19th Century Love Story

It is winter.
As snow falls it gathers on tall, black gates. A robin flies, circling
a carriage trundling down a gravel track.
The carriage pulls up outside the tall, black gates. A man opens them
with icy hands, nods to the driver and the carriage moves on.
The girl shivers as a blanket is placed around her shoulders. As she
turns to thank the maid, her eyes fall on the house. It is larger than
anything she has ever seen: huge, majestic and alien. She smoothes her
frayed skirts nervously- should she have agreed to come here?
As the carriage pulls up once more it has darkened and the soft glow of
gas lamps are seen in the windows of the great house. The girl is
helped down from the carriage and hurried through a side door. She has
entered a long, shadowy hallway. She hears footsteps until she sees a
tall woman enter from a door on her left. "What is your name my dear?"
Her voice whistles as softly as a warming kettle and the girl is
comforted, "My name is Elizabeth Turner", she replies.
"You must be tired, it's nearly 1o o'clock, I'll take you to the
servant's quarters"
"Thank-you"
Elizabeth follows the woman down the hallway at a run, surprised by the
speed of the frail lady. As she speeds along she notices how much
quieter this house is than the one she has left behind. The woman slows
and Elizabeth begins to hear signs of life. She is led into a large
room and is momentarily startled by the light of Naphtha.
"You must be the new maid"
Elizabeth jumps, her eyes adapt to the light and she sees the speaker,
a balding man with a rolling stomach, red-cheeked from the heat of the
huge fire he sits beside. He stands, and Elizabeth struggles to conceal
her amusement: he is barely 5 foot tall, and, with his huge belly,
seems to have trouble keeping his balance. The man must have noticed
her expression, as his face now burns even brighter: "My name is
Fredericks, I am the butler of Hartington Manor. I expect you to be
clean, well-mannered and hard-working, do you understand?"
"Yes sir."
"Very good, now, would you like some supper?"
"Yes thank-you."
The Butler smiles warmly and a maid places before her some bread and
milk.
"Where have you travelled from?" he asks, as she tucks in
hungrily.
"London sir"
"Goodness!"
"I enjoyed the journey, I have never been to the country before",
Elizabeth eats her last mouthful and is suddenly aware how tired she
is. She yawns and then briskly apologises.
"I'll show you to your quarters dear"; the tall woman has reappeared
and waits briefly before scooting Elizabeth off as she had
before.
Once again Elizabeth is enveloped by darkness, ahead she can only just
make out the sweep of the woman's skirts as she turns a corner, and
runs to catch up, not noticing the man coming towards her.
"What do you think you're doing, running down the corridor at this time
of night?"
"I'm terribly sorry sir, I was running to catch up with-"
"It doesn't matter who you were trying to reach, the family is
sleeping- and they won't if you're charging around the
corridors."
"It won't happen again sir."
"It had better not, now off you go."
Elizabeth lets out the breath she has been holding and makes a mental
note of her mistake as she hurries off towards the distant sound of the
skirts ahead.

It is morning; Elizabeth wakes as the sunrise and the icy winter breeze
cause the curtains to glow and ripple like runny honey. She yawns and
slips on a dress that has been warming for her by the fireside.
Stepping carefully to avoid waking the other girls in the dormitory,
she wanders out into the hallway. With the intention of exploring her
new home further, she walks along the corridor, peering into open doors
carefully and inspecting the vast and rich paintings on the
walls.
Elizabeth sees a door on her left, which is ajar, and goes to look
inside her new find. She tiptoes softly to the door and peeps inside.
Astonishment would be a perfect word to describe her feelings at this
moment, as she has found what looks like a treasure trove. The room is
small and full of sparkling silver objects of every size, gleaming in
the winter sunlight. Elizabeth sees stacks of plates, dishes,
candlesticks and more, and is struck by the beauty and the worth of all
these wonderful things. She decides to go back to the hallway, and as
she closes the door behind her, she hears the sound of footsteps. A
young man, perhaps slightly older than herself, is walking towards her
with a happy stride,
"Good morning! You must be the new maid, my name is William" he says,
with a friendly smile. Elizabeth is struck by the brightness of the
man's eyes; she has never seen anyone beam before; most people she has
known had dark eyes, dusty from the smog, shining only with
tears.
"My name is Elizabeth, sir."
"Call me William- as you seem to be interested, I'll give you a guided
tour of the house?"
"Thank-you very much", Elizabeth smiles and feels her face tighten as
it struggles to form this rarely used expression. It must have been
funny to see, as William's face goes slightly red from concealing his
embarrassment for her. As they walk around the house's huge expanse,
William fills her in on the occupants of Hartington Manor: the
unpredictable temper of Lady Annela, the eccentricity of Sir Edmund,
and the trio of unpleasant Siamese cats. While passing the main lounge,
a distant flowery voice calls out, "William dear, is that you?"
"Lady Annela", William tells Elizabeth and replies:
"It is me mother, what do you require?", Elizabeth is shocked, it
hadn't occurred to her that William was the son of the Hartington's,
and she is sorry for it, she has become rather acquainted with the idea
of spending more time with him.
"William you do think little of me, I was just wondering whether you
wanted to go for a stroll this afternoon with your mama", Lady Annela's
voice, to Elizabeth, sounds false. She is soon proved right:
"I'm sorry Mama, of course I'll talk a walk with you."
"And while you are here, would you mind posting this letter to Francis
for me?"
"Of course Mama", William grins at Elizabeth and she flashes back a
knowing smile. As they make their way back to Elizabeth's dormitory,
Elizabeth tells William of her life in London:
"I lived with my father Jack, we were not very poor, but father's
drinking made it hard. I'm sure that if I made enough money here, he
would be better, it is just the darkness and the cold of the city: It
chills his heart, after mother died he-", Elizabeth trails off,
remembering the day; her father sat in the armchair by the fire, his
drunken arm poised to knock the bottle teetering on the edge of his
knee, eyes rolling endless tears.
She walks ahead, not wanting the man to see her distress. Before long
she has left him and finds herself outside the door to her new
home.

After a morning of long, hard work in the laundry room, Elizabeth is
allowed a break, and decides to take a walk in the grounds now that the
weather is warmer. The gardens of Hartington Manor, she finds, are rich
with exotic plants, most of which she has never seen before. She
wonders if this extravagance was Lady Annela's idea, she seemed like a
woman who was anxious to acquire the latest fashions. Already
acquainted with Sir Edmund, she is surprised at their union, they seem
to be complete opposites: Sir Edmund kind and unpretentious, Lady
Annela materialistic and haughty. She hears the house bell ring, and
begins to make her way back, as she reaches the servants' corridor she
remembers her discourtesy towards William. She reminds herself to
apologise when they next meet, if they ever do, she thinks: 'I doubt
Lady Annela approves of our friendship'.

Weeks have passed at Hartington Manor, and Spring has arrived, bringing
with it a change at the house. Sir Edmund has left for London, and more
unpleasantly, the Marchbury family are due to arrive within the
hour.
Elizabeth's experiences of the Marchbury's have so far been dreadful,
and this one, she feels, will be no different. There is no surprise
that they are dear friends of Lady Annela, both have the 'appealing
qualities' of each other. Mrs Francis Marchbury is the worst: frowning,
irritable and snobby, she delights in insulting the servants. Elizabeth
makes her way to the dining room with her heart beating and her mind
conjuring up images of flying plates and mocking Marchbury's. The grand
doors open, and Elizabeth carefully approaches the huge mahogany table.
Mr Harold Marchbury is the first to speak:
"Aha, we finally get to eat, what's been keeping you dear?"
Elizabeth nearly jumps from her nerves, it has started?
"I'm very sorry your food is late Sir, I assure you it is piping
hot."
"We never have problems with our servants at Marchbury Hall", Mrs
Marchbury drawls.
Elizabeth serves the food and her heart slows as she leaves the room,
glancing back to observe the brilliant gleam of the silver on the
table. She is comfortable at Hartington Manor, with good friends in Mrs
Wildford, the tall, whistly head maid and Fredericks, the red-faced
butler. William, is her closest companion. Away from the watchful gaze
of Lady Annela, they take daily walks in the grounds discussing Lady
Annela's ridiculous spoiling of her Siamese cats and Fredericks'
increasingly poor memory.

On the evening of Sir Edmunds return, he calls Elizabeth to his study.
Elizabeth is not surprised, as she and her master have a fond
relationship, him regarding her more as a daughter than as an
employee.
She walks the now routine journey to the west wing of the house and
knocks on the door of the study. Sir Edmund's voice answers and
Elizabeth sits down next to him with a welcoming smile.
"I hope you are well Elizabeth, you look as pretty as ever."
Elizabeth blushes, "Did you have a good trip Sir Edmund?"
"Yes?" Sir Edmund breaks off, his sentence unfinished.
"I?Can I tell you something in confidence Lizzie?", Sir Edmund only
used this address when he was animated, and it worries Elizabeth.
"Of course"
"Do you remember when we first met? I was in London looking for
someone."
Elizabeth begins to feel that her suspicion is true, something is
wrong. Sir Edmunds' whisper increases her tenseness.
"I fell in love, some years ago. She was-", Sir Edmund's eyes dim, as
if to shelter his thoughts. Elizabeth is struck still, her breath now
held silent.
" She was my cousin". His words are so quiet Elizabeth struggles to
hear.
"It was a mistake, but I love her still. When our parents discovered,
they made sure we never saw each other again."
"What did they do?", Elizabeth whispers.
"She was married to a banker in London, I never saw her again", Sir
Edmund falls silent.
Elizabeth sits back in her chair, jolted by her discovery. A lump rises
in her throat, she knows herself what it is like to be separated from
someone she loves.
She remembers the day Sir Edmund found her. He told her father he was
looking for a friend and since Jack knew the family, was invited to
stay. Elizabeth was in the kitchen when Jack returned from the tavern,
blinded by alcohol, he raged at her and cut her arm. Elizabeth was
offered a job at Hartington Manor, and here she was. The girl held her
arm tightly as she wept, unlocking the grief she had hid away from her
father. Sir Edmund's hand found hers and she grasped it, until her
sorrow gave way to sleep.
When Elizabeth wakes she hears voices in the Study, whispering
voices,
"Edmund darling", Lady Annela was saying with carefully controlled
anger, "she simply cannot stay here."
"Annela, we can't talk about this here", Sir Edmund strained, clearly
buckling under the pressure of his wife's glare.
"It's not like she's clever enough to understand us Edmund, you can't
expect much from an unrefined little girl."
Sir Edmund turns red from anger, "I will not have you speak of her in
that manner Annela!"
"She is a danger to our household Edmund! Surely you can see that her
relationship with our son is inappropriate! She's even got you under
her spell!"
Lady Annela takes a short breath before continuing at a rapid speed,
ignoring Sir Edmund's start at her remarks. "We cannot have her stay
here a moment longer. I will have her placed at Summerwell, away from
William. There, hopefully, your dear cousin Charlie will improve her
coarse manners. In time, she can return, but only after we have secured
William in marriage."
Sir Edmund finally gets to speak, "Elizabeth's relationship with
William is no danger- they are barely 17 and I am sure consider each
other more as brother and sister than any other idea you might
have."
"But it's for her own benefit! At Summerwell she will have less work to
do, and we can arrange for her to be tutored by Mrs Wursley, Summerwell
would give her a great education."
Lady Annela waits with baited breath, Sir Edmund ponders, "Elizabeth
could really benefit from being at Summerwell? maybe she could stay
there for a month or two?and I could visit her, I haven't talked with
Charlie in a while."
Elizabeth sits up slowly, shocked by what she has heard, and is
disturbed from her haze by a sugary voice: "Ah! Elizabeth has woken! I
hope you have recovered from your upset my dear"
"Yes Lady Annela"
The woman wrinkles her nose unpleasantly, "Yes thank you, Elizabeth.
Well, I must be off, I hope you like the treat we've planned for you."
Lady Annela smiles more to herself than to Elizabeth, and her huge silk
skirts whisk her off down the hallway.
Sir Edmund looks around with tired eyes, Elizabeth has noticed recently
that his smart image is deteriorating, now she knows of his secret, she
understands why. "My dear Elizabeth, I hope you are feeling
better?"
"Yes thank-you"
Sir Edmund smiles warmly and comes over to sit beside her, "I have some
splendid news that you will benefit from Elizabeth, don't be worried
for we shall see each other very soon. I, with Lady Annela, have
decided that it would be good for you to spend a few months with my
cousin Charlie at Summerwell".
"May I ask why Sir Edmund? Am I of no use to you here?"
Sir Edmund grasps her hand, "You are everything to me Lizzie, and you
will always have a home here. This is for your benefit, your
future."
Elizabeth feels her eyes pool with tears, "But I like living here Sir
Edmund, I don't want to leave you and William. And Lady Annela", she
adds hastily.
Sir Edmund smiles slightly, "I know. But it will not be for very long,
and we will visit you often. At Summerwell, you will be well educated,
my cousin Charlie and Mrs Wurlsey are fine, friendly people. Believe
me, you will feel very much at home there", he held her hand tightly,
"I will miss you very much Elizabeth, but I would rather you had the
best prospects I can give you, than be stuck here with us. You
understand don't you?"
Elizabeth holds back her tears, and replies with a trembling voice, "I
will make you proud Sir Edmund, as you have done so much for me and
cared for me as a father. I am sure I will find it hard to live life
without you and William at Summerwell, but now I must work hard to
ensure that my future is secure/assured/easier".
(Must put all my care into my work to provide for my future)
The final days before Elizabeth's departure flew by far too quickly, as
they often do when you'd rather they didn't. In the last few hours, she
and William take their last stroll in the gardens. Both are quiet,
struggling to find their parting words. He finally speaks, "Elizabeth",
he says softly, "I must say this before you go". Elizabeth stops and
looks at his shining blue eyes for what seems like the last time, "What
is it William?"
He stops and takes a step closer, lowering his gaze, Elizabeth feels
strangely uncomfortable and notices her heart starting to flutter. What
is he trying to say? William's voice is weakening, reflecting his
father, as he looks into Elizabeth's brilliant green eyes, his words
fade. "I?I wanted to say that you must write, father would love to hear
news of your progress. And I would also", he added, looking back to the
house, "I can see your carriage, it is ready".
Elizabeth walks ahead, her heart in agony, wishing for the words
unsaid. She looks with glazed eyes at the place she had begun to call
home, it's grand halls no longer intimidating, the lake twinkling with
summer light, fountains along it's impressive avenue showering
glittering clouds into the warm air.

Summerwell is a large house, though nothing, compared to Hartington
Manor. Elizabeth has spent 3 weeks here now. The house has a peaceful
atmosphere: wildly covered with bright honeysuckle and nestled in a
quiet hamlet, it has only four inhabitants: Charlie Hartington, Ms
Wurlsey and her two daughters, Harriet and Penny. But Elizabeth is
alone, and the days seem to drag by, her lessons in Literature and
History from Mrs Wurlsey are rich, but few.
Elizabeth misses William, he has not written to her since she left, and
although Sir Edmund passes on news of him through his letters, she
would rather have letters from William himself. Today, she will learn
why.
Elizabeth is strolling to the post office, Sir Edmund's letter is due.
Once she has collected it, she waits until she is sat in the garden
before it is opened:
Dear Elizabeth,
I hope you have had a good week. Things have been rather hectic over
here. Annela is particularly flustered, as she now has a wedding to
plan! Well, I won't keep you wondering, William is to marry Isabella
Marchbury! He proposed at the Compton's Midsummer Ball last Tuesday,
and they are due to be married next summer. (Lady Annela can't stand
winter weddings, and she says she can't possibly have everything ready
for August). William is very happy; Isabella is a lovely girl. I am
planning another trip to London in September and would like it very
much if you would join me, and if you wish, make contact with your
father. I think it would do both you and him good to see each other
again, it has been almost 8 months. So, keep well and write back
soon,
Sir Edmund
Elizabeth drops the letter with a gasp, 'William is to marry Isabella
Marchbury!' echoing in her head. Her body is numb and she feels more
alone than ever. 'William is to marry Isabella Marchbury!' , the words
sting her eyes with hot tears. 'Isabella Marchbury!', why would William
choose to marry someone he had told her he disliked so profoundly: 'If
only I had told him", she tells herself, " it might have been
different'.
That evening, Elizabeth's decision is made. Her hand shakes as she
writes her reply:
Dear Sir Edmund,
Please send my warmest congratulations to William, and his fianc?. I
hope they have a long and happy life together. Thank you for your kind
invitation, but I travel to London myself in July. I intend to inquire
about my father, and then stay with my aunt Bessie. I regret to tell
you that my stay in London will be permanent, your kindness to me has
been immense, but I must make my own life in a place where I belong. I
hope we can keep in contact through letters: words from you and William
will always bring me joy to read,
Yours sincerely,
Elizabeth

"She's gone?", William puts down the letter.
"Yes, she left last week. I don't understand, she was due to be home
now. Why would she want to go back there?", Sir Edmund sits down
heavily. William moves to the fireplace, his back turned from his
father, "She doesn't feel she belongs here Father," he sighs, "Maybe
she's right".
Sir Edmund disagrees, "We made her feel welcome, I love her as I would
a daughter she knows that, its such a rash decision: now we may never
see each other again."
The bluntness of his father's words force William to face reality, he
fails to control the words from spilling out of his mouth: "I can't
bear it, not to see her again-I", he chokes back his emotion and
strides towards the door, his father blocks his pathway:
"Why didn't you tell me?"
William looks at his feet, his face burning, "Tell you what
Father?"
"That you are in love with her William", Sir Edmund's face is troubled
with concern for his son.
"I?I must go, Mother wants me to visit Isabella", as William rushes
away Sir Edmund watches, knowing only too well the pain his son is
going through.

"Why don't you go back Lizzie?" Bessie urged, Elizabeth has spent the
past month in a state of misery.
"I have nothing to go back to and nothing to keep me here", Elizabeth's
voice is hoarse. The pain of her fathers' death still fresh in her
heart, "Now father is gone, I have no one but you".
"What is wrong with you Elizabeth? You had such a wonderful life in the
country, why have you left it for this?"
"Please, don't do this again Auntie", Elizabeth strains.
"I think I have a right to know what's upset you. I've got to live with
you and believe me, it's no fun", Bessie's usually cheerful face is
frowning.
"Fine! I fell in love with someone and he didn't feel the same! Is that
enough for you!", Elizabeth is surprised at her angry words, she has
never told anyone before now.
"Oh Elizabeth, you should have told me you silly thing!" Bessie
encloses Elizabeth in a warm embrace, Elizabeth buries her face in her
aunts' shawls, thankful of Bessie's kind nature. The past few weeks
have been awful, her father's funeral accompanied by more 'happy' news
of William's impending marriage. Life back in London is a harsh
contrast to her stay at Hartington Manor: the city is cold from winter
frosts and the people are surprisingly quiet- all money is being spent
on keeping warm and food is sparse. Elizabeth is working in a cotton
mill to pay Aunt Bessie for her bed. The next morning she makes her way
down the dark cobbled streets, the houses dark with windows glazed from
Jack Frosts' cruel hand. She wraps her shawls close around her chilled
arms, and steps to the side of the street as a large carriage trundles
towards her.
"Elizabeth! Elizabeth!" the voice of Sir Edmund rings out in the frosty
air and Elizabeth's heart lifts for the first time in months. She runs
up to the carriage, her heart beating.
Sir Edmund opens the door, "Oh Elizabeth, I can't tell you how happy I
am to see you, come here, come out of the cold". Elizabeth greets him
with a hug, "I hope you are well Sir Edmund?"
"Forget the courtesy's Lizzie. I was so sorry to hear of your father's
death, you must be lonely here". Sir Edmund holds Elizabeth's hand
tightly, almost squeezing the life from it.
"Don't worry about me, my aunt Bessie is very kind and I have a good
job at the cotton mill"
Sir Edmund's face was stern, "Elizabeth don't try to fool me".
Elizabeth ignores his advice, "Why are you in London? Are you looking
for your cousin?"
Sir Edmund's eyes warm briefly, "I have found her, yes. I have also
found a son". Elizabeth gasps, "It was the reason why she left, her
parents forced her to save the families' reputation. His name is
Thomas". His voice cools abruptly, "But I have had to leave them,
Annela is gravely ill, she doesn't have long".
"Oh Sir Edmund, I'm so sorry!", Elizabeth feels the pain of her dear
friend acutely, "What are you to do?"
"Well, I must stay at Hartington Manor, and return once I am free from
my duty to Annela. But that is done, I am now here for you and
William."
Elizabeth looks outside to the silent street, "There is no me and
William, he is to be married Sir Edmund"
"Not any more! He couldn't go through with it, not when he is in love
with you", Sir Edmund turned her face towards him, "I know he loves you
Elizabeth".
Elizabeth's breath is held, longing for his words to be true, her mouth
whispers. "Are you sure?"
Sir Edmund's face smiles, "I am certain of it. Though we must go back
to Hartington Manor if we are to catch him, I suspect he may be
thinking of coming to London". Elizabeth leaves the carriage to say
good-bye to Bessie and collect her belongings. Before long, she and Sir
Edmund are on their way.

"William dear, would you fetch me a glass of water?", Lady Annela's
face is as pale as the snow outside her bedroom window. William
appears, his face grave, carrying her request, "How are you feeling
today Mama? You still look pale, would you like some hot milk?"
"William you know I can't stand it, how about some jam and
toast?"
"But the doctor said you shouldn't have solid food Mama", William sits
beside her and strokes her cold hands, "Why don't you get some rest and
I'll bring you a warm shawl".
"Don't be silly darling, I'll get up in a while and sit by the fire,"
she replies stubbornly, "Oh and remember to bring me the jam and toast
dear", she calls as he leaves the room. William walks along the
corridors and into the sitting room, his eyes sore from grief and many
sleepless nights. 'What am I to do, Elizabeth is gone, so is father and
now mother is leaving me', Lady Annela's mind is failing from illness;
William is the only person she now recognises. He falls onto a sofa and
sits silently, his mind searching for an answer- "Master Hartington?"
William jumps as Frederick's round face peers around the door, "Your
father is here William, and there is someone in the garden who wishes
to speak with you", Frederick's smiling face causes William's heart to
leap: "Who is it Fredericks?"
The Butler chuckles, "Go and find out William".
The next few minutes will be the best of his life, but William's head
causes him to remain calm and collected, even so, he can't stop himself
from racing into the garden. What he finds there is everything his
heart could have wished for, "Hello William", she says, her face hidden
by golden waves. William's breath is caught, "Elizabeth".

As she walks through the familiar grounds to the topiary garden,
Elizabeth feels her legs skip along, like her almost too excited to
control themselves. Once there she nervously looks towards the house
straining her eyes, to see him, rushing towards her. "Hello William",
she says, hiding her beaming face from view, not daring to look into
his beautiful eyes.
"Elizabeth".
He walks closer to her, and she experiences the familiar weak feeling.
Her hand reaches to his, and he clasps it strongly, "I must tell you
this before I lose you again".
"You'll never lose me William, I love you", Elizabeth smiles and kisses
his soft face. She is so close to him she can hear the beating of his
heart, "I love you so much", he whispers and holds her tightly, with no
intention of ever letting go.