26. Chapter 26

Chapter 26

T he moment of tenderness Alicia had shared with Ernest was cut short. But she had had time to nod, knowing she wanted the same as he did – to share the love they had come to know for one another and do all they could to bring about the opening of the school and to help the poor. To marry was what both of them wanted, and Alicia’s heart was filled with joy at the prospect. But the cry of her friend had brought her back to her senses, and now she rushed to help Lily, as a panic ensued at the coming of the baby.

“Oh, Maximilian, it can’t happen now, can it?” Lily exclaimed, as Alicia rushed to her friend’s side.

“I don’t think you get a choice, Lily,” Alicia replied, as all eyes in the ballroom now turned to them.

Maximilian was dispatched to have a carriage brought to the front of the house, and with the help of the Duchess of Lancaster, and Anne, wife of Maximilian’s cousin, William, Lily was helped from the ballroom.

As she left, Alicia glanced back at Ernest, smiling at him, as he rolled his eyes and shook his head. Isobel was standing next to him, and she smiled at Alicia, the two women exchanging a glance of understanding. Together, they had saved Ernest from a terrible disaster, and now the two of them could look forward to a happy future together.

“It’s your fault, Alicia. When I saw him propose to you…but what’s changed?” Lily asked, as they helped her into the waiting carriage.

“I’ll explain it all later, Lily. Let’s get you home and summon the midwife to attend you,” Alicia said, smiling at Lily, who continued to refuse to believe the baby had arrived at such an inconvenient time.

“It can’t be here yet,” she kept saying, even as there was no doubt it was…

***

“ T wins, can you believe it? Well, I suppose it made choosing the names easier,” Lily said, glancing into the two cradles on the floor of the sitting room.

Granville and Rubiana – a healthy boy and a healthy girl – lay sleeping. The birth had passed without complications, though there had been immense surprise at the fact of a twin arrival. No one had suspected it, though Lily claimed she had dreamed only the other night of giving birth to twins, telling the doctor he should have known himself what was expected.

“They’re perfect, Lily – both of them. What a happy family you have now – You, Maximilian, Emily, Granville, and Rubiana,” she said.

Lily smiled.

“You do like the names, don’t you?” she asked, and Lily nodded.

The names were growing on her, and she was to be godmother to them both. Her own mother had expressed some reserve as to the choice, but both children were healthy and happy, and that was surely all that mattered.

“I do, yes – he looks a Granville, and she looks like a Rubiana,” Alicia said, even as she knew it was a ridiculous thing to say.

All babies looked the same, and anyone who thought differently was a fool. But there was no doubting her affection for the infants, both of whom she had immediately come to love as her own. It was a week since the ball at the home of the Viscount Pickering, and in that time, Alicia had heard nothing from Caroline – the viscount’s daughter seeming to have disappeared into thin air. No one had seen her, and it was rumored she had gone to Bath, leaving behind all her responsibilities, and declaring she wanted nothing further to do with the schools or the good works done in their name.

“I’m so glad you think so. They’re a delight, the two of them. They sleep so well. I’m so lucky,” Lily said, and Alicia smiled.

“You are lucky, yes,” she replied, and Lily smiled back at her.

“But so are you, Alicia. Isn’t it wonderful? You’re getting married… I couldn’t be happier for you. For both of you. When do you think you’ll have it all arranged?” she asked.

News of Alicia’s betrothal to Ernest had spread quickly, and whilst there had been some surprise in certain quarters – it having been thought the betrothal was to be announced between Caroline and Ernest, there was a general feeling amongst the ton of a successful match having been made. Alicia’s parents had given their permission without question, her mother telling her should not have been prouder to think of her daughter becoming a duchess, whilst Ernest’s parents had welcomed the engagement warmly, telling Alicia they were only too glad to think their son had found happiness with a woman so devoted to the same causes as he.

“Well…we spoke about it at dinner last night. I don’t think it’ll be long before it happens. I hope not, at least,” Alicia replied, for she was eager to find herself caught up in the same happiness she observed in her friend.

Alicia had often imagined herself in Lily’s shoes – married to a handsome man, with children, and a happy home in which to live. She knew she was privileged in so many ways and enjoyed a life unimaginable to most ordinary people. But without a soulmate to share it with, life could feel somewhat empty, and with the betrothal of Ernest and Caroline appearing imminent, Alicia had resigned herself to the life of a spinster – at least for now. She had not meant to fall in love with Ernest, and when she had done so, it had been with a heavy heart, fearing her love could never be reciprocated. But now, such fears were gone – she would marry Ernest in the coming weeks, and she could not have felt happier at the prospect of doing so.

“You need to set a date, Alicia. You can marry at Saint James’ – the estate church. You’re practically family. It’ll be wonderful. But we must do something about your dress. Let’s go to the modiste this moment,” Lily said, rising to her feet.

At that moment, Granville opened his eyes and began to cry. The door of the sitting room flew open, and the wet nurse hurried in, scooping the baby up in her arms, as Lily fussed over him.

“I’ll take him, my Lady, don’t you worry,” the wet nurse said, as Lily beckoned Alicia to follow her.

“You’re a dear, Martha. We won’t be long,” she said, as together, she and Alicia left the room.

Alicia smiled at the sight of Lily striding on ahead, unencumbered by the signs of pregnancy. She was a force to be reckoned with, and Alicia could be grateful to count her as her closest friend. But there was one thing about the whole business she had not revealed, and that was Ernest’s past – his gambling, and what it had done to destroy his previous courtship with Eleanor. There was no need for her to know. There was no need for anyone to know, and Ernest had promised her the days of his affliction were over.

“Miss Anderson, we need a wedding dress,” Lily exclaimed, as the modiste emerged from behind the counter to serve them.

“A wedding dress, my Lady?” the modiste asked, and Lily nodded.

“Yes, for Alicia – haven’t you heard about her betrothal?” Lily replied, and the modiste smiled.

“Yes, of course, Miss Saunders. It was somewhat unexpected, of course,” she said, and Alicia smiled.

“Well, I should think you were already making a wedding dress for Caroline Pickering, Miss Anderson,” she said, and the modiste’s blush was answer enough.

Alicia knew the modiste would have been commissioned long before the announcement, only for her sorrow to be made all the more complete by what had happened at the ball. But Alicia could not feel sorry for Caroline, even as her father was as much to blame for her misery as she – even more so, perhaps.

“Something in white – silk, lace, cotton, taffeta, chiffon, or crepe?” the modiste asked, pulling several samples from the shelves.

Alicia did not want anything gaudy or over the top. She had a plan for her wedding – one she knew her parents would not approve of. But she had discussed the matter with Ernest and they were both of the same agreement. It would not only be the great and good of society who were invited to the wedding, but the poor, and those in need, too. Alicia wanted all those they had tried to help to celebrate with them, and the blind children would be the guests of honor.

“Something simple, I think…” she said, but Lily groaned.

“I don’t think so. You only get married once, Alicia. I don’t understand the reticence in celebrating marriages. They’re far more important than most other celebrations, but we don’t give them their proper due. Try something on – then we’ll see,” she said, and Alicia had no choice but to do as she was told, watching as Miss Anderson pulled dresses from the racks, holding them up to her and tutting.

“No…not that one…and that won’t work, either. But this…yes, taffeta and chiffon, a lace trim – the shades are perfect, don’t you think so, Lady Oakley?” the modiste said, and Lily nodded.

This charade continued for some time, and a mound of dresses were now piled up on the counter, waiting for Alicia to try on. There was every shade of white imaginable, along with more risqué suggestions, in a variety of colors. Alicia was dispatched to the changing rooms, where she tried on several different dresses, emerging every time to exclamations of horror on the part of Lily, until the sixth one was met with approval.

“Oh, it’s perfect, don’t you think so, Miss Anderson?” Lily exclaimed, clapping her hands together in delight.

The dress she had chosen was made of chiffon, with a lace trim, and a sash across the middle. It was off white, but Alicia did like the color, even as she was unsure of the design. The modiste nodded approvingly.

“Yes…it’ll need some alterations, but it won’t be a problem, Miss Saunders,” she said.

Alicia was about to make excuses, knowing her mother would not care for the dress, even as she herself was not averse to it. But Lily interrupted her, telling the modiste it was perfect.

“We’ll take it,” she said, and Alicia smiled.

“Are you going to organize every aspect of this wedding?” she asked, as the two of them stepped out of the modiste into the warmth of the afternoon sun.

“Well…only what you don’t do yourself, Alicia. But isn’t it fun? You deserve your happiness, Alicia. You do so much for others. Let others do the same for you,” Lily said, slipping her arm into Alicia’s and smiling.

At that moment, Alicia noticed a carriage drawing up in the market square – it was Ernest, and as he climbed out of the compartment, he waved to them, before hurrying over.

“I’ve just been with Maximilian. We’ve been at the dower house. It’s looking absolutely splendid. I can’t wait to show you,” he said, smiling at Alicia, who blushed under his gaze.

“Why don’t you go now – we’re finished here, for now,” Lily said, raising her eyebrows.

Alicia had not yet seen the dower house. The Duke of Lancaster had given it over to the school, and instructed Maximilian to see to any alterations necessary. It was to be opened the following week, and Alicia was keen to see it.

“I’d like that,” she said, and Ernest offered her his arm.

“Then let’s go. I want to show you the progress. We can talk about the wedding, too,” he said, and climbing into the carriage, they waved goodbye to Lily, who was due to take tea with her mother-in-law that afternoon.

Since the departure of Caroline, Ernest had changed beyond recognition. He was no longer reticent in his feelings, no longer held back by the constraints he had been forced to live by. He was free, and there was a pervading sense of joy and expectation about him – the expectation of the happy life they would share, and all they would accomplish together.

“We’ve just been to choose a dress, I…” Alicia began, but Ernest stopped her.

“Isn’t it bad luck for me to know about the dress?” he said, and Alicia smiled.

“I think we’ve come far enough beyond bad luck, don’t you? Think what we’ve survived? No, I don’t think it matters if you know everything about the dress,” she said, and he laughed.

“Still…I’d like to keep it a secret, I think,” he said, and Alicia nodded.

“Very well. You’ll see it on the day of the wedding. I hope you’ll like it. Lily chose it really. But it’s nice. I haven’t told her about the plan – to have all the children there, and the poor from the soup kitchen,” she said.

Ernest smiled.

“Imagine the looks on their faces,” he said, and Alicia laughed.

The drive to the dower house took them across the Burnley Abbey estate, where the magnificent house, with its majestic sandstone facade, was picked out amongst tall trees, framed by the gentle slopes of the gardens surrounding it. It was a beautiful house, and it made Alicia wonder what life would be like for her, when eventually she inherited the title of Duchess of Crawshaw. Leamington Grange would be their home, and she would be equal to Lily, whose own destiny, in the fullness of time, was to be Duchess of Lancaster.

“Do you think about the future?” Alicia asked, and Ernest looked at her curiously.

“What about it?” he asked, and Alicia smiled.

“I don’t know…just about it…the things we’ll do, the places we’ll go,” she said, and he smiled back at her.

“Recently, I’ve tried not to think about the future. But since…well, you know… I have done. I think about you and I growing old together – but not before we’ve had…a dozen children,” he said, and Alicia laughed.

“A dozen? It’s been bad enough accompanying Lily through two expectancies, let alone a dozen. Oh, but I’ve thought the same – a happy family, all of us together. Won’t it be wonderful?” she exclaimed.

Before Caroline’s departure, Alicia had hardly dared imagine the possibility of her and Ernest being together, or of what it might have meant for her future. But there were no barriers now, nothing to hold them back. They could dream and hope to their hearts’ content, and those dreams and hopes would come true…

“I know it will,” he said, taking her hand in his and smiling.

They had reached the dower house now. It was built in the same sandstone as the abbey, though on a far smaller scale. It would make the perfect location for the school, and the Duke of Lancaster had instructed his builders to do everything necessary to make the house fit for its new purpose. They were hard at work now, and as Alicia and Ernest stepped down from the carriage, Maximilian emerged from the house.

“I thought I’d got rid of you for today,” he said, laughing, as he shook Ernest by the hand.

“I wanted to show Alicia the progress,” he said, and Maximilian smiled at Alicia, taking her hand in his and raising it to his lips.

“You escaped from Lily then, Alicia?” he asked, and Alicia laughed.

“Just now, yes – she was going to take tea with your mother at the abbey. Aren’t the twins doing so well? We were with them this morning. They’re both such delights,” Alicia said, and Maximilian smiled.

“They’re certainly a handful – and Emily, too. It won’t be long before they have their own stories to tell. We’re all growing up so fast, aren’t we? But come and look at the progress. You’ll be able to welcome the first children here soon enough. I forgot to ask you earlier, Ernest – what about the staff?” Maximilian said, as he led them into the hallway.

It was a beautiful house, grand, but on an intimate scale, though everything was currently covered in dustsheets, whilst laborers hurried back and forth, making the necessary improvements required to turn a house into a school. Doorways had been enlarged, several walls knocked through, and divisions made to create a dining room, chapel, and four classrooms.

“It’s all in hand, yes – some teachers from the school in Manchester are coming to help get things going, and I’ve employed a matron, too,” Ernest replied.

“Don’t forget the doctor,” Alicia said, peering through one of the doors into what was going to be a study for the headmaster or headmistress.

“Ah, yes, well…that was your idea, Alicia,” Ernest said, and Alicia nodded.

She had noticed many disturbing signs of ill-health amongst the poor – malnourishment, sickness, rotting teeth – and had suggested a doctor could be employed, attached to the school, but mandated to work amongst the poor and needy of the district. The Duke of Lancaster had agreed, and a doctor had been appointed, due to arrive in the coming weeks.

“Ah, yes, my father mentioned it. An excellent idea,” Maximilian said.

He now led them on a tour of the house, and Alicia could not help but feel proud at the sight of all they had achieved. The dower house would make a fitting school for the blind children, and it could be a beacon of hope for the poor and needy, too.

“Isn’t it wonderful?” she said, as she and Ernest left the dower house a short while later.

“It is, and it’s all thanks to you, Alicia,” he replied, even as Alicia shook her head.

“Not at all. It was your idea to establish a school here. But I was only too glad to help. We did it together,” she said, slipping her hand into his, as he leaned down and kissed her.