A Port in the storm

by DeJean Smith

It was a dark and stormy night when Edward Masen made his way to Swan House in the hopes of fulfilling his father's promise. He prayed Master Swan would honor the contract Edward, Sr., had made but could no longer uphold. Little did the young man know that the storms of life strike equally, regardless of social status, and he was not the only one searching for a safe port.

19. Chapter 19

Ehr-mah-gaw! A chapter! Only took a year (eye rolls). I am so very sorry for the delay. For those not friends with me on Facebook, I published the prior chapter with the full intention of wrapping this story up by the end of the year. Then my mom was diagnosed with cancer. Very difficult to write happy endings when faced with that. The good news is she is 4 months out from 7 months of chemo and doing quite well.

Brief catch-up summary: Edward is courting Isabella, Charles has invited the entire town to a coming out party for Isabella, and Charles, Horatio, and Emmett have been meeting in secret, much to Isabella's chagrin.

The day before the party arrived, and workers hustled in and out of the manor, creating quite a stir in the normally quiet house. Emmett's lessons were suspended as the young man kept disappearing to rummage through the boxes and bins that paraded through the foyer. More than once, Emmett was forced to return a shiny bauble that caught his fancy, even though he frequently insisted it was for Miss Rosalie. Since Isabella was assisting Mrs. Alice in the kitchen, and Carlisle, whom he quickly developed a friendship with, would not be arriving until that afternoon, Edward found himself at odds and ends trying to decide what to do with his free time.

Meandering around the house, he found himself in the dining room with the table already set and the menu cards laid out. A quick count of chairs surprised him, for he had been under the impression most of the town had been invited, yet only twenty-four seats could be counted. Edward picked up a cream-colored card and perused the evening's offerings.

FIRST COURSE
Green-Pea Soup
Rice Soup
Salmon and Lobster Sauce
Trout a la Genévése
Whitebait

ENTREES
Lamb Cutlets and Cucumbers
Fricasseed Chicken
Lobster Rissoles
Stewed Veal and Peas

SECOND COURSE
Roast Quarter of Lamb and Spinach
Filet de Boeuf a la Jardiniare
Boiled Fowls
Braised Shoulder of Lamb
Tongue
Vegetables

THIRD COURSE
Goslings
Ducklings
Nesselrode Pudding
Charlotte a la Parisienne
Gooseberry Tartlets
Strawberry Cream
Raspberry-and-Currant Tart
Custards

DESSERT AND ICES

Recalling some of the discussions he had with Isabella, this menu appeared nothing like the simple entertainment Edward was told would be provided. Puzzled, Edward carefully replaced the menu card and turned toward the kitchen to ask Mrs. Alice about the change in plan when a loud knock at the front door diverted his attention.

Jasper made his way down the grand staircase at his normal, staid pace and when another pounding at the door occurred, he paused in righteous indignation. No guest to Swan House dared beat on the door with such disregard.

Edward decided to leave the guest in the capable hands of the butler and continued toward his destination of the kitchen, hoping to find Isabella available to steal away for a few moments.

"You never took this long to respond to the door when I was in charge of the household."

The tone and content of the words gave him pause, and Edward halted in his tracks and turned to see a brute of a man standing next to an older woman. She was clad in the latest fashion, yards and yards of heavy indigo hued velvet with a tightly cinched waist and a froth of ostrich plumes curling over her painted face.

"Do you have an appointment? Master Swan is quite busy this afternoon and…"

"Tell him I am here, Jasper." The woman moved past the butler and began pulling off her gloves and looked around the foyer, her eyes pausing when she spied Edward. "Well, I see some new hires have been made since I left."

Jasper remained hesitant to allow the woman and her companion to remain unattended in the house.

"I will let Master Swan know he has a visitor," Edward offered, casting a kind look at the butler before turning toward the couple. "And you are?"

"The former mistress of the house," Jasper responded, uncharacteristically curt and cold.

Edward paused, glancing back and forth between the parties, disdain palatable on both sides.

"Let me…" He motioned toward the office and made his departure with haste.

Charles made a cursory glance up from a sheaf of paperwork on his desk as Edward closed the door behind him.

"Emmett disappear again?"

"No. It appears your…wife has reappeared," Edward replied with hesitation. He knew Renee Swan had vanished years ago but her current status as far as Charles was concerned was beyond his understanding.

The curse Charles made no attempt to muffle surprised Edward as the older man quickly arose from his chair and dashed out of the room. Edward followed, reaching the foyer in time to see the drawing room door slam shut and the visitors absent from the room.

"Master Swan wished to speak to his guests in private," Jasper murmured stiffly, his anger evident in his stance.

"Why would she appear all of a sudden?"

"Her highness answers to no one when the whim strikes her."

"I see."

"Yes." Jasper released a deep breath, cleansing his mind. "I will need to inform Mrs. Alice and Miss Isabella so they can avoid the drawing room until … until they leave."

"Will they not attempt to stay for the party?" Edward inquired as he followed the butler down the hall toward the kitchen.

"Not if they wish to avoid Master Charles' wrath, and a I daresay, they may face it regardless."

Edward spied his beloved kneading a batch of bread dough, a spot of flour streaked across her forehead and a peaceful smile gracing her lips.

"What a surprise!" Alice announced, setting down the tray of teacups she held. "To what do we owe this pleasant visit?"

"She's back," Jasper said through gritted teeth, his eyes darting toward Isabella.

"Who?"

"No!" Isabella murmured, her face paling.

Concerned for her well-being, Edward took Isabella's arm and supported her, ignoring the flour that now dusted his coat.

"What reason has that creature given to show up after all this time?" Alice demanded, crossing the kitchen toward the ale barrel before drawing up a glass and draining it in one draught.

The others watched in amazed silence as she carefully set down the glass and daintily daubed her lips with her kerchief.

"What? If any woman would drive another to drink, it would be that one. No offense intended, Isabella, but your mother…"

Isabella waved off the apology. She, above most, knew how difficult her mother could be.

"Would you be wantin' a glass?" Alice inquired, motioning toward the barrel.

Isabella shook her head.

"Do you want to see her?" Edward asked gently.

"No." She did not hesitate and spoke with clear certainty.

"She came with a man," Jasper announced, taking it upon himself to follow his wife's example and helping himself to a mug of ale. "I don't know who he is, but they seemed familiar with each other."

"I do not care," Isabella stated firmly. "She made her choice years ago, and I have put her memory to rest. Her showing up today will not change that any more than me never seeing her again."

Edward wrapped his arms around her, ignoring the brief hesitation on her part when she tried to point out the flour on her apron, assuring her it mattered not.

"She will never know what she will miss not having you in her life," he murmured, placing a soft kiss on the top of her head as she curled into him.

"There you are," Charles said, appearing in the doorway.

"Is she gone?" Isabella inquired, not looking up.

"For now."

"What does she want?"

Charles drew a deep breath and released it slowly.

"I suppose it is time you two know what Horatio, Emmett, and I have been discussing for the last two weeks. It'll be easier if you come to my office." Charles turned on his heel and lead the way, silently motioning for them to follow.

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Menu from*The Book of Household Management*, by Mrs. Isabella Beeton