Clara looked confused and hurt, and it made Maribel feel awful to know she was the cause of her feeling suddenly abandoned.
Clara had thrown the book she was holding to the ground and stomped her little feet in the full throes of a tantrum that they had worked so hard to get past. All their work was now undone with her simple decision, selfish or not, to abandon the young child.
But how could she tell the young girl that she now paid the price for partaking in a cardinal sin? And even more harrowing was the realisation that she would need to leave Mr Whiskers. She could not leave the child and take her newfound friend too.
I am leaving behind a life I have come to cherish, but this is the price I must pay for my impulsivity.
The memory made her eyes burn with tears. Lady Clara had claimed a part of her heart also.
The carriage arrived at her family home, and without waiting for any assistance, she stepped down, asking the driver to leave her belongings by the fence as she picked up her skirts and ran towards the home.
“Mother, Mother, I have returned home!” she yelled, knowing her mother could be anywhere this time of day.
“Mari, why are you here?” asked Richard, the first to meet her.
“No warm greeting or embrace for your sister?” she reprimanded in reply as she pulled him close. The scent of lavender from his head comforted her as she squeezed him tight.
“Mari, what a surprise!” Her mother rushed over to give her a hug.
“A surprise I hope you are all happy for! The family will all be here for dinner tonight, yes?”
It was a tradition for the Lewishams to share their evening meal together at least once a week. Her older brothers always returned home, and the only exceptions had been made for Mari and her father if work was pressing.
“It is. Your brothers will be here soon, but your father is unfortunately away in London. Why don’t you freshen up and then join me in the kitchen.”
Relieved she was not yet being peppered with questions, she did as her mother said and immediately felt the comfort of her old room, where life had been much simpler. Curling up in a ball on her bed, she closed her eyes and allowed the familiar surroundings to soothe her weary soul.
***
“Maribel, my dear, it is time to wake up.” Maribel opened her eyes to see her mother smiling down at her, a hint of concern on her face.
“Did I fall asleep?”
“You did, and you looked so peaceful that I am only waking you up now to eat.”
“I will be down in a moment. Tell the boys I will be quick. I know how eager their bellies are!”
Splashing water on her face and smoothing her hair, she slipped on her shoes and made her way to the dining room. John, Matthew, Liam, Richard, and Frederick stood as she entered the room and greeted them one by one with a warm embrace and they all began to speak at once.
“What was the duke like?”
“Why are you home?”
“Was your charge kind?”
“What did they feed you?”
“Was the estate filled with riches?”
“Where is Mr Whiskers?”
“Boys, let your sister sit down, and ask her questions one by one, not all at once!”
Maribel laughed so heartily it filled the void of despair she had come to know in the past few days. The mayhem of her family was a balm to her soul.
“The duke was stern initially, but did soften in time. I am home as I plan on seeking a governess role abroad. My student, Lady Clara, was delightful after a bumpy start. They fed me the same food we eat here—that was an odd question, Fred—and the manor was richly furnished, but I would not say filled with riches. And Mr Whiskers decided to stay, as he has found a new companion in Lady Clara.”
The answers to their questions only led to another barrage of questions, including one from her mother, which was the one she answered.
