‘Yes, er Rose, if that’s what you want’, he said, a little stiffly.
‘Thank you William’, she said, feeling pleased that she had, at last, spoken up about it.
They finished their drinks in silence; both thinking about the situation, which, would or would not, arise, with regard to Ellie and the son of the house.
Chapter Twenty
Over the next few weeks, Ellie cared for Victoria with skill and consideration, and her Mistress appreciated her efforts. She was happy to have a maid who she could trust to do the right thing. The children loved Ellie and were always telling their mother about the things she said and what she did to make them laugh.
‘May we have Ellie as our nurse Mama?’ asked Beth, ‘she tells us lovely stories’.
‘And what about poor Ada; what will she do without any ‘little people’ to care for?’ said Victoria.
Beth thought for a moment, and then said, brightly, ‘of course, we love Ada too, so we don’t want her to leave. Do you think Ellie will look after Ada as well?’
Victoria called for Ellie who had been listening, whilst clearing Victoria’s writing desk.
‘Yes Miss Vicky? Doe anyone want me?’ she said with a mischievous smile.
‘Apparently, my children do, Ellie. How do you think you would like to look after my two offspring, their nurse and myself? Of course, this would leave you with at least one hour a day to look after yourself. What do you say, Ellie?’
Beth looked up at Ellie, with anticipation, ‘please say yes, Ellie’.
Ellie put on a serious face, ‘but Beth. What do you want with me, when you have Ada? She is so good to you. If I were to look after too many people I would not be nice to anyone. I would be too tired and weary and turn into an old ‘crosspatch’. You don’t want that do you?’
‘Oh no Ellie, I want you to stay just the way you are’. Her little face lit up as a thought came into her mind.
‘But if you can’t look after us all, you will still be my friend, won’t you?’
‘Oh darling, of course I will. How could I not be, when you are such a good, sweet, little girl?’
Beth turned to her mother, and said, sternly, ‘you must not keep Ellie too busy. We don’t want an old crosspatch do we Mama?’
Victoria smiled at her daughter, ‘I’ll see to it Beth, don’t worry’.
This seemed to satisfy Beth and she went off with her doll to find Samuel.
When they were alone, Victoria took Ellie’s hand in hers and said, ‘you handle the children very well, you know. And, if I may say so, you manage me quite well too. You, obviously don’t realise what difference you have made to my life. It was so dreary before you came here, I sometimes thought, I would not survive to see my children grow up. Now I am certain I will enjoy the things I am able, and the rest I will have to resign myself to leaving to others’.
‘I have made little difference Vicky, all you needed was a little encouragement’.
‘But the fact is Ellie that it was you who gave it, and I will never forget it. I just fear that one day, someone will come and sweep you off your feet and then I will never see you again’.
‘I doubt that it will ever happen’, said Ellie, remembering Richard’s smouldering eyes searching her own.
As if reading her mind, Victoria asked, ‘tell me Ellie. Have you seen much of my brother, of late? James, that is?’
‘I see him in passing sometimes Miss, but he is so friendly with all the staff, it means nothing more. Why do you ask?’
‘It’s of little importance, really. I was just going to say that he talks of you often and seems taken with you. Mother and Father, of course, have no idea where his interest lies, but should they find out, they would feel obliged to put a stop to it. I just think, a little timely warning is in order’.
‘Thank you Miss Vicky, but it is not necessary. I have no designs on either of your brothers so you need have no worries about it’.
‘Not either of my brothers eh!? Well Ellie, I don’t remember mentioning Richard at all? I think you will find that I mentioned only James. Now could it be that Richard is the one?’
Ellie said nothing. She was aware that Victoria was teasing her, but she was most annoyed about it, probably because it came too near to the truth.
Victoria realised that she had offended her maid and she really hadn’t meant to. Good heavens, she loved the girl, why did she do these things to people?
‘Forgive me Ellie, I was teasing you and I know I shouldn’t. I expect that God will punish me for every unkind deed’, she said, holding out her arms in despair; ‘I am a lost cause’.
‘Oh Vicky, what am I to do with you? You can be so annoying’, but Ellie could not be cross with her for long, and walked into the bathroom, calling to Victoria as she went.
‘Do you want a bath, or do you want to sit all day, annoying hard working maids?’
Victoria laughed and, if she had been able, she would have run into the bathroom and hugged Ellie. Instead, she nipped her nose between finger and thumb, and raised her voice, mimicking the housekeeper.
‘One of these fine days you will get ‘above yourself’, Miss Ellie Windsor, then what will you do for a good position?’
‘I really don’t care Miss Maud’, was Ellie’s haughty reply, and they both burst into giggles, like young school girls.
As Ellie awoke the next morning, a strange feeling came over her. She was rarely ill, so took little notice, until she could ignore it no longer. She had a sudden, compelling, urge to vomit. She ran along the landing, to the bathroom, and got there just in time. As she knelt in front of the lavatory pan an uncontrollable trembling took over her body. She could not understand how she could suddenly feel so ill. Perhaps it was something she ate?
Ellie knelt there for some ten minutes, until the feeling of queasiness faded away, then slowly, returned to her room.
Kate awoke as she entered the bedroom. ‘Where have you been Ellie? You look a little strange’.
‘I’m afraid I have been ill Kate. I simply can’t understand why. I felt all right last night’.
‘It must have been something you ate’.
‘Yes, that’s what I thought’, she said and climbed back into bed.
The next three days convinced Ellie that her disposition was nothing to do with eating. She was very much afraid that it was more to do with her guilty secret.
She prayed for something to happen to prove her suspicions unfounded, but no such reprieve was forthcoming and with sickness and faintness attacking her throughout the following week, she had to accept that she was pregnant.
Over the next few weeks she confided in no one, until she could decide what to do. Of course she would have to leave here and this made her sad, but there was nothing else for it. She could not tell Richard that she was carrying his baby for he would not believe her. Her mind was in turmoil.
The fact that she was not at her best was put down to the loss of her mother, so no questions were asked of her. Rose was very quick to pamper her whenever she came into the kitchen and was pleased when James came down and occupied Ellie in conversation.
‘It will help Ellie take her mind off things a little’, she said to William. For all her misgivings about such a friendship, Rose thought that, at this time, it was better that she had someone to talk to.
James turned to Ellie and said, ‘do you have to be back upstairs yet?’
‘No not for another half hour. Why?’
‘Then walk around the garden with me Ellie for I have something to say to you’.
She looked puzzled but accepted his arm as they went out into the bright light of the day.
James did not release her arm but turned her towards him. ‘Ellie, I feel I must inform you of my feelings for you. You must know that I have fallen in love with you’.
‘Oh James, I know nothing of the sort. I know you are fond of me and very pleasant and considerate, but you are that kind of person.
‘I tell you Ellie I
love you and I hope you feel the same way about me’.
‘Oh James’.
‘Please Ellie. Say you will marry me?’
Ellie felt less than happy at the turn of the conversation and felt it imperative that she put James right on the subject.
‘I’m sorry James but I don’t feel the same way. I have grown to respect you and of course I am very fond of you. However, I must say that I do not love you’.
‘I love you enough for both of us. You will learn to love me. Please say that you will think about it?’
‘I can’t James. You force me to hurt you, but the fact is, I love someone else’, she looked into his face, which was showing all the humiliation that only unrequited love can cause, and added, ‘I am carrying his child, so you see I could never say yes’.
James felt his heart, beating madly, throughout his body. It was as if his world had fallen apart.
‘But Ellie I have never seen you with a man. Tell me who he is’.
‘That, I cannot reveal, James for he knows nothing of the child and never will’.
‘But he must be made to face up to his responsibilities. You must tell him’.
‘I cannot do that. I will have to leave this house and make a home for the child’.
There was no doubt in James’s mind that Ellie was telling the truth. He was angry that she should turn out to be other than he had dreamed but he found himself, still, in love with her.
He took her hands in his and looked deep into her eyes.
‘Ellie, I still love you and I could help you with your predicament. I want to marry you and take care of you. I could say the child is mine and would cherish it, should you allow me. I could give your child a name’.
‘I couldn’t let you sacrifice yourself in such a way James. Although, I’m grateful for your proposal, I cannot accept’.
‘Please Ellie. It would be a way out for you’.
‘And what of your parents; they would be less than overjoyed at our union. They would not allow it’.
‘They will when they realise that I love you and you are to have my child. In any event, they would not prevent me from marrying you if I were to show my determination. Please say yes Ellie’.
Ellie, knowing that she could not have the man she loved, suddenly decided to take advantage of this opportunity, for the sake of her unborn child. At least the child would bear its rightful name. She felt like a drowning woman reaching out in a stormy sea. Ellie was relieved and, at the same time, defeated.
‘Very well James, if that’s what you want, and you’re sure, I will marry you’
‘I’m sure my love. I have never been surer. Oh Ellie, I love you so very much. I will have a word with my father as soon as I can and we will be married within the month’.
Ellie allowed James to kiss her. His lips were soft on hers and his arms held her tightly. She placed her hands on the sides of his face and said, gently, ‘you are a wonderful man James, kind and thoughtful and I am really very fond of you’.
James swung her round and was so happy that Ellie could not help but be happy too.
‘You won’t be sorry Ellie. I’ll make you happy. I will. I will’.
He was singing as he left her. Ellie came down to earth and wondered how it would all turn out.
The following evening whilst on their usual walk home, from the mill, James found the opportunity to speak to his father alone.
‘I’ve been wanting to speak to you Father about a private matter’.
Well son, there’s no time like the present’, Edward said, genially, ‘get it off your chest’.
James hesitated, ‘er ... it’s a bit personal Father’.
‘So long as you are not going to tell me that you have got some poor girl pregnant’.
‘As a matter of fact Father...’
‘What?’ Edward was red faced and furious.
‘Father if you will just listen to me. Yes she is pregnant but I love her dearly and want to marry her’.
‘You should have been more careful. I know that you young men think with your passion, but I didn’t take you for a fool. What kind of a girl is she, eh!? All tits and ass I expect’, he laughed.
‘She is beautiful Father, the girl of my dreams. I know that when you get to know her, you will love her too’.
‘Oh, it’s not that Lucy person then?’
‘No, her name is Ellie’.
‘That’s a damned silly name. Which family does she evolve from?’
‘Her name is Ellie Windsor, Father, and she works in our home. As.... a maid’.
‘A maid? What foolishness is this James? You cannot possibly marry a maid. I won’t allow it, do you hear? She will be dismissed immediately’.
‘But Father ...?’
They were nearing the house and Edward marched on in front of his son towards the entrance. James followed behind, his head bent.
‘What on earth is the matter Edward?’ said Louise, seeing her husband in such an irate state, ‘why are you so angry dear’.
‘Your son, that’s who has made me angry. That fool wants to marry one of our maids. Can you believe it? Well I won’t have it’.
‘Edward do ‘hush’ dear or you will make yourself ill’. She turned to James who entered silently, his face a picture of misery.
‘What is all this James? Surely it can’t be right?’
‘I’m not afraid to say it’s true. I am in love with Ellie, Mother, Victoria’s maid. She is to have my child’.
‘Oh James’, his mother sat down, heavily, ‘what on earth made you do such a thing’.
‘Oh what’s the use? You would never understand’.
Victoria and Richard entered the room and were informed, by Louise, of the ‘terrible state of affairs’.
Victoria was the first to speak. ‘Well I, for one, think it’s a lot of fuss about nothing. If James marries Ellie, then I would say, he’s a very lucky man, and as she is ‘with child’ he should, in all conscience, do just that’.
Richard commented briefly, ‘I agree with Victoria. James should meet his responsibilities’.
Edward interrupted his voice, cutting, ‘have you gone out of your minds? She’s a scullery maid, for God sake. She cannot possibly marry into this family. We will be the laughing stock of the district’.
‘But Ellie is different Father’, said James, desperate for his father's approval, ‘and she’s no longer a scullery maid’.
‘Yes James?’ he spat, ‘in what way is she different? I suppose you are going to tell me that she is not interested in your money or position? That she is a simple girl who just happened to fall in love with the Master’s son? Get a grip of the truth son; she is nothing but a fortune hunter and a social climber. You would be laughed at for your folly’.
Richard saw red at his father’s words.
‘Ellie is not any of these things. She is a good, honest girl who has been unfortunate to fall for a man of little spirit’, he said. Then turning to his brother he shouted, ‘tell him James. For God’s sake man, defend her’.
James hung his head, ‘he won’t listen to me. What’s the use?'
‘What indeed?’ said Edward, ‘she is a common girl and not exactly our type so, you had better get the whole thing out of your mind because I will not allow you to do otherwise. If you think you will go ahead, anyway, you will not get a penny from me’.
James said nothing.
Victoria, with tears spilling from her eyes, cried, ‘Father, you make me ashamed. Ellie is not like other maids. She has the manners and demeanour of a well brought up girl. She would fit in very well; really Father’.
‘Victoria, you talk rot. You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear and I will not allow her to bring my family down’.
But the child she is carrying is your grandchild. A Courtney. Doesn’t that mean anything to you Father?’
‘I won’t listen to any more. I am going to my study and want to hear no more on the subject. The girl goes’.
&nbs
p; Louise took, the now sobbing, Victoria out of the room, leaving the two brothers alone.
Richard turned on his brother, ‘what a spineless cad you turned out to be. How could you let him speak that way about Ellie? You’re supposed to love her’.
‘I tried Richard. I really did but he wouldn’t listen to me. I don’t know what to do. God, how did I get myself into this mess?’
‘By taking advantage of an innocent girl, that’s how’.
James did not say that Ellie was not the innocent girl Richard thought her to be. He said nothing for he felt defeated by everything his father had said. He was a coward, in the face of his father’s wrath.
Richard was furious with James and made no secret of the fact.
‘I’m going for dinner in the dining room. If you want to eat, though God knows why you would, eat somewhere else for I cannot abide your company a moment longer’. With this, he loudly made his exit.
Ellie was summoned to Miss Maud’s sitting room and dismissed. The housekeeper disliked the maid and found no difficulty in the duty she had to perform. However, she had to admire the girls composure as Ellie thanked her for her employment over the last few years and said she would pack her belongings and be gone within the hour.
Kate was very upset at the events of the day and had clung to Ellie with the, futile, hope that somehow she would say it was all a joke and she was not going away, after all.
‘But what will you do Ellie? Where will you go?’
‘I will find somewhere and let you know as soon as I am settled. Please don't worry about me, I’ll be fine’.
‘Is there no hope that the father will marry you?’
‘No Kate. He knows nothing of the baby and I will not approach him’.
‘Ellie, I know it’s none of my business but tell me, is it James?’
‘James is a good friend to me and tried to help. But no, he’s not the father’.
‘Then who Ellie?’
‘That I cannot tell you Kate, as much as I love you’.
Kate was hurt that Ellie could not confide in her and would never understand how it had been possible for her friend to have a young man and she not know about him. She hardly ever went out of the house.
The Windsor Girl Page 17