by John Edwards
After dinner, Charlotte and Elizabeth went into the library and John went into his study. There was little said about what had just occurred as it was such a surreal moment and it had been a long day and within an hour, all had retired.
Before he went to bed, John Winstead had written a brief missive to Elizabeth. Early the next morning as he walked past her room he heard her stirring about and gave a brief knock and slipped the missive under her door. In it, he asked her to join him for an early walk where they had walked many times. He said he needed to talk with her and to get her advice.
As she read the missive she looked out her window and watched John Winstead make his way toward the spot they both enjoyed. After freshening up and changing into an everyday dress, she hurried out and soon saw him in the distance. John Winstead saw her and as she got closer he held his hand out and then offered his arm so they could walk.
“Elizabeth, I acted as a fool last night, and I should be ashamed for the way I let you carry on with your stories of Rascal. My conscious will not allow me to let them go away without my apologizing.”
“Yes, I can see that I went much too far. Miss Smithwick was correct that Hunting Hills would be looked upon with ill favor if this information became public. I am so sorry.”
“Do not be hard on yourself, it was my idea to allow you to tell your story. At the time, Charlotte and you and I all enjoyed toying with Jane and Robert, but we were wrong. I do not know if we were just tired from our trip or exhausted from the business in London or watching my friend die, but for whatever reason, I owe it to my friends to be good company to them. Now, what can I do, Elizabeth?”
“Do you suppose they will leave very early?”
“No, but who will say they will not, now that I have offended them?”
“Has Mr. Smithwick or his sister ever played a trick on you that you might wish to seek revenge on?”
At that moment she watched as John Winstead excitedly grabbed her hands and reacted with glee. “My very special Elizabeth, you have solved my problem. There were many times that I was the brunt of jokes and schemes by my brother and the Smithwicks to torment me, though I took those pranks in stride, but there was one that particularly annoyed me, and I have always desired revenge.”
“You must tell me now, I must hear what they did that upset you so much.”
“I was visiting my brother, William, in Cambridge and Robert and he along with Jane took me along with them to a party. Because I had just arrived, I was quite thirsty and they gave me water, but the next glass was gin. Before I had detected it was not water, I had consumed a glass of the stuff. I remember Jane being concerned for what Robert and William had done to me, but even so she laughed, and soon I got very sick and went outside, barely making it in time. Yes, the three of them laughed and I distinctly recall Robert telling the others that one day they would be paid back for their trick.”
“That was unpardonable for them to feed you the gin; you might have died.”
“Elizabeth, I was so sick that dying would have been a blessing.
That was the only time I ever drank enough to get sick and it was not my fault. Yes, I shall greet Jane and Robert this morning with you holding Rascal and I shall have my revenge.”
“It is starting to rain, sir. I was wondering where the sun was.” Neither was suspecting it to rain and they were fully unprotected, so they turned to hurry back to the great house as fast as they could. The rain was now very intense and they felt a stiff wind come up and heard thunder and soon a large limb fell upon the path leading in front of them. This happened so quickly that they both jumped out of the way but Elizabeth fell off the path and landed in a rut and gasped in pain. John Winstead came to her and bent down to examine her injury. “As I suspected, Elizabeth, you have sprained your ankle. It is not so far from the house, I shall carry you.”
“But sir, I should be able to hobble with a stick; let me try to put some weight on it?”
“No, you will not. I am not willing to see you hurt yourself even more when we do not know for sure how badly you have at least sprained your ankle or worse. You will be off your feet for several days, but first I have to get you home and get you dry and cleaned up.”
He suddenly lifted her in his arms and started the walk back. Now it was raining in torrents and the wind was buffering them from all sides and it had turned colder, but to Elizabeth all she felt was the heat of John’s body and her heart beating so fast she thought it would pop out of her body. She hurt, her ankle was throbbing and she was soaked, and the lightening was near and the sounds of the thunder claps were deafening, yet she would not trade any of this to be outside of his arms, carrying her home.
For John Winstead the moment was surreal. The woman he had hoped for and wished for and that he was in love with was in his arms and was his captive. Though Elizabeth was light, he did not mind carrying her, though he stopped a couple of times to rest with her sitting on his lap and her arms wrapped around his neck. He felt his own heart quicken and he felt her warm body against his own and was intoxicated by her sweet scent as she was also affected by his gentleman’s perfume. They were almost home now when two of the servants came out to help them into the house. Soon Elizabeth was in her room and Doris and two servants were attending to her, and she was soon ready for bed. John Winstead, after seeing Elizabeth was being attended to, went to his room to get cleaned up and dressed for breakfast.
He noticed the storm was now even worse than before, and within another hour he could see that several trees had been damaged with many broken limbs and a few were uprooted entirely, blocking the road. Surely this would not be a day to travel, so he planned to treat his guests as best he could.
When Robert and Jane came down he greeted them and at once he went to them and sincerely apologized to his friends. “Jane, Robert, I ask that you forgive me for playing a joke on you both last evening. Remember this?” as he lifted a bottle of gin. “Remember when you let me drink a full glass of this stuff at the party in Cambridge? Well, I had my laughs last night.”
“So that was all an act, John?” Both Jane and Robert spoke in unison.
“Then all this stuff about Elizabeth is untrue?” Jane said. “If so, I need a drink of that myself. This is a welcome surprise, John, but the bigger surprise is the storm. It seems to be getting worse.”
“Come over to the window, my friends” John said, “I am afraid that the storm will be for some duration. Anyway, we do not wish you to leave us and you could not anyway for the roads will be washed out in spots and if the storm continues for too long there will be bad flooding. Jane, Robert, all that was said last evening was meant as a friendly payback for my treatment in Cambridge, and nothing more than that, so let me show you something.”
He then took them upstairs to Elizabeth’s apartment and after checking with the servants, the friends entered Elizabeth’s room and found her in bed with Rascal laying at her side.
“Jane, Robert, this is Rascal, the very gentleman who sleeps with her and jumped on Elizabeth her first night in Wakefield. He is a little older than three years so that would make him near two and twenty in cat years. The cat loves her and her him.”
Both Robert and Jane could not control themselves. They realized the trick that had been played on them and burst forth with such a laugh that had Jane take a seat and Robert bend over. “Miss Elizabeth,” Robert said, “this is the best laugh I have had in quite sometime, but I feel I will burst a spleen if I do no stop. Why, you were so convincing in your own mischief. And John, I know that what we did to you was stupid and unkind, and I regret that we did that to you, but...” Now Robert bent over laughing again and this started Jane to do the same, as Robert spoke. “John, if you could have seen the look on your face when you had finished the water, eh, gin. We only thought you would take a sip of it, it was not our intention to...” Now he and Jane laughed again, and Charlotte, who also had entered, laughed as well. Elizabeth and John finally joined his friends in their own la
ugh. “So I looked miserable, Robert?”
“John, you were sick a full two days; we were in the wrong and are sorry.”
“Look,” Jane said, “Rascal has observed all of this as though he understands. Elizabeth, he does look smart and he is quite handsome and relaxed beside you. I give you full leave to love such a gentleman, Elizabeth. I do not know that I have seen a more handsome or well mannered cat. Will he allow me to pet him?”
“He will not mind at all, Miss Smithwick.” She then went to the far side of the bed and slowly and gently petted rascal’s head and his ears. “Oh my, his fir is so soft, and he looks so contented. Robert, maybe I should get a cat?”
John then told his friend that they went walking earlier and that the storm had caught them by surprise and in their hurry to return to the house Elizabeth had twisted her ankle.
“Elizabeth, I am somewhat experienced in these injuries, do you mind if I examine your ankle?”
“No Miss Smithwick, I would like that.”
“Elizabeth, I would prefer that you call me Jane,” as she held Elizabeth’s hand the two women smiled tenderly at one another. Softly she raised Elizabeth’s leg and put a pillow under her calf to raise the ankle. Jane carefully examined the ankle and pronounced that it was a bad sprain and that Elizabeth must stay off her feet and under no circumstance should she put any weight on the sprained ankle. Jane then spoke with Doris and gave her detailed instructions for Elizabeth’s care and then wrote these instructions down and put them on the bed table. Jane’s next step was to secure a bandage so that she could wrap Elizabeth’s ankle. With that accomplished, and before leaving, Jane asked Elizabeth if she could sit with her and talk after breakfast, and Elizabeth said she would enjoy that. John Winstead then told Elizabeth that her breakfast would be brought up to her and that he would see her soon as well.
When they left her, Elizabeth had a rush as she thought back on being in Mr. Winstead’s arms for so long. Though she had sprained her ankle, she had felt stirrings that were new to her and she softly giggled to herself as she played back in her memory each step he took with her in his arms.
After breakfast John Winstead came to see Elizabeth. “Is there anything I can do for you and Rascal?”
“Thank you sir, but I can think of nothing. I did eat a few things but I do not have much of an appetite. I ...er , you have done so much already. You must be exhausted from carrying me so far. I would just like to sleep some but I cannot.”
“Then you should trust me, Elizabeth. I will gently massage your temples and you will sleep.” She nodded her approval and he started softly rubbing her temples and her neck and shoulders. This time it was different from before. This time she felt herself totally unable to resist the kind man and after a while she kissed his hand as he worked on her massage. He then noticed a tear come down her cheek.
“Elizabeth, I hope your ankle is not causing you much pain and you will be able to sleep.”
“Yes, sir, I feel better thanks to your magic fingers.”
“Then can I do something else to help you sleep, Elizabeth?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then I should like to hug you and tell you that you will be fine, and that I will always be here for you.”
Seeing no objection, he embraced his Elizabeth and told her of all the people he had ever known, that he considered her his very best friend.
He then pulled away from her before kissing her on each temple and walking away. Soon he was with his company and Elizabeth was asleep dreaming of her man.
Charlotte and Jane had engaged in conversation whilst Robert and John studied the poor weather. “Robert, I do not want you and Jane to attempt leaving Hunting Hills until the weather has cleared and the roads are satisfactory. You must plan to stay until it is safe, and that will be some days away. I hope you both can put up with me that long.”
“Yes, John, I quite agree the storm will delay our leaving, but Jane and I are happy we are staying with friends. Now John, is there anything I can do to help you?”
“Not now, Robert, the weather is too awful. Later, after the rain and wind let up, I may ride out to inspect some of the areas more prone to flooding, as well as some of the tenants homes which may be endangered. If I do decide to go out, you are invited to come along.”
“Just say the word, John.”
Charlotte was surprised when Jane mentioned that she was now seeing a young man that she first met during her own coming out. She told her that the relationship was going well so far. Jane then asked her if she was nervous about her own coming out. Charlotte responded that she was very worried until Elizabeth was hired as her companion. “Jane, she is like a sister to me; she is so smart and so very kind.” Jane was not surprised to hear this and confided that Elizabeth was a beautiful women, both inside and outside. Then she asked if Charlotte felt there was anything between Elizabeth and her brother. Charlotte then laughed, but did not respond, instead referring the question to Jane. “Yes, Charlotte, I feel that they are both smitten and I believe they would be excellent for each other and that she would make you a fine sister as well. I assume you would you like that Charlotte?”
“Jane,” she responded, “I can think of nothing that would give me more happiness than if John and Elizabeth would be married. I have been working on this to make it happen but have not made much progress.”
“Charlotte, I am sure they were both affected when they were caught out in the storm earlier and John carried her in his arms nearly a mile. Now that is very close contact, would you not agree?”
“Yes, I assume they were equally affected; I guess it is nature’s way.”
“Nature still has more work to do Charlotte. From my observation, both your brother and Elizabeth are quite naive concerning matters of love, but I shall soon see because I will visit Elizabeth once Doris tells me she is awake.”
“Jane, I need to check on her too. Would you mind if I see her first, for I have not had any private time with her?”
“No, I do not mind Charlotte, you should see her, so I will let you know once her maid tells me she is awake.”
Two hours later Doris went to Miss Smithwick and said that Elizabeth was awake and accepting visitors. Jane passed this information on to Charlotte and soon Charlotte went to Elizabeth. A slight knock drew a response, and Charlotte asked, “May I come in Elizabeth?”
“Yes, please come in Charlotte, how are you?”
“I am well, but the weather is abysmal. It is worst now than when you sprained your ankle, does it pain you much?”
“Yes, it does, but the swelling is hurting me. I must lay on my back because any shifting I make in bed is painful. Please except my apology for being such a poor companion for you.”
“Elizabeth, I only wish you to be well. You are my friend Elizabeth so I will ask you to tell me what I can do for you during this recovery. I will only visit with you for a few minutes, but will return later and visit longer. After I leave, I will tell Jane that she can see you. Does that suit you?”
“Charlotte, I believe her to be rather pleasant and I would like to see her.”
Charlotte did not say anything else that Jane had confided to her about her romantic interest but did suggest that Jane seemed to be rather good hearted and down to earth, and that both Elizabeth and her should look to know her better.
“Charlotte, I am still your paid companion and she is a lady, but still, as with yourself, she is very amicable.”
“And are you not a lady? Miss Elizabeth Watkins of Brandywine, you too are a gentleman’s daughter and might I add, you are my closest friend. Does that not make you her and my equal? Please do not bring up that because you are my companion that you are somehow beneath me. You are more than my companion, you are my friend, and I hope you remember that.”
“I appreciate your friendship, Charlotte, and she held her hand for her to come to her. You too are my best friend, I shall remember your kind words, and I thank you.”
Charlotte went
to the windows and noticed the sky getting dark again and saw the storm continue its fury as the wind scattered leaves and limbs across the grounds. “Elizabeth, this storm may not let up soon. My brother told me that todays storm reminded him of a big storm, more a series of storms that occurred when I was but four years, and they continued for several days and there was much damage locally. John told me that the lower areas nearer the river and creeks were flooded and several homes were lost. You are safe here with us Elizabeth, and this is where you belong.” Charlotte then hugged her friend and after asking her again if she could get her anything, she went away to seek out Jane Smithwick.
About thirty minutes later Jane approached Elizabeth’s room and with the door slightly ajar, gently knocked. Elizabeth then asked Jane to come in.
“Elizabeth, Charlotte said your ankle is hurting you more, let me ask you, do you think if I helped you to gently change your position, say more to your side, that you may feel more comfortable?”
“Jane, I would like that.”