Annabelle tried hard not to squirm. Listening to the interloper's solicitor drone on and on was excruciating. Every scrap of her inheritance was being torn away piece by piece. Her mind kept wandering. It wouldn't be so devastating if she had somewhere to go or someone to turn to seek safety from her troubles. Would any of her friends be willing to take her in at least temporarily?
Lady Annabelle's husband evidently made no provision for her upon his death. This fop upstart who appeared out of nowhere was jerking the title and lands away from her and her unborn child-the possible heir. It was beyond toleration. Yet the legal opinion of the new earl's solicitor seemed to hammer every last nail into her coffin with her husband hardly cold in his grave.
One week she had been giggling with other debutantes along with her new friends Elizabeth and Prudence, excited to be asked to dance by dashing young men, and the next, she was whisked away to be married. Annabelle disappeared from society. The vivacious person she once had been disappeared as well. Did her friends miss her? Did they wonder what happened to her? She felt forgotten, but not gone. Surely the ton would have found it deliciously shocking that the old earl had snapped her up so quickly; gossip would be rife, at least for a week or two.
She searched her mind for any alternative anywhere. Her mother died upon her birth while her father breathed his last within weeks of securing the hand of the Earl of Clampton for her. It was irrevocably sealed despite her desperate pleadings. Instead of the banns being posted, a special license had been obtained, and the wedding had taken place in an empty, cold, crumbling stone chapel on his estate. Annabelle wished she'd never have had to take off her veil and face her husband's sallow, wrinkled visage which offered no hope of warmth or comfort. His eyes were cold, vacuous of human kindness. His lips twisted in the curl of a cruel vanquisher. Her innocence and dreams had been stolen from that day forward, not for better, but most definitely, for worse.
The manor house meals in the dining room were anything but savory and were served and eaten in severe silence. The breakfasts were gruel served with cold coffee. Lunch was moldy cheese and hard rolls served with weak tea. It seemed the earl had stomach troubles, so they mostly had broths of one kind or other. The one time she had entered the kitchen to confront the cook and demand better fare, she was approached by a red-faced angry woman waving her rolling pin. She fled in fear and never returned.
Annabelle was left to air and scrub her own bedchamber herself as no help could be summoned. After a long search, she found the cupboard with fresh linens. A maid seldom appeared when called. Her dirty clothes piled in a corner untouched for days on end. No fresh water arrived in her bowl. She had to light her own fire in the small fireplace to warm her freezing cold room. But it was nothing compared to the horror of the earl's summons. Evidently the only reason he had married her was to beget an heir. Her life was bleak.
Surprisingly, she found herself with child a few months into her marriage. Annabelle was grieved to bring a child into this desolate life, yet was dearly anticipating someone to love. Her husband swelled with pride at the announcement, then made himself scarce, much to her relief.
The earl now had his food taken to his room, but if she requested her food to be brought to her's as well, it never came. Annabelle was forced to eat alone at the huge ten-foot dining table. A single candelabra left ghostly shadows clawing the room.
"My lady, I have news." Annabelle was shocked when the butler had appeared suddenly while she was sitting down for supper. Her dropped fork made a clatter.
"Yes?" she stood with one protective hand on her stomach even though her baby was barely showing. Annabelle instinctively knew it was not good news.
"I regret to inform you, the Earl of Clampton has expired."
"What!" Annabelle knew her husband was old, knew he seldom came downstairs out of his room anymore, but had never suspected him of being deathly ill. Did no one in the entire household think to tell her, his wife? "Why was I not told he was sick?"
"My lord made his wishes clear that he did not want you to see him in his suffering and having to pretend to be sympathetic," the man glared at her. "Thus, we were forbidden to say anything. However, that being said, he did not want to chance you catching what he had and thus putting his heir in danger."
"Thank you." Annabelle was reeling. What would happen to her now? What should she do?"
"Has he been prepared for the wake. Have the windows and doors been draped in black yet?"
"It is of course being taken care of now. There is nothing for you to do."
"Oh."
A week after the old earl was buried, Annabelle was in the nursery taking pleasure in the task of preparing the room for her unborn child. While standing on a chair sweeping the cobwebs, the solemn faced butler appeared. Once again he startled her with shocking news. She carefully climbed down and lifted her chin to try to reclaim her dignity in that awkward moment.
"Yes?"
"My lady, you have a visitor."
"Who is it?" she gaped. No one ever visited.
The butler nervously cleared his throat before saying, "He says he is the new earl."
Annabelle felt the blood drain from her face and wobbled a little before she gathered herself. "Please show him into the small parlor and bring tea. Tell him I will join him in a few moments."
After looking greedily around, said new earl demanded that she must attend a meeting with his solicitor the following morning. The loud shutting of the door when he left was like a ringing death toll. And thus, everything changed.
Sitting on the edge of an uncomfortable hard chair and feeling a bit queasy, Annabelle pulled herself from all these thoughts to the present and dared to interrupt the solicitor. "Excuse me, sir, but I am with child, and am bearing the proper heir." Both men's jaws dropped as their eyes fell to her stomach. "My husband was thrilled with the news," she stumbled on.
"Well, it is well known that the old earl was unable to produce an heir," the interloper sneered after a moment. "But even if you are with child as you claim, it most surely is a blow-by."
Annabelle's jaw dropped. This was unbelievable. "How dare you insult me, a lady! You sir are no gentleman and are too hasty claiming the title of the old earl."
"Have no doubt I will produce proof who the father of the baby is, and I can guarantee it is not the earl. And if you continue to claim you are carrying the heir, I can have you sent to bedlam for your delusions." Pure evil glared at her from his eyes.
"You wouldn't dare!" Annabelle gasped.
He only crossed his arms over his chest and raised his crooked eyebrow.
"My, my," the solicitor stuttered. "We cannot continue at present until this is all sorted out." He quickly stacked some papers, stuffed them in his satchel and almost sprinted out.
Annabelle had no desire to remain in the room with the horrid man who threatened her future. She hurried out on the solicitor's heels. However, the man's chuckle followed her sounding like anything, but mirth. She quickly hailed the driver of her carriage, but wondered as she rode back to the manor how much longer she could claim it or anything else as hers? It was an unknown.
As soon as she was ensconced in her room, she took up her quill, paper and ink and began writing to her friend Elizabeth asking if she could come for a visit. Annabelle did not want to write in the letter the reason she was hoping to receive a welcome. It had become crystal clear that the man who was claiming to be the heir, was dangerous to her well being as well as to the one she was carrying.
Annabelle called her maid to post the letter and then proceeded to take out a small trunk to begin packing. Without a will to protect her, the evil man could claim every single thing as his own. The last thing she wanted was to be accused of theft. So, she only packed her other mourning garment, a nightgown and little else. The remaining thing she could claim was hers were her mother's pearls and the gold band on her finger. Her eyes scanned the room but only picked up a brush and a thin copy of the Psalms beside it. Both were thrown in, and it was locked. She had a premonition that the horrid man would arrive soon.
Just then a rumble could be heard outside her window. Pulling the curtain back, she saw the interloper stepping out of a carriage causing her to gasp, "Lord, help me!"
Quickly Annabelle put on her spencer, then her cape, opened her bedroom door and thankfully saw no one. She scurried down the servant stairs lugging her small trunk and hurried out back to an unkept garden. Thankfully it was so overgrown that it hid her flight to the stable.
Raising her voice to the deaf ears of the stable master, she called out, "Please prepare the carriage, George. I need to go to town and mail this trunk to a friend. I am thinking of going to the seamstress to have another mourning gown prepared as well." She hated lying but was desperate to cover her tracks.
The old stablemaster nodded and languidly hitched horses to the decrepit carriage. Could he move any slower?
Suddenly an unknown young man shoved open the barn door and sauntered over to where she impatiently waited. She found her heart thudding while the hair on her arms stood up as he leaned in closer than was proper.
He looked her up and down leering. "So, you're the one I supposedly have had a secret torrid affair with. Tis a shame it's not true, my lady." He winked and added, "Perhaps it can be arranged after you return from your little trip to town." When he walked away chuckling, she bent over and threw up in the hay.
Finally, the carriage was ready. "You may drop me off at the inn so I can mail this trunk. Don't worry about having to take me home as it is a nice walk from here. I will be taking my time shopping anyway." Annabelle stood in front of the inn and watched the carriage disappear round a curve. She heaved a relieved sigh and entered the establishment.
Curious onlookers lounging inside jerked their heads around to gawk at her when she entered sloshing their tankards as they did so. Fortunately, the large rim of her bonnet covered most of her face as she turned away quickly. Since Annabelle had not been allowed to ever go anywhere, she was a stranger to everyone. She purchased a ticket for the mail coach and was assured it would arrive shortly. Annabelle stood outside looking down the road nervously waiting.
When the stagecoach arrived in a cloud of dust, she anxiously stood out of the way so passengers could disembark. Her trunk was thrown on top as she climbed aboard. Annabelle's stomach lurched as the putrid smells of fellow passengers struck her. Though nausea assaulted, she fought it back by covering her nose with her handkerchief smelling of lavender.
It seemed like forever being cramped and jostled in the coach before it finally stopped at dusk in the village near to Elizabeth's home. After some pleading with a stable lad and a coin, she was able to hire a dog cart in order to be taken to what she hoped would be her haven. Annabelle was nervous, however, because she had only mailed the letter that morning, not knowing her escape was so eminent. She would arrive completely unexpected on their doorstep.
Anabelle was unceremoniously left on the front steps of an elegant and very large manner house whose stones gleamed in the dying of a beautiful sunset. Hoping that was a good omen, she timidly knocked. When it appeared that it was not loud enough to be heard, she tried again harder. A proper butler opened the door and looked at her with a cocked eyebrow. She opened her mouth to introduce herself, but suddenly remembered Elizabeth only knew her from her maiden name. After swallowing hard, Annabelle managed to say the name her friend would recognize.
"I have come to see Lady Emily Hightower. You may tell her that her friend Anabelle Stafford is here."
"Was she expecting you?"
The color drained out of her face. What would she do if she could not even get past the butler?
"Annabelle!" someone shrieked. It was Elizabeth. "I had no idea you were coming for a visit." Her friend rushed to hug her while Annabelle suddenly turned into a blithering waterspout.
Elizabeth continued to hug her finally handing her a handkerchief. "Come, let us sit in the parlor, and you can tell me all about it. Edgar, please have tea served for us."
Annabelle did her best to turn off her burst of tears and allowed her friend to guide her to the parlor. Elizabeth shut the door and led her to a chair in front of a warm fire.
"We were all so worried when you disappeared with nary a whisper of gossip to tell us where you had gone last season. What happened?"
She gulped back more senseless sobs, straightened her shoulders and told her tale. "My father, unbeknownst to be me, arranged an immediate marriage to Lord Clampton.
"No!" Elizabeth gasped horrified. "Surely, not that old horrid man!"
"Yes. The earl obtained a special license so that I had no notice before I was taken to the chapel on his estate. Evidently, also unbeknownst to me, my father was quite ill and somehow thought it necessary to marry me off as quickly as possible since we had no relative to take care of me when he was gone. He died merely a few weeks later. I was alone in a terrifying world. My only purpose was to bear an heir, and indeed I am with child."
Once again Elizabeth gasped. "Oh my! Are you well?"
"Yes, just a passing sickness some mornings, but I cannot be unhappy about the innocent child. I find that in all that has been horrible, I am quite looking forward to having someone to love. But my troubles are only beginning. You see, my husband suddenly died a fortnight ago and left me nothing with which to take care of myself. Not only that, but a new heir arrived today to claim the inheritance, every last bit of it. When I told him of the baby in the presence of the solicitor, he refuses to believe that I carry my lord's child; rather, he accuses me of having a bi-blow from a secret lover. Of course, he would not want a proper heir to strip him of the inheritance he is greedily claiming. The man even threatened to send me to bedlam if I protested. The solicitor was no help at all. I wrote a letter this morning asking to come for a visit, but the interloper arrived on the estate shortly after our meeting with the solicitor. So, I thought it best to escape and could only think of you to beg for a safe haven, at least until this whole mess is settled."
Elizabeth was speechless for a moment, then angry. "How dare he!" She patted tears off Annabelle's cheeks. "Of course, you may stay here as long as you want. I can promise we will keep you safe. As soon as my brother returns from London, he can advise us how to get a worthy solicitor to fight this."
Just then a maid brought in tea. Annabelle suddenly felt ravenous as she eyed the little sandwiches and petite cakes while Elizabeth poured the tea.
"I can't tell you how glad I am that you are here! My brother is gone so much of the time doing his duty at Parliament, that I confess it does get lonely betimes. We will have the best time together."
And they did. She had come to the right place. "Thank you, Lord," she whispered often in her prayers.
When her letter finally arrived, they both giggled. "Too late to decline my visit, I hope," Annabelle smiled.
"Absolutely!" her friend laughed heartily.
The two went on long walks, threw sticks for her brother's hounds, rode to church, read favorite novels aloud to each other, sewed little baby things and such. Thus, the days flew by as her baby grew. It became apparent that she would need to sew new gowns for herself as well to accommodate for her pregnancy.
Sometimes she put her friend's hand on her stomach so that she could feel the baby kick. It was hard to believe she had already been here four months.
Elizabeth sighed, "I can't wait to be like you with child."
"You do know that it involves a man, do you not?" Annabelle cheekily responded.
"Of course. I do wish to marry. Mayhap it will be so by this time next year."
"I wish you well, but I have found good men as abundant as unicorns," she quipped.
"Come now, I understand your situation was beyond terrible, but surely you don't mean to say that all good men are extinct," Elizabeth protested.
"I've yet to meet one, I dare say," Annabelle claimed.
"Well, my father was one as well as my brother is now. In fact, I know no better men than they. It gives me hope that I may indeed find a good man," Elizabeth stated with certainty.
"All I know is a father, who in the name of assuring my future, gave my hand to an awful man. I was raised by governesses and female tutors and was only out during my only season for two weeks. Thus, I have had almost no exposure to men, and must say that I have seen no shining examples. Indeed, when I think of my deceased husband, the man who claims to be the heir, and even his spineless solicitor, I am acquainted with nary a good one. You must admit that our time spent with Prudence's brother during the season was a little alarming. It is said he is a rake and has gambled away most his family's fortune. Poor Prudence."
"Just wait till you meet my brother, and you will see you cannot condemn all the men of the world," Elizabeth declared.
"We will see," Annabelle responded not willing to slander her brother further.
One morning soon after as Elizabeth read her mail, she frowned. "This is a letter from Prudence. She sounds a little desperate and is asking me to come for a visit. Perhaps I should go for a few days. You will be alright here, won't you? I would invite you to come along, but it would not be good for you to travel in your condition."
"I hope everything is alright. Is her brother causing her more difficulties?"
Elizabeth chewed her lip nervously. "He has always been a bit troubled, shall we say. I never could be comfortable around him and avoided dancing with him as much as possible during the season."
"Don't worry, I will be fine here as long as you don't mind me staying," Annabelle added.
"Not at all! My brother won't return for a few weeks yet, and I will be back well before he does," Elizabeth stated before she called her to her maid to come help her pack. "Edgar, please have our carriage brought around in an hour. My maid and I will be going to the Cliffton estate for a short stay while Miss Stafford remains here."
After three weeks without hearing from Elizabeth, Annabelle was beginning to worry. She thought surely her friend would have returned home or at least written to her. As much as Elizabeth had made her feel welcome, and as much as the staff served her with curtesy, it was a little bit disconcerting to be a guest alone in another's house, a grand one at that, for so long.
One day she heard a carriage arrive. She hurried as much as her girth allowed thinking to greet her friend at the door. But it was not Elizabeth. A tall young man entered without knocking as the butler greeted him taking his hat, coat, and gloves.
"Welcome home, my lord," he said bowing.
"It is indeed good to be home! Is my sister here?" With that he looked up and saw Annabelle poised on the second to the bottom step.
"Hello. I don't believe we've met. I am Lord Kelton." He bowed. "And you?"
"I am Miss Stafford." She came down the steps and curtsied as much as she was able in her condition. When he furrowed his brow, she realized she had badly done her introduction. A pregnant miss? What must he think of her!
"Well, I see. Is Elizabeth around?"
"No, my lord. She is visiting our friend Miss Prudence of Clifton Hall."
"When do you expect her back?"
He obviously was not happy to see Annabelle. "I expected her to return a fortnight ago, yet have not had any letters or messages from her. I am a bit concerned."
"Hmm. I will look into it." He sighed but stared straight into her eyes. "I am sorry, miss, but it is not at all appropriate for me to entertain an unmarried woman while I am at home without my sister. I'm sure you understand."
Annabelle could feel all the blood drain from her face and felt faint as her mind scrambled to think of what she should do now.
"I assume in your condition that you would wish to return to your home?"
"Yes, my lord. I will go pack." With that she tried to walk sedately up the grand stairs holding onto the railing before she crumpled.
Annabelle collapsed on her bed. "What will I do? Lord, help me!"
Suddenly, she remembered an empty tenant house that Elizabeth had remarked upon as they passed it on their walks to town. They had even looked in the window. The previous tenants had evidently retired to go live with their daughter, and no one else was expected to claim it before Spring. Could she? She must as she had not another alternative."
Annabelle opened her reticule and counted her scant coins. Perhaps it would be enough to buy bread, cheese and tea to sustain her, and she could easily walk to town to buy from the grocer.
When she came down the stairs as gracefully as any woman could in her condition, a maid followed with her small trunk packed for herself and another satchel for her babe.
"I am ready, my lord," she kept her chin up as best she could and hoped it did not tremble.
"I will call for my carriage. Will you be going far?" Then he crinkled his brow before saying, "Have you no maid?"
"No, I have no maid with me, my lord, but it is not far. Please make sure and tell Lady Elizabeth how grateful I have been for her hospitality."
"I shall, but you must have a maid. It would be indecent to go without one." He spied a young maid using a feather duster on an alabaster bust. "You miss, prepare to go with her for now, then you may come back with the carriage."
Annabelle wanted to protest that it would likewise be indecent for the maid to ride alone in a carriage, but could only respond, "You are too kind, my lord." He nodded and requested his footman to see to her carriage.
Annabelle tried to think how she could do this without anyone immediately knowing where she was staying. The maid complicated things.
A footman delivered her into the coach, then the maid. Cook came out with a basket of food for her journey, for which she was terribly grateful. Annabelle was going to wave goodbye, but the cook had already disappeared around the corner to the servant's entrance, and Elizabeth's brother had already returned back inside. The door was shut to her now.
She remembered being briefly introduced to this young earl during her season and thinking him quite handsome, but the gentleman had never asked her to dance. It was quite evident now that he recognized Annabelle not at all. Perhaps it was for the best.
Just like she remembered he had dark hair like his sister's; but whereas Elizabeth had blue eyes, his were dark brown and as intense as could be. That and how he towered over her made him a little intimidating, not to mention he was an earl. It would not do to anger him, but she had to go someplace. She prayed he would not discover her ruse at least until Elizabeth returned home. Surely it would be soon.
They were halfway to town when Elizabeth knocked on the ceiling. The carriage slowed to a gradual stop.
"Yes, my lady?"
"I think I will get out here. I wish to see the midwife before I leave. I'm sure one of the other tenants can take me the rest of the way to town."
"What about your things?" the maid asked in consternation.
"Oh, well, yes. Perhaps we can leave them at that empty cottage while I am visiting."
The carriage driver helped her out, took her baggage to the house and plopped it down on the stoop. The little maid scurried over and set the basket of food carefully on top of the valises. The way she looked at her made Annabelle believe she understood exactly what she was doing.
"I'll come check on you often, my lady, until Lady Elizabeth comes, and you can return," she whispered. "I won't tell another soul your secret, but you know the servants will figure it out eventually and will want to help ye." She spoke so softly that Annabelle could barely hear her. "I can bring food, linens and can do your wash and such."
Tears pooled in her eyes as she gripped the girl's hands. "Thank you, dear. You are all kindness. Hopefully, Lady Elizabeth will return soon."
"Ready girl?" the coachman called.
"Tosh, I will walk back. Me legs aren't broken, now are they?"
After the carriage rolled out of sight, her borrowed Abigail insisted on carrying everything in for her. Then she scurried about starting a fire with the little wood that had been left. Soon she was knocking down cobwebs and sweeping dust and dried leaves out the door all while Annabelle gratefully rested in the only chair ignoring its shabby cushion. It had been a draining day.
"I will see to it that wood will be brought to ye on the morrow. I will have my Jim of the stable do the bringing of it."
"Won't someone tell Lord Kelton what I am doing, staying here like a squatter?"
"Nay, all of our lot like you, my lady, and know that Lady Elizabeth would not like to see you set off like this."
"The lord is right though. It would not have been proper for me to stay there without Elizabeth home. You cannot blame the man."
"I guess not, but it's a crocked world. At least the former tenants left most of their furniture. I was afraid that the rest of the bunch hereabout would have come to nip it for themselves by now."
"I am grateful to God as well and to you."
The little maid even promised to bring her sheets and blankets from the big house before nightfall.
"I don't want you to get in trouble, missy."
She scoffed. "I won't be raising anyone's ire. All I would have to say is that is for you, and nary a one would question me."
The young girl paused at the door as she readied to leave. "Are you sure you will be alright here by yerself, my lady? And may I be so bold a to ask when the babe will be born?"
"I believe I have at least a couple of weeks left, so I should be fine," but inwardly Annabelle could feel fear trying to take hold.
"Well, scream if you have to. There are shepherds not far away who have brought their woolies in closer for the winter."
"I can't thank you enough, dear one."
The girl waved and flitted away. Annabelle pushed herself out of her chair and went over to the kitchen counter to see what cook sent. The good smells had been making her stomach growl for the last half hour.
Finding a chipped plate at the back of a shelf, she washed it, served herself then sat at the tiny table. After a prayer of thanks, she dug in. As she ate, Annabelle looked around the one-room house. It amazed her how comfortable she was in a humble home. Compared to the monstrosity manor on her husband's estate she'd been forced to call home, this was quite wonderful indeed. She put her hand on her baby and said, "Don't come too early, little one. But I know it will be alright. God is with us."
There was a soft knock, and the door immediately cracked opened. The little maid stuck her head in with frizzy hair sticking out from her mop hat. True to her word, the young Abigail arrived with a basket full of linens and blankets. "I'm here, my lady. I did not forget. I brought you candles and a few things for your kitchen. My man is bringing you wood soon."
This was quite a change in circumstances, but she was determined that she could do this. She had never lived alone before, but it did not seem like the maid would leave her alone for long.
The next morning she was looking out the front window sipping tea when a carriage thundered by. She almost fainted. "No!" She recognized her husband's crest on the door. It was the purported heir. "Help me, Lord!"
Annabelle turned around trying to think what she should grab and where she could hide. It would not do to leave any evidence of her presence here. She was stuffing her satchel when she heard the pounding of hooves approaching, but they were not slowing down and drove right past her at a frenzied pace.
Several minutes later, the little maid came running in exclaiming. "My lady, you will not believe what happened!" She bent over trying to catch her breath with her hands on her knees. Her mop had had fallen off evidently. "A terrible man came pounding on the front door demanding to speak to Lord Kelton. He even pushed Edgar aside trying to enter without invitation. Oh, but the earl was angry and came out of his study like a lightning bolt. I'm surprised the visitor was not struck dead. He demanded to have a Lady Clampton brought out, but of course our earl said he knew of no such a lady and that no one was home but him and his staff. He stated with certainty that anyone else who had visited was long gone, and he knew not who they were nor where they went."
Annabelle sank down on the chair before her wobbly legs could collapse. Her heart was still racing. "Thank you, Lord!". She was so very glad that she had not introduced herself with her married name and title and that the earl did not know who she was. The little maid just went about unpacking her valise again like it was an everyday event.
A week later, the earl came in his front door and said, "Edgar, when I was walking with the hounds this morning, I saw smoke coming from the Barnes' chimney. I thought they had retired and moved away. Have new tenants moved in already?"
The butler furrowed his brows and was clearing his throat when a harried maid ran in the front door, rather than the servant's entrance. Before Edgar could scold her, she cried, "My lord! I am so glad you are home." She bent over to catch her breath with her hand on her heart. "Your sister needs you to rescue her. That horrid Sir Clifton will not let her leave in an attempt to force her to accept his hand. He even has her watched. Indeed, he will not even allow her to send letters. My lady stays locked in her room and can only have me bring her food and fresh water when he leaves to go to his club. She was able to help me slip away since I am but a maid and would not arouse suspicion. I came on the mail coach as fast as I could to alert you."
Lord Kelton roared, "What! He will pay for this! This is not to be countenanced! Edgar, have my carriage prepared and call for footmen to accompany me with weapons. You there, tell my valet to pack my things, quickly now." He glanced down at the humble maid. "I will see that you are rewarded. You have done my sister a great favor."
Ten minutes later the earl and several of his footmen galloped away.
Annabelle looked out earlier and had seen a maid running down the lane toward the manor house but could not see who it was and was left to only wonder why. "That was unusual," she said under her breath. Then a few minutes later she had run to the window again just in time to see Lord Kelton and his men pass by in a hurried clatter.
Of course, her little maid knocked and burst in. "Oh, my lady, you won't believe it! Lady Elizabeth's maid just came running in and told the earl that a wicked man was not allowing his sister to come home, not even allowing her to write a letter. She said the evil man refused to let her go, not until she promised to marry him. Lady Elizabeth has locked herself in her room, at Clifton Hall, and her maid could only bring her food when the man left to go to his gambling den. The maid said he had squandered so much that he was about to lose his estate and needed my lady's dowry to survive."
"But what about the man's sister, our friend Prudence?" Annabelle exclaimed. "Surely she could prevent this."
"I'm not sure, but I think it was said that she had taken to her bed, so beaten down in spirit she was."
"Oh, poor Elizabeth, poor Prudence! I pray the earl is able to arrive in time before something untoward happens."
That night Annabelle was anxious for her friends and did not feel well. Looking out her window she saw that the rain had turned into sleet. Wrapping herself up tightly in the wool blankets made her sleep like a baby, that is, until a sudden pain woke her. She carefully climbed out of bed, put on her slippers and made her way to light a candle from the embers in the fire. Then she built up the flame and put on another log. Once again, she doubled over in pain. Then a thin stream of water dripped down her legs. Annabelle knew nothing about birthing a baby and was petrified.
"Oh, my little one! Have you decided to come tonight?" But who could she call to help her? The shepherds were surely in their homes on such a frightful night as this. The way the wind moaned no one would hear her. A stab of fear threatened to seize her. Hopefully she could hold on till morning, and her little maid would surely come. "Oh, Lord, please help me! 'Whom have I in heaven, but you?'"
Annabelle climbed back in bed and for a while was able to doze in between the bands of pain that gripped her. By the time day was dawning, there was hardly any time between cramps. She could no longer hold back her screams. Would any shepherds hear her?
Finally, her faithful maid came running in. "My lady? Are you alright?"
"The baby is coming! Please find someone to help me!"
"Grannie Tanner has helped bring to birth most all the tenant children here about. I'll run and get her."
"Please do and hurry!" Annabelle tried to calm herself. It helped just a bit knowing help was on the way. Yet, she moaned and barely kept from screaming when her next pain quickly came.
By the time the old grannie arrived, Annabelle felt like pushing. No one had told her what to expect, but her body seemed to know. The woman was barking orders to the little maid and pulling back the blankets so she could see the baby's progress.
She looked up with a toothless grin and said, "I see a thatch of dark hair, my lady. A few more pushes and you will have delivered your baby by yourself. That's right, push, dearie." The old lady helped her sit up slightly in order to help her push. Soon with a swoosh the baby came. A thin wail was like a glorious song.
"You have a wee lad, my lady. Congratulations. She wiped the baby down, then wrapped him up tightly in strips of an old blanket before handing him to her. "I'm sure your husband will be proud."
"I am a widow," she said without much thought about her past, only her future. Grannie Tanner kept talking, but Annabelle could only think about her son, the heir, safe in her arms.
Annabelle whispered, "You look like your mama, little one, and that's a good thing." Bursting with so much joy, she had to let some out in a deep satisfied sigh.
Finally, Grannie left promising to come back in the evening when her little Abigail had to go back to the manor house. Annabelle kept dozing, only waking to feed her wee one. Her little maid had run to the big kitchen and brought back some delicious fare.
"The whole house is humming with your good news, my lady. But I told them no one can come to see your babe until you are stronger."
"He's a petite Lord l'Enfant," Annabelle whispered with a tender smile.
She was sleeping so deeply, Annabelle did not hear when the earl's carriage went by. Awakened when the little maid came back, the girl was once again brimming with news. "Good news, my lady! Lady Elizabeth is home."
Annabelle jerked her head up. "Is she alright?"
Her maid told me herself that her Lady Elizabeth is just very weary, but fine. The magistrate took the baron away after our men bound him, but not before Lord Kelton had punched him in the nose. My man in the stable told me so himself."
At dinner, Elizabeth came down to eat with her brother. "Do you know where my friend Lady Annabelle is? I expected to see her here."
"Who?" Edward looked up confused. "I don't know anyone by that name. Oh, wait, a man came by asking for her."
Elizabeth sucked in a sip of water the wrong way. After coughing and spluttering she cried, "What? Please do not tell me you let him take her away! He will do her harm, I am sure of it."
"I know no one by that name, but Elizabeth, surely you know I could not entertain a single young lady here by myself, no matter who she is. It would not be proper. The young woman who was here when I arrived called herself Miss Stafford."
"Was she great with child?"
"Yes, and thus I did not think she was a fit companion for my sister. Really, Elizabeth, you should know I would not find an unwed mother to..."
"Oh, Edward, Edward, Edward. She is a widow. She must have given you her maiden name. So where is she? I must find her and bring her back!" Elizabeth's voice cracked.
"Truly, I have no idea where she was off to. She left immediately after I arrived. Why is it so important to you?"
"Firstly, she is my dear friend. Secondly, she is expecting any day now. Thirdly, I promised her a safe haven from that evil man. Surely you could tell when he came here that he was appalling!"
"I did see that. But I don't know what we can do about it now. She must have found another friend who could take her in."
Elizabeth groaned. "I must find her. Her only other friend was Prudence, and we know how that turned out. Annabelle's husband was an old ogre."
Edward leaned forward huffed, "You can't mean Lord Clampton! He is an ogre!"
"Yes, what she told me was truly a nightmare. She has no family, except this so called man who claims to be the heir, but who threatened to send her to Bedlam if she kept insisting that her child was an offspring of the old earl."
James wiped his mouth. "I'm sorry I turned her away if she was in so much danger. But..." He suddenly became aware of the nervous shifting of the footman's feet. "Do you have something to say, young man?" He was becoming irritated. This discussion was getting out of hand.
"Yes, my lord. She had nowhere else to go, so she went to stay in your empty tenant house."
Elizabeth squealed with joy, but her brother was on the verge of being angry. "You knew and did not think to tell me? Come to think of it, I was going to go investigate the chimney smoke coming from the Barnes' old house when your maid burst in to tell of your danger. I had no thought other than rescuing you after that."
"My lady was with child, and we all were afraid you would turn her out from that humble abode, my lord, though it would have been your right to do so."
The footman looked so nervous that surely he was afraid of being sent away without a recommendation.
Edward sighed. "Of course, everyone knew but me. Is she alright then?"
The footman was even more obviously nervous to speak now and blushed.
"Spit it out, young man. I'm losing patience."
"She gave birth last night, my lord."
"What!" Elizabeth screeched jumping up and knocking her chair over. "We must go get her, Edward, and bring her back here."
"Indeed." He wiped his mouth and calmly said to the footman, "Make preparations to bring her here, please."
"I must go with you," Elizabeth exclaimed before she rushed out to get her cape and gloves. "Have someone stir up the fire in her room first before we leave."
When they left, Edward had a hard time concentrating in his study. He of course remembered her, though he could hardly see past her swelling stomach when they met. perhaps there was a glimmer of memory of her standing with his sister at one ball or the other. When he heard the carriage arrive, he put on his jacket and strode outside. The footman helped Elizabeth to climb out and then a blanketed baby was put in his sister's arms. Edward was compelled to assist Lady Clampton himself.
"Allow me, my lady." Without thought, he swooped up the young woman and carried her inside and up the stairs with his sister trailing carefully holding a bundle of baby. The little slip of a maid was hovering as if he would drop the young mother. She then ran ahead and opened the door, and scurrying around to pull the bedclothes down.
"I owe you a sincere apology, my lady. It was a grave mistake that could have been costly. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me someday."
Edward had no idea where that came from, except that he heard it with his own ears when it came pouring out his mouth.
"Oh, look Edward, is he not precious!"
He gazed down at the wee thing. Finally, a smile teased his mouth, prodding him to say, "Of course. He looks like his mother."
When he realized that he might as well have said, as precious as his mother, the tips of his ears colored. "Please let your maids know if you have need anything, anything at all. It has been years since we have had a baby here, not since Elizabeth was born, so we might be a little rusty." He looked at her Abigail and added, "Now I know why your little maid scampered about so, going back and forth from here to the tenant row."
"Oh, my lord, excuse me, but I am not her maid. I am only a downstairs maid, but I could no more let her starve than meself, nor have her baby alone. Oh, no."
"My first visitors besides my dear Abigail were your shepherds, my lord. I was even lying on a bed of hay in the mattress," she chuckled softly. "Thus, in memory of the Christ child we celebrate this season, I have decided to name him Christian. The shepherds came this morning with their hats in their hands feeling so badly that they did not hear me in my distress, but how could they? It was storming. If this little lass had not come, I don't know if my baby and I would have survived. She ran and got Grannie Glen for me."
"Another one we must thank." He nodded towards the maid. "But I am sure you are tired, so I will leave you now. Do you need for me to send for a doctor?"
"No, my lord, but thank you."
"However, when you are stronger, we must speak of the interloper who is trying to steal your son's inheritance. I'm sure my solicitor will have something to say, but welcome home, Lady Annabelle."
That little speech brought tears to her eyes. Finally, she got the words past the lump in her throat. "You and Elizabeth have most certainly made me feel at home, my lord, for which I am very thankful."
Edward found excuses to visit the new mother and child at least once a day, whether it was to ask his sister a nonsensical question where she kept vigil beside her friend's bed or to make sure these guests had everything they needed. He wished he could sit and stare at them forever. She was as beautiful as any Madonna painting he had ever seen, and the babe pulled at his heart strings more every day. His sister just sat there smugly taking turns holding the baby with his mother. Elizabeth no longer even ate with him, but had her food brought up to eat with her friend. He wished he could do so as well.
A few weeks later Annabelle was now coming downstairs to the dining room entrusting her son with a nursemaid newly hired. "Do you think you are ready to meet with my solicitor to find what he has discovered about your son's estate?"
"That would be tremendously helpful. Thank you for all you have done for us."
"Of course. I will see if he may come tomorrow then." Edward had to turn away from the emotion in her eyes.
The next afternoon she met with them in Lord Kelton's study. The solicitor exuded confidence which gave her hope.
"Lady Clampton, congratulations on the birth of your son, the rightful heir. We were able to get information from the other solicitor. He seems to no longer wish to handle the case. We investigated the charges that the child is not the earl's," the solicitor said while the tips of his ears turned pink. "We have witnesses that swear that the stable lad, as you know, had never been in the area before, not until after those charges against you were brought."
Annabelle closed her eyes in relief though her cheeks were warm from embarrassment. The man went on. "We were able to study your husband's will. While it is true that the earl had not updated his will, we found the marriage contract papers your father and the earl had signed which most certainly did provide for you with a guaranteed stipend."
Annabelle had been so angry with her father that she had not truly grieved him until that moment. Tears came to her eyes now. It helped to know he had indeed looked to her future even though her husband had not.
"As to your son being the heir, you can be sure that everything will indeed belong to him. You may claim as his mother to being his guardian and to overseeing his estate. But, we did meet the interloper," and the solicitor sighed, "and he is making all kinds of threatening noises about declaring himself the guardian. There is no guarantee that you would be able to retain the care of your son."
Annabelle fought hysteria. "How can that be? I am his mother!"
"True, but a little slip of a few pounds into someone's pocket might turn your case against you. I did hear he threatened you with bedlam, correct?"
She was fighting tears and could only nod. Finally, she was able to ask, "Is there nothing I can do?"
The solicitor's eyes went between Lord Kelton and her. Then he cleared his throat saying, "The best protection is a husband, my lady."
Lord Kelton finally spoke up, "Surely her case is more secure than you describe. How could a man, a distant relative no less, steal a child away from his mother and possibly even commit her to Bedlam? That's preposterous!"
"Sadly, I've seen it happen. The law is strongly behind a man, right or wrong, and sending innocents to bedlam happens more than most realize."
Annabelle started shaking with tears dripping down her cheek.
"What if I approached the court to gain guardianship?" Lord Kelton asked.
The solicitor rubbed his hand over his face. "You being a lord would be in your favor, but some may believe it is a relative's place to oversee a child until he comes of age."
The solicitor stood and took his leave bowing to Annabelle as he was leaving. His parting words were, "You are a beautiful young lady and an earl's widow. It should not be difficult to find someone to marry you, my lady. I would urge you to see to it as soon as possible if you wish to thwart this man's greedy plans."
As soon as he left, Annabelle stood trembling, curtsied to Lord Kelton and excused herself. She did not wish to breakdown in front of him. She practically ran up to her room and fell on her bed to weep.
The next day the Earl spoke to his sister at the breakfast table about the missive in his hand. "Lord and Lady Yardley wish to come for the holiday as they pass through to go to their country estate. Is there any reason we should not entertain them?"
"Only if you do wish to have their daughter do her best to turn your thoughts to matrimony," she laughed. "She's had her eye on you since her first season three years ago, and there is nothing fiercer than a young woman's fear of becoming a spinster to drive her beyond propriety."
"Nonsense. The Lord and Lady Yardley have been family friends for years, though I do miss mother and father being here to help entertain them. Perhaps it will keep our thoughts on the blessings of the season and not our loss, eh?"
Elizabeth just raised an eyebrow but lowered her eyes to spread jelly on her toast. "Whatever you think, Edward. I'm sure Priscilla will not be interested in my company."
Annabelle did not wish to insert herself into the conversation. She just hoped that Miss Yardley would have improved from her bold behavior since she met her during her two weeks at last season.
It was Christmas Eve, and the family known to Lady Elizabeth and Lord Kelton arrived in time to come to supper. They were to stay over and join them on Christmas morning as well. Servants had decorated the rooms with evergreen and holly boughs and had brought a magnificent yule log in as well. Extra candles were burning brightly. Miss Priscilla Yardley, her mother Lady Yardley and her father Lord Yardley were pleasant enough company though Annabelle knew she preferred to spend her time with her child Christian. Yet this evening they gathered to sing Christmas carols in the parlor. Elizabeth played the piano forte while Miss Yardley clung to Lord Kelton's arm.
However, shouting and a tussle was heard as they dropped off singing, "Peace on Earth, Good will towards men." Lord Kelton shook off Priscilla's clinging arm and threw open the door before storming out. He found his dignified butler sprawled on the floor and his footman struggling with a man. Annabelle sucked in a breath. It was him again, the would-be heir.
"How dare you enter my home again! I insist you leave this instant," Lord Kelton demanded loudly over the hullabaloo.
The man threw off the footman who landed by the butler who was sitting up now. "I'm sorry, my lord," Edgar apologized while attempting to stand. "We tried to keep him out, but he turned violent."
Lord Kelton could have gutted the intruder with a look that any other man would have feared. But this interloper only straightened his jacket and declared, "I have come for the child. I petitioned the court and have gained guardianship over him."
Annabelle cried, "NO!"
Lord Kelton strode over to Annabelle putting his arm around her waist and stated calmly. "Quite unnecessary, you see, for we are getting married at which time I will petition the court to turn over the guardianship of young Christian to me. I will become his father."
Shocked, Annabelle looked up at this man but kept her visage calm as possible though her eyes were huge.
The would-be heir, sputtered, "How? I saw no notice in the paper of posted banns."
"I am getting a special license. Being Christmas Eve, I have just asked for her hand."
"Hear, hear! All felicities, my lord!" Lord Yardley bellowed while his wife and daughter glowering countenances were no longer pleasant.
Elizabeth ran over and hugged Annabelle with a shriek. " I am so very happy!" Then she kissed her brother on the cheek before turning to look smugly at the intruder. "You were going to tell us after the carols, weren't you, dear brother? That's what you hinted at earlier at dinner that you had a surprise."
A cold wind blew in the open front door, causing the man to look over his shoulder before sneering at them. "Happy Christmas Eve to all then. I will take my leave."
But across the cold air came a thin cry. "Christian!" Annabelle screamed. The disgusting man swiftly ran out the door while she picked up her skirts and sped after him with Lord Kelton on her heels. They were soon followed by footmen, one with a hunting rifle, and stablemen with pitchforks and shovels who came from another direction. Elizabeth and their guests joined the angry milieu. The infant's nursemaid came down the steps trying to sound the alarm, though a little late.
They all had seen a woman dressed in black scurrying around the back corner of the house and darting towards the carriage with a bundle in her arms. A loud wail was now coming from that bundle. But it was the little maid who rushed past everyone in order to grab the child away. Annabelle anxiously held out her arms while the man attempted to punch Lord Kelton. However, the earl was quite adept having kept in shape at his boxing club. He ducked then threw his fist into the man's face knocking him down. The footmen swiftly secured him as he bellowed while the cook with her rolling pin caught the woman trying to escape into the woods.
"Take them to town and rouse the sheriff to lock them. Tell him that I as the magistrate will press kidnapping charges on them both, trespassing, assault, disorderly conduct and whatever else I can think of!"
Lord Kelton stepped over to where Annabelle was trembling while trying to comfort her son. He swept them up in his arms and carried them into the house and on into his study. He kicked the door shut behind them and settled them on a settee.
"How can I thank you?" Annabelle choked out crying as he knelt before her.
"How can I apologize for all that has occurred, my dear. However, I stand by my offer of marriage. I have found you to be the epitome of a gracious wife and mother, one I have greatly admired. I understand why you do not trust men after what your father, Lord Clampton, then this evil man, and even Prudence's brother have all done being the worst possible examples of manhood. But please do not put me in the same caste."
Annabelle eyes grew huge again as he continued. "I adore you and your son. You are both a delight in my home which would be empty without you. Please, Miss Annabelle Stafford, will you marry me?"
Annabelle was so shocked she was speechless at first before a smile crept on her lips. "It is quite evident that you belong in a class of your own as a gentleman, gallant, valiant, chivalrous, honorable, noble and kind. You sir, are nearly as rare as a unicorn, but I would be honored to be your wife."
He rose to seal his promise with a kiss, but a little fist burst out of the blanket and bonked him in the nose. They both broke out in laughter, but he prevailed and bestowed a kiss upon her smiling lips anyway. "Merry Christmas indeed!"
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