“Are you sure? I don’t want to put your father out,” Adeline asked.
The girl with red hair turned and looked at her confused. “Out? Do he be in?”
Adeline laughed. “It does not matter. I would be honoured to sit at your table for a meal and to have you be my escort to the tavern.”
“Honoured? They ain’t no cause for that. This way if you please,” Hilda said.
Adeline was quite relieved to have found a friend and a helping hand, and she rather liked the girl. She noticed the girl was quite pretty and would be a person of such importance were she of nobility, but as a farm girl she was rough around the edges.
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chapter
2 3
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“Here we be. My cottage. Papa! Papa!” Hilda shouted. Adeline could hear the sound of metal banging and the smell of burnt iron. Hilda skipped around a cottage to a work area with a roof. An older man of about sixty was hard at work, a blacksmith.
“Hilda, what it be lass?”
“Look what I found. She be sleeping in the dirt in the burned down workshop where I play. She be on her way to the Green Tavern to ask uncle Angus for a job and I offered her a meal at our table.”
The man stopped banging and looked at Adeline. It was obvious that he was also of Scottish heritage with a red beard and red hair and quite the stature.
“What be your name, miss? Are you hurt? Are you alright?”
“My name is Adeline Blakefield sir. I am journeying from London to Hampshire county, but I have no money, therefore I hope to be employed at a tavern or inn so that I may pay for the regulator or post to take me the rest of the way, for it is too far on foot. I heard good things of Angus and the Green Tavern.”
“Yes, my brother do alright for himself. He might be in need of a kitchen maid or some sort. You are right pretty so he might need you on the floor as a tavernmaid.”
“That is good news sir.”
“Alright. There is plenty to eat inside and then Hilda and I will take you to my brother after I done with me work here. My name is Benson Carson”
“Oh thank you, thank you sir. I am quite obliged to you and your kindness.”
“Why you talk like a proper lady. You a lady?” he asked.
“No sir I am not a proper lady. I worked in the factories in London but I was... I was...” she reached for a lie any lie. “I was raised in a convent and they taught me proper schooling.” Why did that come so easily to me, as if I were performing the part of an actress?
“You can read and write then lass?”
“Yes.”
“And know to curtsy and all that uppity of society then?”
“I do.”
“Hmm, then you will do well at the Green Tavern. A lot of fine rich folk come through there on their journeys and would feel comfortable around the likes of thee. Alright, go inside now.”
“Thank you papa.”
Adeline felt grateful. These blacksmith folk seemed gentle and honest. She wanted to burst into tears but did not want to upset her very young host. They entered the cottage. Looking around, she saw that the room she was in was indeed a very large main room of the house and there seemed to be more rooms down a the hall. A blacksmith would be good at building she supposed and she could see the layers of the house, as though a new room had been added one year at a time. On one side was the cooking hearth with a bench in front of it, and a black cauldron on a hanger for cooking.
A large wooden table sat in the center. This was obviously the table to prepare meals and to eat. Very cozy and the two family members seemed to have ample food and resources including a large pile of wood against one wall that almost reach to the ceiling, providing as much warmth as they required. That was important seeing as winter had settled in.
“Thank you very much for taking me in, Miss Carson. I am extremely grateful for your kindness.”
“Would yee like to get warm and take off yee coat Adeline? It is wet,” Hilda said as she stood up and poured a cup of water in an earthen clay cup, and handed it to Adeline.
“Thank you very much. I am quite parched.”
Hilda maneuvered in the kitchen, grabbing a large basin and putting it on the bench next to Adeline and then filled the black cauldron with water and then swung it into the fire.
Adeline felt comfortable enough to take off her wet coat and bonnet and laid it beside her on the bench to dry by the fire.
“Angus is your father’s brother?”
“No my papa just calls him brother. Angus be Angus Leslie and my mother’s brother but she no longer with us. Rest her soul,” Hilda made the sign of the cross.
“Oh I am so sorry Miss Carson.”
“It be alright. I was little and don't remember her. Please call me Hilda.” Hilda said as she used a ladle to scoop water from the boiling cauldron into a large white basin that was chipped around the edges, seeing good long use. Adeline nodded her head in agreement.
“Wash up and I will see to cutting some bread and there be cold ham and cheese too.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Adeline felt very good and refreshing to wash her hands and her face. Hilda had a very gentle touch, and it made Adeline's heart ache to be treated in such a way by someone younger than she.
Adeline watched as Hilda grabbed a large wheel of cheese and put it on the table. She could tell that she took great pride in the work, and the bounty of the small farm. Adeline was impressed that they had such food, but one would when having a trade skill such as a blacksmith. Perhaps they traded some blacksmith goods for other goods with a nearby farms and general stores.
“There Adeline, you are all cleaned up now and with a pretty face.” Hilda said. “Let’s eat, shall we?”
Adeline nodded her head and moved to the table and bench in the kitchen and sat with her new friend who she was growing fond of by the moment.
Benson Carson did not turn into the cottage until the sun had set.
“I apologize lass. I had to get that order of horseshoes done by end of the day. Since it be late, we can take you to the Green Tavern in the morning. For tonight yee may sleep in me son's room as he be away in the motherland in Scotland. Then we will take you in the morning.”
“Are you certain, sir? I do not want to be a nuisance,” Adeline said.
The father and daughter looked confused.
“No, it be quite al’ite. Yee be quite comfortable in there. Yee deserve a good night of proper sleep yee do.” Benson said.
“Thank you. I do not know how I can repay such kindness,” Adeline fought back tears.
“Oh it be alright. It be not everyday that a young woman shows up. We are far from the main road, right papa?” Hilda said.
Benson nodded in agreement, then he disappeared to the back room again. “Hilda set supper, and I to wash up.”
“Please let me help,” Adeline jumped to her feet and helped Hilda as Benson took the time to relax and wash up in his own rooms.
“Yee have the speech of a proper lady,” Hilda said.
“I am not a lady.”
“I want good speech like you one day,” Hilda smiled.
“And yee be proper,” Benson added with a smile as he came in.
“I would be happy to teach you anything you wish,” Adeline smiled.
Benson placed another log on the fire from the massive pile of wood, then took two logs to the back. She watched as he reappeared with only one log and ventured into the next room, and reappeared empty handed and realized he was preparing his sons room for her. How lucky was she to have landed with such kind people.
Together the three sat for a festive meal. Adeline learned all about the Carson family and she delighted in the way they spoke. Although Benson had the thick Scottish accent, his daughter did not. She had an accent that was part English, part Scottish, and part farm girl, to Adeline’s delight.
After the fine meal of chicken, boiled potatoes, and greens, Hilda escorted Adeline into her brother’s roo
m. “Now yee have everything yee need here in my brother’s room, though he not my full brother he be the son of a woman before my papa was with my mother. Now here be a comfortable bed, the fire, blanket, and a cup if yee should get thirsty. I know if I being a lady in a stranger's home I be most uncomfortable. I will see yee in the mornin’,” Hilda said.
“Thank you Hilda. I appreciate this more than you can ever know. Thank you.”
“Have a good sleep Adeline.”
Hilda left the room closing the door behind her. Adeline was quick to use the latch to lock the door. She did think that Hilda and Benson were good people. But it would make her feel safer just the same after her betrayal from Patty who she thought she knew.
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chapter
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Adeline took off her boots and stockings and placed them by the fire. Next her brown wool dress came off and she climbed into bed in her shift.
The moment she laid down, she snuggled deeper into the bed and quickly fell into a deep slumber.
The next morning Adeline found that she was very well rested indeed. She dressed once more and found that the fire in the room was still burning coals, keeping the room very warm. Gratitude for the roof over her head and a warm fire filled her with good feelings. But it was very odd waking up in a house of strangers, and she longed for some sense of routine and normalcy again. She did not have her memories so at least she could have her routines.
Her dreams of having that in London had been shattered; all the hard work that she had done to earn wages, had been all done for nothing. It was all gone in a flash, and that fact was hitting her hard that very morning.
She poured water into the basin and washed her face and hands. A few minutes later, she opened the door and ventured into the kitchen. Hilda was at the table chopping potatoes and garlic.
“Oh, top of the morning to yee sweet lass Adeline.”
“And to you. If there is anything that I can do at all to help before I am on my way, please let me know. I am good in the kitchen. I can do chores, anything to repay you for the meal and a night of sleep.”
“You can teach me daughter to repay us,” Benson emerged from the back. “How bout’ you stay here with us til the winter’s end. We can be room and board for yee while you work at the Green Tavern if my brother do have position for you. You can ride Nelly into work when you do work and stay here in exchange yee can help with the farm and kitchen work, and teach me daughter here to read and write and be as a lady like you.”
“Papa?” Hilda asked.
“Me, teach?” Adeline was in shock over the offer.
“Yes, a good and proper education ain’t available to us farm folks and Lord knows we wouldn’t be able to afford a teacher to come here and teach her, until you can raised your money to be on your journey. The winter is something harsh about to hit. You can’t be out there on foot lass.”
Adeline knew that she could not pass up this opportunity. She was safe with them winter was coming.
Adeline looked to Hilda. She shrugged her shoulders at her and said, “I’d be poor at learning miss.”
Adeline smiled as she did like the girl very much. “I would be honoured to stay and teach Hilda all that I know.”
Hilda clapped her hands. “This be exciting. Let’s celebrate and then go to the Green Tavern!”
“That sounds perfect,” Mr Carson said.
Adeline nodded and then went back to helping in chopping potatoes.
Benson took the kettle off the fire and poured hot water into three clay mugs. He looked at mouthed a thank you, then set to making the tea, as he looked at his daughter proudly. Adeline could see that the man wanted more for his daughter and that made her feel very happy indeed.
The wooden sign swinging back and forth from the pole read The Green Tavern. Twas a white building with wood beams criss crossing the front showed its age, possibly built in the 1700s.
A flurry of carriages out front with passengers getting off and on made it known that this was indeed a central travelling point for the post and regulators.
“Ah’ite then, come inside. I will see if me brother could use me some help after all. The place looked filled to the brims,” Benson said pushing Adeline and Hilda inside. Adeline was shocked by the amount of people inside.
“Who is that youngin, Benson?” A burly man with a Scottish accent said to Benson.
“Angus, that be Adeline. She be staying on with us but need work. She wants to earn a wage and be looking for a place. You have need of her?”
“You cook and clean lass?”
“Oh yes sir I can cook, clean, sew, take orders, and I am strong.”
“That is good to hear, and you vouch for her Benson?”
“I would not let her stay in me home if I did not. She be teaching Hilda here some letters and writing and things proper.”
“Alright then, I can use three day per week, starting now. Get ya to the kitchen.”
“Oh thank you sir.”
“It is good to have you young lass. Angus is me name.” He nodded to Adeline and she returned his greeting with a smile.
“We be back to fetch you when the tavern close Adeline. Then tomorrow we will set you up with our horse Nelly to come back and forth as needed.”
“Thank you, thank you, I am so grateful,” Adeline held back tears.
“Wilma! Come get your new helper. We be needed her on the floor and in the kitchen,” Angus shouted and then continued to take orders from those at the bar.
“Me name’s Wilma,” the portly woman with gray hair said with a grin that was missing a few teeth.
“My name is Adeline Blakefield. I am very pleased to meet you ma’am.”
“Let me show you the kitchen then. First be those pile of mugs need to be washed cause orders be comin’ in and no plates to serve. Fetch water from the well outside, at least five buckets. By that time there be another round of dishes to do, and yee do this all over again and again. As well as yes be cleaning what need cleaning along the way. Anything needs be wiped down, yee take it upon yourself to do it. Yee be in understandin’ young miss?”
“Oh absolutely. Thank you Wilma,” Adeline moved quickly to the basin and rolled up her sleeves and began to wash and could feel Wilma watching and approving before Wilma went back to cooking.
“Who is this lass then?” A woman with blond hair and blue eyes came into the kitchen. She wore a blue dress that matched her eyes, and her ample cleavage spilled from her dress. She was younger than Wilma, but older than Adeline.
“This be Adeline. She be helping in the kitchen and staying with with the Carsons.” Wilma stated.
“Sounds good to me. Adeline, the name is Laura, and I need five tea and biscuits set up, ten bowls of stew.” Laura poured water from a large pitcher into several ceramic cups. She carried them out the door.
Adeline quickly grabbed the stack of clean bowls that she had just washed and dried them off with a towel while carrying them over to the big pot of stew.
But by the end of the night, when the tavern was finally closing its doors, Adeline knew where everything was kept.
“That be quite impressive young miss” Wilma said as she did the finishing work while Adeline washed the remaining of the dishes.
“Thank you kindly.”
“Laura my lovely,” Angus said.
“Yes dear.”
Adeline realized Laura and Angus were married and it made her smile, and hope to have romance one day. Just then the gentleman named William appeared in her mind for some reason or another. She pushed the thought away.
“Benson and Hilda be outside for ya lass,” Angus said.
“Thank you sir and thank you for the work. When shall I return?”
“Tomorrow morn at sunrise.”
“Yes sir. I will be here.”
“Have a good night lass,” Laura smiled to Wilma and Adeline.
“Thank you ever so much Wilma. Have a good night.”
> “Ye be welcome dear.”
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chapter
2 5
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December 1866
Months passed faster than Adeline ever thought possible. She felt happy and at ease. A proper home with the Carson family had made her feel welcome, for the first time since leaving London.
The Carsons treated her very well, as though she were family herself. She did not think that such a thing was possible and she was very glad that she had learned to read and write. It had served her well in this particular situation because she was delighted to be able to teach the very bold and brave Hilda. Hilda was unlike anyone she had met in London, as far as Adeline could remember.
“And what word is this one Hilda?” Adeline asked as she sat at the table next to Hilda as she taught her to read that evening, as she had many evenings before.
“That word be chicken,” Hilda said with a nice grin for her.
“Yes, very good. But we say, that word is chicken. You learn quite fast and I am very impressed,” Adeline smiled in return.
“Yes ma’am,” Hilda said properly.
Indeed Adeline found herself impressed with Hilda. She was a smart young woman, and had taught Hilda more than just reading and writing. She taught her how to curtsy, how to do some of the dances of refined society, and how set a table the way high society did. Adeline wished that she herself could remember how she learned such things, but was glad that she knew them all together.
Adeline felt very useful, and helpful in this manner to teach Hilda. She was very grateful to Hilda and Benson, for she knew that they did not have to take her in the way that they had.
“The chicken will cost one shilling,” Hilda read the sentence slowly.
Adeline smiled at her and nodded. Hilda seemed very proud as she smiled and clapped her hands together. Adeline laughed at her.
A Poor Girl's Peril (#4, the Winds of Misery Victorian Romance) (A Family Saga Novel) Page 11