* * *
It had only been a few months since Lucy started living at Grayson Manor, and already she had fairly well acclimatized to her new situation. A week after living at Grayson there had been a short memorial service for the lost Brighton family members in the Manor chapel—attended mostly by other tenant farmers and His Grace, David, and George who were there to comfort Lucy. After the ceremony, Lucy was quiet for a few days but her natural exuberance soon returned, and she was once again totally immersed in her new life. Lucy was given a bed in one of the kitchen maid’s rooms. She was also expected to be in the kitchen at five o’clock in the morning to help with breakfast and lunch. However, Mrs. Mead let her slip away in the afternoon to study with George.
To Nanny Wilkes’ surprise, Lucy was mastering her classes, unlike any student Nanny Wilkes had ever seen before. Even her brightest student, George, was outshone by this young girl. But that was more because of George’s lack of interest in many of the academic subjects than from his lack of intelligence.
Because they studied in the classroom together, George and Lucy were forming an even closer bond. Each day Nanny Wilkes gave them assignments to prepare for the next day, and they often stayed together after class to discuss the day’s studies and to work together on their assignments.
However, George sometimes neglected his assigned studies and turned to his drawing instead—using either pencil or charcoal. But he often complained to Lucy that he longed to work with color, but so far, his parents had not allowed him the use of oil paints, hoping to discourage him from his artistic pursuits.
But today there were no classes as it was Betsy’s birthday, and everyone had a day free from the classroom.
Nanny Wilkes was in charge of decorations for the party, and Mrs. Mead was preparing the food. When George returned from town with his father, he immediately rushed to the schoolroom where he had his drawing materials. He was surprised to find Lucy sprawled out on the floor with several books open in front of her.
“What are you doing here when there is no school?” he asked.
“I could ask you the same,” Lucy said looking up at him with a grin.
“I came to draw. And you?”
“I was studying my history book. I am not very good at that. But then I found this book,” she said picking up one of the open books. It is all about the Renaissance, and I got a really good idea.”
“What is that?”
“It is to be a surprise. But I know you are going to like it.”
“Tell me now,” George insisted.
“Not now. It is time for Betsy’s party. Come.” she insisted as she got up off the floor and took George’s hand. “And she liked your present, by the way.”
“Yes, I thought she might. She always complains to me that all she ever gets to wear is hand-me-downs from her sisters and never anything new for herself.”
“Like me,” Lucy said with a touch of sadness.
“I would talk to Mother about that, but she is not very giving when it comes to you.” George thought for a moment. “I am afraid you will have to make do for the time being. I do not know about buying clothes for girls—except for party dresses—and besides, my allowance is very small.”
“That is all right. And besides, we have a party to go to right now.”
* * *
Judith always said she had no preference for any of her children—they were all equal to her. But nobody believed her. Of course, George was the little prince, but to her, the little princess was Ann, her first child. They were also much alike in temperament, and this afternoon at the birthday party they were sitting next to each other passing whispered comments to one another like conspirators.
In particular, the two often conspired against Lucy, considering her an outsider. Much to the conspirators’ displeasure, the entire rest of the family appeared to be under the thrall of this cunning waif, and unfortunately, arrayed against them. But there was nothing they could do about it as his Grace was adamant in his support of Lucy. They also noted that George absolutely doted on her and would never hear an unkind word against her. How it galled the united mother and daughter.
Nanny Wilkes was hopelessly trying to organize some party games in the library where the party was being held, but no one seemed the least bit interested. Betsy kept eyeing the table with her birthday presents. Ann was sequestered to the side of the room with her mother, and Charlotte, who had just had a spurt in growth and sprouted a fresh array of spots on her face, cowered in the corner to avoid the crowd of neighborhood children invited to the party.
Only George and Lucy interacted with the guests. Finally, Nanny Wilkes was able to organize a game ofCock-a-Roosty—a rowdy game where an “it” player stands before the group, and each player must try and get past “it” to home. But everyone has to hop on one leg.
The noise level increased manyfold, and Grandfather David was forced to retreat to the seclusion and peace of his quarters. His Grace escaped to his study, and Judith and Ann looked on with disapproving pinched faces.
Eventually, Betsy was allowed to open her presents, most of which were books—which she liked, undergarments—which embarrassed her, and a saddle from her father and mother—which perplexed her, as she seldom rode and had a perfectly suitable saddle already. Maybe it was a hint for her to get outdoors more.
A cake was presented; the guests were fed, and before long, parents were whisking their children away in carriages, carts, and on horseback.
With so much food so late in the afternoon, there was no thought of a sit-down supper, and if anyone was hungry later in the evening, trays could be brought from the kitchen.
The Duchess was the first of the family to rise and say as she clapped, “That is the end of the party. Betsy, make certain your presents are taken to your room. We must leave the library in the condition we found it before the party.” She turned then to Lucy and said, “And you help clean up. It seems you have done nothing useful all afternoon.”
Ann stood next to her mother, and the two marched out of the library together. Charlotte followed with her head bowed. Betsy looked at her presents and sighed, before searching for a chambermaid to help her remove the loot to her room. She did not want to call upon her friend, Lucy, to help her, despite what her mother had just said. Nanny Wilkes had disappeared after the games and only George and Lucy were left. They were seated on a window seat overlooking the rolling hills of the valley.
