by Fanny Finch
Either way they would find out soon enough. She arrived in three days’ time.
Chapter 3
Maria stared at the people and the city around her.
Ever since arriving in England it felt like she could do nothing but stare. The ocean voyage she had gotten used to within a day or so. There was precious little to look at on a ship.
But England! She had seen pictures of course. She had read about it in books and heard about it in descriptions from Mother. But seeing it firsthand was something else entirely.
It was so unlike the world that she was used to. Even the green of the plants was different. The colors were muted here. Not as bright and popping. The ground was different, the very air around her felt different. It was all so much she could hardly even begin to take it in.
She was frightfully cold all the time. Her father had tried to warn her when they were on their sea voyage, but she hadn’t truly believed him about how cold it was. No wonder Father had to travel so far to get better.
Maria had to wrap herself up in layers all the time. Father assured her that over time she would grow used to it, but she wasn’t so certain.
“I was born and raised in England,” Father told her. “And I grew accustomed to the warmer climates of the Caribbean. You shall be able to do the reverse here.”
But for now, it felt as though she would never be properly warm again. If there was a fireplace she would sit down directly in front of it. She noticed that she wore far more shawls and layers than the other ladies about her.
She only hoped that she would be permitted to dress warmly for the balls. She could not imagine how she would make it through the evening shivering like a sheet in the wind.
Father had taken up lodgings in London but in a different area of the city from where Maria would be staying with Lord Reginald and his sister. At the time she had gotten the news, Maria had not thought much of it.
Then she had gotten to London itself.
She had never seen a town so large. The port town from her home was much smaller than this. It was mostly the fort that took up room, and the ships in the harbor.
But this was something else altogether.
The journey from the harbor to London had not taken long and she had gaped the entire time like a bumpkin. And now she was surrounded by the hustle and bustle of so many people. Her eyes couldn’t keep up with it all.
She felt exhilarated and terrified at the same moment. There was so much to see and to do. She wanted to take it all in. But she also wanted to run for the hills.
How could she possibly adjust from her relatively sleepy and slow island to this fast-paced insanity? What if she got lost? What if she couldn’t make her way around? What if—
The carriage turned down a quieter lane, a broad one with lovely trees and luxurious townhouses.
Maria peered out the window. This was nicer. She liked the quiet. Hopefully this would stay quiet and she could have a place to retreat to when the city became too much.
The carriage pulled to a stop in front of what was obviously one of the larger, nicer houses.
Maria had never seen such nice buildings in a city setting before. She felt as though her own home paled in comparison.
She was helped from the carriage and walked up the steps to knock on the front door.
Her heart was in her throat. What if she did not like these people? What if they did not like her? What if she made a total fool of herself?
She reminded herself that her father was counting on her. He needed her to do this. Her future and her father’s peace of mind depended upon it.
Maria seized the knocker and rapped sharply.
A moment later the door was opened by a servant. He looked at her calmly but quizzically, obviously interested to know who she was.
Maria curtsied. “I’m Miss Worthing, here to see Miss Reginald and Lord Reginald? I am to be their houseguest.”
“One moment, Miss.”
She was shown into a lovely parlor. It was far richer than hers back home.
No, not home anymore, she reminded herself. She had to stop thinking of it that way. The plantation was being packed up as she stood there. It had probably already been packed up in fact.
Some few pieces were being shipped to her for her own home so that she might bring her personal touch in when she married, and for the sake of remembrance. But the rest of it was being sold.
The only home she had ever known was being sold. She wouldn’t ever be able to go back to it. The moment she had stepped onto the ship, that island was gone to her forever.
This new, cold island was to be her home now. And it wasn’t as though she didn’t want it to be. Part of her wanted to embrace it. She wanted to explore it and get to know it just as well as her former home.
But it still made her sad. To know that she could not return. She couldn’t go back. Even if she did, the plantation would belong to someone else. None of the furniture would be there. It would all be gone.
Maria shook herself out of such maudlin thoughts. She had to present herself at her best to the Reginalds. It was imperative that she put her best foot forward.
There were the sounds of footsteps and she turned to see a lovely lady, a few years older than Maria, stepping into the parlor. She was pale, with light hair and gray eyes, while Maria herself had skin tanned from the sun, with dark eyes and dark hair.
Maria thought that they would make quite a contrast when they went walking or made morning calls. They were quite on the opposite ends of the spectrum.
The other woman smiled softly, kindly. “You must be Miss Worthing. I’m Miss Reginald.”
Maria curtsied. “It’s a great pleasure to meet you.”
“I’ll have them take your bags up.” Miss Reginald signaled to her servant and he disappeared, presumably to take care of Maria’s things. “I hope that you will like the room that we have chosen for you. I confess to not knowing your personal tastes.”
“Anywhere you wish to put me is more than suitable,” Maria assured her. “I’m looking forward to a soft bed and nothing more. You would not believe the frustration of sea travel.”
“I can well imagine it, but I’m certain that whatever my mind conjures up pales in comparison to the reality.” Miss Reginald indicated for Maria to sit. “I will have some tea brought up for us. You must be famished.”
“Thank you,” Maria replied. She was terrified of saying or doing the wrong thing. “You have a lovely home.”
“You are kind to say so. I like it well enough. I confess I prefer our country estate. And your father is well put up?”
“Yes, Miss, he is,” Maria answered. “I confess he seems much more prepared for this than I am. He is used to England in a way, although I know he has not been back since before my birth.”
“Yes, this all must be very new to you.” Miss Reginald looked down at her. “My dear, you are shivering most horribly, do you need a fire?”
“I apologize, I’m not yet used to the weather.” Maria felt awful. “You really needn’t go to any trouble.”
“Nonsense, I shall not have my guest uncomfortable.” Miss Reginald rang and instructed that tea be brought in with some sandwiches, and a fire done up.
“Now, do you have frocks?” Miss Reginald asked.
“A few, but not many. Father has given me an allowance so that I might purchase some new ones.”
“You will certainly need them. It was wise of him to have you arrive a month before the season begins. We should have plenty of time to get you done up.” Miss Reginald eyed Maria. “Would you mind standing up for a moment?”
Maria did so, and Miss Reginald looked her over, pacing around her. “Yes, I have several ideas. We must get you something in fashion of course. You are rather dark in your coloring. Some lighter colors will do nicely. And you can never go wrong with green when you have dark eyes.”
Maria had never given much thought to her wardrobe. She had her few frocks that she wore until they were e
xhausted and then she got some new ones. She chose her favorite colors to wear, usually blue or lilac.
Now she had to think about fashion? She couldn’t even begin to wrap her mind around it.
Miss Reginald must have seen something of Maria’s trepidation on her face, for she smiled at her. “Don’t you trouble yourself, my dear. I’ll guide you through picking out fabrics.”
Maria breathed a sigh of relief.
“You can sit down now,” Miss Reginald let her know, sitting down herself.
The tea was brought in. Maria quickly poured herself a cup and ate the sandwiches quickly.
She paused when she saw Miss Reginald eyeing her. It wasn’t a judgmental look. More of an assessing one.
“Yes,” she said, “I see what your father meant. Sit up straight, please. And smaller bites.”
Maria felt a rush of shame and did so. “I apologize,” she murmured. “My mother taught me elocution. I had a governess when I was young but not for many years. I’ve not had much reason to use my manners the past few years. I’ve been quite alone on the plantation save for Father.”
“You needn’t explain yourself to me,” Miss Reginald replied, her voice gentle and her eyes warm. “Your father wrote to us ahead of time and explained that there might be some difficulties in your integration into society.
“I am perfectly prepared to help you brush up on your skills. Whether that be dancing or table manners.”
“I do have many skills,” Maria hastened to add. She didn’t want this elegant lady to think that Maria was a total bumpkin. “I can play the pianoforte and the harp. I’m an avid reader. And I can do needlepoint, and sketch quite well. And I know how to run a household, I’ve done so for my father for years.”
“I’m sure you have many accomplishments,” Miss Reginald assured her. “And I am glad to hear of them. You may avail yourself of our library and our pianoforte whenever you please. Although I am sorry to say that we do not have a harp.”
Miss Reginald smiled at her, as though they were sharing a private joke. Maria smiled back. She had never had a close friend before. She was warmed by the kindness being shown to her.
“But we shall have to work hard,” Miss Reginald added. “If we are to have you ready in time for the season to start.”
There was the sound of heavier footsteps, and Maria turned in time to see a handsome man walk into the room.
He looked as though he could almost be Miss Reginald’s twin. There were many similarities in their features. He had pale blond hair and piercing gray eyes. But while there was softness in Miss Reginald, a gentle sort of warmth, this man had a fire to his bearing.
Maria’s breath caught in her throat. She had of course known many young men, although not enough to make them more than a passing acquaintance. Most of them had been officers stationed with the regiment at the fort.
But never had she been so struck by a man. The only word that she could think to describe him was ‘handsome’. She was entranced by the firmness of his jaw and the command with which he entered the room. It was just herself and Miss Reginald, yet if the room had been filled with people she was certain all eyes would have turned to him.
This must be Lord Reginald, the Duke of Foreshire. He had only recently become duke, or so Father had said. In the last year or so when his father had died. This was to be his first season with the title.
Maria curtsied to him. “My lord.”
Lord Reginald bowed. “You must be Miss Worthing.” His voice was deep and sharp but not unkind. She liked it. “It is a pleasure to make your official acquaintance. Although we have heard from your father about you.”
“Whatever he has said, it is a gross exaggeration,” Maria assured him. Father could talk her up one side and down the other with pride. But he could also, at least in her mind, exaggerate the extent of her stubbornness and wild ways.
Lord Reginald laughed. “That is always the way with parents, whether it is singing our praises or damning our faults. They seem to make a habit of going too far in either direction.”
Maria smiled, relieved that he seemed to like her. She was not sure what she would have done had he taken a dislike to her.
“I’ll do my best to make you both proud,” she said. “Not that—I know I’m not—but it will reflect poorly upon you if I do not do well, I am sure. I will do my best to prevent that.”
“You are very sweet,” Miss Reginald said. “I’m certain that you will give us no cause for embarrassment.”
Maria was not so sure about that. Even just sitting in this luxurious parlor, she felt out of place. “Are all homes as expensive as yours?” she asked.
Then she clapped her hands over her mouth. “Oh my goodness, I am so sorry, forgive me, I didn’t—I just meant—I’m not used to, uh…” Words failed her.
Lord Reginald made a sound like he was trying to hold in a laugh. “You can be honest,” he told her. “I know that we have a rather…higher standard of living than many, including those out in the colonies.”
“I’m sorry,” Maria said again. She could feel her face burning with embarrassment and shame. She felt mortified.
“It’s all right,” Miss Reginald said.
“Perhaps next time you might say…luxurious,” Lord Reginald suggested. “Or elegant.”
Maria nodded. She wanted the floor to simply swallow her up and make her disappear.
“I think you’re just upsetting her more,” Miss Reginald noted softly.
“Oh, no, he’s being quite lovely,” Maria hastened to reassure the both of them.
Lord Reginald sat down in one of the chairs across from them. “So tell me, Miss Worthing, what was life like out there in the colonies? Is the Caribbean as wild and untamed as they say?”
He smiled at her and sounded as though he was genuinely interested rather than simply pulling her leg or being cruel, as his words might otherwise have suggested.
Miss Reginald gave her brother a slightly chastising look, raising an eyebrow in loving exasperation. “I’m sure that you needn’t interrogate the poor girl, Edward.”
“It’s all right,” Maria said. It was nice to have someone so honestly curious in her life. She hadn’t anyone to talk to besides the servants back at home. “I like talking about it.
“I loved home,” she told them. “I was sorry to leave it. And sorry that I shall not be able to return. It didn’t really hit me, I think, until just now.
“But this is such a new world for me and I am excited to explore it. I hope that I won’t give the impression that I’m not. I just think I always believed I would see England for a visit rather than coming to make a permanent home here.”
“Go on,” Lord Reginald said as she paused. He smiled at her encouragingly. “What were your favorite things about living there?”
Maria could feel herself relaxing the more that she talked. Miss Reginald smiled at her as well, silent but welcoming.
“Well, I…I liked the nature that’s there. The plants and the animals. I was quite fond of sketching and painting them. I had a lot to do with running the household of course but not so much as you might expect. I’m sure that you have quite a lot more to do, Miss Reginald.
“As will I,” Maria added, realizing. “But of course, it was just Father and myself out there and neither of us cared too much for propriety. As I’m sure that you’ve noticed.” She could feel herself still blushing a little.
“But we didn’t need much. It was quite simple. We didn’t go to balls—there weren’t any really—and I didn’t need new dresses all the time or anything…oh! Not that I…” she fumbled again, looking at Miss Reginald in horror. “I didn’t mean, Miss…”
“It’s all right,” Miss Reginald assured her. “Things are different out in the colonies. Here there are expectations that we must be prepared for. But if those expectations are not there then it is not a sin to be economical.”
Maria nodded. “I was often out in the fields to take a look at things. To make sure
everything was being handled properly. Especially with Father’s failing health. He couldn’t get out there anymore.
“He tried to hide it of course, he’s a stubborn man and Mother always said I got that from him, but…”
Maria shook her head. “I’m sorry. You want to hear about the positive things, and here I am telling you my worries.”
“They are legitimate worries,” Lord Reginald pointed out. “Our father’s death was…” he glanced at his sister. “It was sudden. I’m not sure if the lingering…issues your father has are worse than what we experienced but I’m certain that I do not wish either what we have or what you have to be thrust upon anyone.