“Over a century ago, the man who owned this home was a Royal Navy admiral who spent years chasing Spanish ships laden with treasure around the world. The wealth he accumulated from those prizes made this home the comfortable abode you all enjoy today.” She turned then and pointed up toward the enigmatic carved cat perched atop an urn at the very zenith of the slender column of marble. And the ashes in thaturn over which the haughty ship’s cat is draped belong to the infamous ‘Calypso.’ Some of you may have encountered her this week.”
There were a number of titters amongst the ladies.
“She still rules the Abbey much as she ruled the Admiral’s ship, and I’m sure you’ve all heard the rumors about the Abbey being haunted…” She waited a few minutes for her words to sink in. “Well, they’re nothing more than kind feline souls who do, however, like to interfere in, um, romantic affairs of the heart.” Lucy waited for the sighing and laughter to end before she continued.
“I’ve seen her many times, and I’m sure some of you have as well.” She clapped her hands suddenly and gave them all a conspiratorial smile. “And now, I’m sure you’re all ready to follow me back for hot cocoa or wassail in the family drawing room.”
11
December 30, 1843
Montcliffe Abbey
Essex, England
Hugh was careful to stay a discreet distance away from Lucy while she escorted Lord Rumsford’s guests through the tents of the Romford’s annual village Christmas Fair. He had to watch from afar while she exclaimed over some trinket she fancied and not be able to gift it to her right then and there. He also had to watch from afar whilst she exhibited sensual pleasure from biting into seasoned hot roasted potatoes the footmen purchased in small paper cones for the ladies from the food vendors.
He’d cornered Grace in a quiet corner the night before whilst most of the guests were engrossed in games of cards. He’d once more carried on a quiet conversation with Lucy’s aunt and begged her to allow him to pay the rent on the building in which they had their young women’s academy.
She’d demurred once again and had further warned him to try to avoid public displays of affection for her niece. She’d reminded him firmly that even though Lucy’s feelings for the man might be lukewarm, she’d indeed promised Silas Miller she’d be his wife when they returned to Kensington after the holidays.
Grace had further warned him that even though he might have been friends with her niece since she was a small girl, society would judge Lucy harshly if word of undue familiarity on his part made its way back to the London gossip sheets. Even though he’d railed at the very idea of how his friendship could hurt Lucy, he knew Grace was right. That was the way of the world.
The small fair at the edge of Romford had engaged the ladies for less than an hour before they piled into two of Rumsford’s carriages and headed back toward the center of town where the few fashionable shops could be found. Some of the women headed toward a haberdashery to try on hats while another group found the jeweler’s shop.
Hugh had come along at Rummy’s behest, to make sure the women remained safe from pickpockets or other nefarious characters of the like while in town. He stamped his feet to rid his boots of some of the hard-packed snow he’d picked up at the open field where the fair had been held. Although most of the snow had been packed down by fairgoers all week, he’d had to help the women climb in and out of the carriages. He’d held his breath whilst he helped Lucy each time, praying he wouldn’t say or do anything to give away his true feelings to the hawk-eyed women in the carriage, or bustling around behind him at the fair. He refused to knowingly do anything more that might end up hurting Lucy.
Since they’d returned to Romford’s group of shops, he’d had an odd feeling of being watched, but he’d been unable topinpoint anyone on the street paying undue attention to him or the women. He felt as though the women had lingered in the jewelry shop an inordinate amount of time, so he pushed away from the side of the building where he’d been waiting for them to eventually come out and return to the carriages.
A cursory glance into the window as he passed by the jeweler’ shop revealed all of the women circled around Lucy who had tried on a beautiful emerald ring and was holding her hand up to the light pouring through the window to see the fire produced by the emerald when the rays of surged through the precious gemstone. After gazing with longing for a while, she finally shook her head and handed the ring back to the shopkeeper.
Something snapped inside Hugh. Damn the ton and damn the gossip sheets. Lucy would have that ring and damn the consequences. After he’d safely delivered all of the women back to the Abbey, Hugh strolled toward the stables, trying to keep a sedate pace and a nonchalant look. Once inside the stables, he raced to the end of one long path through the stalls and grabbed a young groom. He produced a guinea from one of his pockets and held the coin beneath the lad’s nose. “This is yours if you can find me a fast horse, and have him saddled and ready for me to ride as quick as you can.”
The boy grabbed the coin and raced away, leaving Hugh staring at his empty hand. He was worried for a few moments about what had just happened, but was gratified a few moments later when the same young man motioned for him to join him outside the far end of the stables.
Lucy could not shakethe feeling that she was being watched. She’d peered out her bedchamber window several times duringthe previous hour, certain she’d see someone beneath the sturdy oak outside. She knew how easy it was to climb down that tree. It was just as easy to access her window by climbing up the ancient oak. She shivered and tried to rid herself of the unfounded feeling.
After spending an entire day with Hugh watching over her but keeping a safe distance to avoid unwanted gossip, she wanted to scream. She would return to the freezing cold and humiliation of the ice skating party earlier that week if only they could steal a few more private moments away from the judgment of the ton.
The one bright spot of the afternoon had been the time spent inside the jeweler’s shop. When she’d been perusing the wares displayed in the shop, the shopkeeper had eyed her hands and the crimson carriage dress she was wearing before beckoning to her to come closer to the display counter. He pulled out a box from beneath the counter and opened a new world of beauty she’d never considered before.
The minute the shopkeeper had placed the simple gold band crowned with a huge, glowing emerald on her hand, the gemstone spread its warmth, and the longer she left the ring on her finger, the more the stone seemed to whisper, “I belong here, I’m home.” The rest of the women had crowded around and marveled at how well the gemstone suited her and complemented her glowing crimson carriage dress.
Lucy had never owned anything that fine, nor would she, but for a few minutes at Christmastide, in a shop full of beautiful things, that perfect ring belonged to her, and her alone. She was grateful her aunt Grace hadn’t been there to see her preening over such an expensive ring. She would have had apoplexy at the mere thought of contemplating such an expensive bauble on her hand.
Lucy giggled at the memory of the impossibly expensive ring on her finger and submitted to the fussing of the lady’s maid Lord Romsford had insisted she and her aunt should share. It was her turn to have ringlets fall down the sides of her face from her neatly coiled dark hair, but she was more excited at the prospect of the elaborate supper Cook would prepare that night. This was the night that the centerpiece of the elaborate supper would feature roasted plump goose with applesauce and silver boat dishes up and down the table filled with steaming gravy as well as plates piled high with freshly baked bread.
12
1January, 1844
Montcliffe Abbey
Essex, England
Duncan beckoned to Johnny Phippen to help him load one of the sleighs with some supplies he thought he might use to shore up one of the bridges on the estate, about a mile away from the Abbey. He planned to make a temporary repair using of a load of rocks, which might keep the bridge open and safe until it could be rebuilt the following spring.
When Grace’s son offered to come along and help, Duncan told him he should stay at the Abbey and check with his mother later if she needed any help with entertaining the guests, or perhaps she’d send him to Cook to help with lifting the many heavy pans required for the preparation of food for more than fifty people a day in the kitchen.
