Eight

Eveline

5 September 1815

“Banja, since Patrick doesn’t have tutoring today, I’d like to spend the day with him,” I announced.

“He tired, Mrs. Turner.”

“How can he be tired? He only woke up two hours ago.”

She motioned for me to vacate the nursery. “He not been feeling well.”

I ignored her attempt to get me to leave and stepped forward to touch his cheek, when Banja tugged him to the side of her.

“Banja.” I froze at her clear affront. I had reached my limit with her defiance, but I didn’t wish to quarrel in front of the boy. “I have been patient with this, but no longer. He needs to know who his mother is.”

“His mother Deshane, my sister.”

“Yes, but I have been asked to care for him in her place.”

“I,” she said, pointing to her chest. “His family.”

Patrick began to cry. She kneeled and pulled him in. “See what you do? You hurt him.”

I didn’t say another word and walked straightaway to April’s bedchamber and knocked. Fortunately, she resided within and answered, “Come in.”

My entire body felt agitated and anxious.

“What’s the matter?” April had been curled up in her window seat reading a book, but immediately set it aside and rushed toward me. I pressed my hand against my chest in an effort to calm my racing heart.

“Can you please come and spend a few minutes with Patrick while I speak to Banja?”

She threaded her arm through mine and smiled. “Of course, but what has happened?”

“Nothing, really. I only need to speak with her privately.”

“Certainly.”

I led us back out to the corridor and gained confidence through her gentle touch as we walked toward the nursery. Before we entered, April stopped me and asked, “Is this because of what she says about you to the staff?”

I blanched. I had been told nothing. “What does she say?”

“Well, I uh, overheard Daisy yesterday. I was trying to sneak a gingerbread cookie without being seen.”

“Daisy, the scullery maid? Who was she speaking to? What did you hear?”

“She told Cook that Banja complains often. That the nurse claims you could never be a good mother. That she should be Patrick’s mother.”

Though her words did not surprise me, they vexed me even more.

I took two slow breaths before I reached for the latch and opened the door, entering with April by my side “Banja, April is here to play with Patrick, I need you to accompany me to the study, please.”

“I—” she began to protest.

“Now, please.” I stood my ground.

I didn’t give her another chance to argue with me and stepped out of the room leaving the door ajar. My hands trembled lightly at my sides as I took the stairs down to the study. I hoped she would follow me but wasn’t entirely sure. I refused to allow such defiance any longer. Sir Colin left me in charge. He trusted me with his business and now with his son.

I stepped inside the study, still shaking, but swallowed deep breaths of air to fill my lungs and calm my nerves. After several seconds I wondered if she might openly refuse. I peeked outside the door as she stepped off the final step and walked toward me.

“Come inside, please.” I motioned her inside and offered her a seat.

Hoping to keep the conversation personal and non-threatening, I chose to sit in the chair beside her rather than behind the desk. If we were to make this work, I needed her to see me as a friend and not someone who tolerated being treated unfairly.

As she sat down, I noted how prickly she appeared, from her black hair pulled into a tight bun to her hard-set jaw and crossed arms. She displayed a surprising amount of arrogance for facing an employer.

I whispered a silent plea before I spoke, attempting to keep my words measured. “Banja, I know your heart is hurting for your sister. I also know you are not as happy here in England as you would be back home in the West Indies.”

She said nothing.

“But I must implement some changes, beginning today.”

Her eyes widened.

“All decisions regarding Patrick will be run through me first. Including his schedule.”

Her nose wrinkled as her mouth pressed into a rigid line.

“I wish to have breakfast with him every morning.”

Her frown deepened.

“And after his studies, I want playtime together with him in the afternoon.”

The woman’s eyes now darkened as if she conjured my destruction in her mind.

I lifted my chin a notch. “If you believe these terms are unsuitable, I would be happy to make arrangements for you to return home. I would cover the expenses of the ship fare and offer you a substantial allowance to tide you over until you find alternate employment.”

Now, when her eyes broadened, I saw fear flash through them.

“You could, of course, return to visit Patrick anytime you wish…” I pursed my lips momentarily before I followed up with the next sentence. “But I will not allow you to defy me or speak poorly of me to the other staff.” I clasped both my hands together in my lap. “Yes, I have never been a mother before, and you’re correct, I am not truly Patrick’s mother. But Sir Colin asked me to raise his son in England and, because of what he did for me and my family, I will see it through. One day, when Patrick becomes of age, he will step into his father’s shoes and lead as Sir Colin did, and I am determined to protect that legacy.”

She continued to watch me with curiosity.

“It will be substantially easier moving forward if you were willing to teach me how to be a better mother and help me share in this responsibility.”

Banja’s expression softened a bit, and I reprimanded myself for not having this conversation months ago.

“But let me be clear. If you fight me, or undermine me, I will proceed without you.”

She lowered her eyes as tears slid down her cheeks.

My heart caved. My threats had to be real, but I had no intention of hurting her. I leaned forward and placed my hand over hers. “Banja, you are Patrick’s only blood relation. I would very much prefer it if you stayed here, but it must be under my terms.”

I let go and stood up. “I will let you decide. You have until tomorrow to tell me your decision. I’m going to take Patrick out for a picnic lunch this afternoon. Take some time to yourself and think about what you would like to do.” I gestured for the door.

She stood without a word or an indication of her decision and left the room before I took my first full breath. I had only once before had to have a similar conversation with someone. Sir Colin’s former employee, Mr. Banks, received the shipments at the docks. Accusations reached my ears of him stealing a portion of the product before he distributed it to the various factories or linen drapers. Though I want to give him, like Banja, the benefit of doubt, there is always an element of truth to every rumor.

Thankfully, Banja’s offense was not as critical as Mr. Banks’. I did, however, offer him a similar second chance. An opportunity to rectify his wrongs before I acted. And, though he did not mock me as we met in person, he did heed little of my warning. When the next shipment arrived from the West Indies and Mr. Banks proceeded to steal, the officers from Covent Garden were lying in wait for him. He is now serving a two-year sentence at Newgate Prison.

Two hours later, Patrick and I walked out of the house with Ginger, a maid-of-all-work in tow, carrying the picnic basket with Cook’s delicacies. This being our first time alone, I didn’t want to go too far and settled on a proper patch of grass near the red rosebushes in the garden.

Ginger placed the blanket on the ground and began to set up the food as I pointed out all the beautiful colors blooming around us. This was the one place where my mother found immense joy and spent the greater part of her days. I should heed her example, for the fresh air and aromatic scents seemed to invigorate me.

Patrick remained quiet but I saw how his eyes lit up when he caught sight of a butterfly and then a honeybee. Peering back at me with his bright blue eyes, he tugged at my sleeve with one hand and pointed to the discoveries with the other. My spirit soared at this very simple exchange.

“The lunch is ready, ma’am,” Ginger called.

I reached for Patrick’s fingers and led him the short distance back to the blanket. She had arranged the food in such a lovely way that I refused to change a thing as we sat down to eat. The silence at lunch could have been disconcerting, but instead I found a peaceful calm within it. I introduced Patrick to a few of my favorite foods from my youth like burnt-cream custard and Cornish pastries, as well as a couple I knew his father loved like cheese and chutney sandwiches, scones with strawberry jam, and apple slices dipped in honey. Even in the short visits Colin and I had, I worked to learn as much about my husband as I could.

As we made our way back to the house, little Patrick held my hand, or more like my fingers, but the very act brought a warmth to my soul and a pleasant smile to my face.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Turner.” Lucas bowed upon approach before we reached the door. “And little Master Turner.”

“Well, hello Lucas.” I said and glanced around him to find he had come alone. “Where is Helena?”

“Resting.”

“What brings you to our home?”

“I have come to inquire as to why you sent a refusal to Hunter and Gwendolyn’s invitation?”

I bit my bottom lip. “One moment.” I crouched just a touch to Patrick’s height. “Patrick, love, go ahead and go with Ginger now, she will take you to the nursery.” I squeezed both his hands. “Thank you so much for having lunch with me.”

He smiled and I thought my heart might explode.

We watched him skip inside the house now holding Ginger’s hand and I marveled at how these simple gestures were transforming our relationship. I faced Lucas once more and motioned back toward the garden. I did not wish our conversation to be overheard.

The invitation was for a visit to Gottling Hall during the month of October, and I had not even mentioned it to anyone in the family yet.

“I am only now beginning to make a connection with Patrick, Luke. I can’t leave him now.”

He folded his arms over his chest. “You don’t have to, Evie. Bring him and his nurse.”

One of my eyebrows arched. “It’s a house party. Nobody wants to meddle with children.”

“Yes, it is called a house party, but it’s only Justin and friends. You remember my brother, Justin, right?”

“Certainly, I do.”

“Justin and his wife, Edith, are bringing their infant, Finley. His mate, Roland and his wife, Anna, have a boy close to Patrick’s age. I believe his name is Joseph. I’m sure Patrick would love to be around another boy his age.”

“Oh, I wasn’t aware there would be other children. Besides, my mother has already accepted an invitation for us to stay at her friend, Lady Wayland’s, home in Somerset.”

“Let her and April go to Somerset, but you should come with us, Evie. We’re all friends.”

“It’s only a small group?”

“Fourteen have accepted, there may be a few more within the next couple of weeks.”

I gnawed on my bottom lip. “You know I haven’t been around true society for a long time. After my first season, I avoided most events.”

He laughed. “Yes, I know.”

That first year, I attended a few soirees, but only went to one ball. Lucas and Zachary engaged all their friends to each dance with me once, but Zachary claimed the waltz. It was a dance I may never forget.

Luke took my hand and led me to a bench, gesturing for me to sit down. “You are entitled to happiness, my friend. You are a widow now. Money is not a concern, and you have complete control over who courts you. You might even find someone at the party.”

I gasped. “There are single gentlemen coming?”

“Uh, well, yes, a few of Jaxon’s family friends. They are coming to celebrate his return to England.”

My lips now formed an ‘o’ as I stood and paced in front of him. “And I presume Zachary is one of them?”

“Um,” he stuttered. “Y—yes, he should be there.”

“Then definitely no.”

“Evie…”

“Lucas…”

“Look.” He stood up and faced me, reaching for my hands again. “You know Zach, he can be a cad at times, but he has gone through a lot. He is hurting, Evie. He is trying to sort some things out.”

“ He is hurting, Luke? He ?”

“Yes, the war had a dreadful impact on us all.”

Then I realized how selfish it was of me to even presume he didn’t have deep scars from the war. Certainly, he did. They all did.

“I’m not equating it to your sorrow or struggles, Evie, they’re different, but you both have them.” His sigh resembled frustration. “I honestly don’t know what happened with the two of you, but I thought you had gotten past things and became friends.”

“I thought so, too,” I mumbled. “But then he hasn’t bothered to come see me once since he’s returned, even after he knew Sir Colin passed away.”

Lucas glanced down at his hands. “I told him to come.”

“You told him?” I retorted and couldn’t seem to move past the hurt that accompanied his statement. Zachary had to be told to come see me? “He couldn’t come to such a decision on his own?” I felt tears stinging behind my eyes. “Of course not,” I grumbled. “He’s too busy courting the remaining women of London. Same old Zach.”

“That’s unfair, Evie. He’s been caring for Jaxon.”

“I saw him, Luke, and unless Jaxon has lovely blonde hair, blue eyes, and donned a lavender-colored spencer, I stand by what I said.”

Lucas frowned then squeezed my hand. “Helena and Gwendolyn have asked me to plead for your attendance. They would love for you to come, and maybe Patrick would enjoy playing out in the country. Remember all the fun we had in the woods and at the pond?”

He had a point.

The smog and heat of the city made it so we couldn’t enjoy the outdoors as much and our picnics and games could be similar to the ones I enjoyed from my childhood.

“I will consider it, Luke, for you and Helena.”