Chapter Five #2
The valet left her, and the doctor arrived two minutes later. He examined his patient and then looked at her sadly.
“I am greatly sorry for your loss, Miss Stanhope. I hope it was the right thing to do to keep Lord Samuel’s shaky health from him.”
“It was,” she said firmly. “With his weakened heart, any worrying on his part might have caused me to lose him sooner. As it was, he enjoyed his last year on earth.” She paused. “Thank you for coming. Would you mind sending the butler to me as you leave?”
“Of course, my lady.”
When the butler appeared, she said, “Send for the vicar of St. George’s. I must arrange for the funeral to take place. Also, a message must be sent to my cousin at Stanhope to inform him the title is now his. I will write this, and then you must see it sent as quickly as possible.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Also, gather the staff in the foyer. I will address them.”
“At once, my lady.”
She waited until he had left and then bent and kissed her father’s brow. He was already cold to the touch. Stoically, she left the room, writing a quick note to Ollie to come to town because he was the new Viscount Samuel. She sealed it and took it with her.
The foyer was full of servants, the men having removed their hats, holding them in hand over their hearts. She paused several steps from the bottom, the better to see everyone.
“As you might have heard, we lost Lord Samuel this afternoon. The household will go into mourning, and you shall wear a black armband. His body will be placed in the front parlor. You may say a last goodbye if you wish to. I will send for the new Lord Samuel. My advice to him will be to retain everyone on staff, but I cannot promise you will have a position. It will be up to him.”
Since Ollie had yet to wed, Rowena believed he would take any suggestions she gave him.
The house already ran efficiently, so she would advise no cuts be made.
A housekeeper would need to be hired, however, since she had served in that capacity.
Rowena would leave town as soon as possible and return to Dorset.
She gave the letter for Ollie to the butler, and he motioned to a footman who claimed it and left the house. Rowena spoke with the head footman, describing the need to have a servant present at her father’s side for at least the next two or three days.
“I can arrange for that, my lady.”
The vicar arrived. She had seen him only a handful of days ago as he had overseen the weddings of Lady Tia and Lady Delilah. Now, he would be required to manage the funeral services for Papa.
“My condolences on your loss, Miss Stanhope,” he began.
She was known to him because of volunteer work she had done at St. George’s.
“I would like the service to be held as soon as possible. The heat, you know.”
Papa had complained on several occasions of funerals being held too far past the date of death, especially if they occurred in the heat of summer. He had told Rowena long ago that when his time came, he wished to be buried quickly, with little fuss.
“When your footman delivered the news to me, I took the liberty of consulting the schedule regarding the church. We could hold the service the day after tomorrow at ten o’clock if that pleases you.”
“Yes, that will be fine. Is there anything you need from me in order to prepare?”
“No, my lady. I will handle everything at St. George’s. My sexton will aid me in this venture. He will even dig the grave. I assume you wish to have Lord Samuel buried here in town. He did so love it here. I know there is a spot next to your mother.”
She knew that because she visited it frequently, trying to find a connection with a woman long dead. Growing up, she had wondered why Papa had not buried his wife at Stanfield, but then she realized he wished to be close to her and found comfort from that.
“Yes, that would be his wishes.”
The vicar left. Shortly afterward, Aunt Sylvia arrived, Lord and Lady Pebble in tow. She supposed the butler had sent word to them.
“Oh, my dear,” her aunt said, taking Rowena into her arms. “This is such a very sad day. Losing Samuel will be hard on us both.”
Lord Pebble echoed her aunt’s words. “Your father was a decent man, Rowena. He will be sorely missed by us all.”
She led them to the drawing room, where Cook sent in some tea and sandwiches for them. Although she sipped on the tea, she could not force down a single bite.
“You must come and live with me now,” Aunt Sylvia said.
That was the last thing she wanted to do. Just like her brother, Aunt Sylvia remained in town throughout the year, living in two rooms on the small widow’s allowance she had. Too much furniture and too many knickknacks filled those rooms. If Rowena moved there, she knew she would suffocate.
“You could come and stay with us in the country for a while,” Lady Pebble suggested. “Town may hold too many sad memories for you. The Season is almost finished as it is.”
“I will contact Samuel’s solicitor for you,” the viscount said. “Surely, your father made arrangements for you in the case of his passing.”
“Thank you. I wish to see Papa buried, and then I do plan to return to Stanfield.”
“Does Ollie know of your plans?” her aunt asked. “When my husband’s cousin took on the title, I was no longer welcome on the estate. Ollie may feel the same way about you.”
“I have sent word to him regarding Papa’s passing. As far as where I will live, Ollie has previously consented to my use of a cottage at Stanfield once Papa is gone and he takes on the viscountcy.” She smiled at Aunt Sylvia. “But I do appreciate your kind offer.”
Lady Pebble frowned. “Surely, you could either stay in the main house with your cousin or even remain in this townhouse. Having to live in a cottage?” Her nose wrinkled in disgust.
“No, it is what I wish to do,” she insisted. “I am tired of life in town. Tired of the Season. I wish to go to Dorset permanently.”
“At least until next Season,” Aunt Syliva said. “You still need to find a husband, Niece.”
Rowena did not correct her aunt. She had no plans to ever return to town again, but she saw no need to cause a fuss now. When next spring came, she would simply remain at Stanfield.
And continue to do so for the rest of her life.