Chapter 3
The months that had swept by in a whirlwind of activity left Joseph feeling grateful to Charlotte, his stepsisters, and even his brother, who had worked alongside Joseph and the workmen to ensure the manor was ready for the holiday festivities.
When Margaret and Sophie arrived with their husbands and children in tow, he should have also realized that this old house might trigger some unwanted memories for the ladies as well.
Margaret, in particular, had been the focus of his father’s infatuation with marrying her.
But her heart had already belonged to Frederick and in the end everything worked out as it should.
Margaret had been leery, when she first stepped foot into the entry way.
That was until she had seen the changes he had thus far made.
Months later, there was nothing visual that reminded Joseph of the old manor and the changes his father had once made to make the place his own.
There was still much to do on the upper floors but that would continue after the holiday.
As he descended the main stairs to where he would soon greet his guests, he couldn’t help but be pleased at the progress.
The house had taken on a miraculous transformation, Joseph was overjoyed that the manor was finally a home.
Each room was now bright and airy. Instead of the wood paneling leaving a darkness that always seemed to suffocate him, the walls had either been painted in pleasing light colors or wallpapered according to his, and Charlotte’s, tastes.
In fact, the place had taken on so many characteristics of the young lady, he wondered how he would ever let her go home.
After working with her side by side all these months, he had to finally admit he was in love with her, even though he had yet to admit it aloud.
She seemed to belong here, though he still kept his distance due to his brother’s love for her and the fact she was his best friend’s sister. It was quite the conundrum.
The sound of carriage wheels arriving outside brought Charlotte from one of the back rooms as though he had called out for her to join him. She had a speck of flour on her nose and more on her apron. There was no doubt in Joseph’s mind she had been in the kitchen.
“She’s here?” Her excited tone caused Joseph to smile. He went over and couldn’t resist wiping the flour from her nose and she gave a short gasp. “Oh dear! I must look a fright.”
“You are beautiful, as always, Charlotte,” he murmured, while she quickly untied her apron. He began heading toward the door, waving off the butler who then disappeared to perform his other duties. He turned back when he realized the lady wasn’t behind him. “You won’t join me?”
“I don’t want to overstep any protocol. Maybe it would be best if you went to greet her by yourself,” she said, in a hushed tone.
Joseph went back and took her hand, pulling her forward. “Nonsense, Charlotte. You know how pleased she’ll be to see you.”
Before he could say anything further, reinforcements arrived in the form of his brother, Margaret, and Sophie.
It seemed only fitting that those he cared most about would be with him as he greeted the new arrival.
Opening the door, he made his way toward the carriage.
Joseph rushed forward to assist getting his mother into her wheelchair.
“Welcome to Fairfax Manor, Mother,” he said, as he settled her into the chair.
He watched when he eyes widened in surprise. “You renamed it.”
He knelt down beside her and took her hands. “I restored it to the original name. It should never have been changed in the first place.”
Jennette nodded her approval. “Your grandparents would have been proud of you, Joseph.”
“Wait until you see what we’ve done with the inside. I think you’ll be pleased,” he began as he stood and went behind her to wheel her forward. “At least, I hope you will.”
She gripped the arms of her chair. “You know I have my apprehensions about what this place did to me.”
He stopped rolling her chair to once again stand before her. “It wasn’t this house that did anything to you, mother, but a beast of a husband who abused you for years. Let us make new memories here and let the past remain where it belongs.”
Jennette was greeted by Michael and the ladies she considered family, and when Joseph slowly maneuvered her wheelchair up the few stairs, he held his breath as the door was once more opened and he wheeled her inside.
Suddenly the women took over the conversation, chatting away to tell Jennette of all the changes that had been made, as though she couldn’t see them for herself.
Margaret took over wheeling his mother and they made their way through the lower floor of the house.
“I think she likes what you’ve done with the place, brother,” Michael beamed.
“Either that or she’s in complete shock,” Joseph returned, as they followed the women through the manor.
Michael gave a shrug. “It’s probably a bit of both. She may need a bit of time to adjust to all the changes we’ve made.” As they entered the ballroom, Michael held Joseph back. “When are you going to tell Charlotte you’re in love with her?”
Joseph muttered a curse beneath his breath before he turned to face his brother. “I never said I was in love with Charlotte.”
An amused smirk swept across Michael’s features.
“I know you’ve been worried about my own feelings for the lady but there is no need.
Charlotte is a dear friend to me and there is nothing more between us, even though there was a time I wished the opposite.
And just because she’s your best friend’s sister, doesn’t mean you can’t have feelings for her. Garrett knows how you care for her.”
“He does?” Joseph whispered in a shocked tone.
Michael laughed, causing the ladies to turn to stare at the two brothers still standing near the entryway.
They returned to their conversations as did his brother.
“Of course he does. Now the question is, when will you admit your feelings to Charlotte. She’s been in love with you for years, if you didn’t know that, too. ”
“I’ve wasted so many years…” His voice trailed off as he watched the lady of his musings, who was excited in telling his mother of all the renovations that had been made. Michael left Joseph and went to his mother’s side, taking over to wheel her from the room.
Joseph held his breath as they began making their way down a hallway toward an area he had specifically designed for his mother’s use. Charolotte opened the door as Michael pushed the wheelchair into a suite of rooms.
Charlotte waved her hand around a beautiful sitting room with wallpaper featuring tiny blue flowers. “Joseph made these room specifically for your use, Mrs. Morledge,” she began before his mother reached out to take hold of her arm.
“Charlotte, dear… I’ve known you since you were a little girl. I think you can call me by my given name,” Jennette said with a smile.
Charlotte appeared humbled, if her face mirrored whatever she was feeling.
“Jennette, then…” She began taking her through the rest of the rooms. Vanities had been lowered to meet the height requirements of Jennette’s wheelchair, along with all the other amenities she might have use for.
“Joseph was brilliant when he asked the builders to adjust everything so you wouldn’t have any issues reaching anything you might need.
He also had a ramp built going outside to the back garden, so you can have full range of its use. There’s even a paved pathway for you.”
Joseph stepped forward. “I wanted to ensure you never felt like your freedom was taken away, mother,” he said, as he waited for her reaction.
He wasn’t prepared for her to burst into tears.
Alarmed, he quickly lessened the distance between them and once more knelt down in front of her.
“Mother, I’m so sorry if you’re not happy with the place.
We can change anything you want or need. ”
Jennette shook her head and wiped away at the wetness of her cheeks. “These are happy tears, son. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
A huge sigh of relief filled Joseph’s heart.
He looked over his mother’s shoulder to see Charlotte beaming with pride.
There was so much he wanted to tell the lady but this moment belonged to the woman who gave him life.
He smiled and leaned forward to kiss his mother’s cheek. “Welcome home, mother.”