He saw in her expression a flash of truthfulness to support her exclamation; she truly did not want him to go.
Dahlia suspected she had betrayed a touch of desperateness in that one word. Feeling James’ eyes on her, she schooled her features to calmness. “I merely meant that after your sojourn in Paris, you must be missing your friends and classes.”
James stared at her demure demeanor. He did not want demure, not from her. He realized last night that he wanted the passion he had seen in her on the first evening of their acquaintance. “You have always been most forthright and honest with me, Miss Talbot. It is one of the things I love most about you, because it is quite unique among your sex.” Dahlia’s steadfast gaze towards the Roma camp faltered as she heard these words. She flicked a glance at James.
“I do not look forward to returning to London,” James continued, all mirth gone from his tone. “I have learned much more practical knowledge during my two apprenticeships than in all my classes combined. I am not by nature very patient. I am eager to learn, but even more keen to put learning into practice. My father always told my mother that I was a better student for having made a mistake and learned from it than for having studied how to avoid it beforehand.” He smiled wanly, thinking of his father’s wisdom which he could now only appreciate in hindsight.
“Then there is the matter of my uncle. It is no pleasant thing to reside with a man who despises me for a sin he perceived in my father’s choice of a bride.” He saw Dahlia’s brows furrow. “She was not English, and although her family was of the Scottish gentry, they were not rich and therefore beneath my uncle’s standards.”
Dahlia thought again of her own situation, and wondered whether or not she was considered beneath Lord Telford’s dignity. “For myself, I am inclined to follow in my father’s footsteps, and marry for love.”
Dahlia thought that perhaps this statement confirmed her fears that being daughter of a country squire – regardless of her father’s successful estate, was not enough in the opinion of Lord Telford.
“This inclination,” James continued, “does nothing to endear me to him.” Dahlia saw him smile then. “Indeed, I have taken every opportunity to vex my uncle. It gives me as much pleasure as his demonstrations of distain for me gives to him.”
“So you see, coming to Cirencester, to be welcome into a home full of love and laughter and music where I can be myself, is a gift I treasure. It is here that I think of when I return to London. It is Talbot Hall to which I am eager to return.” He waved an arm at the Roma camp. “Even the Roma – who are known for their fear and distrust of outsiders – welcome me and make me feel at home.”
James stopped walking a short distance from the wagons, and Dahlia turned to face him. “There you have it. I would, in all honesty, still be sad for leaving here even if it did not mean leaving you. But as I stated last night, I met and fell in love with you without knowing Talbot Hall, without knowing your brothers, or father, or the Roma. Leaving you, Miss Talbot, is not something I shall ever be eager to do.”
Over the years, Dahlia had listened intently to the girls in the Gaggle tell of their interludes with young men, of their games and clever manipulations. She had also heard her brothers’ accounts of their perceptions of the girls in the county and their demure coquettishness. She deduced through her observations that such careful insinuations and well-planned flirtations constituted a full-time occupation with the goal of getting married advantageously, regardless of the true sentiments of both parties. She would watch the Gaggle and the objects of their affections at the balls and assemblies like male and female chess pieces moving around a board. In the last week, she learned that love was no game to be played. Hearing James’ account of his parents and his uncle’s opinions, she knew that matters of the heart – when subject to truthfulness and not artfulness, were heavy matters indeed. Regardless that it was her nature to be honest and open, she felt the weight of James’ situation and feelings. Members of the Gaggle might make light of a gentleman’s declarations, but she would not.
“I am glad to hear you say so, Mr. Kent,” she said solemnly. James smiled his brilliant smile at her, and she turned to continue walking towards the Roma. “You were wrong in what you stated last night, however.” She looked over at her companion, and the smile faded from his face.
“Oh?”
“Yes. I do know what I want, Mr. Kent.”
The smile slowly reappeared on his face as he understood her meaning. Rory gave a yip of delight on spying Steven and Maripaz walking up to greet them. Soon both couples were ensconced amidst the clans with Rory barking his insistence on being included in the proceedings.
Chapter 46
The walk to the Roma encampment proved to be the last time James and Dahlia had together alone to talk. Josephine returned to Talbot Hall with them, telling them in great detail about her palm reading.
“It is one thing to foretell a future – that is an amusement that anyone could do for who would know the truth of it at that moment? But to tell of all that had already passed in my life! Gracious!” The singer was nearly breathless with her own amazement. She turned suddenly to Dahlia and James. “Did either of you tell her of my past?” Before either of them could respond, she went on. “No, of course not. For Doña Isabel described things I have never even shared with you!”
She saw James smirk and raise an eyebrow. “Now lad, there are things a woman keeps to herself – especially if she is to keep her reputation in society. Gracious!” she exclaimed again, looking at her hand. “How could she have known? All I see are wrinkles that mean nothing. What did she say of your life, Dahlia? I daresay you’ve had your palm read multiple times over the years.”
“No, actually only once. My mother took me to see Doña Isabel’s grandmother when I was four years old.”
“And what did she foretell of your life? Certainly at that tender age she could only see what would come. Has any of it come true?”
“I remember very little of it. I vividly remember that she said I would get a new pony – and so I did!” Dahlia laughed. “It didn’t occur to me till many years later that my father and her son-in-law Don Alvaro were both horse traders and she did less to foretell that event than overhear their negotiations!”
Both James and Josephine laughed along with Dahlia. “But surely you must remember some key event she saw in your future? Did she say your true love would have blue eyes?” Josephine joked and looked at James, giving him a nudge with her elbow.
Dahlia got strangely quiet, thinking back to that day. “It was the first memory I have of the Roma – and one of the last memories I have of my mother. Both Doña Serena and my mother died the next year. She said many good things would happen in my life, and so they have. I remember something to the effect that I was special, and that my music was tied to my instincts. She said to always listen to and trust my mind’s music.”
“Why haven’t you had Doña Isabel do another reading?”
“I tried several years ago. She said she would not as Doña Serena had already read it and was a far superior palmist. I told her I did not remember all that she had told me, but she merely replied that our destinies were ours to live out whether or not we knew what they would hold.”
James saw Dahlia’s brows furrow again as she thought again on what that might mean. Josephine continued on excitedly. “Well, Doña Isabel told me in no uncertain terms that I would find love again. Imagine! Something to look forward to, that. Indeed, she said it might even be someone I have already met!” She laughed heartily, and James and Dahlia joined her. It was hard to be somber around Miss McElroy, especially when she was expounding on all the potential beaux that could come her way and a list of names of men of her acquaintance she would consider knowing better. “I daresay I would be very good for your uncle, Mr. Kent! Would you like me for a stepmother?”
James and Dahlia laughed again at the thought. “You would not have the better half of that bargain, Miss McElroy. Better you should marry Squire
Talbot and be my mother-in-law!” The jest flowed out before he realized he had voiced the words aloud. Both Dahlia and Josephine whipped their head around at him.
“Oh, like that is it?” Josephine said as Dahlia blushed. “I suspect I shall be acting as mail courier between the two of you?”
James was ashamed he had spoken the words out loud for Dahlia’s sake, but was not going to give up the opportunity Miss McElroy presented. “Aye. If you would be so good. At least until such time as our courtship can become known.”
Josephine gave a harrumph and mumbled that she hardly thought Isabel foresaw her marrying a postmaster. She walked up the main entrance stairs to the house. Dahlia and James looked at one another and smiled, then followed her in.
The next hours were filled with packing and making ready for the ride to the train station in Cirencester. Josephine’s trunks had to be repacked to accommodate all the new wares she purchased from the Roma, and took three men to lift them into the coach. Peter helped Josephine into the carriage, then sat beside her. James did the same for Dahlia, and the coach lurched forward, the horses straining under the weight. Josephine kept a running monologue of thanks to the squire for hosting her visit, of her delights with the Roma, and the charms of the Gloucestershire countryside. Peter tried to interject his own comments, but Josephine’s exclamations required no response. Dahlia and James, knowing it was pointless to interrupt when Miss McElroy was on a jag, sat in amiable silence, smiling at her exuberance.
Once at the station, Peter breathed a sigh of relief and helped Josephine out of the carriage. As Dahlia made to get out of the coach, James put a hand on her arm. She turned to face him, and he kissed her gently on the lips. She smiled at him, and he helped her out just as Josephine came around the carriage.
“Ah, there you are. Mr. Kent.” She handed him her purse. “Do be a love and get our tickets.” When he had gone, Miss McElroy took Dahlia’s arm.
“So, Mr. Kent has declared himself to you, my dear,” she stated, not waiting for a confirmation. “About time, although I daresay he could not have done so any earlier on account of your age.” She sighed heavily, watching Peter with the porters. “You father is a good man, Dahlia. Having been a guest in his house, I feel obliged to tell you that although I will act as courier for your love letters, I will read them before sending them on. If I’m to be chaperone for the two of you, albeit on the sly, I don’t want to see anything untoward pass between you, right?”
Dahlia wasn’t sure what would be considered ‘untoward,’ but she assured her friend that her correspondence with Mr. Kent would be nothing she would not feel comfortable having read. Dahlia hoped she would also inform James of this condition once they were on the train. Knowing the young girl as she did, Josephine expected to read little in the letters that would warrant censure. She only hoped that James’ behavior in town would merit as little reproof. She knew that James was smitten with Dahlia, but also remembered the incident with the actress Daisy. Men would be men, she knew; but Dahlia was young and inexperienced in such things and she doubted she would understand his attentions to other women in her absence.
Having thus dispensed of her perceived chaperone duties, Miss McElroy nodded to Dahlia and bustled to catch up with Squire Talbot.
Chapter 47
The Roma departed two weeks after Miss McElroy and James returned to London. Steven and Maripaz stayed on at Talbot Hall as planned to await the birth of their baby, which gave Dahlia the opportunity to get to know her sister-in-law better. Through much discussion, it had been agreed by Alvaro to leave Talisman for more training. Dahlia therefore spent one of the happiest summers of her life that year. She and Tom took turns with the stallion’s training and she continued with the training of other horses brought to Talbot Hall. She and Matty helped Maripaz make baby clothes and prepare the nursery. Lady Sweet joined them at least twice a week. With so much going on at the estate, the Talbots rarely participated in the town’s events and assemblies. Dahlia joked that she didn’t need society outside of the Quartermaster lands, and now had her own private Gaggle. Happy as she was, she felt compelled to share her good fortune by continuing her invitations to Alyce Standford. She accepted only thrice, once escorted by her brother and twice by Edward. Mr. Standford spent his time waiting for her with Peter in the study behind closed doors. From what the ladies could discern from the parlor, they spent the entire time arguing. Edward was no more inclined to communicate with the Talbots than he ever was, although he showed some small interest in talking to Steven about life with the Roma. For her part, Alyce was as quiet and timid as always. She continued to wear her long-sleeved dresses despite the heat. As Dahlia, Maripaz, Lady Sweet, and Matty were accustomed to very open conversations and witty anecdotes that had them all laughing, the lively group seemed a bit much for Alyce’s introverted persona. She would occasionally titter nervously with her hand over her mouth when she could not help herself, but all in all she seemed embarrassed to have any fun or enjoyment out of the visits whatsoever.
As Maripaz’s due date drew near, she became calmer and Steven became more anxious. When Dahlia questioned her about this, she said that there was nothing to worry about as the birthing was inevitable. “And after spending the summer heat this close to my time, it will be a pleasant change to have the baby on the outside of me!”
When Dahlia asked her brother about his anxiety, he simply replied that there was nothing he could do to help his wife – and that helplessness was fraying his nerves.
Maripaz’s expected due date in the second week in June came and went. There were explanations aplenty – miscalculation, first babies always late. Steven’s nerves deteriorated to the point that any exclamation from his wife had him running into the room where she was. At first, everyone laughed when they heard his boot steps hurrying towards them. After a week, his worrisome attitude had even Maripaz disconcerted. In the end, Steven was nowhere near the house when her water broke, and there was no exclamation from her lips. She uttered a quiet, ‘oh’ and looked down at her lap. Matty immediately went to her side to help her to her bed and Dahlia hurried to the kitchen to tell Glenda to heat some water.
When Steven returned to the house that evening, Maripaz had been laboring for several hours. By dawn, Maripaz was exhausted, but still without a baby to show for her labors. Steven was beside himself, and even Glenda and Matty were beginning to get worried. Tom left around nine o’clock to fetch Dr. Chase. Before they returned, Lady Sweet arrived, and Dahlia thought perhaps Tom had stopped to tell her of the events on his way to get the physician.
“No,” said Sharon, surprised. “We were to have brunch today. What’s happened?”
Dahlia told her and they both went upstairs to Maripaz. She was sweating, her eyes closed. Sharon took off her hat and gloves as Matty came over to whisper to her and Dahlia. “The contractions still come, but she is too weary to push.”
Sharon looked at the young woman in the bed. Steven was sitting on the top right corner of the bed holding his wife’s hand. Glenda was at the foot of the bed, Matty took up her position to the left side and Dahlia walked over to the right. Sharon couldn’t help but notice the large room seemed very small with all these people in it, acting like sentries. The room was overly warm and she opened a window. Sunlight flooded in and Maripaz, feeling the warmth on her face, stirred and squinted as she opened her eyes. She found the newcomer and focused her tired eyes on Sharon, who smiled broadly.
“Maripaz, my dear, is this the way the Roma women give birth? Shut up in a room with no air?”
Maripaz smiled wanly. “No. We rarely give birth in bed, either. We have birthing chairs, and are made to walk about to bring on the birth.”
“That’s what I have heard,” agreed Sharon. She turned her attention to the ashen-faced father-to-be. “Steven, I’m afraid your child may be half-English, but it is hesitant to come into this world in typical British form. Let us get your wife up and walking about, shall we?”
Steven l
ooked at his neighbor as if she were quite mad, then down at his wife. Maripaz was already struggling to maneuver her bulk into an upright position. He instinctively moved to help her. Dahlia had already moved to support Maripaz on the side opposite Steven and soon Maripaz was on her feet. Steven gave a quick look at Lady Sweet that conveyed surprise that his wife, who had been so seemingly exhausted a moment earlier, was upright and taking a few tentative steps. He smiled, too, in an unspoken word of thanks.
“There, that’s better,” Sharon said brightly. “Matty, Glenda, let’s go down and see about a fresh pot of tea and getting brunch started. We’re going to have a houseful of very relieved and hungry people soon, and Maripaz will need something to renew her energy when this baby is born.”
Maripaz smiled at Lady Sweet’s optimism, and continued to walk with increasing confidence. Matty and Glenda stopped in the doorway hesitantly, but Sharon ushered them into the hallway and down the stairs.
Without the three additional bodies, the room they vacated seemed suddenly very spacious. Dahlia knew nothing in particular about birthing babies, but she picked up immediately the thread of Lady Sweet’s suggestions and kept a conversation going amongst the three of them. She noted the change in Maripaz who, concentrating on walking and the questions Dahlia posed, seemed less fatigued. On their third turn about the room, she even laughed at one of her husband’s comments. Dahlia herself relaxed, and she nearly forgot the purpose of their strolling until another contraction came and Maripaz gripped her hand so tightly she almost cried out herself.
Downstairs, everyone heard Maripaz’s screams during this, and subsequent, contractions. All activity stopped momentarily, then resumed as they heard the floorboards creak and the renewed silence as the threesome continued their slow meandering around the room.
Tom returned with Dr. Chase, who looked as if he had dressed hastily, interrupted as he had been in his morning’s ablutions. Lady Sweet gave a status of the patient above and suggested he have a cup of tea before going up to see her. He accepted gratefully, trying not to admonish the Talbots for the inevitable panic that accompanied such events and which precipitated his early morning visit.
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