Chapter 1 #5
“I thought as much.” He led her to a settee near the fireplace. “It was a great plan, though very dangerous. I hate to think what could have happened to you and Catherine if it had been the house of a lecherous person. Promise me you’ll not do something so foolhardy again.”
“Dear husband, I have no need to go on an adventure such as that again.”
A knock at the doorway to the study got their attention. The butler arrived with the day’s correspondence on a silver salver.
“Thank you.” Nate sorted through the letters and gave one to Eleanor. “It appears you have one from Catherine and I have one from Henry.”
She remained on the settee, reading her letter, whilst Nate sat behind his desk and read his from Henry. “Catherine asks if we want to spend Christmas with them. She wants to throw a little family party for my birthday, and we could stay through Christmastide, as we’re available.”
“Do you wish to spend your birthday at Northanger Abbey, my love?”
“It matters not where we spend the day, as long as we’re together.” Nate returned to her side, wiping a tear from her cheek. “It would be nice for the children to spend time with their cousins. They’re lucky to have each other.”
“Then we shall return to Northanger Abbey for your birthday and some of Christmastide. I do wish to be back before Twelfth Night, preferably before the new year. There are some things I need to attend to for the estate, and I don’t want to leave it for the steward.”
“Is something amiss?” Eleanor searched his eyes.
“No, my love. I prefer to have everything in order at the end of the year. It makes a sound estate which runs well-oiled.”
December, almost Christmastide
The children could hardly be contained as the town coach conveying Nate and Jerome approached the carriage drive in front of Marlington Manor. They ran out to greet them without their cloaks, despite the smattering of an early snow on the ground.
They had been excited for weeks, knowing they would be reunited for Christmastide and Jerome’s school break.
The upcoming trip to Northanger Abbey had furthered their enthusiasm, and they were planning games to play with their cousins and the fun to be had at the abbey.
They were looking forwards to exploring the boxwood hedgerow maze and spending hours navigating the labyrinth.
Jerome looked so much older now, a younger version of Nate, and gaining height in such a short time. A bit gangly, normal for his age, but a young man, and not her babe who had left several months ago. He kissed her on the cheek in greeting and allowed her to hug him tightly in return.
Nate had been right to insist it was time for him to attend Eton, but she missed the four children together. This Christmastide would be cherished with all of them at the abbey. It was not lost on her that her own mama had died when Eleanor was the same age as Jerome.
Eleanor would not succumb to melancholy on such a special day. She had the cook prepare some of Jerome’s favourites to welcome him home. They would have a sweet dessert to celebrate the birthday he had whilst at Eton shortly after he left home.
In the past week, they had Stir Up Day for the pudding, and St. Nicholas Day, when the first visitors started paying visits throughout the countryside.
Eleanor had small gifts prepared for any who came to call.
Eleanor also had the St. Stephen’s Day gifts ready for the servants, to be distributed by the butler, whilst they were gone.
In another week, they would be traveling to the abbey, but this time was for them as a family.
They planned to gather greenery so the servants could decorate the manor in holly and ivy on Christmas Eve since they would not be home, and the children would go out greet those Thomasing with Nate whilst delivering baskets for the families surrounding Marlington. A cheery time for all.
The trip to Northanger Abbey was much lighter than July; the sombreness was gone, and the mirth of the children was felt all around.
Nate insisted on riding alongside the town coach, and Jerome decided to accompany him on his own horse.
The resemblance between them was even more pronounced than a week ago.
Her little boy was as good as grown, though in her heart, he would always be a little cherub with a dark, curled forelock.
This Christmastide, Northanger Abbey would be Henry and Catherine’s house, and things might be different with them implementing their own customs and adding servants to address their family needs.
Many of the older servants had retired long ago, and with a new family to live in the great house, additional servants had been brought on.
Eleanor had no hesitation about visiting, but she knew it would never be the same as her childhood home. The accident had forever changed their family, great losses indeed, but they had overcome much and had risen above it all to find happiness again.
They were greeted at the porte-cochere by Henry and Catherine, and all five Tilney children came pouring out of the abbey as the Marlington family exited the town coach.
Their trunks were taken to their rooms, and Catherine explained that Nate and Eleanor would be staying in Mama’s apartment and that they had given one of their children the bedchamber Eleanor had used.
Eleanor knew there would be changes, and this hadn’t been her home since she had married Nate.
She assured Catherine all was well with their decision.
After spending some time conversing together in the drawing room, the men left for Henry’s study whilst the ladies remained to talk about the upcoming plans.
Catherine would not give details about the birthday party on the morrow; it was to be a surprise, but she and the children had gathered the greens to be hung on Christmas Eve, and both families would start planning activities for Christmastide after they had supped in the dinner parlour.
Eleanor had helped Catherine pack boxes for the servants for St. Stephen’s Day, her first as lady of the abbey. They also made baskets to give to neighbours, a welcome tradition of appreciation and goodwill to those in the community. She enjoyed seeing Catherine gain her confidence in her new role.
The family gathered in the drawing room to plan the hanging of holly and ivy and Scotch pine boughs on Christmas Eve, when it was allowed to have a festive look.
The children were dismissed to play games in their apartments, whilst Catherine and Eleanor exchanged books, and Henry and Nate went to the study.
“Have you settled into Northanger Abbey and made it your own these last months?” Eleanor asked Catherine as they settled in to read.
“It has been a significant change, but we have adjusted, and the children have loved the expanse of the park and gardens and labyrinth, and they’re not as much under the eye of those who would judge the children of a parson running around freely.”
“Has Henry accepted not having the living as his main vocation? He never speaks of it in his letters.” Eleanor turned a page in her book.
“He definitely misses it, but the bishop has allowed him to have services in the chapel for the servants, and it has helped him find his way, especially with the responsibility to the abbey with a lot to oversee.”
“I’m so glad you have found harmony in the new life you’re making here.” Eleanor turned another page. “I’m sure it’s nice to have more control over your own household, too, without the prying eyes of parishioners.”
“It has made life here so much easier. The servants are kind. I never thought being the lady of a larger estate could be freeing in comparison to the life of the wife of a parson.” Catherine put down her book to whisper, “I find I much prefer this country life.”
Eleanor awakened to find a tray with hot chocolate and breakfast toast on her bedside table.
“Good morning, my love. Happy Birthday!” Nate kissed her cheek.
“I thought you might enjoy a few moments alone before the children descend to give their birthday wishes. Then we can join the rest of the family in the breakfast parlour.”
Whilst the bedchamber had been part of her mother’s apartment, some details of the room had been changed, but it all looked lovely. Catherine had a wonderful eye for decorating. Her mama’s portrait had been returned to the room, now situated over the tall chest.
Mary, her lady’s maid, had laid out the rose-pink muslin gown for daytime, and Eleanor would later change into the claret silk taffeta for dinner and the party.
Henry and Nate had agreed that the ladies could shed the bombazine for Christmastide and beyond without shocking the bon ton and the excitement of adding colour to her daily wardrobe made everything brighter for the first time in a while.
The children came bounding in as she finished her chocolate and toast, surrounding her with love. Theirs was a happy family, full of joy and mirth, and Eleanor was elated to have been so blessed.
They made their way down to the breakfast parlour to join the Tilneys and start the day’s activities. A large breakfast was set out, and they all had their fill. Afterwards, they went to the drawing room, where the children recited some poems that they had written in her honour.
The children were left to go play until dinner, when the party would begin. Eleanor and Catherine walked through the hothouses to pick out flowers for the evening, and Nate and Henry joined them on the venture.
Whilst there was a chill in the air, it was still, and they donned cloaks and ventured outdoors to visit the general’s hedgerow labyrinth.
Meandering through the boxwoods, they could see Father’s vision and devotion.
In the middle, he had erected benches and another monument to her mama.
It appeared there was a flower garden, too, though no longer in bloom.