Introduction
LaviniaStuartthoughtsheknewwhoshewas,butareunionwithhergrandfatherbringswithitanextraordinaryturnoffortune Thrustintoanewworld–aworldshewasneverpreparedfor–Laviniamustnownavigatewhatitmeanstobeawomanlike thosesheonceserved.Whenhermothertakeshertovisitanoldfriend,Laviniastumblesfromonedisastertoanother,fearing shewillnevergetanythingright…
However,itisanunexpectedencounterthatwillforeveralterherfateratherthanatitle…
In the solitude of his estate, the brooding Baron, Archie Thompson, mourns the loss of his beloved sister, Gwendolene. Hauntedbygrief,helivesareclusivelife,shroudedinmysteryandconsumedbyaquestforanswerssurroundingheruntimely demise. As Archie tussles with the weight of his sister's memory and grief, the last he expected was the profound impact Lavinia'sarrivalwouldhaveonhislife.
Northesharedjourneytheyweredestinedtoundertake…
Inthis unexpected encounter, where two verydifferent worlds collide, canLavinia and Archie ever find commonground? Whenashockingdiscoveryismade,andwhispersintheshadowsbecomemorethanmererumor,LaviniaandArchiewillfind themselves tested, as the mystery over Gwendolene’s death deepens Will their love blossom amidst the challenging obstacles?Orwilltheirfragilebondnotwithstandthetestoftime?
Sarum Lacy House, Wiltshire
February 1812.
“Don’tleaveme,Archie,areyouthere?”Gwendolenesaid,andArchibaldThompsonplacedhishandonhissister’s,wanting toreassureherofhispresence.
Shewasfailingfast,herfacepale,herhandcoldtothetouch Hereyeswereclosed,andherlips,oncesoredandfull,were now pinched and drawn. It was as thoughshe was retreatinginto herself, preparingfor her final journey. Archie felt tears wellingupinhiseyes,andhedrewadeepbreath,tryingtostaystrong,eveninthefaceofsuchinevitablesuffering “Iwon’tleaveyou,Gwendolene.I’mhere.I’mnotgoinganywhere,”Archiereplied.
Hehadkeptvigilathissister’sbedsideforthepastthreedays,refusingtoleaveher,andsleepinginachairnexttoher Their motherhadtriedtopersuadehimtorest,butArchiewasadamant.Gwendolenewashissister,hisdearestfriend.Helovedher morethananything,andthethoughtoflosingherwasunbearable
“MyLord,it’stimeforherladyship’stonic,”thenursesaid,andArchielookeduptofindherstandinginthedoorwayofhis sister’sbedroom
ShehadarrivedafterChristmas,whenitwasclearGwendolene’sconditionwasonlygettingworse.Archiehadbeenreluctant toadmitit,adamanthecouldlookafterher,butthefeverhadtakenhold Shehadbeensofulloflife,butnow,shewasreduced toashadowofherformerself,slowlyfadinglikeatreelosingitsleaves,oraflowerdroppingitspetals.
Hedidnotknowhowthishadcomeabout Itallseemedsounfair Archierosetohisfeet,steppingbacktoallowthenurseto carryoutherministrations. “I’mstillhere,Gwendolene
Hedidnotknow ifhissistercouldhearhim,orifthetonic,prescribedbyadoctorwhohadcomeupfromLondontoattend her,woulddoanygood.Nothinghadseemedtowork,andnowitseemedtobeacaseofwhen,notif,shewouldslipaway.A streamofsunlightwascomingthroughthewindow,fallingonhissister’sbed,thedustdancingintherays.
Butitwasnotthewarmsunofasummer’sday,butthecoldlightofwinter SnowwaslyingthickonthegroundaroundSarum LacyHouse, and there was no prospectofa thaw. Archie had insisted onhis sister’s bedroomfire beingmaintained at all times,andnowhecrossedovertothehearth,placinganotherlogintothesplutteringflamesandwarminghishands
“That’salluntilthisevening,MyLord,”thenursesaid,andArchieturnedtoherandnodded.
Shewasapractical woman thesortwhotooknononsense,andshehadbeendiligentinher ministrations,evenaslittleby wayofprogresshadbeenmade.PrayerwasArchie’slastrecourse,andhelookedupatthecrucifixhangingabovehissister’s bed,rememberingthewordsofthepriestwhohadvisitedthepreviousdaytoadministerthelastrites
“Peaceiswhatshedeserves,MyLord.ThepeaceonlyGodcangiveher,”hehadsaid.
ButArchiestillclungtohope.Hedidnotwanthissistertodie.Itwasacruelandmeaninglessthing.Shewasstillsoyoung. Herwholelifewasaheadofher.Shehadbarelybeguntolive.
Helookedupatthecrucifix,notunderstandingwhy,evenasheknewitwasnothisplacetoquestion Gwendolenehadfallen asleep,thetonicasmuchasedativeasacure,andArchienowsatdownagainatthesideofthebed,maintaininghisvigil,and longingforhissistertorecover. ***
“You need to get some sleep, Archibald You’ve sat here for days Go to your bed and rest I’ll stay with Gwendolene,” Archie’smother whoalwayscalledhimArchibald said.
He looked up at her insurprise, not havingrealized she had entered the room His mother, the dowager, was animperious lookingwoman,verygrand,dressedinablackgownwithpearlsatherneck,everybitthearistocraticlady.Butherappearance disguisedthefactofhertruenature.Gwendolenehadinheritedmuchfromher;herlooks,herkindness,hergentleways.Archie sighed.
“Iwanttostay,mother WhatelsecanIdo?”heasked,andhismothershookherhead
“Have somethingto eat, lie downinyour ownbed, read a book… anythingto distractyoufrom… this,” she said, glancing downatGwendolene,whoseeyeswereclosed,herhead,withitsredringlets,turnedtooneside
Herfacehadgrownpaler,morewithdrawn.Noonereallyknewwhatwaswrongwithher.Shehadbeenwelluntilthestartof December ButonthefirstSundayofAdvent,whenthevestmentsthepriestworeforMasswerepurple,asuddensicknesshad seizedher.Thathadbeenthestartofit,andsincethen,shehadgraduallyfaded.
“I butsheneedsme,mother,”Archiesaid,evenashiseyeswereheavywithsleep
“AndI’dlikeafewmomentsalonewithher,Archibald.She’smydaughter,aswellasyoursister,”hismothersaid.
Itwasnotoftensheadoptedasterntone,butArchienowrealizedshewasright Hiswasnottheonlygrief,andheknewhowit painedhismothertoseeGwendolenesuffer.Archierosetohisfeet,offeringthechairtohismother,whosatdownwithasigh. Thereweretearsinhereyes,andArchieplacedagentlehandonhershoulder
“I’llbebacksoon,”hesaid,andshenodded.
“Iaskedtheservantstohavesomethingreadyforyouinthediningroom Westillneedtoeat,”shesaid Thankingher,Archie lefthissister’sbedroom,closingthedoorbehindhimandsighingashestoodonthelanding.
Hewasexhausted,evenashefeltguiltyforleavingGwendolene’ssideevenforafew moments.Buthismotherwasright,it wasonlyfairtoleaveherandhissisteraloneforamoment.Thedayhadturneddark,snow cloudsgatheringoverthehouse, andasArchiemadehiswaydownstairs,hefeltthechillofadraughtaroundhislegs
SarumLacyHouse was the ancientseatofthe Barons ofSarum,tracingits foundations tothe NormanConquest.Archie had inherited the title fromhis father six years previously, and since then, he had his sister had managed the estate as a joint enterprise The thoughtoflosingher was unimaginable, and Archie had believed the two ofthemwould grow old together, sharinginlife’sjoyandsorrows.
“Your mother asked me to laya place for youinthe diningroom, MyLord Alittle soup, perhaps? Some cheese?” asked Hargreaves,thebutler,asArchiecamedownthehallway,findinghimstandingstifflyatthediningroomdoor.
HargreaveshadbeenwiththefamilysincebeforeArchiewasborn.Hewasfiercelyloyal,andArchieknew he alongwith alltheservants wouldmournthelossofhissisteraswell.
“Thankyou,Hargreaves Somesoupwillsuffice,”Archiesaid,andthebutleropenedthediningroomdoorforhim
Theeastwingwasthemostancientpartofthehouse Onceafortifieddwelling,ithadservedthefamilywellduringthecivil war,andintimesofpersecutionagainsttheCatholicpopulation.Thehousewasamazeofcorridorsandlockedrooms.There werenolessthanthreepriestholes,thoughthedaysofhidingvisitingclergyfordaysatatimeweremercifullyover.
Now,thehouseseemedunnecessarilylargeandcutoff,hiddenawayinthedepthsoftheEnglishcountryside,andsurrounded onallsidesbyavastestate,madeupoftractsofwoodlandandremotefarms.
Hargreaveshadlitcandlesaroundtheroom,andtherewasafireinthehearth,butstill,itfeltcold.Thesingleplacesettingat the large table, watched over by portraits of Archie’s long-dead ancestors on the paneled walls above, only served as a reminderofhowitwouldbewhenGwendolenewasgone.
“Onemoment,MyLord.I’llbringthesoup,”thebutlersaid,retreatingfromtheroom.
Archielookeddownattheplacesetting.Thesoupspoonwasataslightangle,andthenapkinfoldedhastily.Herearrangedit tohisliking,anglingthecutlerytopreciseterms,andstraighteningthenapkin Archiewasasticklerfordoingthingsproperly
Hisclothesandappearancewerealwaysneatandtidy,andheorderedhissurroundingsintherightway.Nothingwasallowed tobeoutofplace.Satisfiedwithhisrearrangements,hesatdownatthetablewithasigh.Butwhilehecouldorder himself, andhisenvironment,hefeltpowerlesstobringordertothesadcircumstanceshefoundhimselfin
Hecoulddonothingforhissister Hecouldnotmakeherbetter,andinthat,hefeltafailure Awindwhistledaroundthehouse, andthroughthewindow,Archiecouldseeitwassnowingagain.Thehousecouldbecutoffforweeksatatimeinthewinter, andArchiecouldnothelpbutwonderastothepracticalitiesofwhatwouldhappeniftheworstwastoberealized.
“Carryingthecoffinthroughthesnow,”hemurmuredtohimself,shakinghisheadattheveryideaofit.
Hargreavesnowbroughtthesoup,butdespiteknowinghewashungry,Archiedidnotfeelso Hepickeduphisspoon,takinga fewmouthfulsasthebutlerstoodstifflybehindhim.Buthavingtoyedwiththesoupforsometime,heputhisspoondownand sighed.
“What’stheuseofit?”heexclaimed,pullinghisnapkinoffandtossingittooneside.
“Allthis?She’sgoingtodie.Andthere’snothingIcandoaboutit,”Archieexclaimed.
Hewasnotusuallygiventosuchemotionaloutbursts,butnow hefeltquiteoverwhelmedbytheprospectoflosinghissister, notknowinghowhewouldcopewithouther.Shehadbeenhisconstantcompanionsincechildhood,hisbestfriend,hisclosest confidant…
“MyLord,you’redoingallyoucan.Noonecoulddomore.Yourloyaltytoyoursisteris…admirable,”Hargreavessaid,but Archieshookhishead.
“Butit’snotgoingtohelpher,isit?”hereplied.
Butbefore the butler could reply, the sound offootsteps inthe hallwaycaused Archie to lookup, his heartskippinga beat Therewasanurgencyintheapproach,andthediningroomdoornowopened,revealingtheanxiousfaceofMarie.
“Comequickly,MyLord Yoursisterdoesn’thavemuchtime,”shesaid
Archieranfromthediningroom,clatteringupthestairs,andburstingintohissister’sbedroom.Hefoundherwrithingonthe bed,moaninginpain,astheirmotherstoodpowerlessatherside
“Wedon’tknowwhathappened.Shewassleepingpeacefullyandnow…”thedowagersaid,asArchiehurriedtohissister’s side
“Gwendolene?I’mhere.It’sme,Archie,”Archiesaid,kneelingatthebedsideashissistergroaned.
“Oh…thepain…Archie,thepain.Makethepaingoaway,”shesaid,asheclutchedatherhand.
“IwishIcould Oh more thananything, IwishIcould IfIcouldtake your pain, Gwendolene,I’d gladlydoso Mypoor sister.Istherenothingyoucandoforher?”heasked,turningtoMarie,whoshookherhead.
“There’snohopeofgettingadoctornow,andevenifwecould,Idon’tthinkthere’sanythingmoretobedone,”shesaid
Archiewasnowseizedwithdesperation.Therewasnothingmorehecoulddo,anditseemedinevitableshewouldslipaway. Hewouldhavegivenanything hisentirefortune tosaveher Buthewaspowerless,andtearsnow welledupinhiseyes, runningdownhischeeks,ashesobbedathissister’sside.
“Oh,Gwendolene I’msosorry,IdidallIcould,butitwasn’tenough,”hemoaned
Hehadhishandclaspedinhers,andnowshegrippedhimwithaweakbutdeterminedhold.
“Archie don’tmournfor me,” she said, and he looked up to find his sister lookingathim, her eyes barelyopen, her lips trembling.
“ButIwill.Iwon’teverforgetyou,Gwendolene.Ican’tbearthethoughtoflosingyou.Whatcruelfatetookyoufromme?It can’tbenatural.WhywouldGoddothistous?”heexclaimed,glancingagainatthecrucifixhangingabovethebed.
“Wecan’tasksuchquestions,”Gwendolenereplied,hervoicegrowingfainterwitheveryword.
“Butit’ssounfair.It’snotright.I’llfindthereason,I’vegotto,”Archiesaid.
Hedidnotbelieveawomansofulloflife,sofullofhopeforallthatwastocome,couldsuccumbtosuchadreadfulfate.It hadall beensosudden,anddespiteknowingthefoolishnessofhisthoughts,Archiecouldnothelpbutthinksomeonewasto blameforwhathadhappened.Thiswasnotnatural,itcouldnotbe…
“No,Archie Letmerestinpeace Thisisallthatmatters,”Gwendolenewhispered “What?Whatisitthatmatters?”Archiereplied,staringathissisterimploringlyastearsrolleddownhischeeks.
“LiveyourlifeasI’dhavelivedmine Don’tshutyourselfaway Don’thidefromwhatcanbe IfI’mtodie,Idon’twantyouto dieinkind,Archie.Promisemeyou’llliveyourlifeasI’dhavedone,”shesaid.
Itwas a promise Archie could notbear to make, evenas he knew doingso would allow his sister to departinpeace. The thoughtoflifewithoutherwasunbearable.Hecouldnotimagineit,evenasheknewitsinevitability.
“Don’tleaveme,Gwendolene Idon’tknowhowIcangoonlivingwithoutyou,”hesaid,butGwendoleneshookherhead
“We’llmeetagain onanothershore,”shesaid,andnowshesqueezedhishand,hergriplessening,hereyesclosing “Gwendolene,please…”Archieimploredher.
“Promiseme,”shesaid,andhenodded
“Ipromise.IpromiseI’lllivethelifeyoudeserved.Untilwemeetagain.Iloveyou,”hesaid,andafaintsmilecameoverher lips “Iloveyou,too,”shewhispered,andnowshebreathedherlast.
Archieburiedhisfaceintheblankets,sobbinguncontrollably,andnowhismotherputherarmaroundhim,kneelingathisside. For a moment, their heads were bowed inthe heartbreakofloss, sobbingtogether, evenas Archie tried to pray, justas the priesthadtoldthem,too
“MypoorGwendolene,”thedowagersaid,andasArchielookedup,shemadethesignofthecrossoverherself.
Archiedidthesame.Butashelookedupatthecrucifixabovethebed,hecouldnothelpbutfeelasuddensenseofangeratthe lossofhissister,whonowlaystillandlifelessbeforethem.
“Idon’tknow how I’ll go on,” he said, knowingthe promise he had made, buthardlydaringto believe he could ever find happinessagainwhenhissisterhadlefthimforanothershore
Tall Chimneys, Wimborne, Dorset, England, August 1812
“It’sallright,Burns,I’llfetchit,”LaviniaStuartrosefromthebreakfasttableasthebutlerturnedtobringthecoffeepotfrom thesideboard
Hergrandfather,ViscountCranborne,clearedhisthroat.
“Sitdown,Lavinia You’llembarrassthepoorman,”hesaid,andLaviniapaused,alreadyhalfwayoutofherseat
The butler, his face flushed red withembarrassment, hurried to fetchthe coffeepotto fill Lavinia’s cup. She glanced ather grandfather,whosmiledandshookhishead.
“Iwas onlytryingtohelp.Itseems sillyfor me tositatthe table andwait,whenit’s justas easyfor me togetupandhelp myself,”Laviniasaid
Hergrandfatherlaughed
“Tellmethis,Lavinia.Whenyouwereamaid,wouldyouhavelikeditifyourmistresshaddeprivedyouofyourfunctionand servedherself?Andifshe’dgotatasteforit,andrealizedshecoulddowithoutyou,wouldyouhavebeengladifshe’dtold youtoleavebecauseyouwerenolongerneeded?
Weallhaveourplaceinthenaturalorder,Lavinia Iknowyou’restillgettingusedtoyourchangeincircumstances,butallow metobeyourguideinsuchmatters.Iknowyouwanttohelp,butdon’tdepriveBurns oranyoftheotherservants oftheir properfunction,”hesaid.
Laviniahadnotthoughtaboutitlikethat.Shewasstill gettingusedtothefactshewasnolongeraservant.Herpositionhad dramaticallyalteredsomemonthspreviouslywhen,followingthedeathofherfather,hergrandfatherhadarrivedatthehome shehadsharedwithherparents,desiringareunionwithhermother hisestrangeddaughter Ithadbeenthemostremarkable turnoffortune,revealingahistoryLaviniahadbeenentirelyunawareof.
“No,IsupposeIwouldn’thavedone,”Laviniaadmitted.
“Yourfatherhadhisfunction,too,didn’the?”hergrandfatherpersisted,andLavinianodded.
Herfatherhadbeenamerchant,thoughnotaverysuccessfulone,andLaviniahadresignedherselftoalifeofservice,before discoveringthetruthastoheraristocraticconnections
Hermotherhadbeenestrangedfromhergrandfather,buthisadvancingyearshadmeantathawinginviewsofherelopement withLavinia’s father, and he had desired a reconciliation. Onhearingof the deathof her father, Lavinia’s grandfather had soughtthemout,andtherestwashistory.
“I’msorry,Burns I’mjustnotusedto allthis,”Laviniasaid,lookingaroundheratthegrandeurofhergrandfather’sdining
room.
TallChimneyswasamagnificenthouse,setinitsowngrounds,andwithmoreroomsthanLaviniahadyetexplored.
“It’squiteallright,MissStuart,”thebutlerreplied,ashepouredthecoffeeforLavinia.
ThiswassomethingelseLaviniawasnotyetusedto Asamaid,albeitinahousewithakindlymistress,shehadneverbeen addressedinsuchformalterms.There,shewasmerely“Lavinia,”andherpositionwasalowlyone.Now,shewaselevatedto theranksofthearistocracy,andhergrandfatherhaddonemuchtointroducehertotheton,albeitwithmixedresults
“Ijustfeel…well,Iwanttodomore,”Laviniasaid,andhergrandfatherraisedhiseyebrows.
“Butwhatdoyoumean,more?”heasked,andLaviniasighed
Shewasusedtohardwork.Asachild,Laviniahadworkeddayandnightalongsideherparents,fetchingandcarryinginthe warehousewhereherfatherstoredthemyriadofthingsheboughtandsoldbywayofmakingmoney.Assoonasshewasold enough,notwantingtobeaburdenonher parents,Laviniahadenteredservice,wherelonghoursandfew daysoffwerethe orderofthings
Tofindherselfsuddenlyidle,andwithlittlemoretodothanread,andchangeherdressestofitwhateversocialoccasioncame next, did not come naturally to her She wanted to be doing something anything to feel useful But her grandfather was insistent.
Her placewas amongthearistocracy,aworldshefoundstrangeandunsettling Her grandfather hadbeenunfailinglykindto her,andtohermother,whomLaviniaknewwassogratefultobereunitedwiththefathershehadthoughtlost.Butasforbeing whatshenowwas,Laviniafounditchallenging,tosaytheleast
“Well,asamaid,Iwasupeverymorningbysixtomakethefires.Thentherewerethebedstoseeto,sweepinganddusting, polishing,fetching,andcarrying Ineverstayeddown,butnow,Ihardlystandup,”Laviniareplied
Shewasalmostenviousoftheservants.Hergrandfatherspokeofeachpersonhavingtheirplaceinthenaturalorderofthings, butforLavinia,herplacewasconfused,andshefeltuncertainofwhereshebelonged Notupstairs,butnotdownstairs,either Hergrandfatherhadpromisedtointroducehertosocietyatthepropertime,intendingtoallowhertogetusedtohernewway oflife
ButLaviniadidnotthinkshewouldevergetusedtoit.Shemissedherformerways thecamaraderiebetweentheservants, the dinners inthe servant’s hall, the outings ontheir days off. Now, Lavinia felt alone. She had not made anyfriends the introductions her grandfather hadmade for her oftenresultinginmisunderstandings.Andas for her future prospects,Lavinia remaineduncertainwhatwasexpectedofher…
“Butyou’renotamaidanymore,Lavinia.Youdon’thavetodoanythinglikethatanymore.Aren’tyoupleasedaboutthat?”her grandfatherasked.
Laviniacouldnotverywellsayshewasintwomindsaboutthematter.Sheknewhernewlifewouldtakesomegettingusedto, butthethoughtofbeingforeveridlefilledherwithdread.
“Yes,Iam,”Laviniasaid,andhergrandfathersmiled.
“You’llgetusedtoit,Lavinia.Don’tworry.Idon’texpectyoutofallintoline.Ijustwantwhat’sbestforyou,”hesaid.
Lavinia knew what was coming next. Her grandfather had spoken of it on numerous occasions since her arrival at Tall Chimneys Thequestionofhermarriage “Iknowyoudo,grandfather,”shesaid.
“Andonceyou’remarried It’llbeeasier Navigatingthewhimsandwillsofsocietycan’tbeeasy,Lavinia Butyou’vealready provedyourself,andI’msureitwon’tbelongbeforeaneligiblesuitorpresentshimself,”hergrandfathersaid,signalingtothe butlertopourhimanothercupofcoffee
IfLaviniawas yettogetusedtotheways ofher new life,shewas certainlystill togetusedtotheideaofamarriagebeing arrangedforher Inservice,shehadgiventhematterlittlethought,presumingmarriagewouldoccurforherwhentherighttime andtherightman came.Butintheworldofthearistocracy,thingswereverydifferent.
Introductionsweremade,arrangementswerepressed,andmarriagewasmoreamatterofmakingtherightmatchthanfallingin love.Lavinia’sgrandfatherhadfirstmentionedthematteraweekorsoaftersheandhermotherhadarrivedatTallChimneys.
Lavinia had not given it much thought, but her grandfather had been persistent He had introduced her to several potential suitors,allofwhomLaviniahadfoundwanting.Shedislikedthemall,andwhenoneinparticularhadpersisted,shehadshied away
“ButnotLordBath,”Laviniasaid,andhergrandfatherraisedhiseyebrows.
“Idon’tseewhat’swrongwithLordBath,Lavinia He’saperfectlygoodanddecentman,”hereplied,butLaviniashookher head.
ShehadfirstmettheEarlofBathataballinLondon,justafewweeksafterherunexpectedelevation.Shehadbeennervous, notknowingwhattodoorwhattosay,anddreadingthemomentshewouldbeexpectedtodance.
LordBathhadappearedcharmingatfirst,thoughLaviniahadsooncometorealizehewasthesortofmanwholikedtofind himselfinapositionofpower.Hehadpurposefullysoughtherout,having,itseemed,heardtheremarkablestoryofwhather grandfatherhaddoneforher
“Youreallyareverypretty,”hehadsaid,slippinghisarmaroundher,andLaviniahadhadnochoicebuttodancewithhim.
She had derived some satisfaction from having stepped repeatedly on his feet as they had danced, but it seemed he was determinedtowinherover,andinthecomingweeks,LordBathhadpersistedinhisattentions.
“He’s certainlykeen,” her mother had said, butLavinia had detected somethingmore thangenuine attractioninLord Bath’s attitudetowardsher.
spokeofrepeatedly,andLaviniacouldnothelpbutthinkhefounditattractiveinanunpleasantway.Thereweremanymenof his rankand class who had pursued their ownservants inthis way, and Lavinia could onlyimagine the earl would derive a senseofsatisfactioninseducingher
ButLaviniawashavingnoneofit.ShehadresistedLordBath’sadvances,thoughhadnotoutrightlyrejectedthem.Inreturn, shefearedhehadspreadrumorsabouther herpast,andmannerofherbehaviorinherlessaristocraticdays
“Ijustdon’tlikehim,that’sall.There’ssomething…notquiterightabouthim,”Laviniareplied,andhergrandfathershookhis head.
“Comenow,Lavinia.Youshouldn’tjudgehimuntilyouknowhimproperly.Andeventhen,itdoesn’tdotobejudgmental.But theserumors no,itwon’tdo Thesooneryou’remarried,thebetter,”hergrandfatherreplied
Laviniashookher head Therumors werejustthat andtheywerelies Shehadnever behavedwithimproprietyas amaid, andsinceherelevation,shehadbehavedwithtotalcomportment,albeitwithsomemistakesalongtheway.
“LordBathprobablystartedthoserumors,”Laviniasaid,andhergrandfatherfurrowedhisbrow.
“Whywouldhedothat?”heasked,andLaviniasighed.
“Sothathegetswhathewants Ifrumorsaregoingroundaboutme,hecanbetheonetoapparentlyriseabovethem,marrying me“despite”whatotherssay,”shesaid.
Hergrandfatherlookedasthoughhedidnotbelievewhatshewassaying,butsincefindingherselfinhernewposition,Lavinia hadcometorealizejusthowdevious,howbackstabbing,andhowself-determinedmostmembersofthetoncouldbe.Shehad neverheardservantsgossipwithsuchglee,ordelightinthedownfallofothers
Therewerethosewholivedfor scandal,andsometimes itfeltas thoughtherewas nothingher fellow aristocrats likedmore thantoseeanotheroftheirkindbroughtlow Itwasterrible,andLaviniawouldgladlyhavewashedherhandsofthemall
“Well,Idon’tknowaboutthat.Itallseemsrather…farfetched,”hergrandfatherreplied,butLaviniashookherhead.
ShewasadamantshewantednothingmoretodowithLordBath,evenasshefearedhergrandfatherhadotherideas
“I’msuresomeoneotherthanLordBathmightpresenthimself,”Laviniasaid
Shewas innorushtomarryandgivenshehadonlyjustdiscoveredwhoshereallywas,itseemedimportanttosettledown beforeanotherupheavaloccurred.Hergrandfathershookhishead.Wheneverthisdiscussionoccurred,theyalwaysreacheda stalemate
Neitherofthemwaswillingtogiveground,andLaviniarealizedshehadinheritedhisstubbornness,aswellashisstrikingred hair.Hergrandfatherwasabouttoreply thusprolongingtheirbickering whenthediningroomdooropened,andLavinia’s mother,Octavia,enteredtheroomwithanexcitedlookonherface.
“I’vejustreceivedthemostwonderfulnews,”sheexclaimed,holdingaloftaletterinherhand.
Lavinia’smotherhadsettledwellintowhathadbeenheroldlifebeforeelopingwithLavinia’sfather.Thegrievingwidowhad becomethegratefuldaughter,andLaviniaknewhowhappy,andrelieved,hermotherwastonolongerhavetoworryaboutthe practicalitiesoflife,infavoroftheeasewithwhichshenowpassedherdays Laviniawaspleasedforhermother,butthatdid notmeansheherselfwasfindingthetransitionanyeasier.
“Whatisit?”theviscountasked,andLavinia’smotherhandedherfathertheletter
“It’s fromHoratia youremember, the Baroness Sarum. Ihaven’t seenher inyears… well, I haven’t seenmanypeople in years.Welosttouch,ofcourse,thoughshewasneveragainstmymarryingArthur,”Octaviasaid.
Laviniawatchedashergrandfatherunfoldedtheletterandbegantoread.ShehadneverheardoftheBaronessSarumbefore. Butshewasbeginningtolearntherewasagreatdealabouthermother’spastshedidnotknow HerhistorywasoneLavinia had notbeenprivyto thoughshe had never asked aboutit, either. Lavinia had simplyaccepted her lot, and to find itwas differentfromwhatshehadexpectedwasstillsomethingshewasgettingusedto
“Oh,yes,whatatragedy losingherdaughter.Andshe’sbeenawidowfor…Ithink,sixyears,”Lavinia’sgrandfathersaid.
“Who’sthis?”Laviniaasked,andhermotherlookedatherandsmiled.
“HoratiaThompson,theBaronessSarum well,dowager,now Wewerefriendsinour younger days She’sinvitedustogo andstaywithheratSarumLacyHouseinWiltshire it’sthefamilyseat,”Octaviareplied.
Thename“SarumLacyHouse”conjuredupallmannerofgrandthoughtsinLavinia’smind Shestillmarveledatthesizeofthe housesofthoseshewasintroducedto andsheherself occupied.Ahundredroomsforafamilyoffiveandtheirservants,or ahousewithtwowingsandtowerforabachelorandhissmallbandofstaff.Itseemedobscene,thoughitwasnotsomething unusual,ofcourse Thosethathad,had,andthosethathadnot,hadnot
“Whatastrangenameforahouse,”Laviniareplied
“It’sawonderfulplace,deepinthecountryside.Itgetsquitecutoffinthewinterwhenthesnowcomes.Butinthesummer,one canroamacrosstheestatealldayandnotmeetasoulinthewoodsandmeadows.Iwentthereseveraltimes whenHoratia’s husbandwasstillalive Oh,andtothinkofgoingthereagain ”shesaid,clutchingherhandstogetherindelight
Lavinia’sgrandfatherhadnowfinishedreadingtheletter,andhelookedupatOctaviaandsmiled
“She’scertainlykeenonextendinganinvitationtoyouandLavinia,isn’tshe?”hesaid.
“Oh,father,dosaywecango It’lldoLaviniagood Iknow youwanttoarrangeamatchforher,but Ican’tturndownthe chancetogobacktoSarumLacyHouse,”Octaviasaid.
Therewasawistfullookinhereyes,andLaviniacouldseehowmuchtheinvitationmeanttoher Butasforaccompanyingher motheronthejourney,Laviniawasintwominds.Everythingwassonew,andLaviniadidnotfeelreadyforanotherupheaval.
ItwasonethingtolivewithhergrandfatheratTallChimneysandmakemistakesastowhichpieceofcutlerytouseandwhich glasstodrinkfrom,butquiteanothertodosoinanotherperson’shouse.
“Willshereallywantusthereifshe’slostherdaughter?”Laviniaasked,forshecouldnotimagineagrievingmotherwanting toentertainalong-lostfriendandherdaughter,returnedfromnothingtothecenteroftheton.
ButOctaviashookherhead.
“Shehadason,too Ithinkshe’dappreciatethecompany Shewriteshowdifficultit’sbeensinceGwendolene’sdeath Ifeel sosorryforher,”Octaviasaid.
Laviniashookherheadsadly She,too,feltsorryforHoratia Toloseadaughterwassurelyoneoftheworstthingsthatcould happen,andshefeltforHoratia’sson,too,losinghissister,whilebearingtheresponsibilityofhisinheritance.
“Thenyouwanttogo,mother?”sheasked,andhermothernodded
“Withyourpermission,father,”Octaviasaid,glancingatLavinia’sgrandfather,whonodded.
“I’mhappyfor youto go. Butremember whatIsaid, Lavinia youcan’tavoid makinga matchforever, andLord Bathisn’t goingtogoaway,”hesaid.
Lavinia nodded She knew Lord Bathwould be persistent, butputtingdistance betweenthemmightbe enoughto attracthis attentions elsewhere. Despite her initial misgivings, the thought of going to Sarum Lacy House for the rest of the season certainlyhaditsadvantages
Thepathwounditswaythroughthewoods,wherewildflowersgrewonthebanks,andthedappledshadeofthetreescarpeted thewoodlandfloorwithashimmeringlight.Archiewasdawdling,hisstepsslowandlabored.Hehadnotwantedtoleavethe churchyard,wherehewouldgladlyhavestayedalldayifhecould.
Butdutycalled, and the affairs ofthe estate, his responsibilities, would notwait. Butstill, ithad beengood to pass a few solitaryhours atsister’s graveside. He wentthere as oftenas he could, sittinginfrontofthe simple headstone inthe family plot,closetothechurchwall Hemissedhissisterterribly,anddespitewhatothershadsaid,timewasnohealer
Six months since we buried her, and not a day goes by when I don’t miss her, Archiethoughttohimself,ashepausedatthe stileleadingbackintothegarden.
Thehouseroseupinfrontofhim,its gableends partiallyobscuredbythetall trees growingaroundit.Thegardens wereat theirbestatthistimeofyear,anexpanseofflowersbedsandlawns,shrubbery,andhedges,behindwhichfountainsandstatues laywaitingtobediscovered.Itwasamaze,andArchieoftenfoundhimselflostamongitswindingways,andhiddenrecesses, alwaysdiscoveringsomethingnew
For a few moments, he stood onthe stile, hopingto returnto the churchyard the followingday. He always hated leavinghis sister,thoughithadbeenharderwhenthedayswerestillcold,andsnowlayontheground Now,withthewarmthofsummer, helikedtoimagineherrecliningonthegrassinfrontofthehouse,readingabook,orsimplyenjoyingthesunshine.
“Goodday,MyLord,”avoicenearbysaid,andArchielookedup,startledfromhisthoughts
Oneofthegardenerswaspruningapieceoftopiaryintotheshapeofabird,andArchieclimbedoverthestileandapproached him.
“Ididn’tseeyouthere,Thomas.Iwaslostinmythoughts,”Archiesaid,andthegardenersmiled.
“It’seasytogetlostinyourthoughtsinthegarden,MyLord.I’moftenlostinmine,”hesaid,andArchiesmiled.
ThomashadbeenoneofthegardenersatSarumLacyHousesinceArchiewasachild Helivedinacottageinadell,inthe woodsborderingthegarden,andkeptapetravenforcompany.
ArchiehadalwayslikedThomas Hehadaquietandreflectivedemeanorabouthim,andthewayofonepossessedofadeep wisdom.Heknewallthenamesoftheplants,theiruses,anddangers,andhewasneverfarfromsomeanimaloranother,often tamingthemtocomerightuptohimandfeedfromthepalmofhishand
“I’vebeendoingalotofthinkinglately,”Archiesaid,andthegardenernodded.
“That’sbecauseyou’vehadalottothinkabout,MyLord Itcan’tbeeasy,thoughI’venoticedyou’vekeptyourowncounsel moreinthesepastfewmonths,”thegardenersaid,clippingatthetopiarywingsashespoke.
Archiesighed Thomaswasright Hewasbecomingsomethingofarecluse,shyingawayfromcompany,andrarelyleavingthe houseandgrounds,savetovisithissister’sgrave.
Shehadbeenburiedinthechurchyardoftheparishchurch SaintWilfrid’s butherrequiemMasshadbeencelebratedinthe chapel atSarumLacyHouse, her coffincarried insolemnprocession, and received bythe rector, whose patronage resided withArchie,andwhohadallowedthepriesttoconductthefinalritesatthegraveside,asunorthodoxasthathadbeen
“IsupposeIhave.It’sjust…well,itmightsoundfoolish,butIcan’tfindmanyreasonstogoon.WhenIinheritedtheestate,I thought Gwendolene and I would runthings together, grow old together But fate canbe a cruel mistress,” Archie replied, shakinghisheadsadly.
He still felt angry at the thought of his sister’s death. She had been in the prime of her life, filled with such promise and potential.Shehadneverknownhalfthethingsshehaddesired,orhalfthepromisesArchiehadmadetoher.Hewasangry,and yettherewasnooneagainstwhomtoreleasethatanger
Therewasnoonetoblame,evenasArchiecouldnothelpbutfeelsomeonemustbetoblame.Ithadallhappenedtoofast,but the sixmonths since Gwendolene’s deathhad beenthe longest he had ever known, eachdaydraggingbyina monotonyof nothingness…
“Anditwas,MyLord Butyoursisterwouldn’twantyoutowallowinyourownself-pity ifyou’llbegmypardonforsaying so,”Thomassaid,andArchienodded.
“No, you’re right she said as muchonthe dayshe died She wanted me to go onliving, but eachdayonlyfeels like I’m existing.Idon’thaveanyzealforlife.Notanymore,”hereplied.
“You’ve beento the grave again, MyLord haven’tyou? I’ve oftenseenyouemergingfromthe trees and crossingthe stile here.”
Archienodded
“Iliketositwithher Itgivesmecomfort Sometimes,Iwakeupinthenightandthinkofherlyingthereinthechurchyardall alone.IknowwhatIshouldbelieve,butIcan’thelpit.Imisshersomuch,”Archiesaid,andtearswelledupinhiseyes.
Hefeltfoolishsobbinginfrontofthegardener,butThomaslookedathimsympathetically.
“Don’tlookforthelivingamongthedead,MyLord,”hesaid,quotingthescriptures.
Archie sighed Thomas was right He would find nothing in the churchyard, only the sorrow of silence, his own words unanswered.Heknewwhathisfaithtaughthim,whatitpromised,butthestingofdeathwasbitter,anditsaftertastelongand drawnout.Timewouldheal,orsotheysaid,buthowmuchtimeremainedquestionable.
“Wisewords,Thomas,thougheasiersaidthandone.Butyou’reright.Mysisterwouldn’twantmetowallowinself-pity.She wantedmetolive,andIneedtofindawayofdoingso,”hesaid,andheplacedhishandonthegardener’sshoulder,gratefulto himforhiswords.
Atthatmoment,thefigureofthebutler,Hargreaves,cameintoviewacrossthelawn,andhecalledouttoArchie,wholooked upinsurprise.
“MyLord?HerLadyshipasksforyoutojoinheratthehouse;they’reduetoarrivesoon,”Hargreavessaid
Archiesighed.Hehadforgottenabouttheimminentarrival ofhismother’sguests.Shehadremindedhimatbreakfast,buthe hadlosttrackoftimeinthechurchyard,andthedistantsteeplebellnowstruckfourO’clock.
“I’mcoming,”Archiesaid,andnoddingtoThomas,hehurriedoffacrossthelawninthedirectionofthehouse.
He only vaguely recalled who it was he was about to encounter a friend of his mother’s and her daughter Horatia and Lavinia,thoseweretheirnames.Therewassomestorybehindtheirarrival,somethingaboutalostrelativeandtheelevationof theirpositioninsociety.
Archiehadnotparticularlybeenpayingattentionwhenhismotherwasexplaining,andhewasnotparticularlylookingforward toplayingthecongenialhost.Still,herememberedThomas’words,andthoseofhissister,too.Havinggueststostay,meeting newpeople,beingfriendly itwasallpartoflife,evenasArchiestilldidnotparticularlyfeellikelivingit
“Oh, there youare, Archibald Did you see your sister?” his mother asked, as Archie entered the drawingroomfromthe terraceafewmomentslater.
Shealwaysusedthatword, see, asthoughhewasactuallyvisitingher,ratherthansittinginfrontofagravestone.Hismother had takena different approachto Gwendolene’s death. Stoic inpublic, but at night, Archie had oftenheard her sobbingto herself,andcallingoutGwendolene’snameinthemostlongingofterms.
“Idid, yes. Itwas verypeaceful inthe churchyard. But… I’msorry, I’d forgottenyour guests were arrivingthis afternoon,” Archiesaid,feelingembarrassedashismotherplacedherhandgentlyonhisarm.
“It’lldoyougoodtohavesomedistraction.That’swhyIinvitedOctaviaandLavinia andtocatchup,ofcourse.It’sbeen… yearssincewelastsawoneanother.Laviniawasn’tevenbornthen,”thedowagersaid.
“Remindmewhathappenedtothem,”Archiesaid,forhewasstilluncertainwhatthesituationsurroundingthemhadbeen.
Hismothershookherhead
“Itwasallsuchatragedy.OctaviaandArthurwereyounglovers.ButhewasthesonofaMarquessofdubiousconnections therewassomescandal,afortunelost,andthetitleforfeitedtopayhisdebts Octavia’sfatherforbadethematch Butthetwo ofthemweresoinlove,theyelopedtoGretnaGreen.
ThatwasthelastIheardofthem ButwhenArthurdied,itseemsherfather,theViscountCranborne,hadachangeofheart He broughtherbackintothefold.Laviniahadbeenworkingasamaid.Sheknewnothingofhertruepast.It’squiteextraordinary,” thedowagerreplied.
Archieshookhishead.Itwasaremarkablestory.Togofromragstorichesinbutamoment…
“Then she was used to serving at the table, and now she’s served at the table,” he said, curious to know what a woman elevatedinsuchawaywouldbelike.
Hismothernodded
“That’sright,yes.Itmust’vebeenverystrangeforher.Octaviawrotetotellmehergrandfather’sputtingpressureonLaviniato marry.Butwomenthatageneedtomaketheirownway.Iwouldn’thaveforcedanythingonGwendolene.Shewouldn’thave allowedit,evenifIhad,”hismothersaid,andArchiesmiled
Gwendolenehadbeenagentlecreature,butshehadalsobeenthetypeofpersontoknowherownmind.Archieknewjustwhat shewouldhavesaidifhehadeverdaredsuggestapossiblematch
“I don’t need my brother to tell me who to fall in love with,” orwordssimilartothat.
Butsadly,therehadneverbeenachanceofromanceforGwendolene,andshehaddiedneverknowingwhatitwastofallin love.
“No,shewouldn’t.Anditsoundslikeourguestwon’t,either,”Archiereplied.
Hismothersmiled
“No,it’llbeinterestingtomeether.Ifshe’sanythinglikehermother,she’llbegoodcompany.Oh,thismustbethemnow,”his mothersaid,pointingoutofthedrawingroomwindowalongthedrive
Acarriagewasapproaching,drawnbytwochestnuthorses,thesoundoftheirhoovesclip-cloppingonthegravelbreakingthe peacefulsilenceofthegardens
“Havetheycomefar?”Archieasked,asheandhismothermadetheirwayoutintothehallway,whereHargreaveshadalready openedthefrontdoorforthem
“FromWimborneinDorset.That’swhereOctavia’sfatherlives,inahousecalledTallChimneys.Iwentthereonce.It’svery pretty Ihope theywon’tbe boredhere We’re sofar fromanything Itcanfeel quite cutoffattimes Butinthe summer,it’s different,Isuppose.Heretheyare,”thedowagersaid,andthetwoofthemstoodonthetopstep,watchingasthecarriagedrew up
The driver jumped downto openthe compartment door, but before he could do so, it was opened bya red headed young womanwithaprettyface,wearingabluedress,withashawldrapedoverhershoulders,andamatchingbonnetonherhead
Shewasstrikinglybeautiful,withfrecklesonhernoseandlargeredlips.Archiewassomewhattakenabackbythelookofher, andshesmiledathim,ashermother themirrorimageofherdaughter appearedbehindher
LaviniawasimpressedbyherfirstlookatSarumLacyHouse,withitsgablesandturrets,theredbrickcoveredinivy,andthe numerouswindows,allofwhichcreatedtheimpressionofahousewithalonghistorywaitingtobeexplored.Shehadcaught sightofitontheapproachdownthedrive,andastheyhadpulledupontheforecourt,hermotherhadturnedtoherandsmiled.
“Ithinkyou’llenjoybeinghere,”shehadsaid,andLaviniahadnodded,watchingastwofigures,ayoungermanandanolder womanemergedfromthehouse.
“Isthattheearl?”Laviniahadasked,andhermothersmiled.
“He’snotanearl,he’sabaron;TheBaronSarum Andthat’shismother,thedowager,Horatia,”hermotherhadsaid “Yes,andIcallhim“YourGrace,”don’tI?”Laviniahadsaid.
Hermotherhadshakenherhead
“No,youcancallhim‘MyLord’Butthatsoundsratherformal Callhimthatfirst,thenlethimguideyou I’msureit’llbevery relaxed,”hermotherhadreplied.
Now,Laviniawasstandingintheopendoorwayofthecarriage,smilingatthebaron,whomwasshewaspleasantlysurprised tofindwasnotanancient,white-hairedoldman,butayoung,handsomeman;tallandlanky,withcurlyblackhair,andtanned skin.
“Octavia, how wonderful to see you. Welcome to SarumLacyHouse once again. It’s beenfar too long,” the dowager said, smilingassheandthebaronsteppedforwardtogreettheirguests.
Lavinia had not waited for the carriage driver to openthe compartment door, nor did she wait for the woodensteps to be broughtsothatsheandhermothermightdescendgracefullytogreettheirhosts.Instead,steppeddownwithouthelp,herdress gettingcaughtupunderherfeet,andwithacry,shefell,landingonthegravel,herbonnetfallingoffherhead,asthesoundof tearingmaterialspelleddisasterforherdress.
“Oh,Lavinia,”hermotherexclaimed,asLavinialookedupwithanembarrassedexpressiononherface.
Shewasnothurt,butshefeltfoolishforhavingmadeaterriblefirstimpression.Thebaronhurriedforward,offeringherhis hand,andas hehelpedher up,shetriedtocurtsy,justas grandfather hadtaughther todo Butas shedidso,theheel onher shoeturnedsideways,andwhathadbeenintendedasagracefulmovementturnedintoanotherfall.
“Carefulnow,”thebaronsaid,helpingLaviniatosteadyherself.
“Forgiveme,YourGrace.I’msopleasedtobehere,MyLord,andthankyou…YourGrace,”Laviniastammered,lookingup intothebaron’sfaceandblushing.
“Are youall right, Lavinia, dear? Youtookquite a tumble,” she said, as Lavinia looked downather torndress, covered in scuffmarks.
Itwasruined.Andturningtohermother,Laviniafeltanutterfool.
“I’msurewecanmendit,”hermothersaid,andLavinianodded
Whenitcametosuchpracticalitiesassewingandrepairs,Laviniawasanexpert.Asamaid,shehadsatforhoursrepairing holesinthegarmentsoftheotherservantsorofhermasterandmistress
“Oh,yes,Iknowhowtosew,don’tI?”shesaid,lookingbackatthebaronandlaughing.
Hedidnotrespondinkind,andLaviniafearedshehadalreadysucceededinmakingabadfirstimpression
“Youdo,Lavinia,”hermothersaid,andHoratiasmiled.
“Well,whydon’tyoubothcomein?Youmustbetiredafteryourjourney.Youcansettleintoyourroomsandthenjoinusfortea inthedrawingroom.We’vegotsuchalottocatchupon.It’sbeen…anage,hasn’tit?”shesaid,leadingtheminside.
Lavinialookedaroundherwithinterest.Themaindoorledintoalargehallway,whereahangingstaircaseleduptoalanding above Thewalls werelinedwithpictures,andher shoes clatteredonthemarblefloor,whereblack-and-whitetiles madea patternonwhichstoodanenormoustable,coveredwithdozensofbooks,stackedinpiles.
“Oh,doyouliketoread?”sheasked,turningtothebaron,whonodded.
“Thesearebookswaitingtobeshelvedinthelibrary ahistoryofourfamilyintwelvevolumes,”hesaid,pointingtoasetof newlyboundbookswithleatherspines
Laviniawasimpressed,andshelaughedcallingouttohermotheracrossthehallway.
“Didyouhearthat,mother?Twelvevolumesoffamilyhistory Oursisjustanelopementandbirth,justintime,”shesaid
Thebarongrimaced,andagain,Laviniawonderedifshehadsaidsomethingwrong.
“Yes,well,ifyou’llexcuseme,Ihavesomeworktodo,”thebaronsaid,andLavinianodded.
“Yes,YourGrace,MyLord Archibald forgiveme,”shesaid,havingquiteforgottenhowtoaddresshim
Helookedatherwithasympatheticexpression,beforenoddingandturningtocrossthehallwaytoalargedoorontheother side, flanked by two wooden lions carved in rosewood The door closed behind him, and Lavinia was left alone in the hallway,lookingaroundher,andwonderingastotheimpressionshehadmade.
“MayIseetoityou’reshowntoyourbedroom,MissStuart,”avoicebehindhersaid,andLaviniaturnedtofindastifflooking
man,whomsheassumedtobethebutler,standingatthebottomofthestairs.
Shesmiledathimandnodded.
“Youcanjustdirectme, ifyoulike. I’ll find myownway. Perhaps someone could help me withmybags. ButIcanalways maketwotrips,”Laviniareplied
Thebutlerlookedatherinsurprise.
“Twotrips?”heasked,andLavinianodded
“Yes.Ican’tmanagetotakeallmybagsatonce,butifyoutellmewheretogo,Icangoupanddowntwice,”shesaid.
Thebutlernodded.
“Ithinkwecandobetterthanthat,”hesaid,andhepickedupasmallbellfromanearbytableandrangit
Amaidappearedamomentlater,curtsyingtoLavinia,beforeturningtothebutlertoreceiveherinstructions.
“Daisy,takeMissStuarttotheLombardRoomandseetoitshegetssettledin,”hesaid,andthemaidnodded
“Thisway,MissStuart,”shesaid,leadingthewayupthestairs.
Laviniadidnotknowwhatallthefusswasabout.Shewasperfectlycapableoffindingherownwayupstairs,butshereminded herselfofwhathergrandfatherwouldsay,andnotwishingtodeprivethemaidofherfunction,shefollowedherupstairs.
AsDaisyledLaviniaupstairs,Archieclosedthedoorofhisstudy,shakinghisheadinastonishment Hestoodlisteningbehind it, having only closed it partially, watching Lavinia’s exchange with Hargreaves. She was an extraordinary creature, quite differentfromanyotheryoungwomanhehadeverencountered exceptperhapstheservantsthemselves.
Hehadnotbeenoffendedatherfailuretoaddresshimproperly,noratthecommentsshehadpassedonthevolumesofhistory concerningthe familyrecentlycompleted bythe Royal Heraldic Society There had beensomething innocent, ifamusing, aboutherbehavior,asthoughshebelongedbelowstairs,ratherthanabove.
“Quite astonishing,” Archiesaidtohimself,turningtohisdesk,whereapileofcorrespondenceawaitedhim
Ashesatdown,hecouldhear hismother’slaughter fromthedrawingroom,thetwowomentalkinganimatedlyaboutall the thingstheyhadmissedintenyearsabsencefromoneanother’scompany Onceagain,Archiewasremindedofhowhismother wasmovingon,andhewasstuckinthedepthsofmisery.
Heglancedupatthemantelpiece,abovewhichhungaportraitofGwendolenepaintedshortlyafterherdebut
happyather comingout, and ithad beenArchie who hadpresentedher. For a few moments, he gazed athis sister’s face, a momentfrozenintime.Shelookedsohappythere ahappinesssocruellysnatchedaway.
Asthemonthshadgoneby,Archiehadbecomemoreandmoreconvincedastothetruenatureofwhathadbefallenhissister. Hesimplycouldnotbelieveshehadsuccumbedtoafever,andhewasconvincedsomethingwickedhadoccurredtosnatchher awayfromhim
But what? Surely she’d have said something, if someone wanted to harm her, he told himself, thinking through the same thoughtshehadthoughtathousandtimessincethedayofGwendolene’sdeath.
Noneofitmadesense,andArchiewasdesperatetofindananswer the answer astowhyhissisterhaddied.Hehadbeen makingnotes, writingdownanythinghe believed could be relevantto aninvestigation He would sitfor hours inhis study, thinkingovertheeventsleadinguptoGwendolene’sdeath,searchingforsomething…anything,hemighthavemissed.
“Thefevertakingholdofher…itwasallsosudden.Andtherewasnothingthedoctorcoulddo.Butwhyher?Whynottherest ofus?WhywasitonlyGwendolenewhosuccumbed?”heaskedhimselfaloud,leaningbackinhischairwithasigh.
Hewantedanswers,butthemorehethoughtitthrough,themoreconfusingitbecame.Everythought,everypossibility,ledto nothing. Archie was at a loss, and lookingdownat the piles of notes onhis desk, he felt nothingbut a complete and utter failure
“Icandothat,”Laviniasaid,asDaisyturneddownthebedandsmoothedouttheblankets.
Daisylookedatherinsurprise
“MissStuart?”shesaid,andLaviniasmiled.
“Oh,it’sall right,youcancall meLavinia,ifyoulike.I’mstill notusedtobeingcalledMissStuart.Iwasamaid,too,you see,”Laviniareplied,andDaisylookedatherinsurprise.
“Youwere amaid,MissStuart,”shesaid,clearlynothavinggraspedwhatLaviniawassaying
“That’sright,yes For several years Myparentsweren’twell off,andIenteredserviceassoonasIcould It’salongstory Butmygrandfather foundus mymother andI.Oh,butdon’tletme keepyoufromyour duties.I’ll see toeverythinghere,” Laviniasaid,asshebegantounpackthebagsafootmanhadbroughtupwithher.
“Oh, but these are my duties, Miss Stuart,” Daisy said, and Lavinia checked herself, reminding herself yet again of her grandfather’swords.
Butdespite knowingshe should letthe maid do whatthe maid was supposed to do, she also feltthe need to do so herself. Laviniadidnotwanttobecomedependentonothers,orsounaccustomedtodoinganythingforherselfastobequiteineptat doinganythingatall Shelikedunpackingclothes,andturningdownbeds,andpolishingbrass Itkeptherbusy
But in a strange house, and without any real company to speak of she had already decided the baron must think her an absoluteandutterfool shefeltasthoughtimewouldpassratherslowlyifshedidnotfindsomethingtooccupyherselfwith.
“Yes,I’msorry,Daisy.Ishouldletyoudowhatyouneedtodo.Butyoumustn’ttreatmewithlotsofairsandgraces.I’mstill gettingusedtoit,yousee.Iquiteforgotwhatmymothersaidtomeaboutaddressingtheduke,”Laviniasaid.
Themaidlookedatherwithaconfusedexpression.
“Theduke,MissStuart?”sheasked,andLaviniasighed
“Imeanthebaron…HisGrace.No,he’snotagrace,ishe?He’salord,asir…yes,MyLord,”shesaid,takingadeepbreath.
“HisLordshipwon’tmind,MissStuart He’sagoodman,andveryfairemployertomeandmymother Iwouldn’thearaword againsthim,”Daisysaid,asshenowbeganunpackingLavinia’sclothes.
Lavinia was curious to know more about the baron, and knowing it was servants who always knew far more about the householdthanthoseabovestairs,sheaskedDaisytotellhermoreaboutthesadcircumstancessurroundinglifeatSarumLacy House
“Hissisterdied,didn’tshe?”Laviniasaid,andDaisyshookherheadsadly.
“Whataterribledaythatwas.Iweptfor aweek.Shewas suchagentlecreature Miss Gwendolene,her Ladyship,butshe alwayswantedtobecalledMissGwendolene.Shewassokind.Shealwayshadtimeforyou.Iusedtodressher.Wehadsuch fun,”Daisysaid,withawistfullookinhereyes
“How did she die?” Lavinia asked, for it seemed strange to think a young woman, in the prime of life, should simply die withoutwarning
Daisyshookherhead.
“Afever.That’sallweeverknew.Itwasastrangebusiness,that’sforcertain.ShefellilljustbeforeChristmaslastyear.They sayagreenJanuarymakesforafullchurchyard.Butitwasabitterwinterhere,MissStuart.
Wewerecutoffbythesnowforweeks.AndpoorMissGwendolenefadedlikethelastofthesummerflowers.HisLordship wasdevastated Ifeltsosorryforhim I’veheardhimweepingattimes Helovedhissisterdearly,truly,hedid,”Daisysaid Laviniafeltterriblysorryforthebaron.Sherememberedhersorrowatthelossofherfather,whosedeathhadbeenthereason whyher grandfather had soughtthemout. He, too, had died ofa fever, thoughneither Lavinia nor her mother had knownthe cause Hehadsimplyfallenillanddiedwiththetwoofthemathissidesomeweekslater
She missed him, but the two of themhad never beenclose, and after she had entered service, it was her mother who had maintained contact, visitingher onher dayoffand writingto her twice a week. Her father had become a distantfigure, and whileshehadmournedhim,hislosshadbeensomethingshehadgrownusedtowiththepassingoftime.
“Howterrible,”Laviniasaid,shakingherhead.
“She was verybeautiful, as her brother is handsome. Theyhad the same complexionand the same curlyhair. Youcouldn’t mistakethem.Hewassoprotectiveofher,”Daisycontinued.
Lavinianowdecidedshewouldmaketheefforttospeaktothebaronabouthissister.Itwouldsurelydohimgoodtospeakof her,andtosharehismemories.Laviniarememberedwhenthecookatherpreviousemploymenthadlosthersister.Theyhad talkedforhoursaboutthehappymemoriesthecookhadoftheirchildhood,andindoingso,shehadfeltmuchbetter
“I’lltalktothebaronaboutGwendolene,”Laviniasaid,butDaisylookedsuddenlywary.
“Idon’tthinkhelikestodoso,MissStuart.Wedon’tdarementionher.Notunlessit’sobvious hewantstotalkabouther.I don’tknow… Ithinkhe losta piece ofhis heartonthe dayshe died. It’s buried inthe churchyard withher. He goes there almosteveryday It’sasthoughhejustwon’tacceptshe’sgone Thepriesttriedtotalktohim Butthere’sanangerthere,too Hewantssomeonetoblame,”shesaid,andLavinianodded.
Shehadtoremindherselftherewererulestofollow,andthatthoseofherrankandclass hernewrankandnewclass did notsoreadilyweartheirheartsontheirsleeves.Asamaid,Laviniahadbeenusedtosharinginthetroublesandtragedies,the joys,anddelights,ofherfellow servants Theyhadbeenafamily,buttothoseintheupperechelonsofsociety,familycould mean something quite different, or so she had observed. Even her grandfather had a curt formality to him, and despite his havingclearlybeenmovedbytheplightofherandhermother,hehadnevershownanyexcessofemotioninhisdealingswith them.
“I’llbewary Butifwe’retobehereforthesummer well,Ihopeitwon’tbeallhardstaresandsilences,”Laviniareplied
Daisysmiled.
“Well,perhapsyoucanhelpbringbacksomeofthejoyhe’slost,MissStuart,”shesaid,andwithacurtsy,shelefttheroom
Laviniawasleftalone,andcrossingtothewindow,shelookedoutover thelushexpanseofgardens Itwassoquiethere,a hiddenworld,cutofffromeverythingaroundit.She likedit,butshe hopedshe wouldnotfindherselfentirelyalone for the wholesummer.
“I’llhavetocleansomebrass,orpolishsomething,”shesaidtoherself,forthethoughtofidlingawaythecomingweekswas farfromappealing.
“Lavinia,thereyouare Wethoughtyou’dgotlost,”Lavinia’smothersaid,assheenteredthedrawingroomashortwhilelater
Laviniahadnotgottenlost,butshehadlosttrackoftime,wanderingthroughthemazeofcorridors,exploringthehouse.Itwas anancient, ramblingpile, filled withhiddennooks and crannies She had seensuits ofarmor, imposingportraits, and room afterroomoffinefurnishingsandornatetapestries.
Therehadbeenonlyoneroomshehadnotbeenabletogetinto;aroomonthesecondfloor,notfarfromherown,thedoorof whichhad beenlocked. Buther explorations had led her far and wide, until the rumblingofher stomachhad led her inthe directionoftheteatable
“Iwasjustlookingaroundthehouse,mother.Ihopeyoudon’tmind,YourLadyship,”Laviniasaid.
Shefeltonsafergroundswiththedowager Herpreviousmistresshadbeenaddressedinsuchterms,andgivenherhostdidnot immediatelycorrecther,Laviniathoughtmaybeshehadatleastdoneonethingright.Horatiasmiledather.
“Notatall Youmusttreatthehouseasyourown Goanywhereyoulike,”shesaid,andLavinianodded
“Ididfindoneroomthatwaslocked,onthesecondfloor,”shesaid.
Thedowager’sexpressionchanged,andsheglancedoutofthewindow,asudden,wistfullookcomingoverherface
“Yes wekeepitlocked,”shereplied,butofferednofurtherexplanation
Atable by the window was set for tea, and the dowager now offered Lavinia refreshment. She and Lavinia’s mother had alreadytakentheirtea,andhavingpoureditoutforher,HoratiahandedLaviniahercupandsaucer.
“Doesn’tsomeonepouritforyou?”Laviniaasked.
Hermotherglancedather,raisinghereyebrows,butHoratiasmiledandshookherhead
“The servants bringinthe tea things, butit’s far nicer to serve oneselfinformallythanhave a footmanstandingover us the whole time I like to take tea in the drawing room, especially in the summer The views over the gardens are simply magnificent,”shesaid,lookingoutofthewindowasshespoke.
The view was the same as from Lavinia’s bedroom window, the lush greenness of the lawn giving way to flower beds, appearingasanartist’spalletwitheverycolorimaginable,andbehindthatthetreesrisingmajesticallyintotheblueskyabove.
“It’sabeautifulplace,”Laviniasaid.
“Perhapsyou’dlikemetoshowyouaround,”Horatiareplied,andLavinianodded.
