Chapter Six
Two days later, Justina rode to Crestbrook to visit with Lia. When she arrived, Prater told her that Lady Cressley was in the nursery.
“I will see myself up, Prater. Thank you.”
She climbed to the top floor, where the nursery and schoolroom were located, along with several bedchambers.
She glanced inside the schoolroom, seeing that Celia and Miss Wilson, her governess, were reading aloud, and decided not to interrupt them.
In the nursery, she found Lia sitting on the floor, stacking blocks with Edward and May.
“Justina, how good to see you,” her cousin said.
She joined the others on the floor and asked, “What are we building?”
“A bridge, Jussy,” Mary said, carefully setting one block on top of another.
Justina began adding to the bridge, Edward and Lia helping, and they used every block available.
“Do you have a horse to ride across the bridge?” she asked. “Or perhaps some of your soldiers could march across it, Edward.”
Lia shook her head. “We have not gotten that far yet.”
Before she could ask another question, Edward gleefully knocked down all the blocks. Mary joined in, both twins squealing as the bridge collapsed.
“That is the purpose of a bridge,” Lia said cheerfully. “To knock it down. At least in this nursery. Shall we build it again, children?”
The twins nodded and began stacking blocks once more. Justina glanced to the wet nurse, who had been feeding Damaris, and now had the babe resting against her shoulder, patting her back. A loud burp sounded, and Damaris giggled. The nursemaid set her on her feet, and Damaris toddled toward Justina.
She said what might have been Jussy, which the twins called her. Justina held out her arms, and Damaris came into them, allowing herself to be covered with kisses. She curled up in Justina’s lap, contented for the moment to watch her brother and sister at work on their bridge.
“Have you heard that Mr. Shaft has sold his shop?” she asked Lia.
“Rupert told me something about it, but he only knew where Mr. Shaft was headed. Do you know something of the new owner?”
“Tray and I had tea with him. He is called Mr. Rochester, and he is good friends with Lord Marbury.”
Lia pursed her lips in thought. “Marbury. Is that the Duke of Norville’s son? I heard he came home from the war a few months back.”
“Yes, he is.”
“We know very little of the Duke of Norville. He doesn’t seem to get out much.”
“His Grace also came to tea, along with Lady Elinor, his daughter. She is slightly younger than I am and plans to make her come-out next spring.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Their Graces used to be friends with my parents, but Her Grace passed away many years ago. It seems the duke became a bit of a recluse after that. But he seemed very nice, and his children were quite friendly. I hope to see more of Lady Elinor since we are close in age.”
Lia studied her a moment. “Would you consider making your own come-out since this new friend would be doing so? It helps to have someone you know go through the experience with you.”
Justina shrugged. “I still am not certain if that is the path in life I wish to take. It is only October, Lia. I have a few more months before I would have to make that decision.”
Her cousin reached and took Justina’s hand, squeezing it. “Whatever you decide, I do hope you and Tray will come to town this coming spring and stay for longer than you did this past year. Everyone missed you.”
“We missed being around the family,” she admitted. “I wasn’t ready to be around a boisterous group, however. I needed time to mourn Mama, and I did not want my sorrow to infringe on everyone else’s fun.”
“I can understand that. Aunt Agnes was the backbone of our extended family. Poor Mama was bereft without her closest friend to share things with.”
“Is Aunt Alice in good health?” she asked.
“Yes. All is well with Mama. I had a letter from her only yesterday.” Lia smiled.
“You will soon receive a letter with this news, but I will share it with you now. Eden is increasing again. Val is thrilled. They are hoping to give William a little sister next April, but Mama said they will also be happy if it is another boy.”
They talked about various family members, and then Lia said Damaris needed her morning nap, which she had already started as the girl sat in Justina’s arms. The nursemaid came and took the babe and placed her in her crib.
“Shall we get off the floor and go somewhere more comfortable?” Lia asked. “Mary, Edward, you may keep playing. Jussy and I are going to the drawing room.”
The twins were too absorbed in their bridge building—and destroying—to even say goodbye to them.
When they reached the drawing room, Justina paused before a landscape she had done of the lake at Windermere and another she had painted of Scafell Pike. As they settled themselves, she decided to mention what Mr. Rochester planned to do with her paintings.
“We lost the thread of our earlier conversation.”
Lia chuckled. “That is easy to do when the children are around. I always seem a bit scatterbrained after I leave the nursery.”
“I told you a Mr. Rochester bought Mr. Shaft’s shop. He will continue to sell the same type of goods Mr. Shaft did, but he is turning the upstairs rooms into a bookshop and lending library.”
“Oh, I like that idea,” Lia said. “Will he carry children’s books? They are so hard to come by.”
“I do not know. He is to go to town soon and buy a large amount of books, which will become the foundation of his bookshop and library. Perhaps you should mention children’s books to him.”
“You will probably be in Kidsgrove before I am. Why don’t you pass along the suggestion?”
“I will.” Justina hesitated. “Also, while Mr. Rochester and Lord Marbury are in town, they are going to take a few of my paintings to an art dealer. Mr. Rochester says I have a fine eye and am talented.”
“Of course, you are,” Lia said encouragingly. “We have been telling you that for years.”
“Yes. But you are my cousin. You are supposed to say nice things to me.”
“True, but all the cousins think you do remarkable work. I know all of us are proud to display your landscapes in our various homes. And Val and Con, in particular, do not suffer fools lightly. They would not fawn over your work as they do if they did not think it wonderful.”
“True,” she agreed. “But it was . . . refreshing, hearing Mr. Rochester, a stranger, compliment my efforts.”
“He must like your art quite a bit if he is willing to take it all the way to town and see if a dealer might be interested in purchasing it.”
“He is to first ask if they would display one or more of my paintings and possibly see if they wished to buy any of them—or even sell any of them. Oh, Lia, this is something I have dreamed about, but I have lacked in confidence. And even if I did think my work good enough to sell, I wouldn’t have had the faintest idea how to go about doing so. ”
“That was very kind of Mr. Rochester.” Lia looked contemplative.
“What?” she asked.
“What do you know of this man, Justina?”
“He mentioned having recently served in His Majesty’s army. And he was familiar with the places in my paintings. He said he grew up near Keswick.”
“Still, you are barely acquainted, and yet he offered to take your paintings with him to town. That is quite a bit of effort for someone you barely know.”
She felt a blush heat her cheeks.
“Do you like Mr. Rochester, Justina?”
“I find him interesting,” she said non-committedly. “And Tray and I are thrilled that he is bringing books to Kidsgrove. You know how we both enjoy reading.”
“I am in need of some new sewing notions. I could use a new pin and pin cushion. Would you be willing to go into Kidsgrove for me? You could have Mr. Rochester place the items on my account.”
“I would be happy to do so, Lia,” she said, eager to see Mr. Rochester again. “Shall I do so today?”
“If you would, that would be lovely.”
“I rode to Crestbrook instead of walking. I can ride from here into the village now. Shall I bring back some of Mrs. Little’s raisin scones when I bring your sewing notions? I know how you love them.”
Lia hugged her. “Have I told you that you are my favorite cousin?”
Justina laughed. “Aren’t you glad I still live nearby?” She rose. “I am off. I will pick up what you need and leave them with Prater.”
“Thank you for coming by, Justina. And for those raisin scones I see in my future.”
Laughing, she returned to the stables and claimed her horse.
The ride into Kidsgrove only took a few minutes, and she left Cleo tied to a rail in front of the bakery since that would be her last stop.
Justina walked the length of the only street to Mr. Rochester’s shop.
Much to her surprise, she found Mr. Shaft behind the counter, as usual.
“Lady Justina, how are you?” he asked, as she entered the shop.
“I am perplexed, Mr. Shaft. I thought you were gone up to Keswick to your brother’s farm.”
“Mr. Rochester told me of his upcoming trip to London. Naturally, it will take time for him to journey there and return, as well as the days it takes to purchase his books. I told him that I would look after the shop for him in his absence and then head to my brother’s.”
It struck her that Mr. Rochester must have already left for town. What confounded her was how low her spirits sank when she realized he was not here.
Then she heard someone coming down the stairs, and her heart sped up. He appeared, giving her a dazzling smile.
“Why, Lady Justina. I had no idea I would see you again so soon.”
“It is nice to see you, as well, Mr. Rochester. Are you off for town soon?”
“In the morning. His Grace is insisting that Lord Marbury and I take his coach. He says he has no plans to go anywhere, so he shouldn’t need it. It will help us travel faster, and it will also keep your paintings safe from harm. They will ride inside the carriage with us.”
“I cannot thank you enough for taking them with you.”
They gazed at one another until Mr. Shaft said, “Did you come in for something specific, my lady?”