maid a shove on the back. “Go on now, Mary. Don’t keep them waiting.” The cook’s words seemed to bring Mary out of her stunned state.

  “Yes, ma’am.” She bobbed another curtsy to Nate, then scurried down the hall.

  Nate followed her through the doorway to the servants’ hall. The conversation around the table died away, and the staff quickly rose to their feet. Maggie, Mrs. Hayes, and Violet all looked up at him from their seats on the far side of the table.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt your breakfast. Please be seated.”

  The footmen, maids, and hall boy settled on their chairs again, but Mrs. Burnell, the housekeeper, crossed to meet him. “Can I help, sir?”

  “Yes, there seems to be a misunderstanding about our guests.” He glanced at Maggie, but she didn’t meet his gaze. “I was expecting Mrs. Hayes and her granddaughters to join me upstairs for meals while they’re staying at Morningside.”

  A frown creased Mrs. Burnell’s brow. “Mrs. Harcourt said they’re to take their meals downstairs with the staff.”

  “I understand, but that was not my intention, nor my request.”