3. Chapter 3
CHAPTER 3
T he grand doors to Fairfax Hall swept open for them as they left the growing rainstorm behind and they stepped into an enormous foyer. Mrs. Montrose and Lord Fairfax walked ahead of them, chatting animatedly about the birthday celebrations, but Alice could not hear them, all her attention on their surroundings. The hall’s ceiling rose three stories above, painted with blue skies and fluffy white clouds, with cherubs resting in the corners. Marble columns flanked the edges of the space, adorned with carved vines that spiraled up like serpents. Alice let out a soft breath in awe, unable to hide her reaction.
“Do you like it?” Lady Fairfax asked, her gloved hand settling on the crook of Alice’s arm in a sisterly way. It startled Alice at first, unsure as she was about the woman’s quick geniality, but the lady seemed to do it out of kindness and warmth, so Alice did not let it bother her.
“That would understate it,” Alice said, shutting her mouth so she did not look like an absurd sort of gaping fish.
“I am still getting used to Fairfax Hall, and I have been married for over a decade,” Lady Fairfax said. “But I trust you will find it comfortable during your stay.”
Alice was certain that if the foyer looked like this, the rooms in which they would stay for the fortnight would be more than adequate. She had heard of such grand estates, read about them in novels and in the papers, but had never experienced one herself.
Deep within the house, the sound of ladies’ laughter and the echoing melody of a pianoforte floated in the air. It was, indeed, a party—and if what Lord Fairfax said was true, they should expect the manor to be full. She tried to imagine how many people it would take to fill Fairfax Hall and realized that this social event might be even more populated than she had expected.
Their footsteps echoed in the vast space, and Alice knew suddenly that Lady Fairfax must expect her to continue the polite conversation, but her mind was blank. She raced through her internal catalog of etiquette and responses, but the only ones that surfaced were how to engage with a gentleman, not a woman of such power and grace as Lady Fairfax.
Finally, Alice struck up the courage to speak, deciding that even though she might look like a na?ve fool, she could not help but admire the surrounding space.
“It is almost as though we have stepped into Eden itself,” she said, studying all the small verdant motifs—the little floral details that were meticulously crafted in every inch of the space.
“You have the dowager to thank for that,” Lady Fairfax said, looking around the room. “She cycled through several carvers before finding one skilled enough to sculpt a rose to her liking.”
“I must admit, the craftsmanship is remarkable,” Alice replied.
“Indeed. The fifth Earl—my husband’s grandfather—devoted himself to the gardens at Fairfax Hall, and passed that devotion on to his daughter, who, we say, brought the gardens inside. The Hall has always been a gathering place for all society, but with the dowager present, even more so.”
“It appears the dowager has quite the reputation,” Alice said.
“She, of course, remains the center of all our entertainments,” said Lady Fairfax, shifting slightly in Alice’s grasp, her tone becoming tighter. “Since she still maintains her residence here, you see, despite the perfectly lovely dower house across the lake.”
Alice nearly missed a step. She had not expected a lady of such standing to open up in such a way to a complete stranger, especially upon first meeting them. She tried not to show her shock as she nodded.
“That must make for … interesting arrangements,” Alice finally said.
“You needn’t be delicate, my dear,” Lady Fairfax replied, eyes sparkling with amusement. “Our acquaintances all wonder how I manage it. I must confess, when I first married Lord Fairfax, I was terrified of stepping on her toes, and I spent the first month asking permission for everything, including my own dinner arrangements.”
“And now?”
“Now we have an understanding of sorts. She rules her domain, I rule mine, and we meet in the middle for tea, or if life is more stressful, wine.” She paused for a moment. “The dowager is a very strong-willed woman. But she keeps herself occupied with various projects .” She glanced at Alice from the side of her eye. “Your mother, best of all, must understand that.”
Alice had no clue what she meant, her mind whirling through every possibility. It felt as though she was in the dark, that she had missed a crucial piece of information that everyone else was privy to. She managed a vague smile, hoping it looked as though she knew exactly what Lady Fairfax was talking about, but the lady seemed to pierce through her facade.
“I mean her Garden , of course,” Lady Fairfax clarified, as if those words would explain everything.
“Her … garden?” Alice asked. “Yes, silly me, it must be quite the feat, overseeing the estate’s grounds.”
Lady Fairfax let out a light chuckle, then cast a glance to where Mrs. Montrose was conversing with Lord Fairfax. A footman approached to take Alice’s travel coat, and for a moment she was grateful for the distraction.
“No, my dear. Not the garden of the outdoor type. It is the ladies’ club in which your mother is a member,” Lady Fairfax explained, her voice lowered. “Surely she’s told you something about it?”
“My mother mentioned nothing of the sort,” Alice said with a small frown. She had wondered just how her mother was acquainted with such a powerful woman. If she were honest, many parts of her mother’s life were like black pits to her, and she had always wondered why.
“Most of our guests are members, or wish to be.” Lady Fairfax’s attention shifted. “Ah, speaking of which, I must assist your mother. Come.”
They approached a massive gilded oval frame propped up in the center of the hall surrounded by elaborate floral arrangements. A black cloth stretched across the frame like canvas, and flowers bloomed from its center. While she initially thought the frame contained fresh flowers, closer inspection revealed exquisitely crafted fabric flowers of all types pinned to the surface. Blooms had been painstakingly crafted, each petal and leaf rendered in detail. Beside the display, a maid stood with her hands folded, awaiting them with a friendly smile. Her apron had embroidered flowers, matching the theme of the hall.
As they joined Mrs. Montrose and Lord Fairfax, Lady Fairfax motioned toward the frame gracefully.
“I see you wear an older Garden pin, Mrs. Montrose. Let us replace it with something newer, a gift from the dowager,” she said, her voice sounding more like a proper lady than ever. Gone was the sisterly figure who gossiped about her mother-in-law—replaced by a powerful countess. “Please reveal your flower’s name.”
Alice watched in growing fascination as her mother brushed her fingers against the golden pin she’d been fiddling with the entire trip. Mrs. Montrose cast a nervous glance toward Alice, swallowing hard. For a wild moment, Alice wondered if she had accidentally stumbled upon a mysterious society where she would be expected to perform some shadowy ritual or pagan sacrifice.
Finally, her mother let out a breath and spoke.
“Daylily,” Mrs. Montrose said, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Lady Daylily, welcome back to The Dowager’s Garden.” Lady Fairfax nodded to the maid, who selected a flower from the frame with practiced ease.
Alice stepped forward to get a closer look, caught by the artistry. The craftsmanship on the flower was extraordinary—each petal of the daylily was cut from a slip of golden silk that caught the light from the windows, its center covered in beads and French knots of amber thread. It seemed more alive than a natural flower.
The maid approached Mrs. Montrose with the flower pin, waiting patiently for her permission before affixing it beside Mrs. Montrose’s more generic golden one.
“Miss Howard here will show you to your rooms,” Lady Fairfax said. “There will be cards in the afternoon, and tonight the opening assembly should be quite the showing. However, I understand if you wish to sit it out after such a journey. Whichever you choose, we are eager to enjoy your company this week, Mrs. Montrose. Miss Montrose.”
“Thank you both,” Mrs. Montrose said as they exchanged polite dips and bows. Though they all acted with complete composure, Alice noticed her mother’s hands were trembling as they brushed against her new pin.
Alice glanced at the gilded frame, studying the flowers. It was now that she noticed large spaces left behind, no doubt from ladies who had already claimed their flowers like her mama. The sun caught the stitching on the petals, and in the distance she heard the tinkling of teacups and laughter. She vaguely wondered how many ladies of import were part of this so-called club.
She was torn from her reverie as Lord and Lady Fairfax turned to exit the hall. Miss Howard stepped forward and motioned them to follow, with Miss Eastridge tailing them.
They followed the maid up the staircase, each footfall a clatter against the marble. Alice stepped next to her mother, who seemed more distracted than usual, and leaned in to speak in hushed tones.
“Mama,” she whispered, “what was that all about?”
“Only a social club,” Mrs. Montrose said, her tone dismissive, but Alice did not heed the warning.
“How is one admitted into such a club?”
“Why, you are handpicked by the dowager.” Her mother’s chest puffed out a bit at that, revealing a hint of pride.
“And just how were you picked by the dowager?”
Mrs. Montrose stopped suddenly, whirling to face Alice with an expression she was not expecting. She was energized, full of life, looking years younger than she had been just moments ago. Mrs. Montrose touched the petals pinned to her breast, then let out a breath.
“I was chosen for being an exceptional young woman of marrying age. A flower in full bloom.” She reached across the space between them, taking Alice’s chin in her fingers and tipping her face to get a better look at her. “Just like you.”
Alice’s gaze fell to the daylily. It hit her that her mother might have had more than one reason for attending this social event. She was shocked she had not realized it before now. They were not only here to find Alice a suitable husband, but to initiate Alice into this ladies’ club.
This Dowager’s Garden.