Edward nodded, then picked up the basket and placed it in her hands. He set the animals on top, wrapping them up in a napkin. We will meet tomorrow.
Grace nodded, then hurried along to the kitchens. Edward sighed softly. Grace had been his from the moment hed first found her at the church. She was the only person in the world who loved him for who he was, the only person who mattered to him. There were times when he believed what his mother believed, that Charlotte had come back in Graces body. He saw it in her delicate features, in her sweet nature and her unbending loyalty, in her sparkling blue eyes and raven black hair.
They were best friends, though he knew better than to admit it out loud. Boys his own age, from proper Dublin families, ought to be his best friends. Thats what his father had said. But he and Grace shared a special bond, one that would never be broken. And if that was wrong, then Edward didnt care. For in his heart, it felt right.
CHAPTER FOUR
BONJOUR, MONSIEUR PROFESSEUR. Comment allez-vous aujourdhui?
Trés bien, merci, Mademoiselle Grace. I see you are anxious to begin your lesson for today.
Grace smiled at her tutor. Professor was so simple to please. Though hed been a bit chilly to her at first, she managed to charm him after only a few weeks of lessons. Shed suspected hed felt it beneath his station to tutor an Irish Catholic girl, considering his proper British breeding. But Geneva had stepped in after only a few lessons and made certain that he was giving his full attention to their work together.
Ive studied my verbs, she said. Would you like to hear them?
Very well. The future indicative of to have.
Jaurai, tu auras, il aura, nous aurons, vous aurez, ils auront.
Très bien, mademoiselle. We have worked together for how long now?
Since I was six, Grace said. Four years now, Professor.
I will tell you, you have far surpassed Master Malcolm in your studies. He leaned closer, as if to impart a very interesting secret. I helped him study for his entrance exams to university and he is a rather unremarkable student. His Latin is atrocious, his penmanship is illegible and he can barely cipher. Master Edward, however, is the opposite. Since Ive been teaching him, he has embraced his education. He will always excel, I am sure of it.
Grace! Edward burst into the room, his color high, his dark hair tousled. He was growing into a very handsome young man, Grace mused. Nearly fourteen years old. If she didnt consider him a brother, she might actually fancy him when she got a bit older. You have to come. Right now.
Miss Grace is having her French lesson, Professor said. And when shes done, you and I have a rendezvous with your mathematics book.
This is much more important. Edward crossed the room and grabbed Graces hand, then dragged her to her feet. We have to go now. Lesson over.
They ran out of the room, Graces hand clutched in Edwards. He led her out the back door, then across the courtyard toward the stables. The old stone building was a fair distance from the house and by the time they reached it, Grace was out of breath. She bent over and placed her hands on her knees, gasping. What is it?
Lily has had her colt, he said. Rawley came up to the house to tell me and I wanted to show you. He pulled open the heavy wooden door of the stable and they stepped inside. The interior was dark and dusty and Grace crinkled her nose as they walked down the row of stalls.
When they reached the end, Edward jumped up on the gate, then held his hand out to her. Shes in here, he said.
Grace climbed up beside him and stared down at the newborn colt, curled up in a pile of straw in the corner. Like its mother, it was a rich, chocolate brown with a white blaze on its forehead. Its a girl?
Edward nodded. And its yours, he said.
She gasped. Mine? Whatever will I do with a horse?
Youll learn to ride. Youre a young lady and Mother said Lilys colt was to be a Christmas gift for you.
Isnt the colt a little small to ride?
Edward gave her a playful punch to the shoulder. Dont be a ninny. Of course, you cant ride her now. Youll ride a pony first and then one of the gentler mares. And by the time shes old enough to ride, youll be an expert.
What will we call her? Grace asked.
Thats up to you, he said. Mother asked that you name her.
Grace thought about it for a long time, trying to come up with the perfect name for the baby horse. The colts mother was called Lily, so perhaps she ought to be named after a flower as well. How about Daisy? she said. Or Violet. I like Violet. Or maybe Sweet Pea? She sighed. How am I supposed to decide?
You dont have to decide now, he said.
No, she should have a name. Shes been born and everyone gets a name when they are born. It will be Violet. Violet is her name.
Edward grinned. Its a fine name. The one I would have chosen. He jumped off the gate and held out his hand to her. Come. Mother asked that I bring you to her after youd seen the colt.
I should go back to my French lesson.
Bugger your French lesson. She has a surprise for you.
They walked back to the house, Edward chatting about riding lessons and saddles and stirrups. Shed never thought to learn to ride. It didnt seem of much use, considering most people were replacing their horses and carriages with motorcars these days. You know, Id much rather learn to drive than ride, she said. How old must I be to drive?
You want to drive a motorcar? Edward laughed. Dont be silly. We have a chauffeur. If we drove ourselves, wed have no use for Farrell.
But wouldnt it be fun? she said. We could fly down the road as fast as the car would take us. You will teach me how to drive, wont you Edward? Just as soon as possible.
Only after you learn to ride, Edward said.
When they entered the house, they went straight to Genevas parlor. She was sitting where she did most mornings, at the pretty desk in the corner by the window. Her correspondence was stacked around her and when Grace stepped up to the desk, she looked up and smiled.
And what do you think of your gift, Miss Grace?
Thank you, Lady Porter. Its a wonderful gift. But Ill have to ask Mama if its all right to keep it.
One does not turn down a gift like that, Geneva said. It shows bad breeding. You will graciously accept and tell your mother I will hear no complaints about it. Is that clear?
Yes, maam, Grace said. Now, I must go back to my studies. The professor is waiting for me.
No, you should come back to the stables, Edward said. Ill introduce you to your pony and then Ill give you your first riding lesson. Can we, Mother? Surely Grace can leave her studies for one day.
Geneva glanced back and forth between the two of them, an odd expression on her face. But then it passed, and she nodded. Ill let him know youre taking a short holiday from your books. She set her pen down on the desk and stood. Come. If youre going to ride, youll have to have proper clothes.
Grace followed Geneva upstairs to the room that had once been Charlottes. The door had always been closed whenever Grace was in the house. The servants had warned her that the only person allowed inside was Lady Porter.
Grace followed Geneva upstairs to the room that had once been Charlottes. The door had always been closed whenever Grace was in the house. The servants had warned her that the only person allowed inside was Lady Porter.
My daughter had a lovely riding costume, she said. It would probably fit you perfectly. She was nine when we bought it, but youre a bit smaller than she was.
I couldnt think of wearing
Nonsense. There is plenty of wear left in it.
Lady Porter opened the door and walked inside the room, but Grace hung back, waiting to be invited in. Its a lovely room, she murmured.
Lady Porter turned around. Yes, it is. I took great care in decorating it.
You must miss her terribly.
Her expression grew wistful. Every moment of every day. A daughter is a precious jewel, a reflection of all the dreams that I had as a young girl. Sons belong to their fathers, until they go off and make a life of their own. But there is a connection between mothers and daughters that can never be broken. She forced a smile, then turned back to the wardrobe.
The wide cabinet was filled with clothes but Geneva found the blue velvet habit right off. She held it out in front of her, slowly stroking the fabric. I remember when we bought this, she said. Charlotte was so pleased with the way she looked. Geneva held it out. Go ahead. Try it on.
Now?
She nodded. The look in her eyes was so hopeful, so melancholy that Grace was afraid to refuse. She slowly stripped off her dress until she stood in her chemise and pantalets. Then, she pulled the skirt up over her hips and fastened the buttons at the waist. A fine linen blouse with ruffled cuffs came next, followed by a matching velvet jacket. Grace turned her attention to the buttons and when she was finished, she looked up to find Geneva staring at her with a frightened look in her eyes.
Lady Porter? Are you all right?
Slowly, the woman sank to her knees, her hands clutched against her chest. A low moan slipped from her throat and a moment later, she bent forward and began to wail. Grace glanced around the room, uncertain of how to react. She reached out and touched Geneva on the shoulder, but the woman was so distraught that she didnt notice.
Grace backed out of the room, then raced downstairs to find Edward. He was in his fathers library and when she entered, he knew immediately that something was wrong. Its your mother, Grace said.
They hurried upstairs to Charlottes chamber and Edward immediately dropped to the floor next to his mother. He held her elbows, forcing her to sit up, and when hed caught her gaze, he spoke to her in a soft but firm voice. Stop. Mother, you must stop now. Listen to me. If you dont stop now, you wont be able to stop later.
I cant do this, she sobbed. Everywhere I look, I see her. Shes crying out to me and I cant reach her.
If you dont control yourself, Father will send you away again. And I wont be able to rescue you. Please, Mother, try to stop.
Where is she? Where is Charlotte? She glanced up at Grace and through her tears, a smile broke across her face. There you are, my darling. She held out her hand and it trembled.
Grace looked to Edward for guidance and he shook his head. But Geneva was insistent and finally, Grace bent down on the other side of her and took her hand. You have to stop nowMother, she murmured. Listen to Edward. He knows whats best.
Oh, my darling. Look how pretty you are. That color suits you. It always has.
Lets get her to her bedchamber, Edward said.
They both took an arm and drew her to her feet, then walked her down the hall to her room. When they got inside, Edward settled his mother on the bed, then picked up a small bottle from a tray beside the bed. This always seems to calm her, he said, mixing a spoonful of the medicine with a glass of water. He handed it to Grace. You do it.
Grace drew a deep breath and held the glass out to Geneva. Here, Mother, drink this. It will make you feel better.
She gulped the liquid down, then slowly lay back on the bed. When she closed her eyes, Grace moved away from her, her own hands trembling. There were times when life seemed so good at Porter Hall, the days so bright and carefree. But then something would scratch the shiny surface and expose the darkness beneath. They were all teetering on the edge of disaster. And Grace felt as though she was the only one who could hold them all together.
Do I resemble her? she murmured.
Edward shook his head. Charlotte was fair, like my mother. She had light brown hair. He looked at her. Your eyes are the very same color, though. I dont know why she doesnt see the difference. He took a ragged breath. She frightens me sometimes.
Grace took Edwards hand and held it tight. It was such a burden to carry for a young man of fourteen. And even more so for Grace, whose own loyalties seemed to be tested at every turn. Shed found a home here with the Porters and though she didnt remember a life before this, she knew from her mother that it had been desperate.
She would do whatever was needed to keep her place at Porter Hall. And if that meant pretending to be Charlotte Porter on occasion, then shed learn to play the part well.
GENEVAS HEAD THROBBED. She pressed the cool cloth to her brow and sank back into the pillows. It had been nearly a week since shed ventured out of her bedroom, but gradually she was beginning to drag herself from her stupor.
Shed grown accustomed to the drugs she took and as of late, it required more and more of the tonic to make her mind go quiet enough for her to sleep. And then, when her thoughts were finally silenced, it took longer to recover.
The bottle of medicine sat on a silver tray next to her bed and she reached out for it. But her hand shook as she tried to grab it and Geneva closed her eyes. She couldnt allow herself the luxury of sleep any longer. The rational part of her mind told her that there was a limit to her husbands patience and it was usually reached after a week in bed.
Edward had spent most of his time watching over her, making sure she was protected from the prying eyes of the servants. He brought her meals, gave her medicine and read to her from the poems of Keats and Browning. And when he wasnt reading, he spoke to her in soft tones, drawing her back to a world that had become so difficult to face. It was more than a boy his age ought to bear, but Geneva had no one else to depend upon.
A soft knock sounded on the door and she called out, expecting Edward to come in. But Rose stepped into the room and softly closed the door behind her. She wore the plain gray uniform that all the servants at Porter Hall wore and her dark hair was drawn back into a severe knot at the nape of her neck. She looked thin and very pale.
Lady Porter, Ive brought some fresh linens. Master Edward asked that I bring them right up.
Leave them on the chair, she said, her voice filled with all the exhaustion she felt.
And Ive also returned the riding habit you gave to Mary Grace. I dont think its a good idea for her to learn to ride. Its sodangerous.
Geneva stared at her for a long moment, trying to make sense of her words. Riding habit? What riding habit?
Rose cocked her head, confusion marring her somber expression. IllIll just put the linens here. She set the bedsheets on the chair, then turned back to the bed.