by Wendy Vella
“Don’t need a man’s help in my kitchen, Mr. Blake. Never have and don’t plan on starting anytime soon.”
The three Langleys stared at their housekeeper. Jenny was usually sunny natured and quick with a smile, yet she was scowling at Mr. Blake and her cheeks were flooded with color.
Well, then,” Phoebe said to break the awkward silence. “If you’ll come with me please, Mr. Blake, we shall find a place to have our tea.”
Mr. Blake didn’t look offended by Jenny’s words; in fact, he gave her a gentle smile that reached his eyes and made the corners crinkle just like Livvy’s father’s had when he was smiling, and then followed Phoebe and Bella from the room.
Livvy stayed in the kitchen because she needed to talk about Lord Langley’s letter with Jenny. Taking down some clean cups, she set them on a tray as she began to talk.
“Did Bella tell you about the letter, Jenny?”
“Yes, and you have no need to fear for Miss Bella, I will send word to my sister who is recently widowed. She can join me while you are gone.”
“Thank you, that is one weight off my shoulders.” Livvy gripped the edge of the bench hard. “I’m so scared, Jenny. How will we cope if we have to leave here?” Her words sounded desperate as she struggled to keep the fear inside her at bay.
“There now, my love,” Jenny soothed as she pried Livvy’s fingers off the wood and turned her. “T’will work out in the end,” she added, pulling her into an embrace. “Between us, we will always have a home and all we need. The rest will come. You’ll see,” she clucked, patting Livvy’s rigid back.
Livvy inhaled the scents of Jenny, this wonderful woman who had given her life to the Langley sisters. She was humbled and strengthened by the sacrifice. With a last sniff, she reluctantly eased out of the welcoming bosom.
“I can never thank you enough for all you have done for us.” Her voice was choked as she struggled to hold back more tears. “But when we come about, you can be sure that I will try.”
“I’ll hold you to that, my love. You just see that I don’t. But now we better make that horrid Mr. Blake some tea.”
Livvy frowned as she watched Jenny get the hot water to pour into the teapot. It was not like her to be so critical, especially when Mr. Blake was far from horrid.
“It is true I’m not a great judge of character, Jenny, and that I have met Mr. Blake only once before today, but I must own to liking him very much and am surprised that you do not. He has a kind face and even kinder heart, as is evidenced by him coming out in this weather just to make sure we have firewood.”
The housekeeper slapped the pot onto the tray and added milk and sugar.
“To be sure it was nice of him, but he didn’t have to say that seeing me had brightened his day. He’s a smooth-tongued rogue, is what he is.”
She had nothing to smile about. In fact, Livvy would gladly lie on the floor and cry her eyes dry right here in the kitchen. Yet the notion that her housekeeper was unsettled by one Mr. Frederick Blake made her smile; of course, she hastily swallowed it as Jenny turned to look at her, but it stayed on the inside, a little warm glow that gave her hope.
“Will you take tea with us, Jenny?” Livvy said as she took the tray from the housekeeper.
“Wouldn’t look right, Miss Olivia, as you very well know.”
“I don’t care if it looks right or wrong. I’m asking you to take tea with us,” Livvy said, keeping her face expressionless.
Jenny huffed for several seconds and then said, “Well, I suppose someone needs to chaperone you girls from that man.”
“To be sure, he is a scoundrel.” Livvy laughed as Jenny swatted her shoulder as she left the room. They then headed for the good parlor where she knew Phoebe and Bella would have taken Mr. Blake.
“Well, the trick was to sleep in shifts on the boats so no one stole anything from you.”
Livvy opened the door to Mr. Blake’s words.
“Did you have things stolen, Mr. Blake?”
Bella’s eyes gleamed as she questioned their visitor. She had such a passion for information about foreign countries.
“Please have my seat, Mrs. Bell.” Mr. Blake leapt to his feet as Jenny entered the room. She, in turn, appeared flustered and shooed him back into it as she took over serving the tea from Livvy.
The hour that passed with Mr. Blake, Livvy knew, was only a respite from what awaited them when he left, but she could not begrudge them this time. Freddy, as he urged them all to call him, was a wonderful storyteller and genuinely nice man. He made them laugh and encouraged Bella’s questions. He was clearly smitten with Jenny and even coaxed a laugh from her, and for those sixty minutes the Langleys were able to push aside their worries and enjoy the company of a man who expected nothing from them other than to listen to his stories.
“And what of Lord Ryder, Freddy? Surely he did not climb the masts as Luke did?”
“Oh, indeed he did, Miss Isabella. In fact, whatever his men did, he did too.”
Livvy could imagine the man Will was today doing the things Freddy said, but not the spoiled nobleman who had left here many years ago. She did not ask the questions burning inside her; instead, sitting quietly, she listened to every word, eager for information about the man who had owned her heart. She knew Freddy skimmed over many things and told them only the stories which would make them smile and gasp, yet she was grateful for the respite from her thoughts. When the time came for him to leave, Livvy was genuinely sorry to see Mr. Blake go.
“Thank you for the tea, ladies; however, as the sky is darkening I must make the journey home.”
“And we shall hope you will visit us again soon, Mr. Blake, with more of your adventures,” Bella said as they escorted him to the door.
“I should be delighted,” he said with a final wave and smile that was mostly for Jenny, who offered a tentative one back before she hurried back into the parlor.
“I think Mr. Blake is sweet on our Jenny,” Bella whispered. “And I think Jenny likes him back but is reluctant to show it.”
“However, we shall let things run their course and not interfere,” Livvy added.
“Interfere, us?” Phoebe tried to look wide-eyed and innocent, a look she had never quite perfected. “I’m wounded that you believe us capable of such a deed, sister.”
Livvy didn’t say any more about the matter as they were once again at the parlor door and Jenny was inside. Instead, she began to discuss the preparations for their journey to London.
“We shall have to hire a carriage to take us to Damply, Phoebe. I will not been seen getting on the stage to London in Twoaks.”
“My boy can do that,” Jenny said as she tidied the room. “He’ll be here in the morning. I’ll send him to Damply to book two tickets for the stage to London leaving tomorrow afternoon and he can hire a carriage while he’s there. Then he can go and collect my sister afterwards.”
“Thank you, Jenny, and please thank Jaccob for us.”
“For the sake of appearances, it will cost us more, Livvy,” Phoebe cautioned.
“I’ll hold onto my pride for as long as I can,” Livvy said. “But now we must pack and prepare ourselves for the journey.”
They talked over every detail, discussed emergency plans for both Livvy and Phoebe and Jenny and Bella, and only when Livvy was absolutely certain they had missed no detail did they all retire for the night.
“We’re sleeping with you tonight, Livvy,” Phoebe said, appearing with Bella in the doorway of her room in their nightdresses.
Livvy didn’t argue. She knew the night would not bring her much sleep and was more than happy to have company. Moving over, she lifted the covers and her sisters climbed beneath. They talked for a while, keeping the conversation light until finally Bella fell asleep.
“It will be all right, Phoebe, I promise.” Livvy reached over her little sister’s slumbering form and gripped the hand Phoebe held out to her.
“Promise?” Livvy heard the uncertainty that Phoebe usually hid deep inside.<
br />
“With all my heart.”
Their hands remained linked and resting on their little sister as they lay still in the darkness until the gray fingers of light told Livvy dawn was here. Only then did she slip quietly out of bed to prepare for the journey to London.
***
“You could always just sit inside in the warmth with us, Luke, and let one of our men drive us.”
“Don’t you ever stop?” Luke’s frustration was obvious as he pulled himself up onto the driver’s seat and turned to glare down at Will. “I’m driving you to London, so just get used to the idea. Someone needs to see you there safely in these conditions.”
“And, of course, none of the other men are capable,” Will drawled.
Luke simply clamped his lips together and stared at the horses before him, signaling an end to the conversation.
“Problems?”
Will turned to face Joe as he joined him beside the carriage.
“You know when we were younger and you had that pony that wouldn’t let you lead him anywhere?”
“Bramble,” the Duke said, looking from Will to Luke.
“Well, Luke is my Bramble, Joseph. A more stubborn creature I have yet to meet.”
Behind him, Luke stayed silent but Will could almost feel him vibrating with anger.
“Give him time, Will, he’ll come about,” Joe said softly. “England is full of prejudices and not all of them are from titled people.”
Nodding, Will looked up at the gray skies and wondered if they were in for rain or more snow. Whatever came, he knew it would be bloody cold.
“If the weather worsens, make sure you stop and stay put until it eases.”
“Yes, Joe, you have said that already,” Will said, preparing to climb into his carriage. “London is a two day trip on good roads. There really is no need for this hand-wringing and fretting, brother.”
“Dukes neither wring hands nor do they fret and I should give you a sound beating for suggesting otherwise,” the Duke muttered. “However, you left us once and returned five years later. I have no wish for an accident to befall you now.”
Will sighed, the sound coming from the soles of his highly polished boots. Would the guilt he felt about abandoning his family never ease?
“I’m sorry, Joe. Sorry that I caused both you and Thea pain, but I’m back now and have no plans to leave again, in any form.”
Joseph looked at the carriage and then back at Will.
It still amazed him that the brother he had left behind was such a changed man. He loved his wife and son to distraction and, surprisingly, Will seemed part of that love now, too.
“No, it is I who am sorry, Will. I just don’t want to lose you again,” Joseph’s voice was gruff as he grabbed him and hugged him hard. Surprised at first, Will took seconds to respond, but soon he was hugging his brother back.
“All will go well, Joe, I promise. Freddy will make me stop if it snows. He’s a shocking traveler at the best of times”
“’Tis true, your grace,” a voice called from inside the carriage.
“Christmas is two weeks away; I shall expect your return before then.” Joseph released him and stepped back.
“Yes, your grace.” Will gave his brother a final nod before climbing into the carriage.
“The Duke is a good man, my lord, and cares for you deeply,” Freddy said as the carriage started to move.
“Aye, I had not realized how much he mattered to me until I returned; Thea and Penny, also.” Will kept his eyes on his home until it left his sight. “And let us not forget that little rascal, Billy.”
“He’s a bonny wee boy, that one,” Freddy added, pulling the rug out from beneath the seat he was on.
“You’re cold already? Surely that heated brick at your feet is offering some warmth?”
“Not near enough,” Freddy huffed, tucking the rug around his legs.
“Well, spare a thought for our stubborn friend driving us.”
Freddy tsked and snuggled deeper into his blanket. “That boy is a fool, but I’m sure if we keep at him he will come to his senses in time.”
I hope you’re right,” Will said.
Freddy had informed Will yesterday that he needed to head to London to attend to some business matters and Will had decided to accompany him. He wanted to purchase a town house and have some more clothes made, plus see to several other things he had put on hold since his return.
“I accompanied Luke to drop the firewood to the Langley sisters yesterday, my lord, as you instructed.”
Will looked at Freddy, sensing there was more to the story.
“I arrived at the back door and Mrs. Bell reluctantly let me in.”
“Don’t tell me there is a woman on this earth who is capable of withstanding your charms, Freddy?” Will laughed at the disgruntled look on the man’s face.
“She’s a tough one, that Jenny Bell, but there was a thawing as the afternoon progressed, I’m sure of it.”
“And the Langley sisters, how did they take the gift?”
“They were pleased, although Miss Langley did say she should not be accepting gifts from you.”
“I bet she did, the little baggage.” Will had thought of Olivia constantly since the night of the Assembly.
“If you don’t mind me asking, my lord, is there trouble in the Langley family at all?”
Freddy’s face was solemn as he met Will’s eyes.
“I had wondered if things were not right, but as yet have no evidence. Why do you ask?”
“When Miss Phoebe and Miss Olivia came into the kitchens to greet me, it was obvious that Miss Olivia had been crying and Miss Phoebe’s smile did not reach her eyes. In fact, all the ladies, Mrs. Bell included, looked distressed.”
The thought of Livvy in distress did not sit well with Will.
“I asked if anything was wrong but she brushed it aside by saying they were tears of laughter.”
“And you believe they weren’t?” Will questioned.
“No, and they could have been upset over something minor, yet I don’t believe so because all of the woman in that house were tense and worried.”
Leaning back in his seat, Will thought about what Freddy had said. Thea had told him she believed everything was not as it should be within the Langley household, and when he questioned Luke his friend told him that his mother believed they did not have a lot of money as she had heard they had been behind with payment on their bills in the village. Will didn’t think Livvy would have blisters from chopping wood if she had servants to do the job, so did that mean the only servant they had was Mrs. Bell?
“Did you question Phoebe or Bella?”
“No, we talked of my travels for the remainder of my visit.”
“Did you see any other servants in the Langley house while you were there, Freddy?”
“No, my lord, I did not. Only Jenny Bell.”
Looking out the window as they passed through Twoaks, Will wondered if the Langleys were living a lie.
“Perhaps we will dig a little deeper upon our return from London, Freddy.”
“I can manage that, my lord, as you know there is not much I cannot unearth when I set my mind to it. But now, as we have a long journey ahead of us, I shall discuss the business matters we are to attend in London.”
“Discuss away.” Will waved his hand around, indicating that Freddy had the floor, and for the next hour they talked about ships, investments and warehouses. While he listened and contributed, Will still thought about Livvy and what had made her cry.
“What village is this, my lord?” Freddy looked out the window as houses and shops started to appear.
“Damply, I believe.” Will looked out the other window. It was gray and miserable and he was glad to be inside the carriage rather than out there.
“Good lord, I wonder what they’re doing here?”
“Who?”
“Miss Phoebe and Miss Olivia.”
CHAPTER TEN
Looking ou
t Freddy’s window, he saw Olivia and Phoebe standing in the cold beside several other people. As they had bags at their feet, he guessed they were waiting for the stage. Opening the hatch above his head, Will roared at Luke to stop at once. He had the carriage door open before it stopped and was out and striding across the street in seconds. She saw him coming, and her cinnamon eyes were wide and wary as he reached her.
“Hello, my lord.” Phoebe gave him a nervous smile which instantly put him on alert. Nothing made Phoebe nervous.
“Phoebe, Olivia,” he acknowledged, keeping his eyes on the latter.
“L—Lord Ryder, how nice to see you again. Please let me thank you for the firewood. It was wrong of you to send those men to us on such a cold day but—”
“Where are you going on the stage, Olivia?” Will cut her off.
She hadn’t looked at him yet. Her eyes were on the buttons of his waistcoat.
“Where are you going on the stage?” he asked again while he fought the urge to shake her.
Seeing her standing there with only her sister to protect her, looking small and vulnerable with her coat buttoned to the neck and her bonnet tied in a neat precise bow, made him want to strike at something. It was freezing and could snow again soon. They were about to get into a coach with several other people whom neither he nor they knew. The thought of what could happen to them made him go cold all over. The carriage could have overturned or someone could have harmed the Langley sisters and he would have never known.
“On a trip, my lord.”
“And where is this trip taking you, Olivia?” His words were clipped and a long way from the gentleman she had once known.
Will noticed that, for once, Phoebe was happy to keep her mouth shut and let her sister do the talking.
“To London, to see our cousin.”
“Yet you never felt it necessary to mention this trip when I saw you at the Assembly, or when Freddy visited you yesterday, Olivia?”
“I… I did not think our travel plans would interest you, Lord Ryder.”
She was stuttering and anxious, but Will felt no sympathy for her. He was too angry.
“You thought your travel plans would not interest me?” He questioned softly. “Especially if those plans included a trip to London, a city I believe that you have never visited?”