BLUNDERING BUMPKIN BUMBLERS
A New Regency Short Story,
Just for Fun Fiction
By Celia Jolley
A New Regency Short Story,
Just for Fun Fiction
By Celia Jolley
"Gabby, don't you miss our old home? Why does Charles get to live there and we don't?" Hetty often pouted. Gabriella had to try to explain it over and over to her little sister, but it did not even make sense to her.
"Doesn't Charles love us?" was another question she had to delicately tiptoe her way through. She did not wish to embitter young Hetty against their brother, though it seemed he had forgotten them, abandoning them to their great aunt Beatrice, who barely had enough to keep soul and body together herself.
Gabriella's head was still swirling after all the changes blown her way. Six months ago, their father died suddenly leaving the girls with a very small living while her brother inherited his title and respectable estate. It was then their aunt invited the three girls to come live with her in Bath in her small cottage there, her childhood home. It was there that her younger sister Cassandra was immediately caught up in a dizzying love at first sight and swift marriage to a son of a wealthy merchant. They shocked the local society by not waiting for their mourning period to be over before exchanging vows.
Now what was left after that whirlwind was her reclusive aunt who was as fragile as a brittle fall leaf curling crisply and her little sister who was just budding. But as for Gabriella, she was more like a flower withering in the heat of summer with petals quickly falling one after the other. In no time at all she would be ensconced as a spinster, a flower pressed in a book and forgotten, a woman left behind long after her first blush.
Now what was left after that whirlwind was her reclusive aunt who was as fragile as a brittle fall leaf curling crisply and her little sister who was just budding. But as for Gabriella, she was more like a flower withering in the heat of summer with petals quickly falling one after the other. In no time at all she would be ensconced as a spinster, a flower pressed in a book and forgotten, a woman left behind long after her first blush.
"Gabby!" her little sister called exuberantly. It was a very good thing betimes that their aunt Beatrice was so hard of hearing.
Nevertheless, Gabby instructed, "Softly, Hetty, remember. You must try to act like a lady."
Instead the young girl ran with her dress practically pulled up to her knees.
"Hetty! A young lady does not run nor expose her legs," she scolded then sighed. It seemed it always had been left to her to instruct her younger sisters since losing their mother when Hetty was barely out of the nursery.
"Sorry, Gabby, but listen! I just heard that Lord Edgar Noble, Earl of Grayfield has arrived here and has brought his brother the Viscount Elwood Noble. You do remember Elwood, do you not? You used to be friends, were you not?"
Gabby caught her breath. She had not seen Elwood since he left for Eaton, nor Oxford after. "That was long ago, Hetty. I sincerely doubt he would even remember me. How is it that you remember? You were hardly more than a toddler with leading strings."
"Cassandra used to tell me all about our neighbors, Edgar and Elwood, though I never met either one. She said she loved tagging along with you."
Gabby nodded. "Yes, we were neighbors, but are not equal among the peerage." No one thought ill of little children playing together, but it soon ended when the young men's tutors began attending them. "I don't believe I have conversed with either one since then." Inwardly she sighed at the swiftly passing years that were leaving her behind while she helped to raise her sisters.
It was gracious indeed that their great aunt Beatrice had kindly invited them to live with her here in Bath. Even though they lived in a cottage and had but one servant, it still remained a place where young women could easily meet young men when a season in London was out of their reach. It had worked exceptionally well when her next younger sister Cassandra had met the man who became her husband. It was at the first ball they attended. In no time at all, as soon as the banns were read the three required times, they married and moved to his small estate left him by his father.
Since her little sister was not out yet, Gabby had no wish to go alone to the rush of balls or even to the public Assembly Rooms, neither had she the time. For she had taken over as the cook after theirs went home to retire at her sister's as well as that of a maid who had left to take care of her mother. There remained only a bent, old gardener to see to the outside chores. However to her great relief, he would kindly take his donkey cart to do most of the shopping.
Thus, Gabby stayed home except for occasional walks to the shops when required or to the beach to keep Hetty happy. It pleased her to see her little sister's delight there. The finds Hetty gathered were prettily lined up on her window sill. As for their aunt, she seldom even attended church and only socialized when her old friends came to call. But all that changed when her second cousin came to stay with friends for an extended visit.
Oh, Harold, Harry to them, could only be described as a fun-loving fop. He adhered to strict rules and love of fashion, but was always ready with a cheery laugh. So at once, he amused her, but repelled her as he urged her to accompany him as he mingled freely in public.
"Come now, Gabby. You can not refuse me in this. It is just a drive through the country with my old classmates from Oxford. It will be only Priscilla Emerson, and Cordelia Fitzgerald along with a few of my schoolmates. You've met the others already, I'm sure. You are too young to be put on the shelf quite yet, so don't act like you'd rather stay home with our aunt instead. I refuse to let you become a recluse like her."
Most of the time, Gabby prevailed as she was too busy cooking and baking bread, sweeping the floors or washing their clothes. She may have been a gentleman's daughter, but the weight of staying a step ahead of the poorhouse bore down on her.
"Come now. This is just for the afternoon. Surely your aunt can spare you for a few hours." He somehow hustled her out the door and up into an open landau. Hetty stood waving enviously on the porch steps.
She had been handed up to squeeze into the crowded seats. There had been no time for introductions, but she could feel the heat from the gentleman next to her through his jacket and on her bare arms under short puffed sleeves. She looked up. He looked down and said, "Hello."
She froze, then melted as a dawning realization brought a blush to her cheeks. It was Elwood, their former neighbor. Fortunately he did not seem to recognize her, but a pretty young woman on his other side slid her arm through his, leaned forward and brusquely asked, "Who are you? I don't believe we've met."
Her cousin Harry broke his light conversing just in time to make the forgotten introductions. Elwood looked down studying her face with knit brows. "Gabriella? Is that you?"
But Priscilla on his other side demanded his attention the rest of the way keeping up her chatter like a scolding squirrel. Nevertheless, he spared Gabby an unrestrained smile while she could only turn her lips up timidly.
Once they reached their predetermined destination, it had been decided to stop and take refreshments. The footman hurriedly set everything out upon a checkered cloth. Cool jugs of water with sliced citrus were brought out along with grapes, cheese and crackers and nuts. Then there were platters full of scones and macaroons along with other pastries piled high.
A few of the young men from other carriages had flasks that they walked away with to share with one another, her cousin included. But Elwood stayed along with a man who had been introduced as Lord James Laurens, Baron of Martens Heights. The Lord James Laurens stood by with his plate piled high where the ladies had seated themselves as they nibbled and busily gossiped. His rotundness certainly bore witness to his love of food. However, Lord James kept glancing down at her, once smiling with chocolate pudding from his éclair smeared all over his teeth. It was all she could do to not burst out laughing at his ridiculousness.
Elwood also caught her eye more than once and finally sank to sit beside her. "I had heard about the passing of your father, and I give my condolences."
"Thank you, Lord Elwood
. It was quite unexpected."
"I assume you are visiting your aunt here in Bath then."
"No, we are situated here ere since our brother took over our father's estate. Indeed it was his wife's suggestion that we might prefer to live in Bath. In some ways it is better here by the seaside, but an adjustment nevertheless. It has also proved timely in that our Aunt Beatrice needs our help. She is quite elderly, you see." Gabby had taken her bonnet off for the silk flower she had attached was attracting a bee.
Gabby's eyes grew wide as Elwood reached over to her hair. Was he going to tuck away a curl? But instead, he drew out a potato peel that had flown and tangled there in her hurry to make another soup for their supper. She was totally humiliated. She could feel her cheeks heat in embarrassment.
"You must truly be taking care of her if you are busy in the kitchen, no?"
"Yes, quite so." But she prevented any other conversation by filling her mouth with a flaky pastry, never looking back at him again. She finally heard him get up and walk away. But Miss Priscilla had not missed anything and was giggling at her expense and whispering behind her fan until the others were looking at her smirking as well.
Her cousin Harry came over just in time to save her by offering his hand to help her stand so they could walk about the meadow. "Thank you, Harry. The refreshments were delicious." He only bent over and picked a small violet and tucked it in her hair.
"There, that's better." He winked at her, cad that he was.
"Better than a potato peel," she grumbled while Harry laughed softly.
Of course she had not remembered to run up to her room so that she could have put her gloves on, another reason the ladies could mock her, no doubt. Even Harry's breath smelling strongly of spirits disheartened her. She just wanted to return to her aunt's cottage and hide away.
"Elwood said he might have embarrassed you and wanted you to know it was not his intent."
"A faux pas is forgetting to wear my gloves, but a potato skin in my hair instead of a ribbon is unspeakable!"
"It will soon be forgotten, dear cousin. But say, James has been asking about you. He seems quite taken."
Gabby couldn't help but glance over at him where he beamed at her with a mouth full of red jelly tarts smearing his teeth this time.
"He says he hopes you come to the Assembly Rooms soon." Harry wiggled his eyebrows comically, but she only felt more ill at ease.
"Will we be going soon?"
"The footman is packing up the leftover food now, see?"
"Thank goodness," she muttered under her breath.
It was a miserable ride back as the young men who had taken too many nips from the flask became loud, Harry the most boisterous of them all. The young women giggled behind their fans as if everything they said was the funniest thing they'd ever heard. Some of their jokes were even getting on the bawdy side until Lord Elwood cleared his throat and glared at them.
Gabby indeed refrained from going to the Assembly Rooms where the gentile people mingled. She much preferred walking Hetty to the beach when she could find a little time to escape. Her aunt's spaniel bounded along beside them coming back soaked from the waves.
She had just sat down with her sketching pad when he ran over and shook all over her. "Prince, stop it!" She held her hands up to cover her face. "You had the whole wide beach to do that in, but must you shake your wet soggy dogginess on me?"
But hearing Hetty screech with laughter, made her glad in spite of the dog's foul deed.
She instead drew Prince as he had turned around three times and now lap napping in the warm sand beside her. She saw a shadow fall on her before she sensed someone had come up behind her. Prince sat up and barked once cheerfully.
"That is quite good. I am impressed."
It was Elwood. "Oh, you mustn't tease. If you had seen the little beast shake half the ocean on me earlier, you wouldn't be quite so taken."
He chuckled. Then said waving his hand out over the sand, "May I?"
"Of course, Lord Noble."
"You can imagine my shock at seeing you again after all these years. But out here on the beach, I think you can safely call me just Elwood."
"I wouldn't want to set a bad example for my little sister..." who ran up just then calling, "It's Elwood, it truly is!"
The gentleman chuckled again. "And you are?"
"Lord Noble this is my little sister Miss Hetty. He stood up like a gentleman and gave her a sweeping bow.
Hetty giggled and curtsied.
Gabby then quickly added, "She was still in the nursery while we were running across the countryside."
"We were quite wild, weren't we?" He actually winked at her.
"Yes, if climbing trees, having crabapple fights, and digging for pirate treasure qualifies for such a description of us, then yes, I quite agree." Gabby couldn't help but laugh. He laughed with her filling her with warmth.
"Speaking of treasure, what is in your hand, Miss Hetty?"
"It's broken, but pretty just the same, don't you agree?"
"Quite so. Do you have a seashell collection?"
"How did you know?" Then Hetty glanced at her hand and said, "Oh, I guess it's obvious. But yes, I do. Do you?"
"I had one once. I do hope a maid has not found my treasure stashed under a loose floor board in my boyhood closet and tossed it."
"Surely not! Will you look for it the next time you go home?" Hetty asked breathlessly.
"Indeed. If I find it, perhaps I will give it to you next time I visit Bath." This made Hetty gasp with pleasure.
"Will you be staying long?" Gabby asked.
"I'm not quite sure. It depends if business calls us home."
"I see."
"Will you be in attendance at the Assembly Rooms any time soon?" he asked Gabby.
"I don't go very often."
"She says she's too busy cooking and tending house, but our aunt says she should go anyway before she becomes a spinster."
"Hetty!" Her sister's outburst thoroughly embarrassed her.
"Oh, sorry," she said sheepishly. "You don't think she'll become a spinster, do you Lord Elwood?"
"Enough!" Gabby sternly glared. "I believe it's time we return."
Fortunately, Prince noticed the exclamations and began barking chasing Hetty as she ran home.
"Please excuse us, Lord Elwood. I think enough has been said for one afternoon."
He just winked and added, "No, I don't believe you will become a spinster, not someone as pretty as you and one who is able to catch the likeness of a prince so perfectly."
He put out his hand to help her up before tipping his hat and strolling on down the beach. Was he chuckling? It mattered not. Gabby was mortified. Her sister would get a stern talking to most certainly.
Hetty cried a few tears when she scolded her, which made Gabby feel even worse. If she had to choose society's judgment over her sister's comfort, her sister would always come first. "Come here, sweetheart. I know you meant no harm."
"Truly I am sorry, most especially to have embarrassed you in front of Lord Elwood."
"Did you say, Lord Elwood?" her aunt spoke up cupping her ear.
"Yes he and his brother Lord Edgar are here in town."
"My daughter, God rest her soul, and their mother were good friends when they were young. They came out together their first season in London." Their aunt sank back into her chair silently reminiscing with a faint smile upon her face.
"I don't think I would like to go to London, would you?" Hetty asked.
"I've been for a short visit once to attend a relative's funeral, but no, I did not care for it. The country is better, I believe, don't you?"
Hetty nodded. "I even think that I'm beginning to like Bath."
"As do I," she smiled fondly at her little sister. Love for her swelled up in her chest.
"George has brought the mail back from town, girls. There is a letter from your sister Cassandra," she smiled.
Hetty ran over and found where it lay on the silver server. "Here, read it, Gabby, please!"
It surely could not be bad news, she thought. Nevertheless, her hands shook as she took it and slit the envelope with the letter opener. She began reading it loudly so their great aunt could hear as well
"Dear sisters and Aunt Beatrice,
I hope this finds you well. It is pretty where I live, though I do miss the view of the ocean. I have not been feeling well of a morning." Gabby looked up paling considerably. But then she let her eyes fall back so she could continue to read. "The housekeeper thinks I might already be in the motherly way. Wouldn't that be shocking! After all, we've only been married four months."
Hetty gasped, "That was quick!"
"I haven't told my husband yet. The housekeeper suggests I wait until I have more proof, like missing you know what before I say anything. " Gabby blushed glancing over at her little sister.
"I know what she means. I'm not that immature," Hetty groused while crossing her arms. "Do go on."
"But dear Gabby, marriage is bliss. I hope you find someone who will take you. You only need to forgo the year of mourning like I did, and go to lots of balls and attend the Assembly Rooms as oft as you can before it is too late."
At least, Gabby thought to herself, she had begun to wear grays and lavender instead of only the black that had indeed left her feeling quite dreary. Everyone seemed to be thinking her well on the way to being a spinster. She sighed and let her eyes be drawn back to the letter.
"Well, that is about all. Oh, I did dismiss my personal maid when I overheard her gossiping about how horrid my red hair was. I like my new one so much better. Give Aunt Beatrice a kiss and Hetty a hug, and please write me back. Sometimes it gets lonely here with no close neighbors. Lots of love, Cassandra."
Gabby folded the letter carefully and set it on the parlor table to read again later. "Now that was surprising, was it not?"
She was just rising to see to their supper when someone knocked on the door. "Cousin Harry, what a surprise! Please come in."
But he wasn't alone. Lord James Laurens was tagging along with him.
"Harry, guess what!" But Hetty let her voice die out when Gabby glared at her and slightly shook her head no.
"What Miss Hetty?"
"Oh, we got a letter from our sister, but she hadn't much to say except she was happy."
Hetty, would you please go put the water on for tea and place some of those scones on a plate. I'll come get the tray in a few minutes."
Hetty's smile became thin, but she did what she was asked.
Harry bowed and said, "Aunt Beatrice, I'd like you to meet my friend Lord James, Baron of Basher Heights."
The pudgy man bowed and kissed her wrinkled hand delighting her aunt. "Please have a seat, gentlemen."
Gabby took up her embroidery hoop mainly so she wouldn't have to meet Lord James'gaze.
"Did you send your help on a holiday, Miss Gabriella? I noticed you opened the door instead of a butler and your sister was sent into the kitchen to prepare tea. Wouldn't you rather ring for service?" he asked as if the world was suddenly upside down.
"No, Lord James, we live a simple life here with our dear auntie since our father died. The house is so snug, we no longer had room for other servants."
He looked aghast. "Indeed!"
"Yes, we make do with the pittance our brother sends us. I've become quite adept in the kitchen actually and find I enjoy it." She smiled boldly up at the gentleman who had never considered what a young woman might become reduced to, even a gentleman's daughter."
"I say, I think it's about time someone puts a bug in your brother's ear," cousin Harry said harshly."
"Oh, he might see the light, but his wife would just as quickly snuff it out," Gabby countered.
"Dastardly business, is it not?" Lord James was becoming more nervous by the second.
"I'll go help my sister get our tea ready. Please excuse me gentlemen." They rose as she hurried to the kitchen.
"Thank you, Hetty. Everything looks perfect. Just remember to think before you speak when we are with company."
"Yes, Gabby."
Gabby filled the teapot with hot water and took it through to the living room as Hetty held the door for her. The gentlemen stood up quickly once again.
"Please have a seat, while I pour. What would you care for in your tea, Lord James?"
"Three cubes of sugar and a spill of cream, if you please. Are those walnut scones?" His eyes lit up.
"Yes, freshly made this morning."
"And you Harry?"
"Just plain is fine." he also took a scone.
"Aunt Beatrice?"
"Two cubes of sugar, please Gabby." There was only one cube left after Lord James had used three. Perhaps her aunt would not notice.
Gabby poured her sister a half cup full and finished it off with cream. "Thank you, Gabby," Hetty said all politeness. Everyone sat quietly, happily eating for a minute. However, Lord James' eyes roamed the parlor looking more uncomfortable by the second.
As soon as he took his last gulp of tea, he stood up and said with his mouth full, "That was jolly good, but alas we must take our leave. Miss Priscilla Emerson is waiting for us to call."
Harry glared at James and quickly slurped his remaining tea.
Gabby and Hetty stood and bade them goodbye.
Once the door was closed, Aunt Beatrice chuckled. "I don't believe that gent has ever been in a house as humble as ours, do you, ladies?"
"We are content, dear Auntie. That is all that matters." Gabby smiled and went and kissed her aunt's cheek.
"You are good girls. I can't imagine how lonely I would be without you."
However, cousin Harry was not giving up on her. The very next day found him pounding on the door until Hetty answered it.
"What in the world, Harry?" Gabby stood in the door to the kitchen with a bent brow.
"Hurry, I need you to come quickly, Gabby. I heard there that a friend of mine, Baron Anthony Templeton, is coming to the Assembly Rooms, one I want you to meet."
Her hands were still covered in flour. "He grabbed her and dragged her into the kitchen to wash the dough off them. Gabby couldn't help but laugh. "Why all the hurry?"
"He doesn't plan to stay long before he goes to play cards. I want to introduce you to him first. I think you would suit. My curricle is waiting outside."
"Hetty, grab my gloves, please." She heard her sister's feet swiftly pounding up the stairs. Harry was at her back quickly putting her cape on her shoulders. She buttoned it up.
"The wind's chilly though the Assembly Rooms will be quite warm with the crush, to be sure," he said.
Harry didn't allow her to kiss her aunt's cheek but just waved as she was pulling up her long gloves. At least she wasn't wearing her oldest mourning dress. She wouldn't compare anyway to the fresh blooms of the elegantly dressed young ladies.
As soon as they arrived, her cousin helped her down from his curricle. Harry nodded to Priscilla and her other friends along with Elwood. "Nice to see you, ladies, Lord Elwood," he said. Gabby was beginning to find her smile as Harry helped her remove her cloak. But then came the gasps. The other ladies were now giggling and pointing at her.
"Harry, give me my cloak back. Hurry! You rushed me too quickly," she said looking down at her apron she'd neglected to take off. "Please take me home, immediately."
He gaped at her then went to retrieve her cape, but Elwood had beat him to it.
"Here, Gabriella. Put this on, then I'll walk you home. Perhaps I'll want to sample whatever you have been baking," he said with a wink.
Once again she had been shamed. "I can go on my own, Lord Elwood. I would not want to take you from your company."
"I insist," he said placing her hand in his arm. "Just keep your chin up. You've done nothing wrong, only it appears that Harry might have rushed you a wee bit."
"Truly." Her chin was up, but her cheeks were bright red she was sure, that and her knees were practically knocking by the time they walked up the avenue before turning to the back rows of houses. Aunt Beatrice's was on the end set apart from the less fancy row houses.
"Thank you, my Lord. I'll let you get back to the Assembly Rooms now. I'm sure I made shocking news for the gossip papers, the first ever young woman to wear her cooks apron into that august place."
"May I come in to at least greet your aunt?"
"Perhaps another time." She could not yet face him still keeping her eyes down. She did not want him to see the tears fall, which soon he would if he did not hurry away.
Once inside, she stood with her back leaning on the door and gazed at her aunt. "I have never been so mortified in my life! Look!" She opened her cape to reveal the dirty apron she wore underneath.
"Oh, my dear Gabriella. What did Harry do to you? He forced you to go with him post haste before you could ready yourself. This I lay at his feet, not yours, dear one."
Hetty stood with her mouth open staring. "Did anybody notice?"
"Did they notice?" Her voice became shrill. "Of course they did. Priscilla and her friends arrived just as we did. I will be the laughingstock of Bath.
"Oh, bosh!" Aunt Beatrice said waving her hands. "Did I tell you about..." but Gabby did not stay to listen but walked slowly back into the kitchen. Her tears dripped down while Hetty giggled at their aunt's stories.
"This undoubtedly settles my spinsterhood," she muttered morosely to herself sighing.
At least two weeks passed before she found enough backbone to even walk to the apothecary's to purchase her aunt's medicine for her arthritis. Was she imagining it or was everyone smiling more broadly at her. How could anyone not have heard of her low brow entrance to the Assembly Rooms. She would probably be permanently banished.
Thus it was a shock when she received an invitation to a ball a few days later. Hetty was jumping up on the balls of her feet clapping. "I knew it, I knew it! How could anyone overlook my beautiful sister?"
Gabby rolled her eyes and said in a unenthusiastic response, "Of course I can't go. I'm still in mourning even if our sister didn't see fit to decline her invitations."
"Of course you'll go," Aunt Beatrice declared. "In fact, my friend Dame Whitaker has just told me of the most lovely lavender fabric at the dress shop. She says she wants to sponsor you, Gabriella."
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Aunt Beatrice, but I refuse to go. It's not appropriate to dance before the year is out ,and I will not take charity, especially the pity kind."
Aunt Beatrice stood from her chair by the third attempt and now leaned heavily on her cane. She straightened up until she was a force to contend with. "I have agree to accompany you. You will go, and that's final!" She huffed and banged her cane on the floor. Then she quickly sank back in her chair breathing heavily.
"Truly, it means this much to you? I'm afraid you'll catch the smirks behind every fluttering fan in the room." Gabby felt defeated.
"You have an appointment at nine o'clock tomorrow at Madame Shirley's dress shop."
Hetty was overjoyed. "Can I go with you?"
"Of course." Gabby figured she needed an arm to lean on but hoped no gossipy tongues would hurt her sister's innocent ears.
The dress was a beautiful, deep lavender with silver thread sewn throughout that seemed to cause her dark locks to gleam. Her aunt even insisted that she wear her pearls. She had Hetty pull out her silk dancing slippers. "I want the more comfortable ones, please, Hetty. The newer ones pinch my toes." Her sister could hardly take her eyes off the beautiful dress.
Of all things, Aunt Beatrice's friend even sent her maid to fix her hair. "Let me see you, Gabriella." Everyone's eyes were on the lovely pearl necklace and matching earrings. Aunt Beatrice dabbing at a tear in her eye. "You are only young once, so don't let silly girls steal it away. You are positively elegant, a cut above, I wager."
"Thank you, Aunt Beatrice. I will write a thank you letter to Dame Whitaker as well."
Just then Harry knocked on the door. When Hetty let him in, he stood there speechless. "By Jove, Gabby, you are stunning!"
Aunt Beatrice had also loaned her a lovely gray wool cloak lined with white rabbit fur. No one dared to bring up the last apron fiasco, not on such a special night as this. Harry looked quite proud with his cousin on his arm. She was surprised to find a gleaming carriage waiting. It had the Noble crest on the door. Gabby looked at Harry hesitantly, but the next moment, Elwood was handing her inside. It was just the three of them. She sat by Harry and looked shyly up at Elwood. "Thank you for taking me tonight Lord Noble." When she made eye contact, he looked as if he was knocked senseless with his eyes drinking her in.
"May I have two dances tonight, Miss Kenworth."
"I will want at least want one as well, Gabriella," Harry said.
"I'm sure I can accommodate you both," she smiled demurely.
When Elwood handed her out of the carriage upon their arrival, he tucked her arm into his and escorted her to the dance floor. "Shall I take the first dance, then the supper dance, Miss Kenworth?"
"Of course, El...I mean Lord Noble."
He grinned, "I much rather hear you call me by my Christian name, but alas, society does frown upon it in public."
"I do try not to embarrass myself in public in spite of my many astounding failures."
She was so nervous to be dancing with him, that she made a slight stumble or two, but quickly caught herself. It was as if one heel was higher than the other. In spite of that, she finally relaxed and enjoyed her evening. Several times she saw Elwood's eyes on her. He even seemed to be studying her feet of all things, but she was too busy dancing to care.
Finally when it was Harry's turn to dance with her, she whispered. "Is something wrong with me?"
"No, of course not," Harry squawked in surprise.
"I don't know, but Lord Noble keeps looking at my feet."
"No worries. Maybe your hem tore a little, but if it is not bothering you, tend to it later."
There was one handsome man to whom Harry made the introductions. "This is my cousin, Miss Gabriella Kenworth. And Gabriella, this is my friend Baron Anthony Templeton." The man gallantly bowed over her hand and kissed it.
She looked up at Harry with a startled look. But Lord Anthony swept her away and danced two dances back to back before she knew it. He was one who liked to talk while he danced.
"I understand that Lord Elwood Noble is quite taken with you, but as he himself has said, you would never suit. It might have been about one too many faux pas, or something like that. Besides, he and his brother Edgar will be leaving soon."
Gabby could feel her heart racing as a blush crept up her face. A true gentleman would never have reminded her of her blunders. "We have known each other since we were children, but I would never presume upon a relationship."
"Now Miss Priscilla Emerson is another matter. Her father is an earl, you know. She is going around strongly hinting that they have formed an attachment. But as yet, no announcement has been made. Perhaps tonight?"
"This was a conversation she wanted no part of, but the man chattered on, "Well, I don't like to see a man string a beautiful young woman along. It is not a gentlemanly thing to do to toy with a woman's affections..."
"Sir, you forget yourself. I prefer not to listen to gossip and ask that you spare me from any more."
His eyes looked at her appreciatively. "I don't mind dancing without saying another word as long as I can look into your eyes."
It took everything in her to keep from rolling her eyes. She looked everywhere but at her dancing partner. When it was over he had the audacity to ask, "May I have the next dance, Miss Kenworth?"
She thought that he certainly had the nerve knowing that dancing a third time would indicate they had an understanding. Instead she merely said, "I believe I will sit it out and rest my feet, but thank you, sir."
He walked away looking a little more than disappointed.
She found that Lord Elwood had sat in a chair beside her. "How are you finding the dancing tonight, Miss Kenworth?"
"Exceptional, except something feels wrong with my shoes. But I don't suppose I should blame them for missing a step here or there."
He looked down and a smile grew on his face. "I'm afraid you've done it again, Miss Kenworth. Lift your skirt just slightly and glance down, no don't stare. It wouldn't do to draw attention to your feet." He looked around as well.
She looked wide-eyed at him. "I can't believe I did that. I asked Hetty to bring me my shoes, but she was so in awe of my new gown that she did not notice she'd grabbed one lilac and one beige one. How could I have not noticed? I must be the most scatterbrained female in all of Bath. This can't be happening, not again," she whispered looking around. It seemed all eyes were on her, but probably only on the handsome man beside her. "Will you please ask Harry to take me home, and then let Aunt Beatrice know I am leaving. She prefers to call for a chair. It is easier for her than climbing in a carriage."
"There's no need for you to run off, Gabriella," he spoke quietly without realizing he had used her Christian name. "No one will notice them under your skirts."
"Well, I saw you looking at my feet while I was dancing. You must have noticed and are too kind to have told me until just now."
He had not blushed in years, but she had caught him watching for glimpses of her shapely ankle as she danced, not that he could confess such a thing as that to her. He sighed, "I'll go get Harry for you, but I must say I'm disappointed to miss the supper dance you promised."
"Oh, I'm sure Miss Priscilla Emerson was counting on you escorting her in." He looked at her funny, but left to do her bidding.
Harry was distraught. "I hate to leave as I had promised the supper dance to Miss Cordelia Fitzgerald."
"I am truly sorry, but perhaps you can just arrange for a carriage to take me home. I'll be fine."
"I can take you home," Lord Elwood offered.
"That most certainly would not do. It would be unseemly," Harry growled at his friend.
Elwood put his hands up as if he were backing away, "Just trying to help a lady in distress."
"Why are you distressed and leaving so early, Gabby? Are you ill?" Harry asked.
"I'll tell you on the way home I'm sure Aunt Beatrice has had enough for one night anyway. This is the most she's been out of the house since I've known her."
"Use my carriage, Harry."
"Thank you, Lord Noble."
"I will miss you at the table beside me tonight," Elwood said quietly as he took her hand to lift her up into the carriage.
When she explained it in the carriage, Harry threw up his hands in disbelief. "Have you always been like this, Gabby? I've never known anyone who has as much trouble as you in moving about society. Is it truly that hard?"
Then he shook his head and began chortling. "Only you, dear cousin. How did you not notice you were wearing two different shoes?"
She shrugged still upset with herself. "Elwood noticed first, of course." At least no one else had seen her make another faux pas, at least she hoped not.
Of course the elderly neighbor who had come to sit with Hetty was more than happy to be let off early. Harry escorted the older woman next door before he hurried back to the ball.
Hetty followed Gabby up the stairs and begged her to tell her all about the dancing and the other ladies' pretty dresses. She helped Gabby to remove the dress so it could be saved for another time. At this point she doubted there would be another time. She'd only gone tonight to please her aunt anyway.
After Hetty wrung every last detail out of her that she could think of, Gabby sat there in her petticoats and pointed her shoes out from under them. "Notice anything, Hetty?"
Hetty looked her over and suddenly covered her gasp with her hands. "I gave you mixed up shoes! Is that why you had to come home early? It's all my fault," she wailed and burst into tears.
Hetty gathered her close to her and comforted her little sister as best she could. "No, Hetty. This absolutely is not your fault. What sane woman in her right mind would not notice two different kinds of shoes on her feet. Besides, nobody else noticed, so no harm done. I was tired anyway and will need to be here to help Aunt Beatrice to bed. I'm sure she will be exhausted."
But Aunt Beatrice did not come home. She was stricken in some way and was taken in a chaise immediately to the doctor's, but it was too late.
Fortunately, Hetty had already fallen asleep and would not need to be told until morning. Harry came to sit with her as well as her aunt's close friend Dame Whitaker who had been there when it happened. Even Lord Elwood came and sat with them until dawn.
A few days later after the funeral, Harry sat down to eat one of the many dishes friends had brought over. He ventured to ask, "What will you do, Gabby? Where will you go?"
"I don't know," she whispered too distraught to raise her voice. "I suppose we will have to throw ourselves upon the mercy of our brother to take us in. I wish Cassandra had room, but I understand their estate is on the small side." He patted her one more time before taking another bite.
"If only I had not agreed to go to the ball, then she would have been safely ensconced at home in her favorite chair, then bed. It's all my fault." She covered her face and wept silently. Her cousin only patted her back awkwardly.
She had not noticed that Harry had let Lord Elwood in. He had sat silently beside her until she spoke those words. "This is not your fault, Gabby. God has our days numbered and they are already in His Book. If anything, you made her extremely happy to see you enjoying yourself there. It was her wish that you attend, was it not?"
She nodded but was embarrassed that he was there to see her fall apart. "I believe we have a little time before her son comes back from India to take possession of her cottage."
Elwood sat with his head bent as if in prayer and his arms on his knees. Finally, Harry said he needed to be off, so Lord Elwood needed to as well. Hetty allowed each of them to hug her. The poor child had seen too much death this past year. Gabby hated to see her back in black once again.
Elwood hesitated at the door. "If you need anything, anything at all, please send for me, Miss Kenworth, promise?"
She looked up glassy eyed and nodded trying to put a smile on her face but failing.
Gabby got up early and did her baking before the hour of calling. Many ladies came to call to see how they were holding up. They went through the sugar cubes like water. Even the tea was pushing their meager income beyond what they were able. It was time to write her brother. "In the morning," she promised herself.
But as soon as she pulled another tray of scones out from the oven, someone was knocking at their door though it was still early. It was a man she didn't know. "May I help you?" Gabby stood on the stoop not offering to let him in.
"I am Mr. Gordan, your aunt's solicitor. May I come in?" Gabby turned to her sister and whispered, "Ask the neighbor to hurry over to chaperone. If she is unable, run and ask our gardener to find Harry or even Lord Elwood for us."
She seated him and asked if he cared for some tea before he began. "I would like my cousin to be here if at all possible. I have sent for him forthwith."
"Then if we must be waiting, I would appreciate a spot of tea."
"I'll be right back."
"Just ring for it and perhaps it would be alright to go over some preliminaries."
"There are no servants here, sir, only the gardener."
The man was dumbfounded. "Your aunt had no servants? He looked around as if just now noticing his surroundings in the simple cottage. I can't imagine why not!"
"It took all we had put together to survive. However, we did not mind and were only grateful that she took us in after our father passed away."
"Was your father the late Lord Kenworth and your brother Lord Charles Kenworth?"
"Yes."
The man's face suddenly looked as if a storm had burst upon his face. It almost alarmed her. "Your aunt has told me of your brother."
She slipped away into the kitchen to make their tea not wanting to be alone with the man, especially if he lost his temper as it looked like he might for whatever reason. With four tea cups a teapot, sugar cubes, a small pitcher of cream, and a plate of raspberry scones, she finally returned to the parlor.
"Sorry that took so long, sir. I'm sure they'll be along shortly."
But Harry ran in without knocking breathless with Hetty on his heels. She too was gasping for breath. "Our neighbor was not home and the gardener was at market, so I had to run downtown to fetch Harry for us."
Gabby patted the place beside her on the sofa. "Thank you, Hetty. You did just right. I'm proud of you," she whispered. Turning back to the gentlemen to introduce them to each other, she found they had already done the honors.
The man looked down his inelegant long nose and stared first at her then Harry. "I must admit, this morning has been startling indeed to find Beatrice living so miserly. He looked down then back at them before saying, "She was a very wealthy woman, but few knew it apparently. Her second husband left everything to her, not to her son from her first marriage. Oh, Beatrice set her son up comfortably in India on a plantation there as were his wishes, but she did not leave him much more that 10,000 pounds."
"Ten thousand..." Hetty started to say in astonishment, but Gabby quieted her.
Harry ran his hand through his hair, but said what they were all thinking. "10,000 pounds may sound like crumbs to some, but to us, it is an astounding sum."
A quiver of a smile teased the man's lips, but he went on to say, "Actually, she has chosen to give the bulk of her wealth to her three nieces Gabriella, Cassandra, and Hetty and one nephew, Harold."
Almost as if in unison, they each squeaked, "Me?"
"I am all astonishment, sir. When she could have afforded a larger house and servants and meat more than once a week, why did she deny herself such things that would have made her life easier?"
"Here is a letter for each of you." He handed them out and they read silently. A few tears dripped down Gabby's face while Harry was barely containing his glee.
Hetty squealed, "She left me Prince! I can't believe it! Of course everything else will be in a trust until I turn twenty-one, but I don't care. She ran to the door and whistled. Prince came scrambling in, sliding on the polished floor and finally crashing into the solicitor causing his papers to fly.
"Hetty! Prince needs to go outside until our guest leaves. What do you say to the man?" Gabby said sternly while grabbing the dog's collar.
"Sorry, sir," Hetty said contritely.
"Not to worry, Miss Kenworth. I have two just like him at home, but my wife won't allow them inside. However occasionally when she's gone on a trip, I do let them in myself." He winked at her as Hetty giggled.
Harry and Gabby were on their knees trying to pick up papers before Prince's toe nails could tear through them."
"I'll sort them all out back at the office, but do you have any questions about her letters?"
"I'm too stunned to think. All I can ask is why?"
"She once told me when I visited her from my London office, that she wished to truly get to know her nieces and nephew, to find them willing to work, to not lean towards dissipation," and he looked up at Harry who suddenly looked uncomfortable. "As for you, young lady, she was afraid if it became know that you had a large dowry, it would attract the wrong sort. She hopes you find a love match, one money would not corrupt."
"But what about the cottage?"
"She will leave that to her son in case he decides to return from India, but she doubted he ever would. You may stay in it as long as you wish, Miss Gabriella, until you marry, that is. However, she has a lovely townhouse she is leaving to you, Harry, right here in Bath very near the Assembly Rooms. I believe she is currently renting them out to the younger and elder Lord Nobles."
Harry let out a snort of amusement. "They are very fine indeed! I've spent much time there without even realizing they would belong to me one day."
"However, as explained in the letter, she has set you up for a trust for thirty thousand a year, sir. And you, Miss Kenworth will have a dowry of twenty thousand pounds and a trust for twenty thousand a year upon your husband when you marry. She stipulates how much is to be kept for your own money separate from his. This is true for each of you girls."
Gabby was speechless, then she turned to Harry, narrowed her eyes then shook her finger at him saying, "Promise me you'll not tell a soul, Harry."
"I may tell the Noble brothers that I will be moving in with even as they finish their season here, but no one will hear about your settlements from me, I swear!"
"Thank you. You know that there are greedy men who will beat my door down to get to such money, like ones who before thought I was below them, such as Lord James or Baron Aaron Templeton. For when a woman marries, it all goes to her husband except as the solicitor said, a small amount stipulated just for her. This way, if I choose not to marry..." she tried to say before Harry chortled.
"That will never happen. The only reason you don't have suitors lines up at your door now is because Aunt Beatrice died and you are in mourning. Just you wait, cousin."
"I'll be old news once I'm out of wearing black."
That evening about sunset, there was a knock on their door. "It's Elwood!" Hetty cried happily.
"Hetty, you must show respect to the man."
"Welcome Lord Noble. Please come in," Hetty said all properly with a curtsy.
"Miss Kenworth, I was wondering if you and your sister would like to walk down to the beach as the colors fade from the sky. Surely, Miss Hetty would be enough of a chaperone."
Hetty ran on ahead with Prince while they walked side by side in comfortable silence. Finally he asked, "How are you doing? Will you have to ask your brother to take you in?"
"No, it is arranged that Hetty and I can stay here in the cottage indefinitely."
"I'm so glad," and he smiled at her enough to make here insides warm.
"Will you be off soon?" she asked.
"Perhaps in another two or three weeks. I wish I didn't have to part company with you, your sister and Harry even." He chuckled. There's only one Harry. He hasn't changed much since our Oxford days."
Then he scowled and looked at his feet. "Miss Kenworth, I have struggled to know where to begin in addressing you. After all, I'm only a second son with a reasonable, but not large settlement..."
Gabby sucked in her breath as her chest constricted her airways. "Wait, is this because of what Aunt Beatrice has done?" she finally panted out as if she'd run a race.
"What has she to do with this?" He genuinely looked confused. "I know she had little to leave to you, and am relieved to know you will not have to move immediately, but that is not quite what I was about to say."
"Sorry, do go on then."
He looked up to where the stars began winking at the night. Then settled his eyes on hers intensely. "Gabriella, I wish that I could offer you riches, but if you would have me, we could live comfortably, you and your sister both in the smaller estate that my father has granted me."
"Have you been talking to Harry?"
"No, I believe he went off to London to order his own carriage and to choose a pair of matching horses," he said. "Harry also said we'd needed to sit down and talk with him when he gets back. But I don't know what that is about, do you? But I don't want to talk about Harry. I want to talk about you, Gabriella, and me, together."
"But my father though a gentleman, was not high up in the peerage, not compared to you."
"Oh, Gabby, I don't care about any of that, I only care about you. I hate to go away without offering you my heart."
"What I wished for and what I thought possible were as far as night from day, but now you are offering..."
"Will you marry me, Gabby? I loved the little girl you were and now know I love the woman you have become."
"Yes, Elwood, I would most happily marry you," then she tore one hand out of his to cover her half sob and half laugh.
"What's wrong Gabby?" Hetty had run to ask.
"I'm just so happy!"
Then he picked her up and swung her around making Prince bark and leap around them.
"Nothing's wrong, sweet girl," she laughed as he put her down. "I've just told Elwood I would marry him."
Hetty squealed with joy, then stopped and put her hands on her hips glaring at him. "Is this about her money?"
"Hetty!" Gabby was mortified.
"What money?" Elwood asked looking perplexed.
"The money Aunt Beatrice left her."
"She left you money?" Elwood asked dumbfounded.
"She fooled us all. It appears she was quite wealthy indeed."
Elwood stumbled backwards for a moment, then put his hands on his knees and breathed deeply. "Is that why Harry has left town to buy a carriage and horses and who knows what else?"
"Yes," Hetty said clapping her hands becoming happy again. Then she turned serious and added, "But our brother didn't get anything."
"Aunt Beatrice wasn't happy how he treated us, it seems," Gabby smiled. "But she was very generous with all three of her nieces and with Harry. I was afraid Harry had let it slip, is all," she looked away ashamed. "I'm sorry I did not trust you at first."
Elwood lifted her chin, saying, "You do believe me, Gabby, don't you, that I knew nothing of this? That I wanted you, have desired you since I first laid my eyes on you in the curricle and you looked up at me and smiled so sweetly."
A chill went down her back knowing exactly what moment he spoke of. "Me too. But I did not dare hope."
"My brother and I just finished writing our father back and forth to come to an acceptable settlement for my inheritance, nothing like my brother's, of course, but that matters not to me. When I saw how hard you worked and were content to live on so little, I hoped then that you would consider my suit, though indeed I promise you a cook and more than one maid," he chuckled. "My father remembers you fondly and is happy when I said I hoped to offer you my hand."
The wedding was held three weeks hence with Lord Elwood's brother standing up with him and her sisters standing up with her. As soon as they walked out and flower petals were strewn and coins tossed to the neighborhood children, Elwood helped Gabby into his open landau. Just as they began slowly driving away, Prince came running along barking. Then of all things, he jumped in and sat between the stunned bride and groom.
"It seems he thinks we have need of a chaperone," Elwood laughed once the shock was over.
Hetty came running up calling, "Prince, get down her right now, you bad boy!"
The naughty dog grabbed Gabriella's bouquet right out of her hands on his way out and seemed to enjoy letting Hetty give chase.
She rubbed at the dog paw prints on her beautiful dress. "Oh well, I don't plan to get married again, so it won't matter so much if my wedding dress is soiled, for nothing can spoil this day!"
"Uh, Mrs. Noble, Gabby dear?"
"What, do I have a potato peel in my hair? Are my shoes unmatched? Did I forget and leave my apron on? Whatever could be wrong, Elwood?" she said apprehensively looking herself over.
"Your cloak is on inside out. See the rabbit fur lining is on the outside."
"Oh, dear, I suppose everyone noticed, but chose not to say a word. She giggled. "I've left Bath with my reputation for being a bumbling bumpkin intact. But I made no blunder by marrying you, that is for certain."
"Perhaps I'll call you my baby bunting," he grinned then kissed her tenderly.
His estate was not far up the coast, halfway between her married sister's where Hetty and Prince would stay for a prolonged visit and the cottage in Bath which allowed them plenty of daylight for the journey. The clear skies promised plenty of starlight to come, just like the night he asked for her hand in marriage.
Finally, she glanced down at his boots and gasped, crying, "You didn't!"
"What?"
"Look at your boots. One is dark brown and the other, black."
He threw back his head and laughed. "You, my dear Gabby are rubbing off on me. I sent my valet ahead yesterday thinking I could at least dress myself for my own wedding, but he must have left only these. I can't wait to see what surprises are in store for us blundering bumpkin bumblers."
Most of the time, Gabby prevailed as she was too busy cooking and baking bread, sweeping the floors or washing their clothes. She may have been a gentleman's daughter, but the weight of staying a step ahead of the poorhouse bore down on her.
"Come now. This is just for the afternoon. Surely your aunt can spare you for a few hours." He somehow hustled her out the door and up into an open landau. Hetty stood waving enviously on the porch steps.
She had been handed up to squeeze into the crowded seats. There had been no time for introductions, but she could feel the heat from the gentleman next to her through his jacket and on her bare arms under short puffed sleeves. She looked up. He looked down and said, "Hello."
She froze, then melted as a dawning realization brought a blush to her cheeks. It was Elwood, their former neighbor. Fortunately he did not seem to recognize her, but a pretty young woman on his other side slid her arm through his, leaned forward and brusquely asked, "Who are you? I don't believe we've met."
Her cousin Harry broke his light conversing just in time to make the forgotten introductions. Elwood looked down studying her face with knit brows. "Gabriella? Is that you?"
But Priscilla on his other side demanded his attention the rest of the way keeping up her chatter like a scolding squirrel. Nevertheless, he spared Gabby an unrestrained smile while she could only turn her lips up timidly.
Once they reached their predetermined destination, it had been decided to stop and take refreshments. The footman hurriedly set everything out upon a checkered cloth. Cool jugs of water with sliced citrus were brought out along with grapes, cheese and crackers and nuts. Then there were platters full of scones and macaroons along with other pastries piled high.
A few of the young men from other carriages had flasks that they walked away with to share with one another, her cousin included. But Elwood stayed along with a man who had been introduced as Lord James Laurens, Baron of Martens Heights. The Lord James Laurens stood by with his plate piled high where the ladies had seated themselves as they nibbled and busily gossiped. His rotundness certainly bore witness to his love of food. However, Lord James kept glancing down at her, once smiling with chocolate pudding from his éclair smeared all over his teeth. It was all she could do to not burst out laughing at his ridiculousness.
Elwood also caught her eye more than once and finally sank to sit beside her. "I had heard about the passing of your father, and I give my condolences."
"Thank you, Lord Elwood
"I assume you are visiting your aunt here in Bath then."
"No, we are situated here ere since our brother took over our father's estate. Indeed it was his wife's suggestion that we might prefer to live in Bath. In some ways it is better here by the seaside, but an adjustment nevertheless. It has also proved timely in that our Aunt Beatrice needs our help. She is quite elderly, you see." Gabby had taken her bonnet off for the silk flower she had attached was attracting a bee.
Gabby's eyes grew wide as Elwood reached over to her hair. Was he going to tuck away a curl? But instead, he drew out a potato peel that had flown and tangled there in her hurry to make another soup for their supper. She was totally humiliated. She could feel her cheeks heat in embarrassment.
"You must truly be taking care of her if you are busy in the kitchen, no?"
"Yes, quite so." But she prevented any other conversation by filling her mouth with a flaky pastry, never looking back at him again. She finally heard him get up and walk away. But Miss Priscilla had not missed anything and was giggling at her expense and whispering behind her fan until the others were looking at her smirking as well.
Her cousin Harry came over just in time to save her by offering his hand to help her stand so they could walk about the meadow. "Thank you, Harry. The refreshments were delicious." He only bent over and picked a small violet and tucked it in her hair.
"There, that's better." He winked at her, cad that he was.
"Better than a potato peel," she grumbled while Harry laughed softly.
Of course she had not remembered to run up to her room so that she could have put her gloves on, another reason the ladies could mock her, no doubt. Even Harry's breath smelling strongly of spirits disheartened her. She just wanted to return to her aunt's cottage and hide away.
"Elwood said he might have embarrassed you and wanted you to know it was not his intent."
"A faux pas is forgetting to wear my gloves, but a potato skin in my hair instead of a ribbon is unspeakable!"
"It will soon be forgotten, dear cousin. But say, James has been asking about you. He seems quite taken."
Gabby couldn't help but glance over at him where he beamed at her with a mouth full of red jelly tarts smearing his teeth this time.
"He says he hopes you come to the Assembly Rooms soon." Harry wiggled his eyebrows comically, but she only felt more ill at ease.
"Will we be going soon?"
"The footman is packing up the leftover food now, see?"
"Thank goodness," she muttered under her breath.
It was a miserable ride back as the young men who had taken too many nips from the flask became loud, Harry the most boisterous of them all. The young women giggled behind their fans as if everything they said was the funniest thing they'd ever heard. Some of their jokes were even getting on the bawdy side until Lord Elwood cleared his throat and glared at them.
Gabby indeed refrained from going to the Assembly Rooms where the gentile people mingled. She much preferred walking Hetty to the beach when she could find a little time to escape. Her aunt's spaniel bounded along beside them coming back soaked from the waves.
She had just sat down with her sketching pad when he ran over and shook all over her. "Prince, stop it!" She held her hands up to cover her face. "You had the whole wide beach to do that in, but must you shake your wet soggy dogginess on me?"
But hearing Hetty screech with laughter, made her glad in spite of the dog's foul deed.
She instead drew Prince as he had turned around three times and now lap napping in the warm sand beside her. She saw a shadow fall on her before she sensed someone had come up behind her. Prince sat up and barked once cheerfully.
"That is quite good. I am impressed."
It was Elwood. "Oh, you mustn't tease. If you had seen the little beast shake half the ocean on me earlier, you wouldn't be quite so taken."
He chuckled. Then said waving his hand out over the sand, "May I?"
"Of course, Lord Noble."
"You can imagine my shock at seeing you again after all these years. But out here on the beach, I think you can safely call me just Elwood."
"I wouldn't want to set a bad example for my little sister..." who ran up just then calling, "It's Elwood, it truly is!"
The gentleman chuckled again. "And you are?"
"Lord Noble this is my little sister Miss Hetty. He stood up like a gentleman and gave her a sweeping bow.
Hetty giggled and curtsied.
Gabby then quickly added, "She was still in the nursery while we were running across the countryside."
"We were quite wild, weren't we?" He actually winked at her.
"Yes, if climbing trees, having crabapple fights, and digging for pirate treasure qualifies for such a description of us, then yes, I quite agree." Gabby couldn't help but laugh. He laughed with her filling her with warmth.
"Speaking of treasure, what is in your hand, Miss Hetty?"
"It's broken, but pretty just the same, don't you agree?"
"Quite so. Do you have a seashell collection?"
"How did you know?" Then Hetty glanced at her hand and said, "Oh, I guess it's obvious. But yes, I do. Do you?"
"I had one once. I do hope a maid has not found my treasure stashed under a loose floor board in my boyhood closet and tossed it."
"Surely not! Will you look for it the next time you go home?" Hetty asked breathlessly.
"Indeed. If I find it, perhaps I will give it to you next time I visit Bath." This made Hetty gasp with pleasure.
"Will you be staying long?" Gabby asked.
"I'm not quite sure. It depends if business calls us home."
"I see."
"Will you be in attendance at the Assembly Rooms any time soon?" he asked Gabby.
"I don't go very often."
"She says she's too busy cooking and tending house, but our aunt says she should go anyway before she becomes a spinster."
"Hetty!" Her sister's outburst thoroughly embarrassed her.
"Oh, sorry," she said sheepishly. "You don't think she'll become a spinster, do you Lord Elwood?"
"Enough!" Gabby sternly glared. "I believe it's time we return."
Fortunately, Prince noticed the exclamations and began barking chasing Hetty as she ran home.
"Please excuse us, Lord Elwood. I think enough has been said for one afternoon."
He just winked and added, "No, I don't believe you will become a spinster, not someone as pretty as you and one who is able to catch the likeness of a prince so perfectly."
He put out his hand to help her up before tipping his hat and strolling on down the beach. Was he chuckling? It mattered not. Gabby was mortified. Her sister would get a stern talking to most certainly.
Hetty cried a few tears when she scolded her, which made Gabby feel even worse. If she had to choose society's judgment over her sister's comfort, her sister would always come first. "Come here, sweetheart. I know you meant no harm."
"Truly I am sorry, most especially to have embarrassed you in front of Lord Elwood."
"Did you say, Lord Elwood?" her aunt spoke up cupping her ear.
"Yes he and his brother Lord Edgar are here in town."
"My daughter, God rest her soul, and their mother were good friends when they were young. They came out together their first season in London." Their aunt sank back into her chair silently reminiscing with a faint smile upon her face.
"I don't think I would like to go to London, would you?" Hetty asked.
"I've been for a short visit once to attend a relative's funeral, but no, I did not care for it. The country is better, I believe, don't you?"
Hetty nodded. "I even think that I'm beginning to like Bath."
"As do I," she smiled fondly at her little sister. Love for her swelled up in her chest.
"George has brought the mail back from town, girls. There is a letter from your sister Cassandra," she smiled.
Hetty ran over and found where it lay on the silver server. "Here, read it, Gabby, please!"
It surely could not be bad news, she thought. Nevertheless, her hands shook as she took it and slit the envelope with the letter opener. She began reading it loudly so their great aunt could hear as well
"Dear sisters and Aunt Beatrice,
I hope this finds you well. It is pretty where I live, though I do miss the view of the ocean. I have not been feeling well of a morning." Gabby looked up paling considerably. But then she let her eyes fall back so she could continue to read. "The housekeeper thinks I might already be in the motherly way. Wouldn't that be shocking! After all, we've only been married four months."
Hetty gasped, "That was quick!"
"I haven't told my husband yet. The housekeeper suggests I wait until I have more proof, like missing you know what before I say anything. " Gabby blushed glancing over at her little sister.
"I know what she means. I'm not that immature," Hetty groused while crossing her arms. "Do go on."
"But dear Gabby, marriage is bliss. I hope you find someone who will take you. You only need to forgo the year of mourning like I did, and go to lots of balls and attend the Assembly Rooms as oft as you can before it is too late."
At least, Gabby thought to herself, she had begun to wear grays and lavender instead of only the black that had indeed left her feeling quite dreary. Everyone seemed to be thinking her well on the way to being a spinster. She sighed and let her eyes be drawn back to the letter.
"Well, that is about all. Oh, I did dismiss my personal maid when I overheard her gossiping about how horrid my red hair was. I like my new one so much better. Give Aunt Beatrice a kiss and Hetty a hug, and please write me back. Sometimes it gets lonely here with no close neighbors. Lots of love, Cassandra."
Gabby folded the letter carefully and set it on the parlor table to read again later. "Now that was surprising, was it not?"
She was just rising to see to their supper when someone knocked on the door. "Cousin Harry, what a surprise! Please come in."
But he wasn't alone. Lord James Laurens was tagging along with him.
"Harry, guess what!" But Hetty let her voice die out when Gabby glared at her and slightly shook her head no.
"What Miss Hetty?"
"Oh, we got a letter from our sister, but she hadn't much to say except she was happy."
Hetty, would you please go put the water on for tea and place some of those scones on a plate. I'll come get the tray in a few minutes."
Hetty's smile became thin, but she did what she was asked.
Harry bowed and said, "Aunt Beatrice, I'd like you to meet my friend Lord James, Baron of Basher Heights."
The pudgy man bowed and kissed her wrinkled hand delighting her aunt. "Please have a seat, gentlemen."
Gabby took up her embroidery hoop mainly so she wouldn't have to meet Lord James'gaze.
"Did you send your help on a holiday, Miss Gabriella? I noticed you opened the door instead of a butler and your sister was sent into the kitchen to prepare tea. Wouldn't you rather ring for service?" he asked as if the world was suddenly upside down.
"No, Lord James, we live a simple life here with our dear auntie since our father died. The house is so snug, we no longer had room for other servants."
He looked aghast. "Indeed!"
"Yes, we make do with the pittance our brother sends us. I've become quite adept in the kitchen actually and find I enjoy it." She smiled boldly up at the gentleman who had never considered what a young woman might become reduced to, even a gentleman's daughter."
"I say, I think it's about time someone puts a bug in your brother's ear," cousin Harry said harshly."
"Oh, he might see the light, but his wife would just as quickly snuff it out," Gabby countered.
"Dastardly business, is it not?" Lord James was becoming more nervous by the second.
"I'll go help my sister get our tea ready. Please excuse me gentlemen." They rose as she hurried to the kitchen.
"Thank you, Hetty. Everything looks perfect. Just remember to think before you speak when we are with company."
"Yes, Gabby."
Gabby filled the teapot with hot water and took it through to the living room as Hetty held the door for her. The gentlemen stood up quickly once again.
"Please have a seat, while I pour. What would you care for in your tea, Lord James?"
"Three cubes of sugar and a spill of cream, if you please. Are those walnut scones?" His eyes lit up.
"Yes, freshly made this morning."
"And you Harry?"
"Just plain is fine." he also took a scone.
"Aunt Beatrice?"
"Two cubes of sugar, please Gabby." There was only one cube left after Lord James had used three. Perhaps her aunt would not notice.
Gabby poured her sister a half cup full and finished it off with cream. "Thank you, Gabby," Hetty said all politeness. Everyone sat quietly, happily eating for a minute. However, Lord James' eyes roamed the parlor looking more uncomfortable by the second.
As soon as he took his last gulp of tea, he stood up and said with his mouth full, "That was jolly good, but alas we must take our leave. Miss Priscilla Emerson is waiting for us to call."
Harry glared at James and quickly slurped his remaining tea.
Gabby and Hetty stood and bade them goodbye.
Once the door was closed, Aunt Beatrice chuckled. "I don't believe that gent has ever been in a house as humble as ours, do you, ladies?"
"We are content, dear Auntie. That is all that matters." Gabby smiled and went and kissed her aunt's cheek.
"You are good girls. I can't imagine how lonely I would be without you."
However, cousin Harry was not giving up on her. The very next day found him pounding on the door until Hetty answered it.
"What in the world, Harry?" Gabby stood in the door to the kitchen with a bent brow.
"Hurry, I need you to come quickly, Gabby. I heard there that a friend of mine, Baron Anthony Templeton, is coming to the Assembly Rooms, one I want you to meet."
Her hands were still covered in flour. "He grabbed her and dragged her into the kitchen to wash the dough off them. Gabby couldn't help but laugh. "Why all the hurry?"
"He doesn't plan to stay long before he goes to play cards. I want to introduce you to him first. I think you would suit. My curricle is waiting outside."
"Hetty, grab my gloves, please." She heard her sister's feet swiftly pounding up the stairs. Harry was at her back quickly putting her cape on her shoulders. She buttoned it up.
"The wind's chilly though the Assembly Rooms will be quite warm with the crush, to be sure," he said.
Harry didn't allow her to kiss her aunt's cheek but just waved as she was pulling up her long gloves. At least she wasn't wearing her oldest mourning dress. She wouldn't compare anyway to the fresh blooms of the elegantly dressed young ladies.
As soon as they arrived, her cousin helped her down from his curricle. Harry nodded to Priscilla and her other friends along with Elwood. "Nice to see you, ladies, Lord Elwood," he said. Gabby was beginning to find her smile as Harry helped her remove her cloak. But then came the gasps. The other ladies were now giggling and pointing at her.
"Harry, give me my cloak back. Hurry! You rushed me too quickly," she said looking down at her apron she'd neglected to take off. "Please take me home, immediately."
He gaped at her then went to retrieve her cape, but Elwood had beat him to it.
"Here, Gabriella. Put this on, then I'll walk you home. Perhaps I'll want to sample whatever you have been baking," he said with a wink.
Once again she had been shamed. "I can go on my own, Lord Elwood. I would not want to take you from your company."
"I insist," he said placing her hand in his arm. "Just keep your chin up. You've done nothing wrong, only it appears that Harry might have rushed you a wee bit."
"Truly." Her chin was up, but her cheeks were bright red she was sure, that and her knees were practically knocking by the time they walked up the avenue before turning to the back rows of houses. Aunt Beatrice's was on the end set apart from the less fancy row houses.
"Thank you, my Lord. I'll let you get back to the Assembly Rooms now. I'm sure I made shocking news for the gossip papers, the first ever young woman to wear her cooks apron into that august place."
"May I come in to at least greet your aunt?"
"Perhaps another time." She could not yet face him still keeping her eyes down. She did not want him to see the tears fall, which soon he would if he did not hurry away.
Once inside, she stood with her back leaning on the door and gazed at her aunt. "I have never been so mortified in my life! Look!" She opened her cape to reveal the dirty apron she wore underneath.
"Oh, my dear Gabriella. What did Harry do to you? He forced you to go with him post haste before you could ready yourself. This I lay at his feet, not yours, dear one."
Hetty stood with her mouth open staring. "Did anybody notice?"
"Did they notice?" Her voice became shrill. "Of course they did. Priscilla and her friends arrived just as we did. I will be the laughingstock of Bath.
"Oh, bosh!" Aunt Beatrice said waving her hands. "Did I tell you about..." but Gabby did not stay to listen but walked slowly back into the kitchen. Her tears dripped down while Hetty giggled at their aunt's stories.
"This undoubtedly settles my spinsterhood," she muttered morosely to herself sighing.
At least two weeks passed before she found enough backbone to even walk to the apothecary's to purchase her aunt's medicine for her arthritis. Was she imagining it or was everyone smiling more broadly at her. How could anyone not have heard of her low brow entrance to the Assembly Rooms. She would probably be permanently banished.
Thus it was a shock when she received an invitation to a ball a few days later. Hetty was jumping up on the balls of her feet clapping. "I knew it, I knew it! How could anyone overlook my beautiful sister?"
Gabby rolled her eyes and said in a unenthusiastic response, "Of course I can't go. I'm still in mourning even if our sister didn't see fit to decline her invitations."
"Of course you'll go," Aunt Beatrice declared. "In fact, my friend Dame Whitaker has just told me of the most lovely lavender fabric at the dress shop. She says she wants to sponsor you, Gabriella."
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Aunt Beatrice, but I refuse to go. It's not appropriate to dance before the year is out ,and I will not take charity, especially the pity kind."
Aunt Beatrice stood from her chair by the third attempt and now leaned heavily on her cane. She straightened up until she was a force to contend with. "I have agree to accompany you. You will go, and that's final!" She huffed and banged her cane on the floor. Then she quickly sank back in her chair breathing heavily.
"Truly, it means this much to you? I'm afraid you'll catch the smirks behind every fluttering fan in the room." Gabby felt defeated.
"You have an appointment at nine o'clock tomorrow at Madame Shirley's dress shop."
Hetty was overjoyed. "Can I go with you?"
"Of course." Gabby figured she needed an arm to lean on but hoped no gossipy tongues would hurt her sister's innocent ears.
The dress was a beautiful, deep lavender with silver thread sewn throughout that seemed to cause her dark locks to gleam. Her aunt even insisted that she wear her pearls. She had Hetty pull out her silk dancing slippers. "I want the more comfortable ones, please, Hetty. The newer ones pinch my toes." Her sister could hardly take her eyes off the beautiful dress.
Of all things, Aunt Beatrice's friend even sent her maid to fix her hair. "Let me see you, Gabriella." Everyone's eyes were on the lovely pearl necklace and matching earrings. Aunt Beatrice dabbing at a tear in her eye. "You are only young once, so don't let silly girls steal it away. You are positively elegant, a cut above, I wager."
"Thank you, Aunt Beatrice. I will write a thank you letter to Dame Whitaker as well."
Just then Harry knocked on the door. When Hetty let him in, he stood there speechless. "By Jove, Gabby, you are stunning!"
Aunt Beatrice had also loaned her a lovely gray wool cloak lined with white rabbit fur. No one dared to bring up the last apron fiasco, not on such a special night as this. Harry looked quite proud with his cousin on his arm. She was surprised to find a gleaming carriage waiting. It had the Noble crest on the door. Gabby looked at Harry hesitantly, but the next moment, Elwood was handing her inside. It was just the three of them. She sat by Harry and looked shyly up at Elwood. "Thank you for taking me tonight Lord Noble." When she made eye contact, he looked as if he was knocked senseless with his eyes drinking her in.
"May I have two dances tonight, Miss Kenworth."
"I will want at least want one as well, Gabriella," Harry said.
"I'm sure I can accommodate you both," she smiled demurely.
When Elwood handed her out of the carriage upon their arrival, he tucked her arm into his and escorted her to the dance floor. "Shall I take the first dance, then the supper dance, Miss Kenworth?"
"Of course, El...I mean Lord Noble."
He grinned, "I much rather hear you call me by my Christian name, but alas, society does frown upon it in public."
"I do try not to embarrass myself in public in spite of my many astounding failures."
She was so nervous to be dancing with him, that she made a slight stumble or two, but quickly caught herself. It was as if one heel was higher than the other. In spite of that, she finally relaxed and enjoyed her evening. Several times she saw Elwood's eyes on her. He even seemed to be studying her feet of all things, but she was too busy dancing to care.
Finally when it was Harry's turn to dance with her, she whispered. "Is something wrong with me?"
"No, of course not," Harry squawked in surprise.
"I don't know, but Lord Noble keeps looking at my feet."
"No worries. Maybe your hem tore a little, but if it is not bothering you, tend to it later."
There was one handsome man to whom Harry made the introductions. "This is my cousin, Miss Gabriella Kenworth. And Gabriella, this is my friend Baron Anthony Templeton." The man gallantly bowed over her hand and kissed it.
She looked up at Harry with a startled look. But Lord Anthony swept her away and danced two dances back to back before she knew it. He was one who liked to talk while he danced.
"I understand that Lord Elwood Noble is quite taken with you, but as he himself has said, you would never suit. It might have been about one too many faux pas, or something like that. Besides, he and his brother Edgar will be leaving soon."
Gabby could feel her heart racing as a blush crept up her face. A true gentleman would never have reminded her of her blunders. "We have known each other since we were children, but I would never presume upon a relationship."
"Now Miss Priscilla Emerson is another matter. Her father is an earl, you know. She is going around strongly hinting that they have formed an attachment. But as yet, no announcement has been made. Perhaps tonight?"
"This was a conversation she wanted no part of, but the man chattered on, "Well, I don't like to see a man string a beautiful young woman along. It is not a gentlemanly thing to do to toy with a woman's affections..."
"Sir, you forget yourself. I prefer not to listen to gossip and ask that you spare me from any more."
His eyes looked at her appreciatively. "I don't mind dancing without saying another word as long as I can look into your eyes."
It took everything in her to keep from rolling her eyes. She looked everywhere but at her dancing partner. When it was over he had the audacity to ask, "May I have the next dance, Miss Kenworth?"
She thought that he certainly had the nerve knowing that dancing a third time would indicate they had an understanding. Instead she merely said, "I believe I will sit it out and rest my feet, but thank you, sir."
He walked away looking a little more than disappointed.
She found that Lord Elwood had sat in a chair beside her. "How are you finding the dancing tonight, Miss Kenworth?"
"Exceptional, except something feels wrong with my shoes. But I don't suppose I should blame them for missing a step here or there."
He looked down and a smile grew on his face. "I'm afraid you've done it again, Miss Kenworth. Lift your skirt just slightly and glance down, no don't stare. It wouldn't do to draw attention to your feet." He looked around as well.
She looked wide-eyed at him. "I can't believe I did that. I asked Hetty to bring me my shoes, but she was so in awe of my new gown that she did not notice she'd grabbed one lilac and one beige one. How could I have not noticed? I must be the most scatterbrained female in all of Bath. This can't be happening, not again," she whispered looking around. It seemed all eyes were on her, but probably only on the handsome man beside her. "Will you please ask Harry to take me home, and then let Aunt Beatrice know I am leaving. She prefers to call for a chair. It is easier for her than climbing in a carriage."
"There's no need for you to run off, Gabriella," he spoke quietly without realizing he had used her Christian name. "No one will notice them under your skirts."
"Well, I saw you looking at my feet while I was dancing. You must have noticed and are too kind to have told me until just now."
He had not blushed in years, but she had caught him watching for glimpses of her shapely ankle as she danced, not that he could confess such a thing as that to her. He sighed, "I'll go get Harry for you, but I must say I'm disappointed to miss the supper dance you promised."
"Oh, I'm sure Miss Priscilla Emerson was counting on you escorting her in." He looked at her funny, but left to do her bidding.
Harry was distraught. "I hate to leave as I had promised the supper dance to Miss Cordelia Fitzgerald."
"I am truly sorry, but perhaps you can just arrange for a carriage to take me home. I'll be fine."
"I can take you home," Lord Elwood offered.
"That most certainly would not do. It would be unseemly," Harry growled at his friend.
Elwood put his hands up as if he were backing away, "Just trying to help a lady in distress."
"Why are you distressed and leaving so early, Gabby? Are you ill?" Harry asked.
"I'll tell you on the way home I'm sure Aunt Beatrice has had enough for one night anyway. This is the most she's been out of the house since I've known her."
"Use my carriage, Harry."
"Thank you, Lord Noble."
"I will miss you at the table beside me tonight," Elwood said quietly as he took her hand to lift her up into the carriage.
When she explained it in the carriage, Harry threw up his hands in disbelief. "Have you always been like this, Gabby? I've never known anyone who has as much trouble as you in moving about society. Is it truly that hard?"
Then he shook his head and began chortling. "Only you, dear cousin. How did you not notice you were wearing two different shoes?"
She shrugged still upset with herself. "Elwood noticed first, of course." At least no one else had seen her make another faux pas, at least she hoped not.
Of course the elderly neighbor who had come to sit with Hetty was more than happy to be let off early. Harry escorted the older woman next door before he hurried back to the ball.
Hetty followed Gabby up the stairs and begged her to tell her all about the dancing and the other ladies' pretty dresses. She helped Gabby to remove the dress so it could be saved for another time. At this point she doubted there would be another time. She'd only gone tonight to please her aunt anyway.
After Hetty wrung every last detail out of her that she could think of, Gabby sat there in her petticoats and pointed her shoes out from under them. "Notice anything, Hetty?"
Hetty looked her over and suddenly covered her gasp with her hands. "I gave you mixed up shoes! Is that why you had to come home early? It's all my fault," she wailed and burst into tears.
Hetty gathered her close to her and comforted her little sister as best she could. "No, Hetty. This absolutely is not your fault. What sane woman in her right mind would not notice two different kinds of shoes on her feet. Besides, nobody else noticed, so no harm done. I was tired anyway and will need to be here to help Aunt Beatrice to bed. I'm sure she will be exhausted."
But Aunt Beatrice did not come home. She was stricken in some way and was taken in a chaise immediately to the doctor's, but it was too late.
Fortunately, Hetty had already fallen asleep and would not need to be told until morning. Harry came to sit with her as well as her aunt's close friend Dame Whitaker who had been there when it happened. Even Lord Elwood came and sat with them until dawn.
A few days later after the funeral, Harry sat down to eat one of the many dishes friends had brought over. He ventured to ask, "What will you do, Gabby? Where will you go?"
"I don't know," she whispered too distraught to raise her voice. "I suppose we will have to throw ourselves upon the mercy of our brother to take us in. I wish Cassandra had room, but I understand their estate is on the small side." He patted her one more time before taking another bite.
"If only I had not agreed to go to the ball, then she would have been safely ensconced at home in her favorite chair, then bed. It's all my fault." She covered her face and wept silently. Her cousin only patted her back awkwardly.
She had not noticed that Harry had let Lord Elwood in. He had sat silently beside her until she spoke those words. "This is not your fault, Gabby. God has our days numbered and they are already in His Book. If anything, you made her extremely happy to see you enjoying yourself there. It was her wish that you attend, was it not?"
She nodded but was embarrassed that he was there to see her fall apart. "I believe we have a little time before her son comes back from India to take possession of her cottage."
Elwood sat with his head bent as if in prayer and his arms on his knees. Finally, Harry said he needed to be off, so Lord Elwood needed to as well. Hetty allowed each of them to hug her. The poor child had seen too much death this past year. Gabby hated to see her back in black once again.
Elwood hesitated at the door. "If you need anything, anything at all, please send for me, Miss Kenworth, promise?"
She looked up glassy eyed and nodded trying to put a smile on her face but failing.
Gabby got up early and did her baking before the hour of calling. Many ladies came to call to see how they were holding up. They went through the sugar cubes like water. Even the tea was pushing their meager income beyond what they were able. It was time to write her brother. "In the morning," she promised herself.
But as soon as she pulled another tray of scones out from the oven, someone was knocking at their door though it was still early. It was a man she didn't know. "May I help you?" Gabby stood on the stoop not offering to let him in.
"I am Mr. Gordan, your aunt's solicitor. May I come in?" Gabby turned to her sister and whispered, "Ask the neighbor to hurry over to chaperone. If she is unable, run and ask our gardener to find Harry or even Lord Elwood for us."
She seated him and asked if he cared for some tea before he began. "I would like my cousin to be here if at all possible. I have sent for him forthwith."
"Then if we must be waiting, I would appreciate a spot of tea."
"I'll be right back."
"Just ring for it and perhaps it would be alright to go over some preliminaries."
"There are no servants here, sir, only the gardener."
The man was dumbfounded. "Your aunt had no servants? He looked around as if just now noticing his surroundings in the simple cottage. I can't imagine why not!"
"It took all we had put together to survive. However, we did not mind and were only grateful that she took us in after our father passed away."
"Was your father the late Lord Kenworth and your brother Lord Charles Kenworth?"
"Yes."
The man's face suddenly looked as if a storm had burst upon his face. It almost alarmed her. "Your aunt has told me of your brother."
She slipped away into the kitchen to make their tea not wanting to be alone with the man, especially if he lost his temper as it looked like he might for whatever reason. With four tea cups a teapot, sugar cubes, a small pitcher of cream, and a plate of raspberry scones, she finally returned to the parlor.
"Sorry that took so long, sir. I'm sure they'll be along shortly."
But Harry ran in without knocking breathless with Hetty on his heels. She too was gasping for breath. "Our neighbor was not home and the gardener was at market, so I had to run downtown to fetch Harry for us."
Gabby patted the place beside her on the sofa. "Thank you, Hetty. You did just right. I'm proud of you," she whispered. Turning back to the gentlemen to introduce them to each other, she found they had already done the honors.
The man looked down his inelegant long nose and stared first at her then Harry. "I must admit, this morning has been startling indeed to find Beatrice living so miserly. He looked down then back at them before saying, "She was a very wealthy woman, but few knew it apparently. Her second husband left everything to her, not to her son from her first marriage. Oh, Beatrice set her son up comfortably in India on a plantation there as were his wishes, but she did not leave him much more that 10,000 pounds."
"Ten thousand..." Hetty started to say in astonishment, but Gabby quieted her.
Harry ran his hand through his hair, but said what they were all thinking. "10,000 pounds may sound like crumbs to some, but to us, it is an astounding sum."
A quiver of a smile teased the man's lips, but he went on to say, "Actually, she has chosen to give the bulk of her wealth to her three nieces Gabriella, Cassandra, and Hetty and one nephew, Harold."
Almost as if in unison, they each squeaked, "Me?"
"I am all astonishment, sir. When she could have afforded a larger house and servants and meat more than once a week, why did she deny herself such things that would have made her life easier?"
"Here is a letter for each of you." He handed them out and they read silently. A few tears dripped down Gabby's face while Harry was barely containing his glee.
Hetty squealed, "She left me Prince! I can't believe it! Of course everything else will be in a trust until I turn twenty-one, but I don't care. She ran to the door and whistled. Prince came scrambling in, sliding on the polished floor and finally crashing into the solicitor causing his papers to fly.
"Hetty! Prince needs to go outside until our guest leaves. What do you say to the man?" Gabby said sternly while grabbing the dog's collar.
"Sorry, sir," Hetty said contritely.
"Not to worry, Miss Kenworth. I have two just like him at home, but my wife won't allow them inside. However occasionally when she's gone on a trip, I do let them in myself." He winked at her as Hetty giggled.
Harry and Gabby were on their knees trying to pick up papers before Prince's toe nails could tear through them."
"I'll sort them all out back at the office, but do you have any questions about her letters?"
"I'm too stunned to think. All I can ask is why?"
"She once told me when I visited her from my London office, that she wished to truly get to know her nieces and nephew, to find them willing to work, to not lean towards dissipation," and he looked up at Harry who suddenly looked uncomfortable. "As for you, young lady, she was afraid if it became know that you had a large dowry, it would attract the wrong sort. She hopes you find a love match, one money would not corrupt."
"But what about the cottage?"
"She will leave that to her son in case he decides to return from India, but she doubted he ever would. You may stay in it as long as you wish, Miss Gabriella, until you marry, that is. However, she has a lovely townhouse she is leaving to you, Harry, right here in Bath very near the Assembly Rooms. I believe she is currently renting them out to the younger and elder Lord Nobles."
Harry let out a snort of amusement. "They are very fine indeed! I've spent much time there without even realizing they would belong to me one day."
"However, as explained in the letter, she has set you up for a trust for thirty thousand a year, sir. And you, Miss Kenworth will have a dowry of twenty thousand pounds and a trust for twenty thousand a year upon your husband when you marry. She stipulates how much is to be kept for your own money separate from his. This is true for each of you girls."
Gabby was speechless, then she turned to Harry, narrowed her eyes then shook her finger at him saying, "Promise me you'll not tell a soul, Harry."
"I may tell the Noble brothers that I will be moving in with even as they finish their season here, but no one will hear about your settlements from me, I swear!"
"Thank you. You know that there are greedy men who will beat my door down to get to such money, like ones who before thought I was below them, such as Lord James or Baron Aaron Templeton. For when a woman marries, it all goes to her husband except as the solicitor said, a small amount stipulated just for her. This way, if I choose not to marry..." she tried to say before Harry chortled.
"That will never happen. The only reason you don't have suitors lines up at your door now is because Aunt Beatrice died and you are in mourning. Just you wait, cousin."
"I'll be old news once I'm out of wearing black."
That evening about sunset, there was a knock on their door. "It's Elwood!" Hetty cried happily.
"Hetty, you must show respect to the man."
"Welcome Lord Noble. Please come in," Hetty said all properly with a curtsy.
"Miss Kenworth, I was wondering if you and your sister would like to walk down to the beach as the colors fade from the sky. Surely, Miss Hetty would be enough of a chaperone."
Hetty ran on ahead with Prince while they walked side by side in comfortable silence. Finally he asked, "How are you doing? Will you have to ask your brother to take you in?"
"No, it is arranged that Hetty and I can stay here in the cottage indefinitely."
"I'm so glad," and he smiled at her enough to make here insides warm.
"Will you be off soon?" she asked.
"Perhaps in another two or three weeks. I wish I didn't have to part company with you, your sister and Harry even." He chuckled. There's only one Harry. He hasn't changed much since our Oxford days."
Then he scowled and looked at his feet. "Miss Kenworth, I have struggled to know where to begin in addressing you. After all, I'm only a second son with a reasonable, but not large settlement..."
Gabby sucked in her breath as her chest constricted her airways. "Wait, is this because of what Aunt Beatrice has done?" she finally panted out as if she'd run a race.
"What has she to do with this?" He genuinely looked confused. "I know she had little to leave to you, and am relieved to know you will not have to move immediately, but that is not quite what I was about to say."
"Sorry, do go on then."
He looked up to where the stars began winking at the night. Then settled his eyes on hers intensely. "Gabriella, I wish that I could offer you riches, but if you would have me, we could live comfortably, you and your sister both in the smaller estate that my father has granted me."
"Have you been talking to Harry?"
"No, I believe he went off to London to order his own carriage and to choose a pair of matching horses," he said. "Harry also said we'd needed to sit down and talk with him when he gets back. But I don't know what that is about, do you? But I don't want to talk about Harry. I want to talk about you, Gabriella, and me, together."
"But my father though a gentleman, was not high up in the peerage, not compared to you."
"Oh, Gabby, I don't care about any of that, I only care about you. I hate to go away without offering you my heart."
"What I wished for and what I thought possible were as far as night from day, but now you are offering..."
"Will you marry me, Gabby? I loved the little girl you were and now know I love the woman you have become."
"Yes, Elwood, I would most happily marry you," then she tore one hand out of his to cover her half sob and half laugh.
"What's wrong Gabby?" Hetty had run to ask.
"I'm just so happy!"
Then he picked her up and swung her around making Prince bark and leap around them.
"Nothing's wrong, sweet girl," she laughed as he put her down. "I've just told Elwood I would marry him."
Hetty squealed with joy, then stopped and put her hands on her hips glaring at him. "Is this about her money?"
"Hetty!" Gabby was mortified.
"What money?" Elwood asked looking perplexed.
"The money Aunt Beatrice left her."
"She left you money?" Elwood asked dumbfounded.
"She fooled us all. It appears she was quite wealthy indeed."
Elwood stumbled backwards for a moment, then put his hands on his knees and breathed deeply. "Is that why Harry has left town to buy a carriage and horses and who knows what else?"
"Yes," Hetty said clapping her hands becoming happy again. Then she turned serious and added, "But our brother didn't get anything."
"Aunt Beatrice wasn't happy how he treated us, it seems," Gabby smiled. "But she was very generous with all three of her nieces and with Harry. I was afraid Harry had let it slip, is all," she looked away ashamed. "I'm sorry I did not trust you at first."
Elwood lifted her chin, saying, "You do believe me, Gabby, don't you, that I knew nothing of this? That I wanted you, have desired you since I first laid my eyes on you in the curricle and you looked up at me and smiled so sweetly."
A chill went down her back knowing exactly what moment he spoke of. "Me too. But I did not dare hope."
"My brother and I just finished writing our father back and forth to come to an acceptable settlement for my inheritance, nothing like my brother's, of course, but that matters not to me. When I saw how hard you worked and were content to live on so little, I hoped then that you would consider my suit, though indeed I promise you a cook and more than one maid," he chuckled. "My father remembers you fondly and is happy when I said I hoped to offer you my hand."
The wedding was held three weeks hence with Lord Elwood's brother standing up with him and her sisters standing up with her. As soon as they walked out and flower petals were strewn and coins tossed to the neighborhood children, Elwood helped Gabby into his open landau. Just as they began slowly driving away, Prince came running along barking. Then of all things, he jumped in and sat between the stunned bride and groom.
"It seems he thinks we have need of a chaperone," Elwood laughed once the shock was over.
Hetty came running up calling, "Prince, get down her right now, you bad boy!"
The naughty dog grabbed Gabriella's bouquet right out of her hands on his way out and seemed to enjoy letting Hetty give chase.
She rubbed at the dog paw prints on her beautiful dress. "Oh well, I don't plan to get married again, so it won't matter so much if my wedding dress is soiled, for nothing can spoil this day!"
"Uh, Mrs. Noble, Gabby dear?"
"What, do I have a potato peel in my hair? Are my shoes unmatched? Did I forget and leave my apron on? Whatever could be wrong, Elwood?" she said apprehensively looking herself over.
"Your cloak is on inside out. See the rabbit fur lining is on the outside."
"Oh, dear, I suppose everyone noticed, but chose not to say a word. She giggled. "I've left Bath with my reputation for being a bumbling bumpkin intact. But I made no blunder by marrying you, that is for certain."
"Perhaps I'll call you my baby bunting," he grinned then kissed her tenderly.
His estate was not far up the coast, halfway between her married sister's where Hetty and Prince would stay for a prolonged visit and the cottage in Bath which allowed them plenty of daylight for the journey. The clear skies promised plenty of starlight to come, just like the night he asked for her hand in marriage.
Finally, she glanced down at his boots and gasped, crying, "You didn't!"
"What?"
"Look at your boots. One is dark brown and the other, black."
He threw back his head and laughed. "You, my dear Gabby are rubbing off on me. I sent my valet ahead yesterday thinking I could at least dress myself for my own wedding, but he must have left only these. I can't wait to see what surprises are in store for us blundering bumpkin bumblers."
The best inheritance ever:
"...hath begotten us again unto a lively hope...
an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled,
and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you."
I Peter 1:3-4
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