by Marie Silk
Yours Forever,
Frederick
Chapter 8
“Captain Perry is here to see you, Your Ladyship,” Julia announced.
Lucy took a deep breath before meeting him in the drawing room. Frederick stood up when Lucy entered, but his expression was grave. “Good afternoon,” he said, barely above a whisper. “I have brought this survivors list from the telegraph office. It is longer than last time, and I was not sure if your niece would like to see it. I will leave it here with you in case she does.”
“Thank you, Captain Perry. If you’ll excuse me, I will take it to her now. Please wait here, for I have more to say to you.”
Frederick nodded slowly and sat down on the settee. Lucy took the list up to Nellie’s bedroom where Nellie had spent the past several days. “Captain Perry has brought you an updated survivors list,” Lucy said gently.
Nellie scanned it quickly. “May I use the telephone?” she asked.
“Of course, Nellie. Julia will show you where it is,” Lucy answered. She then returned to Frederick in the drawing room. “I owe you an apology,” she began, slowly lowering herself into a chair.
Frederick looked at her in surprise. “It is I who should apologize to you, Lucy. I never should have said those things about your husband. It was thoughtless of me. Please, forgive me.”
Lucy could not look him in the eye. “You were right when you said that George never cared for me. Some women have no children because nature will not allow them the chance. But I am without children because I never had the chance from my own husband. I do not need to be reminded of this humiliation that I live with every day.”
Frederick felt his heart sink into his stomach while Lucy spoke of her pain. He could not say a word, only remained there sorrowfully.
Nellie walked into the doorway of the drawing room just then. She was wearing her hat and coat and carrying a traveling case. “Where are you going, Nellie?” asked Lucy, although she could guess the answer.
“Forgive me, Aunt. I am going to Scotland. I have just called Henry and we have it arranged. I cannot wait any longer. Life is so very short and I did not realize how short until the voyage. No one on the ship could have known that they would die that terrible day, and I can only wonder what they might have done differently if only they knew how little time they had left. I do not know how much time I have left, but I know I want to spend it with Henry.”
Lucy gave Frederick a helpless look. He looked back at her with tears in his eyes. Lucy turned again to Nellie. “Please wait a moment while I get my coat. I will order the car and take you to Scotland myself. I want to be sure you get there safely.”
Nellie breathed in relief. “Thank you, Aunt,” she whispered emotionally. When Lucy returned with her coat, she told Nellie to wait in the car while she said goodbye to Captain Perry.
“Frederick, I am sorry I cannot finish our conversation now,” she apologized, holding out a paper for him. “I wrote this for you last night in reply to your letter.”
“My letter?” he asked bewildered.
“Yes, and I am sorry it has taken so long for me to write back,” she answered. She quickly kissed his cheek and left through the front door. Lucy and Nellie were soon on their way to Gretna Green together.
In the east wing of Caswell Castle, Henry softly knocked on the door of his mother’s bedroom. “Mother,” he said when he opened the door. “I have to leave for a while.”
His mother smiled at him. “I know.”
“You do?”
His mother nodded. “I want you to give her this,” she said, taking a jeweled ring from her finger.
Henry looked at her in astonishment. “Are you certain?”
“Yes,” she said peacefully. “It was a gift to your grandmother from Queen Victoria. I wish for it to always be kept in the family. And do not worry about your father. I will see to it that he receives Nellie as kindly as she deserves.”
“Thank you, Mother,” Henry said, overcome with emotion. “While I am away, will you tell Father something for me?”
“Of course, Henry.”
“On the last night that I saw my uncle, he said that he wished to come here to the estate. He expressed that he wanted to go fishing with Father once again. I have not known how to say it without upsetting him.”
“It is something your father desperately needs to hear,” Henry’s mother replied. “Now go, Henry. You mustn’t keep your bride waiting.”
Captain Frederick Perry returned to his home, his heart pounding each time he thought of what the letter from Lucy might say. He waited until he was alone in his study to open it and begin reading.
Frederick,
I was shocked and dismayed to discover that you had written me a letter twenty-three years ago that I never knew existed until now. My maid has just shown it to me, and explained that my parents told her to destroy it when they saw that the post was from you. This is my long overdue reply.
On that day, I had packed my bags and was ready to meet you as I promised. My parents were not meant to be home then, but they arrived early, just in time to discover me preparing for the journey to Gretna Green. They locked me in my room for days and would only let me out on two conditions—that I marry Sir George Whitmore who had just returned from America, and that I never speak to you again. I was reluctant and anguished when I agreed to their terms. I did not know what other choice or escape I had, for if you’ll recall, my bedroom was on the third floor of the house. I hoped that in the years since, you would forget about me and find happiness in life.
I would have met you in Scotland if it were possible. I often think of how different life would be if only I had left a few moments earlier. Please do not hate me for what happened in those days. It was never my choice to marry anyone other than you.
Lucy
PART II
Much had happened at Davenport House while Nellie was away. Abigail was married to the stable boy, Ethan. Clara Davenport was named as the sole heiress to Davenport House, and Mary discovered that her true father was John Smith, groundskeeper of the estate. Mary, along with her brother Ethan, came into the inheritance of a grand manor house in Philadelphia. Their father married again and was on his way to the train station with his new bride, when Dr. William Hamilton stopped him to ask a question…
Chapter 9
“John!” William called breathlessly as he hurried to the car, hoping to catch John Smith before he drove away.
“Thanks for coming today,” John replied. He reached out to shake William’s hand.
“Oh, of course, John, I mean, Sir—” William sputtered. “I have come to ask you something. It’s about Mary.”
John laughed. “I was wonderin’ when you were going to say something. Nothing like waiting ‘til the last minute.”
William smiled sheepishly. “I’m sorry—so much has happened and—”
“No need to explain,” chuckled John. “I’ve known you since you were a boy, and there is no other man that I’d wish for Mary.”
William began to get choked up. “Thank you, Sir,” he said. “Then—we may have your blessing?”
John nodded solemnly and gave him another handshake. “Take good care of her, William. She has been through much suffering, and it’s high time she should be happy again.”
Mary Davenport said her goodbyes to the newlyweds just as she noticed that a messenger was leaving the house. She went inside to see Fiona, the housekeeper, waiting in the Hall. Fiona looked up at Mary. “A telegram has arrived for you, Miss,” she announced.
“Thank you, Fiona.” Mary’s eyes grew wide and she called out. “Clara, come see! I believe it is from Nellie in London!” Clara Davenport was on the staircase just then and hurried over to read the telegram with Mary.
MISS MARY DAVENPORT
DAVENPORT HOUSE, YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
MARY WHAT DO YOU THINK [STOP] I HAVE MARRIED LORD HENRY CASWELL AND WILL LIVE IN A GRAND CASTLE [STOP] IT MUST SEEM QUICK TO YOU BUT I
HAVE LEARNED THAT LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO WAIT [STOP]
LADY NELLIE CASWELL
Mary and Clara giggled in delight, and did not notice when William had walked into the house. “Can you believe it?” exclaimed Mary. “Nellie, married already! I wonder what sort of man could have convinced her that she wanted to be a wife?”
Clara laughed. “Clearly a British Lord who lives in a castle, as is every girl’s dream.”
“Indeed. Nellie has found her Prince Charming, and I am glad for her,” Mary smiled. She noticed William standing in the room just then. “William, did you hear? Nellie has been married!”
William chuckled nervously. “I did hear. I am glad she found happiness after the terrible ordeal with the ship.”
“I will find Abigail and tell her the news,” Clara stated, just before she hurried off to find her. William and Mary were alone in the great Hall of the house.
“May I speak with you now, Mary?” William asked.
Mary’s eyes lit up when she remembered their prior conversation about William wishing to speak to her father. “Oh! Yes, of course!” She led William up the grand staircase and they settled into the upstairs sitting room. Mary looked at William expectantly as he closed the double doors behind him. He sat next to her on the settee and took her hands in his.
He began to speak quietly. “I want to marry you. John has given his blessing for me to ask for your hand. I do not feel adequate to ask you the question I have wanted to ask for a long time, so if it does not suit you, you can tell me now before—”
“I want to marry you too,” Mary interrupted. “You only need ask.”
William reached his arms around her, holding her and resting his chin on her shoulder. “Will you be my wife?” he asked.
“Yes,” she quickly answered. Mary was smiling when she could feel his arms holding her tighter. “I love you more than anything. How could you ever feel inadequate?”
William sighed, pulling away from her. “When you and Clara were downstairs, you agreed that marrying a man of title to live in a castle was every girl’s dream. I suddenly became worried, because I have no title or money, and my occupation is demanding. I only hope that you can be happy being the wife of a poor doctor.”
“I am not worried about any of those things,” Mary assured him. “My aunt has been generous and I will be careful with the money she has left me. We will be fine.”
“And you realize that my job is demanding at times—and upsetting—and that there are things about my job that I will not be able to tell you,” he continued.
“Of course I realize that,” replied Mary. “I feel sorry for you and all the ghastly things you must witness at the clinic. I am grateful that I am not told the details.”
William smiled. “I love you dearly, Mary,” he said, and leaned in to kiss her. Just before their lips met, he whispered, “I cannot wait to be married to you.”
At the Davenport’s stable, Ethan was setting up the carriage with his horses. He and Abigail were leaving for Philadelphia to see the manor house he gained as an inheritance. “You will love the house,” he was telling Abigail. “It is even grander than this one, if you can believe it.”
Abigail was beaming. “I am glad to finally see it! And I am glad that we can be alone together for awhile.”
Ethan smiled at her. “We cannot be gone for more than a couple days. I asked Phillip to look after the house and Mary’s horse while we are gone, but there is much to be done on the grounds now that Pa has left.”
“Has Mrs. Price sent inquiries for a new groundskeeper?” questioned Abigail.
“She told me that she is interviewing someone today. I only hope the man is good enough to get the job done,” Ethan answered.
Abigail laughed. “You will not think anyone is good enough after your pa has been doing the job all these years.”
“You’re right about that,” he replied. “Pa was the best, and he always will be.”
After William left Davenport House to return to the clinic, Mary met Clara in the drawing room. Clara was embroidering a new pillow and looked up from her stitching. “Why, you look flushed, Mary! What have you and William been up to?”
Mary grinned as she told her the news. “We are engaged.”
Clara gasped. “Oh my goodness! This means there will be another wedding! Do you wish to marry here at the house? You will make the most darling bride. I cannot wait to get started!”
Mary laughed. “I have not figured any of that out yet. The engagement has only just happened! But I assure you that I will depend on you in the coming weeks to help me with the planning. I don’t know a thing about weddings!”
Clara stood up from her seat and clasped her hands together in delight. “Oh this is the happiest moment of my life! My best friend in all the world getting married! I must tell Mother right away. And my Aunt Catherine! Did you know that she is moving upstairs today?”
“How wonderful,” Mary answered. “Your aunt will enjoy being served for once, I am sure.”
Clara hugged Mary and kissed her on the cheek, then sighed almost as if she was sorrowful. “I am getting too old to ever be wed. I suppose I will have nothing better to do than plan the weddings of my friends.”
“You are only twenty-five,” Mary said, even though she knew it was considered old for a bride. “And you are beautiful, kind, and rich. If you wish to get married, there is nothing to stop you.”
“Except for not having a single suitor,” Clara laughed. “I hope I may find a man as good as your William. He is everything a girl could hope for in kindness.”
“It is why I love him so terribly,” Mary smiled. “Where is your mother? We will tell her the news together!”
Clara and Mary found Mrs. Price helping Aunt Catherine get settled upstairs. Mrs. Price was elated to hear the news. “I am glad for you, Miss Mary. Dr. Hamilton is a great man. I am sure that you will make each other very happy.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Price. It means the world to me that you think so. You are the closest that I have to a mother left on this earth, and I am grateful to have your approval.”
Downstairs in the servants’ lobby, the housekeeper stood with a clipboard in her hand. She was conducting a meeting with the house staff which consisted of her younger sister Bridget, the cook Mrs. Malone, and the new housemaids, Jane and Nora. “Now that Miss Catherine has moved upstairs—”
A giggle erupted from the maids because Catherine used to work as the cook. Fiona continued solemnly. “As I said, Miss Catherine has moved upstairs and is to be addressed as such since she is a member of the family we serve. Miss Clara has announced that she would like to do more entertaining in the future. Nora, you will assist Mrs. Malone in the kitchen as needed until we hire a new kitchen maid. Bridget, you will attend to the girls as usual, but be aware that Miss Abigail does not intend to return for the next two days. You can assist Jane with housework in your extra time.”
The staff nodded obediently and Fiona left the room to attend to other business. Nora, who shared a room with the housemaid Jane, began to pout after Fiona left. “Who does she think she is, telling me that I should help as a kitchen maid? I was the housekeeper at my last job. I should be attending the girls, if anyone. Or I should be the housekeeper here.”
“How did you lose your job at the other house?” asked Jane, a slight girl with wide eyes. She looked up to Nora who had far more experience working in houses than Jane did.
“The family lost their money and could no longer pay the servants’ wages,” Nora answered sadly. “Still, after all my years of experience, it is insulting that I should be put to work in the kitchen. Bridget is only allowed to attend to the ladies because she is Fiona’s sister. How is that fair? Fiona should not show favoritism just because they are related. Did you know that Bridget is only fourteen?”
“But she was working at the house before we were hired,” Jane reminded her. “Perhaps that is why she gets to attend the girls.”
“It’s still no
excuse,” scowled Nora. She grudgingly went to work, making sure to give Jane an earful of her complaints whenever she had the opportunity.
Ethan and Abigail arrived at the manor house in Philadelphia late that night. Abigail covered her cheeks with her hands when she saw the house in the moonlight. “It is magnificent!” she cried. “I cannot believe it!”
Ethan smiled proudly. “I knew you would like the house. My aunt’s housekeeper will let us in. Mrs. Davis is prepared for our visit.”
“How wonderful,” Abigail replied, taking Ethan’s hand as he helped her down from the carriage. “I hope Mrs. Davis is amiable.”
“She seemed alright when I met her,” Ethan said. “My aunt seems to like her.”
Ethan and Abigail found a plump elderly woman waiting for them by the front door. “Good evening, Mr. Smith, Mrs. Smith,” the woman said. She led them up the staircase to a spacious room with high ceilings. “I hope this room will suit you,” she said. “It is the finest room in the house.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Davis,” said Abigail. “It will do very nicely.”
