by John Edwards
Jane then asked Doris to help her as she gently lifted Elizabeth’s leg at the calf whilst Doris helped Elizabeth shift her body to the side, then, in place of the pillow, a firm cushion was placed on the bed and under her lower leg but above her ankle such that her foot and ankle were raised. There was little discomfit in this procedure and Elizabeth pronounced she felt better.
“Elizabeth, you will find that minor adjustments such as we just made, will improve your comfort. Be assured that I shall be available all day and will help you when you wish to readjust your position. Doris, thank you for your help, you seem to know what you are doing.”
“Yes, my lady, thank you for your kindness; I have helped with some sprains before, plus I have sprained my own ankle. Just call when you need me.” Doris then excused herself and Jane went to sit beside Elizabeth.
“Elizabeth, we may be here more days than we expected because of the weather, but I am content. Now, to a topic that you may want to discuss. It will be rather soon that the Season will begin, are you not excited?”
“Both Charlotte and I are excited Jane. I just hope that my ankle will be healed by then.”
“It will, Elizabeth, but only if you heed the advice I have given you, and rest your ankle. You will gradually find that your pain will diminish and in a few days you may be able to use a crutch, but we will see. Now, back to the coming out. Have you spoken with many other ladies concerning the Season?”
“I have spoken with some. I was a governess for the Kimbles two children before I came to Hunting Hills. Mrs. Kimble spoke with me and gave me advice. Since she is still in her twenties, I feel her advice is not outdated.
Also, last week in London, Charlotte and I visited a ladies boutique which was hosting a session on the Season. We met many of the ladies and their companions that will be participating this year.”
“Well, that is a good start. What do you think you took away from these discussions?”
“Jane, both Charlotte and I have some anxiety of how a few of the women appear to be husband chasers and I get the feeling that it’s every women for herself. Am I correct in my thinking?”
“Elizabeth, you are very wise. More women than you think are aggressive. I learned this from my own coming out a few years ago. Why, some of the women would scheme and do worse to land a prospect, but a lady would not. I feel a gentleman, if he is smart, could spot those women and avoid them.”
“Jane, I have told Charlotte the same thing, but how are we to go through the Season when all this is going on?”
“Just be yourselves, Elizabeth. Act like the lovely ladies you both are. For my part, I enjoyed my coming out and met many fine gentlemen and a few that were not gentlemen at all, but there is one that just in the last few months has renewed his interest in me and we are now courting.”
“Please tell me about him, Jane.”
“Elizabeth, he is what I would call handsome. His name is Kenneth Moffitt. He is close to six feet tall and has brown hair and emerald green eyes that are beautiful. He is the first son of an Earl and is what we might call, financially secure. He attended Oxford and is quite intelligent and he treats me as his princess, just like William did before him.”
“Then do you feel you and him are right for each other?”
“Yes, I do, at least I hope so, but who really is experienced in these things? This season may prove to be a trial for him.”
“A trial? What do you mean, Jane?”
“His sister, Julie, will also be coming out this Season. You may have already met her when you were in London. Her best friend is Miss Nellie Breckenridge.”
Elizabeth pondered the name; she had heard it before. At last she remembered that Mary Alice told her that she was Miss Breckenridge’s companion for this season. Warning lights went off for Elizabeth. Her first thought was that Jane Smithwick’s special friend would be in danger if he attended any of the balls or other events in town. Mary Alice was out to get a husband and woe to any woman who stood in her way.
“Jane, I did meet Miss Breckenridge and I recall seeing her with a petite lovely lady that has blue eyes and blond hair, could that be your friend’s sister?”
“You have described Julie. She is very sweet and innocent.”
“So Jane, why do you think the season will be a trial for him?”
“I feel that because when I met him during my own coming out he was pursued by many women, the same type that we discussed. Now I know he feels obligated to help Julie, but I fear that some other, or should I say many other women will try to steal him. Elizabeth, I am worried sick about this.”
“For what it is worth, Jane, both Charlotte and I will keep a keen eye on your friend and, if you desire, we could introduce ourselves to him as friends of yourself, do you not think that would help.”
“That may be a good idea, Elizabeth. At least that would put him on guard. Perhaps you should not say anything to him. Then you could determine if he is a true gentleman. No, do not say anything to him and ask Charlotte to do likewise. If he can avoid all entreaties from these women then I shall know that I have found the best of men.”
“Again Jane, I agree with your idea. Now, you may plan attending some of the events. Perhaps you could find an excuse, say to be Charlotte’s special other companion for one of the balls of your choosing, say a ball where you could judge your friend’s performance, if you were so inclined.”
“You mean, if I have reason to suspect he is behaving ungentlemanly, I could check it out myself?”
“Yes, that is correct, and with Charlotte and I there to help you, you will not be by yourself but with friends.”
“That is true, my friend, but let us talk again later Elizabeth, after you have rested. I shall check on you then.”
Later, the storm was getting worse and the friends kept together, but John Winstead had many things on his mind. He knew there would be flooding and he worried about his servants and his tenants and about his friends in Hampshire. The storm that he had related to Charlotte was the worst he could recall but that was near twelve years earlier. If this one continued for another two days as intense as it had been so far, then he knew to expect major flooding and life threatening damage to home and property. Several servants with family in Hampshire and nearby met with Mr. Winstead and some of them left to go home while others decided to stay and wait out the storm. While he was speaking with some of the servants, a man came into the house and Mr. Winstead was called to meet with him.
“Sir, Mr. Winstead sir, I am Henry, a friend of Thomas and Sara, remember sir? We are in trouble sir. The creek has risen and soon water will come into the house.”
“Henry, of course I remember you. What about the others?”
“Sir, Thomas is helping his mother and Sara to move to higher ground so they asked me to tell you that the water keeps rising sir.”
“Yes, Henry, I recognize that. Have you heard of others that have problems?”
“No sir, I have not heard that, but I suspect that to be the case nearer Hampshire.”
“Henry, can you trace your way back or would you recommend a different route?”
“We may make it back to Thomas by the same route, but I cannot say for sure sir.”
“Then we shall try, Henry. Say wait here a few minutes.”
Mr. Winstead then went to Robert and called his staff together and they all assembled. Having secured the assistance of Robert, he told his staff of the problems and said he would go with some volunteers to help the tenants and any others in the way of the floods. Then he told them that he would bring those people in need of lodging back to the house, and so he instructed his staff to make accommodations for several people, but he could not give a number. Instructions were given to bring ropes, shovels and tree saws and axes as well as food and water. Within minutes, John Winstead and Robert and Henry and eight other men and 4 horses started the trek to the Thomas home.
Water had not yet reached the house but John Winstead thought he knew what may h
ave caused such flooding. He noticed a water dam downstream that was not allowing a natural flow. The water being collected by that dam was mere feet away from the home and still rising. John Winstead, Robert, Henry and Bill, his Scottish footman, went straightway to the edge of the dam and John Winstead tied a safety line to himself and waded through the water with a rope that he would fasten to some of the debris and which a horse would pull on to break away the logjam. On his third try, John reached and tied a knot on a large branch that had fallen during the storm. After he made his way back to the men all pulled along with the horse. Soon Thomas joined them but suddenly a loud clap of thunder shook them all and spooked the horse such that the mighty beast reared back with all his might and the logjam was broken up. The men did the same to other dams and John noticed that Robert was enjoying himself.
“So Robert, you appear to be enjoying yourself with this?”
“John, This is good for me and good for the soul. Here, let me tie the lifeline on myself for the next dam? And when we get back, John, let me serve these men a drink of my Scottish whiskey.”
At the mention of Scottish whiskey the other men went to Robert and lifted him upon their shoulders as Robert gave a “What about this?” look at John Winstead. John Winstead did not desire to repeat this work soon so after removing all large debris, he asked those families still in danger to come back to Hunting Hills, where they would be sheltered. Soon, three families for a total of sixteen people choose to go to Hunting Hills.
Charlotte was the first to spot her brother, walking with the large party towards the house. He held a small child in his arms as the other men assisted those others in their trip to the grand house. As they arrived, the servants quickly went into action to provide for the newcomers. The families were provided with their own room, and all others were segregated by gender. Day beds were set up and fresh linens and toiletries were provided along with candles. A small room was set up to be used as a nursery. People brought their pets and the three dogs and four cats and two caged birds were kept in a separate room near the people. Soon, several more families whose homes were flooded came to Hunting Hills and they were welcomed and settled in.
Though they were tired, the house staff continued to work hard and efficiently to care for the new arrivals, providing food and drink and warm blankets and even dry clothes, when they could, as well as washing clothes.
Elizabeth heard all the commotion and was excited to have so many people at Hunting Hills, but she knew she could not do anything to help. Instead, she talked with Jane and they discussed what Jane might do to help the people. Then Robert knocked and soon came in. “Brother, you are most certainly a sight to look at,” Jane said. “Pray tell me why you look so happy?”
“John and some of the men and I have done a good deed today, and it makes me happy and I want to celebrate with my new friends. Oh, by the way ladies, you both look beautiful.” Then Robert left. Jane and Elizabeth looked at each other and laughed. Elizabeth looked at Jane and asked how they intend to celebrate. Jane’s reply was that Robert had brought some Scottish whiskey for John, so she suspected they will drink some.
“Well, let us hope they remain with their senses intact.”
“Yes, Elizabeth, or else we should join them.” Then they laughed again.
“Jane soon left, and later John Winstead, having cleaned himself from earlier, stopped to greet Elizabeth but found her asleep. He slowly walked to her and set by her, taking in the woman he had dreamed of for so many weeks. Her features were as elegant as he had ever seen and hers was the face of a beautiful young woman. How he wanted to reach over and stroke her face, or run his fingers through an unruly curls that laid against her face. John noticed her slow breathing and saw the slight rising in her chest as she inhaled her breath, and he noticed her fidget about. Though he could have watched her all evening, soon Robert and Bill, who was John Winstead’s footman, came in, and not noticing Elizabeth was asleep, starting talking loudly and Elizabeth was awaken.
“Robert, you have waken Miss Watkins.”
“Yes, Miss Elizabeth, we are both sorry for that, we are still celebrating our good deeds for this day.”
“Now you must tell me Mr. Winstead, what deeds have you all done to bring on such celebration?”
John Winstead then told his story, about clearing the debris and breaking up the dams and that many people were now temporarily being sheltered at Hunting Hills. “And so you see Elizabeth, now they are celebrating with some Scottish whiskey.”
“Then Mr. Smithwick, you are not worried about having too much drink? After all, you may be called upon later for more good deeds.”
“I only have two bottles, Miss Elizabeth, and with five men drinking, it will not go very far, so we will be available for the next emergency or whenever John Winstead asks for our help. We are off now Miss Elizabeth, so you take care of that ankle.”
They soon left and Elizabeth looked at John. “How long were you in my room Mr. Winstead?
“I came in to see you about thirty minutes ago. I gave it a few minutes to see if you would awaken when Robert and my footman came in and woke you.”
“And what did you do, sir, while you were waiting for me to wake up?”
“I,.er.. I just set and rested. I am quite tired but wanted to check on you.”
“I am glad you came Mr. Winstead. Do you suppose you can help me shift myself to my other side?”
“Yes, I suppose so, is there a trick to do it so you do not further injure your ankle?”
“Yes, sir, my ankle must be supported by having the cushion under my calf. Then I shall try to roll to my side while you hold the cushion in place, then once in place you may help me to adjust my upper body.”
Mr. Winstead went over her instructions again and then helped her, everything went well and then he moved to help turn her upper body when Charlotte came by and saw her brother with his arms all about her and was startled. “Brother, what are you doing?”
“What does it look like, Charlotte? I am...”
“You do not need me to describe what it looks like, brother, but I assume that you will tell me that you are helping Elizabeth change her position, is that not correct?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Then you are taking much more time than is needed. If you had called for another’s assistance you could do the job more efficiently and with less chance of hurting Elizabeth.”
“Yes, Charlotte, but that would defeat my purpose which is to inflict as much pain on Elizabeth as I can. If only I had just shut the blasted door no one would hear her screams of pain.”
“Charlotte, there you have it in his own words, he is hurting me for his own amusement, do make him stop for he.” Elizabeth could not finish for she was laughing so hard and then Charlotte and John joined in. “Charlotte, your brother is being careful so he will not hurt my ankle. Believe me, you would know from my screams if he hurt me for my ankle still throbs at the slightest touch.”
“You must be on guard, Elizabeth, I feel my brother may still have ulterior motives.” Then Charlotte left, but not before opening the door wider than it was.
“Mr. Winstead, please bring your chair to the other side so I can see you. I did not hear the full exchange between you and Charlotte, how did she do?”
“I know you, Elizabeth. Do not think me unaware that you are working with my sister in all manner of lessons to improve her confidence. Not that I find anything wrong with that, for she is getting better, but she is improving too fast, maybe.”
“Yes, sir, but with her coming out very soon, her self confidence will be important to her, will it not? Still, Mr. Winstead, why did you take so long in helping me turn over my upper body?”
“You just asked me two questions Elizabeth. For the first one, it is important for Charlotte to increase her self confidence. For the second question, I could not remember how to continue with turning you over.”
“Sir, are you serious? What part of such a simple task do you not
understand?”
“Elizabeth, I was unsure how I could support you and turn you over and not hurt you, plus I enjoyed it, but I will not continue this discussion.”
“Then tell me more about your work dealing with the flooding? Did you take care to be safe and ensure the safety of your men?”
For several minutes John sat on the edge of her bed and softly held her hand while he detailed the work that his staff and Robert and he had done.
“You must promise me John Winstead to take care out there. I know you are a smart man and wise too, but flooding and lightening is not to be played with. It is a dangerous business.”
“That it is, Elizabeth. Now, unless there is something more I can do for you, I will leave you now, but may I visit you later?”
“Yes, sir, please come to see me tonight after all others have visited. I should like to tell you goodnight.”
He promised to return much later but then left his friend with a reassuring smile. Having now adjusted her sleeping position, she got some much needed rest.