by Jenni James
* * *
Much later that night, long after Lord Compton had returned home, Lacey made her way down to the cozy kitchens. He and Lacey had affably debated over whose invitations would be most beneficial to attend, and whose would not. She had been adamant that they appear at those events whose hosts were kind and not known for being overly gossipy, as well those who followed the political circles. Compton wanted to attend gatherings he knew would not be a complete bore, or waste of his time—such as Lady Pellington’s annual garden tea party, which always sounded lovely, but more often than not was a drizzled-upon mess of mud and boring poetry and sonnet readings.
Lacey smiled at the memory of his antics as he described the most tedious of afternoons spent amongst the ton and those she should avoid at all costs. As it was, they were able to come up with a quite respectable list of eight. Before she could change her mind, Pantersby and Compton both saw that she sent her acceptance letters immediately.
Now, as she approached the box of puppies and their mama, she had begun to have second—nay, fifth or sixth thoughts. She wrapped her shawl tightly around her dressing gown and sat down on a small rug next to the wooden box. The oil lamp above her on the table glowed gently upon the sleeping brood.
Mama was doing so much better now. Her breathing was even, and though she was still very thin, Lacey could feel her coat thickening and life coming back to the dear girl. “And how do you like your new home?” she asked as she reached in and rubbed the top of her head. Mama looked up and whimpered slightly, allowing Lacey to pet beneath her jowl and scratch her neck. “Your babies are doing wonderfully,” she whispered so as not to wake the fluffy lumps. “You are a good mother. Has anyone thought to tell you what a noble mama you are?” Her eyes met those of the dog, and she felt a sudden warmth come over her. It was if the animal discerned what she was conveying to her.
“You are so very brave as well. To have your puppies in Hyde Park, of all places, and then to hope and pray someone would come along and save them—is that what you wished for? Do animals wish for things? I often believe my horses do. They are particularly wishful when I bring a carrot or sugar cube for them.” She giggled quietly. “The rascals will nudge and bump and snort into me until I give in and offer them their treat.”
Suddenly, her smile faded. “I wish I were as brave as you. I wish the world was as perfect as I once believed it was, but it is not. Of course you know this, do you not? Left all alone to raise pups, unable to fend for yourself from lack of nutrients. Yet Pantersby has determined that you will come out of it. He seems to think I will come out of it as well. I do not know what he expects—perhaps for me to wake up one morning and be whole and cheerful and not quite so bitter about those my mother and father treasured so dearly.”
She gasped. Her hand went straight to her mouth, and her eyes widened. Was that the greatest of her worries? Was that what concerned her so very much? Lacey shifted slightly and stared into the box, but no longer saw the sweet family inside. Instead, her eyes began to swim with tears at the recollection of her mother—her dearest, sweetest mother. The woman who had not a thought for herself over a friend or loved one. Viscountess Melbourne continuously threw large parties and grand affairs so her friends could meet and enjoy themselves. For how many a young girl had she hosted a coming-out gala in the London mansion? How many musicals had she hosted when she discovered a new operatic singer or musician she wanted to assist into society? Mother even had Cook prepare some nice dessert for those who were ill, and one of the footmen, or even herself at times, would take the confection round to her friend to cheer her up.
Even in the country, life would remain blissful and busy, consoling those around her and finding ways to beat the gray England gloom. Yet on the days when her mother became distraught over the loss of her husband, no one came to uplift her. No one brought over a gift or took her out of the house on an escapade or two. Nay, she stayed as much of a recluse and the opposite of what she once was until her death. Had but just one friend remembered her and brightened her day with a smallish bit of gossip, Lacey was convinced her mother’s life would have perhaps lasted years longer. However, sadly, all those joyous people in her life continued on with their frivolities, and Lacey began to wonder if any of them ever gave her mother another thought.
The fickleness of those in society was a lesson Lacey would much rather never had to learn. And yet, she sighed and wiped at her tears, she would be keeping an appointment with the modiste tomorrow noon. For what? To be brought into this circle of people who would turn their backs on her the moment she was wont to need them?
“Shh, now. Are you crying, Lady Lacey?”
Lacey turned when she heard the old housekeeper’s voice. “I am afraid you have caught me, Mrs. Chull.”
The woman knelt down upon the rug next to her and placed an arm around her shoulders, her red-and-white-striped dressing gown pooling about her as she lowered herself. “What is it that ails ye, my lady?”
Lacey leaned into her shoulder and closed her eyes. How many moments had she experienced this very same thing when she was a little girl and Mrs. Chull was her nurse? “I am feeling very alone right now, I suppose.”
“Missing your mama?”
Lacey nodded. “Dreadfully.”
“She was a good woman. She assisted so many in society.”
“Yes, she did.”
Mrs. Chull lovingly squeezed Lacey’s shoulder and said softly, “You are a respectable woman too, and I daresay even more thoughtful and more benevolent than your mother.”
“No. Do not say so. I fear it would be impossible to be thought of in such a light.”
Ever so slowly, the old nurse-turned-housekeeper began to rock Lacey. “But you already are. All of us who know you see the greatness that is there. You change worlds, dear. And change lives. Lives that matter to so many more people than your mother saw.”
“Whatever do you mean?”
Mrs. Chull took a deep breath and kissed her forehead as if she were a little child. “Why, you see the servants, too. Your mother, though kindness in every bit of her nature, had been worried about those left out of society. Those who needed a compassionate word, or something to lift their spirits, whilst you—you see the lost, scared souls society does not. Take me, for instance.”
Lacey pulled back. “You? Mrs. Chull, you know very well I refuse to acknowledge anything negative you have to say about yourself. You have and always will be my nurse, and that is the end of that.”
“Even after you grew up? Even after your mother released me from my duties and you pleaded to her to let me stay on? Do you not remember how you found me fretting over where I would go once I was released? And how you plucked up the courage at seventeen to tell your parents you simply could not do without me? It was the most humiliating, humbling, most grateful experience of my life, knowing full well there was no need for me, and yet you could not bear to think of me alone, without family.”
She shook her head. “Nonsense. It is you who have helped me. Remember, you are my housekeeper nowadays. Without your help, I would have a mere fraction of the time I do now. You run this home with a sharp eye, and I am and will forever be in your debt.”
The older woman smiled and sat up straighter. “Well, I do keep a mighty fine house for you—it is no wonder I am given such a grand task.”
“My only regret is that I have brought you lower in the working class.” She sighed. “Yet neither you nor Pantersby would hear of anything else.”
“Of course not, my dear! After all you have done, when you needed assistance, we effortlessly stepped into our new roles.”
Lacey was never easy with compliments, but Mrs. Chull, in her own roundabout way, knew precisely how to keep her out of the doldrums and focus on the present. “Thank you. And thank you especially for putting up with my oddities and accommodating whatever new urchin I have fetched home without batting an eyelash.”
She chortled and tucked Lacey in tight once more. “T
here has never been a dull day with you as mistress, that is for sure!”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN:
The next day, before meeting Hamson and Atten at Tattersall’s, Compton stopped by Green Street.
“Lady Lamb is not in.” Pantersby met him at the door.
“That is fine. I am not here to visit her ladyship anyway.” He grinned and pulled a wrapped package from under his arm. “I have come to see the puppies and I have a gift for their mama, as you can perceive.”
“A present?”
“Yes. My cook has been thoughtful enough to save a bag of bones and scraps for the darling. Now may I invade your kitchens once more and surprise her?”
“Most certainly. I cannot imagine Lady Lamb taking offense at such a wonderful gesture.” He moved back and allowed Compton into the vestibule as he shut the door. “And the little one will surely be happy to have your gifts.”
“How are all the pups today?”
“Good, good! Night and day compared to what they looked like when you found them, my lord.”
“I am certain much of that has to do with this household and all those who look after the lot. Thank you for allowing me to trespass and leave them in your care. You are benevolent indeed.”
These pleasantries and many more were expressed as the two gentlemen made their way into the kitchens. Once again, Compton was taken by the stature and ease the butler presented, and he was reminded of what Lady Lamb had said earlier about Pantersby being her retired tutor who then answered her call for a butler.
“You must be a very remarkable man to have taken on this role in Lady Lamb’s house after being her tutor for so many years before. Has it been difficult?”
“I beg your pardon, my lord. No, it is not demanding. Lady Lamb is not the sort to make anything more problematic than it needs to be.”
He found that hard to believe. “I did not mean to set your back up, Pantersby. I was merely curious what it was like for you. Forgive my impertinence.” Compton bent down to the box, determined to alter the flow of conversation. “Well, hello there. How are you this fine day?” The improved dog wagged her tail, but remained lying down, her nuzzling puppies taking advantage of her position and nursing their mighty hearts out. He opened the package, dangled a small piece of meat, and watched, satisfied, as Mama reached her neck for it and snatched it hastily from his fingertips.
“Well done, you. You are growing much healthier each day.”
“Aye, she is. She even made it up and walked about the kitchen a step or two this morning. We were all in excitement, seeing her so willing to begin to explore and give her body a bit of exercise.”
“Have you come up with a name for her yet?”
“No. Lady Lamb has left that honor to you, my lord. Though we have all fiddled about with different ones over her time here, she has said you have found her, so therefore, you name her.”
“Well, I had no idea my discovering them held such prestige as this.” Compton cleared his throat. “Her coat seems to be a nice ginger color.” He thought a moment and then said, “What if we called her ‘Ginger’ or ‘Cinnamon’? Would that be a decent alternative to simply ‘Mama’? Or what about ‘Nutmeg’?”
“That last one is certainly unique, my lord.”
“And amusing! I like it. Nutmeg. ’Tis the most perfect name for a dog. And now, please allow your staff and Lady Lamb to name the rest. I could never come up with them all. As her household will be acquainted with their personalities better than anyone else who comes to see them, I would be honored if you would select them.”
“Well, thank you, my lord. I know a couple of girls who would be delighted to hear this news.”
Nutmeg wagged her tail and nudged into Lord Compton’s hands, just as his horses did. He stayed and petted her a little longer, feeding her tidbits before rising and leaving the rest of the odds and ends of meat and bones with Cook.
“Nutmeg will be greatly spoiled, my lord,” the cook babbled as she bobbed a curtsy.
“As she should be. You have done wonders with her and the pups.” He gave a short nod. “Thank you for all you have done.”
“Oh! ’Tis not only me, my lord.” Cook flushed. “Why, the girls, Mrs. Chull, the housekeeper, the footman, and Lady Lamb—why, we have all taken to them. They have brought so much life and gaiety to this kitchen, it has been a dream to have such a sweet group to look after.”
“That is very glad news to hear. I was half worried you would all wish me to Hades for parting with them.”
“Nay! We would never consider such a thing.”
Compton tilted his head, and when curiosity took hold, he asked her quite abruptly, “How did you meet Lady Lamb? Have you known her all her life as well?”
He gathered a look of amazement between the butler and the cook.
“Forgive my manners. Am I intruding again? Your relationship and lifestyles fascinate me. It is surprising to see such easiness between nobility and staff, and it is merely nosiness that drives this impropriety of mine.”
Cook waved him off. “I’m proud to tell ye how’s I met the young lady, though ’tis astoundin’ to hear someone wonder about it. Me and my lil’ daughters were alone on the streets. My husband was not the kindest of men and became quite ill on drink usually. The night he died, we’d managed to escape the house and run for our lives. My daughters were only four and five at the time. We were unaided and rightly scared. I had no notion of where to go, or what to do—only that my sweeties and I were as protected as I could make us. It was two days later when Lady Lamb stopped her glorious coach in front of us. I was tremblin’ somethin’ severe, but she was kind and asked if’n I needed assistance. Grateful I was for the help. We climbed into that coach over a year ago, and we have never been more happy.”
“And you became her cook straightaway?”
“Oh, no! First I spent months learning all the fancy skills and meals with Mrs. Black, the other cook in the country, while my lil’ ones played with the servants’ children. Mrs. Black has since retired and lives in a cottage on that grand estate now. The country house is beyond beautiful, but when we moved up here, it was like a dream come true. To be in such a fancy house in the middle of London—on Green Street, no less—and me being the one what’s prepares all the meals. A year ago when I was sitting, scared out of my wits, on a small piece of grass prayin’ in my heart for something good to happen to us, I would never have imagined this.”
She brushed at her skirts. “This dress and apron are made of finer fabrics than anythin’ I have ever worn before in my life.”
“Mama! Mama!” A little girl with braids and bows and a white pinafore came bounding into the kitchen and straight for the cook’s legs. The woman pitched forward as her daughter clung to her. “You haf ta see the puppy,” the little girl exclaimed.
“Mary, please curtsy to Lord Compton. He’s the one the puppies belong to.”
Her face lit up with the most adorable grin. “’Twas you?” She took a step back and then asked very reverently, her eyes wide, “Are you a prince?”
He gave out a surprise chuckle and knelt beside her. “No, but I have met him. And I think it is the nicest compliment you could give someone.”
Pantersby began to cough. Clearly, he knew the prince was not the most attractive of men.
“You are very han’some,” Mary said. “Are you going ta marry La-ly Lamb?”
“Mary!” The cook grabbed her daughter and pulled her away from Lord Compton. “You do not ask such things of his lordship.”
“Why?”
“It is fine.” Compton stood back up and grinned, but had no idea how to answer the question. He turned to Pantersby and nudged him in the ribs. “I take it you have met the prince too, before your tutoring days?”
“We all have, Lord Compton,” Lady Lamb said as she stepped into the kitchen. “Prince Regent stayed with us in the country many times when I was a girl, and once or twice since my parents have passed on. When my brother is in residence,
he has stayed again at the estate.”
“Hello, Lady Lamb. I did not know you were home.” Compton held his breath and wondered how long she had been there, and what exactly she had overheard.
Mary ran to her and threw her arms all the way around Lacey’s legs. “You are backed! You are backed! Come see the puppies! One has her eyes open. You haf ta see!”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN:
Once Compton finally approached Tattersall’s, Lord Hamson and Lord Atten were on the west side, rambling out with the new pair of matched horseflesh for Atten’s travelling coach.
“You have purchased them without me,” he called out as he drew near to the two men.
“We had quite given up on you, old man!” Atten greeted him with a tip of his fine beaver. “Why, we waited in excess of half an hour before heading in.”
“’Tis true.” Hamson lightly patted the rump of the white horse nearest. “Did you perchance become lost on your way over?”
Compton shrugged. “As lost as one can find himself on Green Street.”
Both men gaped at him, and then Atten began to grin. “Out with it! Lady Ice still allows you to show your face around there?”
“What larks have you been up to in that department?” Hamson chimed in. “Tell me, are you as much in love with her as I think?”
“Bah. I am not in love with her at all.” He grimaced as convincingly as he could.
Hamson winked. “As of yet. Nevertheless, there is still time.”
“Beautiful pair.” Compton attempted to change the subject and rubbed the neck of the large horse to his left. “When you said Tat’s had such a pair, I did not truly believe you meant of this caliber.”
“They are stunning,” Hamson agreed.
“And they will look smashing pulling my new black coach, do you not think so?” Atten smugly boasted.