The Redemption of Lady Georgiana

by Lisa M. Prysock

  Chapter 16. Calico Chronicle

  “Welcome home my ladies,” Bradley said as he opened the front doors of Wellbrook Hall. Several footmen were unloading trunks from the coach. Edmund slid down the last half of the bannister, followed by Madalene. Laughing and smiling, they jumped off the rail near the end of the staircase, arms open wide to greet Selina and Georgiana. Nathaniel and Lady Margaret, beaming to see them return home safe and sound, hung back to give them a chance to embrace the children first. Molly and Jenny bobbed and nodded in the direction of the Earl and Lady Margaret, slipping in the front doors behind them. They went around the group and began carrying items up the staircase, enjoying the welcome from some of the staff who were on hand to help welcome them as well. The three story high foyer was an echo of joyous and warm greetings.

  “You’re back!” Edmund said, giving them both a proper hug. He spied the cat trying to come in the house and bent down to scoop Pickle into his arms.

  “We’ve missed you terribly! You should see all the shells we found at the ocean!” Madalene said as she threw her arms around Georgiana’s neck as she knelt down to greet her.

  “We had a wonderful time but it is so good to be home!” Selina declared, embracing her father, her face glowing with happiness. The Earl looked very pleased to see his daughter filled with so much joy. He hadn’t seen her like this for far too long. She was the picture of good health and fluttering about the foyer as if she were dancing on a cloud. It was obvious to all that the journey with Georgiana had worked wonders.

  “Bonjour! It is so very good to have you both home!” Lady Margaret said, embracing the young ladies when her turn came. When Georgiana finally had a moment to hug her mother-in-law, Lady Margaret said, “Let me look at you! Ah, you look very well indeed! …A little tired from the journey. I enjoyed your letters!”

  “All two or three of them?” Georgiana chuckled sheepishly. “I wish I’d have been able to write more often. You look well, ma mère! The seaside has much improved your health!”

  “Yes, it was! You must accompany us next time,” Lady Margaret remarked.

  “Did you receive my letter?” Edmund asked Selina.

  “Why yes I did! I admit-- I was stunned Edmund, having never had a letter from you before. Have you not received my reply yet?”

  Edmund grinned and said, “Not yet… Bradley will keep an eye out for your reply. It should arrive in tomorrow’s mail coach if you mailed it on your last day in Yorkshire.”

  Finally, the Earl was before her. Georgiana froze, not sure whether to curtsey or embrace him. He had stepped forward and embraced her before she could decide. Her heart seemed to skip and leap several beats.

  “You must be longing to rest after such a long journey,” he was saying.

  Why did it feel so good to be there in his arms? Standing in his foyer? Could it be that she really did finally feel she was home? Had the journey strengthened and endeared Wellbrook Hall and Nathaniel and his children even deeper into her heart as home?

  “Not until we give you our gifts, Papa,” Selina said, stopping one of the footmen as he carried in the very packages she had spoken of. “And then I’m going to sleep for a week!”

  “Yes, I’m sure you will, for a day or two at least… now you know why I am so weary when I travel,” Nathaniel said to his daughter.

  “They are at the age where they finally begin to understand what their parents are going through,” Lady Margaret remarked as she grasped her cane.

  “This is for you, Monsieur,” Georgiana said playfully, taking the top package from the footman’s arms and placing it directly in the arms of Nathaniel. He laughed and began opening it at once.

  “And this is for you, Edmund,” Selina said, taking the next package from the footman and handing it to her brother. Edmund smiled shyly and accepted it with a look of complete surprise, much like the one Nathaniel Edwards wore.

  “This is for Maddie Muffin,” Georgiana said, her eyes sparkling to see Maddie’s eyes light up.

  “Lady Margaret, this one is for you,” Selina said.

  “This is exactly what I needed. A new cravat and shirt! You’ve saved me a great deal of trouble… and in the latest style I see.” Nathaniel looked both surprised and happy.

  “Do you like the navy blue and burgundy colors together?” Selina asked. “We thought they looked very smart!”

  “An excellent combination!”

  “What a lovely poke bonnet! Oh, it’s just perfect! What have we here? And a new lace cap! How did you know I’ve been longing for these very items?” Lady Margaret asked, wide eyed with amazement.

  “We had a hunch,” Georgiana said, her eyes dancing to see their surprised faces.

  “Very nice riding gloves,” Edmund said, trying the gloves on. “A perfect fit… and I especially like the book about horses. Thank you!”

  “A new dolly! A new dolly! Oh she is just lovely… thank you! I will name her … ummm… uh….I know… Celia Jane. That’s it! Celia Jane. We’ll go for a stroll and she can ride in the pram with Cassandra.” Maddie was so taken with the doll she was swirling about the foyer.

  “Oh and this is for you also, my Lord,” Georgiana said, handing one last package to the Earl.

  “Feels rather like a book.” He unwrapped the brown paper to reveal the title. “‘A Tour in Ireland’ by Arthur Young! Ah, a good choice! We have quite a bit of Irish ancestry and influence on my mother’s side, something I’m very proud of.”

  “Lady Selina mentioned that…” she said.

  “Wait ‘til you see what we brought you!” Madalene said. She ran to the sitting room to their right and returned momentarily with two packages for each of them.

  They opened them standing, as it felt rather nice to be out of the coach that had kept them cooped up for several days. Selina opened a lavender silk scarf with fringe and Georgiana, a shawl made entirely of white lace. They were delighted by their gifts and thanked everyone several times.

  “Now, off with you to your rooms. I insist you both get some proper rest,” Lady Margaret said. “I hear the new highway is complete from London to York which makes it a much nicer journey than it was before, but traveling south to Essex couldn’t have been as pleasant. I’m certain you must both be tired.”

  “Indeed we are,” Georgiana could not agree more as she and Selina climbed the staircase wearily. She had the oddest feeling she was forgetting something but she couldn’t remember what it was and was far too tired to care much.

  All she knew was that it felt very good to crawl between the clean sheets of her very own bed, in her very own room, that was not moving or jostling her about as if she were a wave in the sea. Laura Doddmire, the parlor maid, had helped her out of her gown and chemise and into her nightgown, giving Molly and Jenny a chance to rest.

  Georgiana had purposely draped the lovely shawl across the empty pillow beside her. The white lace reminded her of the secret fitting she had managed to accomplish while in London where she had acted on faith and ordered what would become, she hoped and believed-- a suitable wedding gown one day. She did not know when, how, where or even with whom. If not the Earl, perhaps one of the fine Calvary officers who had urged her to dance with them at The Assembly Room in York, in spite of the fact she had insisted Sir Hadley and Beth introduce her as Lady Colton, wanting very much to give the impression she was married.

  She really hadn’t met anyone of interest, though swarms of fine, young officers and enlisted soldiers had been in attendance at the theater and the dance. Though she had danced with two officers to appease the urgings of her sister, she had enjoyed the dancing with her nephews more. Her heart had not become in anyway attached to any of the gentlemen presented to her in York. She had surprised herself again, realizing she had become attached to the Earl, in spite of his intentions to the continually elusive Lady Juliana. Perhaps it was foolish of her… she closed her eyes, tryin
g to drift into much needed sleep. Would further thoughts of the Earl lead only to a broken heart? Would the Lord withhold from her everyone she had truly loved? Surely, knowing His loving nature, He would not. She had to hold onto that. Some good would eventually come her way.

  And then she heard the still small voice: There shall be a handful of corn in the mountain tops, the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon.

  Since leaving France, she had been on British soil for a month and one week … having spent about two weeks in Essex settling in, a week in London, followed by the week in Yorkshire. In addition, she’d spent a little more than a week traveling, where she’d already toured a good portion of the nation from the windows of a coach. As she drifted off to sleep she whispered prayers of thanksgiving to the Lord above for bringing her safely home. This is home for now… and I shall be thankful in it… and I shall patiently wait to see what shall happen… she declared to her own heart. Five weeks in England and more than a year of mourning in France seemed a dreadfully long time to be alone but she was learning to cultivate the fruit of patience. She was finally learning to be content in all circumstances.

  The next week remained mostly uneventful. Lessons resumed in music, French and Bible, leaving the majority of each day to enjoy leisurely pursuits. Another week passed after that and the dresses they had purchased in London arrived. When she found a moment alone in her bedroom suite, Georgiana tried on every gown. She was delighted to finally have a truly complete wardrobe, including one gown she particularly cherished; the gown for her ‘faith’ wedding. I know you will be sending a groom one day very soon Lord.

  One thing that had gone very well was the discussion she had shared with Lord Edwards concerning Lady Selina’s coming out ball and her thoughts about designating St. Mary’s Orphanage & Workhouse as the beneficiary of all donations earned from those in attendance at the ball. Nathaniel had listened to everything she had to say about the trip to the orphanage and the boundaries that had been put in place as Selina neared her seventeenth birthday.

  “Brilliant! Your methods never cease to amaze me, Lady Georgiana.” The Earl was very pleased as he was witnessing Selina’s remarkable transformation each day. After she had explained about Cole, they both wholeheartedly agreed that Selina should have a long courtship.

  Friday at Three o’clock in the Afternoon, Wellbrook Hall

  “Lady Barrington and Cole Laurence Barrington, Baron of Rosewood Manor,” Bradley announced.

  “Lady Barrington, Lord Barrington, welcome. Please, make yourselves comfortable. Where is Lady Juliana? Recovered since the seaside I hope. How is Barrington?” Lady Margaret motioned for them to sit near her in the upstairs sitting room.

  Lady Selina poured and served the tea while Lady Georgiana greeted their guests and continued with her needlepoint as they found seats in close proximity.

  “Juliana is quite recovered and has gone to London for some shopping and social engagements with a friend. It seems I am not destined to have the two under one roof at the same time.” Lady Barrington answered.

  “It’s so nice to see you again Lord Barrington,” Selina said cheerfully as she handed Cole a cup of tea.

  “And you, Lady Selina,” he said, unable to take his eyes from her sweet face.

  After a reasonable amount of time and enduring some talk concerning how to help the poor families in the parish with clothing needs, Cole stood up and extending an arm bent at the elbow to which it would be awkward to refuse, said, “How about a walk in the conservatory, Lady Selina? I seem to remember your father has some of the finest plant specimens in all of England.”

  “I would love to,” she replied demurely.

  When they had excused themselves from the sitting room and safely found themselves alone as they strolled at a comfortable pace through the first floor conservatory, Cole said, “Selina, I want you to know that there is a scandalous situation brewing with regard to my sister, Juliana.”

  “What has happened?”

  “Well, we are still trying to piece things together to understand it but she has run off with Lord Oliver.”

  “Lord Timothy Oliver, the Baron?”

  “Aye, that’s the one,” he nodded as they stopped near a group of leafy potted palm trees and some exotic, brightly colored blooms in shades of red, yellow and pink.

  “I may have to leave for an undetermined amount of time. Father and I have to locate where Juliana is and see if there is hope for a happy marriage for them.”

  “And just when you’ve finally arrived!” Selina’s eyes grew watery with tears, stinging a little from the sun pouring in the glass windows. She looked down, trying to hide her disappointment, her dark curls falling around her shoulders. She managed to add, “I’m so sorry you are going through all of this. Your family must be devastated.”

  He knew that had been a statement that indicated Lady Selina had indeed done some maturing. He was so pleased he put a fingertip on her chin and lifted her face to his. “I promise, I will return as soon as we have salvaged her reputation.”

  “You won’t miss my coming out ball?” she asked.

  “I will be back long before then… if all goes well,” he assured her, holding her hand.

  “Does this have anything to do with what happened at the ocean?” she asked as she opened a small ivory handled, cream lace fan that complemented her powder blue day dress and cream linen spencer.

  “With your father, Lord Edwards?” He asked as they began to stroll down another aisle of potted plants and large, square, stone planters filled with nasturtiums, lilies and more foliage.

  She nodded.

  “Mother said that your father spoke with Juliana and made it clear that he was not in love with her and could not marry her, though he had seriously considered a union. Mother doesn’t want anyone to know that she has run off, so she concocted the story about Juliana you heard in the sitting room today.”

  “I understand, Cole. She is doing what any mother would: making an attempt to preserve her reputation in a dreadful mess, hoping this can all be cleared up before this becomes a scandal.”

  “She would be cut from every polite home in society if this is discovered,” he said, reminding them both of the gravity and dire urgency of the situation.

  “I will be praying that it works out somehow,” she said. “I don’t think she and Papa would have had a happy marriage. They did not seem well suited to each other.”

  “I am much inclined to agree with you,” he said. “Write to me. Mother will forward your letters if we are away for longer than expected.”

  “I will.”

  Georgiana was in the garden one afternoon cutting some clippings and stems of flowers to fill vases for the manor. She enjoyed arranging the fresh cut flowers into beautiful bouquets and filling some of the rooms with fragrances and bursts of color. Edmund had found a shady spot on a bench to read and Madalene, along with her new doll Celia Jane, Selina and Lady Margaret were being attended by a footman who had rolled out a cart with tea service and scones for four. They were comfortably seated at a round table with a white linen tablecloth. Celia Jane occupied the fourth chair. This pleasant scene was interrupted by the meowing of Pickle from somewhere above and beyond them.

  Georgiana, wearing a yellow and white checked summer day dress and a wide brimmed straw gypsy hat tied with a wide yellow silk ribbon, set her basket of clippings on the ground and looked up to find where the meows were coming from. Edmund put his book down and stood up to do the same. They soon discovered Pickle was stuck high up in a very tall oak tree to the rear of the garden.

  After a number of failed attempts to coax the cat down Edmund said, “I can’t climb trees very well… but we can’t very well just leave him up there. He’s afraid to come down. I’ll fetch one of the footmen or stable hands who can climb.”

  Georgiana eyed the tree. It didn’t look half as dangerous as some of the craggy mountain peaks
and trees she had climbed as a young girl in the Alps. As Edmund wandered back to the house, she kicked off her slippers to reveal two bare feet. The days had been uncomfortably hot of late and she hadn’t kept her promise to herself to wear stockings perfectly, though she had tried to discipline herself. The grass felt cool beneath her feet and as she neared the base of the tree she hiked up her petticoat and dress. She easily began the climb toward the rescue of their calico friend.

  By the time Edmund returned, not with a footman, but the Earl in tow, she had scraped one knee, torn her petticoat and she suspected, dirtied her new cheerful, summer, day dress from the London dressmaker. She had reached Pickle, but looking down, she knew she couldn’t make it to the ground safely. It was the highest tree she had ever climbed, though from the ground, it hadn’t looked quite as foreboding.

  Her one comforting thought was that she had Pickle. She had situated herself on a branch close to the tree trunk, to which she clung with one hand, while holding the frightened cat securely in her lap with the other. He had finally stopped meowing as the rescue operation took place, the rescue operation that was now halted.

  To her dismay, a very interested crowd had gathered at the base of the oak. The Earl, his children, her mother-in-law, three footmen, including Simon, Jeremiah from the stable, Molly Cuddleton and Laura Doddmire, Nurse Lottie… even Martha Briggs was making her way toward the commotion. Trailing her was Mrs. Sarah Foster and Jenny Kirkner, who had noticed the commotion from the kitchen house window. Bradley moved through the small crowd to be of immediate assistance to the Earl.

  “Lady Georgiana, don’t move!” Nathaniel commanded, with apprehension in his eyes. He turned to Bradley. “Send our fastest runner for a ladder.”

  “Yes my Lord.” Bradley dispatched two footmen at once with a single nod.

  “I had no idea you could climb trees!” Nathaniel continued to carry on a comforting conversation with her, trying to keep his voice firm but steady.

  “I do have a few secrets,” she replied, calling her response out to far below, trying not to sound nervous. “Among them, my rocky cliff and mountain climbing experience growing up in the Alps.”

  “Not everyone has a governess who can climb trees and mountains,” Lady Margaret remarked dryly as she leaned on her cane.

  “…An acquired skill for rescuing children-- and small animals!” Georgiana quipped, smiling as she petted Pickle.

  She looked down again, which was beginning to make her a little dizzy. The Earl had tossed his jacket aside and was rolling up the arms to his white long sleeved shirt. He isn’t really planning to climb up here himself and rescue me from this too, is he? Her heart soared. About four or five minutes later, which seemed like forever to Georgiana, the footmen returned, ladder in hand. They had it set up in seconds and Lord Edwards himself began the ascent. The footmen held the ladder securely in place after he had climbed a few rungs.

  When he reached her position, he grinned like a rogue and with a sweep of one arm showing her the way to descend, he said, “Lord Nathaniel Brook Edwards, the Third, at your service, my Lady.”

  Those below were enjoying the rescue to the rescue mission as much as Georgiana was at this point. She smiled coyly in reply and then holding out the cat she said, “I have safely secured your calico friend, my Lord.”

  He took the cat in his arms and said, “Don’t move.” He climbed down a number of rungs until he was able to hand the cat to Bradley. He climbed back up to her and said, “Put your arms ‘round my neck and hold on tightly.”

  She untied her hat and tossed it below and obediently did as instructed. Madalene caught her hat. His strong arms helped her swing around off of the branch until she was able to stand on the ladder with him, he on a rung a little lower than hers. “Watch your step, that’s it, now you have it… down we go.”

  When they reached the ground, the household cheered and clapped. Mrs. Foster declared, “I had best get back in my kitchen! This calls for a cake along with tonight’s supper!”

  Romans 8:28 (King James Version)

  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.