The Companion of Lady Holmeshire (15 page)

They passed a small building of rotting wood, without a door on the opening. Inside, without furnishings, were huddled about 20 people in several family groups, some peeking, frightened, around the walls. One woman sang, soft and low, a nonsensical, melancholy song; Genevieve sympathetically nodded to her, but then felt like a hypocrite. What good was a nod?

A few rowdy drunkards passed through the area, alarming people. A loud preacher exhorted any who passed to fear for their salvation, and some boys were being chased up a tree by an angry woman. A young lad swept some horse dung out of their path, and he held out an open palm.

A man saw the cluster of gentlemen and hurried his family across the street to ask desperately for work, promising absolute honesty and hard work should there be a position for him. One of the gentlemen stopped to talk with him, and Genny hoped with all her heart that the man would be given a position. He looked strong enough, clear minded and was certainly more than willing to work, she realized.

What could she do? Could she somehow help these people? Or was a lady truly to keep her hands clean of it?

A woman, sitting in the grass, cried out as the group was about to pass. “Ma’am, ma’am!” Genevieve, startled and concerned, looked in her direction. “My...my baby was born today, out here in the wind and rain,” she cried out, “and I cannot warm him enough out here; he’ll die, ma’am. Please, what can I do?”

Genny’s concern became horror! She walked toward her hurriedly, her mandated refinement beginning to falter and lose its hold. She drew near to the newly delivered, shivering woman with pleading eyes. She looked, dismayed, at the baby. Genny froze in astonishment, for a moment, but then took off her lush cloak and wrapped it around them to trap the mother’s lifesaving warmth around her child.

“
If only I could be sure you would be safe with it! That nobody would take it from you!” It was an expensive cloak and could bring good money. How could she protect her?

“
I’ll take care of her, ma’am,” announced a teenage boy, who was standing near, “She is my mum, and I’ll watch over them.” He was a thin boy, but spoke with such conviction that Genny, though at first hesitant, began to feel reassured. This lad was intent; he would certainly do his best. She reached out a hand and pulled him nearer his mother. She obtained a few coins from Wills, gave them to the youth and told him that his Mama would need good, healthy food to eat in order to care for that baby. Still, Genny felt their help to be so short lived that it was all but in vain. What would become of this lowly family?

The woman burst into tears and expressed profuse thanks to both her and Wills. “I’ll work again, soon ma’am, as soon as I have my strength back,” she vowed. “I really will. I’ll find us a little place. I’ll work hard.” Genevieve prayed from a bleeding heart that she would live that long and turned away. She wished to forget.

“
It is enough, Wills, I’ve seen enough. My presumption is broken; take me away!” she importuned.

But as they walked away, her strength began to build and her mind to churn. She gradually developed a new look, a new bearing. Lord Holmeshire proudly saw the emergence of a true lady from a paradigm that was being shed. He waved, and his carriage came; he nodded his thanks to the army of gentlemen that had surrounded them, and they rode away. Genevieve sat looking straight ahead, deeply in thought, in her seat.

“
I’m sorry, my dearest. I needed to bring you here to see what I am working for,” he offered, hopefully expecting a positive reply as he coaxed her forward to put his coat around her shoulders.

“
I do now understand what you are working for. And I will be doing what you are doing. With my whole heart.” Wills heaved a huge sigh of relief; what he had surmised from her expression was true; she had said it herself.

He expressed appreciation that they could be united in this effort, that this would truly bring them together. She could speak, though absently, of nothing but the mother and child until they approached Handerton House, and she became quiet and pensive again as they rode up the majestic drive. Wills then spoke.

“
How would you have me dress for your Ball, my Faerie Queen?”

Her concern and thoughtful state was momentarily overthrown; she looked up at him. “Oh, Wills, I did not think you would care to attend!”

“
Let us make an agreement; we will marry and work very hard always to help the people,” he said, “And then, with a clear conscience, we will go to a lovely party and forget these dismal things for the night.” She smiled broadly.

As he walked her to the ivy-covered entrance of the house, he said, “I will not have you depressed by it, but rather, empowered to help, such that your spirits will be lifted, and you can thoroughly enjoy dancing and eating and drinking with your friends. And we will always send out what is left over for the poor and hungry.”

“
We surely will,” she concurred. As he delivered her back to the humid Palm Room and her curious workmates, she could hardly turn her mind back to Midsummer Night’s Dream, but had thoughts of small baskets full of food and piles of warm blankets for the poor. She failed to even hear his next words to her.

“
I have met with the designer, you know, and unpacked huge boxes of supplies. The designer heard my needs and has come to London to work on a variety of arrangements.” He leaned in toward her, trying to get her attention. “I had hoped, by now, to have some drawings to share with you, Genevieve, and see which plans you preferred. However, it is taking more time than I expected. I shall send a message as soon as they arrive, though, and we could arrange a date to sit down together with him and consider the choices. I shall certainly wish to have your impressions.” This assured the Marchioness, wrongly, that there had been a proposal.

“
My impressions on what?” Genevieve returned to the present.

“
On the designing of Holmeshire Hall,” Wills declared. “Someone please tell her what I said. I am late to return to a meeting. Goodbye to all, and please make plans to receive me frequently!”

Such relieved faces had never before been seen until they began to alter, becoming troubled and inquisitive at Genny’s countenance. She had sunk into a chair as he bowed and left, and she now appeared thoroughly lost to them all. To her, Holmeshire Hall was an extravagance, marble and all, and it was quickly forgotten.

Curiosity was devouring her mother and friends; they watched her intently, waiting to hear something that made sense. “Genny!” said Lady Breyton, confused, picking up her daughter’s hand to check for an engagement ring. “Please inform us about this outing. Has Lord Holmeshire set a wedding date?”

“
No, Mama,” she replied. “There are more important things to take care of.” More important?
Could
there be something more important? Was something wrong with her? Was this the real Genny? Katherine and Samantha looked at each other for answers and then back at Genevieve, trying intently to read her expression.

“
You see,” she began, her face having become flushed with emotion, while pushing away rock crystal stars and a silver-plated moon that they had spent hours designing, “There are actually
real
problems in the world.” They remained confused. She pulled her weight up in the chair to clarify. She had to be strong, did she not, for the task ahead. “There are cold, wet, hungry people, people that simply desire a position; they merely wish to have a home and food for their families, but have no means.” Her friends sat up intently, a look of understanding dawned on their faces, and fear and horror on Grace’s.

“
Where did he take you that you could not wear your jewelry, Genny?” asked Lady Breyton in a fairly sharp tone, with the first of her own opinions teetering on configuration.

“
He took me to the real world, Mama. We stepped out into the world, where that
necklace
could have fed a family for a
year
!” Grace gasped in alarm. “We were safe, Mama. We were accompanied by about ten gentlemen. You ought to have been there, too. Why have we not been there before, Mama? Were you hiding this from me? Hiding, perhaps, the most important thing in life? Living people in want of food? You should have been there! You all should have been there!”

“
What was it, Gen? What did you see?” Samantha asked, with fear on her face.

“
People, Sam. People with problems. Children with little clothing in the cold wind! People hiding from us in a little room, afraid of us when we looked in! Why are they afraid? What is it that we do to them? And there were...” She covered her face at some of the other memories.

Suddenly she sprung up, looked around at the room and cried, “What are we doing living in this…this huge jewel box, this gilded and draped Goliath of a house, when there are people with little even to wear on their backs?” She ran to the door and looked out at the hall and up at the ceiling. “Gold overlay on the borders?” she exclaimed. “Why did we paint gold on the borders when people are starving?” She ran down the hall. “Golden picture frames!” She ran into a footman bringing tea. “Silver tea sets!” she yelled at the terrified man, “Food that will be thrown away for not being wanted! Servants have spent hours, just decorating these candies!” She picked some up and threw them over a railing down to the floor below. “How could we?!”

She ran down the long hallway, up two flights of stairs and into her room, where she dashed elaborate trinkets off of her tables and threw herself onto her bed. The women followed after her, the girls terribly concerned and her mother furious!

~
Chapter 7~

This and That Effort; Everyone Tries

The weather cooperated perfectly for Anne the next morning. Gwyn, upon approving Anne’s suggestion regarding his health, had asked to take Nicky out in the sunshine to a park, accompanied by the lady’s maids. They were given permission to go, and even a carriage to use, along with a footman for an escort.

Anne had hoped that Simon would be given the responsibility, but that was foolish thinking. Mr. Grantham was in charge, and it could never be. She had planned, though, for either eventuality. While not on the rear of the carriage, Simon would simply become lost while out for the post and find himself in the park. The ladies must arrive at the right time, for Simon could not stay long; his duties called loudly, and he would be missed!

However, Nicky was having a bad morning. His stomach hurt, and Nanny had to find a solution. Though her nursery back home was well stocked, she was now in London. She could only hope that the charcoal tablets she had brought in her small medicine bag would work for the pains. Getting them down little Nick’s throat was the worst of it, but Anne managed that when Gwyn could not. Once down, the small black lumps were quickly declared to be successful in their undertaking.

Hattie, pointing the way down the long hall, commented that perhaps Anne should stay in her own area in the mornings; how was she to scrub and mop with everyone in all of London in her nursery? Anne, who had finally found cause to develop some stamina, pointed out that they would soon be gone for the entire morning. Hattie could re-mop, but what have we here? There is no mud; it seems that lady’s maids do not track mud about.

Dressing Winnie took Elizabeth longer than usual, but Anne once again came to the rescue. She knocked and stepped into Winnie’s suite to see what she could do to help and proved to be exceedingly useful. Winnie’s hair just needed another twist and a few flowers. The buttons were difficult, since they were covered with fabric, so please move over, Lizzy, and Anne would do it for her. Anne was graciously thanked by Lizzy’s mistress. It did put Lizzy into a bit of an attitude, but Anne no longer cowed to her every whim. Life was at a critical turning point, and she was determined to pull the horses in the right direction and to get them there on time!

On this particular day, they arrived at the park just on time. Anne fell in love with flowers like never before, which caused her to lag behind the other women. Once they were used to her being so far behind, she slipped around a large Memorial statue. There were flowers there, too, but she did not think of them for even a second.

She found her Romeo sitting on the very same artistically twisted wooden bench she had praised in her note. He jumped to his feet, all smiles, and bowed to her as she curtsied. He handed her a bouquet that he had purchased, no doubt for his Grandmother, should anyone ask, but there she was and Grandmother was not. These flowers, this ribbon—could she ever put them down? She would keep them near to her always; they were as precious as life itself! But time was short, and she must think of her bouquet later.

The two sat down quickly together and for the first time learned each other’s names. They had many questions, but spoke hastily, in desperation, and asked only a few, knowing that they would soon be found by angered Nannies and Maids.

Anne Amberton, what a lovely name!” He seemed to be thanking God for having discovered that name at last. “Miss Amberton, then. I shall never forget. Is Holmeshire far from here?”

“
Aye, terribly far, and ‘tis a very rough ride. Did you always live in London?”

“
I did live near London, and my Grandfather and Father were groomsmen for the royal family. I was very fortunate; we had a cottage on the grounds. Was your family in service?”

“
No, they live down in the village. My sister and I are in service. Do you like chocolates?”