“The war in Belgium was not kind to many of us. I was lucky to return home, but I do grieve for the many friends that I lost, so I share your pain.” He has a heavy note of sorrow in his voice, but he looks me directly in the eyes as he speaks, and I can sense his empathy and sadness at my loss, is genuine.
He encloses my hand in his large ones and squeezed firmly, though not painfully. It is a welcome human touch, as I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes.
I don’t want this day to be only about sadness, I’ve had enough of that recently. I tell him about my parents and my home in Worthing. How I had a wonderful childhood there, and I really miss my home town. It turns out he has been to Brighton, which is not far from where my parents live, and we speak about how we both love the sea. By the end of our day together, I feel I have made a new friend, one that I could enjoy sharing company with. It is not until this moment that I realized how lonely I have become. Losing Peter and then leaving home, has left me vulnerable. I am not making excuses for my shameful behaviour with Lord Guy, but nonetheless, I think in some ways I am still deeply entranced in my grief.
We ride back together and I thank him for such a wonderful day. When we dismount, he walks with me to the door of the Duke’s mansion. As I approach the entrance, I can see that someone else is arriving. The staff are out on the door step and the Duke is there to greet his eldest granddaughter, Lady Harriet, back home from Bath. I stay my distance, it is after all my time off and I’m not expected to perform family duties. However, the children have other ideas and they soon run over to me, especially when they see, and recognize, my companion. At this point I feel obliged to approach the welcoming committee. I bravely take my companion with me, and introduce Harry to the Duke of Norwood. It turns out there is no need as the he already knows Harry, and his father, well.
“Do you still do much fishing Harry?” Lord Guy asks him as he approaches us.
“It’s harder these days, Sir, what with my arm. Also, my father is working me hard in his workshop,” he smiles back at Lord Guy.
“Ah yes, your father, the finest jeweler in all of England,” Lord Guy replies. “Tell me, how is the wedding ring coming along?”
“It is almost complete, Sir, exactly as you ordered it. My father will bring it along in a day or two now that you have returned,” Harry says.
I look on in wonder as the two of them chat as if they have known each other all of their lives. Lord Guy says nothing to me, and neither does Lady Harriet, who passes us with her new companion, the young lady I had seen naked.
As everyone goes inside, I take the opportunity to thank Harry, once again, for my wonderful day.
“You want to stay away from that one,” he warns me.
“Who?” I ask, but I knew who he meant.
“Lord Guy, he’s a rascal with the women. He’s broken a few hearts in the village. It’s well known that he likes to prey on the local woman. I would hate to be his wife, that’s for sure,” he shakes his head as if in sympathy to the future spouse of Lord Guy.
“Well, you would look rather preposterous with a frilly dress on,” I joke, imagining Harry as a wife gives me a giggle.
I do not tell of my own personal experience with Lord Guy, but perhaps I will share it with him one day, when our trust has been secured.
“Good day to you then, Rose, erm, I mean, Rosalind,” he stutters, “or Miss Blackwood, whichever you prefer when you’re on your employer’s lands.”
“I like Rose very much, Harry, let that be your name for me, I would like that,” I say, rather pleased with being named after a beautiful flower.
“Very good,” he replies, “I like that too. I mean, having a special name for you.”
He stops fidgeting and puts his hat back on his head, making his way to the small carriage.
“Until next time then,” he calls over. “See you next Sunday, after church, yes?” he asks.
I nod my agreement. A warm glow sweeps through me and I feel a sense of happiness and contentment. I have a new friend and he is the perfect tonic to the toxic presence of Lord Guy.
Chapter 17
Over the next few weeks the household is in chaos, over the impending wedding. This makes me all the more determined to ensure that the children have a good routine. Children feel so much happier and secure, if they know what they are doing day to day. That’s not to say that the routine cannot be broken occasionally, because it can. It is important for children to feel there is some stability in their lives.
I have been making great progress with them and they are all coming along leaps and bounds, not only in the classroom, they are all developing in to able young people. After weeks of trying, I eventually managed to convince Margaret that it was time to be riding a horse again. Today we are going to walk it around the stable yard, with me by her side. I am pleased that I have gained the confidence of my charges, all but Lady Harriet, that is. I wish I could tell her not to marry Lord Guy, but she is so blinded by him, as was I.
The man even had the nerve to approach me again, and that is with his other mistress right under his nose. In some ways I feel pity for Lady Harriet that she cannot see what this man is. Or, maybe she does, but choses to ignore it. For me, it will take a long time to rid myself of the shame that man caused me, or I caused myself.
Tomorrow I shall meet with Harry again, after church, and I am very much looking forward to it. He is taking me to his home for dinner, where I will meet with his father. They live in a house similar to my own father’s, so I should feel comfortable.
“Are you ready, Lady Margaret?” I ask, as we head for the stables.
When we get there, there does not seem to be any stable boys around to help, so we go inside in search of one. Margaret decides that she will go and pet the horses, to help build up her courage, while I search for the stable master. She has a few apples with her as treats for the horses. I leave her to go her own, as I want her to be daring and approach the animals on her own. I’m told she was a very good rider, which was probably her downfall, she might have been too confident.
As I see the stable master entering, I approach him to check where our horse is. That is when I hear a terrible scream from the horse stalls. I fear that Margaret has been kicked by a horse and both I and the stable master run quickly to her aid. As we rush into the stable, I see Margaret stood by the open door of one of the horse stalls, her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide with shock. Just for a moment I fear she has seen a dead body on the floor, maybe the missing stable boy. I quickly rush between Margaret and the horse stall, in a hope of averting her eyes away from the scene. When I look in, it is not a dead body I see, but Lord Guy, his breeches around his ankles. Lying on the floor next to him, desperately trying to rearrange her clothing is one of the housemaids.
I pull Lady Margaret away, though she is transfixed by the sight before her. Inside, I have a little smile to myself, so very pleased that the stupid man has got himself caught with his pants down, literally. The game is up for him now. Margaret is not the most secretive of people and the news will be all around the household in minutes, once she returns. She pulls away from me and runs off to the big house. I walk briskly after her, although pleased that Guy has finally been uncovered, though I would prefer Lady Harriet to find out a little less dramatically. Margaret is too far in front of me as I watch her run through the front entrance. Even from here I can hear her shouting for her sister, Harriet. My fears are confirmed, it seems she is going to be the first to find out.
There is such a calamity by the time I arrive in the large reception hall of the mansion. Lady Harriet and Margaret are in a furious argument, and as I enter the hallway, Harriet slaps her sister across the face.
“Liar!” Lady Harriet shouts out. “How could you spread such a malicious lie?”
“It is not a lie,” Margaret says, tears streaming down her face. “Just ask Miss Blackwood,” she points, turning to me.
I stop in my tracks; both Margaret and Harriet are sta
ring intently at me. I don’t say anything, but something in my face must give it away, as Harriet suddenly burst into tears before running upstairs to her room. Poor Harriet, as much as she has annoyed me with her vanity, I really did feel sorry for her. Though, better she knows now than after she is married. I feel no triumph now at his predicament; having seen the lives that man has ruined only fills me with sadness.
Lady Margaret quickly runs off upstairs to join her siblings, no doubt informing them of Guys indiscretion. Sure enough, as I enter the classroom, she is regaling them with all the gory details. I allow it to go on for a few moments, before putting a stop to such nonsense and informing them to behave with the manners expected of them.
There is a lot of coming and going for the rest of the day, with the Duke interviewing all who were present, to determine exactly what happened. I tell him what I saw, but do not mention my own previous tryst with Guy. It would not help the situation and would probably lose me my job. I did not see Guy at all that day, and wondered if he had slinked off with his tail between his legs.
Come the next day I am completely unaware of what, if anything has been decided. To be honest, I don’t really care. I have my date with Henry to look forward to, and nothing is going to spoil it, certainly not Guy.
He comes to pick me up in his buggy, by the church gate, and drives me to his father’s house. They have a wonderful home, and for some reason, I feel like I am home with my own parents. I am given a warm welcome by everyone, including the staff, and cook’s meal is delicious.
“Come, Rose, let me show the ring that father is delivering tomorrow to the Duke’s mansion,” Harry drags me along, keen to show me a ring that may not be needed.
I have said nothing of the incident at the mansion, from the previous day. Would the wedding still go ahead, I really was not sure, but felt discretion was my best option.
“Oh, they are indeed stunning,” I say, as Harry opens up a little navy blue velvet box, and shows me a pair of glowing and matching golden rings.
I feel that the bride and groom are unworthy of such fine rings, but who am I to judge, I too have transgressed with that man.
“Your father is very talented to have created such fine pieces.” I say, truly amazed at the workmanship.
“I have a little secret, Rose it was not my father who made them, but me. But please, don’t tell them will you?” he begs me.
“You never told me you were such a master craftsman,” I say with surprise.
“I have been training on and off all my life. My father always wanted me to follow in his footsteps, but I had other ideas. Now, I feel ready to settle down and make my peace with the world,” Harry says, as if he has made some great decision for himself. “We are invited to attend the garden party of the wedding, I hope I can spend it with you?” he asks.
“It would make my day so much more pleasurable, Harry, to be in your company,” I reply. “I have written to my parents as they are also invited. I should love for your family to meet with mine.”
He puts down the glowing box, holds my hand and kisses my lips, ever so lightly. I do believe that my blushing cheeks make him smile all the more. He is a wonderful man and I think I grow fonder of him daily.
Chapter 18
I feel quite excited today. My parents arrived yesterday, for the wedding, and have been given a grand room within the house, the Duke is most generous. I am surprised that the wedding is still going ahead, the Duke was not happy at Guy’s indiscretion, but it seems that Guy has wriggled out of the gossip, and into Lady Harriet’s favor. Good luck to the pair of them, they deserve each other.
My excitement is not for the wedding, but that Harry will be meeting my parents for the first time. I made the decision, in our early days together, to tell Harry about my stupidity with Lord Guy. Whilst a little hurt, he was not taken aback at all. He has known Lord Guy for many years and understands his character, fully. It is suspected that a maid who worked within the inn is having his child. I wonder why the Duke has not kicked his behind, and is allowing him to marry his granddaughter, but I understand it to be a good match for the family. These things seem all important to the upper classes.
I spend most of the morning showing mama around the grand mansion, and in the afternoon I take a walk on the grounds with both of my parents. The house is in such chaos that we are glad to be away. I take little Laurence with me as the girls are delighting in helping out with all the fancy arrangements.
The church ceremony goes without incident and the younger girls look so very pretty in their bridesmaid dresses. Lady Harriet looks beautiful and I feel in my heart that I want to wish her well, but somehow I do not see how that marriage can be a happy one.
When I told Harry about my imprudence with Lord Guy, I gave him the option to step out of our growing relationship. To my relief he has not mentioned it since. I think he respects that I admitted what I had done, and hopefully he forgives me.
The weather holds out for the huge garden party, so we all have a wonderful day. Boats have been put out on the lake and huge tents have been erected with food and drink. There is even an orchestra playing music outside, it is all a very grand affair.
The Duke invited us to dine with the family, when my parents arrived yesterday, so they met everyone, making them feel at ease today. I see my father in deep conversation with the Duke, from across the gardens. As I go in search of my mother, I find her sat at a table with Harry and his father. It all makes me feel so happy.
“Shall we go on one of the boats?” Harry asks me.
Of which I agree and meander down towards the lake, leaving my mother and his father chatting about fixing a broken locket.
“I only wanted to be alone with you,” he tells me. “We haven’t had a moment alone all day,” he complains.
“Am I to take it then, Harry Ashbourne, that you like my company?” I say, teasingly.
“Truth be told, I want to ask you something,” he says.
We arrive at the boathouse, and someone helps us to board a small rowing boat, of which we are to row ourselves. It is wonderful, and fun. Harry makes me feel so very, very happy.
He rows us to the middle of the lake. “Now then, I have you alone at last,” he says.
“Indeed you do sir, should I scream? Are your intentions honorable?” I ask.
“Rose, I want to give you this,” he says, handing me a burgundy colored, tiny box. “And, I want to ask you to be my fiancé. I know you might think it’s too soon, after Peter, and I’m willing to wait. I only ask that you assure me you will consider it, and one day we will be man and wife. If that’s what you want, of course,” he finally finishes with his stuttering.
“Oh, Harry, it’s beautiful. Have you made it yourself?” I say, looking at a dainty pink, diamond rose, set on a gold band.
“Yes, as soon as I saw the stone I thought of you,” he tells me.
“Oh Harry, you still want me after all you know about me?”
“I Love your Rose, whatever has come before doesn’t matter, only that we love each other now, you do love me don’t you?”
“Yes, yes, yes, I do love you so very much, my darling. While it is too soon for me to marry, if you can be patient with me, then one day we will be together as one.”
My answer seems to satisfy him and he pulls me into his arms and kisses me passionately on my lips. My life has changed, from the despair of only a few months ago, to complete happiness. It is all because of this wonderful man.
THE END
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Colorado Calling by Catherine Scott
“Oak Ridge, Col
orado Territory. Next stop, ladies and gentleman, is Oak Ridge, Colorado Territory.”
Louisa Forest awoke, startled by the sound of the conductor’s voice as he walked through the rattling car. It had been a small miracle that she’d slept at all; the three day trip from Baltimore that had begun with so much hope had become increasingly exhausting as she found the shaking movements kept her awake through the empty plains of Iowa and Nebraska. It was all so disorienting as well. She had grown accustomed to city life, with its close quarters and settled horizon. There were always people around that she had known for her entire life. But as the train had shuttled across the country, everything familiar had fallen away beyond the Appalachians.
She looked down at her rumpled travel clothes with some distress. The pretty blue dress had gathered a fair share of dust from the travels, despite the pleasantly ornate Pullman car. Her beau had purchased her a good ticket, and for that she was grateful. However, as the days had wound onward, the soot that blew back from the engine had seemingly gotten into everything. She wasn’t sure how she was to maintain any mystery and attractiveness in such an environment.
Enchanted by The Lord (Historical Victorian Romance) Page 6
