War Comes Home to Winthrop Manor: An English Family Saga (Winthrop Manor Series Book 2)
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The Johnstons and Josephine were finally able to meet. Josephine planned a lovely weekend at Winthrop Manor complete with a dinner party, so everyone in the extended family would be given the opportunity to spend time together. Neil was granted leave for a weekend at the first of February. He had spoken to his parents about what sort of clothing would be suitable for the occasion.
The Johnstons had never imagined attending a dinner party at the home of a countess. They were still becoming accustomed to the fact that their son was marrying into such an aristocratic family. Neil’s parents were by no means uneducated or down-market. In fact, both had grown up in London and had attended fine schools. They had fallen in love with the country and the idea of owning a farm had great appeal. Neil’s mom, Lillian, had even participated in a London Season, which is where she had met her husband, Wayne Johnston. He had graduated from a fine men’s college. However, shortly thereafter, his parents were killed in an automobile accident. Wayne inherited enough money to buy a farm in Wiltshire, and that was what Lillian and he chose to do. Lillian’s family was infuriated at her choice and disowned her. She hadn’t cared a whit. She and Wayne had spent many happy years on their farm, had one child, Neil, and were never sorry they’d left the possibility of a glamorous life. Still, that didn’t mean they’d forgotten how to behave in a formal environment.
* * *
When the date for the dinner party arrived, Josephine couldn’t help but remember the night when she’d met Win’s parents for the first time. Josephine was adamant that such a horrendous scene would never be repeated at Winthrop Manor.
When the Johnstons arrived, accompanied by Neil, the family–including Elisabeth, Tom, Susan, Estelle, and Josephine–were dressed and ready to receive their guests. Estelle had been in a flutter all day, eagerly waiting to see Neil. She had dressed in a white wool dress, purchased long before the war. It was simple in design, with long sleeves and a square neckline. She wore only her engagement ring as jewelry. Josephine, who was nearly the same size she’d been when she married Win, wore a simple, elegant dress identical in colour to the pale, shell-pink gown she’d worn so long ago when first meeting Lord and Lady Winthrop. She so wished Andy could have been present, but she suspected he was somewhere over Italy at the time.
When the guests arrived, Estelle ran to Neil’s arms, not caring at all if her behaviour was proper. No one else cared either. They kissed and held to each other as if they never wanted to be separated again. Neil looked extraordinarily handsome in a formal black-tie ensemble, as did his father, and Lillian was radiant in a lavender taffeta skirt with a white organdy top embroidered with tiny violets. Estelle was so proud of her soon-to-be in-laws. Josephine greeted them warmly, immediately erasing any uncomfortable feelings they may have harboured. The rest of the family followed suit.
They all made their way to the drawing room, where memories were like ghosts. Josephine knew that Win would have been so terribly proud of her abilities as a hostess. The evening was everything she had hoped it would be. Glancing at her daughter, she couldn’t help being aware of the remarkable changes that had overtaken Estelle. She was the picture of happiness with Neil by her side, and it was obvious that Lillian and Wayne shared her feelings about the handsome couple.
When everyone proceeded to the dining room, the footmen held chairs for the ladies, and because of Andy’s absence, Tom said grace. Elisabeth looked at him adoringly, thankful that he had been exempted from participation in the war due to the need for him to remain at his medical practice in Cloverdale. Without Tom, the many small villages in the area would have had no practicing physician for miles around. It had been his desire to join up and become a military doctor, but the powers that be judged his presence to be necessary in the small rural area.
Toasts were made to Estelle and Neil, Josephine as hostess, and tender reminiscences of Andy. The other brave Englishmen who were protecting their homeland were also remembered. Elisabeth’s eyes momentarily filled with tears as she thought of her beloved first husband, Andrew, who had been killed in the Great War. Tom looked lovingly at his wife and understood her momentary sadness.
When the lavish dinner was over and it was time for the family and guests to retreat to their bed chambers, everyone felt as if they had become dear friends. There had been joy, sadness, and many memories shared, but most of all, happiness for Neil and Estelle reigned supreme.
* * *
The next day was unusually warm for early February. Neil and Estelle made their way to the stables where horses were saddled, and they set off on a long ride through the countryside. Estelle decided to show Neil the quaint cottage where her brother had lived with Josephine during the Great War. Neil immediately fell in love with it. Estelle had always dreamed of living in such a sweet bungalow, but the chances of that were very slim. Still, as the two rode back to the manor, the subject was discussed.
“You don’t suppose your mother would allow us to set up housekeeping in the cottage, do you?” asked Neil.
“When, darling? You have to be in Chatham for four months,” she replied.
“No. I mean after the war, Estelle. There’s quite a lot of acreage there. We could raise our own sheep and crops.”
“Gosh, I never even thought of such a thing,” she answered. “Nevertheless, what about your parents? I hope we’ll have children in time. There wouldn’t be enough space.”
“I suspect Mum and Dad will make an attempt to purchase the house in Chatham. If it can’t be sold, I would bet my life they’ll buy another house nearby. They already adore Chatham. I don’t think they’ll want to leave.”
“Well,” answered Estelle, “It’s certainly something to think about. I’ll ask Mummy what she thinks about the possibility.”
When the couple returned to Winthrop Manor, Estelle sought out her mother. She found Josephine addressing wedding invitations in the library. Although Estelle had maintained that she would send simple, hand-written invitations, Josephine had extinguished that idea and ordered engraved vellum cards meant to be posted to every guest on the lists submitted by Lillian Johnston and Josephine herself. Naturally, Estelle and Neil had added friends of their own to the ever-growing number of invitees. What had begun as plans for an uncomplicated wedding had become an elegant affaire.
When Estelle entered the library, Josephine looked up and saw her daughter still clad in her riding clothes. Josephine placed her pen on the desk and smiled. “Hello, sweetheart. Did you and Neil enjoy your ride? Where did you go?”
“Oh, lots of places, Mummy, but the most fascinating was the darling cottage you and Elisabeth lived in during the war. The one that Win had built for you.”
“Yes, it is quaint, isn’t it?” Josephine responded. “If you’d told me you were going there, I’d have given you the key. It’s still furnished. Did Neil like it?”
“Mummy, he loved it. He has the most wonderful idea, but I’m not certain you will be in favor of it,” Estelle continued.
“Tell me what it is,” Josephine asked.
“Neil thought that after the war, perhaps we could move to the cottage. We’d be able to have a farm and raise some sheep. Petunia could live with us there.” Estelle smiled. “We’re quite certain that Neil’s parents will want to remain in Chatham. They seem to love it there. What are your feelings about the cottage?”
“Right now, that sounds like a first-rate plan. However, I don’t think I’m in a position to answer definitely at the moment. Let’s wait until this ghastly war has ended. There is also the possibility that Andy may have fallen in love and be married by then. Don’t you see? This isn’t the time to make such a decision.”
“You’re right, Mummy. I’ll tell Neil that it would be better to wait until after the war to make this decision. I’ll catch up with him before he leaves the stables. I left him to groom the horses since the stable boys are all off to the war. Poor old Jasper can’t do everything alone.”
Chapter Nineteen
On February 23
, 1943, Estelle stood in the foyer of the chapel at Winthrop Manor. All of the guests had been seated and the ancient structure was filled to capacity. Estelle looked ravishing. All brides were supposed to be beautiful, but she had truly outdone herself. The dress she wore blended perfectly with the charming, sacred environment. It brought tears to Josephine’s eyes to think that not only had she married Win in that enchanting dress, but her own mother wore the same charming gown when she’d vowed to love her father until death parted them.
Josephine wore a lavender taffeta gown, signifying that February was Estelle’s birthday, and Lillian Johnston was garbed in a pale purple dress for the same reason. Neil’s wedding gift to Estelle had been an amethyst necklace, bracelet, and earring suite to match her engagement ring. Estelle’s bridesmaids wore white taffeta dresses, sprinkled with lavender violets.
The entire congregation had gasped with delight when they saw Estelle on Andy’s arm, as the music for the procession began. Not even Estelle had known that he had been granted leave to escort his sister down the aisle. She’d had to brush away tears when he walked into the chapel. As the music began to play, Estelle clung to his arm, and Andy even had difficulty holding back tears of joy.
When they reached the altar, Father Comer asked who gave Estelle in marriage as Neil looked on, his heart bursting with love.
Andy answered, “Her mother and I do,” just as Win would have, had he been present.
He passed Estelle to Neil and took a seat next to Josephine. Mother and son held hands throughout the ceremony. After Neil slipped the wedding ring consisting of a row of amethysts on Estelle’s left hand, she replicated the act by placing a gold band on his left hand. They stepped up to the railing, knelt to pray, and communion was administered. At long last, Father Comer pronounced them man and wife. Neil lifted Estelle's veil and gently kissed her. As long as they lived, they never forgot that magical moment. The happiness dwelling in their hearts caused each to say a silent prayer for the thousands of soldiers around the globe with whom they would like to have shared their special moment. From that day forward, Estelle and Neil were certain that Private Neil Johnston and his wife were certain to have God’s blessing, just as England was certain to be victorious.
* * *
About the Author
Mary Christian Payne was highly successful in several management positions in Fortune 500 Companies, in New York City; St. Louis, Missouri; Orlando, Florida; and Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her work included Grant writing, and designing and writing training manuals for executive training programs.
She left the corporate world and became Director of Career Development at the Women' Resource Center at the University of Tulsa, where she designed a program that enabled hundreds of adult women to return to college and better their lives. She received the Mayor's Pinnacle Award in 1993 for this achievement. Mary left that position when the Center closed and then opened her own Career Counseling Center. She retired in 2008.
Mary Christian Payne became a successful, best-selling author at the age of 71 with the help of her publisher, Tom Corson-Knowles. All of her life, she had wanted to write and had received accolades for her unpublished work. She was encouraged in college, and writing was a significant part of the various jobs she held.
In 2013, she read Tom Corson-Knowles’ book about publishing on Kindle. She wrote to him, and he telephoned her. The rest is history. Since that time, she has published nine books, with more on the way.
Mary lost her husband in June 2015, after 33 years of marriage. The grief process brought a lull to her writing, but she found that putting words on paper helped immensely. She is now in the process of writing her second novel since his death. She lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma with her two beloved Maltese dogs.
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Other Books by Mary Christian Payne
The Somerville Trilogy
Willow Grove Abbey: Book 1 of the Somerville Trilogy
St. James Road: Book 2 of the Somerville Trilogy
Serendipity: Book 3 of the Somerville Trilogy
The Claybourne Trilogy
The White Feather: Book 1 of the Claybourne Trilogy
The White Butterfly: Book 2 of the Claybourne Trilogy
White Cliffs of Dover: Book 3 of the Claybourne Trilogy
The Thornton Trilogy
No Regrets: Book 1 of The Thornton Trilogy
No Gentleman: Book 2 of the Thornton Trilogy
No Secrets: Book 3 of the Thornton Trilogy
The Herrington Trilogy
Picture of Innocence: Book 1 of The Herrington Trilogy
Picture of Intrigue: Book 2 of the Herrington Trilogy
Picture of a Dream: Book 3 of the Herrington Trilogy
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