“Will you excuse me a moment?” She didn’t wait for their acquiescence before heading for the kitchen.
When she returned after gulping down a few mouthfuls of the bread, a chunk of cheese, and a slice of ham, she felt a great deal more composed. Taking her usual chair by the fire, she considered the sisters.
There was only a little more than a year between the two girls in age, Marianne knew, and they were very close. Clarissa had more than once expressed distress over Diana’s going to London for the upcoming Season, but Marianne had always assumed -- incorrectly, she now realised -- the whole family would be going. Clarissa being left behind would be upsetting for both girls, and not helpful for Diana’s nerves at all.
“Thank you for bringing me something to eat,” Marianne said finally when neither of the girls seemed inclined to break the silence. “I appreciate your thoughtfulness.”
Diana looked at Clarissa, and it was the younger of the sisters who spoke. “I want to go to London too, Aunt Marianne.”
“Of course you do,” Marianne said understandingly, “but I do not see what you think I can do about it.” Clarissa and Dana must have heard everything last night when they listened in the hallway as Arthur humiliated Marianne. It must be obvious to her exactly how little influence Marianne had.
“If you weren’t here, Mama and Papa would have to take us all.” Diana leaned forward. “If you went to visit Lady Havers, and then joined us in London. Or maybe stayed with the Havers there and just met up with us sometimes.”
“I know you both overheard the scene last night, Diana, so you already know it’s not a possibility.”
“What if you had the money to go, though?” Diana took something from the pocket of her dress. “We both think Papa is very mean to you, and after last night, it’s obvious he just wants to keep you here to be, well, a governess, and he’s too much of a skinflint even to pay you.”
Marianne bit her lip. She would not speak ill of Arthur to his daughters, but it seemed they saw him quite clearly all the same.
“Mama is generous with our allowance, however, and we are not in the habit of spending it. I told Papa this morning I wanted to go to Durham tomorrow and purchase some trinkets before we go to London, and he said we could take the carriage and even gave me some more money.” Diana extended the purse she held. “It’s not nearly as much as you should have been paid, but we think it should be enough to buy tickets on stagecoaches and rooms at inns to sleep in along the way to Herefordshire”
Marianne hesitated. “Whose idea was this?”
“Mine,” Clarissa said firmly. Though she was the younger of the two, she was definitely the leader. “But we are both in agreement this is the right thing to do.”
Diana nodded in agreement and tried to press the purse into Marianne’s hand. “Please take it. Papa will not think twice of your accompanying us to Durham tomorrow to go shopping, and though you cannot take more than one bag…”
“I could not carry more than one anyway.” Coming to a decision, Marianne accepted the purse. “Thank you,” she said sincerely. “Come with me, if you will?”
Diana and Clarissa followed her up the narrow stairs to her bedroom and the second, smaller room beyond it which was meant for a maid. Without a maid of her own, however, Marianne used it for her wardrobe - all the beautiful dresses she no longer had occasion to wear were stored there.
“Oh,” Diana whispered, amazement on her face as she gazed at the colourful spectacle before her. “Oh, how spectacular!”
“Most of these are not suitable for a debutante, I’m afraid,” Marianne said regretfully, brushing her fingers over a wine-red silk gown with a gold lace overdress. “However, there are a few here in lighter colours, and you are very much the same size as me, Diana. They would require minimal alterations for you to wear.” Moving confidently among the hanging gowns, she selected one in palest rose, another in spring green with a tiny pink silk flower print, and a silver satin gown which she had never cared for but would look stunning with Diana’s dark brown hair and eyes.
“Here,” she heaped them into Diana’s arms before opening drawers in a dresser and gesturing to Clarissa. “You are not out yet, so I’m afraid none of the gowns would be suitable for you, but there are ribbons and lace aplenty here. Take whatever you wish; it is yours.”
“We can’t take your lovely things, Aunt Marianne,” Clarissa protested.
“Call it an exchange.” Marianne hefted the purse in her hands.
“What we gave you wouldn’t buy a single one of these gowns!” Diana exclaimed, trying to hand them back, but Marianne refused to accept.
“You are incorrect, my dear girls. You have given me my freedom. I cannot take these with me, and I would far rather have you wear them than let them moulder away here. Everything I leave behind is yours; I give it to you freely.”
Overcome, both girls pressed close to embrace her and thank her profusely, but Marianne knew they had given her the greater gift.
Chapter Five
)
Havers Hall, Herefordshire
Mid December, 1819
Five days later, Marianne walked slowly up the long tree-lined carriageway to Havers Hall, her bag weighing heavily on her weary arm. It had been a long, cold, exhausting trip from Creighton, and the last leg had been the worst; she had paid a farmer returning from Worcester to Haverford to give her a ride, but he had dropped her at the end of the carriageway with a remark in an accent so thick she hadn’t understood more than one word in two.
Two of the words had been ‘Havers Hall,’ though, and combined with his pointing finger and cheerful smile, she had taken it to mean the end of her journey was finally approaching.
A half-mile walk was the last thing she wanted, but she had little choice. Summoning the last of her internal fortitude, and praying Ellen and Thomas were at home, she trudged up the long gravelled way, almost too weary to appreciate the beautiful house coming into view.
Havers Hall was a large building of golden stone, which would have likely glowed in the sunshine on a summer’s day, but still managed to look magnificent even on a grey December day with rain clouds threatening. The closer she got, the more intimidating the house looked, and Marianne found herself nervous of her reception as she climbed the wide, shallow steps to the huge double doors at the main entryway.
Maybe they’ll tell me to go around the back, to the servants’ entrance, she thought with a small giggle to herself. She was wearing one of her plainest gowns, a dark grey wool practical for travelling but hardly glamorous.
The door opened promptly to her knock, and an imperious-looking butler inspected her from head to toe before saying, “May I assist you, madam?”
“Marianne, Lady Creighton.” She tried for her best imperious tone in return and must have achieved it in some measure at least, because the butler looked slightly surprised and immediately stepped aside to welcome her into the house.
“I do beg your pardon, my lady. I understood you were not expected for another week or so, but Lord and Lady Havers will undoubtedly be delighted to welcome you.”
“Thank you,” Marianne murmured, relieved.
“I am Allsopp, the butler. May I take your bag? The, ah, rest of your luggage?”
“Later, Allsopp,” she murmured, allowing him to slip the bag from her frozen fingers with a sense of relief.
He stepped aside with it and tugged on a bell cord, and moments later a footman entered the grand hallway. “Matthew, please advise her ladyship that her guest, Lady Creighton, has arrived ahead of schedule.”
The order became redundant a moment later, as Ellen, Lady Havers, descended the stairs, dressed in a blue gown one would think far too simple for a lady of her rank if one was not acquainted with Ellen herself. A smile came to Marianne’s weary face at the sight of her friend; it seemed Ellen had not changed in essentials even though she was now a countess.
“Marianne?” Ellen said disbelievingly.
I must loo
k a fright, Marianne thought, pale, weary and dirty with road-dust. Ellen’s delight at seeing her was genuine, however, and she found herself drawn into a close embrace.
“Dear Marianne, you didn’t send word you’d be arriving early! In fact, we haven’t received any letter from you at all; I hoped you would accept the invitation… why, you’re shaking with cold! Come into the library, it’s lovely and warm in there. Have some hot tea sent in immediately, Allsopp, and whatever Cook can rustle up quickly to warm Lady Creighton, please.”
“At once, my lady,” Allsopp said to their backs as Ellen put her arm around Marianne and led her through a door into a beautiful library, light and airy, quite unlike the dark-panelled, musty room at Creighton Hall. A fire crackled merrily in the grate. Marianne soon found herself pressed to sit down in a comfortable chair, Ellen scooping up a shawl from the back of another chair close by and settling it around her shoulders.
“There, we’ll soon have you warm. I’m so glad to see you.”
Marianne felt quite ridiculous for being brought to tears by Ellen’s joyous welcome, but she could not prevent the fat drops which threatened to spill.
Perceptive and kind, Ellen saw her distress and immediately pressed a handkerchief into her hands. “Hush, now. You’re tired and overset. We’ll have some hot tea and you can tell me everything later.”
Grateful when Ellen didn’t press her, Marianne slowly regained her composure over tea and scones, warm from the oven and dripping with butter and jam. She took the time to survey her friend, thinking that marriage very clearly suited Ellen. The young countess fairly glowed, and though the cut of her gown was simple, Marianne noticed now the quality of the fabric and the delicate embroidery one shade darker than the fine wool which decorated the bodice. Her brown hair was beautifully curled and arranged, braids looping around her head in a coronet, while her changeable, sea-coloured eyes were bright with happiness.
Envy twisted in Marianne’s gut, and she looked down at her teacup, silently chiding herself. Ellen deserved her happiness. She’d lost her parents, her home, everything. If Thomas hadn’t inherited the earldom almost by sheer luck and fallen in love with his distant cousin, who knew what circumstances Ellen might have been reduced to? At least Marianne had never had to worry about having a roof over her head, even now.
“My housekeeper will have your suite aired and warm by now,” Ellen said as they finished their tea, “so let me take you up and you can refresh yourself. Will you come down to dinner tonight, or take a tray in your room? It is only Thomas and me at present, since our other guests aren’t expected to arrive until next week, but we should be delighted to have your company. And then, perhaps, you might wish to tell us what has you arriving on our doorstep in such a state, alone, with only one small bag?”
Ellen’s words were gentle, but they caused another surge of guilt in Marianne. “Yes,” she agreed, looking up to meet her friend’s kind smile. “Yes, I’d love to join you both for dinner, and I’ll tell you everything then.”
)
Marianne had brought one nice gown with her, a lavender silk which rolled up surprisingly small. The lady’s maid Ellen had sent to attend her pressed it while Marianne luxuriated in a copper tub filled with steaming water and aromatic soap, soaking off the grime of travel and allowing her strained nerves to unwind. She had barely slept since leaving Creighton, and the feeling of finally being safe and warm had her eyelids drooping with weariness.
“My lady,” the maid said quietly, “shall I rinse your hair, now? Else there will be too little time to dry it before dinner.”
“Yes, thank you,” Marianne said, pushing herself to sit forward a little reluctantly. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name, earlier?”
“Jean, my lady.” She had good hands, gentle as she washed out Marianne’s long, wavy auburn hair and combed out the tangles, squeezing it firmly in a thick piece of linen to squeeze out as much water as possible before helping Marianne from the tub and swathing her in a beautiful silk dressing-gown which had certainly not been in Marianne’s small bag.
“Come sit by the fire, my lady, and let’s dry that hair off,” Jean encouraged, and Marianne followed, only too pleased to sink into the comfortably upholstered chair and curl her feet up beneath her, tilting her head towards the flames.
She must have drowsed off while Jean went back to pressing her gown and dealing with her other clothes, all of which needed laundering, because the next thing she knew, Jean was gently waking her and her hair was quite dry.
“You do seem very tired, my lady. Are you sure you wouldn’t like a tray here and to go straight to bed? I’m sure the Earl and the Countess wouldn’t mind…”
“No, no,” Marianne waved off Jean’s concern. “I thank you, but I feel much refreshed after that little rest, and I am looking forward to seeing Lord Havers again.” Her stomach chose that moment to let out a loud rumble, and she chuckled. “I admit to feeling rather famished, too!”
“As you wish, my lady,” Jean said with a small laugh. “How would you like me to do your hair?”
Not wanting to put Jean to too much trouble, Marianne settled for a simple coil of braids at the nape of her neck, a few curls hanging loose at the side of her face. Not for the first time, she was grateful for her naturally wavy hair; it took a curl very easily and needed little work to be arranged into any fashionable style she pleased.
Very soon, she was following the same young footman who had taken her bag on her arrival along the twisting hallways of the grand old manor house, admiring the paintings on the walls, the beautifully polished wooden floors and thick carpets, the immaculate cleanliness of everything. “It must take an army of servants to keep the Hall in this condition,” Marianne mused aloud.
“Lord and Lady Havers turn away no one who needs employment,” the footman answered her, a little to her surprise. “They have begun a programme of training young men and women who wish to enter service, and servants trained at Havers Hall are now in high demand throughout the county. A school in the village has been opened, too, and all the local boys and girls are learning to read and write.”
The footman sounded quite incredulous, and Marianne supposed it was quite unheard-of to teach common-born children their letters. Especially the girls. It sounded very much like the thoughtful Ellen she knew and her egalitarian American husband, though. “How wonderful,” she said encouragingly as they descended the grand staircase. “And are you one of these trainees?”
“Yes, my lady. Is it so obvious?” He looked quite dismayed, and she tried not to laugh.
“Not at all, I should never have guessed. I was merely curious,” she said kindly, though in truth most footmen would not have spoken to her unless she asked them a direct question. Undoubtedly, the young man would learn that rule as he completed his training, though she found his relaxed, informative attitude quite refreshing.
Allsopp, the butler, was in the hall at the foot of the stairs, and he bowed low to her as she descended the last step. “Good evening, Lady Creighton. Lord and Lady Havers await you in the parlour.” He gestured for her to follow him.
Thomas and Ellen stood by the fire, deep in conversation, but they at once broke off with welcoming smiles as Allsopp conducted Marianne into the parlour and formally announced her.
“Lady Creighton, it is delightful to see you again.” Thomas bowed formally over her hand. “Ellen is overjoyed you were able to come so soon.”
Marianne smiled at him. “I am overjoyed to be here… and please, call me Marianne. Since I am imposing on your hospitality without notice, it seems rather ridiculous to insist on the formalities.”
Thomas chuckled and nodded. “I’m sure you know formal address doesn’t come easily to me anyway,” he said frankly, “so I’m very happy to hear you say that, Marianne. You must call me Thomas, of course.”
“Of course,” she echoed, and let Ellen take her hand and draw her closer to the fire while Thomas poured her a glass of sherry to savour befo
re dinner.
With the warmth of their welcome and an excellent dinner set before her, Marianne felt comfortable and safe enough to slowly reveal what had led her to depart Creighton with such haste and secrecy. Ellen was vocally outraged on her behalf, proclaiming herself disgusted with Arthur and Lavinia for attempting to ban Marianne from London.
“Your nieces sound like dear girls, though!” Ellen declared as Marianne explained how Diana and Clarissa had made her escape possible. “I look forward to meeting them in London, and of course you must accompany us there, and remain with us for the Season. You are welcome to stay with us for as long as you wish, dearest, for life if need be. And please believe me when I say that I certainly do not expect you to act as an unpaid governess or companion! In fact, if you would be interested,” she cast a glance at Thomas, who nodded benignly, “there are a number of young women in Haverford who would definitely benefit from exposure to a lady of your quality and talents. I have no doubt we could find some paying work for you, if you wished it.”
“I would very much appreciate that,” Marianne said stoutly, though she had never worked a day in her life.
Thomas gave her a perceptive look, but said nothing as Ellen went on.
“In fact, if you would be willing, I would greatly appreciate your advice myself. I have never hosted a house party, and there are a thousand and one ways I could make a spectacular social misstep. Your assistance would be invaluable… Thomas, dear, could you find out the going rate for a paid companion? I want to make sure I am not taking advantage of Marianne…”
“Certainly not,” Marianne said at the same time as Thomas said;
“Of course, my love.”
“I could not accept payment for helping you, Ellen,” Marianne continued. “Please consider it my thanks for your most generous hospitality. Anything I can do to assist you, please, you need only ask.”
“I most certainly will.” Ellen’s smile was a little cheeky. “You may regret such a generous offer!”
A Marquis For Marianne (Blushing Brides Book 2) Page 3