The young man leapt into action. He jumped onto the train and then extended his hand. “Quick. Grab my hand.”
Edythe’s fingers met his in a desperate grasp, and with a strength that belied his gentlemanly appearance, he hoisted her onto the train. They stumbled into the compartment, a tangle of limbs and breathless laughter.
“Thank you,” Edythe breathed out, her cheeks flushed, her composure ruffled like the hem of her skirts. As she steadied herself, she took a moment to look at the man who came to her aid. He was tall, his stature commanding yet not imposing. An unruly lock of his chestnut hair fell across his forehead. Her fingers itched to brush it aside for a clear view of his eyes. As if heheard her, he raked his hand through his hair and exposed eyes, a striking shade of blue filled with concern and humor. Despite the urgency of the moment, there was a gentleness about him, a reassuring calm masked by the quickness of his actions.
“It was my pleasure to assist,” he replied, his tone light, a smile touching the corners of his eyes. “I’m James Ellington, and you are?”
“Edythe Cavendish,” she said, finding her composure amidst the unexpected tumult. Her name hung in the air between them, a note of significance resonating with unspoken context.
James’s smile faltered for a fraction of a moment, a flicker of recognition crossing his features before he mastered his expression once more. “Cavendish, you say? That is a name with history in Sommer-by-the-Sea. My great-grandmother’s marriage to a Cavendish nephew joins our family lines, though distantly. It appears fate has more than our shared destination in mind.”
As the train resumed its journey, Edythe felt a flicker of gratitude for this unexpected encounter, and the discovery of a distant family relation brought a subtle warmth to her new adventure. With his easy charm and timely rescue, James Ellington had turned an alarming moment into a fortunate meeting. And as for Prudence, who had so readily labeled her a burden and a spinster at 22—well, Edythe mused, any designs Prudence had on controlling the Cavendish inheritance or Edythe’s life would now have to be set aside.
Edythe’s fingers fidgeted with the hem of her white leather glove, a nervous habit that betrayed her unease in the confines of the train compartment. Her eyes flitted to the gentleman opposite her, whose ease and poise contrasted sharply with her self-conscious restraint.
James Ellington regarded her with a gentle, disarming smile. “Is this your first time traveling to Sommer-by-the-Sea?”
Edythe’s gaze lingered on James, taking in the casual tilt of his head. She put her gloves on the seat beside her before she ruined them. “Yes, it is,” she replied, her voice steadier than she felt. “I’ve only lived in London. From what I’ve been told, Sommer-by-the-Sea appears to be a different world altogether.”
“I assure you, the visit is well worth the journey,” he said, his tone soothing the edges of her apprehension. James’s smile broadened, a twinkle of shared understanding in his eyes. “It’s a place out of time, in many ways,” he said. “But I have no doubt you’ll find it charming. The village sits on the coast of the North Sea which has a way of welcoming newcomers.”
Edythe leaned forward, the newfound knowledge of their distant relation adding an ease of familiarity to her inquiry. “Do you travel to Sommer-by-the-Sea often?”
“Aye. I come as often as I can to pay respects to my friend and former commanding officer in his majesty’s service, Lord Barrington. With my law studies in London completed, Lord Barrington has encouraged me to practice law in Sommer-by-the-Sea.”
Edythe nodded, impressed by his ambition and his notable connection. “That’s quite commendable. Sommer-by-the-Sea will be fortunate to have you.” She sat back. She was not surprised to learn he was both a man of duty and principle.
James glanced out the window at the passing countryside before turning back to Edythe with a thoughtful look. “If I may be so bold, Miss Cavendish, are you staying at Cavendish Hall? It’s quite the local landmark, and given your surname, it is a reasonable assumption.”
Edythe was taken aback by his deduction, curiosity crossing her face. “Yes, I am. It’s a recent development, one I’m still coming to terms with.”
As the hours passed, James recounted tales of his travels including a humorous story of his travel mishaps involving amischievous goat and a country fair. The story had Edythe in tears, laughing, softening the space between them.
As the dusk sky turned amber and violet, James produced a small hamper and presented a modest dinner he brought along. “I find train journeys are always improved with a bit of food,” he remarked as they shared the simple meal bridging the gap between strangers. “And to be honest, I wasn’t looking forward to enjoying it alone. I am grateful for your company.”
Later, as the rhythm of the train lulled her into a drowsy haze, Edythe’s head nodded, her resistance to the day’s emotions giving way to rest. James watched over her with a protective gaze until he, too, surrendered to the gentle rocking. Hours later, the train whistled its arrival into Sommer-by-the-Sea, and James gently roused her. “We’ve arrived, Miss Cavendish.” Their journey together at an end, they each gathered their things and waited for the train to come to a halt.
James helped her down the train steps and tipped his hat. “Thank you for being such an enjoyable companion on an otherwise dull adventure.”
The brisk sea air greeted Edythe, prompting her to draw her shawl tighter around her shoulders. She took a deep breath, the salty tang of the sea a welcome change from London’s coal smoke and fog, as a dignified man approached, his posture straight and his expression severe yet kind.
“Miss Cavendish, I presume?” he inquired, his voice carrying the unmistakable authority of one accustomed to service. “I am Mr. Cooper, the coachman of your estate. I’ve been sent to escort you to the manor.”
Edythe turned to James, a question in her eyes, but he was already stepping back, a respectful distance between them. “It appears you’re in capable hands, Miss Cavendish.” He gave her a courteous nod. “I wish you all the best and thank you for sharing the journey with me.”
With that, James tipped his hat and merged into the crowd, leaving Edythe to wonder about the man who had been her companion for the past hours. As she watched him vanish into the crowd, she found herself grappling with a sense of loss, as if a part of her was departing with him. And a silent wish to see him again.
Mr. Cooper gestured towards a carriage waiting nearby, its horses stamping impatiently. “If you would follow me, Miss,” he said, offering his arm to guide her. The station porter had already stowed her trunk and other baggage on the carriage.
As Edythe settled into the carriage, the mystery of James Ellington, the lilt of his voice, and his striking soft blue eyes played on her mind like a haunting melody.
Chapter Two
The carriage crunchedover the gravel drive, through a canyon of trees, and rolled to a stop before the weathered steps of Cavendish Hall. Edythe stepped out of the carriage, her gaze sweeping over the façade. Time had etched lines of wear into the stone, and ivy clung to its walls with a tenacious grip. She proceeded up the steps to the door. The grandeur of years long gone lingered in the air, touched with a sense of quiet expectancy as if the hall itself held its breath and waited.
The butler greeted Edythe with a respectful bow, his posture as straight and sturdy as the ancient oaks lining the drive. “Miss Cavendish, welcome to Cavendish Hall. I am Mr. Hawthorne, your butler.” His voice echoed the quiet dignity of the estate.
Beside him stood the housekeeper, her presence as steadfast as the manor itself. “This is Mrs. MacTavish, your housekeeper,” he introduced. The woman offered her a nod, her expression earnest, her hands clasped before her as if holding the very essence of the hall within them. Her hair, once a fiery red, faded to a soft auburn and was streaked with strands of silver. Her face, lined with the passage of time, was softened by a smile and twinkling eyes that spoke of her kind nature.
