by Abigail Agar
“Mother, I know that you are angry about my decision. I am well-aware that the idea of my marriage to a woman without noble blood disturbs you. I wish that you would only give her a chance. If you do not accept her, I understand and you and I shall have to decide what is going to come of our future as mother and son. If you would just meet her and give her an opportunity to show you the sort of woman she is, I would be most delighted,” he said, opening the conversation with his plea.
“I understand, Jonathan,” his mother replied.
And there was something in her expression which made him believe that she truly did.
“What do you mean by that, Mother?” he asked.
“Jonathan, you must believe that I am a woman filled with anger and fury. I understand. I would not enjoy being around me if I knew the version which you know. You have seen me feel nothing but anger and hatred towards those who are not of noble bloodlines,” she began.
“But I do have reason for that.”
Patiently, calmly, Jonathan waited in order to hear what she had to say about it. There had to be something truly upsetting for her if she had these feelings resulting from some circumstance in life which she experienced. He had never seen his mother admit to some unfortunate feeling like this.
“You have a reason?” he asked.
“I do. You may be surprised to learn this, but I once loved a man who was not of noble blood. It was a circumstance which my own mother and father disliked, but I believed it was the right thing. I loved him deeply and I wanted nothing more than to spend my life with him,” she said.
“Then why, Mother? If you understand, if you feel the same way, why would you be so angry about my loving her?” he asked.
“I was prepared to leave my father and mother in order to be with him. I had already made him the promise and we intended to meet one night, to run away and be married,” she said, with great difficulty.
“However, I was in town merely two days before our plan was meant to come to pass. I was walking in town with my mother when I saw him. He was with another young woman. They appeared…close. When I drew near, I remained hidden from their view. We were in the market, you see, and it was easy to appear as another shopper on the backside of a cloth which separated one shop from the other,” his mother continued.
“That was when I heard them. He was telling the young lady that it was almost done. He had nearly married the rich woman. He promised her that he would rob me of all I had, convince me that we needed a significant amount of money and jewels in order to start a new life away from my family. Then, on the way to the wedding, he would pretend something was wrong with the coach and I would get out. He would leave me there, taking all the jewels and money to this woman he truly loved,” she explained.
“Oh, Mother! I am dreadfully sorry. I had no idea. What did you do?” he asked.
“I was torn. A part of me wanted to tell my mother and father, to arrange for them and the constable to meet me where he left me and then arrest him, or even follow him to the young woman and arrest them both. However, I felt so much shame that I could not bear to tell anyone. I simply did not go with him that night. I could not bring myself to confront him,” she said.
“Really? Did he leave you alone after that?” Jonathan asked.
“Not at first. He tried to meet with me, left me letters in our secret spot near a tree for exchanging them. I left them burning in return. Eventually, he stopped trying to see me and I was arranged to marry your father,” she said.
“And this is why you dislike all who are not of nobility?” he asked.
“Inter-class marriage is a difficult thing, Jonathan. You must be prepared for that. If you really intend to be with this young woman, there is much more than her intentions which you need to be careful about,” she warned.
“But she did not even know, Mother. I told her about my identity only today. Before this, she believed I was the groom who works in our stable,” he said.
His mother was clearly surprised by this news, giving him some relief.
“Well, that is something at least,” She said.
“Yes, it is. You must meet her, Mother. Please, just meet her before you decide against her. She is a good young woman, even if she has no title. I promise you that you will see. She is not here for wealth or status,” he said.
“And you are ready for the backlash, the gossip, the mistreatment that the two of you shall face as a result of your being together?”
Jonathan nodded, solemnly. He was not looking forward to it, well aware of the fact that Ellie would face the worst of it. Still, he was ready. He would do anything if it meant being with the woman he loved most in all the world.
“I know that it is going to be difficult. It grieves me to think of what she shall face; how painful it may be at times. I know that Simon will aid me in supporting the two of us and helping others to see that there is nothing wrong with our union. With his help, I do believe that it is going to be somewhat simpler, although I know that it will still be difficult for many to understand why we are together,” he said, still trying to work through his own feelings and expectations.
“Yes, well, so long as you are prepared. I do hope that you are able to push beyond all the words which shall surely be uttered against the two of you. Nevertheless, I would be willing to meet the young woman and give you my opinion. If I believe that she is truly unlike that man I loved, I may be more inclined to give my approval,” she said.
Hopeful for the first time in a great while, Jonathan nodded and rushed from the room, desperate to get Ellie and bring her to his mother. When he found her in the study, his face lit up.
“What is it?” she asked.
“I have spoken with my mother and she is willing to meet you. If she believes that you really do have the best intentions at heart, she is going to allow us to be together. Are you ready to speak with her, Ellie? Will you meet her?” he asked, desperately.
“Of course! Yes! This is precisely what I hoped for. Do you really think she is willing to consider a match between us?” she asked.
“Indeed, she is. Come, Ellie. You must meet with her at once,” he said, taking her hand and guiding her to the drawing room where his mother awaited them.
They entered the room and she stood, as if she, too, had hope that this would go well.
“Hello, Miss…” she trailed off.
“Eleanor Windsor, Your Ladyship,” Ellie said, giving a low curtsey.
“Miss Windsor. Very nice to meet you,” his mother said, her back stiff with a blend of her own pride and her sudden nervousness.
Jonathan was proud of his mother for making this effort to meet Ellie and be kind to her. It was such a great relief that the two of them were going to know one another, properly. He hoped that there would truly be a new sense of peace in his house. His mother had made all the right decisions, at last.
“Please be seated. Miss Wacombe shall bring the tea in just a moment,” she said.
“Thank you,” Ellie replied with the most proper etiquette Jonathan had ever seen her muster. She looked lovely as she worked hard to express herself with a delicate grace reserved only for the most noble of women.
He realized that she did not need to have a title for this nobility. Ellie truly was noble in her own right. It made him eternally happy to see her so sweet and gentle and being treated the way she really deserved by his mother.
“Miss Windsor, I have been told by my son that you were not aware of his identity. Is that true? When did you learn the reality?” she asked.
“I began to suspect it yesterday. My cousin informed me that the Duke of Danby was named Jonathan and his closest friend went by the last name of Potts. It was rather a coincidence that the groom of this estate should be named Jonathan Potts. That was certainly my first moment of suspicion,” she said.
“Very interesting. And from there?” she asked.
“Today, he told me. He confirmed what I was beginning to think and it was certainly
a shock. I did not believe it could be possible, even yesterday I imagined that he would reveal nothing other than being a strange wanderer,” she said with a gentle laugh.
“I see. Well, I am pleased to hear this. You seem like quite a nice young woman and very regal, given your status in society. Tell me, are you prepared for the harsh conditions which you may face? The women who will look upon you with disdain and who will believe that you are a usurper? They will claim that you knew his identity all along and that this was a trap for the sake of your station in life,” she warned.
“I understand, Your Ladyship. I am prepared for this. I know that I will come across the cruelest women society has to offer, and perhaps the most arrogant of men as well. But I am able to move beyond that. I love your son, begging your pardon for being so forward and honest. I love him and I want to be with him. No matter what,” she said.
Jonathan was so pleased to hear this, to know that Ellie cared enough about him to suffer through this. He would make every effort to support her if it took place as they feared, but no matter what was bound to happen, he would love her through it all.
“Very well. I should like to continue getting to know you. For the moment, I do approve and I am willing to concede to this courtship. Perhaps you would be willing to meet with me again tomorrow? We may continue spending time together?” she offered.
“Yes, Your Ladyship. Thank you,” she said, delighted.
Jonathan could have broken out in cheers. He was astonished by his mother’s willingness to accept Ellie. Nothing could have made him happier.
Ellie stayed for dinner and his mother spoke with her at length. After she departed, he began to make his plans.
Chapter 36
Relieved and overjoyed, Ellie departed from the estate. The following day, she spent more time with Lady Cornwall, enjoying the time to actually spend together and properly understand one another.
After she went home, her aunt approached her.
“Eleanor, I have news for you,” she said.
“Oh? What sort of news?”
“I spoke with Mrs. Carruthers this afternoon. I am pleased to tell you that her son has already become engaged to the young woman he truly loves. She asked if all was well with that, if we approved of the change of circumstance. I informed her that your uncle and I are perfectly happy to see this take place and that we are excited for you to have found a duke,” she said.
“Truly? Wendell has become engaged? I am so pleased for him. I know that he loved her and it broke his heart that they were not allowed to be together. Thank you, Aunt Glenda,” Ellie said.
“Yes, yes, very well. Now, you had best be sure that you make yourself worthy of a duke, Eleanor. I understand that he loves you, but it is up to you to keep that love. Men are somewhat flippant at times and it is important that you are worthy of the station which you are soon to inhabit,” Aunt Glenda said.
Ellie smiled, although it still stung that her aunt was not more supportive. Certainly, she was glad that Ellie was planning to marry soon, and impressed that Ellie had managed to be courted by someone who was so impressive in society, but she wished that her aunt would be more enthusiastic in her belief that Ellie deserved this.
Instead, Ellie was being treated as if this was a new challenge which she would need to conquer and face, something she certainly did not deserve. Ellie expected nothing different from her aunt. Truly, this was enough to have some support, even if it was not the belief that Ellie could ever be good enough.
“Now, your uncle, Katherine, and I have a surprise for you,” she said.
“For me? Thank you, Aunt Glenda. I am shocked,” Ellie confessed.
“You needn’t be shocked, but you must hurry and come to the coach,” she said.
Ellie followed and saw the coach which must have only just arrived. She climbed in and saw that Katherine and her uncle were already inside.
“Goodness, you startled me.” She laughed.
They all made their way down the road. It was a short journey, but Ellie couldn’t begin to fathom where they were going. At last, the coach came to a stop and the coachman opened the doors, helping the others out first and Ellie last.
When she looked up, she saw the cottage in front of her.
“My home?” she asked.
“Yes. I thought there was nowhere you would be happier to go for a small, family celebration. I know that you love this place and I am impressed by how well you have done in taking care of it. It really does look beautiful, inside and out,” her aunt said.
“Thank you, Aunt Glenda,” she said.
“Yes, well, I thought we may as well come here for a spot of tea and a bit of time together,” she said.
They went inside and Ellie followed them to the living room.
“Oh, goodness, it is far too stuffy in here,” her aunt complained. Ellie tried not to roll her eyes at her aunt for being so dramatic.
“It is better if we go outside, I should think,” her uncle chimed in.
Katherine grinned at Ellie and shrugged, as if her mother and father were being foolish. Ellie followed them out to the garden.
There he was. Jonathan stood in the middle, with his mother and Lord Potts seated on one of the small, wooden benches her father had built.
“Goodness! I did not know that we had other company,” she said.
“Eleanor,” Jonathan said, her name sweet on his lips.
Her aunt, uncle, and Katherine all moved aside, standing near Lady Cornwall and Lord Potts. Ellie glanced over to them and it was clear that this had all been a setup, a very clever way of tricking her into this moment.
She turned her attention back to Jonathan and waited patiently.
“Eleanor, I hope you know that you have changed me. There is nothing about you which I had anticipated prior to knowing you. Honestly, I never thought I could find a woman so lovely, so beautiful, so remarkable. You are unlike anyone I have ever known and you have changed me, inside and out,” he said.
She smiled nervously, humbled by these words.
“You are the greatest joy I have ever known and a bright spark in my life. You enthrall me in every way and I am astonished by your kindness and loveliness. Now, as we move forward with the blessing of both our families, I must ask you the most important question I have ever asked anyone,” Jonathan said.
Anticipation welled up in Ellie’s chest. This was it. She knew the question on his heart.
“Will you be my—?”
“Yes,” she said, before he finished the question.
“Wife?” he laughed, overlapping her.
“Yes, a thousand times. I would love nothing more in all the world,” she said.
Jonathan knelt, nervously, as if realizing that he was supposed to do that part before asking her. But once he was there, in the middle of the garden, he held out the most exquisite ring Ellie had ever seen.
It was a sapphire, surrounded by little, white diamonds. Perfectly lovely and like nothing she had never owned before.
The others clapped, excitedly. The noise startled two approaching deer that Ellie hadn’t seen until they bounded away.
It was a wonderful moment of joy and the happiness that could only come with a family and love entwined with the goodness and beauty of a future decided.
“I am so happy for you, Ellie. You deserved this all along. I only wish that it had all come about sooner. Even my mother is happy for you,” Katherine said to her as everyone mingled about and drank their tea.