He shrugged and glanced at Peter who answered for him. “We did our best, miss, milk or broth if we could find it.”
“Cook, I need warm milk please, then some bread and warm soup for the boys.”
Again, there seemed to be some surprise at the request but Georgiana ignored the startled looks. She asked Dixon to find some dry clothes for the boys to wear and requested that warm water be brought first for the boys to wash. While the staff tended to removing the wet muddy clothes from the boys and getting them cleaned up, she attended to the baby with Harriet’s help.
“Do you think this is a good idea?” Charles asked, an eyebrow raised.
“Dry clothes are always a good idea, Charles,” she said, choosing not to answer his real question.
Harriet washed Sarah gently in a large basin of warm water, while she continued to ignore her brother’s scowling face. The water removed months of grime from the thin body. Her small feet were cold, and Georgiana swaddled her in a warm blanket before feeding her in front of the fire.
The child refused the milk, a weak cry coming from her that Georgiana was quite happy to hear. She wiped her mouth and kept trying while the boys sat down at the kitchen table to eat. Harry watched her from across the table and she smiled at him, happy that he had found his way. She had begun to worry.
He had disappeared shortly after they had become friends, and she was concerned something had happened to him. Before leaving London she had been sure to leave him a note at the inn where she had seen him last. She had no name to put on the note and she knew he could not read. She did not think she would ever see him again, yet here he was. He was resourceful. He had to be if he had lived on the streets and survived. The note she had left told him where Ravenstone was but not how to get there. The note also said to ask for Lady Fairchild. She had hoped he would come. She hadn’t considered that he might bring others.
The boys ate with their eyes down in their bowls, hungrily spooning the soup up as quickly as they could, tearing at the bread, and stuffing it in their mouths. All except for Peter, who ate more deliberately. He studied her from across the room, his eyes shifting between her and Charles. She wondered at the control it took, for he was probably just as hungry as his friends were. She smiled at him reassuringly. He held her gaze, neither returning her smile nor looking away.
“What is this all about, Georgiana?” Charles asked softly, sitting down next to her by the fire.
“It’s about charity,” she said, looking down at Sarah in her arms, trying again to get her to take a little milk.
“Charity?”
“Yes, charity, helping others in need.”
“I know what charity is, damn it.”
“I’m relieved to hear it.”
“They are from London, Georgiana. Ravenstone is nearly two hundred miles away.”
“Exactly, Charles. They are desperate. Desperate enough to come two hundred miles from London having probably walked most of the way, but what does it matter how they got here?”
She had left some money with the note but she could not tell him that. It would have been just enough for passage on a cart, she imagined.
She focused on the baby, hoping Charles would give up his line of questioning.
“Elton said they asked for you as Lady Fairchild. How did they know to do that?” he asked.
She sighed and looked up at Charles. “Remember when you first came home and we spoke in the nursery in London, you said you felt guilty for leaving me in Father’s awful clutches while you went off on your adventures?”
He frowned at her. “Not very fair, dear girl.”
“Remember that I said one day I would ask something of you and you would have to do it to make up for abandoning me?”
He nodded slowly.
“I’m asking you to not ask me any more questions concerning this.”
She returned to her efforts, not waiting to see his reaction. Sarah would simply not take any warm milk. She frowned to herself, wondering if she should call for a physician.
Mrs. Bristow arrived with some socks for the boys who were on their second helping of soup and bread.
“What do you intend to do with them?”
“Employ them.”
“You can’t do that,” Charles said sharply. “They are thieves, perhaps even murderers.”
She glanced at the boys to see Peter watching her, and said casually, “More than likely but so would you be had you grown up where they did.”
“You can’t be in earnest?”
“They are children and I mean to help them, Charles. You yourself said we need more workers.”
“Workers, yes, but not young criminals likely to cut our throats and steal the silver.”
“Don’t be afraid, Charles, I will protect you,” she said smiling. “Besides we have not much silver left to steal.”
He stared at her as if trying to discover some vital information he was missing. “What will Edward say?”
“Edward?” she said laughing. “He wants to know nothing of the estate but will spend hours on the latest colors we picked for the drapes. You know I believe the decoration of the rooms is the first sign of interest he has shown in this entire property. He is quite good at it too, I must admit. Besides, he returns to London with you in two days.”
“I cannot leave you here alone with these…these… rapscallions,” Charles said, almost at a loss for words.
They both turned to look at the four rapscallions in question. Cleaned up and fed, they looked quite harmless, especially the youngest, James. His head was dropping over his soup bowl as he tried to stay awake, but he kept eating as if unsure of his next meal.
Harry stood up from the table and crossed the kitchen to take his sister from her. He sat down again at the table and dribbled some soup into her mouth with a spoon. She took it immediately. Georgiana smiled at him as he looked up at her. She noticed then that all the servants had arrived in the kitchen to watch the unfolding scene. Even Campbell had come in from the stables, and stood leaning against a wall watching the boys.
She waved him over and asked him if there was room above the stables for the boys. He said there were two free rooms with good beds.
“You will train them as stable boys,” she told him.
He scowled, but nodded.
What was she to do with the baby, though? Sarah seemed comfortable in Harry’s arms. She had quieted down and happily took the soup he gave her. When she wanted no more, he passed her to Peter who held her while Harry finished eating. She guessed they were used to taking care of the youngster.
“Murderers?” she asked Charles, an eyebrow arched.
He shrugged but had the good grace to be slightly uncomfortable with his earlier remark.
When they were all done and James was fast asleep with his head next to his plate, Peter picked up the small boy and Campbell showed them the way to their new rooms.
***
Despite her assurances to her brother, she worried over telling Edward about the boys for two days. If she told him, and he didn’t like the idea of street children on his estate, then he would have them removed. If she declined to inform him of their presence and hoped he left for London, none the wiser, then they would be safe. The decision weighed on her, but in the end, it was taken away from her as Edward stumbled across Rupert and James playing together. After she explained their presence to him and her willingness to employ them, he merely shrugged.
“He will make a good companion for Rupert,” Edward said, looking at James out the window. He was playing in the garden with a puppy.
She was glad that Edward had taken the discovery so well, but she feared for James in Rupert’s company.
“I don’t think so,” she said.
Edward turned to her. “Why ever not? You wouldn’t suddenly share Charles’s idea of these young fellows?”
“On the contrary, it’s James I fear for.”
Edward laughed and turned back to glance out the window. “
That boy grew up on the streets of London. I am quite sure Rupert will receive his due.”
He moved away from the window and pulled on his riding gloves.
“Are you ready?” he asked her.
She nodded and smiled, trying to look more afraid than confident. She was finally to ride. Edward carried her out of the drawing room and Elton opened the front door. Outside the sun was shining, and Bella stood patiently waiting for her next to Edward’s hunter. Campbell held her steady as Edward placed her in the sidesaddle and adjusted her skirts over her legs. Then he tied a strap over her lap and handed her the reins. Her hands were steady as she wound the leather through her gloved fingers and she felt Bella move under her. She held her steady, and nodded to Campbell who moved away.
Georgiana leaned down to stroke her black velvet neck, whispering to her as she pulled at the reins. She reveled in the feel of the powerful horse under her, and waited impatiently for Edward to mount. Then they walked slowly down the driveway as the servants watched from the windows. Bella danced a few steps sideways, feeling her excitement, and Georgiana reined her in, least Edward think her too spirited for her. She settled right away, responding to her every command.
The gardener tipped his hat as they passed, then continued with pruning the shrubs that had grown out of control.
“It’s good to see the garden take shape again,” Edward said. “There are many different trees planted in this garden by my grandfather. Oaks and beeches, which are common, but also rare cedars and redwoods.”
“It is a beautiful garden. I wonder that you did not make sure that it was better taken care of.”
“That’s why I married you, dear,” he smiled. “An estate this size takes two qualities to insure its well-being, money and interest. Both I lack greatly, I’m afraid. I loathe the country, far too dull.”
“But that is why you hire a competent steward to see to your interests here.”
“Indeed,” he smiled but would not be goaded further into another conversation to dismiss his clearly not so competent steward, Mr. Madden.
A pavilion of stone stood in the center of the rose garden and rambler roses climbed the arch of the entrance. It was a formal garden, grown wild, though daffodils bobbed their yellow heads out of the soil in honor of spring. The fountain had crumbled and would need rebuilding, she noticed, adding it to the list of endless undertakings still requiring attention.
They rode through the east gate, the main entrance to the house with its walled garden, then turned to ride along the cliffs overlooking the ocean. The woods were behind Ravenstone, while the land along the cliffs was barren of trees. Sheep grazed in the emerald green fields filled with meadowsweet, which grew alongside white sea campion and yellow iris. A sparrow hawk glided above them in the blue sky following the sea cliff.
She leaned forward and used her whip lightly, and soon she was galloping over the green fields. The sudden freedom she experienced urged her on faster, and soon she was flying over the ground. She pushed Bella over a low hedgerow, clearing it easily and scattered a flock of sheep as she turned to follow the cliff, galloping along it oblivious of everything but the sudden freedom she felt running through her veins.
She could hear Edward’s hunter right behind her, and she slowed, coming to a halt on the cliff overlooking the ocean.
“Oh, Edward, isn’t it wonderful,” she laughed, wiping the tears from her face.
“Are you crying,” he asked, concerned, and stopped his hunter next to her.
“No,” she laughed, “it’s galloping through fresh air, I imagine, that has made my eyes water.”
“You are enjoying it, then?” he asked, smiling.
“Oh, how could I not,” she said, laughing. “To be allowed out again, after so long, and it’s so beautiful here. Thank you, Edward, for it is in this moment that I am alive again, truly alive.”
He held out his hand to her, and she took it, squeezing it lightly before letting it go again.
“Good, then I will not feel too much of a heel when I leave you tomorrow for London. You will be able to manage?”
“I will manage quite well, thank you.”
She hid her disappointment at his news, and looked out to the sea. They took in the view of the ocean for a while, noting a sailing ship headed north. She studied him, wondering at this strange man, who asked nothing of her, and gave her so much. Was she so susceptible to any small kindness after years of abuse from her own father? No, she thought, it was the horse and saddle. It meant she had her freedom again, and this time not just on the nights she crawled out of her window.
She had begun to explore the woods beyond the house, climbing out of her window almost every night now. She had seen him leave the house the night before and had thought briefly of following him. But then decided he knew the woods better than she, and she would only risk getting lost. Her secret would be discovered instead of his.
Where did he go? she wondered now. He turned and smiled at her and she pretended shyness and looked away. Then Edward pulled his hunter away from the edge of the cliff, and she reluctantly followed behind. The ride back was a more subdued pace. Charles met them at the front door as they returned, and Peter collected the horses.
“How was the ride?” Charles asked, as Edward lifted her from the saddle.
“Splendid. Your sister is an excellent horsewoman and almost got away from me.”
He carried her up the stairs to her room so she could change out of her riding habit. She had a quick breakfast, and then sat in the study with her mother going over the final details of what she required from London.
She studied her mother as she bent over the long list in front of her, marveling at how well they had worked together over the last few days. She would almost miss her, a startling realization.
“Georgiana, make sure you treat the servants as such, and not as friends. Also I trust you will comport yourself in a manner here that befits your station in life. Above all, you are to stay separate from society for you must remember at all times, you are indisposed.”
“Yes, Mother, I shall endeavor not to cause you any shame.”
Lady Wyndham stood suddenly. “You are ungrateful. I have worked so earnestly the last few days to make Ravenstone more comfortable.”
“You have,” Georgiana said, contrite. “And I do not mean to be ungrateful. You have taught me much I needed to know and have made it easier for me here. I am indeed grateful, Mama.”
And she meant it, but as grateful as she felt, she still could not reconcile this new feeling for her mother with the one of disdain that she had lived with for so long.
“I should think so,” she said. “I must see about the menu for tonight though I cannot think Cook will manage any of it. I will send you a new cook from London as those I have interviewed here will simply not do.”
Lady Wyndham left the study. Georgiana sighed in relief and glanced out the window. It really was a beautiful day and she longed to be in the sunshine. She rang the bell next to her, but Elton did not arrive and she rang it again. Her mother appeared at the door.
“You will find Elton asleep out here. It is quite amazing, for he is standing upright but his eyes are closed, and I do believe he is snoring.”
Georgiana laughed. “Poor Elton, he should have retired long ago. Would you fetch Dixon for me please, Mama, and do let Elton sleep.”
“I am to be reduced to a servant then.”
“Please, Mama.”
Dixon arrived and she asked him to help her into the garden. He moved around the table, and picking her up, carried her out into the sun. She sat on a bench by the pond, admiring the ducks, and watching James and Rupert attempting to fence under the great oak tree, the wolfhound puppy barking at their heels.
Charles had given her the puppy on her arrival at Ravenstone. Someone to keep her company, he had said. It was James that the puppy had followed since his arrival.
The boys from London had settled in well. Peter had a natural ability wi
th the horses, Campbell had told her, while Harry seemed to enjoy helping the coachman. Eye wondered through the gardens for two days, touching every tree and flower and running his hands over the grass. He followed the gardener around, asking him questions about every plant until the gardener finally put him to work. They both seemed happy with the arrangement.
Sarah was in the kitchen in a basket, where the staff took it in turn to feed her and hold her. In the evenings, Harry would collect her and she slept with him in his bed above the stables. Georgiana had sent Harriett to the village to buy clothes, and shoes, and tomorrow she decided it would be time for another bath. She was still struggling to free their hair of lice, and realized that perhaps she would simply have to shave their heads.
She turned her face to the sun and closed her eyes, thinking how terribly happy she would be if only Jane and Margaret could be with her here in the sunshine. But she had hope again. She hadn’t looked forward to the future in a long time.
***
Charles strolled out into the gardens and found his sister sitting in the sun. He watched her, unobserved. She looked content as she watched the boys playing in the garden. Watching them, Charles thought that Rupert’s scruffy appearance was really no different from James’s. One would be hard pressed to distinguish the high-born child from the street urchin, except that Rupert did not play fairly, as he hit James hard in the stomach.
One could argue that many of the high-born did not play fairly, despite the importance of honor among his set. James doubled over in pain and Rupert came in for the kill with his wooden sword, but James seemed to sense it and lunged out of the way just in time and came up with a fist that hit his opponent hard in the face. Georgiana laughed softly to herself. Rupert dropped his sword, began to cry, and went running to find his father.
“James might be just what Rupert needs,” he said.
“That’s what Edward thought, too.”
She didn’t seem surprised at his presence and he wondered if she had known he was there all along. He sat down on the bench next to her.
“He is a rather unconventional man, your husband.”
Ravenstone (Book 1, The Ravenstone Chronicles) Page 16