Riverbreeze: Part 3 (20 page)

Elizabeth recognized it right away.
Oh no, that necklace
, she thought.

“Yes?” She said, hesitantly.

“Elizabeth…” Robert started, looking very serious and formal. He opened the box, offering it to her. “Will you wear this tonight? Please?”

She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

“Please.” He continued. “I want you to wear this.”

“Why?” She finally asked. She didn’t want to displease him, but wearing that necklace would make her feel too uncomfortable. “You know how I feel about that necklace.”

“I would think that you would already know. Tonight is a special night and I want to be prepared in the event I get the piece of cake with the bean in it. Then I can choose you as my queen and you’ll be the most majestic woman there.”

Her mouth dropped open in surprise. She didn’t think he cared for those silly games. There must be another reason, but she couldn’t imagine what it could be, other than him wanting to show off. And that wasn’t like him at all. But, since he did put it that way…appealing to her penchant for fun and entertainments… She finally decided there was nothing to worry about and took her sister’s advice from that long-ago night when she had shown Evelyn the necklace.
If there is ever the opportunity you should definitely
wear it
! Shaking off her concerns, she smiled brightly. “Yes, I will wear it, but Evelyn doesn’t have anything to wear.” She added, always thinking of her sister.

Much to Elizabeth’s surprise again, Robert answered, “Yes, she does. Jamie?”

With a gleeful smile, Jamie magically revealed another flat wooden box from behind his back and opened it. Inside was another fabulous necklace, not as magnificent as the ruby one, but impressive nevertheless. It was a bib style with six delicate drapes, all in gold with small emerald stones set between each drape and a larger drop and drape at the center.

Both girls gasped. “Where did you get that?” Elizabeth blurted out. Then completely embarrassed, she covered her mouth with her hand. “I’m sorry.” She whispered.

Robert glared at her. “You know where we got that. ‘Twas our mother’s. I gave it to him years ago to give to his wife.”

“Why did he wait until now to give it to Evelyn?” She asked, not checking herself again.

“That is none of your concern.” Robert said sharply.

“Elizabeth, hush.” Evelyn said softly, touching her sister’s hand. “It does not matter.” She looked back at Jamie. “Thank you, Jamie. ‘Tis beautiful.”

“Will you wear it?” Jamie asked.

“Of course.” Evelyn eagerly agreed.

“But we’re already wearing our rings around our necks.” Elizabeth said then.

“I’ll fix that.” Robert said quickly.

And he did, taking each ring and winding the ribbon around the band so the rings would fit their fingers. It worked. Now the twins each wore their ring on their left hand ring finger next to their narrow gold wedding bands. And then, as Jamie put the emerald and gold necklace on Evelyn, Robert gently fastened the ruby necklace around Elizabeth’s neck, giving her a soft, lingering kiss at the nape of her neck, sending chills down her spine. “Thank you.” He whispered.

Well, that was it. The necklace was on her and yes, it was magnificent. If Robert did get the piece of cake with the bean in it—which was highly unlikely, about a one in thirty chance or however many guests were there—and he did choose her for his queen—which he would of course—she would be ready to play the role of his queen. That was what twelfth night was all about, jovial festivities consisting of drink, dance and giving in to general self-indulgence, and the king and queen turning the world upside down. She couldn’t wait!

As Robert finally draped her cloak around her shoulders and escorted her out, she held her head up high. Her heart sped up, anticipating this most splendid evening. It would be the pinnacle of the best Christmas season ever!

* * *

The Wentworth’s home was lit up like Guy Fawkes Night. Torches blazed along the path to the house and candles burned in every window. Roger and Nicole were waiting at the door, ready to greet each guest as they arrived. After exchanging hugs and kisses, they welcomed the Bassetts and Abigail into their warm home. Nathan and Dolnick were escorted to the kitchen by a smartly-dressed male servant while another efficiently took their outerwear. The Wentworths were such kind and generous people Elizabeth aspired to be like them. And more and more, she was really coming to enjoy this young colony of Virginia. These people hadn’t banned Christmas festivities like that awful Cromwell and his parliament.

Of course, Nicole complimented the twins on their necklaces, saying that they were the most beautiful pieces of jewelry she had ever seen. Elizabeth doubted that—the Wentworths were the most fashion conscious people she knew—but she took the compliments graciously as did Evelyn. Elizabeth decided that she wasn’t going to worry about that accursed necklace anymore. If people wanted to compliment her, she would be gracious and kind; if people wanted to criticize her, she would just ignore them.

In turn, Elizabeth complimented Nicole on her beautiful outfit. Nicole was indeed a vision of loveliness. She wore a scarlet red gown with a fitted ivory jacket over it. The jacket was trimmed in gold lace and was embroidered all over with carnations, honeysuckle, butterflies, birds, caterpillars, and curlicues in threads of silver, gold and bright colors. Gilt spangles were interspersed among the embroidery and sparkled in the candlelight. Elizabeth glanced over at Evelyn who was nearly drooling over the jacket. It was spectacular. She also had strings of small pearls woven through her hair and a single strand of larger pearls hung around her neck. Elegant, Elizabeth thought; she was simply elegant.

And Roger wasn’t so bad either. Dressed simply in black velvet doublet and breeches, white shirt and a white linen cutwork collar so as not to outshine his wife, he was as handsome as ever. The two of them were beautiful together; there was no denying that.

Before the Bassetts and Abigail were shown into the large parlor, Nicole rang a little bell, calling a female servant to her. The girl appeared at the top of the stairs, surrounded by Nicole’s children and the Crockett boys. Robin saw them and immediately squirmed to be let down out of his father’s arms. Alice, the servant, came down and with a warm smile and soft words of encouragement, reached for Robin’s hand. After receiving permission from Robert and hearing his friends calling him from the top of the stairs, Robin went along happily to the children’s room. This house didn’t have any bad memories for him and he was thrilled to be able to play freely with his good friends.

Nicole then explained that Alice was helping the children practice a surprise for the adults.

“A play?” Elizabeth guessed.

Nicole nodded, smiling delightedly.

“Oh, they’ll be so cute!”

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Robert and Roger roll their eyes and exchange a long-suffering look.

Humph! Elizabeth thought, ignoring them.

Nicole continued, also ignoring the men. “As soon as everyone arrives, we’ll have Robin cut the cake—“

“Robin?” Robert asked before Elizabeth could voice the same thought. What an honor it was for the Wentworths to choose Robin.

“He is the youngest able to do it. Of course the infants are too young.”

“Thank you, Nikki, Roger.” Robert said, genuinely touched by their kindness.

“You’re welcome.” Nicole continued. “After the cake is cut and the king is revealed, we’ll toast the reigning king and queen, then the children will put on their play. And then after that…who knows?!” She laughed gaily.

Yes, who knew, but Elizabeth guessed that there would be a lot of drinking and hopefully dancing. She was ready to indulge herself.

The Bassetts were shown into the large parlor then where a huge table had been placed in the center of the room. While the invitation hadn’t included dinner, per se, there was enough finger food here to feed any hungry person. The large twelfth night cake sat proudly in the center of the table, a delicious looking confection, all white and decorated with candied cherries and apricots. To one side of the cake were more confections and on the other side were the savory dishes. A table in the corner held a large bowl of wassail and a small selection of wines.

A huge fire was burning in the hearth and lovely, fresh greenery decorated the mantle and around the windows and door. The room was also lit up with scores of precious bayberry candles in sconces and silverplated candlesticks. It was all so grand and Elizabeth didn’t feel like she was missing anything. She remembered Nicole warning her that this party could never compare to any she might have attended in London, but Nicole was wrong. This party was just as magnificent.

Several early arrivers were already in the room, the Paulette brothers, Alison and William Barber and Alison’s sons, who were stuffing their mouths with onion and cheese tarts. The Crocketts, the Bolton brothers, Sheriff Huett, and Nick Bannister were also crowded around the table, sampling other goodies, and talking amongst themselves. The Bassetts went around and greeted everyone, but before they had gotten too deep in conversation with anyone, there was another knock on the door.

This time the guests were the governor and John Tradescant. The Bassetts were thrilled to see them again and they, them. The two men complimented the Bassetts again on the fine meal they had been served when they had come for dinner, and then Sir William noticed Elizabeth’s necklace and naturally remarked on it.

“What a splendid necklace.” He said, admiring it. “Is it a family piece?”

“Yes, it is.” Robert answered as if Elizabeth couldn’t speak for herself. “My mother’s.”

“Is that so?” Sir William said, rather surprised. “This reminds me of something my mother used to wear. Was it passed down through your family?”

“Ah, no. My father had it made for her.”

Berkeley’s eyebrows rose significantly at this news. “Your father must have loved her very much…and if you do not mind my saying so, he must have been rather successful.”

Elizabeth continued to stand quietly, realizing now that Robert had wanted her to wear the necklace to show off to the governor. How strange. Robert had never felt inferior to anyone before and he had never had the need to impress anyone.

Robert answered, his voice proud. “My father was the second Earl of Pennington.”

“Pennington!” Sir William gasped, quite excited. “My grandfather knew a Pennington. Have you ever heard of the Killigrews?”

Robert shook his head. “No, sir.”

Sir William put his arm around Robert’s shoulder. He also included Jamie in his invitation. “Well, let’s the three of us find ourselves a drink and I’ll tell you all about them.”

So, Robert and Jamie went off with the governor, presumably to the kitchen to find drinks and to talk.

That was rather strange, Elizabeth thought. She wondered if Robert and the governor could be related somehow, maybe they had some distant, ancient kin. That would be bizarre. Elizabeth and Evelyn exchanged an amused look before joining Alison, Emily and Abigail.

As the first hour passed, more guests arrived including Robert and Helen Boyle. Helen looked infinitely better than the last time the twins had seen her at the muster. She appeared happy; her face glowed under all the candlelight. The women asked how she was feeling now and she answered that she was fine; her pregnancy wasn’t giving her any trouble and Nicole was teaching her all about housewifery and childcare.

Another couple they were pleased to see was George and Hetta Turner with their new baby boy. He was fussed and cooed over and passed among the women. He was a sturdy baby, solid and happy. George and Hetta were so proud and so full of joy, no one could blame them. This baby would live; they were sure of it. Evelyn was too; she gave the couple big hugs, feeling a closeness to them that Elizabeth didn’t share.

When it appeared that all the guests were present, Roger called everyone to the table while Nicole went to get the children. Everyone laughed hysterically when they arrived. Alice was with them, gently leading them along and she must have warned them ahead of time that the adults might laugh at them because none of the children cried. In fact, they smiled and beamed at all the attention they received.

They were dressed as grown adults and as opposites. The boys were dressed as old ladies with heavy skirts that they constantly tripped over, shawls that overwhelmed them and caps and hoods that fell over their eyes. The Wentworth girls were dressed as adult men in breeches that reached to their ankles and shirts that swallowed them up.

Elizabeth couldn’t help but laugh out loud at Robin, even Robert was laughing and the two of them shared an amused look, but Robin didn’t cry. He smiled back, looking ridiculous but happy as a clam. She waved at him and he waved back, the sleeve of whatever shirt he was wearing flopping over his hand.

Robin, as Nicole had said, was given the honor of cutting the Twelfth Night cake. Everyone gathered around the table, eagerly anticipating this tradition and also sampling the cake. It looked so delicious! A chair had been brought to the table and Robert grabbed his son, stood him on the chair and proceeded to roll and roll and roll up the lad’s sleeves.