A Victorian Lady's Memoirs Part Three

I did feel that air of excitement, but also a slight trepidation, as the last time I saw my cousin Julia, was when we were nine, which was nearly six years ago. I had no idea how much we might have both changed, and if we'd still be those intimate friends that once had so much in common.

Our butler Henry in his smart attire was a staunch man, always on top of his duties and eager to please mama. He made sure our trunks were loaded onto the carriage, along with a picnic basket for the long trip ahead, which would take about two days.

After a hearty breakfast, we were soon waving goodbye to mama, Lilly and Henry. I wondered what the journey would have in store.

The road down to Craymore-On-Sea had the four of us bouncing around, I felt quite sick and really only wanted a nap as the journey was tedious and my brothers were becoming fidgety. Thankfully we did have many stops along the way and were thankful to find a grassy bank overlooking a river on which to consume the picnic.

An overnight stay in one of many coach houses adequately provided for our needs. A stop off in South Wezley gave us some time to stretch our legs and take in some quaint shops, as I focused on a gift for Julia. It was hard to decide what to buy, as I didn't know what my cousin liked now. In the end It was a new quill pen for her writing. We also needed to buy essential extras, like tooth powder.

We were soon back on the road again. Approaching my uncle and aunts, I turned to my governess inquiring, “Have you ever been to this part of the world Miss Violet?”

She looked at me with a slight uneasy expression. “My dear Emily, please stop calling me Miss! While we're on holiday, just call me Violet...and no I've never been this far South before. I was more a lady for traveling to the big cities where I could find work.”

I was quite surprised at her declaration, feeling sure she was a well traveled career woman, having moved a lot. I then uttered. “Did you never holiday by the sea?”

“Oh yes!” she replied excitedly, “Certainly we spent many happy days at the seaside in Withern on Sea where my family moved to, but that was many years ago in another lifetime, which I would rather not talk about.”

My thoughts became so wrapped up in wondering what mysteries Violet held back, that I was quite surprised when our carriage stopped and Fredrick announced we were at our destination and it was only early afternoon.

Gathering my thoughts, John and Fredrick opened the door to the carriage as we stepped out. Clutching my purse I couldn't help but smile, gazing around the large sprawling mansion and grounds of the estate.

Nothing had changed in the slightest, in fact it was just as I remembered six years ago, even the center piece of the driveway that featured a fountain with its ornamental statue of a water baby spouting water was still pristine, along with the many carefully arranged summer flowers which were a credit to uncle and aunt's gardener.

Of course we had arrived early, so were not expected. As I rang the large bell of the front door, turning my head I saw another pleasing site, the large figure of Nelly the head kitchen cook striding along the gravel path in her white apron, waving a large wooden spoon, with hands covered in flour.

“Miss Emily as I live and breath. We weren't expecting you till later.”

I smiled with a spring in my step prancing over to her. “Nelly, how wonderful to see you again, I've so missed your wonderful cooking.” I placed my hand on my stomach, “though I hope you don't mind me saying, not the weight that I put on each time I'm down here, with all those lovely cakes you serve up.”

We both giggled while hugging. I introduced Nelly to Violet who was still standing by the front door, anxious as Albert and William began running off to explore the grounds.

“Master Albert and William, where do you think you're going?” She exclaimed in annoyance having only just arrived.

The twins turned and stood to attention, with a slight smirk on their young faces. “We want to explore the grounds Miss Violet.”

Coughing moderately, Violet turned to Nelly and smiled uttering, “I'm very happy to meet you,” then directed her attention back to the twins with a frown of distaste announcing. “There will be plenty of time for adventure and exploring once we've settled young masters. For now you will stay with me and remember your manners.”

The twins shifted their attention to the footmen who were unloading the trunks, before they gazed back at my governess, declaring; “yes Miss Violet,” in unison.

You couldn't keep the twins still for five minutes, they had so much pent up energy and the journey had been long and all together uninteresting with just fields and trees, along with small villages, which they had no interest in at all. I was quite surprised how well behaved they were in my governesses presence.

Nelly put hands on hips, the spoon still poking out between her fingers and smiled uttering, “well! Well young Albert and William, the two of yer are all grown since last I saw yer, it must have been when yer be three.”

“We're nine now!” Piped up Albert, quite proud of the fact they were older. Pushing his shoulders back and standing straight, he nudged William. “We can't wait to explore can we?” Albert never uttered a word, he just nodded and grinned.

“Well yer uncle and aunt are otherwise disposed at present. I'm a bit of a mess, as yer can see,” Nelly revealed her floury hands. “So if yer don't mind coming around to the kitchen, yer can make yer way through to the main house.”

“Of course, that's fine,” I replied, directing John and Fredrick to wait with Violet and the twins, while myself and Nelly went around the gravel path to the side door.

Nelly led me through into the kitchen where there was a wooden table in the middle of the room covered in flour and doe ready to be rolled out for loaves and rolls. “Looks like I needs to get on and prepare.” She declared washing her hands.

I was intrigued to find out how my cousin was. “How is Julia? Is she still helping out on the farm?”

“Ooh! Young Julia be a bit of a handful when it comes to doing exactly as she pleases. You be watching out for your self with her flighty disposition. Julia can talk the hind leg off a donkey, not fearing her papa's wrath...that's when he's around of course.”

I wondered at the time what could be causing such feelings in Julia and made it my job to discover what was going on.

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To be continued...A Victorian Lady's Memoirs ( Part Four ) | ABCtales