Davenport House 4: Heiress Interrupted

by Marie Silk

  Clara frowned when she answered. “She did. She asked if I would let her move back into the house.”

  “Oh, is that all,” Mary said in relief. “She has likely become tired of living in the stable.”

  “But Mary, she seemed rather upset. I had the feeling that she wanted to move back into the house—without Ethan,” Clara said quietly.

  Mary’s mouth was open in shock. “There must be a reasonable explanation,” she decided.

  Clara looked helplessly at Mary. “Abigail refused to speak about it. She asked if she could have dinner sent to her old room tonight.”

  “I wonder what could have happened today,” Mary thought aloud.

  “Phillip drove her to town earlier,” Clara said. “Perhaps something upsetting happened while she was out.”

  “I see,” Mary nodded. “I will go to her.” She went to Abigail’s room and knocked on the door. “It’s me, Abigail. May I come in?”

  “I’m very tired, Mary. Please let me rest,” Abigail called back. Mary slowly walked away from the door and down the long hallway, hoping that her friend would be all right.

  On the estate grounds, Mrs. Price ventured out to find Ethan. She could see him working intently and it startled him to see Mrs. Price standing there. “What is it?” he asked gruffly.

  Mrs. Price was taken aback by his greeting, but remained calm. “Mr. Harvey has said that you told him to leave the estate. Is that true?”

  “He’s just making more work for me,” Ethan grunted, not looking Mrs. Price in the eyes. “He’s too old.”

  “Just how old do you think Mr. Harvey is?” Mrs. Price asked.

  “I don’t know—seventy?” guessed Ethan.

  Mrs. Price raised her eyebrow skeptically. “He is fifty, same age as your pa.”

  “Oh. Well Pa was different, he knew this estate like the back of his hand,” Ethan scowled.

  “Your pa took great care of the estate and I know it must be difficult to think of him as being replaceable. In the meantime, I have given Mr. Harvey severance wages because we did not keep him as long as we intended. Are you certain you wish to do the work by yourself until a new man is hired?”

  “I’m certain,” Ethan responded in a low voice. “I have to get back to work.”

  Mrs. Price nodded. “As you wish.”

  Later that evening, neither Ethan nor Abigail were at the dinner table. Their glaring absence was felt by all in the dining room. “I wonder why Ethan has not come for dinner tonight,” Clara remarked.

  “Ethan was in a sore mood today,” said Mrs. Price. “He nearly bit my head off when I talked to him about Mr. Harvey. Ethan sent him home without speaking to me about it first.”

  Mary was perplexed. “That does not sound like Ethan at all. I wonder what is bothering him.”

  “I’m sure it is because he thinks no one is good enough to replace his pa,” Mrs Price replied.

  “Mother,” Clara sent gently. “You should probably know that Abigail has moved back into the house. She is having dinner in her room tonight.”

  “Oh?” Mrs. Price said, her eyes growing wide. “Only Abigail?”

  “It would seem that way,” Clara replied, looking down at her plate. Even though they all wondered, no one said another word about Ethan and Abigail for the rest of the evening.

  Chapter 11

  Abigail’s meals were sent to her room over the next several days, and when Mary tried to visit her again, she was not there. “Is Abigail in the house?” Mary asked Clara in the drawing room.

  “Phillip has taken her to town again,” answered Clara. “She seemed to be doing better today when I saw her.”

  “I was going to ask if she could help me fit my dress, but I am worried that I would be bothering her,” Mary explained. She heard Abigail come through the door just then. Mary went into the Hall to meet her. “Good afternoon,” she said. “Did you get everything you needed in town?”

  “Yes, I did, thank you,” answered Abigail, but her hands were empty. “How are your wedding plans coming, Mary?”

  “They are going well. I hoped I could ask you about fitting the dress for me in a few places…” Mary said hesitantly.

  “I would be glad to. Just bring the dress to my room and we will be sure that it fits perfectly,” Abigail answered her with a smile.

  Mary smiled too, thinking for a moment that everything might be alright after all. “I will bring it to your room tonight.”

  Later that week, Mary was preparing to leave for Yorktown to see the minister. She stopped by Abigail’s room before she left. “Good morning. I am going into town and wanted to ask if you needed anything.”

  “It is good of you to ask, Mary. Are you going to see William?” asked Abigail.

  “Not today. I need to meet with the minister at the church, but I can stop by a shop on the way back if there’s anything you need,” offered Mary.

  “Actually, I would like to go into Yorktown with you, if it is alright. I can get what I need while you meet with the minister,” Abigail said. “If you don’t mind waiting a moment for me to get ready.”

  Mary was delighted. “I am glad you want to come. It has been ages since we have gone anywhere together. I will be waiting in the car with Phillip.”

  “Thank you, Mary. I’ll be right out,” Abigail replied. The girls were soon on their way to Yorktown in the car. After Phillip dropped Mary off at the church, he turned to Abigail in the backseat.

  “Does Mary know?” he asked.

  Abigail shook her head. “I’d like to keep it that way for now.”

  Phillip nodded. “I won’t say anything.”

  “Thank you,” Abigail sighed in relief. “But will you drive me closer to the general store? I need to make it look as though I came into town to buy something.”

  “Of course,” replied Phillip. “Anything you need.”

  When Mary was finished meeting the minister, she went out to where Abigail and Phillip were waiting in the car. “Did you have enough time to visit the shops?” she asked Abigail.

  “Yes, thank you. How was the meeting with the minister?”

  “It was wonderful. We have set a date, and can now really begin to plan,” answered Mary in excitement. “Clara will be thrilled.”

  “I am so glad for you, Mary,” Abigail smiled.

  Just after Mary climbed into the car, she noticed a young woman across the street who appeared to be staring directly at her. Mary had never seen the woman before, yet she was now waving in Mary’s direction. Mary waved back confused, wondering if she knew the woman from somewhere but had forgotten. Then the woman called out, “Abigail!” Mary turned to Abigail who was watching in horror as the woman approached from across the street.

  “Phillip, drive us home—now!” urged Abigail. Phillip was startled and pushed the gas pedal, leaving the woman standing bewildered in the street.

  “Who was that?” asked Mary.

  Abigail sank into her seat. “I don’t wish to speak about her, Mary.” Abigail turned her face away, leaving Mary to wonder why it made her upset to see the woman. When they arrived back at Davenport House, Abigail went straight into the house to her bedroom. Mary decided to go to the stable in the hopes of seeing Ethan. He was rotating the hay bales from a fresh delivery. He barely noticed when Mary walked in.

  “Ethan?” she called timidly.

  “Good afternoon, Mary,” he said distractedly without pausing from his work.

  “You are working too hard. I wonder if we should board the horses for now so your load will be lightened.”

  “I like it this way,” mumbled Ethan. “That Mr. Harvey fellow slowed me down, but I’m almost caught up.”

  “I think you should go see Abigail,” Mary said.

  Ethan stopped what he was doing and turned to face Mary. “Did she ask for me?”

  “No, but she seems to be troubled. She saw a woman in town today who tried to talk to her, but Abigail became upset and refused to see her.”

  “Hm
,” was all Ethan responded, resuming his work with the hay.

  “Do you know what it could be about?” persisted Mary.

  “You’d have to talk to her about it,” Ethan replied.

  Mary felt awkward as the distance between them felt greater than ever. She glanced at the floor of the stable where the new fence boards were stacked, and she decided to change the subject. “I see the boards have been delivered for the new fence,” she remarked.

  “I’m working on it,” Ethan muttered.

  “Perhaps Phillip could help—”

  “I said I’m working on it, Mary!” Ethan snapped. Mary felt tears filling her eyes and turned to leave. “Wait,” Ethan called after her. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said it like that.”

  “I don’t understand what is happening,” Mary whimpered, feeling the tears spill over. “We used to be able to tell each other anything. Just days ago you said you would give me away at my wedding, but now it is like we are strangers. If you only tell me what is troubling you, maybe I can help.” Ethan walked over to her and put his arms around her. Mary could feel his body begin to shake with cries and his tears fell on her shoulder. “I am sorry for whatever has happened—whatever is making you feel this way. Please tell me what I may do to help.”

  Ethan finally pulled away and wiped his face. “There’s nothing you can do. Not for this. Just make sure that Abigail is alright and don’t worry about me.” Ethan returned to his work, and Mary could sense that their conversation was over. She quietly left the stable.

  Later in the afternoon, Mrs. Price approached Ethan in the stable. “Ethan,” she called, walking in with a young man. “This is Samuel. He has applied for the position and I told him we will try him out for a few weeks. He is only seventeen,” she added with a smile. She could tell that Ethan was in a better mood than the last time they spoke.

  Ethan reached out to shake his hand. “Nice to meet you, Samuel,” he greeted.

  “I am glad to meet you,” Samuel answered.

  “Do I know you from somewhere? You look familiar, but I don’t remember where I’ve seen you,” Ethan said.

  Samuel laughed. “No, Sir. This is the first time we’ve met.”

  “I will leave you two to get acquainted,” Mrs. Price said before walking away.

  “Should I call you Mr. Ethan, or Mr. Smith, or—sorry I don’t really know how these things work,” Samuel admitted.

  “Just call me Ethan. Do you know how to saddle a horse?” he asked.

  “Sure do,” Samuel replied eagerly, lifting a saddle off the ground as if it weighed nothing. He expertly saddled one of the horses while Ethan saddled the other.

  “Well, let’s get going. There are five hundred acres and we need to be quick if we’re to get a good look around before dark,” Ethan said.

  Samuel was already on his horse before Ethan finished his sentence. “Just lead the way,” he replied. “I’m ready.”

  In the servants’ quarters of Davenport House, Fiona was sitting at the desk in her office when Nora approached her. “What is it, Nora?” Fiona asked impatiently.

  “I wished to talk to you about Bridget,” she said. “I know she’s your sister, but perhaps she’s not the maid best suited to attend to the ladies.”

  “And I suppose you want to recommend yourself for the position?” Fiona responded.

  “I have many years experience, you see. I’ve been trained in styling ladies’ hair even. Miss Abigail has chosen to style her own hair, but I think that she, Miss Mary, and Miss Clara could benefit from a maid who knows what she’s doing,” Nora replied. “Perhaps this is not the best circumstance for you to show favoritism.”

  Fiona sighed in irritation. “Bridget has been attending the girls for months now. You cannot tell me how to do my job, Nora.” Nora stared at Fiona, making her squirm uncomfortably in her seat. Fiona finally looked up and asked, “Have you more to say?”

  “Now that you mention it, I’m not sure that you are the best suited to be housekeeper here.”

  “I beg your pardon!” Fiona exclaimed.

  “Your sister is not the only one you show favoritism to. You have forced Mrs. Malone to make special food for the chauffeur as well,” Nora stated. “Isn’t he the same man that Miss Clara has thrown over? Do you think she would be happy to hear that he has been receiving extra things from the kitchen? In the house I used to manage, what you have done would be called stealing. I would have sacked any of my maids caught doing such a thing.”

  Fiona was aghast at the suggestion. “Well I—” she stammered. “It was at Miss Mary’s request to send food to the neighbors—when she was still Mistress of the house.”

  “But now you are employed by Miss Clara. She has been taking courses in business to take every possible measure to save money. I understand that the chauffeur is attractive to look at, but I wonder how proper it is for you to continue showing him special treatment.”

  Fiona hated that she could feel her face burning red just then. “What is the point of saying these things to me, Nora?”

  Nora shrugged. “I am giving you the chance to make your bad habits right. It is clear that I should be attending the ladies upstairs. You might want to rethink whether you want to be known as a housekeeper who plays favorites with the staff—especially the male staff,” she added.

  “I do not appreciate what you are implying,” Fiona stated, trying to remain calm. “You do your job and let me do mine. Otherwise I will have to discipline you for impertinence.”

  “Well then, since you are suddenly concerned with ethics, I’ll be happy to tell the Mistress that her own housekeeper has been stealing from her. She might be interested to hear how she can save money if she only had an honest woman doing the job.” Nora turned on her heel and left the room. Fiona sat flustered at her desk, afraid of what Nora might do next.

  Fiona rushed upstairs to the library, where Clara was updating the ledgers, and approached her apprehensively. “Miss Clara, may I speak to you for a moment?”

  “Yes, what is it?”

  “You see, one of the maids used to be a housekeeper in a grand house like this. She has training in attending ladies with their hair and clothes. I wanted to ask if you would prefer to have her attending you over Bridget.”

  “Oh,” Clara said in surprise. “I would like to try new things with my hair. But which maid is this?”

  “It is Nora, Miss Clara.”

  Clara wrinkled her nose. “I don’t know about her. I have an odd feeling when she is about. I am sad to be losing Bridget because I already know her and trust her. You remember that I had a terrible experience with a maid who could not be trusted.”

  “I remember, Miss Clara. I will recommend Jane to attend you when Bridget leaves, if you wish. Unless I find someone more suitable.”

  “Yes, I think that should work out nicely. Thank you, Fiona,” Clara said. She then began to rifle through papers on the desk.

  Fiona cleared her throat. “There is one more thing, Miss Clara,” she said nervously. “On two occasions since you have been Mistress, I have asked the cook to make special desserts for Mr. Valenti. The first time was when he helped us maids in the servants’ quarters when Stuart was bothering us. The second time was when he looked after the grounds while Mr. Ethan was away. Miss Mary allowed for food to be sent with Mr. Valenti in the past, but I realized that I never received your permission to do so.”

  Clara looked at her compassionately. “My mother told me about Stuart bothering you, and for that I am sorry. I know this house has been turned upside down many times over and it must be as confusing to the staff as it is for the rest of us. Thank you for telling me about the desserts you have sent to the Valentis, and you need not worry about it. Please ask me if you wish to do so in the future so that I may better track the house expenses.”

  “Yes, of course. Thank you, Miss Clara.” Fiona breathed a sigh of relief and returned to the servants’ quarters.

  After showing Samuel around the est
ate, Ethan slept hard in his room above the stable that night. He woke up to sunlight streaming in through the window and realized that it was much later in the morning than he usually began work. He got dressed and went to the second bedroom that Samuel was occupying. “Sorry I overslept, we gotta get to work now,” Ethan said through the door after knocking. There was no answer, so Ethan opened the door. He only saw a neatly made bed in the room, but no sign of Samuel. Ethan went down the stairs to look for him. Samuel was busy taking the horses out to the pasture. “Hold on, we shouldn’t do that yet,” Ethan told him. “First we need to—” Ethan stopped talking when he did not see the fence boards on the stable floor. “What happened to the boards that were here?”

  “I saw a weak spot in the fence that needed fixin’ and I worried that the horses would get out,” answered Samuel. “I guessed that was what the boards were for, so I got the fence rails up this morning.”

  “You did?” Ethan asked, his eyebrows raised in surprise. The fence was a big job that should have taken all day, so Ethan was worried that it would be poorly done. He went out to the pasture to inspect the fence and Samuel followed close behind him. Ethan grabbed the posts and rails to determine how sturdy they were, then stood back to admire the fence. “You did a fine job, Samuel.”

  “Thank you,” he beamed. “Should I bring the other horses out now?”

  Ethan laughed. “Yes, you should. But you won’t have to manage the horses after I leave. I am taking two of them with me, and the other one will be boarded at a ranch in Yorktown. You’ll only have the grounds to do.”

  “I am sure I can manage both the grounds and one horse if Mary wants to keep Dolly here,” Samuel assured him.

  Ethan gave Samuel a confused look. “How did you know about Mary and her horse?”

  “Didn’t you say something about it last night?”

  Ethan sighed and shook his head. “I can’t remember what I said. This week has been…” he trailed off.

  “I’ll get the other horses and then you can tell me what to do next.” Samuel went back to the stable. Ethan sighed in relief that Davenport House may have just found its new groundskeeper.