“Oh, thank you. I thought it was going to blow me away into the next county,” Isabell said with a laugh.
Isabel was one and twenty, slight of build and was often susceptible to illness. But her bright shining brown eyes were always welcoming. She was deft with her hands, and they were always busy, washing, cooking, knitting, or clearing up after those two younger brothers, who were old enough to look after themselves, but continued to rely on their sister to take care of their messes.
“Look what I brought you,” Lucy said holding out a cake wrapped in brown paper. Lucy had access to the Manor’s kitchen and often hung around helping with the baking. None of the daughters were allowed this privilege, but Lucy was neither fully upstairs, nor fully downstairs, so she was allowed access everywhere. She felt very fortunate in such an arrangement.
“Is that the apple pound cake I like so much? And did you make it?”
“The very same and I did make it. Might it be time for tea and a slice of cake?”
“Indeed, it might,” Isabell said. “But first, I must finish hanging the washing.”
“Let me help.”
And the two of them hung the rest of the wet laundry before heading inside to prepare the tea.
The Langley’s cottage was modest but tidy and well kept. Her father maintained the structure, and she cared for the household. There was a pleasant flower garden in front with a modest porch where the two retired to a table and sat to enjoy their tea.
“I saw your father and his Grace struggling with a monstrous stump this morning. They had a team of two horses and were trying to dislodge the brute.”
“Papa is so grateful for his position with the Duke. It has been a blessing to this family—especially with mother gone. He still broods over her but has the boys to distract him with their mischievous ways.”
Lucy laughed. “They are a handful. But I know how much you care for them.”
“I do. But I am very happy they are in school right now.”
She poured the tea as Lucy cut the cake and served a slice each on the plates provided. They sat back to enjoy their tea as a mother duck and her brood of ducklings came waddling by to inspect the front garden for bugs and insects.
“Carter was by last evening,” Isabell said shyly.
“Was he now? And what did he have to say for himself for being so scarce?”
“His employer sent him on an overnight trip to Sherborne, but he ended up needing to stay two nights and only got back yesterday afternoon.”
“How very naughty of his employer. Does he not know Carter is about to ask you to marry him? How can he be so thoughtless?”
Isabell laughed. “I think Carter may have considered the diversion a relief. He is always so nervous when he is with me recently. It seems he wants to ask me. I know he intends to, but somehow he freezes up and cannot get the words out.”
“Then you ask him,” Lucy said with a laugh.
“What a brave idea. I love it. But you know that is not how it is done.”
“Men… What useless creatures. Eh?”
“And what about Master George? He must be quite the young man by now. I have not seen him for the longest time.”
“He just turned twenty and fancies himself an adult. But sometimes he still behaves as though he was twelve.”
Isabell’s tabby slouched by, decided Lucy’s lap looked inviting, hopped up and settled in for a snooze.
The breeze had somewhat subsided, and both Lucy and Isabell settled back in their chairs and enjoyed these few quiet moments.
Lucy, who was now sixteen, closed her eyes and savored the patch of sun that was streaming down upon her. No longer a child, but not yet quite a woman, she hovered at that delicate point of transition on the threshold of adulthood. Her features had matured from the child into what everyone now recognized as a great beauty. She maintained her milky white, satin complexion, framed by her dark hair, accentuating her slim, delicate features. She still had a svelte figure, but she had spurted in growth and had an attractive willowy stature.
“Do you have any more stories you can show me? I loved the last one about the porcupine. And so did the boys,” Isabell asked, breaking Lucy’s reverie.
“Oh, you liked that? Good. I am working on a new one now, but it is not quite ready.”
“You can take the one I read back with you.”
