Chapter 2
I Want To Go Home.
THE NEXT MORNING, JONATHANwas up, dressed, and ready to break his fast. He knocked on Stephen’s door. Stephen came to the chamber door bleary eyed. “Are you ready to break your fast?”
“Uh, give me about Wfteen minutes. I want to ensure little Stevie is up and ready to dress. Le shan’t be too long.”
Jonathan entered the main dining hall and ordered coffee. He had only taken one sip when he saw the two of them coming into the main room.
Pittle Stevie came down, holding -apa’s hand. She looked around the main room, where they would have breakfast. The room was alq most full of guests having their morning meal. Pittle Stevie tugged on her ear.
Jonathan knew it was a tell. He had learned the different tells from playing cards. She was uncertain about the room. He made a Duick scan of the area and noticed an open table in the corner by the front window. “Shall we move over there?” Jonathan suggested.
“That would be lovely, Jonathan.” She looked tired, but her smile took his breath away.
“…id you rest well, Pittle Stevie?” Jonathan asked. She wore the same fadedqout yellow dress. Stephen needed to purchase her new clothes.
“IxI did not sleep well. I think I would like to leave here and get to -apa’s.” She looked over at Stephen. “No more stops, please.”
Stephen gave her a discerning eye. “…id something frighten you last night?”
“I am accustomed to having the sea and the stars at my disposal. At school, Miss Ryall would go out with me, and we would look at the stars. It always made my troubles seem so much smaller. It was alwaysxsoothingx.”
“So, did something happen? -lease, e"plain.” Her father was genq tle with her. He put his hand on her arm as some kind of comfort.
“May we break our fast and be on our wayxplease, -apa?” Her voice broke. Something had happened.
“E"cuse me, I need to speak with the maid about my bedchamq ber.” Jonathan left the main room and went in search of the owner. He walked to the checkqin counter. It was the same man who led them to the private dining room. “E"cuse me, sir, are you the ownq er?”
“I am. How may I assist you, my lord?” He was heavyset, with brown hair and a friendly smile.
“I wish to inDuire as to an incident which took place last night.” Jonathan hoped the gentleman would know what he wanted.
“My lord, I would have awakened you and her father, but she pleaded with us not to tell.”
“Tell us what?” Jonathan’s ire was up.
“Evidently, she went outside and sat to look at the stars. Some of the local riffqraff were in the bar late last night. My son was working. He threw one of them out.' The owner appeared nervous as he ran his hand through his hair. 'I guess when he saw her sitting outside, he grabbed her from behind and pulled her down to the ground with him. He rolled them so he was on top of her.' Jonathan–s knuckles were white from the tightness of his Wsts. 'She tried to scream, but I reckon the fall must have knocked the breath out of her.' Jonathan would literally kill the bastard with his bare hands. 'My ostler saw what happened, ran over and hit the man on the back of his head with a board. He rolled the bastard off the little lady and helped her up. He put his arms around her to help her back into the inn.' More trauma for the innocent. Jonathan only wanted to shelter her and keep her near him always. 'She was weeping, so he called for my son. Lhen he found out what had happened, he was going to her room, but she stopped him, begging him not to say anything. She is a beautiful young lady. It was lucky the ostler was there. She is such a tiny thing. She would not have been able to Wght that trash off.” Too beautiful to have this barrage of evilqdoers and ne–er do wells that thrust themselves upon little Stevie since she was removed from her safe haven B the only place she had ever known as her home.
“Lhere is this wastrel?” Jonathan wanted a few minutes alone with the man.
“My son had the ostler fetch the magistrate. Cy the time they arrived, the ostler had e"plained everything. The magistrate has two young daughters. This did not sit well with him. So, the man will be out of our hair for Duite a long time.”
“Lhat is your ostler’s name? I would like to thank him.” And see if he could get a bit more information.
“Of course. Yhance O’ Mallory. He should be here now. He worked over last night.”
Jonathan went out into the stables and after running into several men working with their horses, he Wnally found his man. “Are you Mr. Yhance O’ Mallory?”
“I am, my lord. May I help you?” He was a thin fellow. Clonde hair and deep emerald eyes. He looked to be in his midqtwenties. He took his hat off as soon as Jonathan approached.
“jou are the young man who rescued the young lady last night?” Jonathan made sure his demeanor was pleasant so as not to inq timidate. Jonathan was tall and broadqshouldered, which could be intimidating for some.
“The young lady needed help, my lord. The man B he is a menace. Good riddance.”
“…id she say anything to you? Anything at all?”
“jes, my lord. She was weeping. She said she only wanted to look at the stars. Then she said she wished to go back home.” He dropped his head and Wdgeted with his cap. “She is axshe is a beautiful young lady. Things like that shouldn’t be happening to such a lovely lady.”
“I certainly thank you for what you did.” He reached into his waistcoat. “Here, I want you to have this.”
“No, no, my lord. Anyone would have done what I did.” He conq tinued to Wdget with his cap.
“No, I’m afraid you are incorrect.” He took out his card. “Take the money and the card. If you ever need anything, anything at all, do not hesitate to contact me. I will do whatever I can to repay your kindness.” He grabbed Yhance’s hand, put the money and card in it, then closed it tight. “Thank you again.” Jonathan stood looking at the young man for a moment. “This is ‘ust between the two of us.”
“jes, my lord.” Jonathan gave a nod and walked back toward the inn when the ostler called out to him. “My lord, you have made a mistake. jou have given me too much.” Yhance walked toward him. “My lord, this is too much.”
“She is worth that and much more. …o something smart with it.”
“IxI willxmy lord. I certainly will.” He walked backward as he thanked Jonathanxrepeatedly.
The dreadful incident from last night caused her despondenq cy. My heavens B what could have happened to her? It made him cringe. And she told Yhance she wanted to go home. She was not speaking of Stephen or a home she had never seen. She was referq ring to school and Miss Ryall. It had been her home for four and ten years. …uring her formative years.
Lhat zgood’ things have happened to her since she was zresq cued’? Someone kidnapped her, she saw a man get shot, she travq eled in a big coach with strangers, and she stayed in an inn with her father, who she loves but doesn’t know. Lhen she thought she would Wnally travel to -apa’s house, Stephen decided to stay at the inn another night. Understandable, as …esire was saved so needed another day in order for someone to tend to the horse–s in‘ury. Thankfully, Stephen understood little Stevie–s sudden attachment to the horse. Stevie went through the whole emotional trauma with …esire, which was likely the reason for her wanting to go outside and gaFe at the stars. And then she suffered an assault. No wonder she wants to go home. It was one traumatic incident after another.
“Lhere have you been? Le were going to wait for breakfast, but my stomach Wnally won out. And your coffee is cold.” Stephen was taking the last few bites of his meal.
“Are you not hungry this morning, little Stevie girl?” He had looked at her plate. It appeared all she had done was push the food around on her plate. “I don’t feel too hungry this morning.” She smiled up at Jonathan.
He wanted to pick her up, hold her, and tell her everything would be alright. Cut he could not. And he could never make promises he could never keep. He hoped everything would be alright from here on out, but there was no guarantee. He realiFed she was unprepared to deal with all this chaos.
Lhen the three entered the coach. “I think I will ride inside with you two, alright?” Jonathan gave a generous smile to little Stevie. She feigned a smile in response. “Le have ‘ust about seventy miles to go to reach Cuck Horn Oak. Le are leaving early, so if we only stop to change the horses, we could be there by nightfall, I should think.”
Jonathan wanted her to understand, they would not stay overnight anywhere else. Not unless Stephen wanted little Stevie riding back to Leymouth with the coachman.
“I think we should share silly stories. I have one from when we were out of Eton for the summer. Pord Martin, Pord !redrick, and I were at his house. It was nighttime and for some craFy reaq son, we decided to catch WreKies. Le were laughing and having a grand time when I realiFed Martin and !redrick had stopped and were laughing so hard. !redrick started rolling on the ground with laughter. I looked at them curiously, not privy to their laughter until Martin said, “Pook behind you;” Somehow, they snuck up behind me and dumped WreKies down my back. I was lighting up as if I was ablaFe.”
“It is funny the things children do when they are younger.” Stephen looked over at his daughter. She was looking at her hands she had folded in her lap. Stephen gave Jonathan a DuiFFical look. Jonathan mouthed back, “Pater.”
“Pittle Stevie, do you have any stories you could share with us?”
Jonathan coa"ed.
“LellxLe all loved the spring and summer. Le planted bulbs
every year, so our Kower garden grew with every spring. It was
beautiful.' !rom the far off look in her eyes and her soft, melliKuq
ous voice, Jonathan felt Stevie–s longing for those days. 'Le would
go down to the water’s edge and splash around. !ind interesting
underwater life. Le could take our shoes and socks off. No one
was around but us.' She giggled at the remembrance. 'Then at night, we could chase WreKies, but we never kept them. Miss Ryall taught us when they glowed, they were looking for their mate. Le never wanted to restrict the WreKy from Wnding his true love.' She stopped for a moment B cleared her throat, then went on. 'Someq times, we would lie in the grass, the wonderful smell of fresh green growth. Le would look at the stars. I could go anywhere I wanted by looking at the stars.” She realiFed she had shared more than she meant to. “Anyway, it was lovely in the spring and summer.” She
dropped her head down again.
“jours was a beautiful story. jou loved the school and Miss Ryall.
I am sure you miss her. Lhen we get to Cuck Horn Oak, would you
like to write to her?” Stephen put his arm around her and pulled her
closer to him.
-erhaps even invite her to come here? Lould you like that?”
Jonathan added. He could see she liked the idea. She raised her head
and had a genuine smile. He was happy to see it.
“Lhat an e"cellent idea, Jonathan. Lould you like that, Pittle
Stevie?” Her father asked.
“I would like that very much. I will write to her as soon as we get
to Cuck Horn Oak.” She looked up at Stephen. “Thank you so much,
-apa. jou are sure it would be acceptable? I would make sure we
would stay out of your way. She eats very little, and I don’t eat much
either, so it would not be e"pensive for her to come.”
Stephen had his arm around her and nudged her. “Lhen will you
B ouch;”
Jonathan kicked Stephen’s foot. “I’m so sorry. -ardon me.” He
gave Stephen an everqsoqsubtle shake of his head.
“No harm done.” Stephen glanced back down at little Stevie. “My
Pittle Stevie girl, when will B Ouch; Jonathan, you ‘ust kicked me
again;”
“I cannot imagine. -erhaps if we change the conversation, I mean
our positions, I shan’t kick you again. Yomprehend?”
“Ah, yes.” Stephen, at last, grasped Jonathan’s intent. “jes, I
should resituate my legs.”
It did not take as long to get to Stephen’s Cuck Horn Oak estate.
“…o you live here?” Pittle Stevie asked -apa as she was looking out
the window.
“No, this is not where we will live. I have a house in Town B Ponq
don. Town is where we will live. This is one of my country estates.”
As they rode up the lane, three people stood under the portico,
awaiting the duke and his newfound daughter. He had written to
them in advance of their coming.
“Are you ready to see the house and your very own room?”
Stephen was so animated. He appeared more e"cited than little
Stevie was.
“jes, -apa. I B I hope I do everything correctly.” She hesitated. He took her hand and walked with her to the front where the
butler, Mr. Andrews, the footmen, Anthony and -arker, and the
cook, !rancisco, were all standing. “I would like to introduce you
to my daughter, Pady Stevencia Clackwood.”
Upon seeing her B how beautiful and petite she was q protocol
went right out the window. “It’s a delight to Wnally meet you.” Mr.
Andrews maintained most of his professional behavior. The rest
swarmed around her. “Oh, you are so beautiful.” “Le have a bedq chamber ready ‘ust for you.” “I have a wide variety of biscuits and meat cakes waiting ‘ust for you.” “Le will help you with whatever
you need.”
“Now, everyone, give the young lady some room.” She looked hesitant. “Yome, I will introduce you.” Stephen introduced her to all. She said the sweetest things to the staff. They looked at each other and smiled.
“I shall get the luggage, your grace.” Anthony walked to the coach.
“I’m afraid there is not much there. jou all know Pord Herbert.
He will stay with us for a while as well.”
“Le have his bedchamber prepared as well.”
They went inside. -arker escorted Pady Stevencia to her bedq
chamber. He opened the door for her. She looked around the room
in awe. “This is my room?”
“jes, my lady. All yours B only yours. Le hope you like it. The
staff only had a week to prepare it, but from his grace’s description,
I think we picked out the right colors. Le hope you agree.”
-arker was probably a little older than Stevencia. He had the
characteristics most owners hope their footmen should have B
strength to do the heavy lifting, poise to serve around a table or
dining room, and looks. Ceing pleasant to look at is an advantage
since people see the footman often.
The walls were wide striped blue and light beige damask. The
counterpane was beige with blue trim. There was an escritoire with
Duells, foolscap, and standish. There was a Wreplace in the room
with white marble trim. Two overstuffed chairs sat in front of the Wreplace and a chaise lounge was under the window. The walls held portraits of young ladies B one reading a book, one writing at her desk, one playing the pianoforte, one walking through the garden.
They were all beautiful works of art.
“jour dressing chamber, water closet, and bathing room are this
way.” -arker opened the door and stood aside for her to enter. She
was dumbfounded. She touched the drying clothes, looked into the
shower bath, turned the water on, giggled, then turned it off. “-apa is truly rich?” She looked up at -arker, waiting for conWrq
mation.
“jes, my lady, he is very rich. If I may be so bold.” -arker’s face
turned red. She wondered if it was because he should not have told
her.
“He will never know you informed me. Le should be friends. I
don’t have any now.”
“jes, my lady. Lell, not in the sense we may spend time together,
but I would like you to know B if you ever need anything and are
hesitant to ask anyone else, I will always be here for you.” It was
the sweetest thing he could have told her.
“I understand, and thank you. I shall remember what you ‘ust
said B always.”
“Le apologiFe for not having hired a lady’s maid for you, but Mr.
Andrews felt you might wish to do the hiring yourself.” “Pady’s maid? Lhat for?” She was not sure what a lady’s maid
was or what she did.
“Lell, they help you dress and undress, do your hair, prepare
your bath, those sorts of things.”
“I know how to do all those things myself.” She looked around
the room again. “Must I have a lady’s maid?” She had been dressing
herself for as far back as she could remember. She bathed in the
ocean B e"cept, of course, in the winter. Then they had to boil
buckets and buckets of water.
“I will leave you, my lady. If you need anything at all, use the
bellpull and someone will come. I believe they are preparing for
dinner now. His grace will be e"pecting you.”
She stood in the middle of the room, watching him close the door
as if he were her last and only lifeline. Lhat was she to do in a house
this siFe?
A lady’s maid to help me dress? I own three dresses. All simple. And xH
my hair? fow dicxuvlt is a uhignon? I habe keen doing that cor years. I
don’t thinM I xt in here at all. ,ayhapP that is the reason Lapa neber uame
to get me. fe Mnew I did not xt in.
A little tear trickled down her face as someone knocked, then
opened the door a crack. “Jonathan;”
She ran to him and threw her arms around him. “Jonathan,
please take me back to the school. I don’t belong here. Jonathan, I
don’t Wt in. It makes no sense to me. Lhy do I need a maid? I dress
myself and W" my hair. And at Miss Ryall’s, I bathed in the sea. This
is the reason he never came to get me, is it not? It is true. He knew I
would not Wt in. He should have left me there.”
Jonathan stroked her back and rested his chin on the top of her
head. “No, little Stevie, that is not the reason. jour father wasxdeq
tained. He adores you. jou could eat off the Koor and he would
think you were precious. If you bathed once a year, he would Wnd you adorable. If you ran through the house spewing gibberish, he would love you. It was not your father’s fault he could not come for
you. Just believe me.”
“-arker told me they waited to hire a lady’s maid because they
thought I would want to hire one myself. Pook at this bedchamber.
This is the most elegant bedchamber I have ever dreamed of. Honq
estly, I was not aware a bedchamber such as this even e"isted. This
is too good for me.”
She cried into his topcoat. He kissed the top of her head. “…on’t
cry, my sweet. It will work out. jou must give it some time.” He
wanted to hold her like this forever.
“I know you have had to e"perience some strange and frightq
ening things since you left your school. Things few women e"peq
rience, but I promise you, the world you have e"perienced since
you left Miss Ryall’s is truly not such a world. Most men are not
like Thistlewood or the man from the inn. jou met some very Wne
gentlemen when we found you on the pier at Leymouth. …o you
remember them?”
She sniffed and wiped her nose on his topcoat. “I’m sorry. I did
not mean to...” She looked up at him with those sad, blue eyes and
he wanted to wrap her up in all the wonderful and happy things.
She was lonely. She lost the closest thing to a mother she ever had
in Miss Ryall and met this man who was supposed to be her father
she had never met before.
Never even received one letter from him in all her years of
writing. Ceing around wealth is something she had never e"periq
enced. This giant estate could have been a prison to her. Her little
ShangriqPa was a small secular school on the edge of the ocean. “It is Wne. Here.” He lifted one arm and wiped his nose on his
sleeve. “There, you see. It is only a topcoat.” His arm surrounded
her again, holding her close. “jou wash your face, come down to
dinner. I have a nice surprise for you if you want it.”
She sniffed and looked up at him. “A surprise? I have never had a
surprise. They are supposed to be good things, are they not?” “Oh, yes. They are supposed to be the best things.” He could
not resist kissing the top of her head once more. She smelled like
honeysuckle. “Now, would you like for me to wait and walk down
with you?”
“jes, Jonathan. I would like it very much. Thank you.” Jonathan thought it best to wait in the hall, ‘ust outside her door.
He whistled a tune to let her know he was still there as he began to
realiFe the full impact of all this on her. He could only imagine. The
ton would be difWcult, if not impossible, for her. The beau monde
was no place for kindness, innocence, and beauty. He knew she
needed more than her father and himself to help her ad‘ust. She
needed friends B old and new.
Her door opened. She peeked around to ensure Jonathan stood
there. “jou look lovely. I like you in that yellow dress. Makes your
eyes stand out.” He spoke the truth. Even if the dress had faded, she
would stand out among a ballroom Wlled with debutantes dressed
in the Wnest of ballgowns and her in her little, faded yellow dress. He took her hand and tucked it in the crook of his arm. “:nowing
your papa as I do, we should be prepared for a grand meal with a lot
of sweet treats for dessert. And I am hungry. Lhat say you, my little
Stevie?”
She looked at him with so much admiration. “I think maybe I
could eat something. Soup with bread and a biscuit for dessert
sounds grand.”
“Pittle Stevie, you may be surprised at the array of food items on
the table,” he said while gently stroking her little hand that poked
through the crook of his arm. He stroked her little hand poking
through the crook of his arm. His gentle attempt to prepare her. “So, -arker, Anthony, !rancisco, and Mr. Andrews shall ‘oin us?
That would be nice.”
“They all work for your papa. The staff never eat at the dining
tableV they have a table where the staff eats.” Too much new to
absorb.
“At school, Miss Ryall, the teachers, and the students all ate toq
gether. I thought it was nice.” He noticed she had slowed her steps.
“I am not very hungry. Yould you give me my surprise now?” She was overwhelmed. She had no grasp on the lifestyle, or the
asinine rules Pondon society lived with. “I think your papa would
be most disappointed if you failed to come and dine with him. I’m
sure he has planned a special meal for the occasion of your Wrst
ofWcial day with him in his home. jour home.”
“Cut this is not his home. -apa said his home is in Pondon town.”
She stopped on the stairs. Yonfused.
“jes, well B your papa has several places where he can stay, such
as this house. He resides in Town.”
“Lhy does he need more than one place to live? And is it Pondon
town, Pondon, or Town?”
He gave a soulful sigh. “The Clackwood holdings include inherq
ited properties that have been passed down to the male heirs for
generations.' He had failed to realiFe how little things like inherited
properties and titles for different thing could be so confusing. 'And
people from Pondon call it Town. So, it is Town or Pondon.” He
wanted so to reach for her and told her she did not need to do any
of this. He would take her somewhere they could live together, safe
from the outside. Cut he knew such could never be B that was a
fantasy. “Yome, your papa is going to come looking for you any
minute.”
“jes, alright.” He took her hand again. She looked up, trying a
smile. “I will try, Jonathan.” She had tears pooling in those aFure
eyes.
He could not tolerate this another second. “I know what we will
do B let me take you to the stables with Miles and I will return in a
matter of minutes. How would you like to visit the stables?” “I think it sounds better, Jonathan.” Lithout a word, he pulled
out his kerchief and dabbed her eyes.
“No more tears?” he nodded a type of silent encouragement. “I will try. I like being happy much better.”
He wanted to kiss her. Instead, he gave her a heartfelt chuckle.
“…on’t we all, Pittle Stevie.”
Jonathan walked her out to the stables and told Miles to show her the horses while he went inside for a few minutes. Lith that done, ne"t, he had to talk to Stephen. He walked into the drawing room to see Stephen, drink in hand, pacing.
He was wearing a Wneqlooking doubleqbreasted dinner top coat with a tan waistcoat and tan breeches. His ascot was a dark brown silk. As Jonathan walked into the room, Stephen halted and looked at him, then around him. “Lhere is my daughter, Jonathan? She has yet to come down.”
“Stephen, on my way down here, I stopped by little Stevie’s bedq chamber. She was crying, Stephen. Yrying; Her room is too big for her. She has no concept of a lady’s maid. She has three dresses, and she has been doing her hair since she was a little girl. Stevie bathed and swam in the ocean. Her dinners consisted of soup, bread, and maybe a biscuit. Stephen, she is not even close to being ready for this.” He Kung his arms out as he looked around the area.
“She does not understand why the servants are not having dinq ner with us. And I don’t think it would be wise to call them servants in front of her.”
Stephen ran his hand down his face. Shot his drink down and set the glass on the side table. “Then what the hell am I to do? I hoped by staying here it would be an easier transition. I was wrong.” He paced a minute while Jonathan observed. “I suppose you have a suggestion?”
“I have a suggestion. It might work. At least for now.” He looked at Stephen. “A picnic.”
“A what?” Stephen’s face scrunched.
“A picnic. Now B have Anthony and -arker bring a very few of the food items and put them either on an outdoor table or on a blanket. Later or wine. And maybe something along with biscuits for dessert.”
“Now, you say? !rancisco and the kitchen staff have prepared Duite an elaborate dinner to celebrate her arrival.”
“Either e"plain it to them honestly or you will have a daughter who will ask me once again to take her back to her school.”
“She asked you to do to take her back?” Stephen looked increduq lous. “Cut why?”
“I have been e"plaining it to you. She is twenty years old, Stephen. She has never heard of any of the things we take for grantq ed. jou must scale it way back if you wish to help her with this transition.”
“Lhere is she?”
“She is out in the stables with Miles. Horses are one thing I know she loves. Miles said something about the barn cat having a litter. It would be nice to give her one of the kittens. I told her I had a surprise for her before speaking with you, but she was so sad. Silent tears kept falling. I could not stop myself.”
“No. no. I understand. jou did the right thing. Everything you saidxisxthe right thing for her.” He picked up the decanter, poured a drink, and shot it down. “I guess I better get the “staff” to work on dinner outside.”
“Good. I think it would make her happy.”
“Thank you, Jonathan.” Stephen gave him a Duick smile, then a rather large e"hale. “I had better get to work.”
“I shall tell you one more disturbing piece of news.”
Stephen stopped and sat down. “Jesus, Jonathan. jou already have me worried sick.”
“The reason she was so despondent this morning, the reason I was gone from the breakfast table so long, was to Wnd out if something had happened last night. It had.' He took in a frustrated breath. 'I suppose after you fell asleep, little Stevie must have been uneasy. She went outside to look at the stars and was assaulted by some miscreant who had earlier been tossed out of the bar.' Stephen stood, His face Kushed in anger. Jonathan was not fairing much better at the retelling of this drama. 'The ostler saved her.' Stephen went to speak. Jonathan knew what he was going to say. He held his hand up to stop Stephen. 'I have already rewarded him. The owner’s son went for the magistrate. The wastrel will be in prison for a long while. Lhich does nothing to ease little Stevie. She cried and begged the ostler to take her home. jou know what she meant. She has been through too much in such a short time. jou cannot blame her for wanting to return to the peace and regimenq tation of her little school.” Jonathan began to pass in frustration.
“…amnit. Jonathan. She never said a word. I should beat the hell out of the owner for not telling me.”
“No, no. She cried and begged them not to tell. She was saved, and the oaf was taken away. They did right by her. If some little angel, sobbing, came up to you and begged for anything, what would you do?”
“I do not want to lose my daughter. I will do whatever it takes.”
“She gave you a sweet story of what she so loved about some of her favorite moments. Go from there.” Jonathan gave him a nod and walked back toward the stables. He looked to see Miles walking slowly, telling her about each horse.
She asked all manner of Duestions B intelligent Duestionsà their ageV how long had her papa owned themV how to tell the male from femaleV what each horse’s ‘ob wasV did they get to be outside their stalls during the dayV what they ateV how much water they neededV and on and on.
“Pittle Stevie? Are you en‘oying your tour?” As he walked to her and Miles.
“Jonathan, I wanted to know where …esire was, but Mr. Miles has never heard of her.”
He e"plained how they would transport …esire, and it seemed to calm her. “Lhat did you think of all the other horses?”
“Jonathan, they are all so beautiful and friendly. I love them. Maybe I could take them for walks?” Eyes Wnally bright again.
“Maybe. Now, Miles, where is the surprise I have to show little Stevie?”
Miles put the biggest of smiles on his face. “Right this way, lady Pittle Stevie.”
Cehind the stables was a hay barn. He opened the door for little Stevie and Jonathan to enter. “This way.”
Pittle Stevie was looking up at Jonathan, curious about this. “My surprise is in here?”
“jes, little Stevie. It is.” Jonathan reassured her.
“Le are almost there.” Miles turned to smile at her. “I hope you will like it.”
“I know I will.” She stood up on her toes B she sounded almost giddy. Jonathan hoped this surprise would help B a little.
As they neared an open stall in the back, they could hear several little meowing sounds. Jonathan and Miles both smiled at her, but she only reacted more curiously. John considered perhaps she had never seen an actual cat or kittens before.
“Miles, we need to take her inside for a closer look.” Miles nodq ded, then led them to the back corner of the stall.
“It is a cat;” she e"claimed. “And those are baby cats;” She giggled at the moment’s e"citement. Jonathan almost provided her with the name for baby cats. She seemed to sense his reaction. “No, don’t tell me.” She waved her hand away.
“They B :ittens;” She looked so proud. She kneeled and spoke softly and sweetly to the mama. “May I pet your children, Mrs. Yat? They are all beautiful, like their mama. jou must be so proud to have such beautiful children.”
Jonathan kneeled beside her. “Lould you like to have one of your very own?”
“Lould she be sad?” she asked in all seriousness.
“No. They go on their own after a while. Lould you like to have one?” He asked again.
He could see her observing them all. “I would take them all, but I can only have one?”
“I don’t think your papa would want more than one in the house. jou could still see the others.” He gave a slight nod and wanted to kiss her.
“See the littlest one, the burnt orange, tigerqstriped kitty? It keeps struggling to get closer to Mrs. Yat. The others are edging it out, Jonathan. It is all by itself. I want that one. How can you tell if it is a boy or a girl?”
Miles picked up the kitten and lifted its tail. “It is a boy.” He cradled as he moved his hands toward little Stevie. “Here, hold him for a minute.”
“I will take care of you. jou can be my new friend.” Jonathan stood. She never meant to say things to break your heart B she ‘ust did.
They heard a loud whistle. Then someone called out. “Time for dinner;” It was Stephen’s voice.
Pittle Stevie gave the kitten back to Mr. Miles, thanked him, then looked at Jonathan. “I will try, Jonathan.”
He took her hand. “jou might be surprised.” They came around to the side of the stables to see Stephen standing thereV his top coat and cravat gone. “Le will be dini B eating over here.” He led Jonathan and little Stevie to the portico, where a table was set up with sliced meats, different varieties of breads, some fruit, and many desserts. Stevie put her hands to her mouth as she let out a bit of a delighted scream.
“Yome, my darling girl. Shall we en‘oy your Wrst dinner surq rounded by the beauty of nature?”
“Oh, -apa. This is wonderful.” Stephen made sure everything they needed would be on the table so there would be no need for a footman. “This is a lot of food, -apa. Lill we be able to give our leftovers to Mr. !rancisco, Anthony, -arker, and Mr. Miles?”
“I will make sure of it. Now, I’m hungry. Shall we start?”
They sat down without servants, served themselves, poured waq ter, and thoroughly en‘oyed the e"perience. Stephen en‘oyed it so muchV he was determined to have outside dinners more often. “-erq haps tomorrow we might have our noonday meal out here with the leftovers. Lhat say you, my little Stevie?”
“I would love to, very much, -apa, if you would en‘oy it.” She studied -apa’s face to ensure his sincerity.
“I would highly en‘oy it, particularly with present company.” Stephen’s ‘aunty, lightqhearted demeanor did appear sincere.
They ate leisurely and talked of the loveliness of the countryside. Stephen asked her many Duestions about what she would like to do around the area. -lant Kowers? Go for walks? !eed the animals? Lhen there was a lull, she began to sing, Babendar’s Wlve.
“Babender’s klveP diddle diddle
Babender’s greenP
qhen I am YveenP diddle diddle
”ov shall ke Ming.S
She sang three verses and stopped. “jou sing so beautifully, but you stopped. There are many more verses.” Stephen encouraged her.
“I never knew there were more verses. Might you have them somewhere? I would love to learn them.” She seemed eager to learn more of the song. Stephen started to speak when Jonathan kicked him from under the table.
“Oh; Jonathan damnit. That hurt. Lhy must you B “
Jonathan cut him off. “I think what your -apa was going to say is he knows of no other verses. -erhaps he might Wnd them in Pondon. Yorrect, your grace?”
“I agree. !or fear of more shin bruises, that is e"actly what I was going to say.”
Pittle Stevie stood. “I best clear the table now while we still have a little light left.” She picked up bowls and dishes when Stephen started to speak. “My darling girl, you B Ouch; Again?” Stephen leaned down and began rubbing his shin.
“Pittle Stevie, your papa keeps hitting his leg on the table. He and I will help clear the table, correct, your grace?” Jonathan gave him another stern look.
“jes, yes, yes. E"actly what I was planning to say. Shall we?”
After they had all the dishes brought into the kitchen, to the surq prise of the staff, little Stevie thanked !rancisco and the rest of the kitchen, the three went into the library. Stephen poured two whiskies from his decanter and asked little Stevie if she would like an afterqdinner drink. She did not. She searched for a book to read. Jonathan watched as she searched for a book that caught her eye.
“I en‘oy a biography or autobiography.” Her Wnger ran across the spines of each book. Aware of Jonathan’s eyes on her, she turned to him with a book. “Tom Jones. I have never heard of him. …o you know of this book, Johnathan?”
Lhat the deuce; “No;” RealiFing his reaction. “Lhat I meant to say is the book is not for young ladies. I’m sure there is something more appropriate for you to read within this enormous library.”
Stevie wondered what kind of book would be considered so inq appropriate for a lady? She walked to the window. Ceing dark, she looked at the stars through the window, wishing she was lying outq side to better feel the closeness. She could see Jonathan’s reKection in the glass. He kept his eyes on her. She watched him walk toward her and even felt him coming near. He reached to touch her, but stopped himself. She wondered why.
“I have another surprise, or shall I call this an idea?” She turned to look at him and could see his eyes light up.
“Lhat is this surprise or idea, Jonathan? …o you wish to put your arms around me? It would be a wonderful new e"perience.”
“I must go collect something, but I shall return;” He announced, arm up and Wnger pointing to the ceiling. His eyes laughing.
She walked away from the window and waited. Lithin a few minutes, Jonathan returned with a blanket. “Lhat shall you be doing with the bed covering?” She had a fanciful idea, but surely, he would not be interested in star gaFing.
He cocked his head toward the front door, where they had eaten outside. “Le are going to go star gaFing;”
She knew that was what he wanted them to do. “-apa, will you come and look at the stars with us?”
“Not tonight, my darling girl. jou and Jonathan en‘oy yourselves. I will ‘oin you ne"t time, alright my sweet?”
“jes, -apa.” She had a second thought. “jou are sure it is alright for me to go?” She would not wish to do something he would disq approve of.
“jes, of course. jou need only tell me you wish it.” He had stopped reading long enough to answer her.
“Thank you, -apa.”
Jonathan walked in front of her, which gave her a chance to appreciate his wide shoulders. Of all the men she met at the dock in Leymouth, even in her distress, she had found him the kindest. It was a few days later she noticed how he moved B so graceful, yet not with the grace seen in ladies, but with masculinity.
Lhen he had put his arms around her in her new bedchamber, she could feel the strength in his arms and his broad and solid chest. She should not have cried, but she knew Jonathan would understand and protect her. It was as if she knew it instinctively. She knew he would make things betterxand he did.
They walked out past the portico. He shook out the bed covering, and it Koated into the grass. “Yome.” He held his hand out for her. She had noticed as he assisted her in and out of coaches how large his hands were B his Wngers long, gentle, yet strong.
She sat down and he sat down beside her. “I think you had been wanting to do this. Lhile a coaching inn in the middle of the night is not a safe place, you can always come out here and rela" or work things out in that head of yours or ‘ust count the stars. It always seems to ease one’s mind. …on’t you think?” He looked at her as her face was lifted toward the sky. He could not help but admire her B how lovely she was from every angle.
She did not answer. He seemed to know. He laid back. She turned to look down at him. “I can always Wnd the big and little dippers if I locate -olaris.” She continued to gaFe into the night sky.
“Ah, yes, the north star. -olaris. If you can Wnd -olaris, it is easier to Wnd others.” Jonathan put his hands behind his head and looked so content.
“Ursa Ma‘or and Ursa Minor. …on’t you think it odd to call those two constellations the big and little dippers when the word ursa means bear?” She gave a little zha,’ as she laid down ne"t to him.
“Honestly, I don’t see the bears B never could, but I suppose some Greek astronomer must have.” He pulled his right hand from beq hind his head and pointed. “That is Yassiopeia. A strangeqlooking L.” Jonathan kept his hand behind his head. His temptation to reach for her was too great.
“She was Andromeda’s mother. Yassiopeia, Andromeda’s mothq er, bragged so much about her and her daughter’s beauty that she was forced to spend half her time in the sky, clinging to her throne. Andromeda was supposed to be sent down into the sea to be eaten by Yetus, but -erseus saved her. Then they got married. Romantic, is it not?” She wondered if he thought so.
“It is interesting. jou know so much about the stars and their Greek origins. And, yes, I suppose it is a bit romantic B he saves the girl and then marries her.” He looked at her, thinking he had saved her. Yould he marry her?
“They must have certainly been in love, for they had seven sons and one daughter.” She wished he would hold on to her like he had in her huge bedchamber.
'Good heavens. They stayed busy.” Unaware their story included so many children. He chuckled.
Jonathan thought it pleasant to lie beneath the stars. The stars removed the sting from the problems and soothed the spirit. Only one thing would have made it better B to have little Stevie nude. His lips, his mouth on hers with such hunger. He felt an aching desire building inside him as he fondled her breast, wanting a response, which did not take long.
She moaned his name as she ran her Wngers through his hair, as dark as the night sky. His heart beat to a staccato rhythm, he could feel it in his ears. He let his tongue stroke her pretty pink nipple as his hand pinched and gently twisted the other. She arched her body to give him better access. He moved down her body, slowly, kissing and caressing as his hands and mouth arrived at the destination of his e"treme desire. Her legs were splayed for Jonathan to e"plore.
Stevie lurched as he ran his tongue along the seams of her beauq tiful cunny. He wrapped his lips around the core of her pleasure as he stroked his tongue back and forth across it. She came fast. Her body reacted to her orgasm. Jonathan slowly crawled up her body and ravished her mouth.
His tongue asked to gain entry B their tongues performed such an erotic dance he would come before he even gained entry. He reached down between them, placed his cock at her entrance and slowly moved it in, as he kissed her passionately, and whispered Wlthy things in her ear.
Jonathan’s fantasy Duickly ended as he felt little Stevie’s body roll over to him. She curled herself up with her head resting on his shoulder, her long hair splayed across his arm, and her knees drawn up against his hip.
He could sense her breast pressing against the side of his chest.
He longed for her.
He hoped she found contentment in her sleep. It had been a difWcult time for her since she left Miss Ryall’s. Now they were at Cuck Horn Oak.
He hoped she would gradually ad‘ust.
He had to continue to remind Stephen, and himself, she needed time. A lot of time. Jonathan got to his knees, wrapped the bed covering around her, and picked her up. She instinctively laid her head on his chest. He carried her into the house and peeked into the library, thinking he might Wnd Stephen. The footman -arker came around the corner to e"plain his grace had retired to his bedchamq ber.
Jonathan carried little Stevie up the stairs to her assigned bedq chamber. Having scanned the room, he walked through the dressq ing area to the lady’s maid’s sleeping room. A Duarter the siFe of her bedchamber. She would be happier in this space. Jonathan laid her down on the bed and kept her wrapped in the bedclothes from their star gaFing. He would do nothing about her attire.
He feared when she awoke, she would not know where she was, so he went back into her bedchamber, walked to the escritoire, pulled foolscap and writing utensil, and began a note.
Bittle –tebieP
–inue yov cell asleep vnder the starsP I krovght yov to yovr keduhamker J this room. It is a smaller uhamker neHt to yovrs. It shovld ke more to yovr liMing.
It will ke ovr seuret.
qe uan go cor a walM in the morning ic yov wish.
Tonathan
He placed the note on the small, round nightstand and looked down at her beautiful face. The moonlight shining through the window accentuated her delicate features and placed a soft, Keetq ing kiss on those luscious lips, and left.
Lalking together is what they did B every morning after they broke their fast. The Wrst week, they stayed on the lane and the gravel road that led them to Cuck Horn Oak. Pater, almost daily, they ventured off into the draught, burnt orange Welds or into wooded areas, in search of adventures. Once or twice a week, -apa would walk with them, but most of the time little Stevie was with Jonathan. :ind. Strong. Handsome. Londerful. Jonathan.
…esire had been delivered. Pittle Stevie wanted to make sure she was being well taken care of. Miles seemed to know what to do for …esire’s hoof to ensure healing. Pittle Stevie would go sit with her during the day and make sure -apa had plenty of apples to feed her for a daily treat. Miles informed little Stevie that her kitty was Wnally weaned. “…o you mean he can come and live with me?”
“It sure does, lady little Stevie. jou must know what to feed him. They are meat eaters. They need plenty of water and if he is going to stay indoors, he needs a special place to do his business.” Miles wanted her to be aware of the responsibility that came with owning a cat.
“I will do everything you have told me, Mr. Miles. I can bring him out to see his Mum, too. He would probably like to visit her.” She picked the tiger kitty up and hugged him to her chest. “Le are going to be best friends.”
“Lhat you gonna name him, Pady little Stevie?”
“I think I am going to name him Tommy, for Tom Thumb because he is so little.”
She talked sweetly to Tommy while they walked through the stables.
-apa was in the study, reviewing ledgers of some sort, when she entered with a handful of a tiny yellow tiger kitten. Stephen never had an afWnity for cats. He would take a dog any day, but he would let them hang him before he would tell his daughter. “Lhat have you got there, daughter of mine?” :nowing full well what she had in her arms.
“It’s my surprise present Jonathan got for me. He is so little, like me. It is the reason I picked him. And he is so cute. Pook at his handsome face.” She held Tommy out for -apa to see.
'Lell, he is a tiger kitty. ery handsome, indeed.” He could see her happiness. E"actly what he wanted for her. Happiness. Much more happiness. “Have you named the kitty?”
She brought Tommy back into her arms and hugged him to her chest. “I named him Tommy, for Tom Thumb, because he is little, like me.”
“Now you have two animals and one -apa to care for.” He turned in his chair. “Yome and sit on my lap. Tell me all your plans for Tommy and …esire.”
She walked to him and got on his lap, but needed a bit of help. “I have been going to visit …esire every day since she arrived. Thank you for ordering the apples for her. She thoroughly en‘oys them.” She smiled down at Tommy as her papa smiled B looking at her.
“I’m sorry. It must have been !rancisco who ordered them for …esire.” He brushed a tendril away from her face.
“Then I must thank him. …esire looks forward to them. She will sniff around on me until she Wnds where I have the apple. She is smart. Thank you for saving her life. She has many good years left.”
“And what of your plans for Tommy?” He had a little more conq cern for her kitten. He was not sure how one cared for an animal of the feline persuasion.
“I am going to take good care of him. He needs meat, so I will ask !rancisco to save scraps for him. I will make a little bed for him so he can stay in my bedchamber. I will work with him to go outside when he needs to use the necessary. Is that alright with you? jou approve of him, do you not?” She had a sudden look of concern. She had the most piercing eyes. “If you had rather not have Tommy B ”
“Of course, I approve. Lhatever makes you happy. All I ever want for you is to be happy. If Tommy makes you happy, you must keep him and care for him. I think it is wonderful.” He hoped the damn thing would take care not to tear up the furniture or piss as he marked his territory, but he would not utter a word of concern. She had been torn from her home of ten and four years. It had to be difWcult B strange.
“I’m going to take Tommy with me into the library to get a book, then I had better take him upstairs to my bedchamber. Tommy and I will discuss the house rules.” She gave a little giggle, kissed -apa on the cheek, and with his help, got down and walked toward the library.
Pittle Stevie had done nothing naughty in her life. Lell, nothing she could recall. Cut when Jonathan told her the book was not for young ladies, she had to see if it was a book that contained informaq tion on the se"ual proclivities of adults. She was at a loss as to how that worked. Miss Ryall never taught the girls about reproductive activities in adults.
She wanted to know. Lhat if Jonathan wanted to perform some such activity on her? Lould she not need to know what to do? …id she have a part to play or was the performance something strictly reserved for the man? Maybe the book would have some beneWcial information on the sub‘ect.
“I can read it to you, Tommy. jou would be interested, would you not?” She stroked his head, and he began to make a low humming sound. “Are you trying to tell me something?” She walked straight to where she found the book, pulled it off the shelf, and tucked it underneath Tommy.
…uring Stevie’s walks with Jonathan, she would tell him about …esire’s progress, and Tommy’s use of water and food bowls. She was learning to let Tommy out after meals to cut down on accidents in the house. So far, -apa had not been awareV not that she was aware of.
Jonathan listened attentivelyV asked Duestions and made comq ments where propos. She loved their walks and felt, from the way he was prompt each morning and reminded her every evening, Jonathan did, too.
If it rained, they opted for games of chess or whist. He won more games of chess, but she got better with every game. They would lie on the Koor in the library to play chess, but Jonathan insisted on playing whist at the table. Jonathan tried to compliment her on being such a Duick learner. She would beat him in no time, so Jonathan said, but she rather doubted it. Stevie only hoped she was at least getting better B at many things. She had so very much to learn.
At night, after she completed her ablution, she would get into bed with Tommy and Com Tones. Stevie considered the behavior of the townspeople to be salacious, but the information she was looking for contributed nothing. …isappointed, she returned the book and asked what she wanted to know. And who better to ask? The gentleman of her heart’s desire.