Chapter Fourteen
Dorothea walked into breakfast feeling a little shabby. She’d done what she could with what she had, but she’d packed little that could be considered formal wear. However, it helped to know that Lyra was in the same position.
“Ladies, you all look lovely this morning,” smiled Silas as he walked in.
“We’re all doing the best we can,” sighed Dorothea. “But since these are unusual times, I think we can all be permitted some leeway when it comes to our ensembles.”
“Doesn’t everyone dress up really fancy for the Turning of the Green?” Gen peeped at her over a piece of toast and marmalade.
“A lot of people do, yes,” said Dorothea, seating herself. “But there are also many, many people like us, who just want to enjoy the sights, and listen to the music, and so on.”
“There’s music?” Gen’s eyes widened.
“Oh yes, lots of music.”
“I think we were always too far down to hear it, sweetheart,” sighed Lyra. “But we did see the lights and eventually the garlands, didn’t we? And last year we got close enough to the Lumen Wall to see a little of the end of the ceremony.”
“Will we be higher this year?”
Hiram and Silas walked in as Gen asked the question.
“You will be right at the top, little one,” smiled Hiram. “You and your Mama will be sitting next to me and possibly Silas if he hasn’t anywhere else to sit.”
“Oh,” Gen whispered. “That is so wonderful...thank you.” She slid from her chair and went to Silas, hugging his leg.
He picked her up, gave her a peck on the cheek and carried her back to her seat. “We’re going to have the best Turning of the Green ever, I promise.” His gaze landed on Lyra. “All of us.”
There was a distinct bloom of colour on the young woman’s cheeks as she looked up at Hiram, her expression so filled with joy that Dorothea had to look away, lest she do something silly like sniffle back a tear or two.
“And, oh my goodness. Mr Silas...”
Lyra’s exclamation covered Dorothea’s emotions as well, since he’d strolled into the room looking very different to the man she’d kissed last night.
Now? Now he was a gentleman, as fine a gentleman as she could imagine, and one perfectly garbed for the highest society levels of Arcvale.
She must have made some sound, since he shot her a warm look as he sat at the table. “Eat up, everyone. We have a busy and exciting day ahead of us.”
Nelson rolled in with trays loaded down, toast, pancakes, syrup, and some muffins that made Dorothea’s mouth water. “I assumed you’d all wish to breakfast well, since the proceedings today may take up quite a bit of time, and lunch will most likely be delayed.”
“Smart lad,” nodded Silas. “Yes, it’s going to be a long day.”
“What’s going to happen, Mr Silas? I know there’ll be garlands coming from the machines, but what else?” Gen carefully buttered a piece of toast.
“Well, it’s been quite some time since I attended, Gen,” he answered. “Perhaps Thea can give us a better idea?”
She was watching his mouth as he spoke, and it took a moment for his words to make sense. As if he knew, he gave her the most wicked smile, then lowered his head to read a message that had been tucked beneath his plate.
“Well then,” she pulled herself together. “Firstly, there will be a lot of people, Gen. Hundreds there in person, thousands more watching the ceremonies on the Lumen Walls. But you do miss a lot by not actually being there.”
“Have you been there?”
It was a natural question. Dorothea nodded. “Yes, Gen, I have. I don’t know if you remember, but when we first met, I told you I was having an adventure?”
Gen nodded. “Yes, I remember. Meeting me was an adventure, wasn’t it?” She smiled at her Mama. “And Mama too.”
“The best adventure ever,” laughed Dorothea. “But my first adventure was...was deciding to leave my home and find out what it was like down in the Undercroft Forge.”
“Ooh...” Gen’s eyes grew wide. “You ran away from home?”
“Gen,” remonstrated Lyra. “I’m sure Miss Thea is far too smart to do such a thing.”
“Well, actually, Gen’s right, Lyra.” Dorothea winced. “Sorry, but yes. I did sort of leave without telling anyone where I was going.”
“Really?” Lyra’s eyebrows rose. “That was very brave of you...and, if you’ll forgive me...a bit foolish too. Why, anything could have happened...your parents...they must be frantic!”
“Perhaps,” Dorothea said slowly. “But my parents are different, Lyra. They’re not like you and Gen. They are more...more reserved. And a great deal more dictatorial.”
“Are they looking for you?” Hiram tilted his head to one side. “Would they think to look here?”
She shook her head firmly. “No. Absolutely not. It would never cross their minds that I’d travel as far down as the Forge.
It would be impossible for them to imagine I’d do such a thing on my own, and as far as working on the machines?
Hah.” She scoffed over her muffin. “I’m supposed to be above such mundane matters. ”
Silence fell for a few moments.
“Well, I think they’re quite silly, then, aren’t they?” Gen lifted her little chin. “Look at all the fun you’ve had with us, and you’d have missed it all if you hadn’t run away.”
Dorothea bit back a smile. “In this case, you’re right, Gen. But it could have been much worse, so I don’t think you should ever consider doing what I did.”
“Oh, I won’t, Miss Thea. Because Mama knows me, and she’ll understand if I need tools to fix something that’s broken.”
Everyone had to laugh at this definitive declaration.
“I’ll make sure you have a set of your own,” said Hiram admiringly. “I’ll wager you’ll give us all a thing or two to think about.”
With that comment, Nelson re-entered. “Forgive me, sir, but time is getting on. If you and Miss Thea are to escort the Mistletoe Machine, you’d best be on your way very soon.”
Silas nodded, then stood and held out his hand to Dorothea. “Well, Thea. Are we ready?”
She took a breath and reached out as she stood, linking their fingers. “We’re ready, Silas. As ready as we’ll ever be.”
*~~*~~*
“Hiram is...”
“Utterly besotted,” Silas answered her as he helped her with her jacket, and slipped into his own.
“Yes. Yes, he is, and it’s incredibly sweet.”
“I could be besotted too, you know,” complained Silas. “Would I be sweet too?”
Dorothea shook her head. “You’re astounding.”
He grinned. “I can live with that.”
She was silent for a moment as he offered her his arm. “Silas, your clothing speaks of someone who is familiar with some very impressive tailors. I could almost swear I saw that fabric some years ago at my brother’s favoured gentlemen’s clothier.”
He walked her out of the house and down the lane. “Sheer coincidence, I’m sure. It’s quite old. I seldom have chance to wear it.”
“Hmm.”
“Thea, I...”
His words were interrupted by the loud rumble of a trolley pushed by four strong fellows, all dressed in green.
“Oh, here they are,” said Dorothea, her face alight with excitement.
“Right then, lads. You know what to do...” Silas stepped back a little as the trolley grunted its way to a special spot where a festooned Trammelbuggy awaited.
With a few groans and muttered curses, the trolley was rolled from the platform onto the open car, and Silas held his hand out to Dorothea as they both stepped up behind it.
There was a loud blast from the Trammelbuggy horn, an equally loud cheer from the Forge workers, and they were off, clinging to the handrail behind them.
“Will this take us all the way up?” asked Dorothea. “I never could see how the machines ended up in Council Square.”
“It will,” he replied. “The Holly Maker probably went up a little while ago, and they’ll move it to make room for us when we arrive.”
“And the supplies are all there?”
“Should be.” He glanced at her. “Are you concerned, Thea? About what your parents’ reaction will be when they see you appearing from the depths of Arcvale in the company of a machine?”
She thought for a moment as the Trammelbuggy lumbered slowly upwards. “Concerned, no, not really. I can pretty much guarantee they will be shocked, and probably horrified, that a Renslow should actually mingle with those of lesser standing.”
Silas sighed. “Oh dear. That would be me?”
She leaned briefly against him. “You, sir, are the Forge-Marshal. I think you’re the one mingling with a lesser-standing citizen of Arcvale.”
He managed a grin, but Dorothea felt his distraction, and kept her silence, simply relishing the warmth she felt from standing next to him.
It was an inner warmth, she realised. He’d become so important in such a short time. Trying to imagine returning to Renslow House and her life prior to her Undercroft adventure? Impossible. Absolutely impossible.
She gulped down a shiver, knowing she’d have to face her family and somehow get them to understand who she really was. Not the sister, nor the daughter, they’d expected her to be, but the woman beneath all the society trappings. The woman she wanted to be.
And that presupposed they’d survive the shock of seeing Lady Dorothea Langley, only daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Renslow, emerging from the Undercroft on the platform holding the Mistletoe machine, and standing proudly beside the Forge-Marshal himself.
Yes, it was going to be an interesting morning. A very interesting morning.