Authors: Suzette Stone
“She does look like a princess boys. A real princess! But more than that, she looks like her mother, doesn’t she, Tamzin?”
Tamzin looked up from the hem, pins clamped between her lips and nodded sadly, looking at the woman who was her youngest sister standing before her.
“She looks beautiful father, far prettier than Karenza or I looked in our wedding dresses.”
Jenna rolled her eyes. She felt embarrassed by the adulation of her family and turned her head to look through the small front window. The light was beginning to dim. Sundown! Anxiety began to flow through her body once more as she realized Trystan would now be in the presence of Lord Edwin. She hoped the vile savage would make no mention of her. The thought of having to face him tomorrow already filled her with an unsettling combination of anger and dread.
A knock came loudly on the front door. Jenna’s eyes widened, surely it couldn’t be Trystan back already? Her sister mumbled something about bad luck and stood to block Jenna from the visitor lest it should be Trystan. Even the overly talkative Tamzin was left speechless as Sir Jack Bartholomew strode confidently into the front room, a small bouquet of wild bluebells in his hands.
Trystan Trezies arrived early at the mine the next morning. His heart still raced from his meeting with Lord Edwin the previous evening. What confidence Lord Edwin instilled in him as he perched nervously on the edge of one of the worn green leather seats that adorned Lord Edwin’s study. Sitting there, he felt the eyes of centuries of Penrose's bearing down upon him—questioning, probing, inquiring Trystan’s performance as a tin mine foreman. Anxiously, he sat there as Lord Edwin said nothing, merely thumbing through a stack of papers as he sipped brandy from a chiseled crystal glass, not offering even a sip to Trystan. Not that he expected it. It was compliment enough to be invited to Lord Edwin’s home. Mine business normally took place at the mine. It left Trystan feeling very uncomfortable indeed. This was obviously a meeting of some importance and he had a nasty feeling he knew just what this meeting entailed.
How wrong he was! It seemed like an eternity before Lord Edwin spoke, his voice clipped, stern and to the point.
“Trystan, are you happy at Penrose mines?”
“Very, my Lord.”
“And you have no inclination to leave Cornwall for pastures green, America, for example?” Lord Edwin took another sip of brandy.
Ah, here it came. The lure of America. Trystan felt impressed at how quickly Lord Edwin arrived at the point of their meeting. Resentfully, he braced himself to answer. Before he could reply, Lord Edwin walked around and stood in front of him clutching a small piece of paper.
“I take it from your demeanor that America holds no lure for you. Perhaps you are wishing to follow in your brother’s footsteps and board a ship bound for Sydney?”
Trystan shifted uncomfortably and cleared his throat. “Actually, my Lord, we have received no news from my brother since leaving Plymouth Harbor some eighteen months ago.”
He took the piece of paper from Edwin’s hand and opened it. The words jumbled in a confusing blur.
With a smirk on his face, Lord Edwin took the letter. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you couldn’t read.”
Embarrassment burned his cheeks. He could barely sign his name, let alone read a letter. Lord Edwin perched his large behind on the edge of his desk, cleared his throat and began to read.
By the time Lord Edwin finished, Trystan sat frozen in shock. Him, a junior boss with a pay increase! He shook Lord Edwin’s hand, who sanctimoniously nodded with innate pleasure.
“Well, I hear you are soon to be a married man?” he remarked slyly. “And you will need more money to perhaps start a family soon?”
“Yes, my Lord.”
Lord Edwin shook his head. “It will be a shame for young Jenna to leave her duties as my wife’s personal servant. Lady Emmeline has grown very fond of her over the years. You know young man, fatherhood is not something you will wish to rush into, especially when faced with the burgeoning prospects your career at Penrose Mines holds for you. Besides which, you will miss Jenna’s wages should she be forced to stay home and take care of an infant. No, there is plenty time to start a family. You are still a young man barely out of your teens. You do not wish to be held down with hungry mouths to feed and a wife whose once girlish figure has been laid to waste!”
“Exactly, my Lord.” Trystan gushed in agreement. “And thank you. Thanks to you and to Lady Emmeline for all you have done for me and Jenna.”
“And thank you, Trystan. Your father was a well respected worker within my company and I have a feeling you are following in his footsteps, so thank you for wishing to stay here in Cornwall. America is not for everyone. I know you will make a much better wage and life for yourself here in your home county rather than in a foreign and dangerous land.”
* * * *
Sir Jack Bartholomew walked along the steep craggy crevice that led down from Sharptor. He arose long before dawn, unable to sleep. He thought a brisk walk might help him clear his mind of the beautiful Jenna Penworthy occupying his thoughts for the last few days. His walk took him past her cottage, past where he knew she would be sleeping—her innocence lost in a dream world—and up toward Sharptor. As he reached the summit of the granite littered hill, he sat and watched the sun rise over the moorland, deep in thought.
He had not meant to go to the Penworthy’s cottage that previous eve. Thoughts of the fragile servant lingered so fervently in his mind that he ventured out on the pretext of retrieving his coat and silver flask. He did not expect to see the young girl up from her bed, let alone dressed in a wedding gown. At the sight of her clothed in the ivory silk, her hair a cloak of raven satin draping over her shoulders, his heart stopped. So, she was betrothed? It seemed a tragic realization this girl who stole his thoughts was soon to marry another man. The thought of her in the arms of any man cut like a strange dagger through Jack’s heart.
Jack stood silently in the doorway of the small cottage, clutching the bouquet of bluebells he picked along the woodland pathway. In his nervousness, he was oblivious to the banter of the small boys who now ran around him, admiring his pocket watch, his walking cane and his fine leather riding boots. Fortunately, the plump woman at the servant’s feet immediately came to his rescue and, plumping up the cushion on the small threadbare chair, bade him to sit.
“I just happened to be passing by.” He avoided eye contact with the beautiful servant girl who looked at him with such longing his mouth went dry. “I thought I should stop by and see if you were better. You looked so ill last night. Lady Emmeline was most frightened.”
His gaze now met the piercing blue eyes of the wedding dress clad girl who nodded, biting her bottom lip. The sensual act made his loins ache with longing. Her gaze left his momentarily as she slid it over his arms, before lifting her gaze once more to meet his.
His lips parted as he noted her young breasts dropping and rising with each rasping breath she took. Her sensuality left him so overcome with passion he barely heard the plump woman as she giddily spoke, hardly stopping for air.
“…and then she managed some bread and milk and felt well enough for me to carry on with this dress of hers.” Tamzin seemed unaware Jack was not hearing a word she said. “Because the wedding is only a few weeks away now and the time will fly what with all the preparations I have to do. Here get your hands out of that pocket James,” she ordered her young son who sneakily retrieved Sir Jack’s tobacco holder from his pocket. “Can I get you a cup of tea, Sir Jack?”
“Oh, no. No thank you.” He felt flustered and got to his feet. “No, thank you. I just came by to check on Jenna. I am pleased to see she is well and back on her feet. I will let Lady Penrose know.” With that, he left, forgetting once again his jacket and silver flask, but not forgetting the image of Jenna.
The next morning he awoke with her on his mind. He was damned if he would let these emotions have total control over him. His return to Cornwall was to take care of business. Not to fall in love with a woman, let alone a mere servant girl, already betrothed. He resolved to banish any thoughts of her. He had much to accomplish in the short time left before he returned to America.
As Jack walked across the long gravel driveway approaching the manor house, he saw his cousin leaving the stables, busy buttoning his jacket and whistling. He was followed shortly by one of the chambermaids, retrieving pieces of straw from her blond hair. He eyed the couple. His blood froze. How foolish of him to not think of it beforehand! He knew well of his cousin’s propensity for the female sex, his wonton and unbridled lust easily aroused by common and grateful girls. Girls he could bully and manipulate. Girls who were unable to refuse him.
Immediately, his mind fell on Jenna. He felt nauseas at the thought of his cousin taking liberties with the innocent beauty. Perhaps he ought to take up his cousin’s offer of a raucous night in Plymouth. Alcohol would surely loosen Lord Edwin’s tongue. Jack would be sure to hear all the lecherous boastfulness of his cousin’s philandering and could deal with the consequences of which when and if they happened.
“Cousin!” He strode up to where Lord Edwin stood. “Busy morning?”
“Busy indeed.” A slow smirk crossed Edwin's face. Perhaps his cousin felt more like himself again, an accomplice in the transgressions of an upper class man. “You were up early this morning?”
“Yes. I am feeling much better after my voyage. This weekend of rest has done me good and I feel my spirits to be in much better health.”
Lord Edwin patted him on the back. “Excellent. We have much to discuss about your ventures in America and my role in the company over there.”
“Indeed we do,” Jack agreed. “I thought such conversation would be much suited to an evening visit in Plymouth perhaps?” He watched as Edwin’s cheeks glowed with excitement.
Licking his thin lips, he nodded. “That would be a wonderful start to your trip. I am sure Lady Emmeline will be able to spare my presence for one evening.”
Jack rolled his eyes, certain Lady Emmeline would be willing to spare his cousin’s presence on much more permanent basis as well.
* * * *
Lady Emmeline drew back from the window as Edwin approached the house. She saw him leaving the stable, sneaking a look around to make sure his actions went unnoticed. Foolish man! She peered through the lace curtains as he stood below. His chortling laughter filled her with repulsion. He was scheming something, no doubt about that. She could tell by the way his personality took on that of a sly fox, tirelessly bounding from one activity to the next, his mind ticking with some idea or other. Absentmindedly, she reached for the small portrait that lay on her dressing table.
"Oh William," she whispered, gazing as her brother’s face smiled handsomely back at her. "Life would have been so much easier were you still here." His face was one that never left her sight, even these seventeen years since tragedy had taken him away. "You should have been stronger," she chided to the portrait. "I should have been stronger," she added sadly.
She made her way down to the solarium. Once ensconced in one of the rattan chairs, she rang for her breakfast. She looked toward the door, wishing her personal servant to be well enough to return to work. The girl’s paleness frightened her so. She looked as though the blood had drained from her. Emmeline would never forgive herself if something happened to the girl under her watch. She made a promise she would look after the child. Just because the girl was entering womanhood and soon to be married didn't mean Emmeline would let that promise waver now.
Emmeline smiled as Jenna entered the room and set her breakfast on the small glass table. She noted with pleasure the color returning to Jenna's cheeks. Her eyes still retained a dark rim underneath, casting a frail shadow over the pretty features, but in general, she looked as though she were feeling much better.
“I am glad to see you back to work so soon.” Emmeline retrieved a piece of toast from the silver holder and spread it with jam. “You gave me quite a scare. I hope you are feeling a little better today?”
“Very much, my lady.” Jenna poured the tea through the strainer. “I am sorry to be such a burden to you and your guest.”
Emmeline shook her head kindly and took a small bite. The morning sun bounced off the outside pathway, shining brightly into the solarium, forming a cloak of gold around her personal servant who she eyed inquisitively. “I hope it wasn’t anything serious?”
“No, my lady. I think I may have eaten something disagreeable.”
“I hope you don’t mind my impertinence Jenna, but…is there any possibility you could be with child?”
“No, my lady.”
“I am sorry to ask, but faintness and sickness are one of the signs.” She smiled kindly, pleased Jenna would be starting off married life with her betrothed as a virgin.
‘
Tis how it should be when you are in love
. Wistfully, she gazed out toward her rose garden. She was always overcome with how much beauty lay in nature and how she could cultivate something so pleasing to the eye with her own hands. It seemed a shame she had been unable to cultivate a relationship with her own husband in the same way.
Rousing herself from her thoughts, she turned her attention to Jenna who stood waiting to be dismissed, holding Sir Jack’s coat and flask in her hands. “I will make sure Sir Jack receives his items. He has left with Lord Edwin for Launceston for the day.”
* * * *
As Jenna walked home, her mind wandered over the recent happenings at Penrose Manor. It took all her courage to return to work that day. She toyed with the idea of feigning sickness, but told herself Lord Edwin would have to kill her before she would ever succumb to his lewd advances. Never again would she be so foolish as to let her senses slip and find herself alone with the beast. As for Sir Jack, well, she hoped she wouldn’t have to see his face. She had seen it enough in her mind the previous evening as she lay in bed. He raised feelings in her which never before stirred. That alone was making her more nervous than being cornered by Lord Edwin again.
As she neared her cottage she saw Trystan seated alongside the moorland path waiting for her, an expression of excitement written across his face.
“I see you’re feeling better.” He rushed over and kissed her on the cheek.
“I told you it was just something I ate. Anyway, what are you doing here, hovering around waiting for me like a lost puppy? Don’t you have work to do?”