Once Upon A Regency

by Samantha Grace

  Young Ann smiled shyly. As eager to please as she was, she had no experience in the duties of a lady’s maid. Jenny would be pleased to know her own services were satisfactory enough to be trusted to train another maid.

  Browning escorted Miss Franklin up the staircase. Trusting she would be cared for, Spalding went to the conservatory at the back of the house, where his mother spent most of her afternoons.

  Mother cried out when she saw him and jumped to her feet. “My dear boy, I’m so happy to be able to hold you in my arms.” She hugged him so tightly he couldn’t breathe, but he humored her need to keep him close. Some things never changed. A mother’s love for her son was one for which he was grateful.

  And this time, he needed her hug more than ever.

  “I wrote as quickly as I could,” he said when her grip eased. “I hoped my letter reached you before news of the shipwreck.”

  She returned to her chair. “They came in close succession yesterday, but I couldn’t convince myself of your safety until I saw you.”

  He strode to the glass wall and looked at the garden, his hands clasped behind his back. “In truth, it’s lucky I’m alive to tell you about the journey. If it weren’t for Miss Franklin and a pair of sailors, I would have drowned.”

  Mother gasped.

  “Don’t be upset now. I am here.” He gave her a summary of the events at the end of his journey. “Turn your worries to Miss Franklin. She doesn’t know where to find her great aunt.”

  “How odd. She has no idea where the woman lives? What of the rest of her family? Did they die in the wreck?”

  He explained what he knew, which was very little.

  Mother toyed with the pale lace on the end of her long sleeve. “That is quite a puzzle, isn’t it? Are you certain she’s not someone’s maid and only pretending to be Quality? Were there any other women passengers onboard? I find it quite suspicious she claims not to know who her relations are. Everyone knows that. If her people are peers or gentry, her mother would have spoken proudly of it.”

  “You’ve never been to Savanna-la-Mar, so you don’t understand the lifestyle there. The classes aren’t as clearly defined. The plantations are owned by gentlemen and peers alike, as well as a few Americans.”

  “Is she American? How can you hope to find her family from here?”

  Spalding shook his head. “It’s unlikely her father came from the colonies. We’ll only know the truth when we find this great aunt of hers.”

  Mother’s smile became polite. “I assume Miss Franklin will stay with us in the meantime?”

  “Absolutely. Naturally she lost everything when the ship went down. I took the time to buy her a few gowns and such, and a pair of serviceable shoes, but she will need more.”

  “Well, Agnes and Matilda will be happy to hear we must go shopping.” Mother would too, although she’d never admit it. Each time she took her daughters shopping she came home with a new gown or bonnet.

  Father would likely hold his purse strings more tightly, but he’d encourage their generosity when it came to Miss Franklin. After all, Spalding owed her his life.

  “When will we meet her?” Mother picked up her book signaling an end to their conversation.

  “Allow her some time to freshen herself, and to gather some courage before the peasants assault her with questions.”

  Mother laughed. “Your sisters aren’t as bad as that. They’ve grown quite bored this summer and will be pleased to have a diversion.”

  Spalding looked his mother in the eye, hoping she’d see how important his request was. “Please don’t allow her to hear you call her that, or make her feel as though she’s a new toy. Or a nuisance, for that matter. She hasn’t the constitution of Matilda and Agnes, so be gentle with her.”

  “I believe you’ll find her constitution to be much stronger than you imagine. If, as you say, she didn’t panic or faint dead away when the situation became a matter of life or death, she’s a young lady I will greatly admire. I look forward to meeting her.”

  Spalding knew his mother better than that. Her first assumption when meeting a young woman was that she was a scheming vixen hoping to trap Spalding into marriage. Mother had never met anyone like Miss Franklin. Mother would be quite surprised if she allowed herself to get to know her.

  MASQUERADING AS A MISS

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The luxury of having someone brush and style her hair was something Cassandra hadn’t enjoyed in too long a spell. “What is Lady Fenwick like, Jenny?”

  “She’s a grand lady, miss, very proud. She’ll care for you as if you’re her own daughter, unless she thinks you have an affection for Lord Spalding. Then she’ll take out her quizzing glass and pry into every detail of your life.” Jenny twisted a lock of Cassandra’s hair and pinned it in place.

  “She’ll have nothing to fear on that account. I only wish to find my family.” The twisting and pinning hurt somewhat. She wished Jenny would go back to brushing.

  “Lady Matilda is the one who will question you even more thoroughly than her mother. She’s a real stickler about proper behavior, family connections and the like. Be careful what you say to her.”

  “And Lord Spalding’s other sister? Lady Agnes, isn’t it?”

  “Yes. She’s a friendly sort. She’ll become your dearest friend from the start and introduce you to everyone she knows.” Jenny placed the last pin and looked over Cassandra’s head in the mirror to speak to Ann’s reflection. “Were you watching carefully? Tomorrow we’ll let you try.”

  “Yes, Miss Jenny.”

  “Call me Jenny, Ann. You’re an equal to all the maids except Dixon. She’s Lady Fenwick’s maid. She’s been teaching me how to be a proper lady’s maid so when Lady Matilda or Lady Agnes marries, I will go with her to her husband’s house.”

  Cassandra turned her head this way and that to study the style. “I’m certain you’ll do well, Jenny.”

  After a quick knock, the chamber door flew open and a pretty young woman blew in with a gust of excitement. “Spalding said you were here and I couldn’t wait to meet you. I’m Lady Agnes, but you may call me Agnes. May I call you Cassandra? We shall be great friends, I just know it. You must tell me what it’s like in Jamaica. I’ve never been anywhere but England.”

  Cassandra bit her tongue to keep from laughing at the girl’s energy. What a delight she must be as a friend. “I’d be happy to. I’ve never been anywhere but Savanna-la-Mar, so we’ll have plenty to talk about.”

  “Mama says we’ll go shopping tomorrow. There’s a ball tomorrow night, and of course you’ll come. If necessary, you can borrow one of my gowns. We’re of a size, don’t you think?” Agnes couldn’t get her words out fast enough. “Now, Mama wants to meet you. I’ll take you to her. You’ll need to learn where everything is, or you’ll be lost.”

  That wasn’t an exaggeration. Her mother’s entire cottage wouldn’t fill a wing of Fenwick Abbey. Agnes led her downstairs so quickly, Cassandra practically needed to run to keep up.

  The wide hallway on the ground level was elegant with a marble floor and delicate gold tables situated here and there along the walls. Painted landscapes hung above the tables, and etched bronze sconces lit the space.

  Agnes took her arm and brought her into the drawing room. Pausing in the doorway, Cassandra summoned all her courage. How silly she was. After surviving a shipwreck, she was fearful of entering a room where a countess awaited her.

  “Here she is, Mama. Isn’t she so very pretty? I wish my hair were as pale as hers.”

  Lady Fenwick motioned to Cassandra. “Come in, dear girl. We owe you a great deal of thanks for returning our dear Spalding to us. Please sit in this chair so I may see you better.”

  The young woman beside Lady Fenwick must be her other daughter, Lady Matilda. That one watched Cassandra approach with apparent interest, but she said nothing.

  “My son tells me you’ve lived in Jamaica your entire life.”

  “Yes, my lady.” Cassandra fold
ed her hands in her lap. “I was born here in England but we moved there when I was quite young.”

  “Did you have family in Jamaica? Is that why you went?”

  “No. My mother had a friend who lived there. Mama claimed the warmer climate helped her health.”

  Lady Fenwick frowned. “Oh, she was ill?”

  “She had spells, ma’am, but it didn’t concern her most of the time.”

  “And your father? Spalding said he died when you were young.”

  Cassandra wasn’t used to being questioned so thoroughly. This behavior wasn’t what she expected from “polite” company, but since she was going to stay with them for an indefinite time, the countess had the right to ask. “Yes, ma’am. Before I was born.”

  “How tragic,” Lady Agnes said clasping her hands together over her heart.

  Lady Fenwick gave her younger daughter a stern glare. “Yes, quite sad. And how is it you came to be in the ocean with Spalding?”

  Cassandra sat up straighter. What an odd question. “The ship sank, ma’am. I was in the same lifeboat as your son. There were only two other passengers on the ship, and they were shown into another lifeboat. The rest of the men on board were sailors.”

  The line between the countess’s eyebrows softened ever so slightly. “I see. We are grateful you were there. We had word there were no other survivors.”

  The news hit her hard. No one, not Lucy, or any of the men who’d helped her stay afloat had survived. Suddenly feeling faint, Cassandra leaned back in her chair, grabbing the upholstered arms. “I hadn’t heard. How sad for their families.”

  “Well, enough of this maudlin talk,” Lady Fenwick said. “Tell us about your great aunt, the name of your mother’s friend in Jamaica, anything that will aid us in finding your home.”

  Her home was in Jamaica, not England, but Cassandra refused to goad the woman. “I believe my aunt lives near Gloucester. The Kimballs were our friends, although we knew many families in Savannah-la-Mar.”

  “Excellent, you shall write to them. Perhaps your mother mentioned your aunt to them. Or more details about where her family came from. Someone must know your father’s name.”

  “This is such a mystery.” Lady Agnes leaned forward. “I shall enjoy solving it. If I were a man, I could travel to Gloucester and search for any families named Franklin, and compare their locations to the peers in the area.”

  Lady Matilda frowned. “Don’t be silly. We shall inquire among our friends. Someone will know of Miss Franklin’s mother. Not many young ladies move to such an uncivilized place.”

  “Savannah-la-Mar is quite civilized. It’s such a lovely town, right on the ocean. Many of the buildings are quite new after the hurricane destroyed the town some thirty years ago.” Cassandra didn’t exaggerate. The plantation owners were largely from England. Many lived in England and had younger sons or stewards managing their lands. “From what I was told, our assemblies couldn’t compare to London, or likely most of those held at country houses. We do have entertainments in the latest fashion. A few months behind, of course, but we’re not primitive by any means.”

  “Well, we can discuss your home there another time.” Lady Fenwick rose and glided across the room, her posture perfect. “I want you to think of Fenwick as your home until we locate your family.”

  Agnes bounced to her feet. “Come. Let me show you the house. I hope we’ll always be friends, even after you go to your great aunt’s.”

  As she and Cassandra walked in the hallway, Agnes took her arm, leaning close as though they’d been friends since childhood. “I would like that,” Cassandra said. “I have none in England, so you will be my first.”

  “Perhaps you and Spalding will grow fond of each other, and you will become my sister as well. Don’t you think he is handsome? He’s very kind, also. His home is near Cheadle Hulme, which is a long day’s journey from here. We could still see each other often.”

  “You assume too much. While I would be quite happy to be your sister, your brother and I are only acquaintances brought together by tragic circumstance. If not for the storm, we never would have met.”

  “Yes, but you will be living here for some time, and who knows what will happen between you. All the young ladies in London fall for his charms. I’m certain you will, too.”

  She knew quite well what might happen if she stayed at Fenwick Abbey for an extended period. Should there be any action even slightly resembling their first night at the inn, Lord and Lady Fenwick would have her thrown out on her ear. There was no point in arguing the matter, however, so she changed the subject and encouraged Agnes to tell her the history of the area while they toured the estate.

  * * * *

  Spalding sat opposite his father in the study. He stared out the window, but his mind wasn’t on the landscape or his gratitude for his life. A mermaid held his thoughts captive. The beautiful sea creature with sand in her hair, smelling of fresh air and salt. Obviously, her hair had been wet for the same reason his was, and her emerald gown wasn’t a tail. Her kiss when he lay on the lifeboat had been real, though. That he believed with all his heart. Brief, innocent, but very real.

  “Did you hear me?” Father’s voice broke through Spalding’s woolgathering.

  “I’m sorry, no.” He shifted in his chair and faced his father.

  “I asked if you believe there will be enough sugar for another shipment this year. The loss we suffered was substantial.”

  Spalding’s stomach burned with the heartlessness of his father’s words. “We lost more than sugar when that ship went down. Hallgrave was one of the many who drowned. Yet all you can do is question the next shipment of sugar? We can afford the loss without any concern.”

  “I understand that. I do care about all those who died. I’ve ordered that the men’s pay be sent to the families, plus a little extra. We have to think ahead, however. We are in business. We tabulate our losses in one column and assets in another. I’m asking you about our assets.”

  “We should have one more shipload this year. Assuming we aren’t struck by a hurricane before spring, we’ll recover by the end of next year.”

  Movement in the garden caught his eye. Agnes and Miss Franklin strolled between the lavender and rose bushes. Their lighthearted laughter could be heard through the window.

  Miss Franklin had been somber during most of their journey. That would be expected, of course, having just lost her mother, but seeing her smile relieved him in some way. He shouldn’t be so concerned about her happiness, but he couldn’t stop thinking about what it must be like to be alone.

  Father closed his accounts book with a snap. “You might as well join the young ladies outside. Your thoughts are there already.”

  Spalding tugged at his cravat. “No, I’m paying attention. We were discussing the final shipment of sugar for the year.”

  Father’s thin smile showed he didn’t accept the response. “You seem quite taken with this girl. I hope you’re not having second thoughts about marrying Lady Venetia.”

  “I can honestly say I’ve had no thought on the subject since my trunk attacked me onboard the Sirene and I lost consciousness. That isn’t because of Miss Franklin, however. Well, indirectly it is, perhaps. I’ve tried to determine the best way to help her find her family.”

  “Don’t let that continue to be your foremost line of thought. I have a man searching for them, so you may return to the office in London.”

  Nothing was less appealing at the moment than hiring a new crew and send them out to their potential doom. But these men knew the risks. Refusing to hire anyone would only hurt their ability to provide for their families. “I would prefer to spend a few weeks here. I will write Greenleaf to begin the search for a captain. Do you have a new ship in mind?”

  “Yes, it’s been taken care of. I’m not suggesting you board the next ship for Jamaica. You’re needed in the office. You should be capable of recovering from whatever ails you there as here.”

  Spalding reminded
himself he should have expected this type of reaction from Father. The man loved him, but was a stern taskmaster to everyone he dealt with. Even Spalding’s sisters were expected to master any lessons they undertook. Adequacy wasn’t satisfactory. In Father’s defense, Agnes and Matilda were often called upon to perform at musicales, and their sketches were acclaimed even beyond what Spalding felt they deserved.

  Much of that was likely due to their station as daughters of the Earl of Fenwick, but even families who didn’t seek the family connection singled his sisters out for attention. With Agnes, it was obviously her outgoing personality. Matilda was amiable enough, but more reserved, and conversely outspoken in her opinions. The two were certainly opposite sides of a coin.

  Father cleared his throat, glaring at Spalding with a stern frown.

  “Forgive me again. I’m quite tired, as you might well understand. I beg your leave so I may retire to my bedchamber. We can continue the discussion later, I presume?”

  Waving his hand, Father said, “Yes, go. There’s no need to say any more on the matter. I’ve said my piece. You’re needed in London, and it’s time to move forward with your betrothal to Lady Venetia.”

  Spalding nodded and left. All he wanted at that moment was quiet, and to sleep in a comfortable bed that didn’t roll. The shipping office ran perfectly well without his presence, as was demonstrated by his annual trip to the plantation. His betrothal to Lady Venetia was merely in the minds of their fathers at the moment. He had no idea if Lady Venetia desired the match, or if she would agree to it to please his parents.

  In that case, he should speak with her sooner rather than later. Discover her wishes on the matter and decide his own. If she wanted the match, he would marry her. She was a sweet girl, quite the Diamond in Town during her Season three years ago. If he spent some time with her, he most likely would discover he was quite fond of her.

  The fact he wished for a passionate marriage was meaningless. Chances were slim he’d find an eligible daughter of a peer who looked forward to that side of marriage. Why else would so many men have mistresses?