A Farm Girl's Despair (#5, the Winds of Misery Victorian Romance) (A Family Saga Novel)

by Dorothy Green

  Then she received a reply letter from her aunt Laura that set her future.

  Dearest Hilda!

  How happy we are to receive word that you are alive. You do not know what we have been through. Your story of Euron has been sent to the authorities here and he will be apprehended on first sight should he ever return. Oh Hilda, we love you so. Your new station sounds promising and your uncle and I have come to an agreement. Though we love you dearly and want you to return to us, it would be selfish of us to deny you a better life. If you are able to stay with the Layles family and receive a better life, then we urge you to do that for as long as possible. For we could only offer you a life of working in the tavern, and your new life could offer you so much more. We love you no matter what you decide, and will always keep in touch.

  Love, Laura.

  Hilda was beside herself. She knew that her aunt was right about her future being quite bright in relation to such a family and captain Brookend and she did not feel out of place having been taught to be a lady by Adeline. She knew that her future was in London.

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  London

  1872

  Ross Brookend, The MP of Cornwall, allowed his valet to tie his cream coloured cravat, as he lifted his chin in the air. It was a very fine day indeed for hosting Lord and Lady Woodley in the gardens. But that was not why he chose his best tailcoat in mint green and waistcoat underneath to match. It was out of respect for his dearest friend Mary Anne Woodley. She was the daughter of Lord and Lady Woodley and he counted her amongst his dearest and closest friends. For they had been through much together, and because she did not spend much time in London, it was a treat indeed that her family had arrived for the London season the day before, from their country estate in Cornwall.

  He had spent the years back and forth between his ship and Cornwall and not ventured much into the city of London. He still sent allowances for his charge Hilda Carson who had been adopted officially by the Layles family, but he had not seen her in years.

  A knock sounded on the door. Ross's valet moved to the door, opening it.

  “The Woodleys have arrived,” The servant reported.

  “I will be down straight away,” Ross said. He quickly perused his reflection running his fingers through his dark black hair, before turning to dart out of his bed chambers.

  As he walked down the hall he took attention to his cuffs, fixing them into place. For it had been ingrained in him that a son of Lord of Cornwall should look according to the most attention to detail as possible.

  The grand staircase which he descended was very grand indeed with polished mahogany railings. The walls beside it were very tall and decorated with tapestries and paintings of his ancestors. For the Lord of Cornwall was a very old title and one of great nobility dating back to the Tudors. Therefore much was expected of the Lord of Cornwall and that included marry well.

  “There is my son. Remind me to have a word with you on tardiness,” The Lord of Cornwall said to his son, giving him a hard time as he already stood with the Woodley family as well as the new Lady of Cornwall Mrs Fiona Lambert, in the receiving foyer at the bottom of the staircase. Outside the open door, Ross could see the large ornate carriage that the family had arrived in.

  “Oh, but it is only a matter of making an entrance, sir,” Ross said, countering his father's judgment with a joke as he walked directly to the Woodleys. With a bow he continued, “Lord & Lady Woodley, such a pleasure as always. It has been too long.”

  “Indeed it has, MP of Cornwall, we are very glad to be in from the country,” Lord Woodley gave him a bow in return as Lady Woodley curtsied. Then Ross shifted his attentions to Mary Anne, placing her hand in his with a sweet kiss on top of her silk glove.

  “And you, Miss Woodley, good to see you as always. I have missed our conversations,” he said.

  “And I as well, sir,” Mary Anne gave him a curtsy. But there was a knowing look between them, that was for the two of them solely, it was a look of jest. For their friendship was far beyond such formalities, but they had to retain such a manner when in the presence of others.

  “Now, we have set up tea and games in the garden, shall we?” The Lord of Cornwall, Mr Brookend said.

  “Yes of course,” Lord Woodley replied.

  The Lord of Cornwall held his arm out for Mrs Lambert Brookend, his wife. She was not the mother of Ross, for his mother had died some years before, and Fiona was now the Lord of Cornwall’s second wife. She was agreeable enough, but Ross never saw fit to confide in her or treat her like anything other than his father's wife, definitely not a second mother.

  The Lord and Lady of Cornwall were followed by Lord and Lady Woodley, side by side, and Ross and Mary Anne took their place behind the two noble couples. Mary Anne looped her arm in Ross's and whispered, “I have much to acquaint you with, dear friend.”

  “Then we shall take a turn in the gardens as soon as we are able,” He patted her hand.

  He was quite intrigued by what his friend had to say. They often retained correspondence in the way of letters, but it had been almost six months since he had last received one from her.

  He and Mary Anne had a very special friendship, one that they have nourished since they were children. Indeed their family had always been friends throughout the decades, with each new generation maintaining the connection. But Ross felt as though Mary Anne was one of the few of the nobility that he was forced to have connections with, that he could truly call a friend. She did not expect him to act according to his station, and that was what he liked about her company. For in her presence, he could simply be himself and not the MP of Cornwall and future Lord of Cornwall.

  Together the party walked out into the gardens. Indeed the gardens of the Lord of Cornwall were well known in the St. James borough of London and were almost as grand as those at St. James’ Palace. For his estate took up an entire city block, not only for the very large home, but for the gardens which included a grassy lawn, formal gardens, and a labyrinth of overgrown arbours. It was quite the statement of nobility and wealth.

  White linen tablecloths trimmed with lace covered small tables on the garden lawn, surrounded by chairs. Tiered trays were adorned with cakes, biscuits, and delicacies, along with a service of tea in fine white China.

  “We have all manner of lawn games for your enjoyment,” the Lord of Cornwall said. “For it is a very fine day. These April showers are relentless this time of year so we make the most when the sun does come out.”

  “Indeed, a very fine day of sunshine, and I am much ready to challenge you to a game of horseshoes, your grace, for I believe that the last time you were the victor, and I plan to redeem myself,” Lord Woodley said.

  “Care to put a wager on such a thing, Woodley?” The Lord of Cornwall said.

  Ross and Mary Anne sat at a table alone, drinking the fragrant black tea, which Ross took with a splash of milk, and Mary Anne took with two cubes of sugar, as they listened to their father’s get into a playful bicker over the games.

  “I will take that wager. What do you say? One Guinea per game?” Woodley said.

  “That is a rich game, but worth it,” The Lord of Cornwall replied.

  The ladies were quick to dismiss the gambling of their husbands and engage in their own conversation of the latest fashions hitting London for the season.

  “Tell me, dear friend, what news do you bring from the countryside?” Ross said to Mary Anne, taking advantage of the fact that their parents were engaged in their own conversation at another table.

  “So much to say indeed, friend. But perhaps that might be better left to a walk in the gardens, but as for any other news, the country has been quite bland.” Mary Anne said.

  “Of course, that is because I have not been there for almost a year,” Ross teased her.

  “You might be quite right about that, for every eligible woman has been exhausted waiting for your return,” She t
eased him right back. “Though I am quite sure that that will be remedied at the Winton ball come next week. You will be flooded with the glances of many eligible women, begging with their eyes for you to dance.”

  “Yes, the Winton ball. I wish that I could escape such a thing. You know that I have no enjoyment for dancing, Mary Anne,” he said lifting his tea cup to his mouth to take a small sip.

  “Yes, since you have always said such a thing Ross, it has not escaped my attention.”

  The two laughed to each other, while their parents stood from the table and began to enjoy the lawn games together. Ross knew this was the distraction that was needed.

  “Miss Woodley, shall we take a turn in the gardens?” He stood up, holding out his hand to Mary Anne.

  “I would be delighted ,sir.”

  Together they walked away from their parents, making the way to the very private arbours adorned with fragrant honeysuckle flowers that had been enjoying the vast amounts of spring rains and were in full bloom.

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  Once they were out of reach, Ross could not hold his tongue on the matter any longer.

  “Now friend, you must tell me the news.” He said.

  “Oh Ross, it is absolutely dreadful,” She said. A look of desperation came across her face.

  “What is it? You are not hurt are you? Are you in distress?” He turned to her concerned for his friend's well-being. For he had never seen her blue eyes look as sad as they did now.

  “I am not hurt physically, but I am hurt of heart. I have such pain, dear Ross. For I am in love with someone that is quite forbidden to me. I have not the knowing of what I shall do, neither does he. We are quite distressed indeed.”

  A smile came across Ross's face as he understood his friends meaning quite clearly. “Do you mean to tell me Mary Anne, the woman who said that she should never fall in love, has now fallen in love?”

  “Yes, so it is dreadful, is it not? You are quite right, I have always said that I would not be a victim of the heart, and look at me. I can scarcely go a minute without thinking of my dear Jonathan.”

  Ross's brows raised. “Jonathan? And does this Mr Jonathan have a full name?”

  “Yes he does Ross, and that is the problem. For his name is not one of nobility, and you know how my parents have made it well known that I must not marry anyone unless it is a suitable match of nobility, into the aristocracy. They will accept no less than that.”

  “And this is Jonathan, is not of nobility?”

  “No, he is not. Mr Jonathan Harper is an attorney, a very good one at that. He makes a comfortable living, for his clients are ones that my parents or yours might have business with, he is paid quite well, but nowhere near the means that you and I are accustomed to. Especially not wealth that my parents would deem suitable for me. Oh Ross, it is so incredibly unjust and unfair. He has no title and his family name is not a known old family name such as ours. What ever will I do?”

  “Well he must be quite the man if he was capable of capturing your heart. What do you plan to do about it?”

  “We have been back and forth over all our options and Jonathan, feels that are only option to be together is an elopement,” She said.

  “An elopement! Mary Anne that is quite serious as you very well know. There is no going back from an elopement, nor the scandal that follows it.”

  “As I am very well aware, friend; I do not make this decision lightly. I have agreed to an elopement, but Jonathan has asked for several months in order to plan such a thing. He is having a very busy season, but at the end of it he will have more than enough money put away to set us up. I do not doubt that my parents will cut off all wealth and not give him my dowry, out of spite and anger for defiance of their wishes. Therefore we do not wish to elope until he has saved enough up to take a new house and set up the living for us.”

  “And you are quite sure this is what you want, Mary Anne? For the living will not be what you are accustomed to. It sounds like he lives very comfortable indeed, but nowhere near the luxury that you have been raised in.”

  “Yes, I have also taken that into consideration. But it is not as if I will be ploughing fields and kneading dough, there will be enough for household staff, as I am accustomed to, but not the luxuries of extravagant jewellery and dresses. But I dare say, friend, I am much in love with this man and I am willing to sacrifice that. In truth it does not matter to me, I would much rather marry for love, than for money.”

  “But what of your parents? They very well might not speak to you for years and possibly for the rest of your life. Have you considered that?” he asked.

  She put her hands on her hips. “My word, Ross. Of all people I would think that you would be happy for me. You do not care what others think of you and I thought you would understand ,yet you are pointing out all the negative reasons why I should not be married to my Jonathan.”

  “I am only saying the truth. Could you possibly live without your family speaking to you again? That is the truth of what may happen,” he said.

  She sighed. “I know. You are right. I love my parents of course, but I am willing to take the risk and keep hope that eventually, after a year or two, they will at least speak to me again.”

  “Then it sounds like you both have this all figured out. I wish you both the best. And of course you can guarantee on maintaining my friendship and acquaintanceship no matter the scandal that breaks out after your elopement. For we will always be true friends, will we not?”

  “Yes, and I am very glad to hear it. But there is a problem, a quite pressing matter. My parents have been pushing another suitor on me.”

  “And who is it this time?” Ross smiled and crossed his arms across his chest.

  “The old and vicious Earl of Holbrook Mr George Mason.”

  Ross let out a laugh.

  “It is not funny, Ross,” she playfully slapped his arm. “He is quite vile indeed.”

  “Yes, that is true. And I think you shall have the privilege of condoning that statement as he is expected at the ball next week.”

  “Yes, something my mother has reminded me of almost daily. Therefore I am short on time to come up with a plan. I am quite frightened that my parents will grant him permission to take my hand in marriage at the ball, perhaps even announced it without my permission. I just need time, Jonathan needs time. Whatever shall I do, Ross?”

  “This is the predicament. Let’s walk in this direction,” he said, taking her arm.

  They walked along, side-by-side together. Ross was deep in thought, trying to figure out how he could possibly help his friend to marry for true love. For she was very dear to him and he looked upon her as he would a sister. He wanted her to be happy above all else and if he could have a hand in guaranteeing her happiness, he would do anything he could to secure that for her.

  For he did not want to lose her to the vile Earl of Holbrook, who would keep her practically locked up in his country estate and not allow him to visit. For he was a quick tempered man of jealousy and Mary Anne would become a shell of herself if she were to marry him. Though deep down Ross knew she were more likely to do something rash like run away to America before going through with a wedding to the Earl. He himself had often thought of such illogical actions when his father began to list the ladies of nobility that Ross should consider to take as a wife. As of late the names had been listed ever so frequently and he knew that his father was becoming quite fed up with his disinterest in marriage.

  Then it occurred to him, something that would also be beneficial to himself as well as Mary Anne.

  “Mary Anne, my parents have also been pressuring me to find and take on a wife by end of the year, and I am in no way prepared to do such a thing. Perhaps there is a way that you and I can help each other.” he said with a sideways grin.

  “I am listening, please do go on.” she said.

  He took her arm and led her deeper into the gardens to
the water fountains. For anyone wishing to not be overheard found the rushing water of the fountains to be just the cover up for secrets.

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  As droplets of rain hit the glass of the parlour room, Hilda sat at the pianoforte, lazily stroking the keys with her eyes on the glass and not at the sheet music in front of her. For how could she when her mind was so agreeably engaged on other matters, the MP of Cornwall , Ross Brookend? For there was a ball in her future, to mark the beginning of the London season, and she wondered if he would be in attendance. He was a man that had always occupied her thoughts since she was younger, now that she was nine and ten years old. He had not come to see her since he had dropped her off, for once the Layles decided to adopt her, he saw no need. She wondered if he looked the same.

  It was quite possible that he would be in attendance if he were in town, for he was a worldly man that was constantly abroad furthering his trade on his ship, or at his country estate in Cornwall. But his London home was very close to Lord and Lady Winton who would be holding the ball at their home in St James's Court. Whereas her own home was located in the northwest area of London, a small outlying village called Hampstead Heath.

  Undoubtedly Hilda did love her home, and there were grand estates surrounding them such as Kenwood House where the Earl of Mansfield resided, but her own home was not as grand as one might find Kenwood House to be, but it was very agreeable. Her adopted father was a gentleman, and her adopted mother a lady, and their wealth had been handed down through inheritance. Therefore they were a family of society, but not of nobility, and those in society always made sure that Hilda understood that distinction.