by John Edwards
“Miss Watkins, I am surprised to see you here. Normally I sleep later but today I awoke early and this is a favorite place of mine. I hope you slept well?”
“Thank you sir, I did, but I went to bed before you, and awoke early and decided to take a walk.”
“Then let us take a turn together, Miss Watkins, for today will be a busy day.” He told her about Lady Anne’s visit and they discussed many things. She said that her fish was bigger than his, but he said he only knew that they were both unsuccessful. Still, she countered that it was a very delightful experience and she looked again fully into his eyes and he had to turn away because he was affected. They spoke of many things and finally he asked her if she had been introduced into society. She said she had not and that since her job for these last three years involved caring for her father and Windhaven Manor, she had been too busy.
“Miss Watkins, I know I had kidded you during our coach ride about your age, but I am serious now, You have a very bright mind but you cannot be nineteen years of age.”
“Sir, I turned nineteen on the day your letter and the locket arrived. No one knows of this so I ask you not to mention it.”
“You can be assured of my secrecy, Miss Watkins.”
“Thank you sir, but now it is my turn to say you are not yet eight and twenty.”
“That is better than being on the backside of thirty, as you proclaimed during our coach ride, but I am not yet six and twenty.”
They discussed her responsibilities in caring for her father and in the larger role she took on in managing Windhaven, and the more he heard he felt more in awe of her. “So Windhaven was entailed away from the female line and you find yourself as a governess for the Kimbles?”
“Yes, sir, and I am happy for that, and for meeting such fine people as I have met in Wakefield and yourself and Charlotte.”
“So you have heard that the Kimbles last governess recently got married? Also, some of their friends are saying that you soon will be next. Did they not tell you that some of the single men at the assembly had spoken to Mr. Kimble about your availability for courting?”
“No sir, no one has spoken of that.”
“Well, and pardon the gossip, but Mrs. Watson told Mrs. Kimble that there was a special someone in your life. Mrs. Kimble asked her that question when you were applying for the job of governess.”
“That is a fair question to be asked when looking to hire a new governess.”
“Yes, I have met a Mr. R when I first arrived in Wakefield. Mrs. Watson was asleep and I too when this Rascal came into my room and jumped on my bed. I..”
“You do not need to continue Miss Watkins, first you are mugged and now you tell me this, it is too much. Let us walk back.”
She grabbed his arm and turned him around, stomping her foot and glaring at him. “Sir, do not assume with certainty that I am a fallen women. The rascal I speak of that jumped on my bed in the middle of the night is Mrs. Watson’s cat. He is a beautiful stripped tabby cat with the sweetest of dispositions and he is called Rascal. When I needed love and closeness, he provided it, just as you provided me so much excellent company on our ride to Hampshire. In the short time I stayed at Mrs. Watson’s home I grew attached to that cat. That first evening the cat came and laid upon my lap and went to sleep. You do not know how comforting that was to me.”
“Thank you for making this clear to me. Be assured, I am most pleased that you were not harmed. Please except my apologies for reacting as I did, although I find myself somewhat jealous of this Mr. Rascal,” then he laughed.
“Sir, please except my apology for my behavior for acting again as the bull ready to attack the matador.” Then she reached for his arm and they started to walk slowly, looking ahead instead of at each other. Mr. Winstead then took his free hand and covered her own small hand and this caused a feeling within her that she had never experienced and she began to feel hot and unsteady. If John Winstead had looked at Elizabeth he would have noticed a tear. Had she looked at him, she would have seen a very happy gentleman, finally at peace with his life. John Winstead had now figured out what his friend meant when he said that Elizabeth had a gentleman that she was interested in and he thought, she may be interested in him. Could this be? He had felt their chemistry and he enjoyed the bantering back and forth as much as she did. Yes, this must be true. Why, she had said that Rascal gave her the love and comfort that she needed just as her riding with him provided the same. Clearly this was a sign of her affection. Maybe her words did not come out as she had wanted but there was a good hint of her affections in those words. If so, he counted himself as the luckiest man in England for he thought Elizabeth to be such a beautiful creature in mind and physical beauty, and most certainly in spirit. He, the very man that so many others scorned and thought of as unpleasant and disagreeable, this John Winstead now watched Elizabeth and saw the looks and smiles she had for him and knew he had found true happiness for the first time as an adult. At times she had caught him looking at her and he had noticed her blush on these occasions. John Winstead had never been affected by a woman before, and he soaked in all the pleasure of his very first ever romance as he was smitten for the first time.
CHAPTER 7
MORE SURPRISES
John Winstead and Elizabeth returned to the house before the others had awaken but soon the others came downstairs and all ate a grand breakfast.
His company was expected to arrive before noon and the conversations turned to his aunt’s arrival and they tended more to her likes and dislikes. John Winstead’s late uncle was Robert Fenton, Baronet, and he was Lady Anne’s husband. He was Mrs. Winstead’s brother and passed nearly five years earlier. The aunt lived just outside of Cambridge, but would visit the Winstead’s usually twice a year. This year she was bringing along her youngest daughter, Lenore, a lovely lady of but twenty years.
They arrived on schedule and all came out to greet them. Lady Anne made a point to greet her nephew and Charlotte with a hug and kiss, as was her usual way of greeting family. She greeted the others as well, including the children but did not look long at Elizabeth nor did she acknowledge her because she had been identified as a governess, and so the formidable Lady gave her simply a glance of disapprobation. Elizabeth was not put off by this, but she did think the aunt demonstrated an unthinking arrogance and pomposity.
After a brief respite from their trip, Lady Anne and Lenore came downstairs for the noon meal and Charlotte and Elizabeth came down with the children. Charlotte came and sat next to her cousin while Elizabeth sat between the children, and opposite Charlotte and Lenore but near the Kimbles. The aunt took the chair at the opposite end from her nephew.
“It is good to see everyone again. John, both you and Charlotte look quite well, and the Kimbles, the last time I saw you was near five years ago and you were carrying your son. What a good family your friends have, John.”
John responded, “I hope you and Lenore will enjoy your stay here, albeit a short one, because this is the best time to visit Hunting Hills. Perhaps later, Charlotte and I can show you and Lenore around the property?”
“You may show Lenore, but as for me, I would like to rest in my room after we have eaten.”
Elizabeth did not speak, nor was she spoken to except once Mr. Kimble tried to speak, and shortly thereafter, John Winstead tried the same, but each time they were cut off by the aunt. Elizabeth noticed Charlotte’s reaction to her aunt and it reaffirmed Elizabeth’s belief that the aunt was at times rude and ill mannered and it hurt her that sometimes she would address her in the curtest terms. On the daughter, Elizabeth could not make her out, but Elizabeth saw a vulnerability about her. The daughter was quite striking with fine features and golden hair and bright blue eyes but because she seldom spoke, little else was known about her.
Shortly after the meal, John Winstead excused his other guests and he went with his cousin to show her some of the sights of Hunting Hills. By then, Elizabeth and Charlotte had gone upstairs with the childr
en, and Frank and Louisa Kimble had gone outside to the veranda. The aunt had gone to her room to rest. As Charlotte looked outside she watched just at the moment that Lenore reached for her brother’s arm as they continued their walk.
“Elizabeth, what do you think of my aunt and her daughter?”
“Now Charlotte, I do not think it would be wise for me to venture an opinion. First, I am hired help, a governess, and I must learn my place. I will venture that Lenore is a very attractive woman. Also, your aunt carries herself as the wife of a baronet. She is distinctive and seems quite intelligent, and probably is a good woman.”
“You are too kind, Elizabeth, but I feel there is a scheme that brings her here. For my part, I believe she is hoping that Lenore and John will one day marry.”
Now this startled Elizabeth but she recovered, and without providing Charlotte a clue of the discomfiture that suddenly overcame her, she spoke.
“Now Charlotte, has this been a plan all along, do you think?”
“I do not know if it has always been a plan but my brother needs to be on guard. It may not be my cousin’s idea to seek out my brother as a chosen partner, but if it is her mother’s plan, John will have his work cut out for him.”
“Do you mean that he might feel compelled to marry her, just because his aunt wishes for the event?”
“No, but John does not know women. He has not had a love interest ever, and he will be most vulnerable if our aunt pushes for this.”
“Charlotte, whether your brother is wise in the ways of women should not worry you. He is most reflective and is no man’s fool. One thing I suspect is that he is not the kind who would marry unless he is in love and it would take more than a pretty face in a young girl to steal his heart.”
“Well, that may be, Elizabeth. Perhaps we should observe them together and watch the aunt too. What say you we reconnect later to discuss any further developments between those two?”
“Then, after dinner and the evenings discussions, which I am sure I will not be joining, you can come to my room and we can talk?”
“Yes, that I will do.”
Later that day all dined together, but this time the aunt was in better spirits and even spoke with Elizabeth, asking her if the children would sing tonight. When told they would, she then asked if Elizabeth would sing as well, saying she has discovered from Mrs. Kimble that she was a real proficient. Though Elizabeth kindly disagreed with her, she thanked her for her compliment and asked if she had a song she wished to hear, but Lady Anne deferred to Elizabeth to decide the song.
Lenore then spoke of her walk with her cousin and that she so enjoyed seeing Hunting Hills again, particularly in the current season. She asked John if he and Charlotte would stop to visit them when they come to London in the fall and his reply was that most likely they would. Then Lady Anne asked her nephew if he would be willing to put up with them staying another two nights as their coach was in need of repairs and the driver had gone into Hampshire to arrange for work to replace the axle. John Winstead was glad to have them stay longer, and truth be told, she and Lenore were interesting in their own way and added to the atmosphere.
Frank and Louisa had long discussions with them and this greatly pleased John Winstead, who was enjoying their exchanges. He could see the Kimbles enjoyed conversing with his aunt and Lenore, so now he turned his eye to Elizabeth who noticed his thinking and she smiled back, winking at him as to infer she knew his thoughts.
Lenore then mentioned to the gathering that she had discussed with her cousin if he knew of many single gentleman available nearby. Now that she had been introduced to London society, she said she did not care for the men she had met since then. Her mother then interjected, “It is my opinion there are few good men left in England that live in London, but the best men still live in the country.”
Elizabeth was amused by this and noticed Charlotte giving an odd look at her brother. What did she mean by making such a statement? Was London society displeasing to them and was Lenore slighted by the gentlemen there? Did she intend that her nephew help Lenore find a husband? This, she thought, was absurd. Charlotte had told her that her aunt was financially very well off and she often entertained in her grand home in Cambridge, as well as her town home in London, inviting the upper class from her wide circle of friends and acquaintances. Surely, with her connections and Lenore’s youth and beauty, many gentlemen should find her interesting.
John Winstead then advised that there would be a dance at the Hampshire Assembly Hall on Saturday, and he would enjoy all to attend. “Lenore,” he said, “I feel this will be a good opportunity for you to discover more about country society. Also, I know of a few eligible gentleman that should be attending and I expect others as they return home from university.” This pleased Lenore and her mother and Louisa and Frank Kimble were pleased as well. Charlotte looked at Elizabeth and smiled her approval at the news and Elizabeth too was also happy to attend the dance. Later, Louisa explained to Elizabeth that the situation with the children would be similar to the dance in Wakefield. This was the last concern that Elizabeth had and soon Lucy and Charlotte and Lenore and Elizabeth joined to practice their dancing. By Saturday, Lenore had pressed Charlotte as much as she could for details of the men that would be attending, but alas, there was nothing she could tell her, for the men were friends and acquaintances of her brother.
The party left in two carriages, Lady Anne, Lenore, Charlotte and John rode in the first and the second included Elizabeth and the Kimbles. Elizabeth wore the same dress that she wore weeks earlier at the Assembly in Wakefiefd, Charlotte had worked with the servant girl to fix Elizabeth’s hair, taking great pains to style her hair so she looked quite becoming. Elizabeth knew something of this as well and worked to do the same for Lenore and Charlotte, both of whom were in appreciation for Elizabeth’s services. Elizabeth clothes were not as fine as the others, but she found them more than adequate for a governess. She wore her necklace and locket that John Winstead had recovered for her, and when she looked at its reflection in the mirror she caught herself blush at Mr.Winstead’s kind deed. When they entered the dance there were already many in attendance but they noticed many people looking at them, for Lady Ann was dressed in more finery than some people had ever seen, and the Kimbles were equally dressed fine. But as they entered the assembly hall, most of the talk was about the three young ladies and the two gentlemen. Lenore and Charlotte were as elegant as could be and many ladies approved of their appearance, but the lady of less lavishness of dress turned the heads of most of those present, men for her beauty and women for both her beauty as well as her lack of fashion.
Mr. Winstead introduced his party to those he knew and asked each of the ladies of his party to reserve a dance with him. Elizabeth saw this and soon he came over to her, “Miss Watkins, I shall ask for you to save two dances for me.” She smiled at him as she replied, “Aye sir.”
Mr. Winstead walked about and socialized with people who had earlier scorned him. There was not a soul that he offended, and indeed, those around him thought of this transformation. Whatever the past, tonight they were seeing a new John Winstead and they were happy, and so all came to enjoy the dance, but none more than his aunt who happened upon a lady friend she had known from Cambridge but now lived in London, and like Lady Anne, was staying nearby with friends. Lenore had many gentlemen that she danced with and Charlotte too had her share. Due to her duties with Lucy, Elizabeth had but a few dance opportunities, and she enjoyed those opportunities, though she could not help from eyeing John Winstead and noticing his looks in her direction. Finally he had his dance with Elizabeth and told her, “Elizabeth, there is none in this room who has your beauty. I am grateful for the honor of dancing with you. I do hope you are enjoying yourself.” She could only reply with “Thank you sir, you are too kind to me.” Later, they danced again, and John Winstead noticed the looks of ladies and other gentlemen as they danced. Though he was an accomplished dancer, he concluded the looks were directed
at the beautiful young woman he held as his partner, his friend’s governess.
On the way back to Hunting Hills, both the Kimbles said how much they enjoyed the evening, and they complimented Lucy and Elizabeth for the excellence of their dancing. All noticed how cheerful Lenore was and her mother too. Frank Kimble said it looked as though an earlier acquaintance of Lenore had been in town, and he had danced with Lenore several times, and Louisa Kimble said she noticed the two writing notes to one another. “Looks promising Mrs. Kimble,” said her husband, then they both softly laughed.
“Now Elizabeth, I know you did not dance often tonight, but there were many men inquiring about you. Mr. Kimble and I are both wondering, have you got a magnet that you turn on to attract these fellas?”