by Sky Winters
“It sounds simple when you say it like that,” William observed.
Cynthia laughed. “Everything’s simple when you’re not involved in it. I understand that and I know how hard this must be for you. But at the end of the day… you are the man in charge. And lives depend on your decision. That is not something you should take lightly.”
William smiled again. “Strange,” he said as he looked at her.
“What is?” Cynthia asked in confusion.
“I… I’ll tell you one day,” he said as he walked on ahead of her.
“You’re very secretive,” Cynthia said as she sped up to catch up to him.
William laughed. “This coming from a mysterious young lady such as you.”
Cynthia colored and fell silent as they approached a little block of houses. There were two young boys playing outside and as they saw Cynthia and William approach, they ran inside. Moments later they reappeared again, accompanied by an older man with a fantastic beard and pearl blue eyes.
“Good day Master William,” he said in a booming voice. “That is… Lord William.”
“No Greggs,” William shook his head. “You can still call me Master William, as far as I’m concerned that is still who I am. I’ve brought along Lady Cynthia Stafford Greggs.”
“Welcome my lady,” Greggs said tilting his downward in welcome. “I hope you excuse the state of the yard… the children have been mucking about in it again.”
Cynthia turned her gaze to the two boys hiding behind their father. One was sandy haired and blue eyed and the other was blonde haired and brown eyed. “What are your names then?” Cynthia asked as she bent down so that she was at eye level with them.
“I’m Malcolm,” the older one said. “And I’m seven.”
“Seven?” Cynthia said in admiration. “That’s quite an accomplishment. And what about you little man?”
“I’ve six,” he piped up. “And I’m not going to be little for long.”
Cynthia laughed. “You’re right, I’m so sorry. Soon you shall be bigger than me.”
They visited three more houses before dusk settled in and William steered Cynthia in the direction of their carriage. “Such wonderful people,” Cynthia mused. “And they treat you like family.”
“I know,” William nodded. “It’s probably more than I deserve.”
“Don’t say that,” Cynthia shook her head at him. “You treat them well.”
“But I am considering this deal with Musgrave and Company,” William admitted.
Cynthia faced William as he sat opposite her in the carriage. “I see,” Cynthia nodded. “Seriously considering it?”
“Well… yes.”
“Because of your mother?” Cynthia asked.
“And other… more practical concerns.”
“Oh?” Cynthia said dying to ask the question but unsure if she was pushing her luck.
“The truth is… half of them can’t afford to pay rent,” William revealed after some hesitation. “Their debts are mounting and soon it will get to a point where they will be impossible to repay. Is there any point in keeping this land if the tenants themselves can’t afford to stay on it?”
“I see,” Cynthia nodded. Something was nagging at the back of her mind and she tried to remember what Mrs. Aston had told her about the manor and its original owners. She was distracted from her thoughts as the carriage pulled to a stop and William opened up the door and helped her down.
“We have dinner at eight o’clock each night,” William said. “And we dress formally.”
“Do I have to attend?” Cynthia asked. “I don’t want to be a nuisance and to be honest… I don’t think your mother likes me very much.”
“Well… I like you,” William smiled. “Can that be enough for now?”
Cynthia couldn’t help smiling. She knew that it was enough. It was more than enough and that little fact was starting to bother her greatly.
Chapter Five
Cynthia spent the first two weeks in the manor trying to avoid Lady Jameson. The older woman was shrewd and extremely suspicious of her and Cynthia was starting to realize why. Lady Jameson was under the impression that Cynthia was a gold digger trying to secure a rich husband.
While this couldn’t be further from the truth, Cynthia couldn’t deny her burgeoning feelings for William. He was polite, gentlemanly and kind and Cynthia lost herself in his beautiful blue eyes more than once each day. She usually accompanied him on his excursions into town and to visit the tenants and each trip was filled with lively conversation and laughter.
Cynthia had dated a few different men but she had never met anyone quite like William. It was with a heavy heart that she finally had to admit to herself that she was born in the wrong century. The miracle of her move back in time was something that she had still not grown used to. Whenever she was in the mansion, she would scour the area trying to find the ring that had brought her here. It didn’t seem to matter what she read or where she looked, it appeared as though she were stuck permanently in a different time period. Cynthia was starting to realize that she might very well have been the woman in the portrait. There was no doppelganger, there was just her.
Cynthia was in the library one day reading through a book on unexplainable occurrences in history when Lady Jameson found her. She was dressed in a dark green dress with a high collar and lace inserts. She looked severe as ever and her eyes grazed over Cynthia suspiciously.
“Hello my dear, I was looking for you.”
“Oh?” Cynthia said standing up and adjusting her dress awkwardly.
“Yes, I wanted to inform you that we were having a dinner party tonight,” Lady Jameson went on. “I was waiting till you had left our company to organize this event but…. it appears you will be with us for a longer stay than I had anticipated. And since I cannot put it off anymore… you will simply have to join us.”
Cynthia was used to Lady Jameson’s passive aggressive manner. “Thank you for the invitation my lady.”
Lady Jameson nodded curtly before turning to leave the library.
“Lady Jameson?” Cynthia called out after her.
“Hmm?” she asked turning back only a fraction.
“I want you to know that I do appreciate your hospitality in allowing me to stay here,” Cynthia said sincerely. “I know it is a burden for you and I want you to know that I’m grateful.”
She stared at Cynthia for a moment longer. “Since this is a formal dinner I will expect you to be suitably dressed.”
Cynthia stumbled over her words. “I have two dresses…”
“Those won’t do,” Lady Jameson said cutting her off. “This occasions requires something special. I have picked out a dress for you to wear. Maude will help you get ready tonight.”
With that, she turned and walked out, leaving Cynthia shocked and intensely suspicious.
As it turned out, Cynthia was right to be so suspicious. The dress that Lady Jameson had picked out for her was a horrible ruffled gown in a particularly horrible shade of pink and green. In addition to which, it was so tight that it made Cynthia’s eyes water.
“Dear God,” she exclaimed holding her breath. “I don’t think I can wear this thing.”
“You have to ma’am,” freckle faced Maude said earnestly. “Or my Lady will be right mad.”
“You’re right Maude,” Cynthia sighed; doing her best with her hair in hopes that it would offset the horrible effect of the dress she wore. “Where did Lady Jameson find this dress in the first place?”
“She went to the shops special for it,” Maude replied.
“Oh how lovely,” Cynthia said only partially veiling her sarcasm. “How kind she is to have gone through all the trouble.”
“Do you know who’s coming tonight Maude?” Cynthia asked.
“Oh yes,” Maude replied immediately. “The sirs from that company… the one that wants to buy Master’s land.”
“Musgrave and Company?”
“That’s the one,
” Maude nodded.
Cynthia nodded as she straightened out her hair and stared at herself in the mirror. Her orange-red hair fell about her shoulders in soft waves and her blue eyes were bright with annoyance. At least it leant a certain amount of attractiveness to her features if not her figure.
“My lady ordered me to arrange your hair in a chignon,” Maude said reaching for a brush.
Cynthia rose instantly. “That was kind of her Maude, but it won’t be necessary. I think I’ll wear my hair loose tonight.”
“My lady insisted…”
“Well I insist harder,” Cynthia said with forced politeness. “I think I’ll go down now. Thank you for your help.”
She had just descended down the stairs when Lady Jameson appeared from a door by the side. She looked elegant and stately in a deep mauve dress that was brightened by the diamonds that hung from her neck and earrings. Cynthia knew she looked like an idiot standing next to her, which was probably the whole point anyway.
“Ah Cynthia… the dress suits you,” she said with a smile.
Cynthia smiled tightly. “You shouldn’t have gone through the trouble.”
“It was my pleasure.”
“I’m sure it was,” Cynthia hissed underneath her breath so that she would be heard.”
“Now Cynthia,” Lady Jameson said coming forward. “I know you and William are fond of your dinner conversation… but tonight I’d rather you didn’t monopolize his time.”
“I understand,” Cynthia nodded. “He has business to attend to.”
“Oh business he can handle any day of the week,” Lady Jameson said waving her hand. “I want him free to concentrate on Lady Elenor tonight.”
“Lady… Elenor?” Cynthia said wrinkling her brows together.
“Oh you don’t know? William should have mentioned her to you… she is his betrothed,” Lady Jameson said with infinite pleasure.”
“His betrothed?” Cynthia repeated in shock.
“Why yes,” Lady Jameson nodded. “She was away for a few weeks, visiting her sick aunt in the city. But now that she has returned, William will have much less time to spend with you. But I’m sure you will understand.”
“I… of course,” Cynthia said trying to wash off the shock and hurt she knew was racing across her face.
Cynthia took a few moments to gather her composure and then walked into the glittering dinner hall where all the formal events were held. She couldn’t even admire the crystals chandeliers that hung from the painted ceiling or the brilliant portraits that lined the walls of the hall. All she could think of was how stupid she had been to allow herself to be drawn in to a world she didn’t belong to. This was her cruel awakening.
She didn’t even notice William approach her until he was right in front of her. He looked handsome as ever in his brilliant blue coat. He had combed his hair back and the soft, powder blue of his eyes were on full display. Cynthia dropped her gaze and tried to act like nothing was wrong.
“Cynthia,” William said brightly. “You look… beautiful.”
“Don’t lie to me,” Cynthia said, more harshly than she had intended.
William didn’t seem to notice her mood. “Well… the dress is… different. But you look breathtaking.”
Before Cynthia could respond Lady Jameson appeared as if from nowhere. “William darling, there you are. Come and say hello to darling Elenor.”
She had on her arm a petite young woman with fine blonde hair and doe brown eyes. She was wearing a silky dress in a romantic silver and there were flowers draped into her hair. She looked like a real life fairy and Cynthia realized immediately what the real point of her own dowdy dress had been.
“Cynthia, this is Lady Elenor Hastings. Elenor, this is Cynthia Stafford,” Lady Jameson said pleasantly.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Cynthia was forced to say.
“A pleasure I’m sure,” Lady Elenor nodded with a little bow before she turned her doe eyes onto William. “How are you William?”
Cynthia was barred from the rest of their conversation because Lady Jameson stepped in between them, linked her arm with Cynthia’s and wheeled her away from William and Elenor under the pretence of introducing her to everyone else at the dinner. Cynthia spent a truly awful few hours sitting across from William and Elenor, watching as they conversed and laughed and knocked their glasses together in merriment. Never had Cynthia felt so completely out of place before, and that included the time she had walked in on her boyfriend in bed with the next-door neighbor.
After dinner was over, Cynthia tried to escape back to her room but Lady Jameson saw her first and wheeled her into the drawing room where everyone had gathered. “It would be rude to leave the party now Cynthia,” she said as she forced her into the center of the room.
Cynthia could feel William watching her but she studiously avoided his gaze and tried to remain as silent and as invisible as possible, a difficult feat considering the dress she had on.
“William darling,” Lady Jameson’s voice cut through the chatter, as she gestured to the magnificent grand piano settled in one neat corner of the room. “Why don’t you play us something?”
Cynthia looked up at William with a start. “You’re a pianist?”
William smiled. “Do you play?”
“I sing,” Cynthia said without thinking.
“How wonderful,” William looked truly delightful. “Why don’t you accompany me?”
“Oh no,” Cynthia said shaking her head adamantly. “I’d really rather not.”
“Please Cynthia,” William insisted. “I’d love to hear you sing.”
Cynthia made the mistake of looking into his soft blue eyes and she knew she couldn’t deny him. With a resigned nod she moved towards the piano with William at her back. “I don’t know many songs,” Cynthia whispered to William lamely.
“Look through the book here,” William suggested. “And pick anyone you recognize.”
Funnily enough, Cynthia recognized two of the songs in the book. She picked the more romantic one and William seated himself in front of the grand piano as Cynthia positioned herself just behind him. She noticed the livid expression on Lady Jameson’s face. She had obviously not intended for William and Cynthia to find yet another common thread to bond them. Strangely, Cynthia felt her confidence burgeon and she started singing without overthinking.
The moment the first few words were out of her mouth, everything else blurred away and it was just another room and another audience that she had to sing in front of. The only things that were real to her were the music and the man playing it. As the last few notes of the song faded away, applause rang out through the room, bringing Cynthia back to reality. William stood; his face was split into a huge smile.
“Cynthia… you’ve been hiding your great gift from me.”
“What gift?” Cynthia asked in confusion.
“Your voice,” William said as though it were obvious. “You’re voice is breathtaking.”
“You really think so?”
“I really do,” William nodded emphatically.
Before they could talk further, Lady Jameson was standing between them once again and she had Lady Elenor with her. “You have a lovely voice Lady Cynthia,” Elenor said demurely and Cynthia thanked her for the compliment.
“William,” Lady Jameson said, inserting herself into the conversation. “Elenor was just telling me about a travelling circus that is coming into the country in a few days. It would be so wonderful if you would accompany her, don’t you think?”
William looked between his mother and Elenor and smiled politely. “Well of course, if Elenor would like that.”
“Oh it would be nice,” Elenor nodded.
“Then of course I shall accompany you,” William said with a nod. “But only if Cynthia will join us as well. I’m sure she is as excited about the idea of a travelling circus.”
Cynthia ignored the infuriated expression on Lady Jameson’s face. “Why of course,” she said w
ith a smile. “What young lady wouldn’t be?”
Chapter Six
Cynthia turned one corner of the library and found William sitting there between the shelves, staring out the window at the lands he owned.
“William?” Cynthia said quietly.
If he was startled he hid it well. “Hello,” he said, his eyes were far away. “I thought you would be getting ready for the circus.”
“I will in a moment,” Cynthia nodded. “I just wanted to put this book back first. Are you all right? You seem a little… pensive.”
“Musgrave and Company have increased their offer,” William told her. “Mother is pressuring me to say yes and there are so many positives to accepting it.”
“Then why are you so conflicted?” Cynthia asked as she came forward.
William sighed. “I can’t get rid of the guilt,” he admitted. “I can’t just forget about the tenants.”
“What does your mother think?”
“She thinks I’m making it too personal,” William replied. “She thinks that business and sentimentality should not go hand in hand.”
“I see,” Cynthia nodded. “And what do you think?”
“I think that… our tenants need their homes,” William said. “But even if I keep the land and allow them to stay on it… half of them can’t afford to keep paying their rent in the first place and I have to be practical. I’m not running a charity.”
“What if they were self-sufficient?” Cynthia asked, the idea coming to her suddenly.
“What do you mean?” William asked.
“What if you allowed them to work the land?” Cynthia asked. “What if they farmed it? Then they would really make use of the land and they would be able to pay you rent as well.”
“Farming…” William said thoughtfully. “I hadn’t thought of it.”
“To be honest, I didn’t come up with it all on my own,” Cynthia, admitted thinking of Mrs. Murray. “But I think it might be a good idea.”
William nodded thoughtfully. “It is an exception idea. Cynthia… this feels right to me.”