by John Edwards
Both Elizabeth and John sensed something big was happening between them but they were scared and unsure of how to react. Elizabeth, for her position as a governess, felt trapped in an affair of the heart that could never be accepted. John Winstead’s thoughts were not of what others might think, but were of the beautiful woman and how he was to secure her. Neither was experienced in these affairs and so each thought themselves foolish but both wanted to take as much time as was needed. They each had passions they were hiding and they were affected by each other’s company. Elizabeth thought how much better she would be if this John were not the wealthy man who owned Hunting Hills - no, she could be happy if he was a blacksmith or a tenant farmer. She only knew that he was good for her and she hoped that he felt the same of her.
The next day Elizabeth rose early and left the house to walk to the spot that John Winstead had told her she should view the sunrise. She was fully awake and saw what John Winstead had told her she would see. All the birds in Hunting Hills seemed to be singing to her. The soft brush of a gentle breeze affected her bonnet ribbons and moved the new leaves of the season, which in turn allowed more of the sun’s own light to peak down on the path and bathe her in a glow she had not felt before. She would have been content to stay there when she heard the sound of an animal along the path. She froze to be silent in hopes that the animal would leave and she continued to hear the click, click, scratch as the animal got closer. Finally, she rose from her bench seat and ran in the direction of the animal making an animal sound herself to scare off the intruder. Her rush caused the animal to let out a guttural sound and soon she had confronted the intruder, Mr. Winstead, who had stood ready to foil the attack he thought was coming. “Oh my,” she said as she looked away from him trembling, “I had thought you were a wild animal. That noise, the scratching sound, I was sure it was an animal.”
“Elizabeth, how could you not discern this sound,” and he scratched the rocks with his cane and tapped it to also make the clicking sound that she heard? “It seems we both have had our excitement for the day.”
“I was scared out of my wits end, and I am so ashamed that I have made this spectacle of myself.”
“Do not give it a thought, I too was ready to attack the wild animal I heard charging at me, but alas, no harm has been done and I am glad you are well. Now I know this is called Hunting Hills, but Elizabeth, there are no wild animals here about that you need to be afraid of, less you count the two legged variety.”
Elizabeth was now calming herself. She gave a faint smile but could not hide her blush, as John Winstead steadied her gait and helped her to the bench she had been sitting on. “Though you had a near escape from one of Hunting Hills most dreaded and unpleasant creatures, you seem to be recovered, but Elizabeth, was the sunrise not beautiful up here?”
“Yes, sir, it was all you had advertised and more, but next time I come here I must request an escort. I am still shaking from my surprise meeting. Please do not think ill of me, sir.”
“Done Elizabeth. One day both of us will look back at this day and we will laugh about it as we do even now. Elizabeth, I would prefer you allow me to walk up here with you the next time you want to see the sunrise, and we can enjoy it together.”
“Yes, I would like that.”
They soon started the walk back and Elizabeth asked John Winstead about
Robert Smithwick, son of an Earl and brother of Jane. He informed her that Jane and his own brother were an item and that they were to be engaged but then William got sick and later died. Robert had attended Cambridge with William and it was Robert who introduced William to his sister, a striking beauty of one-and-twenty.
As John’s older brother would eventually inherit all of Hunting Hills, the later records in the book that Elizabeth had been reading, mentioned the expected joining of the Winstead and Smithwick estates through this union.
“Pray tell me about her, Mr. Winstead?”
“Elizabeth, she still is a quite beautiful, articulate and a very rich young lady. Her brother and her have come by recently to visit us here, though I am more familiar with her than with Robert. There had been talk since my brother died that I should look to call on Miss Smithwick, but then all the bad news came out about the ill goings on at Hunting Hills and how unpleasant the new master is, and then suddenly I was looked upon as though I had the plague.”
“So, did you have the plague when I rode with you from Brandywine?”
“No, though others have thought so. If I did contract it you soon made me well.”
“What a kind thing to say, sir. Thank you.”
“Well, do you suppose she may now be interested in you?”
“No, I would not think that. She cared for my brother; but he and I were not alike. Any interest that her and Robert have is out of respect for our common loss.”
“I know it is early, but what is the plan for today?”
“Charlotte can be more specific but she wants to go into Hampshire with you later, but first we will all visit those to be married to discuss all remaining issues and then travel to their farm and their house to ensure it is fit for their occupying it as a married couple. After breakfast, I wish for you and Charlotte to meet with the staff and others to discuss more details of the party, which if I have not told you before, is in our ballroom. Charlotte has arranged for musicians as well.”
“Why, you have thought of everything, but I must tell you that I have never learnt of one of your station socializing with his staff in the way that you are doing this. There is no doubt in your sincerity in supporting these events, but do you not fear what others will say?”
“Elizabeth, I have told you earlier that the good folks at Hunting Hills need a break. So do I. As this is now my estate, I deem no other opinion important. That some may believe I have gone mad, I will agree, but still, happy tenants and servants are less prone to be petty and to steal and create mischief and are also more likely to be better workers and more generous around others. I want to make Hunting Hills a happy place for all of us.”
They continued down the path as they walked toward the great house and they saw all the work that the sun’s early rise cast upon the stone of the great house. The morning light shimmered as if dancing across the face as trees alternately let light filter through as determined by the gentle breeze moving their young leaves. Mr. Winstead reached for her hand and gently cradled it over his arm. She noticed when he stopped to adjust her bonnet and she saw his dark eyes on her own and then she turned to hide her blush. Feelings that she had for him were growing again. Just walking beside him was all that mattered to her, but she dared think that anything more than a friendship would develop. No, she had her place and it was several rungs below Mr. Winstead. At least she was his friend and Charlotte’s as well and this was more than acceptable to her future happiness.
The day went well and all were busy. Elizabeth enjoyed the visits with the soon to be newlyweds and visits with others as well. She was hugged and kissed by the groom’s mother and it seemed all those she met knew of her kindness. Now she knew Mr. Winstead had done the right thing and she giggled softly as she thought on the goodness of this family.
Charlotte and Elizabeth had chosen their clothes and Elizabeth had a beautiful blue dress with satin ruffles and it was trimmed in lace and both she and Charlotte believed it would compliment her necklace well. Charlotte’s dress was a pale yellow color and was made of fine silk. It too was trimmed with lace and she would wear her own pearl necklace. The plan was that Mr. Winstead and Elizabeth and Charlotte would take a carriage and meet Sara while another carriage would be sent for the young men and Steven’s mother. Others at Hunting Hills would take other carriages such that the whole of the house would attend the wedding. Mr. Winstead had thought on this and had hired three men he knew from Hampshire to guard the home during the wedding, until the people returned. The staff would hurry back and after putting out all the food and drink, which each attendee would choose from a large table,
they would also enjoy the party. The wedding would take place at the church at eleven. The party would last several hours but the musicians would leave by five. Except for putting away the food and drink, all the house staff was free that entire day.
On hearing of these plans, Elizabeth looked at Charlotte, grabbed her hand, and told her that she was now graduated from her assertiveness training with top honors. This made Charlotte and Elizabeth both laugh.
After dinner John Winstead left for his study and Elizabeth and Charlotte met with the house staff one last time. When all was determined to be satisfactory, they went out on the veranda and watched the end of the day bring on such a beautiful array of orange-red-blue and white that Charlotte thought no painting could capture the beauty of the moment. Elizabeth agreed and soon they were talking of their years growing up. Looking out at such a sunset brought out such memories and the gentle cooling breeze kept them both intent on hearing each other’s stories. Mostly, they talked of family that were now gone and friends that had moved away but were not forgotten, and of good times with these people on such beautiful summer evenings as this.
“Elizabeth, I should think you would have had many suitors when you lived at home. There is not a person who I have heard speak of you that does not admire you, and Mrs. Kimble told me she is always overhearing women talking about her losing her latest governess soon due to the many young men that are interested in you.”
“Charlotte, I am content with my life as it is, but let me say, the last three years I have been so busy caring for my father that I have had no suitors, though there were a couple of young men who were somewhat interested. I never did have a coming out such as other young ladies of society. The timing of things just did not work out for that.”
“Well, do you intend to work long as the Kimbles governess? That is, if you were to meet your soulmate, do you think you would be ready for marriage?”
“Charlotte, I have never thought on it. I do not expect to leave the Kimbles anytime soon as I enjoy being a governess and the entire family are very kind. They have wonderful friends as I have ever met. I feel I have little to offer and I am too inexperienced around men, and women too. From what I have read, there is much hurt in loving and I should fear that as naive as I am, I could get my heart broken easily.”
“No, I do not believe any suitor would look to do that to you. Also, you are strong, Elizabeth. After all, you are my assertiveness teacher.”
They both laughed. These talks reminded Elizabeth again of her inner conflict, for she had such feelings that each day she stayed at Hunting Hills she was in more danger, and she knew not how to defend her heart.
Charlotte told Elizabeth she was worried about her coming out. “Elizabeth, I am not strong like you. I wish so you could be with me as a companion during my coming out. Would you like that? Oh, please excuse me for being so unfair to ask you that question, it is just that you and I have become such good friends that I say these things.”
“Now Charlotte, we are good friends, but I have a good job with the Kimbles and I owe them so much for offering me when I was quite down,
but yes, if not for my present job and my inexperience with gentlemen. But Charlotte, do you not think I would be a handicap as your companion?”
“No, not in the least. My brother thinks you are the smartest person he has met, at least he says you have more common sense than any man or woman in the county.”
“So he must be saying that, no doubt for some mischievous reason. He has not seen my dumb side, Charlotte.”
“So now you admit to a small fault,” and Charlotte reached for Elizabeth’s hand and they laughed together. Thereafter they arose and announced their intent to continue their discussions later, but now they retired for the evening.
The wedding day finally arrived and all went perfectly well. The Church was well populated with the tenants and staff of Hunting Hills and Sara’s friends. Sara was a beautiful bride but Elizabeth could not take her eyes off of Mr. Winstead, nor he off of her. He had never seen her so beautiful and nearly burst with pride at having her and Charlotte at his side and later when socializing with the Hunting Hills staff and his tenants. Though he had brought joy to many on this happy day, each time that subject was brought up, he deferred the praise to Miss Elizabeth Watkins and to his sister.
That evening after everyone had left and after trying to sleep, for Elizabeth could not sleep, she went to John Winstead’s study to read, hoping this would put her to sleep. She heard a key turn at the door and noticed John Winstead enter. “Elizabeth, I hope I did not startle you just then?”
“No sir, you did not, but I have entered your own private space and I am interrupting your privacy, please excuse me, I will now go to bed.”
“No, Elizabeth, we will talk a few minutes, then you may leave. First, when I told you about the secret door into the study, it meant that you are totally free to use it at any time. It is I who should have left just now, for I offered the study for your use, but of course, we can share it for a few minutes if you like.”
“I would like that sir.”
“I enjoyed the day’s events, Elizabeth. I can say it was one of the happiest days of my life and I thank you for standing up with Sara. You are an absolutely beautiful woman both in mind and body. You must know that you have in your power the ability to break many hearts, and I saw many men looking at you today.” He softly chuckled. “We shall leave tomorrow at one, and Charlotte has asked to ride back with us to the Kimbles. We both hope to see you again very soon, Elizabeth. You bring a happiness to Hunting Hills that I have not seen in my lifetime so you must come back or we shall come to take you back.” Then he laughed and left for bed.
“Goodnight Mr. Winstead, I thank you for those kind words and for your friendship and goodness. I shall leave for bed in a few minutes.”
The next day they journeyed to Wakefield and soon arrived at Kimblehouse. After greetings to the Kimbles and goodbyes to Charlotte and Mr. Winstead, Elizabeth went upstairs to the children. She looked in on Lucy and Richard but they were napping, so she went to her own room. There she sat and thought back on the last few days. Her heart ached as she thought of leaving her friends but then she thought of the Kimbles and the children and she felt better.
CHAPTER 9
ADJUSTMENTS
The children were happy to have Elizabeth back home with them and she wasted little time in helping with their studies in all matter of subjects. Her goal was to show them as many things of interest as she could and let their young minds take all this knowledge and pursue it further, usually through the endless questions they would ask Elizabeth or their parents. Elizabeth found the children were very interested in English history and of world geography and they found the war that the Americans had recently fought for their independence to be very interesting. She continued to work with the children with their music and started Richard at the pianoforte whilst Lucy continued to practice her playing and singing. The children were very dear and were most polite and friendly and Frank and Louisa were convinced that all this good was due to their governess.
Elizabeth kept busy to keep her mind clear, for she missed her friends at Hunting Hills, but for herself she found little relief. Her nights were restless and she often had vivid dreams of one gentleman. She was sure that Louisa Kimble sensed that her mind and thoughts were back at Hunting Hills. Her Sunday visits with Mrs. Watson and Rascal were always fun but she believed that Mrs. Watson also suspected the attachment she had with Hunting Hills, though she never told any one of her feelings.
Both the Kimbles could see what was happening to their best friend and their governess and they watched from a distance, and observed Elizabeth as she further sank into melancholy. Finally, near three weeks after she returned from Hunting Hills, she received a letter from Charlotte. Mrs. Kimble gave it to Elizabeth as the children were taking a nap in the early afternoon and Elizabeth went up to her room to read her letter.
Dear Elizabeth,
/> It has been nearly three weeks since you returned to Kimblehouse. Both my brother and I pray that you are in good health and happy mind. As for my part, I miss you very much and I feel my brother is more moody these days and it grows worse the longer you are away from us.
Since you left us we have had two visits from RobertSmithwick and his sister, Jane, who was to be engaged to William, our older brother. The visits I fear are aimed at uniting John and Jane and our two estates. I know John has no desires for her but this is all unsettling to him and he is uncomfortable with the situation.
Elizabeth, you would not believe how well the staff of Hunting Hills and indeed, the tenants too, are so happy, for the wedding was a grand time for all and they still talk about it. Also, your name is mentioned often in the most flattering ways by both the men and women here.