by Lori Wick
By the time they left the secret spot, walls had come down. When Marianne knelt down once again to pick flowers, Penny was right beside her. That little girl handed her a small, delicate purple bloom.
“Oh, isn’t that pretty, Penny! Are there more of those?”
“It’s for you,” Penny told her, having missed the question in her fascination with this woman.
Marianne smiled into her eyes before putting her arms around her and giving her a gentle hug. To her immense pleasure, Penny returned the embrace.
“Thank you. It’s so pretty. Just like you.”
“I think you’re beautiful.”
“Well, thank you, Penny.”
The two smiled at each other before Lizzy—who was just a tad jealous—came to join them.
Just twenty minutes later they were ready to head for the house and show Lydia their bouquets. A very different foursome returned to the house, Penny’s small hand tucked into Marianne’s larger one as she chimed in on the conversation all the way back.
London
“Where is this child?” the magistrate, Judge Lucas, asked of Jennings. Mrs Smith was being held in the next room.
“She’s with my sister right now.”
“How am I supposed to accuse this Smith woman if I can’t see the marks she left on the child?” Mr Lucas asked, his voice not giving Jennings much hope.
“It’s been several weeks now, sir,” Jennings answered, keeping his voice respectful. “Even if Penny were here, the marks would have faded. I have one of my maids with me, however. Megan saw Penelope’s bruises and is willing to attest to that.”
“What’s her full name?” the magistrate asked, searching the papers before him.
“Megan Cornell.”
“Where is she?”
Megan stepped forward, not at all cowed by the judge’s scowl. She knew that if he would just look at her, he would realize who she was.
The scowling visage finally looked up from the papers, and Jennings watched in amazement as the judge’s face lit with pleasure.
“Why, Meggie, is that you?” the man asked, using her name from childhood.
“It’s me, sir.”
“Working as a maid, are you?”
“Yes, Mr Lucas,” she said again, not bothering to mention that she’d been a maid for years.
“Are you treated well?”
“Very well, thank you, sir.”
“Your mum’s foot is right again. I’m having breakfast the way I like.”
Megan, whose mother had cooked for Mr Lucas for many years, only smiled at him.
“Tell me about this woman and the little girl, Meggie.”
Megan gave a swift rundown, not leaving any facts out, telling how the children arrived with almost no warning and how Mrs Smith kept Penny in her room all day.
“And you saw the marks?”
“I did, sir.”
“Did it look as though she’d struck her?”
“No, more like pinch marks from strong fingers.”
“And the child? Was she difficult?”
Megan’s eyes softened. “Not in the least, sir. She’s the sweetest child you’ll ever hope to meet.”
“Very well. I’ll hold Smith over for trial.” The gavel came down. “Next case.”
But before Jennings and Megan could walk away, Judge Lucas called her back. He bent over and told her something that made her smile. Jennings waited with surprising patience for her to be done. Once in the carriage, he questioned her.
“You knew that magistrate?”
“Yes, my mum is his cook.”
“I think you might have won that battle for us, Megan.”
“I hope so, sir. I hope they put that wicked Mrs Smith away where she can’t hurt anyone else.”
Jennings hoped for the same thing, but he mostly hoped that this distasteful business would wrap up soon and he could get back to Tipton.
Tipton
“Tell me something, Thomas,” Palmer questioned the young man when they had a moment alone. “You seem very comfortable when I read from the Word and when we go to church. Did your father do those things with you?”
“Yes, sir. Our father taught us the Scriptures from the time we were very small.”
“That’s wonderful, Thomas. Has that been a help during this time?”
Tears came to Thomas’ eyes.
“I don’t know if I would have made it otherwise, sir.”
Palmer put a hand on the boy’s shoulder.
“You’re doing a fine job, Thomas. Your father would be proud.”
“I hope so. I hope he knows that we remember what he taught us.”
Palmer was proud of what the man had done. What father didn’t hope for such a thing?
“May I ask you a question, Mr Palmer?”
“Certainly.”
“We’ve noticed that Mr Jennings isn’t comfortable at church and when you read from the big Bible in the evenings. Do you know what he believes?”
“Not specifically, I don’t, but I know he has a hard time with the concept that people sin.”
Thomas’ brows rose.
“How could he doubt it? I mean, right now he’s in London because of the way Mrs Smith treated Penny. How could he think she’s not a sinner?”
“He probably does, but he wouldn’t put himself in the same category.”
Thomas nodded.
“That’s an easy mistake to make.”
Again Palmer was impressed with the boy’s maturity and insight. They talked for a bit longer before some of the other children came looking for Thomas. As Palmer watched Thomas and his own Frank walk away, he determined to check with his son and make sure that his own beliefs were as sound as those of Thomas Jennings.
“I don’t have very good news, I’m afraid,” Lydia greeted Marianne when she arrived just after breakfast on Saturday morning.
“Oh, what’s wrong?”
“My girls got into the candy, and both have sick stomachs.”
“Oh, no!”
“Oh, yes. I’m not very happy with them right now.”
“What about Penny? Is she ill?”
“No, and I don’t want her to pay for Emma’s and Lizzy’s foolishness. I think I’ll leave them with Judith, and just Penny and I will go with you.”
“Oh, that’s fine.”
“Penny is finishing her breakfast. I’ll go in and hurry her along and tell the girls where we’re going.”
Thinking that Penny would only be distracted by her presence and that Lizzy and Emma would not wish for company, Marianne went to the small salon to wait. She had only just taken a seat when James and Walt wandered past.
“Hello,” Marianne greeted them, and the two boys peeked in before joining her.
“Are you off to town today?” Walt asked.
“Yes. Your sisters are not well, so your mother and Penny are going with me.”
“They ate too much candy,” James said with a small shudder, making Walt laugh.
“James isn’t too fancy on sweets.”
“Is that true, James?” Marianne asked. “What do you like?”
“I like a few sweets, the occasional biscuit or cake, but not candy.”
“I must admit I have quite the sweet tooth.”
“Have you ever made yourself ill?” James asked.
“I might have as a child, but I can’t say that I recall.”
Years of training kept James from voicing his thoughts. The very idea of eating too much candy was appalling to him, but he didn’t want to sound insulting. He was only glad his own sister wasn’t involved. He didn’t think his father would have been too pleased about that.
James knew he was doing it again. At certain moments he could almost persuade himself that his father wasn’t really gone, that they were just separated from him for a time. He knew it wasn’t the best way to view his father’s passing, but some days he felt it was the only way he could cope.
“Are you all right, James?” Maria
nne asked, and that boy started.
“Yes.”
Both Marianne and Walt were watching him, and James felt his face go red. When he averted his gaze, Walt looked to Marianne, who gave him a small smile of compassion. It wasn’t hard for either of them to figure out why James might be distracted.
“What will you shop for in town?” Walt asked Marianne, taking a seat next to her and half wishing he could go along.
“Just odds and ends. Mother and I are planning a trip to London at the end of the summer, so anything that can wait goes onto my London list.”
“My birthday is in the fall,” Walt said audaciously.
“Is it now?” Marianne asked as if she hadn’t known.
“I think a gift from London would be very special.”
Marianne laughed, and James joined her.
“Your birthday is before Walter’s, James. What are you hoping for?”
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I haven’t given it much thought.”
“Well, you had best start a list,” Walt told him.
“Why is that?”
This question so stumped Walt that he was speechless. He always made a list for his mother for his birthday. Some things he asked for were outrageous, and some were quite sincere, but at any rate it had become something of a tradition.
“Do you exchange birthday gifts in your family, James?” Marianne asked.
“Oh, yes. My father always gave us a birthday present, but I never thought about how he knew what we wanted. I wonder how he did.”
Marianne smiled. “Maybe you gave subtle hints, and he wrote them down.”
This sounded so like his father that James smiled. “Yes, I think you might be right.”
James was on the verge of asking about gift-exchanging in Marianne’s house when Lydia and Penny joined them.
“We’re ready, Marianne.”
“As am I,” Marianne said as she stood but then remained still because Penny was headed over to hug her.
“You look very pretty today, Miss Penny.”
“Thank you.”
“Are you ready to shop?”
Instead of answering, Penny’s face looked a little worried. She admitted, “I left Mr Pat by my bed so he won’t be lost.”
“I think that’s very wise. Do you have a shopping list, or are you just going to look?”
“I don’t shop,” Penny told her, her small face still serious.
“Why don’t you?”
“I’m too little,” Penny told her, as though this should be more than obvious.
Marianne and Lydia could only laugh at her.
“We’ll see you later, boys,” Lydia said to James and Walt, who saw them out. They waved until the carriage was out of sight and then stood in indecision.
“I wish I could have gone,” James admitted quietly.
“You do?” Walt said in such surprise that James was embarrassed. He ducked his head and studied the toe of his shoe, his head not coming up until Walt said, “So do I!”
James laughed and said, “We missed our chance.”
“I think you must be right. Although I don’t know if Mother would have been too keen on the idea.”
“But Marianne would have talked her around.”
Walt laughed over this.
“You catch on very fast, James Jennings.”
On this light note, both boys headed toward the stables. Nothing cheered either of them like a view of the horses.
Chapter Nine
“Do you have a long list?” Lydia asked of Marianne as the carriage got underway.
“Not too long, but I do want to find several items. I ordered a fan from Benwick last month, and I hope it’s come in.”
“What was wrong with your old one?”
“One of Father’s dogs got hold of it.”
“But your father’s dogs don’t even come into the house.”
“I know. I dropped it outside and didn’t find it again until it was in Rufus’ mouth.”
Lydia laughed over this and then glanced down. From a seat next to Marianne, her little face peeking out of her bonnet, Penny was studying the passing countryside. Lydia and Marianne were talking as they always did, and while nothing personal had been mentioned, Lydia had forgotten the little girl’s presence.
“Well, Penny, will you have fun with us today?” Lydia asked.
Penny turned to her and nodded.
“Have you been to Collingbourne, Penny?” Marianne wanted to know.
“I think for church on Sunday,” the little girl answered.
“Well, Penny,” Lydia interjected, “our church sits on the edge of town, so I don’t think you’ve actually been to Collingbourne itself.”
Marianne smiled and touched Penny’s nose.
“You’re going to like it.”
Penny smiled back, letting her head drop until it was resting against Marianne’s arm. The little girl thought she might be willing to go anywhere if she could go with Marianne Walker.
Collingbourne
A quaint village on the river Avon, Collingbourne boasted shops and businesses that hummed with patrons and customers on this busy Saturday morning. The street was fairly crowded, but Marianne’s carriage driver, aware of her first stop, maneuvered the coach neatly into place before jumping down to assist with the door.
He had brought them to Benwick’s, a general goods shop that boasted an inventory of infinite variety. Sundry articles such as lace, shoes, stationery supplies, sewing needs, books, candy, glassware, maps, gloves, and much more could be purchased.
Once out of the coach, the three females embarked on their outing, Marianne in the lead and Lydia holding Penny’s small hand.
“You may walk around and look, Penny,” Lydia instructed once they were inside. “But please don’t leave the store.”
Penny agreed to this, but Lydia should have known it was a waste of words. The little girl trailed after Marianne and never left her side. From her place near the younger of the two women, Penny took in the notions and wares of all types. She was delighted with some small jars and bottles in various shades of colored glass, and even spotted a handful of porcelain figures that reminded her of Mr Pat.
“Mari,” Lydia asked, finding them at one point, “did your mother find some of that white ribbon she was looking for last week?”
“No.”
“Benwick has some at the far counter.”
“Oh, thank you. I’ll add it to my list.”
The women shopped for a time, working from their lists and also enjoying some spur-of-the-moment purchases. Penny, very content to be with both of them, grew more relaxed as the day wore on, and was even confident enough to walk ahead of them between stores.
“You look thoughtful,” Marianne said to Lydia on one of these occasions.
“I was watching Penny and thinking of Jennings. I can’t help but wonder how this whole situation will work out.”
“How do you mean?”
“Well, I can’t imagine he and the children will live with us forever, but I don’t know how he’ll do on his own.”
“Are you sure he’ll keep the children?”
“Oh, Mari,” Lydia said with a sigh. “If you could have seen his face when he had to leave them just for this trip to London. He’s trying so hard, and at times the only way I can describe his face is vulnerable. It’s almost more than I can take when I look at him. It doesn’t really matter that he doesn’t know everything to do. He’s lost his heart and probably doesn’t even know it.”
“And what of your heart?”
Lydia sighed again. “My heart feels like crying all the time. I’ve never seen Jennings like this. I know I keep saying that, but it’s so amazing to me. I can’t help but think that if God can soften his heart to the children, then He can also soften Jennings’ heart about spiritual issues.”
“We’ll keep praying for that, Lydia, and keep our eyes open for God’s will in the matter.”
“You’re certainly
right about that.”
The women walked in silence for a moment, and then Marianne, whose mind was also on Jennings and the children, spotted something in town.
“I’ve just had the most wonderful idea,” Marianne suddenly said, but Penny was headed back their way, and she only finished with, “let’s go into Gray’s for tea, and I’ll tell you there.”
Lydia thought that sounded wonderful. Her feet were beginning to hurt, and her throat was dry. So with Penny seated between them, the ladies had a light tea, both of them checking through their lists to make the most of their time in town. They found the most urgent items already checked off, so that lifted some of the pressure.
“Are you finished eating, Penny?”
“Yes, ma’am,” that little girl said, a few crumbs on her mouth.
“Well, let’s get moving again,” Marianne suggested, but as soon as they were back on the street, Lydia caught her arm.
“Oh, Marianne, I see Anne Gardiner across the street, and I didn’t see her Sunday. I think I’ll go over.”
“All right. I’ll go ahead up the street.” The women shared a small smile. “Tell Anne I said hello.”
“I will.”
“Well, Penny,” Marianne said, looking down at the little girl. “It looks as if we’re on our own.”
“Are you still shopping, Marianne?”
“I will be, but right now you and I are going someplace special.”
“Where is it?”
“You shall see in just a moment.”
Penny’s hand in hers, Marianne started up the street to a minuscule storefront where an artist was painting a woman’s portrait. Marianne found herself relieved. She knew if Penny could witness the process, she would be much less intimidated by the idea.
“This artist,” Marianne said as they looked through the window, “specializes in miniature portraits of children. He works very fast and does a fine job. And today, I want him to paint you.”
Penny’s eyes grew enormous at this announcement, but she made no protest when Marianne started into the shop. The artist, a Mr Clay, was nearly finished with his present subject, and Penny was in his chair just five minutes later.
“If you care to look at frames,” Mr Clay called to Marianne as he worked, “they can be found on that shelf against the back wall.”