by Jenna Brandt
Debbey had to force herself not to scream in fright. She looked across at her sister-in-law and mother-in-law who both appeared as frightened as she felt. William had jumped to his feet, placing his hand on the hilt of his sword. From his protective stance, it was obvious he planned to protect the women whatever the cost.
A few moments later the door to their area was thrown open and a man wearing a piece of cloth across the lower half of his face came barreling through the doorway. He had a pistol in one hand and a burlap sack, already heavy with objects, in the other.
Debbey had heard trains were robbed on occasion, but she never anticipated being present when one occurred. Her stomach knotted tightly at the thought of what might happen.
Both of the robber’s eyebrows wagged up and down as he said, “My, my, what do we have here?”
Debbey stiffened under the robber’s unwanted attention. As he moved towards them, the porter tried to step in between. The thief lifted his pistol and smacked the porter for his trouble. Martin crumpled to the ground, blocking part of the doorway.
With a triumphant smirk, the robber proclaimed, “Imagine my luck. It seems I’ve managed to stumble upon an entire section of snobs in here,” the robber stated with arrogance. He turned his head slightly to shout out into the hallway, “Benji, you need to get over here and see this group of fops I’ve found.”
Debbey heard the other man—presumably Benji—shout back, “I’ll be there in a second. I’m still dealing with the first set.”
The robber in front of them turned his full attention back to them. “I’m only going to say this once; I want all of you to place your jewelry, money, anything of value into this here sack. The quicker you are, the quicker I can get out of your way.”
Each of the women began to remove their jewelry and place it inside the bag. Next, William pulled his money clip full of bills along with his pocket watch and placed it inside. Just as William was finishing up, the other robber appeared next to the first one.
“What took so long?” the first one asked.
“The ninny in the other area had the ridiculous notion that stating he was the cousin of the queen would persuade us to not take his possessions. I told him, it was precisely because he was related to her majesty, I would be relieving him of his items.”
The other man snorted. “Not surprising. These types always think they can use their titles and wealth to get out of any thorny situation.”
“Not today. Today, they have to do what we say.” The second robber glanced over at the Almonbury family. “Did you get everything from them?”
The other man nodded.
“Good. Let’s get out of here. We got what we came for.” Something must have caught the robber’s eyes because before he finished turning around to leave, he stopped and stated, “I thought you said they gave you everything.”
The first robber looked at where the other robber was staring. Debbey realized they were looking at her. She glanced down and inhaled sharply. In all the chaos, she had forgotten she had placed a brooch at her neck that day.
The second robber moved towards her, but William stepped forward to stop him.
“I would not touch her if I were you.”
The man’s eyes narrowed in anger as he spat out, “Who are you to tell me what to do?”
“I am her husband and I will not let you lay a hand on her,” William declared as he placed his hand back on the hilt of his sword.
The man pressed the barrel of the pistol into William’s chest. “You don’t get to decide what I do. This gun lets me do whatever I want.”
Debbey jumped up while quickly fumbling with her brooch. In moments, she had it removed. “He’s overly protective because I was injured recently.” She shoved the brooch towards the robber. “Forgetting to give this to you was an oversight on my part. One I whole-heartedly regret. Take it with my compliments.”
The robber stood there for several seconds, staring at William without waiver. Finally, he roughly grabbed the brooch from Debbey’s hand. “Your husband is lucky to have you as a wife. You just saved his life.”
Both men exited the way they entered before Debbey fell backwards into her chair. She had mustered the strength to protect William, but the incident had left her energy sapped.
William sat down next to Debbey. “Are you alright?”
She nodded. “I’ll be fine. I just need a few moments to rally.”
“You need to rest.”
“Why did you try to stop that robber? It was foolish,” Debbey stated.
“I would rather die than let anything happen to you again. I was not about to let those men put their hands on you.”
“All they wanted was our possessions. It’s only money, William.”
With a determined stare, William declared, “Do you not realize, I care not at all about what they took? My only care is to keep you from harm.”
“I appreciate the sentiment, but it was reckless,” Debbey countered.
“For once, I agree with your wife. They could have killed you, William,” Lady Almonbury added.
“Now I have both of you to which I must contend?” He shrugged. “I concede. I will try to be more careful in the future.”
The staff of the train spent the next couple of hours helping the guests relax and prepare for the train to resume travel. Once the journey restarted, Debbey leaned back, letting her mind drift off as the motion of the train lolled her to sleep.
Chapter 10
As the Almonburys disembarked from the train, William looked around the central London station. It was bustling with activity as people were loading on and off trains.
“Follow me,” Lady Almonbury commanded. “Roger will be waiting for us by the carriage.”
The family made their way through the station. Once outside, Lady Almonbury scanned the carriages lined up and waiting. A man rushed forward, took her bags, and said, “Good evening, Lady Almonbury. We were informed there had been a delay with the train. I’m pleased you arrived safely.”
“No thanks to the hooligans who robbed the train,” Lady Almonbury stated with bitterness.
“I’m shocked to hear it happened,” Roger professed. “The newspapers have reported that the rail line has been working diligently to implement a system to make the railways safe.”
“Well, apparently, they have not figured it out as of yet,” she said tartly.
Roger gestured for the footman, who hurried to his side, “Take the lord’s and ladies’ baggage and put it on the carriage.”
The young man nodded his head and did as directed. The family followed Roger over to the carriage. He helped each of them up inside.
“Lady Connally is awaiting you at Holston House,” Roger informed the family.
“Thank you for your help,” Debbey offered as he helped her up last.
He paused for a moment with a shocked look, then replied, “You needn’t thank me, my lady. It’s my job.” He closed the door to the carriage, and hopped up to his position in the driving seat.
Lady Almonbury rolled her eyes. “When are you going to remember, Deborah, they are paid to do their job. That is all the gratitude required.”
“Mother, in America, people thank others who help them, no matter what their station,” William explained.
“Well, she is no longer in America. She needs to forget the uncouth practices of her former homeland. She is an English woman now. The expectations are higher.”
“She is doing her best to remember all of the new rules,” William defended.
Lady Almonbury looked at Debbey pointedly. “She needs to try harder.”
The rest of the ride passed without comment. William was grateful. He was tired of his mother’s constant picking at his wife. What was it going to take for his mother to accept Debbey as part of the family?
A few moments later, the carriage pulled up in front of the family’s London home, Holston House. It was smaller than their country manor, but still one of the largest estates i
n London.
The staff must have heard the carriage arriving because the door opened and out emerged Lady Connally, the Duchess of Cavendish. She was better known to the family as Aunt Beatrice. Her beaming smile was welcoming.
As they exited the carriage, Aunt Beatrice reached out and gathered first Clara, and then William into her arms. “Welcome home. It is so wonderful to see each of you. William, it has been far too long since I saw you last.”
William grinned at his aunt. “It is good to see you as well, Aunt Beatrice.”
Her blue eyes drifted behind him and settled on Debbey. “And I have been dying to meet this lovely creature ever since I heard you had gotten married in America.” She moved past William, who turned to watch her interaction with his new wife. Beatrice placed her hands on either side of Debbey’s arms. “You picked well, William. I can tell she is a keeper.”
“Be careful of her left arm, Aunt Beatrice,” William warned.
“Oh, yes, I heard you had a rather frightful encounter with a pack of wolves.” She dropped her grip and laced her arm through Debbey’s good one, as she guided the trio towards the stairs.
“Come along, Prilly,” she called out over her shoulder.
“You know I hate it when you call me that Beatrice,” Lady Almonbury scolded. “My name is Priscilla.”
“As your older sister, not to mention the Duchess of Cavendish, I think I have every right to call you whatever I like, little sister,” she jested with a wink to Debbey, William, and Clara.
As they entered Holston House, the servants were lined up ready to do their bidding. “I had the servants prepare everything for your arrival. The house is aired out, and fresh linens have been put on all the beds. The kitchen staff have returned and have prepared a late-night meal to go along with the night caps.”
“Are you staying with us tonight, Aunt Beatrice?” Clara inquired.
“No, I need to return to Dallenmore to finish a few preparations for tomorrow’s activities.” Beatrice stopped at the edge of the parlor and turned to face the group. “Clara and Deborah, both of you will join me for a luncheon at my house tomorrow.” She glanced over at her sister. “I would invite you Prilly, but I know you will be busy settling your situation around here. I will take good care of the girls in the meantime.”
“I cannot wait, Aunt Beatrice. I have missed you so,” Clara exclaimed.
Debbey nodded. “I would be honored to join you, Lady Connally.”
“Oh, tush, you call me Aunt Beatrice just as these two do. We are family now.”
William was grateful for his aunt’s warm welcome of Debbey. It was a sharp contrast to his own mother’s constant barrage of veiled hostility.
“I will leave all of you to get settled in,” Beatrice stated as she grabbed her winter cape from the coat rack and placed it around her neck. “And I will see both of you tomorrow.”
Chapter 11
Holston House was buzzing with activity when Debbey woke the next morning. As she made her way downstairs, she heard Lady Almonbury barking orders to the staff. She was putting everyone to task, insuring the house ran the way she liked.
She glanced up as Debbey descended the last step. With an arched eyebrow, she probed with disapproval, “That is the gown you chose to wear today to your first social occasion in London while under mourning requirements? And with a duchess no less?”
William came around the corner and glanced admiringly at his wife. “I think she looks fetching in her lavender day dress.”
“Are you an expert on the current fashions for mourning, William?” his mother mocked.
“I am not an imbecile in the area. I know she is appropriately dressed for the day’s events.”
“She might meet the common standards, but the finer points seem to be lost on her.”
Almost on command, Clara appeared beside Lady Almonbury. “Notice, Clara picked black laced gloves to complement the delicate lace trim of her dark blue dress. She added a set of jet earrings but forwent a necklace so as to not appear ostentatious. Her hair is artfully arranged but pinned with precision.”
She gestured up and down at Debbey. “On the other hand, there was no attention paid to detail in this ensemble.” With a sigh, she stated, “Perhaps I need to obtain a lady’s maid with more knowledge on the social necessities for your position. I can reassign Lily somewhere else—”
Debbey shook her head adamantly and cut her off, “That won’t be necessary Lady Almonbury. Don’t punish Lily. I will change immediately.”
Without another word, Debbey made her way back up the stairs and into her changing room. Once inside, she pulled open the doors to her wardrobe and stared at all the dresses inside. Which dress was the right one? Lady Almonbury had been right. She had no idea what she was doing. Debbey had never been to a luncheon with noblewomen, let alone a duchess. She had no idea which one of the new dresses she should wear.
“That one,” Clara stated as she came to stand next to Debbey and pointed to a dark green silk dress in the middle of the row. “It will compliment your eyes as well as go perfectly with the black silk gloves on the shelf above. It has a modern bustle which is all the rage right now in fashion. If you pair the dress with a set of jet earrings, the outfit will present well to anyone who sees us entering my aunt’s home.”
Debbey felt tears prick the corner of her eyes at her sister-in-law’s kindness. She turned to face Clara and stated, “Thank you for your assistance. I know your mother wouldn’t be pleased if she found out you were helping me.”
The young girl shrugged. “My mother is not pleased with me most days. If she finds out and this earns her wrath, at least I have earned it doing something for my new sister.” She looked at Debbey pointedly. “And I want us to be sisters, Deborah, more than anything.”
“Then let me offer another step towards that goal; you should call me Debbey when we’re alone. Everyone I am close to does so.”
Clara tried out the nickname. “I would be happy to. . . Debbey.” A sly smile played across her face. “My mother would be appalled at hearing me use such a familiar address.”
“It shall be our little secret,” Debbey promised.
With a giggle, Clara confessed, “It would almost be worth saying it in front of her to see her mortification.” With a shudder, she added, “Almost.”
“Can you send for Lily to help me change into the new dress?”
“There is no need. I can help you.”
“Let us hurry then before we’re late.”
“Aunt Beatrice would not care, but mother would have our hides.”
Both ladies giggled conspiringly as they started to help Debbey out of her dress.
Chapter 12
The Duchess of Cavendish’s estate was expansive. It was more elaborate than either of the Almonbury homes. It had mammoth stacks of pillars that lined the front and framed the massive double doors in the center. Debbey had thought the Almonburys lived in luxury, but it paled in comparison to the duchess’ intimidating home. Every time she became accustomed to William’s lifestyle, a new facet of it was introduced, causing Debbey to constantly feel off kilter.
As Clara and Debbey descended from the carriage, they walked towards the steps of the London home. Before they could reach the top, a deep voice from behind them stopped them. “The pair of you are a vision of perfection to be certain.”
The ladies turned to face the handsome young man behind them. He was tall with slicked back brown hair, piercing grey eyes, and a captivating smile.
Clara exclaimed with joy, “Lord Blanchard, I was not aware you were already in London.”
“Come now, Lady Clara, after all the years of being neighbors in the country, I think you can address me as Lord Edward.”
Clara’s cheeks turned pink as she averted her eyes. “It would not be proper.”
With a chuckle, he stated, “And we know how you need to be proper at all times to please your mother.” He glanced around the front of the estate. “Where is Lad
y Almonbury? I am surprised she has let you out of her sights considering she keeps you under lock and key. And without a chaperone?”
The young girl’s attention jerked up, their eyes locking for a long moment before she broke the silence. “I am not without chaperone. This is my newly acquired sister-in-law.”
A grin formed as he nodded in approval. “It seems William has done well for himself. Leave it to him to find the most fetching foreign bride possible.”
This time it was Debbey’s turn to blush. No man besides William had ever paid her such a compliment. She had no idea how to react to it. Before she had time to form a response, the door swung open with the duchess standing on the other side.
“I thought I heard voices out here.” She glanced past the ladies and her eyes landed on Edward. “Lord Blanchard, I suspect servant’s gossip brought you to my home. I have heard rumor you have set your eyes on my niece, and keep informed of her whereabouts.”
Edward tried to sound nonchalant, “Your Grace, I simply happened to be passing by and saw an old childhood friend from the sidewalk. I did not want to prove ill-mannered, so I came to greet your guests.”
Despite his attempt to act as if he was simply being polite, Edward’s unwavering look of admiration made it clear to everyone he was smitten. What intrigued Debbey was Clara’s response. She was watching the man affectionately. It seemed she was taken with him as well. Debbey would need to ask her about it at another time.
With a wry smile, the duchess stated with sarcasm, “How magnanimous of you.” Dismissively, she added, “You may be on your way, Lord Blanchard.”
With a slight bow to the ladies, the young man turned on his heels leaving the estate.
“Follow me, ladies.” Debbey and Clara followed the duchess into her home. She guided them through an extravagant entryway and down a hall. One of the servants appeared beside them. He opened two double doors to reveal an impressive table set impeccably with a gold silk tablecloth, gold-trimmed white china, and gold-plated utensils. There was also a trio of gleaming golden candelabras spaced evenly along the center of the table.