Sunlight on the Mersey (37 page)

‘Stop worrying, darling. I’m certain she will. Now, I haven’t been idle while you’ve been away. I’ve spoken to the Reverend Williams and he’ll be delighted to marry us quietly in the chapel in the village. I thought you’d prefer it rather than the big church in town.’

Rose began to relax a little. ‘I’d like that; I was going to ask you if he could marry us. He and Bethan are so nice and Bethan was very kind to me when my father was killed.’

‘We’ll ask him to come up so we can discuss it further and you will have to discuss with Mrs Mathews if you wish the furniture in these rooms to be rearranged. This is going to be your home as much as mine, Rose. And, of course, you will have to think about the guests you’d like to invite and what we should have to eat after the ceremony.’

‘I know. I’ll ask her what she can suggest,’ Rose replied, thinking that she had no idea what would be suitable fare for such an occasion.

Olivia was prompt, arriving five minutes before Nora appeared with the tea. She looked composed although she still considered this to be the worse misalliance in the history of the county and had no intention of greeting Rose with any degree of warmth. It hadn’t helped that Elinore, although very surprised, hadn’t been outraged at all. She’d commented that she’d always liked Rose and she was glad that poor Dai had found love and happiness; she’d also pointed out that times and attitudes were gradually changing. Marriage seemed
to have changed
her
beyond all recognition, she’d fumed indignantly to Elinore.

‘Good morning, Dai and . . . Rose,’ she greeted them rather curtly.

‘Thank you, Livvie, for sparing us the time. I’ve asked for tea while we discuss the arrangements,’ David informed her cordially.

Rose smiled, unsure of whether to speak or not. She had to remember not to get to her feet to help Nora when the parlourmaid entered. It didn’t help that Nora hadn’t even glanced at her.

Out of habit Olivia presided over the tea tray. ‘And
have
you made any arrangements?’ she asked in a clipped tone as she handed her brother a cup and saucer.

‘Yes. Reverend Williams will marry us in the church in the village and while obviously he cannot forbid the members of his flock to attend, it will be made quite clear that we wish for as much privacy as possible. There will be just yourself and, I trust, Elinore. I intend to ask Ernest to be my best man.’ He turned to Rose and smiled. ‘Whom would you like to invite, Rose?’

‘Mr Roberts has agreed to give me away and I’d like to invite Miss Roberts; I look on her as an aunt. Iris, my sister, is the only one who will be coming from Liverpool. Her husband has a business to attend to and Mam . . . my mother,’ she hastily amended for Olivia had visibly stiffened, ‘needs . . . care. Charlie has his hands full and I’m afraid I’ve upset his plans. He’d assumed that I’d go home to look after my mother
so Iris could run the greengrocery while Tom took over the pawnbroker’s, leaving Charlie to take over Mr Taylor’s business. His future father-in-law died suddenly,’ Rose explained.

Olivia closed her eyes momentarily. Dear God! A greengrocery and a
pawnbroker’s
! she thought. ‘That seems . . . satisfactory,’ she managed to reply.

‘Rose was wondering if you will be happy to continue in your position as chatelaine?’ David asked.

‘I really would be very grateful . . . Olivia. I have so much to learn,’ Rose added timidly. She had never addressed David’s sister as anything other than ‘Miss Olivia’ before.

If his sister was displeased she wasn’t showing it, David thought thankfully.

Olivia inclined her head in a gesture of assent. She’d already decided that she couldn’t possibly allow Rose to do so for the Lord alone knew what chaos would ensue and then there would be even more gossip and speculation. Lewis had informed her that regretfully there was indeed some degree of animosity towards Rose, particularly from Nora and Nancy, and that could not be allowed to escalate. ‘I am . . . prepared to do so,’ she replied. She had been determined that she would not say she would be
happy
to.

‘Then perhaps both of you could discuss with Mrs Mathews the menu for the wedding breakfast,’ David suggested.

Olivia put her teacup down on the tray and got to her feet. This was something she had no intention of doing. ‘I’m sure Rose is quite capable of doing that, David, after all there
will only be a handful of people to accommodate. Now, if you will excuse me . . . I’ll send Nora to collect the tray.’

Rose bit her lip as the door closed behind her future sister-in-law. ‘She’ll never accept me, David.’

David smiled at her. He was sorry Olivia had been so cold and abrupt but he could only hope that in time she would warm to Rose. ‘At least she agreed to continue to supervise the household. Now, come here, I’ve missed you so much and we’ve not had more than a few minutes alone yet.’ He held out his arms.

Rose hugged him tightly. There would be difficult days ahead but she was determined that she wasn’t going to let Olivia mar her happiness.

The following afternoon, as she made her way to Mr Dai’s drawing room, Mona Mathews thought that this was going to be the most unusual interview she’d ever experienced in all her years as a housekeeper. So far only Mr Lewis and Nora had seen Rose since her return and Nora had remarked grudgingly that Rose had looked very smart and seemed to be coping quite well; she was a bit quiet but wasn’t that to be expected? She was aware that Rose’s changed status had been discussed at great length by Nora, Nancy and Beryl and she’d overheard young Beryl stating that she thought it was just
so
romantic, which was just the sort of thing she’d expect from an empty-headed fifteen-year-old farmer’s daughter. She, personally, thought young Rose Mundy was biting off more than she could chew and was going to find life far from easy,
but she’d had a long discussion with Mr Lewis and they’d agreed that for Mr Dai’s sake they would assist Rose all they could.

Rose was alone when she entered and she had to admit that the girl seemed to have gained in confidence and poise and her softly tailored green and navy checked dress was both smart and becoming.

‘I believe there are some things you wish to discuss with me, miss?’ she said as Rose indicated that she should sit down.

‘Yes, Mrs Mathews. Miss Olivia will continue to oversee the household and I am very grateful that’s she’s agreed to do so. I was hoping you would advise me on the wedding breakfast. There will be ten people in all, I hope, including the Reverend Williams and his wife. I’d like something that will suit . . . everyone. As you are aware, I know very little about such things.’ Rose was trying to to sound calm but her embarrassment threatened to overwhelm her.

Greatly relieved that Olivia would continue to be in charge, Mona Mathews relaxed a little. ‘If I could suggest a cold collation, something more elaborate than that provided at Christmas. It would be far less formal than a lunch as there will be a . . . mixture . . . of guests.’

Rose agreed, thinking it would be less work for the servants too. David had suggested that they all be given some time off to celebrate as well. ‘There will, Mr Roberts is giving me away and Miss Roberts and my sister Iris will be my only guests. David is hoping Mr Ernest will be his best man.’

Mrs Mathews nodded. So, no other members of her family
were to attend and none of the Rhys-Pritchard relations would be invited. It was going to be very quiet so a buffet would indeed be the best option. There would be no point in subjecting everyone to the formality of a sit-down lunch. ‘Will your sister be staying with Miss Roberts?’ she enquired, wondering if the girl was to be accommodated here during her short stay.

‘Yes, Iris will only stay a few days. I . . . I was also wondering if it is the custom for . . . for me to present the staff with a . . . token of some kind, in appreciation? Or would that be the . . . wrong thing to do?’

She really was trying, the housekeeper thought, but then she’d always been a considerate girl. She smiled. ‘I’m sure Mr David will attend to that but it’s kind of you to mention it. I’ll discuss with Cook which dishes she thinks will be suitable and you have no need to worry, everything will be prepared, presented and served satisfactorily. Mr David will no doubt discuss with Lewis what wines are to be served.’

Rose smiled. ‘Thank you, Mrs Mathews. I really do appreciate your advice.’

Mona nodded. ‘You only have to ask, you know that. Now, would you like some tea?’

‘Yes, please, Mrs Mathews,’ Rose replied, thinking a cup of tea would be very welcome. The interview had been a relief but also a bit of an ordeal.

It was Nora who brought the tray but as she placed it down on the table Rose noticed that she didn’t look at her, let alone smile, and her heart sank.

‘Shall I pour, miss?’ Nora asked in a tight voice.

‘No, thank you, Nora, I can manage,’ Rose replied, deciding to take the bull by the horns. ‘Nora, I . . . I know this must have come as a great shock to you . . . to everyone, but we didn’t plan it. David . . . David and I . . . we just fell in love.’ How hard it was to choose the right words!

Nora remained silent, her eyes downcast, her back rigid.

Rose soldiered on. ‘I know things have . . . changed and we can no longer be as friendly as we were, but I . . . I hope we can still get on well together.’

Nora’s reserve broke. ‘We’ll have to, miss, we haven’t much choice, not if we want to keep our jobs!’ Both Lewis and Mrs Mathews had made it quite clear to herself and Nancy and Beryl that if Rose were not treated with the deference and civility her position now demanded then they would have to find alternative employment, and they were all acutely aware that that would prove very difficult, especially as they would have to explain the reason why to prospective employers. Indeed it was very likely they would not be provided with a reference. Beryl hadn’t been perturbed, Nora thought bitterly, but then she viewed the whole thing as romantic. Both she and Nancy felt angry and resentful and, if the truth be known, a little jealous. Rose had escaped their world of drudgery and servitude and it was extremely galling to now have to wait upon their former friend and companion.

‘Nora, I’m sorry . . . I didn’t know . . . I never wanted . . .’ Rose felt at a loss. She’d never intended that they should be threatened in this way.

‘I don’t suppose you did. I don’t suppose you even thought of Nancy and me – your friends – at all . . . miss!’

Although Rose was hurt by her words she didn’t show it; she did, however, nod slowly. She hadn’t really thought how Nancy, Nora and Beryl would take the news, she’d just thought collectively of the ‘staff’s’ reaction.

‘Well, I have to say that Nancy and me don’t approve at all. The likes of us don’t marry the likes of them!’ Nora blurted out.

Rose was taken aback by this. ‘And Beryl?’ she asked quietly.

‘Beryl is a little fool! But you’ll not see much of her anyway from now on so what she thinks doesn’t matter. Things have changed, miss. There’s no going back. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have my duties to attend to.’

Rose nodded. It was obvious that it would take a long time to build up the degree of respect and amiability between herself and the two girls that had formerly existed. Maybe she never could. That saddened her but she comforted herself with the thought that she would keep on trying. She didn’t regret her decision to marry David; his love was worth every sacrifice she would have to make.

When Nora had gone Rose turned and walked to the French doors that opened on to the terrace. The gardens and grounds stretched away before her, green and tranquil beneath the pale blue sky. She smiled. This would be the view she would see every day at David’s side, and that made her feel happier. She would be quite content with the rooms he now
occupied and the house was big enough that she need not encounter Olivia very often during the day. Thankfully, too, it appeared that most of the staff were prepared to accept and advise her, even though for now she could only expect bare civility from Nora and Nancy. She now began to look forward to the day she would be married with more pleasure.

W
HEN IRIS ARRIVED IN
Tregarron, the Baltic blue coat and hat she’d worn for her own wedding packed carefully in her case along with her best dress, Rose was eagerly waiting for her.

‘I have so much to tell you and so much to show you, Iris!’ she exclaimed as she hugged her sister and escorted her into the cottage and up to the bedroom they would share.

‘It’s very . . . quaint, but nice, Rose,’ Iris remarked, glancing around the pretty, comfortable little room. Rose’s pale blue coat and dress were hanging behind the door, ready for tomorrow.

‘We’ll have some tea and then we’ll take the last of my things to Plas Idris and you can meet David and see the house. Gwen’s nephew Aleric is coming with the car. David’s taken
him on to drive me whenever I want to go anywhere – and to drive David, of course. It’s not fitting for me to walk, cycle or use public transport now – such as it is – and I can’t drive. Aleric is delighted with his new job.’