The Spinsters Secret

by Monroe, Jennifer

  “My Lord,” he said with a bow before opening the door. Stepping outside, Johnathan smiled as the carriage pulled up in front of him. The driver jumped down from his seat at the front of the vehicle, placed the stepping block on the ground and opened the door. A gloved hand emerged from the interior of the carriage and Johnathan helped Alice alight. His heart skipped a beat as he looked her over, for she was even lovelier than he had last seen her. She wore a coral gown of muslin with exquisite flowers embroidered on the breast. The skirts flowed below the high waist set off by a yellow sash. He had never seen her so beautiful.

  “Alice, I…” He fumbled for words for the first time in a very long time.

  She dropped into a perfect curtsy. “My Lord,” she said as the driver closed the carriage door behind her. When she rose, she wore a wide smile and a gleam in her eye. Was she mocking him? If it had been a month earlier, he would have thought so; however, he knew now that, if she were, it was in jest and not disrespect.

  She glanced around, a confused look on her face. “Might we go inside?” she asked. “I find the air a bit cool.”

  Johnathan shook his head and laughed. “Yes, of course,” he replied, though he knew his cheeks had to be a bright crimson. When they entered the house, he paused at the door. “Harold, this is Miss Huntington, my fiancée.”

  Harold gave Alice a deep bow. “Miss Huntington.”

  “It is very nice to meet you,” Alice said kindly.

  “And it is an honor to meet you,” Harold replied. If he was not such the stanch servant he was, Johnathan would have sworn the man was beaming.

  “Would you see that Susan prepares a tray for us?” Johnathan asked as he waited for Harold to take Alice’s wrap.

  “Yes, My Lord,” Harold replied and soon he was off to do Johnathan’s bidding.

  “Well, this is Cliff Heights House,” Johnathan said with a proud grin. “Would you like a tour before the tea is brought in?”

  “Please,” Alice replied.

  The first room they entered was the sitting room with walls the color of ocean froth, a dark oak table along one wall and a massive fireplace made of white marble.

  Alice gasped and rushed over to run her hand over the white marble fireplace. “This is quite lovely,” she said in admiration. “I can almost stand inside it!”

  Johnathan laughed. How she looked so young and innocent! It warmed his heart to see her grow excited over something so simple. “Glassberry Estate has very nice fireplaces,” he said.

  “Yes, but none as exquisite as this,” she replied. Then she walked over to a large window that looked over the gardens. “And this view! How can you ever consider leaving your house when you have this upon which to gaze?” She turned, her eyes glinting with excitement. “May we go walking after tea?”

  “I believe that can be arranged,” he said. “Come, I have more to show you.”

  They walked through the drawing room, the music room, and the dining room, all the while Alice gushing over each space. Johnathan was pleased that she enjoyed the house; it would make their transition once they were married that much easier.

  The last room he showed her was his favorite. The library sported tall shelves filled with books that lined two walls. Dark oak covered most of the surfaces offset with white walls that helped the room appear larger than it was. Alice stood at the door, her eyes wide and her jaw dropping in a very unladylike manner.

  “Do all of these books belong to you?” she asked as she ran her hand along the spines. “You did not tell me you had so many!” Most of the tomes were leather-bound with gold embossed titles. Although he did not read as much as he would have liked in recent years, he was proud of his collection. “May I?” Alice asked as she placed a hand on one particular title.

  “Of course,” Johnathan replied.

  She pulled the book from the shelf and walked it to a high back chair with a deep yellow cushion. “Poetry,” she whispered, “is so beautiful to read.” She ran her hand over the cover as if it were made of the finest material.

  The door opened and Susan entered with the tea. She set the tray on a short table between the chairs, bobbed a quick curtsy and then left the room. Johnathan leaned forward to pour the tea. “I take it you enjoy reading?” he said, although he already knew the answer.

  She nodded. “I do. My father would not allow me to remove any of the books from his library, although I was allowed to read them as long as I remained in the room. This was not difficult because my father used the library for meeting with clients and business associates.” She giggled. “Though I would sneak a book every so often to my room when I knew I would not be caught.”

  Johnathan laughed and almost spilled his tea in the process. “Well, you will be pleased to know that these will be our books once we are married. You may read them whenever, and wherever, you would like.”

  “I will hold you to that,” she said, though her smile said she was teasing.

  As Johnathan sipped his tea, he peered over his cup at Alice. “I will need to hire on a full staff here,” Johnathan said as he returned his teacup to its saucer. “I would like you to aid me in that.”

  “Me?” Alice asked in surprise. “What do I know of engaging staff?”

  Johnathan laughed. “And what do I know of choosing a lady’s maid? Or a decent cook? Or even a scullery maid?” Realization crossed her face. “You see? There are many ways in which you can assist me.”

  “I suppose so,” she replied, although she still appeared a bit skeptical.

  “There is also the issue of redecorating the house.” Johnathan smiled as Alice took a quick glance around the room. “You must admit that it could use quite a bit of updating.”

  Alice laughed. “Well, I was not going to be the one to say so.” She smiled and Johnathan thought his heart would burst. “I would be happy to assist you in what needs to be done.”

  Then, most suddenly, Alice looked down at the floor. Johnathan did not understand, but for some reason, tears flowed down her face.

  “What is it?” Johnathan asked as he knelt beside her. “Did I upset you? If I did, it was not my intention.”

  “No. I am sorry,” she said as she accepted his handkerchief. “This is all very…foreign to me and I must admit that I am feeling a bit overwhelmed.” She sniffed and dabbed at her eyes. “You must think me such a ninny for acting so childish.”

  Johnathan placed his hand over hers. “Of course, I do not believe you are a ninny,” he said quietly as he tried to keep from smiling. Not because she was weeping, but because of the innocence she expressed at that moment.

  “It is just that opening the shop, getting married, being away from home, I’m afraid it has all caught up with me. I will be fine in a few moments.” She smiled through her tears, and although it was a weak smile, it was the most beautiful thing Johnathan had seen in his life.

  “Trust me, I understand.”

  Alice looked up at him with wide eyes. “You do?”

  “Of course,” he said as he reluctantly removed his hand from hers and returned to his seat. “I feel close to tears every time I begin a new business venture; although, I must admit that each time gets easier. Granted, I have never actually cried, but I have been uncertain about the outcome of some of my enterprises on more instances than I care to admit.”

  She smiled, this time with much more confidence. “I cannot imagine you being less than confident in anything you do,” she said with a laugh.

  “Trust me,” he said firmly, “it does happen.”

  He wished to tell her that if he had known her six weeks earlier as he knew her now, he could have counted that instance as one of the times he felt uncertain. Not because he would not have wanted to agree to the offer instantly, but because he would have been uncertain if she would have agreed to have him.

  ***

  Alice reached over to pull a flower toward her and Johnathan found himself unable to take his eyes off her.

  “It is beautiful,” she said
with a smile. “I love its fragrance.”

  Johnathan could not help but to think the same about her. She was much like the numerous flowers that grew in the garden. “I am glad you enjoy them,” he replied. “So, do the gardens meet to your satisfaction?”

  “Oh, yes,” she said. “Most definitely so. I must admit, Cliff Heights House is much bigger than I expected.”

  He laughed. “Did you expect a small cottage?”

  “Of course not,” she replied with a wave of her hand. “But I do like it.”

  He took her gloved hand in his and looked down into her eyes. He had so much he wanted to say to her, things he had been unable to say to any woman for so long. However, for whatever reason, the words would not come. Instead, he said, “I am glad you like it.” Inwardly, he groaned for being a coward.

  The moment passed and he released her hand. He was acting much too forward. It was bad enough that she was alone with him in his gardens, he did not need to be taking her hand in his in such an intimate manner.

  “So, tell me more of your work,” Alice said when they returned to their stroll.

  “At the risk of sounding arrogant, I have dabbled in just about every trade imaginable. Wool was the least lucrative. Too many men invest in it, which drives down the prices. I have tried sugar, tea, and cotton, but my most recent endeavor has been in specializing in specific parts of something bigger. Overall, I have built quite an empire. I would have to admit that my accomplishments have been quite impressive for a titled man.”

  Alice laughed. “It is quite impressive for any man, regardless of title.”

  “I suppose it is at that,” Johnathan replied. “But I will promise you one thing,” —he helped her take a seat on a bench under a large oak— “I will provide whatever you need. You will want for nothing.”

  She nodded and gazed off down the path. Johnathan followed her gaze and his eyes fell on two birds as they flitted in a marble birdbath, their tiny feathers splashing droplets of water over the sides and onto the ground below.

  “By marrying me,” she said without turning, “your empire, as you call it, will grow even more, so I take it.”

  “Indeed. Your father has made connections I could only dream of having.” It was a difficult truth to admit, but it was the truth. He took her hand in his once again. “However, ours will be even bigger.”

  “Ours?” she asked as she turned to him. “It will be yours.”

  “No,” he said quietly. “It will be ours. Then my dream will come true.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “And what is that?”

  “To be married and be able to provide for my wife anything her heart desires,” he said. Though it had not been a dream of his a month earlier, it was now. And it was a dream he found he actually looked forward to fulfilling.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Five days had passed since Alice visited Cliff Heights House, Johnathan’s country house, which would soon be hers as well. Each time she thought about it, she became that much more excited. Johnathan had been by yesterday to help her with a shelf in the back room, but today he had another engagement and would not be able to drop by. It was interesting that she felt disappointed she would not be seeing the man and wondered how she could have felt otherwise.

  She was just opening the door to the shop, a basket of food items on her arm, when a voice cried out to her from across the road.

  “Alice!” Patrick was in a panic, and Alice’s heart rose into her throat. “Alice!” He ran across the road, his hand gripping the hat he held in his hand so tightly, Alice was certain it would remain crumpled once he released it.

  “Patrick, calm down,” she said firmly.

  “Oh, I’m sorry! Miss Alice,” he said and then gave her an awkward bow.

  She shook her head. It could not be bad news if he was so concerned for his manners. “No, you are fine. What is the matter?”

  “I’m gonna ask Sally to marry me,” he said proudly.

  “Is that so?” Alice asked bemusedly. “And when do you plan to do so?”

  “Later today, I think.”

  Alice set her basket on the ground in front of the door. “Oh, I am very happy for you,” she said as she leaned in and gave him a quick hug. And she truly was happy for him. His face beamed and, for some reason, she was reminded of Thomas, who had the same carefree demeanor. “You must bring her by sometime and share the news with me together. Perhaps you can come by for tea tomorrow.”

  “I guess we could do that,” Patrick said, although he seemed worried.

  “Look,” Alice said, nodding down the footpath, “here comes Sally now.”

  The woman of their conversation walked up to where they stood and smiled. “Hello, Alice,” she said.

  “Good morning, Sally.” She glanced at Patrick, who kicked at the ground like a schoolboy. “Sally, I was wondering if you and Patrick would like to come by tomorrow for tea.”

  Sally’s smile grew. “That would be lovely,” she replied.

  “Wonderful,” Alice said. “I will see you here, say around three?”

  Sally shot Patrick a hard glance and when he said nothing replied, “Yeah, that would be fine.”

  Patrick cleared his throat and Alice wondered if he would be asking Sally to marry her right there in the street. However, instead of proposing, he glanced at the dock and said, “Well, I’d best get back to work or I’ll be out of employment.” He smiled broadly at Sally, bowed to Alice and then ran back across the road and was soon out of sight.

  Sally shook her head. “That man will be the death of me,” she said. “You were right, men are odd creatures.”

  Alice laughed as she turned the key in the lock. “Would you like to come inside for a cup of tea?”

  As Alice bent down to pick up the basket, Sally said, “Here, let me get that for you.”

  Alice did not have the chance to respond before Sally was already through the door and heading to the back. “There is no need…” Alice called after the woman.

  Sally waved her away. “I love to help,” she said as she placed the basket on the kitchen table. “I was supposed to be a lady’s maid, but that didn’t happen.”

  “Is that so?” Alice asked as she removed a small bag of sugar and placed it on a shelf.

  “Yeah,” Sally replied as she took a package of flour from the basket, “but the Duchess decided she didn’t want to live in Cornwall. Said it was too far from London and wanted to be closer to her friends. She moved to some village in Kent I’ve never heard of.” Alice stared at the woman, and she stopped and gasped. “Oh, I’m so sorry! I didn’t even think when I started helping…”

  Alice laughed again. “No, I am glad for the help,” she replied as she handed the woman a glass jar of preserves. “I was wondering what you are doing for work now.”

  Sally sighed. “I’m helping at the inn, but I don’t like it much. It’s not the work so much but I prefer working for the same person every day, not cleaning up after people I don’t know.”

  Once the basket was empty, Alice placed it in the corner. She placed a few logs into the fireplace and once the fire was started, she hung a kettle on the hook over the flame. As they waited for the water to heat, Alice put a few biscuits she had purchased onto a plate and set them in the middle of the table.

  “So, do you have any family here?” Alice asked as a way to keep the conversation going as she prepared the tea.

  “No,” Sally replied sadly. “My mother died when I was very young, a fever, and my father was killed in a carriage accident just two years ago.”

  “I am so sorry,” Alice said. “I did not know.”

  Sally smiled. “And how would you? No, it’s all right. I now live with my sister and her family. It’s not easy for them, they have five children already, but right now there’re not many choices for women who aren’t married.”

  Once the tea was ready, Alice placed the teapot next to the biscuits and poured for them both. Sally gingerly took a single biscuit, as if it w
ere a delicate piece of edible china. “Have as many as you wish. I have plenty.” Alice laughed. “If I eat too many myself, I am afraid I will have to get new clothes.”

  Sally laughed and grabbed two more.

  “You know,” Alice said as she took a biscuit for herself, “I was just thinking I will be in need of a lady’s maid once Lord Blackmoore and I are married. Would you be interested in a position working for me?”

  Sally’s eyes lit up. “I would love to work for you!” she said with much enthusiasm. “But, wait, where will I live?” She leaned in and lowered her voice. “I think Patrick is going to ask me to marry him this evening.”

  “Is that so?” Alice asked innocently. “And how is it you know this?”

  “He has kept on about us having dinner at the inn tonight, which makes no sense whatsoever when we could eat a perfectly good meal at my sister’s house.” Though she seemed to make light of the situation, her cheeks had gone a bright pink.

  “Well, if that is the case, I believe Lord Blackmoore has a cottage on his land where you and Patrick can live, if you would like that.”

  “Oh, that would be ever so helpful,” Sally said as she clasped her hand to her breast. “I…er…was wondering…well, you see…”

  Alice gave her a smile. “What is it?”

  “Well, since I know Patrick will be asking me tonight, I was wondering if you might be able to help me with my hair. I mean, I can work a brush through any other woman’s hair, but my own? It’s so unruly, the only thing I can do is pull it back and cover it.” Then she seemed to realize what she had admitted and she looked ready to cry. “I’m sorry, Alice. I don’t know what’s come over me! You’ve asked me to be your lady’s maid and I’m asking you to fix my hair. What you must think of me.”