Chapter Text
2 Nov., 1815
My dear Charlie,
I was ever so distressed when you decided you would not be coming to London for the season. I understand that you are very busy with your studies, but I feel that you would do well to socialize further with your peers. After all, a woman can hardly advance in life on her own, and there are so many comely young men in town. And yes, I know you have sworn off of them all, but surely one of them would be suitable for you? I do wish you had given Gavin more than a moment's thought at least!
My grandson and I arrived well in London this morning. My son, as you know, had already come down. There's ever so much he needs to do before returning to Parliament, especially since he has designs for the office of Prime Minister! I am certain that he will achieve his goals. Fergus has few friends, but the ones he has are quite powerful. I am greatly looking forward to seeing his career progress, and I hope Gavin will follow his example. Gavin is a good boy, but he's never been ambitious; perhaps the season will change his attitude.
We have settled into the London house quite comfortably. It is smaller than home, of course, but Ruby has done her best to make it habitable. At any rate, the parlor is an acceptable space to receive visitors. Why, even if Gavin has no political designs, he can still meet suitable young ladies! Unless, of course, your heart grows fonder with his absence.
I had hardly had time to settle before we received our first callers, in fact. Young Samuel Winchester came by, wishing to make Fergus's acquaintance. Mr. Samuel is a newly-hired lawyer; no money or family name, but quite a lot of promise. He had heard of Fergus's success and wished to learn from him. Naturally, we have invited him to dinner, along with his brother, Dean. I am eager to meet them both; Mr. Samuel is a very handsome young man, the sort I would love to introduce you to in due course. I also saw a spark in him that I would very much like to fan into a flame, provided it does not interfere with his ambitions too much.
Do remember to study your herbs while I am gone. Just because you have chosen a more scientific course does not mean I want all of my tutelage to be forgotten. I have high hopes for you, my girl, both for your power and for your future. Keep me appraised of all that happens on the estate this season; I entrust you to manage it all in my stead, and not to get into too much trouble in the duration.
All my love,
Rowena
5 Nov., 1815
My dearest Rowena,
I am pleased to hear that you and Gavin arrived safely in London, and that the house is in order. I would be even more pleased should your attempts at matchmaking cease, though I am, however, aware it is how you show your affection and concern for me. Gavin is lovely, but alas. He is a man, and men are a bore, no matter how comely.
You will have to keep me appraised of Lord Crowley's successes this session, and do remind him of the bill he and I discussed about women's property rights. Perhaps he and his friends can make some real change. I am curious about the callers you mention, however. Winchester isn't exactly a common name. Are they at all related to the gun maker of the same name? Nephews, perhaps? Interesting that Samuel is a lawyer. I wonder if he's any good at his job? And what does his brother do? You simply must tell me.
Please don't fret about my remembering my herbs. I have already made significant use of the knowledge in the few days you have been gone making up a few remedies for the neighbors. The Mills boy has the croup, poor thing, and a nasty rash to boot, from tramping through a patch of poison ivy. His mother was very grateful for the calamine salve, and for the bottle of whiskey I took over to help the poor dear. The doctor was, as usual, entirely useless.
Please write back soon.
Affectionately,
Charlie
10 Nov., 1815
My dearest Charlie,
I am aware that men are a bore; I have often said so myself. However, men are useful, for they are the ones who carry money and power, and while you and I are cleverer than all of them, we must rely on them to be able to use our gifts in any meaningful sense. Even if you do not wish to marry, I do long to see you make some useful connections while you can still make use of them. But perhaps, if men are not your fancy, you could see if there are any young ladies from good families about? Cultivating a close friendship with one of them would be almost as good. I will inquire during the season and direct likely candidates your way.
I reminded Fergus of the bill, and he has promised it will be on the docket this year, though he is not optimistic about its chances. As you’ll recall, Mr. Shurley retired from his seat in the House of Commons, and the man who was elected to replace him is a complete unknown. Fergus did not like the man, but he could usually persuade him to be in his corner. And of course, Lord Morningstar will be making every attempt to block the bill, and his voice tends to carry.
I do not know if young Winchester is related to any gun makers; I have no interest in such matters and the information was not volunteered. From what I have gathered, Samuel is a very promising young barrister, but he is very green. The rumors about town are that the boy came from an orphanage in London before he found patronage, but I have not been able to ascertain the truth of the matter. His brother seems to have no regular occupation, but he does seem to know quite a lot of people about town. The ladies are all very enamored of him, in spite of his lack of money and title. I have seen him on several occasions, every time with a different lady on his arm. Perhaps I should invite him to visit the estate; even if men are a bore, you might get some amusement from him.
I am pleased to hear you are making use of your skills. Do send Mrs. Mills my sympathy for her son’s troubles; I know that being a widow with a young son is a difficult thing. If she has need of any further assistance, the hall and stores are always open to her and Owen. I have been thinking of the boy’s education, but I will see to it after the season. Heavens know I should get to it before the doctor tries to apprentice him.
All my love,
Rowena
15 Nov., 1815
My dear Rowena,
What need have I for connections when I have you, my friend? Jokes aside, I realize there is an advantage to marriage and good connections. However, I have yet to find a single man tolerable enough to put up with in such ways. Perhaps there will be fine young ladies you send my way who have brothers? I could, perhaps, be convinced to find such an arrangement tolerable, if parties were agreeable. For now, I have struck up correspondence with a young lady two towns over.
I had forgotten that Mr. Shurley retired from his seat. That will certainly make countering Lord Morningstar more difficult for all involved. Perhaps, though, we should invite Mr. Shurley's sister to visit and see if she has any advice on the matter. We all know she was far more involved in her brother's politics than other sisters might have been.
Should you invite the Winchester brothers to visit, I am sure they will be entertaining if Dean is as rakish as you imply. A rake with no regular occupation should make for some interesting stories. What do you know of Samuel's patron? Perhaps finding out more about the man propelling him forward will reveal something about where he came from? I daresay that if they really were in an orphanage, they will be in sore want of people to call their own. It is a lonely existence, that.
I have been to check on Mrs. Mills and Owen again. He is not much improved, but neither is he worsening. I worry that the cold of winter setting in will cause his lungs great distress, and have retrieved some oil of peppermint to attempt opening the airways. Pray that by next letter, he is improving. If not, I may have him brought to the hall in hopes of avoiding the drafts of their cottage. I highly recommend moving forward with his education posthaste. The doctor spoke yesterday of a desire to apprentice the boy so as to relieve his mother of a mouth to feed and worry over.
Please remember to wear your gloves, and to use the enclosed balm for your cheeks. I do worry about the harsh air of London damaging your skin.
My love as always,
Charlie.
19 Nov., 1815
My dearest Charlie,
I have been glad to be your patron for these last few years, as you know; you are certainly the best of all my students, and I will endeavor to do everything to move you up in the world. However, my influence only reaches so far, and I grow old, though I have slowed the process. I fear for the day that I am no longer able to be there for you, and I wish for you to never be lonely, and for your success to continue. I will look around at the ladies in London, but you must tell me of your new friend! Is she well-connected, or merely talented? Does she please you, does she have brothers? I am eager to learn more!
As to Owen, please tell me more of his croup. I might have some ideas for a treatment, and I can send along whatever herbs you are lacking. As for now, please move him and Mrs. Mills to the hall at once, and begin the basics with him once he is able to focus. If the doctor wishes to give him his knowledge, he may do so, but it will hardly help him if he is too ill to do anything useful.
We did have occasion to attend the Morningstar ball this last Saturday. Lord Morningstar invited every member of Parliament and their families, along with several other distinguished persons. I wore my blue silk with the pearls, and was pleased with Ruby’s suggestions for hair styles. She is very talented at putting me to my best advantage, even as my age begins to catch up to my countenance.
Imagine my surprise on our arrival to see the Winchester brothers there! I knew that Mr. Samuel had connections, but I did not think they reached so high! The matter was quickly resolved when I went to greet Lady Morningstar. (She still insists on wearing red, even though it has never flattered her complexion, poor thing.) She was not best pleased to see me, as usual, but she did not put me off; indeed, she seemed desperate for someone to take her side.
“Is it not odd,” she said to me, “that my husband is pushing for our Meg to marry so far below her station?”
I of course asked what she meant by such a statement. Lady Margaret is a lovely girl; with her choice of suitors, I could not imagine her not finding someone worthy during the season.
“Lucifer has long been Mr. Winchester’s patron,” she explained. “He said the boy showed promise in the orphanage, and he has sunk quite a lot of money into his education. I let it go until now; we have no sons, and I thought that Lucifer was merely looking to fill that gap. But he has been encouraging Meg to cultivate a friendship with him, and has hinted that he would like to see them engaged by the end of the season! If I didn’t know better, I would say he was grooming the boy to be his heir!”
Naturally, I was surprised by this revelation, which is why I have hurried to write to you. I cannot imagine why Lord Morningstar would sink valuable resources into anyone, let alone a nameless, penniless orphan. Mr. Samuel has promise, but so far he has shown no sign of training in our arts, and if Lord Morningstar intended to see to that training himself, he would have done so long before now.
Of course, I also made sure to steal a dance with Mr. Samuel. Lady Margaret was engaged elsewhere for the first set, so I snagged him for myself. Even if I did not wish to learn about his patronage, he is a handsome young man, the type I would have been engaged to for at least a few weeks when I was your age. Alas that I am not, for he is most amusing.
“I understand that you are under the patronage of Lord Morningstar,” I said as he took me into the Allemande.
“He has been very kind to me, Lady Crowley,” Mr. Samuel said, keeping his voice vague.
“It is a marvelous opportunity,” I told him. “Lord Morningstar is highly-ranked, and very involved in politics. You have a bright future under his tutelage.” I made sure to look around to ensure our discretion. “And I understand there are hopes for you and Lady Margaret?”
“Lord Morningstar seems to think so,” Mr. Samuel said. “But my brother is opposed.”
“To the lady, or her family?”
“Both, I think...he’s never liked any of them, but he puts up with it because he wants me to succeed.” Here, he paused, as though realizing he seemed ungrateful. “Dean has looked after me my whole life. He wants what’s best for me, and he doesn’t understand that being connected to Lord Morningstar will get me far in life. It’s certainly raised our position a great deal, but Dean doesn’t trust him, and he thinks Lady Margaret is a poor choice of wife for me.”
“Lady Margaret may be a bit of a handful,” I said. “She’s always been spirited...perhaps her father merely wishes for her to settle down.”
“I am keeping an open mind,” he said. “I won’t say that I won’t court her, only that I wish to know her better before making any rash decisions...I owe Lord Morningstar a great deal, but I must think of my own future happiness.”
We finished our set in silence and I made sure to escort him to Lady Margaret’s side before excusing myself to keep an eye on things from a distance. In truth, neither of them seems inclined to accept the match. They shared a set of dances, not speaking, and then Lady Margaret excused herself to speak to the other young ladies, while Mr. Samuel was drawn into the back to play cards with his brother and some of the other gentlemen. If Lord Morningstar wishes them engaged, he will have to work much harder to bring them together!
(Lady Margaret was stunning, by the by; she wore gold silk and was the envy of everyone except myself, and only because I have lived too long to worry about such petty matters.)
I did have occasion to meet Mr. Shurley’s replacement. His name is James Novak, and he arrived with his wife, Amelia; his daughter, Claire; and his younger brother, Castiel, in tow. Mrs. Novak is very sweet and lovely, if rather silly and overly proud of her husband for being made an MP. Miss Novak has more of a spark, and I made a point of inviting her to tea—she was recently presented, in spite of being only fifteen years old, and has just the right amount of potential to be interesting to me. Mr. Castiel is a writer, and he quickly disappeared into the back. He seems to dislike society in general and ladies in particular.
(Naturally, every young lady in attendance was immediately intrigued. I will say that the Novak brothers are very fair of face, and Mr. Castiel has an air of mystery about him that I would have latched onto twenty years ago. I know better now; a man who does not even bother to get on the host’s daughter’s dance card is not worth wasting one’s youth on, but I will delight in watching the young ones try to win his favor.)
Mr. Novak, though, is very charming and friendly, and he seems to be in favor of the women’s property rights bill. Fergus is pleased to still have an ally in his corner, and between the two of them they may have a chance at pushing the reform through. At any rate, the pair of them spent most of the evening conversing with their peers, and seemed to come away pleased. I did inquire after the Shurleys, and Mr. Novak assured me that he has been in touch with them both, and that he is in correspondence with Miss Shurley, though her brother’s health prevented her from coming for the season
Gavin met several fine young ladies in the course of the evening; he even took a turn with Lady Margaret after Mr. Samuel had extracted himself from the dance floor. I discouraged the connection, though; I tolerate Lady Morningstar, but I should hate to have to be friendly to her for very long, no matter how winsome her daughter is. I am more hopeful that he will find a more suitable match, or if he cannot, that he will leave London still unattached.
I did have a few more turns about the dance floor, but none worth mentioning. However, I did drop a few choice words in the ears of Fergus’s more staunch political opponents, so perhaps the tide will be turning in Parliament after all. Do remind me to go over the finer points of such rhetoric with you on my return.
I did not have the opportunity to speak to Dean Winchester at the ball—he only took a few ladies to the dance floor before going to play cards, though he did take charge of Mr. Castiel very quickly. I will endeavor to see him, and to see if he would care to visit the estate. Perhaps I will bring him with me at the end of the season, provided he is not already engaged by then.
I will be sure to dress warmly. Thank you for the balm; it is well-made and has given me some of my former glow. Please make sure you have something of a social calendar in my absence; writing a friend is lovely, but it is not the same thing as speaking to actual people. Even if you merely have supper at the inn one night a week, you would find some amusement and distraction from your work.
All my love,
Rowena
22 Nov., 1815
Dearest Rowena,
The young lady in question has no brothers, but she is rather intelligent, and quite witty in her jokes. She has no connections, but is the sort of friend one needs most in the winter months, who will write letters to smile over. I think you will like her quite well when you return.
Owen's croup has begun to clear, thankfully. I suspect the drafts in the cottage were worsening it, and staying in the Hall has given his poor lungs a break. Coughing has decreased significantly, and he sleeps easier now. They will stay until I can ensure he is fully well, though, and keep an eye on him through to summer. Poor Mrs. Mills does not need such sorrow.
My, such news! Lord Morningstar is a powerful patron to have, and I daresay there must be something about Mr. Samuel beyond simply promise for him to sink such resources into him. He is well known as a careful man with his investments. I do wonder at his hopes for his daughter and Mr. Samuel to marry. She is positioned to marry up, or at least at her station. How very odd. And clearly not for love, which I would at least comprehend. If not for that, I would almost assume that Mr. Samuel was Lord Morningstar's bastard!
The Novaks seem an interesting addition to the ton. Mr. Castiel is a writer, you say? What sort of writing? Please send some with your next letter if possible. While you worry about my social calendar, I am worried for my sanity over the winter when I have already read most of the books in the hall library of interest, and several that were not. I hope Mr. Novak finds some success in Parliament. I do wish you had included more about his daughter.
I am sorry to hear that Miss Shurley was unable to join everyone in London, but am much pleased to hear that Mr. Novak is in communication with her brother. Perhaps she will be able to visit at the end of the season when you return home. I do look forward to learning such rhetoric though really, I am much less a fan of talking to people than you are. But still, I will endeavor to learn the finer points, as I am sure the skill is a useful one.
Please do give me further updates about Mr. Dean Winchester. He seems rather interesting, especially when coupled with Mr. Castiel Novak. Give Gavin and Lord Crowley my greetings, and let Gavin know that I wish him luck in the marriage market. Keep an eye on those eager mamas.
My love,
Charlie.
28 Nov., 1815
My dearest Charlie,
You must tell me more of this friend! Your answers are tantalizing, but I believe I detect a certain sort of fondness when you write of her. You know that I do not care if you cultivate such a friendship, nor am I concerned about her lack of connection. After all, there are many ladies who eschew the advances of gentlemen in favor of traveling with their companions. If you wish to be such a lady, I cannot well stop you, but I would want to be assured of your happiness in such a life.
I am glad to hear that Owen’s health has improved in the Hall. Please speak to Mr. Singer and ask him to see about renovating all the cottages as soon as the weather improves. I would hate for more of the village’s children to fall ill due to my negligence. I had hoped that he would take some initiative, but I ought to have remembered that land managers rarely do. If he protests overmuch, tell him that Lord Crowley has asked that he see it done.
(I have informed Fergus of all of this; he said to take whatever action I feel necessary, as he is too busy fighting with Parliament to bother fighting with Mr. Singer as well.)
Your letter did stir my curiosity further, so I held my nose and invited Lady Bevell round for tea the day after I received it. She came with her companion, Miss Bela Talbot. I do not care for either lady, but they are both very good at finding out about everything and between the two of them, I felt certain I would obtain any information I needed. Neither of them has met the Winchester brothers, but they had heard about the matter; it is apparently the main topic of gossip in the dance halls.
“Miss Bradbury’s speculation is commonly held,” Lady Bevell confided. “And I did investigate the matter. As far as I can tell, Lord Morningstar never met Mrs. Winchester, but he was acquainted with the boy’s father in matters of business. Mrs. Winchester died in a fire when Mr. Samuel was still a babe; Mr. Winchester never found any regular occupation, but he did work on the Morningstar estate for a few years. It seems that is where Lord Morningstar took an interest in Mr. Samuel, before his father’s unfortunate death.”
“And what did the father die of?” I inquired.
“The coroner reported he was riding a horse while drunk and went over a gorge,” Miss Talbot said. “The neighbors report that Mr. Winchester never went riding and did not own a horse...they suspect foul play, but no one could prove it.”
“So the boys were put in an orphanage.”
“Lord Morningstar had offered to take Mr. Samuel in,” Lady Bevelle said. “But he refused to leave his brother, and Lord Morningstar has no use for Mr. Dean. So he merely kept an eye on them, and when Mr. Samuel was old enough, Lord Morningstar offered to pay for his education...Eton, then Cambridge, and then he was set up with his own law office. As to why, I am still uncertain.”
I thanked them for the information and sent them along as quickly as I could, but not before Gavin returned home and Miss Talbot started making eyes at him. I could, unfortunately, raise no objections to the match, as Miss Talbot has no family for me to object to and a good inheritance of her own. It is only natural that she would want to marry into some form of nobility, and Gavin seems receptive to her advances; at any rate, he offered to escort the ladies home, and while Lady Bevell seemed displeased, she did allow it.
My next callers were just yesterday. Mrs. Novak and her daughter came round, no doubt encouraged by Mr. Novak’s connection to Fergus. I thankfully managed to get Gavin to distract the lady while I took charge of Miss Novak.
“Your first time in London, I assume,” I said.
“It is, Lady Crowley,” she said.
“And how are you finding it?”
“Very loud.” She did not seem to have much training in the art of conversation. “And Mama keeps pushing me toward every single man we come across.”
I could not help but laugh. “That is rather the point of a season,” I said. “At least, it is for our sex...our fathers and husbands toil away with laws and bills and arguments, while we visit and dance and flirt and try to make advantageous connections. Embrace it, child, for when you grow old, you will regret not finding joy in your seasons.”
“I do not care for dancing,” Miss Novak replied. “And I find it difficult to cultivate any particular friendship with my mother always about.”
“That is a problem,” I agreed. “But you are young, and very comely; if it would satisfy her, I would be happy to show you about. She obviously cannot let you travel about unchaperoned, but I have been told I am less stuffy than most mothers tend to be. And I have particular bits of knowledge that you may find more intriguing than fashion and gossip.”
Miss Novak seemed pleased by the proposal, as did her mother. I proposed that Miss Novak might come to call in the mornings, and assured Mrs. Novak that her daughter would receive a lady’s practical education. I do not know if she will take to our arts as assuredly as you did, but I am hopeful that she will gain something from my tutelage.
Mr. Castiel writes poetry, the sort of drivel that Blake and his ilk favored. I do not particularly care for it, but I obtained one of his collections, which I have enclosed for your perusal. Perhaps you will find more value in it.
I have written Miss Shurley, and asked if she would be able to visit in the warmer months. I am awaiting her answer, but I hope that she will; it must be dreadfully dull for her to miss all the social events in a year.
As to Mr. Winchester, I had occasion to call on him this week. I did not bother looking for much excuse, only went round to his quarters to speak to him. He did not seem overly pleased to see me, but he was at least too polite to turn me away.
“I understand that you merely accompany your brother here in London,” I said. (His manners did not extend to offering tea, but he seems to have no landlady, poor lamb.)
“You would be correct, Lady Crowley,” he said.
“But surely a man such as you must need an occupation,” I said.
“I have taken some jobs about town,” he said. “But I prefer to be available should my brother need me.”
“And should any of the ladies need you?” I asked, knowingly.
“I have met several who are amused by me,” he said. “But I do not think any of them turn their minds to permanent arrangements, nor do I wish for one.”
“You do seem to have made friends with Mr. Castiel Novak,” I said.
“He is out of his depths in society,” he said. “As am I. An alliance seemed like the most natural solution.”
“Perhaps you are simply unsuited for London,” I said. “If you would care to visit MacLeod Hall, my ward, Miss Charlotte Bradbury, would be glad to receive you. She cares for society as little as you do, and I believe the two of you could find plenty to discuss.”
“I will take the invitation under advisement, Lady Crowley,” he said.
That was all I got from him; he did not accept the invite, nor did he refuse. I will inform you at once if he makes any decisions to call on you.
Please let me know of anything that occurs in the village. London gossip is all well and good, but it does grow rather tiresome after a fashion; I would rather know of those people I know and care for, to help soothe my mind from the infighting of court.
All my love,
Rowena