These next few chapters have been re written and changed three times. As always as in real life the lives of the characters twist and turn. Mary and Anna interaction in this one. Lots of Edith coming up in the next few chapters. Mary is a bit harder to work in but she will be there. Rose is on the tear as Robert struggles with changing times. I'm working 5 chapters ahead at this point. Just remember I made this all up.
Chapter 10
"You are doing well at shooting," Rose commented to Tom the next day while they were waiting for the beaters to flush the pheasants on the second drive. "Did you shoot much in Ireland?"
"When I lived in the city no," Tom replied. "I did a bit of shooting at my grandfathers when I was younger. There it was more about putting food on the table than sport." He lifted the shotgun and neatly brought down a bird.
"Do you enjoy it?"
"Not particularly, but it puts food on the table to feed this lot and all their valets and maids and such," Tom replied absently while reloading.
"You don't enjoy the house parties then?"
"Parts I do, parts I don't. How about yourself? Do you enjoy walking behind and all the rest? It seems rather tame for your tastes."
"I do find the walking behind rather boring," Rose admitted. "I've read in circulars about women shooting in Australia and there are women's gun clubs in America. I've only heard of a few women in England that shoot."
Tom stopped walking and turned to her while they waited for the whistle to advance.
"I'm sorry about sticking my foot in things last night at dinner. Do you think the windbag will spread it around that we're a couple? I didn't mean it to come out sounding like we are."
"It doesn't matter if he does, people changes allegiances all the time," Rose replied with a shrug. "I'm only glad I don't have to walk behind him and half the other men here. They're duller than sand."
"If you find it so dull why don't you learn to shoot if other women are doing it?"
"I'm too kind hearted," Rose replied with a smile. "I like my food on a tray where I don't have to think about where it came from."
"Fair enough," Tom replied. They walked forward to the next peg when the whistle blew.
"What parts of living here do you like?" Rose asked.
"Tea in the library with the family, always having a meal on the table I didn't have to prepare myself and having the family close for Sybie. She'll never go without."
"That is not a very long list," Rose replied. "What is it you don't like?"
"Do you really want to hear this?" Tom asked. He shot another two birds then began to reload.
"I do. I've always been curious," Rose replied.
"Very well. I don't like having a butler or footman peering over my shoulder while I'm eating," Tom said.
"And? There must be more."
"The constant entertaining without a thought to how it is all to be paid for and the discourteous attitudes towards the staff. There's more but I don't want to offend anyone."
"How is the staff treated in a discourteous manner?" Rose inquired.
Tom turned and looked at her levelly.
"Does anyone care if the chauffeur sits in a freezing cold or blistering hot car to wait for them? What about keeping the ladies maids and valets up to all hours when you go out or have a party? Do any of you lot realize they get up at dawn to help with breakfast? And to top it off why does anyone need a valet? Can't they put their drawers on themselves?"
Rose couldn't help but laugh at Tom's tirade.
"How long have you been holding that in?" she asked with a smile.
"Years," he said with an answering grin. "I'm surprised I didn't shock you."
"I don't have a maid and I would like to learn how to drive myself," Rose replied. "It may surprise you to know my allowance isn't what it once was. I have to do a great deal more thinking about where my funds are going in the New Year. I would bet there is more you aren't saying."
"You would win that bet and no I'm not saying," Tom replied. He had missed the last volley completely when they got caught up in their conversation.
"So what is it you don't like about being a lady and living in a grand house?" he asked with a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Don't even try to lie to me and say nothing."
"You are getting to know me well," Rose said with an answering smile. "Let's see, I don't like never being asked for my opinion."
"No," Tom teased. Rose swatted him with a gloved hand, which made him laugh.
"I don't like how I can't be friends with who ever I choose. Someone always has to approve of everyone I spend time with."
"They're trying to protect you."
"It feels like they are trying to annoy me," Rose replied. "I'm not supposed to cook, handle money or even think for myself. I would like to know how to make a cup of tea or a slice of toast. Do you know my mother wouldn't even allow me to select my own unmentionables? She had her ladies maid do it." She said the last bit with annoyance and stamped her foot slightly.
Tom couldn't help but snicker.
"It would be funny if it wasn't true," Rose said. She got a slight smile on her face when she realized she had just told a man her mother's maid had selected her under drawers.
"So you're chaffing at the bit?"
"Just a bit."
"What are you going to do with yourself with less funds? I imagine you won't be gadding off to London at the drop of a hat."
"I have a few ideas," Rose replied. "My brother had quite a bit to say on the topic."
"Something to shock the world?"
"Perhaps enough to shock Cousin Robert. He is entirely too old fashioned," Rose replied. "Are you going to tattle on me for saying that?"
"Are you going to tattle on me for saying what I think of valets?"
"Look it's time for the break. We've spent the entire time talking?"
"Was it too boring?"
"Not once we forgot about the shooting," Rose replied with a smile as they began walking towards the rest area. "We'll have to talk again after the break."
"I really should shoot a few birds, the house needs all it can get. Any extra will go to the hospital."
"There are only twelve guests," Rose replied in surprise.
"Twenty if you count their maids and valets," Tom replied. "That's twenty mouths to feed and twenty rooms to heat. The house isn't a bottomless pit of funds some think it is."
"You're sounding rebellious," Rose teased him.
"I'm sounding realistic and if we don't stop talking we're going to hear about it," Tom said as they approached the larger group. "We're both too modern and realistic for this lot."
"Yes, we are," Rose replied thoughtfully but Tom had already gone to drop off his gun and there were a group of ladies waiting for her.
-0-
"You haven't been traveling much," Mary commented to Rose near the end of February. "I would have thought you would be off to one house party or another."
"I've had a change in priorities," Rose said distractedly. She was busy looking through the morning papers while Cora and Mary worked on correspondence in the drawing room.
"You're acting very out of character, Rose," Cora commented. "You're usually off to one party or another.
"I haven't had any invitations that interest me this last while," Rose commented. "When are you leaving for London Mary?"
"Friday. Charles has asked me for some formal function to do with his work. I'll take extra time and meet with our business manager while I'm there and do some shopping," Mary replied. "Mama is right, you are acting out of sorts."
"I'm not out of sorts," Rose replied putting her paper to her side. "I'm living within my means."
"Which means?" Cora asked.
"I'm reevaluating my position," Rose replied. "I was thinking of going into Ripon tomorrow. Is anyone taking the car?"
"Robert will have it all day," Cora said. "You'll have to ask Tom or Edith if they are going."
"Perhaps I should get my own driver permit," Rose commented. "It would be more convenient."
"Rose," Cora admonished. "Haven't you pushed enough boundaries this last while?"
"Edith drives and no one thinks anything about it," Rose replied calmly. "Didn't Tom teach her to drive?"
"Marginally," Mary replied. "Hopefully you'll have better results."
"I'll ask Cousin Robert and Tom over luncheon," Rose replied. "I'm going to go up and see what is happening in the nursery." She folded the papers and left the drawing room.
"What do you think she is up to?" Cora questioned.
"Reevaluating apparently," Mary replied with a shake of her head. "Goodness knows what she'll come up with next."
"She is rather like an earthquake always shaking things up," Cora said with a slight snicker before she went back to her letters.
-0-
Robert was reading his paper over breakfast the next morning. He was feeling somewhat reassured that none of the young women of the house had gotten up to anything he would consider untoward over the last few weeks. Other than Rose inquiring if the chauffeur or perhaps Tom could give her a few driving lessons there was nothing out of the ordinary. Edith was busy with some article she was writing and Tom had business to attend to on behalf of the estate. Life seemed for the most part to be going along as planned.
"I was wondering," Rose suddenly said. "If any of you knew much about the local fire brigade?"
"You're not planning to join," Robert questioned. He folded his paper down and looked directly at Rose.
"Cousin Robert. Why would I do something like that? I was only inquiring," Rose said. "I read in the paper there are a number of local business on the surrounding estates asking the county for improvements to the different fire brigades. Their insurance premiums in some cases are very high because they have inadequate brigades."
"This isn't one of your political tirades is it?" Robert questioned. He had a pang of dread in the pit of his stomach.
"I was only wondering if any of you knew anything about it?"
"It is rather a local joke that it is a good thing the majority of the houses in this area are made of stone. The local brigade members are all so old, poorly trained and equipped it would be a miracle if they could put out even a small blaze," Edith replied. "We have adequate equipment here at the house. There is nothing to worry about."
"Why doesn't the estate have a better brigade?" Rose questioned.
"It comes under county jurisdiction not under the estate. I must admit I would like a better brigade. It would lower our insurance premiums as well," Tom replied. He was busy cutting up a sausage on his plate. He was in a bit of a rush to make it to an appointment.
"I wonder why the county is stalling on creating a better brigade system," Rose commented thoughtfully.
"From what I understand they've committed tax funds to some road improvement project. There is some talk of someone feathering their own nest but no one can prove anything," Tom commented. He drank his tea quickly. "I have to get going. Did you still want a ride into town?"
"What are you going to do in Ripon, Rose?" Edith questioned.
"Not much. I thought I'd look about the shops," Rose replied.
"It will be a long day in Ripon waiting for Tom to be through," Robert pointed out.
"I'll find something to do with my time," Rose replied innocently.
"We had best get to it," Tom said.
-0-
"Here let me help you with that," John Bates said to his wife early Friday morning. Lady Mary was off to London and Anna of course was scheduled to go with her.
"I can manage the breakfast tray, John," Anna said.
"I don't want you over taxing yourself. At least let me do the flowers."
"You can be so kind," Anna said.
"Does Lady Mary always have hot chocolate with her breakfast?" John asked.
"Only on cold mornings," Anna replied. "With this snow down I'm sure she'll have some this morning. Anna turned away to retrieve the pot of jam and milk jug for the tray.
"I wish you would let me carry that," John said again.
"I'm fine," Anna reassured him with a smile.
These last few weeks things had been going much better between them. Lady Mary had been home for almost a month and their life had settled into a routine. Their free time was spent at their cottage going over newspapers and making plans for their new life together. Anna hadn't felt this connected to her husband in a long time. Their shared goals were putting a new sense of excitement into their marriage and they were both happy.
"I want take the ten o'clock," Mary told Anna when she arrived upstairs with the tray. "We'll have to hurry."
"Are you considering taking Master George to London?" Anna asked her.
"Heavens no, I don't think changing a child's schedule like that is good for them," Mary said.
"I've put out your traveling dress. Would you like me to run a bath?" Anna inquired.
"It will have to be a quick one," Mary replied.
Anna was just putting the finishing touches on Mary's packing when she heard what sounded like retching coming from the washroom. She rushed in to see Mary vomiting into the commode. Anna rushed to sink for a cold towel and then pressed it to Mary's forehead.
"I feel so weak," Mary said. "I'm going to be sick again."
Anna supported Mary until the retching stopped. She got Mary cleaned up as best she could and back into the bed in the other room. As soon as she was able she ran down the hall to fetch Lady Edith's maid to telephone for the doctor. By the time she was back, Mary was sick again.
"Hold on milady, I've sent Miss Iverson to ring for the doctor."
"This is so sudden," Mary mumbled weakly. "I felt fine until I went into the other room. I haven't even taken my bath."
"Not to worry," Anna said. She went for a clean washcloth, towel and basin of water to clean Mary up. She got Mary into a fresh nightgown. Mary was as weak as a rag doll and so dizzy she couldn't sit up. Cora arrived and took charge of clucking over Mary until the doctor arrived. The doctor was only with Mary a few minutes when he pronounced her ailment a stomach bug that would clear up in twenty-four hours or so. Until then Mary was to stay in bed and have only fluids.
"Poor Lady Mary," Anna said during the servants' lunch. "She was so sick and it was so sudden."
"Do the rest of us need to be concerned for flu in the house?" Thomas asked her.
"I don't think so. It's past now," Anna said. "She's worn out from being sick though. She's cancelled going to London at least for a few days."
"I for one an not sorry to see you stay home, although I am sorry to hear Lady Mary is under the weather," John said.
"It is rather odd," Anna commented. "She was fine and then suddenly so ill. Now it's past just as suddenly."
"Almost like a dose of syrup of ipecac," Thomas said offhandedly. "We used to see it once in a while when the soldiers didn't want to go back to duty. They would make themselves sick on purpose."
"I saw a few of those myself during the war," Jimmy said. "It looked like flu or food poisoning but it wasn't. It was quite scary really."
"This morning was frightening to say the least," Anna said. "Unusual too as Lady Mary is usually so healthy."
"All's well that ends well," Thomas said. "As long as she's back up and around in a few days."
"She'll most likely go to London then," Jimmy said.
John Bates stirred his tea and didn't say a word.