Florence’s Stupendous Spinster’s Society

by Charlotte Stone

  “Yes.” Lorena tightened her hold. They’d both lost their parents to tragedies. Lorena’s parents had died together when a boat sank. Their death had affected not only Lorena and Francis, but Genie and the other men in the group who’d known them over the years. The Cullips had been special to all, an impoverished duke and an heiress who loved him all the same, and that love had been extended to everyone they knew, including Francis’ friends. Sophia and Alice had not been around to meet her parents, but she imagined they’d have liked Lorena’s new friends just as much. That was who her parents were, kind and loving, and Lorena refused to let their special gift die.

  That was the reason she clung to the sisterhood. Since its beginning, they’d helped each other through one catastrophe after another. Emmett’s home catching fire while Lorena was present had been the spark that ignited everything and since then, wherever there was sadness, there was still the hope for joy. She believed the Spinsters a large part of it and prayed nothing would change after the ceremony.

  Lorena sighed and knew that in the end, if she had to choose between the sisterhood and Emmett, she would choose him every single time. At that moment, she closed her eyes and imagined the Earl of Ashwick, recalling the first time they’d met. Unlike the rest of the men, whom Lorena had known since a child from the many summer parties that Francis hosted for his friends, Emmett had never visited the Valdeston Estate until after the death of his father, a man who’d been strict and never allowed Emmett to do much of anything.

  She remembered how handsome he’d been, yet distant, not understanding that there were people in Society who didn’t hold to their rules and customs with their every breath. Morris had been much the same way, though he’d learned to relax whenever he came to Valdeston. It had taken Emmett more time to warm up to the Valdeston ways. Dinner was whenever the group grew hungry. Laughter was not to be contained, and a person’s dignity rested in their treatment of others. Happiness was the family cornerstone, for when there was little money, what else could one possess? The traditions of Society were regulated to the Season.

  She prayed her home with Emmett would be the same way and knew that it would only be so if Emmett allowed her to remain free.

  Her tests were never without reason.

  Still, she knew he was the keeper of her heart and would have it no other way.

  “Help me out of the dress,” Lorena said.

  Genie moved to do so, but then they both paused at the sound of voices. A deep dark melody rose from somewhere in the house and played with a chant that seemed to call the listener forward.

  “What is that?” Lorena asked. “Is that the men?”

  “Let’s go see.” Genie went to the door and started from the room.

  Lorena followed and found the corridor to be dark. “Why are the lamps out?” She wrapped her arms around herself as a draft swept through the hall.

  “Here.” Genie wrapped a cape around her shoulders. The material was soft but gave little warmth.

  They followed the voices down the hall, and Lorena noticed light coming from the family sitting room, flickering and low. The voices of the men were strong and when the harmony came in, she was startled.

  “Did you know they could sing?” Lorena asked.

  “Not at all,” Genie said.

  It sounded like a choir of angels, only the nature of the song didn’t seem to bode good things. The chanting seemed ancient.

  A cabinet right outside the door held two lighted candles, and Genie handed Lorena one before taking the other.

  Lorena walked inside to find the room nearly black with shadows moving about before realizing the shadows were people. The men were clad in dark robes in an outer circle. Smaller forms draped in ivory silk chiffon capes stood in the middle, forming their own circle. Hoods covered the faces of the men while the women’s hoods were more of the same transparent ivory, which made them look like wild spirits. Lorena opened her mouth to ask a question right before she felt something thrown over her head and settle there. A hood, she realized. She looked down to see that she was now dressed like the other women.

  Genie stepped before her in her own cape. The gold stitching made her more luminescent. An enchanting crest was stamped over the left breast in more of the ivory and gold. A heart sat on top its shield of arms with two S’s that met in its center. It was beautiful.

  “What’s happening?”

  Genie took Lorena’s free hand and pulled her into the center of the group.

  When she’d found her place with the other girls, the singing stopped.

  “Sister Lorena Cullip, you have found a place amongst the women before you. Do you claim them as your own, vowing to protect and love them as you see them today?”

  Lorena didn’t know what was happening but decided to reply with honesty. “Yes.”

  Then she heard another voice as Genie vowed the same before the voices around them moved around the group of women. Lorena glanced at the hooded men and noticed their robes also had crests. She hadn’t known the brotherhood took themselves so seriously, but when she thought about the many rules that seemed to join the men together, it made sense. The Men of Nashwood were a true brotherhood with the oaths to show themselves true.

  When the last vow was made, another voice spoke, and Lorena turned to stare at Emmett’s hooded form. “Here stand before you your sisters, a sacred covenant no man can break.” Then he threw his hood back as all the other men did the same. His silver eyes glowed with warmth in the light of his candle. “Your bond goes deeper than blood. The ivory represents the purity of heart, its transparency, its goodness unhidden, the gold a symbol of the power you hold when you are together.”

  Then Lorena felt a shift in the room and noticed everyone back away before turning back to find Ashwick before her. He grabbed her hand just as someone took her candle from her trembling hands. Emotions battered at her, leaving her breathless. Emmett had done something she’d not been prepared for, banished all fears and made her love him more than she already did— a feat she’d not known herself capable of. Her heart beat against her ribcage, and she was unable to hold back her tears.

  He smiled, as if sensing her every emotion and spoke gently in a way that seemed set apart from what had just taken place. “I love you, Lorena Cullip, for the woman that you are, all that you are, and would wish it no other way.” He cleared his throat and straightened slightly before speaking again. “Ye are blood of my blood, and bone of my bone. I give ye my body, that we two might be one. I give ye my spirit, 'til our life shall be done. Will you marry me?”

  “Yes,” she whispered. She could barely contain her joy. She looked around and noticed her friends were all smiling. They’d all planned this together and Lorena’s happiness took flight again. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

  “Then recite after me.” The loud Scottish voice startled her.

  Lamps flicked on and the sudden light nearly blinded her. She heard a gasp and looked around the room just in time to see Alice wrapping her arms around a tall gentleman, weeping over him with great sobs. They parted, and Lorena saw a man who looked very much like Alice. He had to be her father. She watched as more people came from behind a scene and had it not been for Emmett’s hold on her, she might have fallen. “Aunt Tilda?” Lorena crossed the room and hugged Maura’s mother. “What are you doing here?”

  “I wouldn’t miss your wedding.” Matilda Shaw looked very much like Lorena’s mother. She, Lorena, and Maura had all inherited the Lawrence family beauty with pale skin, sky blue eyes, and hair that seemed to have been woven with thread made of the purest gold.

  Sophia laughed and hugged her own father. Lorena mentally called him Mr. Taylor before she remembered that he was Mr. Taylor no longer. Now he was the Viscount of Dovehaven.

  “You made these, didn’t you?” Sophia asked him.

  “Of course, I didn’t,” the former tailor said. “You know what the Crown said. I’m no longer able to work.” Though his green eyes twinkled in a way
that told everyone he’d indeed made the capes.

  By his side was Morris’ mother, the Duchess of Cort, who was set to marry Sophia’s father. Dovehaven and Cort had been the most scandalous individuals so it only made sense that they’d fallen for one another.

  There was a clearing of a voice behind them and everyone turned to see the blacksmith. “Is there to be a wedding?”

  Lorena looked at Emmett. She’d not planned to wed until three days hence but smiled as she went and took his hand.

  Alice took Calvin’s. Genie took Francis’. Sophia took Morris’ and in the next half hour, all of them were wed and their brotherhood and sisterhood bonded in the most wonderful way.

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  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

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  Florence watched Mary and Lily play silently on the couch in the sitting room with their new dolls. The girls seemed to be in a battle within themselves after arriving at the house. Florence and Elipha had volunteered to see to the girls as the wedding had gone on upstairs three nights ago, Elipha only after she’d learned she’d receive no invitation to the small ceremony. Now here they were again with the girls while the new wives and Miss Maura prepared breakfast for everyone before they all planned to leave for London, a task that Elipha had not volunteered to do.

  The ruffling of paper made Florence look at her once more and could tell her lady’s anger had not vanished. She turned back to the girls and smiled.

  A smacking sound jolted them all as Elipha slammed the paper on the table and stood. “Must they always do everything together?” She’d been trying to get Julius alone all morning, but the marquess was otherwise indisposed. The men had been locked away with Lord Helsby’s solicitor for the better part of three days, going over all of Aaron’s new responsibilities as it pertained to land and the children. While Florence didn’t know the men well, she would suspect that they probably did do most things together. After all, there had been not one, but four weddings, and she wouldn’t forget her meeting with the men in the library, the way she’d acted, the things she’d said.

  After that ill-fated kiss she’d shared with Rollo, Florence had hidden away from everyone, only appearing when Elipha truly needed her and then quickly running away.

  In the last three days, she’d not seen Rollo and could only suspect that once the entire party returned to London, she’d not see him again, no matter what he’d said about friendship. A gentleman like him most likely had a mistress back in the city and if not sex then what else could he desire from a lady’s maid? That question still bothered her, but since the girls’ arrival, she’d put her own worries aside and focused on them. As of yet, the girls had not said much of anything, only polite greetings before all but dismissing the rest of the world to be alone.

  She’d seen the recognition in their eyes when they’d seen her and Elipha, but it hadn’t seemed to bring them even the faintest of smiles. On the way to London, she’d have plenty of time to help them adjust to their new life.

  Elipha had insisted Florence ride with Aaron and the girls on the way back to London and she would ride with the women, a journey that would not bring a word of scandal to Elipha, since there would be wives to ensure her virtue. Elipha was actually looking forward to returning to London for the Season, especially with the accompaniment of London’s celebrated Men of Nashwood. She was sure to gain several invitations, as all would wish for details about the weddings of Lord and Lady Ashwick, the Duke and Duchess of Cort, the Duke and Duchess of Valdeston, and even Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Lockwood. She’d known a lady or two to make comment about hoping the engagements never produced more than that. Some ladies had still hoped to become the next Duchess of Cort, while others had spoken of their vain attempts to capture Calvin’s eye. Their hearts would be crushed, yet the readers of the papers would adore the story nonetheless and make bets on who they thought would be the next man to fall.

  Elipha had told Florence she believed it would be her and Julius, though Florence had yet to see the other gentleman give any sign that he thought Elipha anything more than a companion for the party. Her lady had told her how she always managed to sit next to him at meals and how she’d enjoyed their conversations but whether there was any intention more than friendship Florence still didn’t know. Hiding from Rollo had all but ensured she’d missed most of the group’s activities. The only man she had seen was Aaron, who’d periodically come to check on the girls in the room they’d created for them.

  There was much to be said for those visits but mostly about Aaron’s mannerism. He hadn’t truly met the girls in the eye, which Florence thought odd. As an earl, he looked all manner of people in the eye every day, but for two girls who barely cleared his waist in height, she was surprised that he would shy away from their glances. She suspected that he was uncomfortable with children and hoped the close confinement of a carriage would help set his mind at ease and make it easier for him to make a connection with Lily and Mary.

  Voices filled the hall, and Elipha strutted across the room. “Oh, is the meeting done so soon?” She floated into the hall. “Lord Darvess?” She continued to say his name as she wandered down the hall.

  Florence turned back to the girls and heard footfalls before turning and standing to greet Aaron. She looked down before looking back up and meeting his eyes, remembering his request that she always do so. She still found it hard to hold his gaze, but after the first few times, she had managed to do it with more ease.

  Whatever he’d heard from Helsby’s solicitor didn’t seem to make him very pleased. “Are you and the girls ready to depart?”

  Florence nodded and pressed her lips together. She wanted to know what had happened but knew it wasn’t her place to ask. “We’re ready.”

  “Oh, Florence.” Elipha rushed into the room. “There’s been a change of plans. You’ll be riding with Mrs. Lockwood. I’ll attend the girls.”

  Florence’s eyes widened, and Aaron turned around to look at the lady.

  “You wish to attend the girls?” Aaron asked.

  Elipha looked slightly flushed but lifted her head and said, “They are my cousins. It’s only right that I am with them during this time of need.” She turned to the girls. “Lily, Mary, come here.”

  The girls didn’t hesitate to go to Elipha because she was, in fact, their cousin on their mother’s side and they had seen her on more than one occasion. Elipha placed a hand on either side of the girls and pulled them close.

  It was the first time Elipha had touched them, and she seemed slightly startled at the contact before becoming composed once more.

  Aaron bowed to her. “Very well. Thank you, Lady Elipha. We will be leaving within the hour.” The earl left, and Florence rushed over to Elipha just as she began to speak.

  “Julius left.” Her eyes glittered with anger. “He, William, and Rollo set out just before the final meeting. I didn’t even know he left. He didn’t even say goodbye.” She took a deep breath and looked down at the girls. “Go sit.” When the girls obeyed, Elipha pulled Florence to the corner of the room. “I will ride with the earl. You will ride with Calvin and Alice.” Her words had not left the impression that she wished to have a discussion. They’d been all but a command.

  Florence tried to hold back her suspicion but couldn’t. “Why? Why do you wish to ride with the earl?”

  Elipha frowned. “Because I’ve changed my mind. If Julius has left me this way, then he is not the one for me. Perhaps I was wrong. Perhaps it is the earl that I am to wed.”

  Florence didn’t try to contain herself. Her heart felt as though it were giving out at the thought of the girls being cast aside for Elipha’s own benefit. “The girls need attention, Elipha. They just lost their mother.”

  “And I need a husband,” she replied. “I’ll be entering my third season.” Her eyes begged Florence to unders
tand, but in a split second, they calmed as though realizing just who she was speaking to. “You will do as I say, Florence. You will ride with the Lockwoods.”

  “Why don’t you ride with the Lockwoods? Frank is a bachelor.”

  Elipha averted her gaze. “Frank will not do. He asks too many questions.”

  Florence had no idea what that meant, but she did notice the way Elipha seemed to grow uncomfortable. “Don’t do this, Elipha.”

  “I’ll not hear another word about it.” She started to move away.

  “Think of the girls,” Florence implored. “They just lost their father. They lost their mother not long ago as well. You know what Lady Helsby was like. You liked your cousin. Think of her children.”

  Elipha stilled and turned to Florence, her eyes flaming with an unreadable emotion. “You overstep.”

  Florence lowered her eyes and admitted she had gotten bold and began to wonder when and how that had happened. “Forgive me.”

  “I’ll take care of the girls,” she said in a softer voice. “You will ride with the Lockwoods.”

  “Yes, my lady.”

  Florence closed her eyes as she tried to calm her trembling in the corner. She couldn’t wait to get to London, positive that once she left Scotland, she would return to her obedient self. Though, perhaps her best option would be to find another position somewhere. Yet all she had to do was think of Elipha’s past to know that she’d not leave, not until she was sure the lady had healed both physically and emotionally.

  She allowed herself to recall Elipha’s words. Rollo had gone, and she hadn’t known. She wondered what had been so pressing that three of the men would have left before the solicitor finished speaking with Aaron. With him gone and Elipha stepping in to care for the girls, it almost ensured that Florence would find the rest she needed to have a better attitude.