CHAPTER TEN
As they made their entrance, Win’s father, the Lord Winthrop, stood in Josephine’s honour. The Lady Winthrop, Win’s mother, remained seated. Lord Winthrop smiled graciously, stepping forward to his son and Josephine. Reaching toward her, he grasped her hands with his.
“Welcome to Winthrop Manor, Miss Chambers. Win has spoken of you with admiration. We’re pleased to have you as a dinner guest.”
“Thank you, my lord,” Josephine replied. “I’m most honoured to be invited to your lovely home. This room is simply breathtaking.” She couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease.
“Thank you, my dear. We recently had it renovated. We were rather delighted with the outcome. That sort of task is immense. Nonetheless, when one is a member of the peerage, one’s home must reflect such a position,” added the Lady Winthrop. She did not seem quite as welcoming as did Win ‘s father.
Josephine wasn’t certain about how to respond. She immediately felt the Lady Winthrop was underscoring the fact that the Winthrop family was far superior to the rest of society. She hated to feel the way she did, but her immediate sensation was one of aversion. She definitely felt antipathy toward the Lady Winthrop. The Lord Winthrop, on the other hand, appeared to be an affable, approachable gentleman.
“Please, sit down,” Win’s mother continued.
The Lord Winthrop rang a small buzzer embedded in the wall. Radcliffe appeared almost immediately.
“My lord, what may I bring you?” he asked.
“I assume the young people would like something to drink, Radcliffe.”
“Miss Chambers, what would you care for?” Radcliffe enquired.
“Perhaps a glass of white wine,” she replied. She was sitting very straight with her legs together and directed to her right, as her mother had taught her when she was quite small.
“What would you prefer, my lord Win?” Radcliffe asked.
“I believe scotch with a dash of soda,” Win answered. He reached over and patted Josephine’s hand.
The Lord and Lady Winthrop had to have noticed his affectionate gesture toward her. The Lady Winthrop scowled.
“Yes, my lord. I’ll be back momentarily,” answered Radcliffe. “Do you or my lady wish anything more”? He turned his attention toward the Lord and Lady Winthrop.
The Lord Winthrop turned to his wife. “My dear?”
“Yes, I’d like another glass of champagne.” Her expression was still definitely rather sour.
“Bring one to me, as well, Radcliffe,” added the Lord Winthrop.
“Yes, my lord,” the butler responded as he disappeared down the hallway.
The moment Radcliffe left the room, Win’s mother turned to him.
“Win,” she said, “I need to speak with you for only a moment on a private matter concerning the household.” She looked to Win’s father. “Will you two please excuse us for a moment?”
Win and his mother walked to a more secluded portion of the room.
“What is it, Mother? You seem a bit distressed. Is something the matter here at Winthrop Manor?” Win asked, concerned by her odd behavior.
“I’m not absolutely certain, Win. However, I want to alert you to something I’ve recently noticed. Vera has been demonstrating some strange behaviour of late. On some occasions, she seems perfectly sane and sensible. On others, she shows confusion. I’m not quite certain what should be done.”
Vera—Mrs. Whitaker—had been responsible for overseeing all kitchen duties for many decades. Win thought of her as a member of the family. He’d never given much thought to her age, but in doing so now, he realised she had to be approaching her late sixties or beyond.
“Have you spoken about this with father?” Win asked, anxious to return to Josephine’s side but also concerned about a person he’d known since birth.
“Yes, of course. He feels I’m making too much of this. She is, indeed, growing older. Your father feels her forgetful and sometimes confused moments are nothing more than a sign of declining age. I’m not so certain.”
“Why don’t you have her see a physician?” Win suggested.
“I’ve thought about that. However, I don’t want to give the impression that we are worried something may be amiss.”
“Tom Drew is going to be here tonight for the dinner. He’s a physician, you know. Find a time to have him speak privately with Vera. Send him to the kitchens to thank her for a lovely dinner presentation. Let him speak with her for a spell. He’ll be able to form an impression, which may help in determining exactly what is going on.”
“That’s a grand idea, Win. Thank you, dear. I’ll do just that. Now, let’s rejoin your father and our guest.”
Win sat down again beside Josephine, and Radcliffe returned with a silver tray, holding the desired refreshments. Each glass was distributed to its designated owner.
“So…tell us about yourself, Miss Chambers. Win has related the tragedy you suffered in April 1912. We assume that has to be what brought you to our area from London. Is that correct?” Win’s father asked.
Josephine was comfortable with the Lord Winthrop. He seemed to be making a true effort to be kind to her and was especially showing interest in her life. After all of the anxiety she’d experienced waiting for this night to arrive, she was finding the Lord Winthrop was a true gentleman. He reminded her of Win. Her darling fiancé had definitely inherited his father’s personality. Perhaps all of the things she had worried about with regard to differences in backgrounds had been unnecessary.
It was kind of him to be showing so much interest in her, and she was glad to be able to converse with Win’s parents, as she had a genuine interest in knowing them well. After all, she had no mother and father of her own, and this couple would be her mother and father after she and Win married. “Yes, that’s right, my lord. Do use my Christian name, please. Call me Josephine. You needn’t feel a requirement to be formal with me.”
“I don’t believe we know you well enough for such familiarity,” uttered the Lady Winthrop. Her mouth formed an unattractive line. “Perhaps in time…”
“Mother, I would very much like for you to make use of Josephine’s given name. She’s going to be a frequent guest at Winthrop Hall. There’s no need for such stiffness,” Win said, his obvious irritation colouring his voice.
“If that’s your wish, Win, I’ll comply, although it doesn’t seem perfectly proper to me,” she answered.
“My lady, there’s no need for such inflexibility. Now, continue, Josephine. Tell us about coming to live with your uncle and about how you and Win became friendly,” the Lord Winthrop went on.
“Well, as you know, my parents were passengers on the ill-fated Titanic,” she continued. “Both went down with the ship. It was truly horrifying. My brother Andrew and I were immediately contacted. I was at home, in London, with my governess. Andrew was at Oxford. He arrived home only to learn that we had no parents, nor even any remains to bury. My father was a well-respected architect. He travelled all over the globe. Mother always accompanied him.”
“How quaint,” exclaimed the Lady Winthrop.
His mother’s smug attitude was beginning to anger Win, who was ordinarily quite passive where his mother was concerned. The Lady Winthrop appeared to be making a special effort to show her superiority toward Josephine.
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I think it was more than quaint on the part of Josephine's parents,” Win interrupted. “In my opinion, not enough couples place emphasis upon the time and attention necessary for a marriage to be truly special. I find it extraordinary to think how much they must have adored each other. What Josephine hasn’t told you is that her mother was offered the opportunity to leave the crippled ship with other women and children, aboard a lifeboat, but she chose to stay by her husband’s side, thus perishing with him. Yes, Mother, I suppose that is rather quaint.” Win’s voice dripped with sarcasm, but he didn’t give a whit. His mother needed reminded of her manners.
The Lord Winthrop
cleared his throat. “Indeed. Yes, that is quite remarkable. Ahem. So, I gather the decision was made to send you here to Hampshire to live with your uncle?” Obviously, he was anxious to move away from Mother’s rude statement.
“Yes, my lord. My parents had appointed him as our guardian when we were quite young. We’ve both always adored Uncle Roderick. At first, I missed London, but I’ve grown to love the countryside. Andrew was in his second year at Oxford when we lost our parents, so he returned to school. He’s home with us now, but he studied the law. Next, he’ll be reading with a well-thought-of barrister in London. I only learned that recently. I knew he was searching for the proper individual to become associated with. Now, apparently, he has signed a contract. He’s older than I am and has received his full inheritance, so he’s completely independent.”
“Are you planning a Presentation?” asked Win’s mother.
Again, Win thought, the question seemed somewhat rude and a bit out-of-place. She was very well-versed in matters of a social nature, and, as such, would have been certainly aware that for Josephine to be a debutante during the 1913 Season, or any Season, was highly unlikely. She may have come from a solid, middle-class upbringing, but she wasn’t of the aristocracy.
“I’m not of the nobility, my lady. Surely, you’re aware I wouldn’t be included in the Season,” Josephine answered in a remarkably poised manner.
“Oh, yes. Of course. I’m so used to young ladies your age making preparations for the Season. I quite forgot,” murmured the Lady Winthrop.
Win had reached the limit of his endurance. His mother was being intolerable. She certainly wasn’t going out of her way to be warm and welcoming to Josephine, as she would surely have been to other friends of the aristocracy. Win placed his arm ‘round Josephine’s waist, pulling her close to him on the sofa.
“Mother and Father, before we go any further with this conversation, I wish to make it clear that this is the lady I have chosen to be my wife. I love her intensely,” he announced.
His mother’s face paled, and his father looked as though he had received a devastating blow. Win had never before witnessed such an unpleasant reaction from his parents. Mother appeared astounded, and Father’s facial expression was most awkward.
Win turned toward his father, who was sitting in the chair opposite Win’s mother. “I meant what I said. Josephine and I are over-the-moon in love. We are absolutely certain we’re perfectly suited in every way. We’re going to proceed with plans for a wedding in the Winthrop Manor chapel.”
His mother apparently couldn’t help herself. “Am I expected to be exultant at this news? Well, I shan’t be. Win, if you follow through with such folly, I’ll not have any part in it. I’m immensely sorry, Josephine. I’m sure this is a terrible disappointment. Nonetheless, you are not an ignorant young lady. You should have known that nothing could ever come of an amorous relationship with a viscount. “
“To put it simply, Mother, Josephine has more elegance than any lady I’ve yet to meet during a Season. The whole rigmarole is foolishness, at best.” Win spoke rather arrogantly.
His mother continued to sit with rigidity and a standoffish manner. “Win, you are the heir to Winthrop Manor. Whomever you marry will become a countess. No young lady with a lack of credentials will be accepted into the aristocracy. I think you should remember that the Presentation and Season separate the common people from those who meet nobility’s standards.”
“All that matters is our love. People always say a couple should have an heir and a spare. I understand Oliver will be here tonight. He’ll undoubtedly bring this Season’s latest debutante. You can honour him with his lifelong dream. Oliver is a true Winthrop highbrow. He’s always had a streak of resentment because I’m the eldest and will inherit. I’m sure he can and will find a suitable elitist who will marry him, so she can become a countess. I’d be more than happy to live a simple, normal life. The most important thing in the world to me is Josephine. Therefore, announce to Oliver that he will be stepping ahead of me in the queue to become the earl.”
“Now, son, calm down,” his father said. “You know that what you are proposing is not even feasible. The rules governing inheritance of titles are quite well-defined. For centuries, the English people have followed the laws of primogeniture, as you are well-aware. I couldn’t disinherit you from someday becoming the earl, and thus, the gentleman who will succeed me as the owner and individual who will take the reins at Winthrop Manor, even if that were my desire. Naturally, your mother and I are shocked by your news. We had no idea you were even seeing this young lady. Now you’ve brought her to Winthrop Manor for the first time and announced your intention to marry. She is a lovely young lady. Nonetheless, she is not a member of the aristocracy, and you should at the very least give us an opportunity to contemplate our feelings.”
Josephine stood and excused herself, making her way to the powder room. Win accompanied her, filled with anger at his mother’s appalling behaviour. If the dinner hadn’t been scheduled to begin in less than an hour, Win would have announced that he and Josephine were leaving at once. However, her Uncle Roderick and Andrew had never visited Winthrop Manor before, and it would have been exceedingly rude not to have been present upon their arrival.
Josephine splashed water on her face and held a cold cloth to her eyes, which were swollen and red from tears she’d shed. Win retrieved her reticule from the drawing room, where his parents still sat, looking bewildered and out of sorts. It was obvious that his father was angry, and his mother, instead of looking regretful for the offensive comments she’d made, was making an attempt to coax his father into seeing her point of view.
“I’ve come to collect Josephine’s reticule,” said Win. “If it weren’t for the guests who will be arriving, we would both leave at once. I’ve never been so ashamed of anybody in my life, Mother. Your despicable words wounded Josephine to the core. What should have been a joyous evening for her has become a downright nightmare. She is trying to repair the damage your exceedingly unkind words did to her lovely face. She’ll succeed, and we’ll act the roles of our lives throughout what should have been a pleasant event. I hope you realize I shall never forgive your odious behaviour.”
“You needn’t be concerned that there will be any more impolite words. Yes, it’s true, your mother acted rude and impertinent. I don’t intend for that lovely young lady to ever find herself abused in such a fashion again. Now, please give her our profound apologies, and let’s continue with a nice dinner party,” said Father.
Win’s mother’s face turned scarlet, but she made no attempt to argue. It was the first time in his memory that his father had made disparaging remarks about her to their children. Win turned and left the room, pleased with the outcome. He returned to Josephine. She quickly removed a small brush from her reticule, as well as a powder puff and some lip rouge. In less than five minutes, she looked lovely. Win put his arms ‘round her, telling her briefly of the words he’d spoken to his parents.
“There will be no more discourteous behaviour. I understand it will be most difficult for you, but I pray you’re able to forgive my mother’s incorrigible words. We can continue with the blissful evening we anticipated. I love you, darling. I meant every word I said. Either you will be accepted as my intended wife, or I shall relocate. You look heavenly, and I want this to be a special evening for you.”
“I’m fine, Win. Your mother was merely astonished at our announcement. Quite obviously, she isn’t ready to lose her beloved son. No one on Earth would be good enough in her eyes. Let’s forget this unpleasantness. I don’t hold grudges, Win. I love you, too, and thank you immensely for standing up for me. Nevertheless, the painfulness is over. Let’s proceed with our anticipated merriment.”
Win kissed her warmly. “You’re one in a million, my precious angel. Thank you for being so forgiving. My mother will find, in time, that you have more refinement and style than all of the titled young ladies in the aristocracy.”
&n
bsp; Josephine laughed. “A rather overdone statement, Win, but a lovely one. Come, let’s rejoin your parents, and forget anything prior to this moment.”
Hand in hand, they returned to the drawing room. Upon entrance, Win’s father stood and walked to Josephine’s side. Normally, he was not a terribly affectionate man. Nonetheless, he appeared to make a great effort, holding Josephine gently in his arms for a moment.
“Forgive my wife’s behaviour. We were both somewhat taken aback by the news of your betrothal. Now that we’ve had time to adjust, we both are very happy for you and our son.”
“Is that the truth, Mother?” asked Win. “Are you ready to accept Josephine as your daughter, and treat her with love and respect?”
“Yes. Of course, I’m very happy for both of you. I was momentarily shaken by your announcement, but now I’ve had a sufficient period to grow accustomed to your news. Naturally, I’m delighted.” His mother’s voice was without inflection. She spoke in what appeared to be a rehearsed monotone.
“That’s fine, then,” Win remarked. “Let’s please make the other guests comfortable, and have an enjoyable evening.“
“Absolutely, son. There’s no question whatsoever about this being a splendid occasion. I intend to send Radcliffe to the cellars for several bottles of our finest champagne. This will be a remarkable celebration, as it should be. It’s not every day that an elder son becomes engaged, let alone to a young lady as captivating as Josephine,” the Lord Winthrop remarked.
“Quite” replied his mother in a soft voice. There was no evidence of joy radiating from her.
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