Where Love Takes You (4 page)

We
walked down the lane towards the sea; Lina today walking beside me which was a good sign as usually she ran on ahead, her childlike ways were vanishing which caused me to think that I may not be needed much longer at Middlepark. This thought saddened me and I set to thinking what I would do when I had to leave. I knew Richard Roseby would give me a good recommendation; forget it for the moment I told myself and then I thought of the lovely Verity and set to wondering how her and Richard’s day was fairing in Exeter.

“What
is this?” Lina’s question interrupted my dismal thoughts and I looked at the long stalked pink flower she was pointing to.

“It
is Cranes bill,” I told her for I had a substantial knowledge of wildflowers. As I spoke Lina picked two or three and then moved onto the cowslips. While she was picking a bunch of flowers I spotted the beautiful blue of the cornflower, their blue bonnet-type flowers upturned as if worshipping the sun. At that moment my thought was that I would like my new gown to be of this colour blue, it would always remind me of my happy days at Middlepark with Lina and her father.

“I’ll
pick some of those,” Lina said, reaching across me and my thoughts. By now she had quite a colourful bunch of flowers; they would look lovely in a vase on the hall table. Lina and I walked on to the promenade. I wrapped my shawl tightly around my shoulders as there was a cool breeze blowing off the sea. Today the water was a murky brown and lots of brown frothy waves chased each other to the shore. How different the scene was to the evening we had walked here with Lina’s father. I could suddenly see a large black cloud hovering ever nearer to us.

“We
had best get home Lina for I think that, for the first time since my arrival here, it is going to rain.” At my words we headed back to Middlepark, walking quite swiftly and as we walked through the gates, the first large drops of rain started to fall. By the time I reached my room the rain was blowing on my windowpane and I stood looking out over the back of the house at the large oak tree which dominated this part of the garden. Its many branches were swaying in the wind, which had suddenly got up since we entered the house. Was this an omen? I mused, that things were to change and my thoughts flew to Richard. I knew that there was little hope of him ever wanting me, but surely there was no wrong in dreaming. At this thought I smiled to myself, mamma had always said that I was a daydreamer and I acknowledged that she was right, which led me to believe that I had imagined the young woman I had seen reflected in my mirror. But there were the letters nestling in my drawer, and the letter! I suddenly remembered the letter which had arrived for me today. Swiftly I went over to my reticule which I’d lain on my bed, picking it up I retrieved the letter and looked at it once more. There was only one way to find out who had sent it, and with trembling hands I undid the envelope, slowly I unfolded the sheet of paper which was enclosed. As I looked at the headed paper I could see that it had come from Foster, Foster and Farrant, a firm of solicitors, at their offices in Cathedral Green Exeter. My hand trembled even more as I read the short letter. “Miss Charlotte Trent,” it read, “if you would please call to see the undersigned at your earliest convenience, I have some news which will be to your advantage. I look forward to meeting you, yours faithfully, Matthew Farrant.” I reread the letter several times hardly believing its content.

That
night I lay in bed for some time mulling this over in my mind, Madeline’s letters were quite forgotten, could this be the change I had thought might occur I mused and before I fell asleep I knew that I couldn’t wait to visit Mr Farrant of Foster, Foster and Farrant, hopefully on the morrow.

Chapter
Four

Next morning I rose early and dressed myself in my royal blue dress with the cream lace collar, which had sleeves to the wrist adorned with lace which fell into a point over the back of my hand. I then looked in the side drawer of the dressing table where I kept what little jewellery I possessed, in search of a suitable brooch to wear at the neck of my dress. Finding the oval shaped sapphire surrounded by silver filigree which had belonged to my mother I thought this would do admirably and set to pinning it to the neckline of my dress. Always particular with my appearance, today I wished to look my best. After drawing my hair back into a chignon, leaving curls on my forehead and tendrils of hair either side of my face, I then dabbed a small amount of rouge on my cheeks to give me some colour, which served to remind me of the message left for me on the glass a few days ago. Looking in the mirror I was pleased with the finished result and felt ready to face the day and Mr Roseby.

Picking
up the letter from the solicitor Matthew Farrant, I walked swiftly along to Lina’s room. It was seven forty-five and I hoped with all my heart to see Mr Roseby before he went about his business, no doubt with Verity Hawksworth. Gently I tapped on Lina’s door and entered to see Ruby the under maid helping my charge into a white dress printed with tiny violet flowers which was charming.

“Charlotte!”
Lina exclaimed as she wriggled through the neck of the dress which then cascaded to the floor, leaving Lina’s hair all awry.

“I
need to speak with your Father before breakfast,” I told her, “if I am not back by eight thirty, please wait for me in the dining room.”

“There’s
nothing wrong Miss?” Lina asked, concern in her voice.

“Nothing
I assure you,” I told her honestly, for indeed there wasn’t. “Now let Ruby tidy your hair while I attend to my business.” I left Lina looking quite perplexed, but not as perplexed as I regarding the letter I clutched in my hand.

I
ventured first to my employer’s study and started to descend the flight of stairs only fortuitously to run headlong into Richard at the bottom of the flight.

“Apologies
Miss Trent, I was walking far too quickly, I trust I didn’t startle you,” he enquired solicitously.

“No
indeed not,” I assured him, “I was on my way to seek you out, if you could please spare me but a moment of your time.”

“But
of course Miss Trent, I will make time for you always,” Richard spoke softly, commencing to walk in the direction of his study when he stopped and looked back at me. “This sounds a serious matter for you have not sought me out before. I trust and fervently hope you aren’t planning to leave us?” It was a question.

“I
promise you that it is not the case, sir.” I assured him.

“Splendid,
now let us talk in my study.” So saying he led the way and as I entered the familiar room which held the aroma of beeswax. I thought momentarily of the day Richard Roseby had interviewed me in this very room. The sun had been shining in all its glory on that day, but now rain splattered the window panes and the view out over the croquet lawn looked dark and dismal. Richard sat in his chair behind the huge desk and bade me to sit on the high-backed chair opposite him.

“Now
what can I do to help you my dear? For I sense you are a damsel in distress.” His hands were together near his strong chin and I couldn’t help but notice his perfect mouth. How I longed to kiss it and, at the thought, I blushed and to cover my confusion I handed my employer the letter.

“I
can read it Miss Trent?” he asked of me.

“Yes
indeed. It arrived yesterday afternoon and I wish to seek your advice on the matter,” I told him, feeling much calmer now, my heart had stopped racing and my cheeks were no longer hot. I prayed that he had not noticed as I watched him unfold the letter, studying for some time its contents.

“This
seems quite straightforward,” my employer said placing the letter on the desk before him. “It would seem you have come into some sort of inheritance, I’ll be bound. How can I help?”

“I
need some conveyance to take me to Exeter at the earliest convenience,” I said stumbling over the words, “and would like to ask if you could possibly spare me the carriage for a few hours please.”

“I’ll
do better than that Miss Trent, I shall accompany you if this would please you.” As he spoke the words, little did he know that this pleased me very much, to spend some time with him would be heaven,

“That
is very kind of you Mr Roseby. May I be so bold as to encroach on your kindness further please?” I asked quietly.

“Do
proceed Miss Trent, ask anything of me and if it is within my power to assist you I will do so willingly.” Our eyes met across the desk as he spoke.

“Would
you please do me the kindness of joining me in Mr Farrant’s office?” I began, “for I have never entered a solicitors domain before and find the whole prospect quite daunting.” I would like to have said to him that I would feel safe wherever he was but I knew I could not be so bold, but one day in the near future I was to remember that thought.

“Of
course, I would be glad to,” he replied smiling at me. “Shall we say one thirty for I believe you and Lina have the dressmaker coming today?”

“Apologies
Mr Roseby, I had quite forgotten,” I said suddenly realising that I was so wrapped up with my own affairs that I had had little thought for Lina. “Lina has told me that you have a fancy for a new gown,” Richard said unexpectedly and I felt the colour rushing to my cheeks once more.

“This
is true,” I confirmed.

“Then
you have my total permission to be measured for one today,” he told me.

“Thank
you so much Mr Roseby. I shall of course ensure that Lina is fitted before myself.” As I spoke I rose from my seat and Richard rose also and handed me my letter. As I opened the door to leave Richard said,

“You
look charming today Miss Trent, the colour blue suits you admirably.”

“Thank
you sir,” I said turning to see him watching me, an unfathomable expression on his handsome face.

We
were interrupted by Verity who arrived at exactly the wrong moment. “Good morning Miss Trent,” she said as she entered the room wearing a violet-coloured dress. Before I closed the door I heard her say, “Dear Richard, you’ve not breakfasted yet.” And I heard no more.

As
I made my way to the dining room my thoughts were in disarray, surely I had not imagined the look on my employers face as he had told me I looked charming? No, I told myself, I did not imagine it and as I went in search of Lina my heart sang.

After
breakfast, Lina and I made our way back upstairs as Mrs Rivers, the dressmaker and her young red-haired assistant Rose had arrived promptly at nine-thirty am. As we stepped into Lina’s room, we could see half a dozen bales of material in lovely soft colours arranged on top of the four-poster bed. My eyes were drawn to a cornflower blue and I knew this is what I would choose.

Mrs
Rivers stood by the fireplace, her hands folded in front of her over her black gown, a tape measure around her neck; the timid Rose at her side.

“Shall
I measure first, or would you care to look at the materials?” She addressed the question to Lina.

“May
I look at the materials first please?” said Lina, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Please
do,” Mrs Rivers acknowledged, her hand indicating the bed.

“I
think the pale pink and lemon silk, do you agree Charlotte?” she asked me.

“I
do indeed, it is a wise choice,” I told her, and while Lina was measured and discussing the style of her gowns with Mrs Rivers, I ran my hand gently over the cornflower blue poplin.

“Not
too many frills,” I told Lina as I went across to see how things were progressing. “Remember what I have said.”

“I
have heeded your advice haven’t I Mrs. Rivers?” As Lina spoke, I could see Rose writing down measurements with her left hand. Duly Lina and I both selected our materials and style of gowns, me all the while thinking of Richard and I knew I was doing this for him and him alone.

Walking
through the hallway after seeing Mrs Rivers and Rose together with their trappings safely in their hired carriage, Ruby the maid stopped me.

“There
is something for you on the silver salver Miss,” she told me in her broad Devonshire dialect. Although from Topsham a few miles from here I had no accent at all so Ruby’s fascinated me. As she had indicated I went across to see what had been left for me. Picking it up I could see it was a calling card from Jonathon Moor, which brought to mind my walking with him by the river on that lovely sunny day, which although only two days ago seemed far longer. He’d written a message on the back of the card, “Please do me the honour of calling to see me on Monday next at two pm. I wish to give you a tour of Redcliffe.” And it was signed with the initial ‘J’. At this moment I had things more pressing on my mind and swiftly I went up the two flights of stairs to my room to ensure my hair was tidy and to collect my cream-coloured shawl and bonnet, together with my reticule containing Matthew Farrant’s letter. Before I left my room something caused me to look in the drawer of the dressing table to ensure Madeline’s letters were safe. They were indeed there, where I had placed them together with the miniature. “I may get a chance to read you later,” I strangely said aloud, my voice seeming to echo around the otherwise silent room.

It
was still raining steadily as Richard and I stepped into the carriage, Lina was with Verity doing some much needed mending of sheets and as I glanced at the drawing room window, I could see Lina waving at us. She had seemed almost pleased that her father and I were going on an outing together. As we travelled along the narrow country lanes, Richard asked me about my parents and the tragedy which had befallen them, he also asked where I had spent most of my life, and as we arrived at the built up area of Exeter and halted by the beautiful cathedral, Richard laid a hand across mine and said, “things will fare well for you now Charlotte, I promise.” And as he spoke the words he gently squeezed my hand. Oh, how I loved him. The thought came unbidden and I was quite shocked by it but knew it to be true, although in truth I doubted I could ever declare it.

Richard
helped me alight from the carriage and indicated that I should put my arm through his as I had done once before along the promenade. Thankfully the rain had ceased and I experienced a contentment I had never felt before.

“Shall
we step into the cathedral for a moment Miss Trent?” Richard asked looking down at me.

“That
would be pleasant,” I agreed for I had never been inside the cathedral before. We walked together along a path, each side of which a lawn was laid, the rain still glinting on the blades of grass. We stood for some time looking at the magnificent front with all its carved statues, one above the other. When we stepped through the huge oak door onto the flagstones beneath our feet it seemed very dark until my eyes adjusted to the light. Many candles were lit on various altars and as we walked our footsteps resounded around the high spacious building.

Richard
and I sat for a few moments on one of the pews, I knew not what he was thinking but I said a prayer for my parents and silently prayed also that this man beside me could grow to love me as I loved him and I knew I would never forget this moment.

Stepping
outside into the daylight once more, a watery sun greeted us and a patch of blue sky above hung over us. We looked at each other and smiled and Richard squeezed the hand which lay in the crook of his arm as we set off to find Foster, Foster and Farrant. Their offices were overlooking the cathedral green and we were ushered by a young man into a room on the first floor.

Matthew
Farrant stood as we entered, he was young, tall, broad shouldered and fair skinned, exuding an aura of friendliness and calm.

“Please
be seated Miss Trent, and yourself sir.” He told us, indicating two chairs opposite his desk, from where, outside of the window behind Mr Farrant I could see the tower of the cathedral. “You received my letter Miss Trent and are no doubt wondering about the matter on which I wish to speak with you?”

“Indeed
, sir.” I agreed nervously.

“Would
you like some refreshment?” he asked. “Tea perhaps?”

“That
would be most welcome,” I told the young solicitor as my mouth was parched, due with little doubt to my apprehension.

Tea
was duly brought in on a tray and as I held the cup and saucer in my hand, sipping at the hot amber liquid I felt remarkably calm. So much so that I said to Matthew Farrant, “I’m sure you are a busy man sir; I’m ready now to hear what you have to say to me.”

“Very
well Miss Trent. You had an uncle, your Father’s brother?” he queried.