His Saving Grace

by Heather Gray

  "I'd like to plan a trip to Newcastle."

  "Of course, Your Grace. When would you like to go?"

  "As soon as possible, but I don't want it to interfere with the days the village children come to the castle."

  "Are you planning on spending the night, then?"

  Grace nodded. "I think so. I have a surprise in mind for the children, but it will require some shopping and secrecy on my part. Elsie and Margaret will need to accompany me on the trip." She watched as Rupert's eyebrow lifted in question. After a short pause, she asked, "By the way, how is Margaret working out? It didn't seem prudent to ask in front of the others. She hasn't been up here often, but with what I have in mind we will be seeing more of her, at least for a spell. Has there been any trouble with the footman or driver?"

  "I haven't had to say a word to them. Whatever you said to Margaret has kept her in line. To my knowledge, nothing untoward has occurred, and the Pembrokes have mentioned nothing to me." Rupert stood and asked, "Do you want to tell me what this surprise is, Your Grace?"

  She shook her head. "Not yet."

  When she didn't immediately leave the room, Rupert asked if she needed anything else.

  With a sigh, Grace inquired, "Have you heard from Thomas? He said he'd write every week, but it's been two weeks since the last letter."

  "Your not receiving a letter does not necessarily mean he didn't write one." Rupert's dark eyes offered comfort as he said, "There are many things that can prevent the post from getting to its intended destination. Keep writing to him as you have been. His letters will catch up to you eventually."

  At least he didn't hesitate so he could think of the suitable thing to say. Maybe that means he believes his own words.

  Almost satisfied with his answer, Grace nodded and said, "Goodnight then."

  Chapter Ten

  All the children gathered in the great hall the next day. There were twenty of them, twenty-one counting Elsie. Grace had given the villagers two rules. In order to come, the child had to be both out of nappies and willing to follow her directions. The first day with the children had been a circus. They'd all been so excited to see inside the castle they'd not listened to a word she'd said. By necessity, Rupert had stepped in and raised his voice to get the children to settle down.

  Seeing an opportunity to capitalize on their curiosity, Grace had promised them a tour of the castle on their next visit, and had then used that opportunity to teach them some of England's history. The lesson had gone splendidly until somebody had toppled over a suit of armor and the children all screamed and scattered. Apparently they all thought the thing had come to life and was going to chase them.

  Grace learned a couple of important lessons that week. One, if the children showed an interest in something, capitalize on it. Two, don't keep anything on display that you aren't willing to part with.

  Just this last week, she'd mentioned something about prayer, and the children had been so full of questions she'd invited the vicar to come for a visit. If it went well, she might have him back again. During church on Sundays, the children were all expected to sit mutely, and the words of the vicar were directed at the adults. When she'd spoken to the vicar about talking with the children, his eyes had lit up. She had been hopeful his enthusiasm would translate into something the children would find helpful. When the vicar had arrived earlier that morning, she'd become certain they would find the vicar's talk engaging.

  "All right everyone, I need you to settle down." Grace refused to raise her voice to gain the children's attention. It had taken a little while, but the village children had learned and now generally listened so they didn't miss what she had to say. Those who sat in front quickly shushed the ones behind them, who then did the same, and so forth. Soon the entire group was quiet. They sat cross-legged on the floor with their hands folded politely in their laps as Grace had taught them.

  "I'm pleased you could come today. We have a special treat in store for us. Vicar Renner has agreed to join us and tell you a little bit about what he teaches your parents on Sundays. The vicar will also be in attendance for lunch, and I hope you'll all be on your best behavior."

  Some of the children began to squirm. Grace knew they had to be thinking it was going to be like sitting in church, something none of them were particularly interested in doing. They have no idea what a treat they're in for. "Please welcome Vicar Renner."

  The children did their obligatory clapping. When the vicar casually strolled in, their clapping stopped as they all stared wide-eyed at him. "Why's 'e dressed like that?" one of the older boys asked.

  "Samuel, be respectful." Grace's voice was firm. Shamefaced, the boy dropped his gaze while the boy next to him snickered. She caught that boy's eye, and he, too, glanced down. Mum would be proud. I've learned to give The Look.

  "Good morning, boys and girls," Vicar Renner said. "I know most of you by name, but I’m getting rather old, and sometimes I forget things. If I call you the wrong name, you may correct me, but you're absolutely not allowed to laugh at me. Are we clear?"

  Twenty-one solemn nods were his reply.

  The vicar ambled over to a young girl with curly blonde hair and said, "So tell me, Richard, how are your parents today?" The girl, eyes wide, stared at him. He said, "I used the wrong name, didn't I?" She nodded, her hair bouncing with the movement. "Let me see," he said. "I think I've got it! You're Milford, aren't you?" She shook her head. "William?" Again, she shook her head. "Miles?" This time, the tiniest little smile stretched her lips as she moved her head. "Is it Arthur?" A little bubble of laughter escaped the girl. The other children watched. Some of them were smiling, but others appeared almost afraid, as if the vicar might be setting a trap for them so he could punish them for laughing.

  Finally, the vicar asked, "Well, since I'm clearly never going to guess it, can you please tell me what your name is?"

  The little girl, her smile gone — no doubt chased away at the thought of having to speak to the vicar — said, "Rosalyn."

  "Rosalyn! I was so close! You look exactly like a Rosalyn, too. Don't know how I could have missed that!" Then he gave her an exaggerated wink. A smile again broke across her face, and Grace could see the vicar had made a friend for life. The children sitting near young Rosalyn all grinned, too.

  The vicar considered the group as a whole and said, "Somebody asked why I'm dressed like this. Was that you, Evangeline?" He was pointing directly at Samuel, the boy who'd asked the question.

  Look away! Avoid all eye contact! Grace knew that if her eyes connected with those of the vicar, she would not be able to contain her mirth.

  "It's Samuel, sir," the boy said in return.

  "Samuel, that's right. Thank you for not laughing," he said before turning back to Rosalyn and winking at her and the younger kids around her again, who all giggled in unison. "I decided to wear regular clothes today instead of my vestments. Would you like me to tell you why?" The children nodded, and the vicar responded, as he strode back and forth in front of the group. "A long time ago there was a man who walked on the earth. His name was Jesus of Nazareth. Has anyone heard of him?" Some of the kids raised their hands. "He was a holy man sent by God. In fact, He was God's own son."

  The vicar had the children in the palm of his hand. With sweeping hand gestures and a dramatic voice, he told the story of how Jesus had been born in a barn, with a feed trough – sometimes called a manger – for his first bed. He told the tale of how Jesus had lived the life of a child whose parents worked hard to provide for and take care of Him.

  "Jesus didn't get to wear fancy clothes. He didn't have vestments or robes of silk. He dressed like an ordinary man. Like you are supposed to, Jesus had to obey his parents. When He got older, He began telling people amazing things about God, His Father, but even then, He dressed like and lived with the regular people around Him. So I thought it would be nice today if I came to talk to you and was dressed like you. I'm no different than you. God called me to work in the church and be a v
icar, but I'm still a mere mortal like all of you."

  The vicar, as it happened, was quite an entertaining fellow, and the children devoured his every word. Grace was about to join him at the front of the group when he said to the children, "Now, I thought we might be able to play a game before lunch. Would anybody like that?" Responding with enthusiasm, some of the children began calling out names of their favorite games. Smiling, the vicar said, "I thought we might divide into groups and play two games. One group will play hunt the slipper, and the other group will play hide and seek."

  The children quickly split into voluntary groups. Most of the younger children, especially the girls, opted to play hunt the slipper. Those children gathered close to Grace while the others congregated near Vicar Renner and began asking questions. "Who will be the seeker? Where can we hide?" With the help of Rupert and the footman, the vicar led those children outside for a rousing game of hide and seek.

  Turning to the charges in her care, Grace said, "I want everyone to make a circle in the middle of the floor and sit down." She took off her shoes, put one aside, then brought one to the circle with her. "We'll use this for the slipper. Who shall start in the middle?"

  She hadn't planned on a game, but after the children had sat so still for the vicar, she couldn’t begrudge them the time for fun. Grace could see why the vicar felt they'd earned it.

  ****

  After lunch, the vicar remained at Castle Felton and helped Grace in overseeing a math lesson. Rather than work on teaching the children how to write their numbers, she had decided today to have them do sums in their heads. She wanted them to be able to calculate how much change they should get from the baker or any other merchant if they ever overpaid for a purchase. Writing their numbers was a tedious and sometimes tiresome task for these children, but calculating totals in their head generally came easy. It was something they'd seen their parents do all their lives and, in some cases, had been doing themselves.

  When time came for the children to return to their homes, Vicar Renner asked them to wait for him a moment so he could have a word with the duchess. "I want to thank you, Your Grace, for having me here today. I again want to tell you how sorry I am about the garden statue. I forgot how physical a game of hide and seek could become."

  "It was my pleasure, Vicar. You were a delight for the children, and don't give the statue another thought."

  Merriment twinkled in his eyes. "I may have enjoyed today more than the children."

  "I'd love to have you back again," Grace said. "Maybe we can work out something regular." She knew she'd said the proper thing when the vicar's face lit up. Watching as he walked away to catch up with the children, she saw a newfound bounce in his step. He easily looked fifteen years younger than he had upon arrival.

  "Today appears to have been a rousing success," Rupert said from behind her.

  "I think you are most definitely correct about that," she said. Then, "I am going to lie down for a spell. I find myself weary. Make sure someone wakes me for the evening meal, please."

  "Of course, Your Grace."

  ****

  The shopping trip to Newcastle was an adventure. Elsie had never been away from Felton before and was awed by everything she saw. Margaret, on the other hand, acted as if she'd rather be anywhere else. Rupert accompanied the trio and, though it never showed on his face, Grace was certain that at times he had to find their girlish chatter tiresome.

  Together, they found everything she was looking for and returned to Castle Felton with the carriage weighted down with wrapped parcels. It did her heart much good to find a letter from Thomas waiting for her. She tore the envelope open and removed the missive.

  30 April 1815

  Dearest Grace,

  I do not have opportunity to write as often as I would wish or as often as I had promised. My sincerest apology for that. Know that I think of you constantly and am reassured you are well, safe, and being taken care of. I am assisting in a primarily administrative capacity over here, but the role is nonetheless vital, and I am honored to work with Wellington. I believe things here may come to a close within the coming year. I am being sent out with a diplomatic envoy sometime in the next week or two. You may not hear from me for a spell, but don't worry. I will not be unprotected on my journey.

  Fondest wishes,

  Thomas

  Grace clutched the page to her chest and said, "He's well," to no one in particular. Then, turning to Rupert, she asked, "Did you receive any correspondence?"

  Rupert nodded, a note in his hand. "He has some directions for me to pass on to the stewards at his different estates." Then he added, "He'd also like me to make sure you see a doctor."

  Her gaze flew to Rupert's. "Why would he ask that of you?" What on earth have you been saying about me?

  Looking unruffled, Rupert said, "I may have mentioned you've been tired more than is normal of late."

  Grace sat unceremoniously on a small bench in the foyer, a hand hovering over lips parted by surprise. "I'm mad at you for saying anything to him." When Rupert remained quiet, she told him, "This is the part where you apologize and ask my forgiveness."

  With his usual poise, Rupert said, "I apologize, Your Grace, and beg your forgiveness."

  Rolling her eyes, Grace said, "You could at least try to be convincing, Rupert. Why did you feel it necessary to say anything to His Grace?"

  "I made an oath to protect you, and that includes your health. I twice suggested you see the doctor, but you refused both times. I felt I had no recourse."

  Why does everything I do – or don't do – have to get noticed?

  Fluttering her hand in a wayward fashion through the air, Grace said, "All right, all right, you win. Tell the doctor to come whenever it's convenient for him. In the meantime," she said, looking resignedly at the stairs, "I do believe I'm going to go lie down for a spell. The journey from Newcastle, it seems, has worn me out." Don't you dare say it.

  To his credit, neither by word not expression did Rupert remark on her apparent fatigue.

  Chapter Eleven

  The vicar joined Grace and the staff at Castle Felton for dinner that evening. From the start, Grace had informed him she was anything but traditional. When he'd first seemed shocked that she dined with the staff, she had informed him he was welcome to dine in the formal dining room with a footman in attendance but that she'd be remaining in the kitchen with her staff. The vicar had proven to be a kindred spirit and not at all offended.

  "I was reading a newspaper this afternoon," the vicar mentioned.

  "Was there anything noteworthy in it?" Grace asked.

  "I'm not sure this counts as noteworthy, but there's a rumor Lord Byron and his new wife are expecting a child."

  "I continue to be shocked Lady Anne ever wed him. The ceremony was near here, wasn't it? It is not so long ago he was cavorting with Lady Caroline — a married woman, for pity's sake — and publicly, too. What her poor husband must have suffered!"

  Rupert coughed into his hand and said, "You are correct. Lord Byron and Lady Anne were married in Durham Shire, which we passed through on our way here. As to the other, not that I think a lady ought to be discussing these things, but I would suggest you not feel too badly for Lady Caroline's husband. His personal conduct was not far removed from that of his wife."

  Looking in shock from Rupert to the vicar, Grace finally said, "I do believe I've been protected. My parents' devotion to each other is sincere. Is it the norm among the aristocracy in London to be untrue to one's spouse?"

  "Not that I condone any such behavior," said the vicar, "but I do believe that fidelity in aristocratic marriages is rare once an heir's been born."

  Shaking her head, Grace again said, "I still don't see how Lady Anne ever agreed to wed a man of such well-known immoral behavior. It would be a pleasant surprise if he was to be true to her and theirs turns out to be a love match that blossoms. With so much scandal these past few years, it is hard to believe someone can have so radically ch
anged in such a short time. Lady Caroline wasn't his only liaison, either… What do you think, Vicar? Do you believe Lord Byron has undergone a dramatic conversion of character?"

  With a smile, he replied, "I believe, Your Grace, if a person submits their life to the higher authority of God, there is no limit to the change that can be brought about."

  "Well said, Vicar," Rupert interjected. Then, steering the conversation to a more seemly topic, he said, "The garden seems to be getting a slow start this spring. Is it normally like that in Northumberland, Mr. Pembroke?"

  ****

  That night, as Elsie was taking down Grace's hair, the young girl said, "I've been thinking about 'ow you've been feeling poorly, Your Grace."

  Tired to her core, Grace asked, "And what are your thoughts on the subject?"

  "Well, my mum would get t' feelin' that way sometimes. She didn't get t' lie down and rest like you do, because there are always chores t' do and young children that need tending. I recall, sometimes when she was feeling sickly, it would turn out she was in the family way."

  How? What? Not possible!

  Grace's eyes shot to Elsie's freckled face in the mirror. The girl, oblivious, began brushing out her mistress's hair. "And you think I might be… that I might be..." She couldn't even finish the words.

  Not noticing anything amiss, Elsie patiently brushed through Grace's midnight hair and said, "Some of your dresses are getting a bit snug around the middle. They still button, but it's not as easy as it used to be."

  I'm getting fat. No crime there!

  "But I couldn't be with child. Could I?"

  Elsie's eyes finally raised from her work to look at Grace's face in the mirror. Without embarrassment, she said, "You're married."

  Within minutes, Elsie had Grace's hair plaited. Already in her nightgown, Grace dismissed her maid and climbed into the large bed. Lord above, could it be? Before she could even give it any real thought, she was sound asleep and dreaming about smiling babies, nappies, and the husband she hadn't seen in more than two months.