Chapter 10:
"Do we really have to wear this..."
"...We look stupid." Dafydd clipped his brothers around the ears.
"Anna picked some really nice clothes and you'll keep them clean... and don't tear them." The twins huffed. "Come on Lillabeth we cant be late for your first day." The young girl struggled to keep up holding her brothers hand. When they finally reached the school Dafydd realised that he didn't quite know what to do. Then a small woman with short brown hair approached them.
"You must be the Thomas' we have been expecting you. I'm Miss Bunting the teacher her." She pushed out her hand and Dafydd quickly shock it.
"This is Aaron and Jac and Lillabeth..."
"I'm afraid we need call her by her actual name so it will have to be Elizabeth."
"oh... okay... she may not realise at first everyone calls her Lillabeth." She smiled and looked to the girl half hiding behind her brother.
"That's fine we'll all get used to it... Well its time to go in." Dafydd knelt to check that his siblings were presentable.
"Be good and do what your told." He then pulled at brothers who tried to run off. "And no fighting!" He then kissed them on the cheek and they whipped it off while running to the door. "Keep an eye on them." Dafydd and Lillabeth smiled at one another and kissed her also. "Go on then. Be good." The girl then skipped of toward Miss Bunting who was stood at the door waiting for her. Dadydd then began his way back to the house.
"Ahh Dafydd its you." He turned to see Mrs Crawley.
"Mrs Crawley... are you walking to the house?"
"Yes, I have been summoned." The pair smiled. "I would walk with you if you wouldn't mind? If your going to the house that is?"
"Yes Mrs, I would be happy to." He smiled again.
"How are your brothers and sisters settling?"
"Okay I think... its only been a few days... Just dropped the twins and Lillabeth to school, the boys weren't too happy with his Lordship saying they had to go."
"They don't like school...?"
"No, no they've always gone, just daddy never made any of us go if we didn't want to."
"I wish I had a father like that." Their smiles returned.
"It was never difficult to get us to go, its boring when your friends are at school and your not. That's the trouble really they don't know anyone here."
"... So there is no incentive for them to go. Well all I can say is that they will hopefully make friends soon enough."
"... Hopefully Mrs, but it is never easy being the new ones around." The pair continued to speak until they reached the house where they parted as Dafydd headed to the servants entrance. As he arrived in the servants hall he found Anna and Wendy fussing over Wendy's apron. "What's wrong?"
"Oh nothing just a little food from Miss Sybbie. Take that off and put on your spare, I'll soak it for a while and get it out."
"Thank you Anna." Wendy's voice was quite and sweet.
"You want to head back to the nursery before Nanny Pope is looking for blood." Dafydd hadn't noticed Jimmy stood by the fire place but he did notice the exchange of smiles between Wendy and Jimmy. Wendy then scuttled from the room.
"Leave my sister alone." Jimmy looked to Dafydd and grinned then moved to walk out of the room. Dafydd stepped forward to stop him from leaving. "I mean it leave her alone." They began to stare each other down. Anna began to pull at Dafydd's shoulder.
"You two want to stop it before Mr Carson or Mrs Hughes see you." Dafydd paused and then stepped back. Jimmy barged past. "You shouldn't let him bother you." He smiled at the small woman.
"I better get on." His smile dimmed and he slowly walked past her. While working in his workshop on some new shelves for the kitchen he was interrupted but a tapping at the open door. As he turned Dafydd saw Lady Edith at the door. "My Lady.." Dafydd stumbled and fussed to where to put his tools.
"I'm sorry to bother you Dafydd."
"No, no my Lady, was there something I could help you with?"
"I haven't really been able talk to you since the children arrived."
"Is there something wrong my Lady?"
"... Tom mentioned you went to the Drewe's farm that day..." Dafydd shifted uncomfortably.
"... Yes my Lady."
"... He mentioned you saw Marigold again."
"... Yes my Lady..." Lady Edith looked to the floor. "... She is beautiful, such a sweet thing..." Her eyes were now filled with tears and fear. "...I'll never tell anyone my Lady, she deserves a good life... and so do you my Lady." Edith collapsed to the floor and began to sob. Dafydd quickly closed the door and dropped to the floor with her and placed his hands on her upper arms. "Its okay my Lady. I'll always help you when you ask." She looked up at him, her tear stained face was confused.
"Why?" Dafydd found it strange that she would ask this.
"My Lady I have been her for the shortest time and your family have already helped me in one of my families darkest time. You took in four children and even gave Wendy a job. You have given us a chance and I will repay all of you in what ever I can... You can trust me my Lady, I will never tell anyone." Edith dropped to Dafydd's chest and continued to sob.
"Thank you... Thank you." Dafydd stood and picked up a small decorated tin and returned to Lady Edith. He opened the tin and inside was a crisp white linen handkerchief inside.
"It was my grandmothers, Wendy gave it to me after she arrived."
"I can't take that from you Dafydd."
"I think you better or they may start to wonder what happed to you." Dafydd smiled and lifted the lid of the tin so Lady Edith could see her reflection.
"Oh, right... " She picked up the beautifully embroidered handkerchief and began dab clean her face. "Thank you Dafydd. I should go before I get you in trouble."
"Wait I should check if anyone is out there my Lady... the door is closed." He stood and slowly opened the door to peek in the corridor. He saw Daisy walking down the hall and waited until he knew the coast was clear. "Its safe now my Lady." She walked to the door and placed her hand on his back.
"Thank you." With that she left as quickly as she could.