The Companion of Lady Holmeshire (2 page)

“
Oh, ma’am, they will think I am affected!”

“
Well, then, they will be correct. You are to be a lady.”

“
Yes, ma’am,” Emma's discomfort showed.

“
Allow me to see your confidence! Did Miss Wathem teach you nothing?” Lady Holmeshire stiffened and set the example. “You must sit properly, despite me.” She laughed, amused at herself.

“
Yes, ma’am,” she conceded, and she straightened up her shoulders against the back of her velvet chair.

Winifred, Lady Holmeshire, had come from one of the oldest and most powerful families in Britain. Growing up in grand Streybourne Manor near Wales, the daughter of a duke, she had been required to turn out perfect. Her parents, who now lived quietly in London, had spared no expense. There were music masters, literary teachers and lessons in riding. There were painting, languages, refinement and her governess, Miss Wathem, to bring it all together. And what a success! With her natural elegance and good will, she had come to be the belle of all balls and the most sought-after hand in the country.

After accepting countless invitations and meeting young noblemen, and even royals, from far and wide, she had joyfully accepted a marriage proposal from the 6th Earl of Holmeshire, The Lord Tristan Bradley. She had wed for love and brought a good deal of money with her to Holmeshire Hall, a castle somewhat smaller than her childhood home. They had been among the happiest couples in the whole of British society. Their first and only child was Wilfred, aged only sixteen when his good father died, and he became the 7th Earl.

As the Mistress of the house, widowed at thirty-six years of age, the Countess had managed well on her own, at least to all appearances, when her son went to university. Alone, she had entertained and visited out. She had painted and ridden and written beautiful letters.

At last she was to have an agreeable companion; all this perfection and grandeur were to be pushed into and rubbed off onto this housemaid, the lovely Emma. Winnie sent her to London to be educated and refined at the home of her own former finishing governess. Miss Wathem took her in and taught and trained and dressed and styled her.

“
Can I bring you some eggs?” Winnie queried, as she maintained her perfect posture, but ignored protocol.

“
I think just this scone and tea today, ma’am. My jostled stomach is not ready to tolerate more.” Emma looked up and peered out the small window. Her eye for beauty took over. “We should send this countryside off to some artist to be painted!”

“
Yes, it should be painted! But I fear it would not travel well. It would not fit into even the monstrous crates we have stacked in the north wing. Wills has sent an entire wing full of wooden boxes! He has asked me to please be patient and not to open them and decorate before his desperately needed reconstruction.”

“
Do you know what it is that he has sent?”

“
No. His letters did not reveal much of it. It has all arrived from Rome, so quite surely we will be doing something in classical Italian.”

“
Italian, like Miss Wathem’s house! I love it; all the swirling marble and beautiful art! I shall simply adore it!” Anything Wills might do would please Emma. He had caught her eye as a child, but it was, of course, entirely impossible.

“
I cannot wait to show you the new home of Her Grace, my sister Helena!” Winnie spoke with admiration of a brand new mansion in Belgrave Square, London. “She has used darker colors indoors than I, but that is less bothersome when you have so many large windows. There are some few walls here that I could safely knock down to add windows. Our home is built to withstand a siege!”

“
Though, of course, you have never endangered your life with making enemies,” laughed Emma. “This fortress is completely secure, notwithstanding that the battles of Scotland, at the nethermost regions of the hill, might arise from their sleep in history! Then, with no Lord of the castle present, we should undertake to slay the lot of them ourselves!”

Winnie chuckled. “You see why I have dressed you up to sit upstairs, my dear girl. You amuse me so! But I shall have enemies, quite soon, and not just those opposed to my bringing you along to tea with me.”

“
I do dread
that
, ma’am, and wish with all my heart that you would repent of that intention, though you make it clear that you do not intend to spare me of it.” Emma sighed deeply, perplexed at the Countess’ determination on the matter. “But we have discussed that aplenty. As for the matter of décor, your many mirrors do bounce the light from the small windows about the house. You are brilliant; it surely does help! You have such magnificent fireplaces, as well, to brighten things up here.”

“
They certainly do not do enough to alleviate the horrid cold of the north in this stone fortress! Sometimes I wish we had a cozy little home, as they do down in the village, where the fireplace could keep us warm all the time. Should it not be for this multitude of petticoats, we would both freeze!” Winnie shivered all the more for thinking about it!

“
Those homes are small enough to heat, despite the drafts, ma’am, but only when there is wood or coal enough. Some of them must save it all for cooking their evening meal, and even for that, at times, there is not wood.” Could her own empathy, in some way, help?

“I confess to not knowing enough of the people’s needs in the village. I recall that the Squire’s wife took you on her visits to the poor while you were growing up. Did you find many people greatly in want?”

“
Some, yes, ma’am. Winters are difficult in Holmeshire, especially during these last few years, as I have heard when in town.”

“
You should tell me more of it, Emma. It is time that I use my influence to invite some restraint into society and to persuade the wealthy gentlemen and ladies to take more action on behalf of their fellow man. I believe Wills intends to take the matter up when he is seated in Parliament. Thus, we shall have new enemies.” Winnie’s light-weight sweetness had become firm determination.

“
It would be the kindest thing, ma’am, if the people could keep warm and be provided with a bit more meat and bread. They are somewhat employed in Holmeshire Village during the summer, better than many in London, I dare say, but they must save because the cost of food is so very high. And in the winter, some do not have enough. They do care to look out for each other, though!”

“
Those without enough look out for each other. And their betters do not notice their being in want for all the parties we must attend! It is time that that should change. Then that is my intention—that they will have more means to provide for themselves. We must create more work, that they may have more food and coal in the winter. I must talk to his Lordship, should he ever return from his travels!”

Barreby stepped in to inform the women that Elizabeth and Anne had climbed the hill and entered the house. “Should I send them up for you to meet Anne, ma’am?” He was a kindly man, jolly, but strongly committed to his responsibilities.

“
Let us move, first, to the Sitting Room,” Winnie said. “We will be ready in fifteen minutes. Have Elizabeth show Anne the arrangement of their bedroom for now.” She turned to Emma. “They shall spend their lives together here. Is it not nice when sisters can be together?”

***

In London, Lady Genevieve, daughter of the Marquess of Breyton, stepped out of a carriage behind her mother into a spacious park, filled with towering trees, for their regular walk. Their umbrellas up, they strolled happily, recounting their diary of upcoming dinners and leisurely teas. The ladies waved to friends on horseback, promising to join them for a ride on their estate quite soon.

They watched a man release a pigeon into the air, which sobered the Marchioness. She recalled the fearsome incident that they had experienced during a respite to Bath. While they were feeding birds in the seaside town, they had noticed a man watching Genevieve for the second time that day! Lady Breyton, again, expressed feelings of fright. “We must be cautious, Genny, as we do not understand the man who was observing our actions in Bath.”

“
Mama, I believe there was a different man watching us Monday, when I went out with Auntie!”

“
Monday?”

“
Yes, but he was ever so different. This man was thin! He was also a gentleman, well dressed, like the first man.”

“
He was thin, Genny? It surely was a different man, then. I can’t imagine, though, why there should be two men watching you!”

Genevieve looked around, through the tidy wintery scene, and suddenly turned back to her mother. “Hush, Mother! I saw him again! Just this moment! He rode past, staring at us! Let us go, Mama!”

“
Where, dear, which coach?” Her mother was now obviously in doubt.

Genny froze and dared not point. “Let us go, please Mama, let us go
now
!” Her pleading ended abruptly, for whether the Lady Grace Breyton believed her or not, they must leave! She took her mother by the hand and pulled her along, dropping her umbrella to wave for their coachman. Her conviction persuaded her mother, and she, too, took up her skirts to move quickly.

In the carriage and on their way home, the women exchanged anxious thoughts. “This is so incomprehensible, Mama! Why could they be following us?”

“
I do not know, Genny. We must talk to Papa today. There shall be no more delay, if you are certain. This is most distressing!”

***

On the other side of London, a young Earl walked over the plank, and the swirling waters below it, to exit a ship that had just arrived from afar. Adjusting his sense of balance to the solid land that was at last under his feet, he was approached by an old acquaintance, his solicitor.

“
My Lord Holmeshire!”

“
Mr. Wentby! How nice that you have come all the way here to meet me as I set foot on English soil again. Although, I must say, this English ground will not seem to behave properly. What spy has sent you?”

“
I meet you by coincidence, My Lord. I am here to fetch my mother-in-law.”

“
Ah, do have a pleasant visit with the dear lady, then, sir. I am home, at long last, after my travels on the Continent. Pray, do not notify my mother, as I want to see her delighted face when I burst into the house, and I must spend time in London before I return.”

“
I shall leave the surprise to you, then, sir. Tell me, please, have you decided when you will approach Chancery on the matter of the little boy?”

“
That matter tries to assail my peace of mind frequently, sir, but I can easily brush it aside. Nicholas will be best cared for in my home, and I do not wish to complicate the matter. Any opposition could only prove to be detrimental to the welfare and happiness of the lad.”

“
I will leave that to you also, then, sir. I can only advise and hope that you do not encounter a disaster that I must untangle.”

“
And I thank you for your daring to do business with me, Wentby; they tell me that I am a bit of difficulty. Even my mother rolls her eyes when I approach, though I am certain that her governess once forbade her to have such a look upon her face.”

“
Forgive my opinion, sir, but I am certain that the poor woman cannot prevent the reactions that come up from deep within. Having had your acquaintance, myself, I...”

“
A woman stands behind you, sir, preferring not to interrupt as I have just done; could this be the lady you are here to greet? You must introduce me!”

“
Ah, it is, sir.”

Wills nodded a friendly hello.

***

Winnie sat as near as possible to the fire on the slate hearth seat itself. “I suppose that the maids will not mind terribly where I sit; would you? You have arrived with your head filled with Miss Wathem’s corrections! Helena would love to misbehave and sit here with me. And I absolutely must warm myself!” She pulled her cording-trimmed gown away from the blazing fire. “Elizabeth tells me that Anne works wonders with hair—you will be most elegant!”

“
You are known for your style, Milady; the maids will be a good pair.”

The door opened, and Barreby announced with great pride, “I have locked up the breakfast tea service and silverware. Elizabeth and Anne, ma’am.” They stepped in with Elizabeth in the lead. The elder Lizzy had cared for and taught her siblings with a firm hand; the ever meek Anne had learned early in life to do just as her sister said, “so Mama could sew,” and was now to spend her life in service under her Commander’s direction. She cautiously followed Lizzy in and curtsied, barely glancing up afterward, for which she was immediately chastised. Her hesitation exposed her newness to such a frightful position.

Winnie’s renowned patience was displayed. “Remember not to discuss the silver when you announce persons, Barreby, no matter who they are. You may go.” His deep sigh belied how very difficult it would be to comply. His thoughts, day and night, centered on protecting the house and its treasures.

“
Elizabeth!” Winnie welcomed. “Bring your sister here. Do not be shy now, Anne,” she said as she peered around Lizzy, “there will not be time for that.”

“
I’m sorry, ma’am.” Anne stumbled over herself, being entirely without confidence.

“’
Milady’ at the first meeting of the day, please,” Winnie corrected her. “And then it is ma’am for the remainder of the day. This is my companion, Emma. She is to be waited on now, Elizabeth, especially by Anne, and addressed by you both as ma’am.”