Willow Grove Abbey: A Historical World War II Romance Novel (The Somerville Trilogy)

by Payne, Mary Christian

  “What of Edwina?” I then asked.

  “Edwina’s decided to join your mother for breakfast in Pamela’s room. It was generous of her to not want Pamela dining alone,” he added.

  I was beyond furious. Edwina had obviously enjoyed a night of lovemaking with Papa and then, only a few hours later, was going to enjoy breakfast with Mummy in her bedroom! It was unbelievably cheeky. Unfathomable! Could she have any conscience at all? It was perfectly amazing that I didn’t lose my composure and blurt out my rage. But it was Christmas, and Spence and I had such lovely news. I simply was not going to let anything ruin that happy occasion. So, I kept my mouth tightly buttoned, and never even said anything to Spence. God knows, he had all he could deal with, as he faced the loss of dearly loved RAF friends, companions and colleagues, not to mention fighting to protect our nation. He didn’t need to hear about the foolishness of two very selfish people.

  It wasn’t long before both Mummy and Edwina appeared. Mummy was wearing a lovely white satin dressing gown, and Edwina was dressed in a pale yellow cashmere skirt and sweater, which matched her hair.

  Soon the Hausfater’s arrived, and we seated ourselves at the table, which was beautifully set with blue Wedgwood Queens Ware, Mummy’s loveliest Sterling silver, and crystal champagne flutes. Once comfortably gathered, Spence stood up, and proposed a toast with his glass of champagne. He tapped on the edge of the crystal rim, and the glass tinkled prettily.

  “Sophia and I have some very nice news to announce, which we hope will be a happy Christmas gift for the family, and especially for Isabella,” he said, as he looked down at his daughter with loving eyes. Of course, the others had to have known what was coming, but it was still thrilling to hear him say the words. “We’ve decided to be married as quickly as possible, while I’m still home on furlough. I’m going to be spending a good deal of time on the telephone in my quest to find a priest who’ll marry us on short notice, but I’ll succeed. I’ve promised Sophia.” The entire family, minus Mummy, reacted as I knew they would. There were kisses and shouts of glee from everyone, and Isabella jumped out of her chair and ran to me, clapping her hands.

  “Oh Mummy. Is it true? You and Papa are going to get married? Does that mean that you’ll be together forever and ever?”

  “God willing, darling. We’ll be promising that to each other. And, you’ll be called ‘Isabella Stanton’, since Papa is going to make certain that your name is changed to what it should have been when you were born. As soon as we’re married, you’ll be ‘Isabella Stanton’. Do you like the sound of that, precious?” I asked, smiling. Isabella hopped up and down like a little bird, and then danced a little jig. We all burst into laughter over her antics. Next, she ran upstairs to her grandmother’s room, and fetched Mummy and Edwina. She told them that her Mummy and Papa had a grand Christmas present for everyone, and that they needed to join us. It wasn’t long before both Mummy and Edwina appeared. Mummy was wearing a lovely white satin dressing gown, and Edwina was dressed in a pale yellow cashmere skirt and sweater, which matched her hair. Of course, Isabella had not been able to contain herself, and had already told them the news. For once, Mummy wasn’t upset at having to leave her bed. She seemed genuinely happy, and said as much to Spence, and me.

  “When are you going to be married?” Edwina asked. “Are you thinking of doing so before Spence has to leave on the 29thth?”

  “Spence intends to find a priest who’ll perform a ceremony for us before his return to Fowlmere. He feels confident that he can do so,” I replied.

  “What will you wear, Sophia?” she asked.

  “I haven’t given it a whit of thought,” I answered. “I don’t care if I have to wear rags. It’s just the ceremony that counts.”

  “Oh, but you must have a glorious outfit for this special day,” Edwina replied. “I know, Sophia. I have a gorgeous white velvet suit, with gold braid at the cuffs and round the edges. It’s a Chanel. I’ve never worn it. You’re welcome to borrow it.”

  “That’s awfully nice, Edwina, but anything of yours would fall to my toes.” I didn’t add that it would also be about three sizes too large.

  “Couldn’t Nan alter it? I’ll wager that she could, with my help. Don’t forget, I am a designer. I would love for you to wear it, Sophia,” she added. There didn’t seem to be any gracious way to say “No” to her generous offer. I was still harboring anger over her antics of the previous night, and really wished there was a graceful way to decline her offer. However, I gave in, and said that I would accept Edwina’s generosity. Edwina ran back up the stairs to retrieve the suit, and I couldn’t help but think that there was a flash of the old Edwina in such a gesture. Perhaps I was being too hard on her, although the facts certainly made it a horrific situation. Edwina returned in scant minutes, with the magnificent suit, covered by a fabric dress-bag. It was truly lovely, and did look the perfect outfit for a wedding.

  “Now, what shall I wear?” she continued, pursing her lips, and placing her finger upon them. “Since I’ll obviously be the Matron of Honor, I’ll need to look smashing. Do you have a color preference, Sophia?”

  “Um... well... I hadn’t even thought of an attendant,” I answered, rather taken aback by Edwina’s statement. Of course, I would need someone to stand up for me as a witness, but the last person alive whom I wanted was Edwina! Yet, how could I tell her that, without Mummy wondering why I was being so rude? It seemed I had been presented with a Matron of Honor. “Well... I guess anything you have that would blend with the style of the suit,” I answered. “You know I prefer pastels, but if you don’t have a dress like that, anything will do.”

  “Yes, I do have several pastels. A shell pink silk dress, and an ice blue satin suit, or a pale green moiré dress. I think the shell pink might be just the thing. You can carry a nosegay of pink and white roses, which will be lovely, and I’ll carry a smaller version of the same.” It seemed that I had also been presented with a wedding planner.

  “How thoughtful of you,” Edwina. Sophia, you are so fortunate that Edwina is here at this special time. She has such exquisite taste. Everything she has suggested sounds perfect,” Mummy commented.

  “Oh yes, I know I’m terribly fortunate to have her here,” I replied, and no one seemed to notice the bit of sarcasm in my voice.

  Spence wisely stayed out of that conversation, knowing that I would have to handle it as I saw fit, and of course, I realized that I had very little choice.

  Spence laughed. “Well, thank God I don’t have to worry about fashion. My RAF uniform will have to suffice. It makes things simple.’”

  “I love your uniform,” I replied. You will be the best looking groom in the world.”

  “What about me, Mummy? “ Isabella asked. “What thall I wear? I want to look beautiful. It’s a thpecial day for me too,” she continued.

  “I know it is darling, and we’ll make certain that you’re the most beautiful one of all. You have several lovely frocks. We can look them over, and decide which would be most suitable. And, you can carry a basket of flowers,” I added, getting into the spirit of things. Isabella clapped her hands and jumped up and down some more.

  “Come, sit down and eat your breakfast now though, darling, so that we can open the gifts that Father Christmas brought. I think there are quite a few under the tree with your name upon them,” I said, coaxing my little girl, so that we might move the morning along. Isabella appeared to have forgotten that it was Christmas, as the wedding news temporarily erased everything else from her thoughts. But, once reminded, she scampered round the table, took her seat and began to eat a bowl of oatmeal.

  “Where is Kippy?” I asked. “Surely he’ll be opening gifts with us?”

  “Oh yes. Helen is feeding and bathing him, and then she’ll bring him down,” Edwina answered. I’ll have to pick out a precious little outfit for him to wear to your wedding too. Won’t this all be fun?”

  I answered that “it would, indeed, be fun”, but there was very lit
tle time, so that we mustn’t try to get too elaborate. “Besides, I want a very simple ceremony. Nothing flashy. Just quiet and meaningful.” Everyone seemed to understand my wishes.

  After we finished eating, Spence took me aside and asked whether I still had the engagement ring of long-ago. I told him that of course, I did, wrapped in velvet at the bottom of my jewel case. He kissed me. “Run upstairs and fetch it. It needs to be on your finger, where it should have been long ago.” I almost burst with joy. I’d actually forgotten all about the ring in my excitement, but was so pleased that he had remembered. It took less than five minutes to retrieve it from my room, and when I returned, I was wearing it on my left hand. Everyone in the family oohed and aahed and told me it was one of the loveliest rings they’d ever seen. I thought it was too. I had forgotten how the emerald flashed in the light, and how the diamonds were such a perfect counterpoint to the deep, rich green of the square-cut stone.

  “What shall we do about a wedding ring?” I asked? I suppose I can make do with this one, and use it for both. Otherwise, I would just want a simple, platinum band to go with this, but could we find one on such short notice? And with everything in such short supply because of the war footing?”

  “Sophia, I have the perfect ring for you,” Mummy answered. It was your grandmother Somervilles’. It’s exactly what you want. Just a simple, platinum band. I’ll fetch it after breakfast, and you can decide if it will work.”

  I was deeply touched. It meant a lot that my mother was giving her wholehearted support to my marriage, and I truly loved the idea of an antique ring that had been in the family. I thanked Mummy profusely, and said that it sounded perfect. Finally, we all adjourned to the drawing room, and settled down to the business of exchanging gifts. The children were wild with excitement, and it was fun to watch them, but I have to admit that I didn’t concentrate on much else except the fact that I was going to be Mrs. Spencer Stanton at long last.

  And two days later that is precisely who I became. Spence literally pulled off a miracle. He found a charming little Catholic Church in the small hamlet of Witford, not far from Bedminster-with-Hartcliffe. The priest was a warm, kindly man, who understood our dilemma completely. We drove to Witford and met with him on the day after Christmas, and he said that he would be pleased to marry us the following morning. A whirlwind of activity followed, with clothes being altered, pressed and cleaned, and miraculous flowers appearing from a floral shop in Bristol. Mummy had some connections where those were concerned. She produced the aforementioned ring, as well as my Grandfather’s wedding band for Spence, a wide band of gold. Spence treasured it.

  Isabella was dressed in a pink taffeta, full skirted dress, with a ruffled hemline and ruffled cuffs. She looked like a tiny Victorian princess. Even Kippy wore a black velvet baby romper, with a tiny white shirt beneath it. Everything was as perfect as could be, and it was truly an amazing feat, given the time constraints. There is no question that it was the happiest day of my life. I didn’t have my father walk me down the aisle, and instead opted to enter the small chapel on Spence’s arm. He looked splendid in his RAF dress uniform, and when the words “I now pronounce that you are husband and wife” were spoken, there were tears streaming down both of our faces.

  Afterwards, Mummy rushed over and kissed me on both cheeks and told me that it was the prettiest wedding she’d ever attended, which was doubtful, but certainly gracious of her. “You know, Sophia, I was so surprised,” she added, “The ceremony wasn’t the least bit heathen. There was scarcely any difference between this ceremony and the Anglican, except of course for that beastly Latin,” she commented, in the way that only Mummy could. I simply had to laugh, for I knew that Mummy honestly meant it as a compliment. I was much too happy to point out that my mother’s words were very rude. I could tell that Spence was biting back his own laughter when he heard her comments. Spence was so easy-going and mellow, that I knew there couldn’t have been much that might have upset him, unless it had been something that wounded me. He’d forgiven Mummy’s threats of long ago. Sometimes he amazed me with his ability to forgive, and I vowed to try to be more like him.

  After the ceremony, we returned to Willow Grove where Nan had prepared a lovely champagne luncheon. Of course there’d been only a few guests at the ceremony... Mummy, Papa, The Hausfater’s, Joseph, Nan, Martha, Helen, and a few of the family’s old friends from the village and surrounding estates, whom I had known since childhood. When we were all settled in the drawing room, going over each detail of the morning, Spence told Isabella he had something to give her. Her eyes lighted, as they always did when her Papa presented her with a gift. I had no idea what he had gotten her, but knew it would be something she’d adore. Sure enough, Spence had done something extraordinarily thoughtful. He’d purchased a small ring for Isabella, which he placed on her hand. “This is to show that I became your official Papa today, darling,” he said, kissing her on the cheek. It was a sweet ring, with a pearl center, and tiny chips of emeralds surrounding it. It was her first piece of jewelry, and she was nearly popping her buttons with pride. She ran through the house showing everyone her ring, and we all became tearful at Spence’s lovely gesture.

  When the last guest left, and Nan began clearing the remnants of the party, Spence and I decided to take a walk. We changed into comfortable clothes, and strolled about the property, ending up at the old burying ground, where I pointed out the resting places of various ancestors, and explained who they were and their significance to the family. He was genuinely interested. Not having had a family for so long; it was a gift for him to suddenly become a part of so much history. “Sophia, I’m beginning to understand your deep love for Willow Grove as I spend more time here, and now that we’re married, it’s a good feeling to be a part of a family with such deep roots,” he said, holding my hand, as he examined the quaint old epitaphs.

  “I want you to love it as I do,” I answered. “You know that I haven’t always had a happy life here, but my memories of this house and its special setting are such a part of me. I wish we could live here someday, although that’s probably a fantasy” she smiled.

  “Well, one never knows,” he answered. I promise you that we’ll always visit frequently. Surely, your father plans on making certain that it stays in the family? He added.

  “Oh, certainly. Actually the eldest son will be the one to inherit, according to the Law of Primogeniture and that will be Blake, but he hasn’t much interest in living here. His wife Susan is an only child, and she also comes from a family with an enormous estate in Scotland. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they inherit in Scotland, and he chooses that over Willow Grove. Drew will become the vicar at the Chapel someday, although there isn’t much congregation to support such a position. People from the village still attend, and of course, family and staff, but there is a new church that was built shortly before the War. Blake will probably open a Somerville, Ltd. branch in Leith or Edinburgh. So, that leaves you and me. Of course, all of this is mere speculation, since Mummy and Papa are still very much alive. I certainly would never contemplate living here with them. Once the war ends we can make our own home.”

  “The upkeep on an estate like this is vast, I’m sure,” Spence commented. “I’d need to be a very successful physician to take on a property of this magnitude someday,” he smiled.

  “Spence, I have a good deal of money from Owen, you know. I hope you understand that anything I have is also yours, “I added.

  “Darling, I know that. However, I feel strongly that I don’t want Owen’s money to be a part of our income or support. You know how I feel about that subject.” I did know how he felt, as we had discussed it at length, and he’d made it exceedingly clear that Owen’s money was not to be counted as income to support us. I understood his feelings, and didn’t even think about arguing. Actually, I was proud that he felt the way he did. I would be completely content with whatever lifestyle Spence provided for us.

  We strolled slowly back to the h
ouse, and went upstairs to what had become our bed chamber, instead of simply mine. Isabella was sleeping in Mummy and Papa’s room, so that Spence and I might have an uninterrupted wedding night. We went directly to our room, where Nan had, once again, prepared everything as nicely as if we had been staying at the Grande.. There was again a bottle of champagne and a tray of fruit, cheeses, and biscuits. I ran a hot bath, poured in some of my delicious lavender oil and disappeared for a good hour, while luxuriating and thinking about how differently this night would be than when I had married Owen. Although Spence and I hadn’t been celibate since we’d rediscovered one another on Christmas Eve, the addition of marriage to the equation heightened my anticipation and love. When I stepped out of the bath, feeling warm and rosy all over, I brushed my hair until it shined, and slipped on my white satin, slip-style nightgown. I took pleasure in the fact that I was every bit as tiny as I had been in 1935, when we had first made love, yet my body was more fully developed, and more curvaceous. Finally, emerging from the bath, I found Spence sitting in front of the fire, reading the Times. “So this is what men do to pass the time while waiting for their wives on their wedding night” I laughed, chidingly. Then, I leaned down and kissed him, and told him that I loved him madly. He reached up and pulled me down to him, and kissed me even more passionately. I could feel that he was aroused.

  “Whoa, wait just a moment Mrs. Stanton.” he grinned. “I want to bathe before I ravish your body. My God but you’re beautiful Sophia.”

  “Then you’d better be off to the bath, because I don’t want to wait more than a moment,” I teased.

  He kissed me again, and then disappeared behind the door of the loo. I heard the running of water. It wasn’t long before he was back in the room, looking fresh and young, with his hair still damp, dressed in a pair of pale blue, crisp cotton pajamas. We sat next to one another on the small loveseat in front of the fire, and he poured two glasses of champagne. Then, he raised his glass to mine and said “To my astonishingly beautiful wife, whom I promise to cherish every moment of our lives. “We both took a sip of the champagne, and then placed the glasses on the oval marble-topped table in front of the loveseat. He took me into his arms and began to kiss me with those little, nibbling motions, which he knew drove me wild. Our touching and caressing grew more and more intense, and we moved to the bed, where he made love to me in ways I had never imagined. I’d believed that I’d experienced every ounce of passion I was capable of, but it seemed that knowing we were husband and wife, and that nothing was forbidden, loosened any last inhibitions either one of us had. We were truly one in every way, and the intensity of our love was overwhelming.