by Janette Oke
The man looked bewildered, but he sat down.
"I guess I should explain--briefly," Belinda went on. "I want to put this property to good use. But I don't know how to go about it properly. And I don't know my options--my limits. I need legal aid--advice--to help with some major decisions."
"I see," returned the gentleman, but he didn't sound as if he saw at all.
"It's a large house--very big. I haven't even counted the bedrooms," Belinda continued, feeling embarrassed. "Of course some of them are needed by the staff. The staff is to stay on," she hurriedly explained. "This . . . this is their home, too."
The man nodded.
"Of course, I won't be here. I plan to go home just as soon . . . just as soon as I can get this all settled."
"Could I speak with the homeowner?" the man asked cautiously
Belinda felt her cheeks grow warm again. "I am the owner," she maintained. "That's why I have called you here."
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"Ma'am," the attorney said, stopping Belinda cold, "this is a legal matter. I will need some legal papers."
"Like. . . ?"
"A deed."
"Oh, you mean to the house? Yes, I have it now. It was just delivered last week. It is right here," and Belinda crossed to a safe in the wall. When she had opened it with a click, Belinda removed some documents and handed them to the lawyer. He studied each carefully, his eyes darting from the papers to Belinda and back again.
"How did you obtain the house?" he finally asked her. "Aunt Virgie--Mrs. Stafford-Smyth--left it to me in her will."
"Your . . . your aunt?"
"Well, not my aunt--not legally I just called her Aunt Virgie. I worked for her. I was her nurse . . . and her friend," Belinda explained.
The frown on the lawyer's face deepened. "And now you wish to dispose of the house?" he asked.
"Yes," said Belinda.
"Because you can't afford to maintain it?" questioned the man.
It was Belinda's turn to frown.
"Do you need the money?" the lawyer asked outright. "Oh no," Belinda hastened to inform him. "She left a good deal of money along with the house."
The attorney took a deep breath. "You . . . you just wish to be rid of it? To sell?"
"Oh, I don't want to sell," Belinda told him. "My, no. I would never sell Marshall Manor. I just want to . . . to put it to good use. Aunt Virgie said I could--in her letter."
The attorney looked perplexed. Belinda smiled. "Perhaps we should start over," she offered. "We both seem confused."
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The man laughed then. "Perhaps we should."
"Here," said Belinda, handing him a package. "Here is the will--and the letter. Read it while I ring for some tea. I feel in need of some. Perhaps you would join me."
Belinda gave Mr. Keats plenty of time to study the legal document and the note. When he laid it aside and removed his spectacles, Belinda began again. "Do you understand now?"
"Understand? No. But things are certainly in order. You have the will, the deed. You are free to do whatever you wish with the property."
That much was good news to Belinda.
Windsor brought the tea tray, and Belinda poured and served the beverage to the gentleman.
"Now, what I need to know is, what ways are there for me to put this house to good use?" she asked after they each had taken a sip of tea.
"You mean--like a public museum, with an entrance fee?" Belinda shook her head impatiently. Why does everyone think
that I want to use it for income? she muttered inwardly. I have no
intention of desecrating Aunt Virgie's home for money. To the gentle man before her she said, "I want to use the home for good. As a means of ministry--just like Aunt Virgie said in the letter." "In ... in what manner, ma'am--er, miss?"
"I don't know," responded Belinda. "That's why I need your advice."
"I see," said the gentleman, sounding a bit impatient himself.
There was a moment of silence.
"It would help me tremendously, miss, if I had some . . . some idea as to what you have in mind," Mr. Keats stated at last.
"Well . . . well, I don't know exactly," responded Belinda. "But . . it seems to me that with so many homeless on the
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streets and all of these lovely rooms here that . . . well, that there should be some way to get the two together."
The man looked shocked. "You mean . . . like . . . like an overnight hostel?" he queried.
"No, no. Something more permanent than that. So much coming and going would likely ruin the house. . . and run the staff to death. We can't do anything like that."
The man seemed relieved.
"But there must be some way to put this lovely place to good use," determined Belinda. The man rose to his feet and returned the package of legal documents to her. "I'll look into it," he promised.
"Oh, thank you," replied Belinda sincerely. "I was about to give up in despair. . . and I do so much want to get this finalized and return home."
Mr. Keats cast a glance all around him. "The house is beautiful. Frankly, I can't imagine your ever wanting to leave it. But I'll call as soon as I have some ideas," he assured her, and then Windsor was there to show the man out.
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FIFTEEN
Dinner
"How nice," murmured Belinda as her eyes quickly scanned the formal invitation in her hand. "It's from Mrs. Prescott," she said, lifting her head to speak to Windsor. "She has asked me to dinner next Thursday"
Windsor gave a slight nod. "You will wish the carriage, m'lady?"
Belinda thought for a moment. "Oh, dear," she said. "I don't even know where Mrs. Prescott lives."
"Mrs. Prescott was never much for entertaining, miss. She came here often, but she was always much too busy--" Windsor caught himself and began to gather up the tea things. "I know the way, m'lady," he said instead. "I have driven Madam a number of times in the past."
The mention of Mrs. Stafford-Smyth brought a momentary pain to Belinda's heart. An evening spent with Celia Prescott might be very difficult. It was bound to bring back many memories of their times together in the past. Belinda wondered if she was quite ready for such an occasion. She stirred restlessly then rose from her chair and walked to the unlit fireplace. She stood rubbing her hands together in agitation, her eyes staring into the ashes, though actually seeing little. Windsor turned to look at her.
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"Maybe I . . . maybe I should just decline the . . . the invitation," she said hesitantly.
"Madam would not wish that, miss," Windsor replied softly, evenly.
Belinda looked up quickly, surprised at the unusual voicing of opinion from someone who had carefully withheld such comments in the past.
"No-o," she conceded. "No. . . I don't suppose she would. But it's . . . it's going to be so sad. . . ."
Windsor nodded.
"Do you miss her terribly much?" Belinda suddenly burst out.
For a moment there was only silence; then Windsor nodded his head. "Most terribly!" he answered, then turned and was gone with the tea things.
Belinda stood looking down into the empty' fireplace. Ashes, she thought. Only ashes where once there was a warm and living flame. It's rather symbolic. Oh, I miss her.
She brushed tears from her eyes and left the fireplace to cross to the window. In the gardens Thomas was working over a flower bed, McIntyre curled up on the lawn beside him, head on paws. The elderly man and his dog seemed such a natural part of the landscape.
Belinda smiled softly. It was a beautiful day and Windsor was right, she admitted. Mrs. Stafford-Smyth would not want her to sit at home. She, Belinda, had to get on with life.
She went to the corner desk and settled down to write her acceptance of the dinner invitation. Then she tucked the note into an envelope, left it on the hall table for Windsor to deliver, and went out to the gardens to see Thomas.
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Belinda prepared carefully for the dinner engag
ement. She felt a great deal of excitement after all and no small measure of curiosity. Why was the woman inviting her to dinner? It was true that while Mrs. Stafford-Smyth was living, she regarded Celia Prescott as one of her dearest friends. It was also true that during the time Belinda had lived at Marshall Manor, they had not been invited to the Prescott home. Belinda had heard the ladies refer to times in the past when they had shared dinner or tea at the Prescotts', but it had seemed that Mrs. Prescott was no longer disposed to formal entertaining. "It just takes so much out of one," Belinda had once heard Mrs. Prescott tell Mrs. Stafford-Smyth.
So why now? Belinda asked herself again. And why me? Perhaps Mrs. Prescott realized how deeply Belinda was missing their dear mutual friend. Or perhaps Mrs. Prescott herself was keenly feeling the loss. At any rate, an evening out will be good, Belinda decided. She attended church services on Sunday and went on an occasional shopping trip, but that was the extent of her outings. Even a beautiful house could become a bit wearisome when she had only the staff to share it with.
Belinda looked at her reflection in the mirror. The dark blue silk was becoming. As Belinda smoothed the rich material over her hips, she remembered a comment Mrs. Stafford-Smyth had once made. "I don't want anyone ever going into mourning black for me," she had said. "When people think of me, I want them to think colah. Brightness, not morbid black. You weah colah--blues, greens, crimsons--you heah me, deah?"
Belinda had laughed at the time. Mrs. Stafford-Smyth had not looked like a lady about to bid farewell to life. But then she had gone--so suddenly. As Belinda studied her mirrored reflection and the blue silk, she thought again of her former employer's lighthearted words.
"I know you would approve, Aunt Virgie," Belinda whispered
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softly. "But will others understand?"
Belinda sighed. Celia Prescott might not understand. Belinda rang for Ella. Tonight I will have my hair styled, she decided.
Windsor was waiting when Belinda came down. The evening was warm and the air heavy with the scent of flowers when she climbed aboard the carriage. She was tempted to tell Windsor to just drive--anywhere. It was good to be out. It was good to soak in the loveliness of the neighborhood gardens. It was good to just escape for a few moments and forget the heaviness of her heart. She realized she was actually looking forward to conversation around the dinner table--even if the other guests would be three or four times her age. One of the things she dreaded most about each day was eating dinner all alone.
Soon the carriage was pulling up before a wide entrance. Belinda stared at the ornate columns, the blue-gray shutters, the windows long and lean, the lines graceful. It was a pretty house--though not nearly as magnificent as Marshall Manor.
Windsor assisted Belinda from the carriage. "I shall pass the time with Malone," he informed her. "Have Chiles ring when you are ready."
Belinda gave Windsor a brief nod and was soon being admitted by Chiles himself. Mrs. Prescott appeared in the hallway, enthusiastic and light as always.
"My deah girl," she exclaimed, "how have you been? I've been thinking of you--constantly"
Belinda murmured her thanks and allowed herself to be drawn into the parlor.
"You look just lovely, my deah," Mrs. Prescott went on. "Just lovely And so right. I know how Virgie felt about black. She called it a 'disgusting colah.'" Mrs. Prescott laughed heartily at the recollection.
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"But come, my deah," she said. "I want you to meet someone."
Mrs. Prescott drew her toward the chairs before the fireplace, and a young man rose to his feet. Belinda had not noticed him when she entered the room. And he certainly had not made his presence known. He looked embarrassed about greeting her now. He extended a hand, quickly pulled it back and tucked it awkwardly behind his back, then slowly began to extend it again.
"Belinda, my nephew, Morton Jamison," Mrs. Prescott beamed. "Morton, this is the delightful young lady I was telling you about."
Morton flushed and fully extended his hand. Belinda took it momentarily and gave a customary shake. "How do you do?" she greeted him with a smile. He muttered in return and self- consciously wiped his hand down the length of his dinner jacket.
"Morton is studying at Yale," went on Mrs. Prescott, and Morton flushed a deeper red.
"I see," commented Belinda. "How nice." She attempted an encouraging smile. The young man was really uncomfortably shy. Belinda felt sorry for him and wished to put him at ease.
"Please, please be seated," she smiled and moved to take a chair herself. With a look of great relief the young man sat down.
"What are you studying?" Belinda inquired.
"I . . . I haven't really decided," the young man stammered. "Maybe. . . maybe business. . . maybe law I . . ."
"Morton has his daddy's business to run--someday," cut in Mrs. Prescott. "Right now he's preparing himself with a broad background."
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Belinda nodded. "I'm sure that's wise," she agreed and gave the man another smile.
Belinda found her eyes scanning the room. It would appear that she was early. Other guests had not as yet arrived. Belinda had already decided that she didn't plan to develop the habit of lateness, as Celia Prescott seemingly had done. She turned back to her hostess, who was speaking again.
"I thought it would be nice for you young folks to get to know one anothah, being the same age--and you alone in that big house and all," she was saying. "You must get awfully lonely."
"That's very kind," Belinda said softly. "I do get lonely at times."
"Well, you just count on us--me and Morton, anytime, deah," fluttered Mrs. Prescott, and Morton shuffled uneasily in his chair.
Chiles entered the room, cleared his throat, and announced in a rather high voice, "Dinnah is served, madam."
Mrs. Prescott nodded and quickly stood up. "Well, well, now. Let's go right in."
Young Morton seemed totally confused. He acted as if he didn't know if he was to escort his aunt Celia or the young lady dinner guest. Mrs. Prescott took charge. "I'll lead the way, Morton, and you bring Miss Belinda," she directed. Morton moved to hesitantly offer Belinda his arm, his face red with embarrassment.
Belinda ached for the young man. He was so obviously ill at ease that she could only sympathize with him. She gave him a smile and fell into step beside him.
His build was slight, making him seem shorter than he actually was, Belinda noticed. His chin was sharp, his nose a bit too long, his mouth too large, his eyes squinty and hidden behind rimmed glasses, his hair stiff and awkward looking.
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These features taken alone would not have been a problem, but combined as they were on the young man, they did not make an attractive whole.
Perhaps he is so unsure of himself because he is so plain, reasoned Belinda, determined that she would do her best to set the young man at ease.
"I thought it would be nice to have just a cozy little chitchat," Mrs. Prescott explained as she took her place at the table and motioned Belinda to her right, the young man to her left. Belinda had figured out by now that she was the only guest, a mystifying fact she did not have time to mull over at the moment.
Sitting directly across from the young man proved to be more unsettling than if she had sat next to him, Belinda decided. His nervousness was even more apparent when he was forced to meet her eyes. As a result, Belinda, too, became self- conscious and found it difficult to converse.
Fortunately for the dinner party, Celia Prescott never seemed to run out of things to say. She chatted endlessly throughout the meal, and Belinda needed only to give an occasional nod or murmur some acknowledgment. But as the evening progressed, it became more and more apparent that the woman had "set up" the dinner as an opportunity for the two young people to "become acquainted." Belinda began to feel more and more uncomfortable.
"A young woman like you, attractive and poised, ought to be married," said the frank Mrs. Prescott. "And it does seem such a pity that you shou
ld bear the whole burden of caring for such a big house and estate all on you-ah own. I told Morton heah that one who has had some training in business affaihs should be handling all of that fuss. My word! I nevah would have wanted to care foah the business end of things like my Wilbur was expected to do. So many things to considah.
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Now--well, I just live heah. The trust takes care of all the details. I . . ." and she rambled on and on.
Belinda was beginning to get the picture. "Oh, I really don't mind the business details at all," she finally had a chance to say. "I do have a reliable attorney. It makes it much easier. And I also have an excellent staff. They can care for the house and grounds quite well on their own."
Mrs. Prescott looked a trifle disconcerted. "But still," she hurried on, "a young woman like you needs a . . . a husband. . . family. Surely you don't want to live all you-ah life alone. Why--"
Belinda smiled. "Perhaps living alone is preferred to living with ... with an unsuitable mate," she said evenly. Morton shuffled uncomfortably. It was clear he felt he was being discussed. Oh dear, thought Belinda, annoyed with herself. I hadn't meant. . . I only meant. . .
Belinda felt sorry for the young man and tried to change the direction of the conversation. "Do you plan to travel this winter, Mrs. Prescott?" she asked.
It seemed to take the older woman a few moments to change the direction of her thoughts. At last she was able to respond. "No . . . no, I think not . . . though I really haven't given it much thought at all. I . . . I, well, it's early yet. I often don't make my plans until much latah."
"Have you seen the new play at the theater?" asked Belinda, determined not to let the conversation return to its former topic.
"Yes . . . yes, I have. Twice, in fact," admitted the woman. "Then it must be a good one," Belinda enthused, glad for something new to discuss.