The Shoemaker Page 8

  “Good evening, Miss Lyndon. I trust you are adjusting well to Hillbrook Hall. It’s been so busy we’ve barely had time to get to know one another,” she remarked pleasantly.

  Winnie detected a slight tone of nervousness in Lady Anne-Marie’s voice. “Good evening Lady Anne-Marie. Everything seems taken well in hand for a lovely Dinner Party. I’m certain we will have plenty of time to get to know one another in the long winter days ahead.”

  “Yes, I do think you are right about the long winter days ahead. Lady Amiée-Jo and I very much look forward to having someone here with us to liven things up a bit. When our friends take their leave and return to their country estates, you may find our own country house rather glum in comparison to your first week with us.” She looked about the Ball Room with some degree of apprehension in her eyes. “I wish Mama could be with us. She always knew how to greet our guests and make a Dinner Party a grand success.”

  “You must miss her very much,” Winnie nodded with a tilt of her head.

  “It seems so odd to not have her and Papa here. I should have paid more attention to the things she tried to tell me... about most everything. I feel as though I am forgetting something this evening. As the eldest daughter, Xander expects me to step up my efforts toward running the household. I confess I haven’t much of clue where it comes to entertaining.”

  “Xander…?” Miss Lyndon repeated, one eyebrow rising in curiosity. “You must be referring to your brother.”

  “Yes,” Lady Anne-Marie nodded. “Amiée-Josephine and I always found it easier to say than Alexander or Kingston. I think Mama started the habit of calling him that; for as far back as I can remember she always showed him affection with that nickname. Papa too…”

  “I’m certain everything will be fine as long as you keep a smile on no matter what happens. There are plenty of servants this evening, the fires are stoked, the sheet music has been set out, and the tables look beautiful. Have you had a moment to check on how the staff is managing in the kitchen?”

  “I just spoke to our housekeeper, Mrs. Glenwood. She indicated that the kitchen is a bit frenzied. She also said this is normal for events like this and otherwise, everything is running according to schedule.”

  “I always found it best to stay out of Betsy’s way in times like these unless she asked for our help. Betsy is my mother’s cook,” Winnie explained.

  “Yes, that’s probably excellent advice,” Lady Anne-Marie added. “At least the two of us are dressed early. My brother will be in a state of shock. He detests being late and waiting.”

  “I hope that Lady Amiée-Josephine will join us shortly. Then we shall all be ready ahead of the arrival of the other guests. Your gown and hair are perfect. You look something akin to a refreshing winter day with a splash of sunshine. That shade of mauve looks lovely with your blue eyes and blond hair. I think all there is for you to do now is to be seated in the Drawing Room until your guests are announced. Will you stand in front of the fireplace perhaps with your sister and brother… to receive guests when they arrive?”

  “Oh, I hadn’t thought of that.” She contemplated the companion’s advice with a pensive look. “Yes, I do think Mother would have done that. Sometimes she and Papa were seated by the fire in the Drawing Room as I consider this. I think sometimes they stood there, or in a receiving line near the Ball Room doors for the Christmas Ball. Thank you, Miss Lyndon for a splendid idea.”

  “Please, call me Winnie.”

  “Certainly, and if you will please stand with us, Winnie, at the fireplace, I would feel honored. Then I can introduce you properly to each of our guests.”

  “If your family wishes it,” Catherine replied, “then I shall.”

  “Oh, indeed, we do,” Lady Anne-Marie said as she snapped open her ivory handled lace fan. A silver, heart-shaped vinaigrette with detailed scrolling dangled from it. “Amiée- Josephine will be far too distracted about the boys that will be in attendance home from university for the holiday to have much preference… and as for my brother, well, frankly, from what I’ve seen in the last two days, Xander adores you. In fact, I think he is smitten with you.”

  Looking around to be sure they were still alone in the Ball Room, Catherine responded cautiously as she pulled her gloves up more securely. “I’m not quite sure what to make of that, now that you mention it. Indeed I am flattered, but surely he has a number of other love interests.”

  “Xander has always has been surrounded by the ladies, being the heir to a vast fortune… and the title, of course. He could have his pick of the kingdom with his good looks and personality.” Lady Anne-Marie’s fan fluttered back and forth rapidly… like a deer darting into the woods. “But after Lady Emily…”

  “What happened with Lady Emily?”

  “She broke off their engagement for a gentleman with a greater fortune and title at the time; a Marquis. Apparently, she thought my parents would live for years and years. Of course, we all did. Had they done so, Xander would have remained merely an Earl for quite some time.”

  “How devastating for Kingston,” Winnie replied.

  “It was devastating for him… though it has been almost a year ago. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him quite so angry and hurt as then.”

  “How do you know if he has recovered from her?” Winnie listened, tilting her head as she considered what Kingston’s sister confided.

  “You’re the first person he’s looked at in the same way he used to look at Lady Emily. He hasn’t given anyone else much of a serious thought from what I have seen, though all of my friends would have him in an instant. They talk of little else.”

  “You don’t want Kingston to marry one of your friends?”

  “Oh no… and become the next Duchess? The boss of my sister and I?” Lady Anne-Marie looked vastly amused and burst into a short laugh. “What a perfectly horrifying thought! To Kingston, they are just silly young girls, much like I am.”

  “I see your point,” Catherine nodded.

  “You do want to marry him, don’t you?”

  “I’m not entirely sure… I mean, I’ve only just barely met him… and I’ve never considered myself in a marriage. I have older sisters who must be married off first Mother always said. I thought I would spend my days as a philanthropist of sorts… maybe serve as a governess, perhaps even a teacher in a pleasant community. I will eventually lend my voice and talents to the cause of education reform on some level.”

  Lady Anne-Marie tilted her head to one side as she thought about Miss Lyndon’s responses. “Well, ‘tis just an observation… but you know, you could be quite dynamic in philanthropy as a Duchess. You could help Xander choose which charities the family should support. You could perhaps begin advancing your cause by awarding scholarships to those deserving an education. Perhaps this path would lead you to further explore advancements in education reform. A great many other ideas come to my mind with regard to things you could accomplish if you and my brother were united in matrimony. As a Duchess, you would have access to all of the right people and of course, abundant resources. Doors would open for you to make a very real difference.”

  “Why do you favor me for your brother? I’m certain one of the ladies among your friends and guests has far more inclination toward marriage than I do.” Winnie wound a curl around one of her gloved fingers, barely noticing the footman bringing additional candelabras into the Ball Room. She did, however, notice Lady Agnes wander into the room with a rather pouting and disdainful eye glancing in their direction as she ignored them, wandering toward the row of French doors that looked out onto the veranda facing the stables. Ignoring Aggie and continuing the conversation in a low whisper, “We’ve only just met… and the attention and consideration he obliges me with reap jealousy and hatred.”

  Lady Anne-Marie stopped fanning herself and spying Aggie, she turned slightly to look at Winnie directly. In a low voice from behind her fan she shielded her words from being overheard. She leaned in close. “I just do. I’m not ent
irely certain why. Partly because Mama chose to send you to us before she left this earth to be with God. If our mére gave preference to you, that’s all that really matters to us. It surely must be Providence! ‘Tis partly because there is something about you I genuinely like and trust. You have a forthright and gracious manner. You are sensible. You are more lady than all of these who have been trained to be ladies. This is my clear observation. Mama was very much like you are, now that I think on it. She made a great Duchess. I only hope I can live up to her attributes someday. She had mostly French blood, and though we are at war with the French… I can assure you that our dear mére was kind, giving, sensible, intelligent, and gracious-- exactly like you are.”

  “Thank you Lady Anne-Marie,” Winnie said as they strolled at a leisurely pace toward the Drawing Room.

  Winnie struggled to accept the complements and observations as she considered Anne-Marie’s words, attempting to remain objective. She couldn’t understand why people seemed to see grace in her or attribute fine qualities to her whenever they first met her, but she supposed it was the way she held and conducted herself. She exuded a confidence that was seldom found in others her age she supposed, partly stemming from having her nose in a book, partly from having to be strong for a very long time, and partly from a strong relationship with her Lord. Sometimes she questioned herself, but there was little she had not learned to take to her Savior in prayer. The knowledge she had would shock most gentlemen her mother had always warned. Winnie knew she also had acquired determination and a great deal of humility from having to be resourceful and content from an early age. Being an impoverished vicar’s daughter had equal shares of advantages and disadvantages. Some ladies despised her for what she was, but she refused to let their hatred extinguish her light.

  Proverbs 31:10, KJV

  Who can find a virtuous woman? Her price is far above rubies.

  Chapter 7

  The Christmas Dinner Party

  Rounding the corner through the double doors into the Drawing Room, they nearly collided with an out of breath, panic stricken Beatrice. “Pardon, Lady Anne-Marie, Miss Lyndon, for the intrusion,” Beatrice bobbed a slight curtsey, her eyes darting from one to the other as a story bubbled out of her breathlessly. “Have either of you seen a pair of brown, kid leather shoes? They sport a burnished brass buckle on each shoe and low heels. Lady Elizabeth is frantic and we haven’t been able to find them in any of the customary locations. I have looked everywhere to no avail. They go perfectly with her brown satin evening gown. She is in a quandary and… and… threatening to have me sacked.” Beatrice wrung her hands in her apron.

  “Have no fear, Beatrice. Pay her threats no mind. We wouldn’t dream of such a thing. In fact, I have a pair of brown silk shoes she may borrow if you will be so kind as to go to my wardrobe and retrieve them. Offer them to her as a substitute. Perhaps we wear about the same size shoes. I trust and hope her shoes will turn up somewhere. Would you kindly locate Lady Amiée-Josephine and escort her to the Drawing Room? Our guests will be arriving soon and we need to be ready to receive them soon. I’m certain Kingston will be here shortly.”

  “Thank you, ma’am, uh, I mean, yes ma’am! I will find Lady Amiée-Jo…”

  The ladies of Hillbrook Hall and Kingston were soon assembled in the Drawing Room before guests began to stream into the drive by coaches and sleighs lit with lanterns. Max was kept firmly in the kitchen under the watchful eye of Mrs. Childers. Everyone was in their proper place at least five minutes before the first guest set foot on the front veranda. Delightful aromas floated down the main hall from the kitchen at the far end. All of the fires were roaring and tapers replaced as soon as they were low. One could view the line of horse drawn conveyances from the long windows of the Drawing Room. Liveried footmen wearing overcoats and gloves escorted passengers inside where a footman viewed invitations to grant entrance and another accepted wraps. Heaven was surely celebrating Christmas with them as wafting snowflakes gently danced their way down from above, delighting everyone beneath.

  “This Christmas Dinner is a prequel to the Christmas Ball. Only our closest and dearest local friends attend. Some are from Northampton. A few hale from Scotland or London and will stay at an Inn in Northampton or Glad Crown until tomorrow. Many come from the village of Glad Crown, where Kingston’s tenants reside… or other parts of Glad Crown Borough and Parish. You’ll meet Xander’s closest friends and peers this evening.” Lady Anne-Marie explained from behind her fan.

  Alton was in his proper place just inside the Drawing Room doors, ready to announce each guest. Winnie glanced at Kingston. He looked handsome and regal in his cravat and dinner jacket. Lady Amiée-Jo looked lovely in a yellowish-gold, empire waisted gown, ready to greet each guest with a broad smile. Then guests would be greeted by Lady Anne-Marie who would introduce Winnie next, as Miss Catherine Edwina Lyndon. After Miss Lyndon, they would finally be welcomed by the new Duke of Gladdington, Alexander Charles Kingston.

  The Duke leaned closer to her and whispered, “You look absolutely breathtaking this evening, Catherine.”

  His remark made her blush, but she managed a weak smile in return. She dare not encourage him with a complement after that afternoon’s escapade at the shoemaker. Though it was unusual to invite a companion to stand with the family, Lady Anne-Marie was insistent upon it. Kingston suggested all of the visiting ladies make an attempt to mingle with the guests when they finished coming through the reception line until supper was served. They took their places about the Drawing Room, eager to meet eligible young men and socialize with new acquaintances.

  Kingston’s closest friends included Baron Phillip Edwin Crane of Northampton (referred to as Crane or Phil), among the first to arrive; Viscount Maguire Stapleton of Scotland, a war chum Kingston called Maguire; and Earl Peter Boggs of London, called Boggs, a friend who had attended both military school and Cambridge with the young Earl. Winnie learned that Maguire and Boggs had arrived on the same coach, both with wives on their arms, to the disappointment of the unmarried ladies.

  The university boys arrived in another coach, making both Lady Amiée-Josephine’s face and that of Lady Anne-Marie light up with joy. These included Viscount Joseph Kinsworth, Brent Atkins, Abel Johnston, Frank Billings, and Viscount Ridge Wheatley. They were home to Northampton from their first or second years at Cambridge and Oxford. Everyone referred to Viscount Wheatley as Ridge. He had an exuberant quality about his character. The younger ladies present glowed considerably to see such a group of young, handsome school boys arrive, though they could hardly be called school boys. They were young men indeed.

  After these came Vicar Melvin Taylor and wife, Louisa, the parish vicar of Glad Crown; brothers John and William Franklin, who owned a Northampton tannery; the mayor of Glad Crown, Mr. Victor Whitmore and wife, Charlene; Mr. Lyric Brexley and wife, Joselyn, of Irish descent and locals of Glad Crown; the Lancasters, Bethany and Abner, cotton mill owners from Northampton; Sir Bouverie and his mother, Lady Bouverie; the mayor of Northampton and daughter, Samuel Hughes and Miss Hannah Hughes; the Duke and Duchess of Northampton; Earl Dane Edwards and wife, the Countess, Lady Camilla Edwards of Northampton; Viscount Benjamin Holtman and Viscountess Delia Holtman, landed gentry on the outskirts of Northampton; Jessie and Cora Miller, a country squire and wife, of Glad Crown ; Sylvester and Bonnie Elkins, another country squire and wife, of Glad Crown; widowed sisters, Joy and Andrea Farnsley, of Glad Crown; and Mr. Jason Biltmore and sister, Miss Lavenia (Venia) Biltmore, also of the village of Glad Crown.

  Dinner was an extraordinary event with a bursting menu of tantalizing choices streaming from the kitchen. Gentlemen in the Drawing Room were careful to be sure every lady had an escort to dinner. A few took more than one lady on their arms and assisted them to their seats. There were about fifty present, twenty-five to each table with twelve seats running down each side of each table, plus seats at each table end.

  Lady Anne-Marie sat at the head of one table with her siste
r and most of the younger guests. Kingston, after whisking Catherine to her seat by his side, took his usual seat at the head of the other table with more of the older and more prestigious guests. Lady Agnes was escorted by Sir Bouverie to a seat directly beside him. Aggie wanted to reject her seat, realizing her plan to relocate her seating arrangements had been foiled. Aggie glanced at Winnie with daggers in her eyes, but as Kingston asked Vicar Taylor to open with a prayer, there was no way to communicate that she’d had nothing to do with seating arrangements whatsoever. The name card could have been moved a third time by anyone… Mrs. Glenwood, Alton, Lady Anne-Marie, perhaps even Kingston.

  After the prayer, the anger Winnie had felt towards Kingston earlier that afternoon had begun to dissipate with the knowledge of all that Kingston had been through in the past year. First, he’d lost Lady Emily, his betrothed; then, his parents… all in less than a single year. She found herself stealing glances at him throughout the meal. She considered his plight, though it didn’t make it right that he had made such a brazen claim about her being his bride at the shoemaker’s shop. He was under some degree of duress as well as coping with grief and loss, not to mention a stipulation of some sort to comply with regarding marriage in what must be a codicil to the will of his parents. Perhaps because of Lady Emily, he had never thought he would find himself in this situation. Though she certainly didn’t approve of what he had done without her permission, some part of her was filled with more understanding and patience now that she had spoken with his sister at length. When a toast was made, she barely heard the words uttered by the Duke of Northampton as she pondered the remarkable conversation which had demonstrated Kingston’s sister to be far more mature, considerate, and intuitive than first impressions.

  “Do you like roasted turkey?” Lord Edwards asked, seated to Catherine’s left. Several footmen served each of the courses consisting of roast turkey, roast beef, gravies, sautéed mushrooms, jugged hare, Yorkshire pudding, and lobster; another course of cucumber salad, stewed celery, boiled potatoes, baked ginger carrots, braised asparagus in bread crumbs, peas and pearl onions in a white cream sauce, and orange wedges; and a course of sweet potato cakes, cheddar cheese, baked apples, shallots, and the delectable savories and sauces. Cider and lemonade accompanied the meal. The dinner was an extravagant feast to celebrate the birth of Christ with plenty of liveried footmen on hand to serve the guests. The courses flowed smoothly from the kitchen to their plates. Ladies barely accepted a few tablespoons of each menu item.