Chapter 40
Georgina descended her front steps. Even though she intended to travel in the coach, she wore riding breeches, boots and her most comfortable travelling coat.
Her own dark blue post-chaise waited on the street, the coachman having already taken his position at the back of the carriage, while the groom held the reins of four restless horses.
Georgina had only packed one portmanteau, so once Buckby strapped this alongside the large strongbox affixed to the carriage, she climbed in. Buckby jumped up to his seat beside the driver, and the horses sprang forward.
The hours advanced, and they would have to make good speed to stand a chance of reaching Basingstoke before dark.
Georgina did not believe in tiring horses to the point of exhaustion, so she made provision for regular changes.
The first stop was accomplished in a matter of minutes, with the ostlers speedily swapping the horses, giving Georgina only enough time to swallow a restorative cup of tea and use the privy.
The journey felt interminable but was uneventful, without accident or hold-up.
Georgina passed much of the daylight flicking through her book, failing to absorb many of the words.
The roads were in a constant state of disrepair, and even though her post-chaise was sturdy, it bounced responsively over every bump in the road.
As the day ground on, she dozed, leaning uncomfortably against the frame of the carriage, and when she could not sleep, she stared out the window at the landscape.
She recognised the recklessness of her rushing to Elizabeth’s side in this manner, without invitation or notice. However, her need to apologise for her actions diminished all immediate qualms. Her conversation with the Dowager had only reinforced this desire.
They travelled primarily on the London Road; at the midway point, Georgina took herself into a rustic inn and requested a light luncheon. She had very little appetite but picked at the food as best she could, paying her hosts a generous number of coins and returning to the carriage.
As she entered the courtyard, a commotion near her carriage caught her attention.
“Da Missus invited me. Sure as day, she did! Gave me special dispenation!”
“I’ll have you turned off, you little scamp!” snarled Buckby, dragging Joshua out of the large box at the front of the carriage.
The boy’s face shone tomato-red and glistened with sweat after several hours’ confinement in his self-imposed quarters.
Buckby released him when he noticed Georgina step out of the inn. “I did not know the lad hid himself in the carriage, Miss Pace.”
“Evidently. Joshua, you are an abomination.”
“What’s a ‘bomnation’?”
Georgina ignored him and addressed the landlady. “Kindly fetch a ham sandwich and some water.” She turned to her indignant groom. “Now, Buckby. You have a choice to make. Do you wish to relinquish your seat on the back and travel with me in the carriage, or is that beneath your dignity?”
He scowled. “Can’t we leave him here? Or send him back to London?”
“As much as I do not relish what remains of the journey, I am afraid that is not an option. Joshua is a minor and under my protection. I cannot, as you suggest, leave him without a suitable adult guardian. Unless, of course, you are volunteering to escort him back home?” She lifted one brow.
This prospect secured Joshua’s fate. Within ten minutes, he had dispatched his tasty ham sandwich, a glass of water and some of the landlady’s fresh lemonade, relieved himself, and climbed up in the carriage beside Georgina.
Joshua sat on the edge of the seat as the team vaulted forth; his little nose pressed keenly against the window as his eyes tracked features off in the distance.
Having only known life in the big town, he asked Georgina many questions.
Why was there so much space? How did the farmers keep track of their stock?
What happened to poachers? Did she like hunting?
Why not? How much did one bleed if caught in a trap?
Georgina pined for the solitude of the initial stage of the journey.
She painstakingly addressed each of his queries to the best of her ability, one after the other.
On no less than three occasions, he made her swap seats to afford him a better view of a large windmill, a gaggle of geese that had assembled in the middle of the road in protest, and, most excitingly, an overturned gig.
“Thems below stairs say that you are an elbow-crooker.”
Georgina’s eyes widened at this candid announcement. “Do they? I daresay there is some truth about that.”
“Why?” His wide eyes blinked at her.
Georgina rubbed her earlobe. “Perhaps I enjoy a drink.”
“Some people do that when they be unhappy. What made you unhappy, Miss Pace?”
“Do you remember hearing about my brother, Henry? And what happened to him?”
“The banks of the Thames?” His eyes glittered with fascination.
She nodded. “That made me very unhappy, Joshua. Perhaps that is it.”
He played with the fringe on the curtain nearest to him. “Would Henry like you to be a sad elbow-crooker?”
Georgina blinked quickly, as his innocent question had struck a chord. She shook her head, not trusting her voice.
“I ’spect you want this back then?” From his little coat pocket, he retrieved a silver chain with Henry’s delicate fob watch dangling from it.
Georgina clasped her hand over her mouth involuntarily, her eyes brimming. “Joshua! How did you get it?”
He unclasped it and extended it to her. “That Bow Street guv’nor come by with it this very morning when you was out. Saw me in the hall, knew me from when we’s met before, he did. Told me to see Miss Pace got her property back. Very special.”
Gulping down a sob, Georgina’s hands were too shaky to successfully clasp it.
Joshua took it back and attached it. “You know, Miss Pace, you can’t change the past. Only the future.
Look at what you’ve done for me. Me whole life’s changed, thanks to you.
I’m thinking this watch here, coming back to you just now, is a little sign from Henry that it’s time to dust yourself off and move on. ”
Georgina wiped sudden tears from her eyes. “Lady Mortimer did well, helping me to find you, Joshua. Perhaps she knew you would make me feel better.”
“We helped each other, Miss Pace. And Lady Mortimer is a right good ’un. I’d guess she wants you to be happy too.”
She certainly was a good one.
The closer they got to Basingstoke, the more restless Georgina grew. There was the bothersome question of Mrs Gardner, who would stop at nothing to sour Elizabeth against her with her vitriolic nonsense. But more beyond anxiety, Georgina felt something else spark within her: a glimmer of hope.
Without the Dowager’s encouraging words, Georgina may have abandoned her pursuit of Elizabeth’s good graces.
Now she found a growing confidence within herself as she contemplated making amends.
In the depths of her heart, she realised she had fallen in love for the first time in her life.
She wished to embrace those feelings wholeheartedly.
Her body ached to tell Elizabeth, even if it meant confronting a rejection.
They traversed dense, forested areas where riotous, colourful wildflowers lined the roads.
The carriage trundled across rustic bridges over tumbling streams. They passed vast farmlands with cows, sheep and horses enjoying the lush green grass.
The pleasant weather lasted for most of the journey, save for the last few miles, when the clouds lowered across the already setting sun and pelted rain down on them.
The rain gave Joshua even more to talk about as he traced the droplets of water on the glass with his finger. He chuckled at his good fortune, in contrast to old Buckby, who would be mighty wet by now.
Georgina, hoping to preserve the life of her young charge and maintain the ongoing harmony of her household, suggested that Joshua may wish to refrain from teasing Mr Buckby, lest he find his ears boxed.
He gave her an impish grin and settled on the seat, peddling his feet backwards and forwards restlessly.
A reluctant smile twitched at the corners of Georgina’s lips and she glanced out her own window, determined to enjoy a few moments’ silence before their arrival.
Soon enough, the gates of Arlington Park, the country seat of the Countess Mortimer, emerged on the horizon before them. The knot in Georgina’s belly tightened, but Joshua’s presence forced her to maintain composure she did not otherwise feel. Georgina was grateful for the lad.
White pillars flanked the drive, and an imposing gate blocked their entrance.
A groundskeeper emerged from a nearby hut, clearly annoyed at having to leave his warm fireside for the rain.
The name of Lady Mortimer’s caller meant little to him, but he gestured for the coach to drive through anyway.
He closed the gate behind them, mumbling to himself.
An extensive driveway snaked its way through rows of beech trees, shielding the house from sight.
Manicured lawns stretched into the distance.
A lane branched off to one side, and through the trees, they could see the outline of a house.
Georgina suspected this might be the dower house where Elizabeth’s mother habitually lived.
The main house came into view, an impressive brown stone facade with white columns at the entrance.
Many tall windows reached high into the sky, with Grecian statues towering over them from the roof.
A small lake could be glimpsed a short way from the residence, and Georgina could see a discreet church steeple nestled beyond.
Elizabeth’s home was impressive, indeed.
Joshua licked his lips in appreciation. “Swell.”
The coach drew to a halt, and Buckby sprang down, opening the door to aid Georgina. He yelled at Joshua to remain in the carriage. The child grudgingly complied.
The rain had set in, and Georgina’s travelling hat and coat did little to protect her from the downpour. She hurried from the carriage and up the steps to the front door. The height of the house afforded her some shelter from the rain. She hammered loudly on the knocker.
A footman presently emerged, looking confused. “Good evening, madam. What can I do for you?”
“My name is Miss Georgina Pace. I have come from London. I am here to see Lady Mortimer.”
The footman regarded the chaise dubiously but decided to offer them shelter until Lady Mortimer provided him with further direction.
He instructed the coachman and groom to drive the carriage around to the rear of the residence, where they could dry themselves and request some refreshments from the kitchen.
Georgina thanked the footman and followed him inside, out of the punishing rain.
The magnificent entrance hall filled her with awe.
Immaculate, polished wooden floors stretched out in front of her.
The walls were a warm peach colour, and the high ceiling was painted with sweet-faced cherubs and adorned with gilt carvings.
On either side of the room, doors opened to additional parlours and a ballroom, and a wide staircase in the centre channelled towards the upper levels.
Georgina wondered how far the house extended out of sight. Joshua would certainly be impressed.
The footman led her to an intimate library, tastefully decorated with thick satin sofas and chairs, large Persian rugs and ornate tables.
Book-filled shelves lined the walls, together with several intimidating portraits and a gleaming Louis XVI mirror.
Georgina, damp from the rain, went over to the fire to warm herself.
She removed her greatcoat, hat and gloves, giving them to the footman.
He excused himself and said he would let Lady Mortimer know she had another visitor.
Another. Georgina’s stomach tightened. Mrs Gardner and her unpredictable tongue had arrived first.