by Kellyn Roth
Ivy pulled away from Miss Elton and reached for Nettie.
Nettie took Ivy’s hand and said, “Speak when you are spoken to.”
“It’s all right, Nettie.” Miss Elton laughed. “I understand. She’s shy. We’ll get used to each other. So, you must be Alice.”
“Yes, Miss Elton, I’m Alice Christina. And she’s Ivy Adeline.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Miss Elton turned to her cousin. “Here, Steven, have Johnson take their things. I’ll show Alice and Ivy to their room now. I want to see their faces when they see my old nursery. Alice, take my hand.”
Alice did, and Miss Elton reached for Ivy, who allowed her hand to be taken after a moment of hesitation. Miss Elton led them out of the room. Up some stairs, a quick turn to the right, another flight of stairs, and to the left, they went into the third door. They were in a large, sunny room with light-pink walls and white trim.
“This used to be my nursery,” said Miss Elton. “There are two little beds that will fit you nicely, and it’s such a cheerful room. I used to have a baby sister—Lydia—who slept here with me.” She sighed and patted the pillow of one of the beds, and it almost seemed as if there were tears in her eyes. “And this other room was our playroom.” She opened another door leading out of the bedroom. “There are all sorts of toys. I don’t know much about children anymore, so I didn’t change a thing. I supposed that if this was the way I liked it, I mustn’t try to change it.”
She walked in front of the fire, and there was a horrific sound somewhere between a screech and a meow. Miss Elton stumbled and only kept herself from falling by catching the mantel. She steadied herself, then began laughing.
Nettie walked in at that moment. “Are you all right, Miss Elton?”
“I stepped on a cat.” Miss Elton patted her hair.
“Oh.” Nettie crossed the room and looked around before kneeling next to the bed. “Here she is—ouch!” She jerked her hand back and wrung it. “She scratched me.”
“Poor Tiggy! I forgot that she was here.” Miss Elton knelt next to the bed and reached under, only to pull her own hand back too. “Stay there if you like.” She sighed. “Tiggy was never a very nice cat. I’ll see about having a footman come remove her. I found her ranging wild and eating mice in the stables, and fed her, but Tiggy still doesn’t like me.”
Alice wondered why anyone would keep a cat who behaved so badly. Of course, Kitty could be naughty sometimes, and they loved her.
“O-oh! I almost forgot in all the excitement.” Miss Elton whirled to face Nettie. “I do forget things so easily. It’s because I have so many things to think about.”
Nettie’s lips twitched. “Yes, miss.”
Miss Elton clasped her hands together. “We had someone arrive here late last night.”
Nettie’s posture stiffened. “Who? Will they be staying long?”
“I imagine so! All his life, we hope.” Miss Elton grinned and practically hopped on her toes. “Philip and Hazel—the Knights, that is—were blessed with a son last night! He’s a beautiful, healthy little boy, and they’re so proud. Philip would have come down to greet you, but he said he needed to clear his head, so he’s out at the stables.”
“That is a blessing,” Nettie said softly. “Have they decided what to call their child?”
“Yes! Edmond. Isn’t that a charming name? Oh, did you know they had actually considered calling him Alice at one point? If he were a girl, I mean. But Philip changed his mind, and so they decided—Goodness, here I am chattering away! I suppose you all ought to rest after your journey. I’ll run downstairs and talk to the cook about dinner.” Miss Elton turned and ran out of the room.
Nettie smiled at her back, then turned. “Let’s get settled in, girls.”
“There’s a baby?” Ivy’s mouth was a perfect o. Neither of the girls had ever met a baby before, but they were anxious to.
“Indeed!”
Alice tugged at Nettie’s sleeve. “Can we see him?”
“Perhaps—but not just yet, Gracie. Babies need to rest after they arrive … and so do you! Let’s take a nap this afternoon.”
But Alice needed to keep her dignity intact. “Just Ivy.”
“Then lie on your bed for an hour.” Nettie unlocked their trunk. “Shoes off, faces washed. I’ll draw the shades.”
Chapter Nine
When Alice, Ivy, and Nettie came down after resting, Mr. Knight and Mr. Parker were in the drawing room, a grand expanse of whites and pastels. Alice frankly found it a little boring. Both men rose from their seats.
Mr. Knight spoke before anyone else had time to say a word. “Steven, this one is Alice, isn’t she?”
Mr. Parker nodded. “Yes, of course. Alice, this is Mr. Knight. You met him a few months ago at your mother’s house, didn’t you? He’s my cousin and the owner of Pearlbelle.”
“Hello, Alice,” said Mr. Knight.
Alice glanced at Nettie and took a deep breath. “Thank you for inviting Ivy and me to Pearlbelle, sir. I like it here, or I will, and I think it will make Ivy better.”
“I’m sure it will. Country air is the best thing in the world for a weak constitution.” Mr. Knight smiled tentatively, as if unsure of himself. “What … what is it that you like about Pearlbelle?”
“It’s pretty.” That much was honest. It was a great deal grander than her London home. “I haven’t seen a lot of it, but it’s much prettier than London. The outside is quite green! And it smells better here, too.”
Mr. Knight laughed heartily at this. “I imagine it does. Is there anything you plan to do while you’re here, Miss Alice?”
Avoid you. But she knew better than to say that. “I’d like to learn to ride.”
“Maybe I could take you riding.” Mr. Knight tugged at his collar. “I suppose Mr. Parker has told you about Sugarplum?”
“Yes.” But Alice couldn’t shake the feeling of wariness. “He says he’ll teach me to ride.”
“I can help with that.” He smiled. “Why don’t we go out early tomorrow morning? Ivy, too, if she likes, and we’ll try to talk Mr. Parker into coming. I love horses, and certainly I’m a better hand with them than Steven ever will be.”
Mr. Parker snorted. “Now see here, Phil! You know very well—”
“Let’s not make this another competition.”
Alice glanced over her shoulder to see Miss Elton standing in the doorway.
“Nothing wrong with a little friendly competition, Lois,” Mr. Knight said. “Steven and I are simply discussing our relative strengths and weaknesses—meaning my strengths and Steven’s weaknesses.”
“At least I—”
Miss Elton began to laugh. “Now, boys, really! It’s going to be horrid having you both in the house if it’s going to be a repetition of every holiday growing up.”
Mr. Knight heaved a sigh. “Very well, Lois, though I still say that I’m the horse expert in this family, and—”
Mr. Parker gasped in such a dramatic way that Alice wasn’t sure it could be real. “How can I be silent when he insists on spreading those lies, Lois?”
Miss Elton raised her eyebrows. “True worth doesn’t come from bragging.”
Both men stared at her silently for a minute before Mr. Parker spoke.
“I’m going to ignore that excellent advice. It’s lovely outside. Alice, Ivy, why don’t I show you around the gardens a bit? They’re great places to play.”
Alice glanced at Nettie who had, like all good servants, effectively blended into the wall. She nodded slightly.
“I’d like that,” Alice said. “So would Ivy, but she’s too shy to say.”
Ivy, who probably also wanted to blend into the wall, took a step toward Nettie. But Alice wasn’t going to let her back out, so she grabbed her sister’s hand. Ivy would just have to trust her—a walk in the gardens would be lovely.
Mr. Knight cleared his throat. “I must visit Hazel now, but I’ll join you in a bit, perhaps.” He left the room hastily. Maybe he
felt how little Alice cared for him.
Alice and Ivy followed Mr. Parker out of the front door with Miss Elton trailing behind. After a quick glance to confirm that Nettie was watching from a distance, Alice felt confident about throwing herself into admiring flowers and statues and trees.
Mr. Parker made an excellent tour guide, and Alice found she really liked him. Mummy didn’t always seem to care for the man, and Nettie hated him—that’s what Alice thought anyway. But that didn’t mean Alice couldn’t like him.
Though it made her wonder …
“This is my favorite place.” Mr. Parker gestured toward a big fountain with multiple layers.
Alice walked slowly around the ornate marble masterpiece. “It’s pretty.”
“I like the sounds.” Ivy had her eyes closed and a dreamy expression on her face. “I’d like one in my bedroom.”
Alice laughed aloud. “Oh, how silly, Ivy! Of course you couldn’t have a fountain in your bedroom.” She paused and cocked her head. “But you could come out here to see this any time.”
Mr. Parker nodded. “She’s right, Ivy. And if I have anything to say about it, you’ll be visiting Pearlbelle Park much more often in the future.”
Alice woke with the sunrise and rushed to the window. The sky was the color of her mother’s eyes, which was always a sign of a good day to come. Nettie helped her dress in the riding habit Mummy had thoughtfully made and tucked into the trunk, shushing her so Ivy wouldn’t be awakened.
“Enjoy yourself, Gracie.” Nettie kissed her cheek. “You’ll do well.”
Alice tugged at Nettie’s hand and stepped toward the door. “Come watch me.”
Nettie glanced over her shoulder at the bed where the younger child slept. “No—I’ll stay with Ivy.” She bit her lip. “I hate to leave her alone, and you’ll be fine. Trust me. Miss Elton will make sure you’re safe.”
Now it was Alice’s turn to hesitate. What about Mr. Parker and Mr. Knight? Will they not take care of me? She longed to understand why Nettie didn’t seem to trust much of anyone—except Mummy, of course.
Outside the door, Alice met a maid almost as soon as she entered the hall. The young woman blinked sleepily at her and slipped to the side, her tin pail banging against her leg.
“Sorry,” Alice whispered. She wasn’t used to servants other than Nettie, Jameson, and Mrs. Bennett, and it was strange to be in a house full of them. Alice had never laid eyes on this particular maid before now. She’d have to visit them downstairs and meet them all.
Though, perhaps she wasn’t allowed to do that.
At the top of the stairs, she met Miss Elton, who, though fully dressed in an elegant riding habit with a feather in her cap, had dark circles under her eyes and a pinched expression on her face.
“Good morning, Alice.” Her voice was half a sigh. “They’re waiting downstairs with the horses. Goodness knows why it must be so early! Riding before breakfast … what a ridiculous notion.”
Alice hurried down the stairs where Mr. Parker and Mr. Knight stood in the foyer.
“And how is Hazel?” Mr. Parker’s voice was monotone, and he shifted from side to side impatiently. Alice didn’t think Hazel much mattered to him.
Mr. Knight, oblivious to Mr. Parker’s disinterest, beamed. “Well, but tired. She’s still fighting that cough. And little Ned is beautiful and strong. Now, I wonder what’s keeping the girl.”
Alice stepped forward with Miss Elton behind her.
“Here the ladies are now.” Mr. Parker walked toward Alice with a smile. “The noble steeds are at the door. Allow me to escort you to the mounting block.”
Alice placed her hand firmly in Mr. Parker’s. She wouldn’t be frightened by Nettie’s dour attitude. Though, she did glance back over her shoulder to make sure Miss Elton was right behind them.
After all, Nettie was an excellent judge of character.
But, when Alice saw the pony, she lost all doubts.
It was a lovely dappled gray creature just her size with a precious little saddle and its forelock down over its eyes.
“Come pet Sugarplum’s nose, Alice.” Mr. Parker dropped her hand to take the reins from a stablehand. “She’s friendly. And here”—he reached into his pocket—“feed her a sugar cube.”
Awed, Alice stepped forward.
“Hold your hand out, palm flat, and place the cube right in the center … Good girl. Now hold it out where she can see.”
Alice extended her hand, unsure exactly what to expect. Sugarplum lowered her head, and Alice felt a slight tickling sensation as the pony lipped the sugar off her palm.
She giggled and bounced back on her heels before realizing perhaps one ought to be calm around majestic beasts. She glanced up worriedly at Mr. Parker.
“It is fun, isn’t it?” He smiled. “Here. Let’s get you mounted now that you’re acquainted with her. You’ll be grand friends before you go back to London.”
Mr. Parker helped Alice mount and showed her how to hold the reins. In less than a quarter of an hour, Alice was able to start and stop the horse and guide her left and right. At least, usually.
Trotting was a bit of a challenge—but Alice had never backed down from a challenge in her life, and she wasn’t going to start now. She held on and followed Mr. Parker’s quick instructions as best she could.
Miss Elton, who waited a gorgeous chestnut mare, sighed. “She’s doing well enough for us to start out, now, isn’t she, Steven? You’re just being a perfectionist.”
Mr. Parker glared at her. “It’s an art, Lois.”
“Hmph. She’s handling that pony better than I handle Acacia.” Miss Elton’s brow furrowed. “Let’s go. I’m already hungry.”
He rolled his eyes but turned back to Alice with a pleasant expression. “You handle her well. I can scarcely believe you haven’t ridden before.”
“She’s a natural,” Mr. Knight said with a cheerful grin from where he relaxed on his big gelding’s back. “Lois is right; I think she’s ready. Are we just going up the hill a bit to show Alice the view?”
“Right.” Mr. Parker mounted and turned his horse. “I’ll go in front, and both you and Lois need to keep a close eye on her, but I’m not worried.”
Alice wiggled with excitement, then reminded herself to keep calm and still so as not to worry Sugarplum. In her heart continued the refrain, I’m on a horse. I’m an equestrian. A natural equestrian. Oh, wouldn’t Mummy be proud of me!
A few minutes later they were up on a big hill overlooking the entire estate. To the south and the west, there were tenant farmers—Mr. Knight remembered the names of most of them and could tell her about their families. To the north, of course, was the big house, the gardens, and, behind, the stables. Further off in the distance was a wood, which Mr. Parker teased might have fairies in it—or at least a pretty little brook he’d take her to sometime. And to the east, there was Creling, the tiny village, with its church steeple rising high above the cobbled streets. The steam of a train chugged its way toward London.
“It’s a lovely place.” Miss Elton sighed. “I used to think I must leave it, but I haven’t had to. Probably never will.”
Alice noticed Mr. Parker and Mr. Knight glance at each other. Mr. Parker smirked, and Mr. Knight winced. They probably felt sorry for Miss Elton. After all, her far-off gaze and trembling lips seemed to indicate some sort of sadness.
Alice was starting to wonder if everyone didn’t have something to be sad about.
“Well.” Mr. Knight cleared his throat. “Let’s go back for breakfast now. We don’t want to miss it. Cook always works such marvels in the kitchen.”
Chapter Ten
After breakfast, Alice was allowed a day away from her books so she could explore and get accustomed to her surroundings. She did so alone, as Ivy decided to remain inside with Nettie.
In one of the gardens, Alice plucked a rose, picked off the thorns and leaves on the stem, and tucked it behind her ear. She sat down on a bench and began making a wall out
of small, colorful pebbles that she had picked up here and there about the garden.
A hackle-raising growl-and-bark combination began at the other end of the garden and moved swiftly toward her. Alice turned quickly to see a brown-and-white spaniel, hardly any more than a puppy and twice as gawky, running as quickly as he could with his tail between his legs. He was closely pursued by two large hounds. If they caught the puppy, they would surely tear him into a thousand shreds and leave the poor thing to die.
They couldn’t do that! She had to fix it somehow.
The dogs chased the puppy into the stables, and Alice ran after them. They raced into an empty stall. The little dog was cornered. Ears laid back, the two hounds slowly approached him, their teeth clenched. The puppy laid his own ears back and growled, baring his teeth.
Alice was powerless to help the little creature. Those hounds were bigger than her, and she couldn’t fight them off.
A boy leapt past her, causing Alice to jump against the wall. He was taller than she by a few inches, with shaggy dark-brown hair covered with a floppy gray cap that was a little too big. He wore brown trousers, heavy black boots, and a button-up blue shirt.
The boy hit the hounds on their big, slobbering heads and yelled, “Yah! Go on. Out, you big lugs.”
The hounds dove around him and out of the stall, yelping with their tails tucked between their legs.
“You two belong in the kennels, don’t ya? Hey, Ingleside!”
A groom about the boy’s age popped his head out of another stall.
“You’ll take the hounds that just ran out of this stall back to the kennels? I’ve got to finish with Acacia before I hear about it from Mr. Fennell. I’ve no time. Please, Ingleside?”
The other boy hesitated. “I’ll do it, but you got to finish up North Star.”
The puppy’s hero nodded. “It’s a bargain. The hounds are out in the courtyard.”
Ingleside went out the door, and Alice heard him whistling in the yard.
The boy turned to Alice after the groom’s departure. “Hallo! Didn’t see you there.” He walked into the stall and retrieved the puppy. “He’s a fine one, just a bit scared. You look worried; don’t be. It’s fine. He’s not bleeding or anything.”
