Ravenwood(17)
“I’m grateful for the loan. Please let the owner know I appreciate it,” Elinore said truthfully in response to Mrs. Davenport’s worries. It was a fine enough dress, clearly made to sustain a lot of wear. Elinore had no doubt it was likely some maid’s finest outfit and she felt horrible for needing to borrow it. She vowed to leave it in as good of condition as she received it in, and perhaps see if she could send for a scarf or kerchief as a token of her thanks to whomever had loaned her the dress. Or if they were in need of a pair of socks, Elinore could knit her something in any color she chose. She said as much to Mrs. Davenport who looked at her scandalously.
“There’s hardly any need for a lady such as you to worry about that,” she said, leading the way for Elinore out of the room and down the hall. “I believe it’s one of Alice’s, Thistle’s daughter.”
“Oh, Thistle mentioned her. I should like to make her acquaintance if she’s amenable. I understand she’s quite the reader.”
As they descended the stairs, Mrs. Davenport shook her head fondly. “That girl always has her nose in a book when she should be working on her studies or her chores. Reading fanciful tales of knights and spooks. It’s a wonder her head isn’t full of faerie magic and aether only.”
Elinore thought she’d quite like Alice once she got to know her. It seemed they would be of a kindred spirit. “Would I be able to meet with her today?”
“Oh, I’m sure if you wanted to, miss, we could arrange that. Fond of books yourself?”
“Quite. I had to pack them separately and they should be coming by shipment. I admit, I fear for them more than for any of my other things. My clothes can all be easily washed or mended, but my books are…” Elinore sighed, her throat tight. How could she do justice to her books? Some were read with her mother, some her father, some were shared with Charlotte, some were her closest companions during sickness or long rainy days. She took a deep breath. “I’m rather hoping Alice and I might share some common interests in books.”
Mrs. Davenport took Elinore’s hand and patted it warmly. “That’s quite kind of your, miss. I daresay the young girl would be keen to meet you. She’s a bookish little thing and I fear most of us don’t know what to do with her, we’re too busy with our work.”
Elinore felt happy at the words. Alice might be younger than Elinore herself, but an avid reader was surely the best quality one could hope for in an acquaintance. Charlotte and Elinore both shared a voracious love of books and Elinore was hopeful that perhaps Alice would have some recommendations for Elinore that she could then pass on to Charlotte.
“If you feel up to it, I can take you by the library after you have a bite to eat. As long as Mr. Hayter approves, of course. He has quite a collection.”
“That would be lovely, thank you.” Elinore tried to school her face into a pleasant expression, wondering what would happen if Mr. Hayter, her uncle, did not approve.
In the morning light, Elinore could now make out the features of the manor. It was still dark and somewhat gloomy as the hallways had only small windows. While they appeared to be kept rather impeccably clean, they were hardly large enough to let in large quantities of light. However dark the manor was, it was impeccably kept. Elinore had on her boots from the night before, and although she’d managed to clean some of the mud off with Mrs. Davenport’s help before she donned them, she feared she was leaving dusty footprints as she walked. The housekeeper had offered to fetch her a pair of shoes as well but Elinore had been cursed with slightly large feet and knew finding a pair of ladies shoes that fit her would be akin to a miracle. The manor was silent and solemn around them, save for Mrs. Davenport’s friendly chatter - a sound Elinore found she could get used to. It was warm and soothing.
“Mrs. Thistlewaite is our cook, and though she was quite worried for her husband, nothing keeps a good woman from work and Mrs. Thistlewaite is one of the best. She had a few offers from some of the serving girls to take on the meals today so that she could sit with Thistle, but she said nothing would help take her mind off her worry better than work. Alice will be sitting with Thistle while the missus cooks.”
They made their way down the grand staircase and then another hallway. Elinore marveled at the size of the manor. It had a sparse, grand feeling and on the whole seemed rather masculine. She supposed since the death of her Aunt Victoria, the place had been without a woman’s touch. Oh, how she would have loved dearly to meet her mother’s sister. Or perhaps, so soon after her mother’s death, it would have been too much to meet someone who was bound to be similar to her. Well, there was nothing to be done for it now. She should count herself lucky to have relations who were willing to take her in and provide for her, she mused. A small voice still whispered at the back of her head, however, that she was more than capable of taking care of herself. But, many young ladies would not be so fortunate. Though Elinore already missed her town and her acquaintances there, and of course dear Charlotte, she knew she was very lucky to have family who were so prompt to take her in upon the tragedy of her parents dying.
With that thought, Elinore forced a calm, serene expression as she entered the dining room. An older man seated at the end of the table immediately stood up. He was tall, fit and had dark brown hair and sharp blue eyes. He was younger than she expected. Elinore had thought that Victoria married older, but the man who stood before her was likely only in his forties - hardly a doting old man. He smiled when he saw her and Elinore felt her heart quicken - not in the way that a handsome gentleman or a lovely turn on the dance floor would quicken it. No, this was more like the shock of fear she’d had last night upon being alone in the dark, cold and scared and trying to find Ravenwood. His smile was sharp, like an animal’s grin might be - somewhat feral and ferocious.