[A/N. For all my obsessiveness about historical accuracy (like the things
about Hitler and the coming war now, and the depression and the Titanic
incident before them) there are a couple of things in here I am not one
hundred percent sure about. For example when did the word "pregnancy"
replace words such as "expecting" or even "with child"? And when did it
stop being such a disgrace? I know that in earlier times in England when a
female servant became pregnant it was seen as a blight on the family, and
she was turned out regardless of whether the man would marry her or not. Oh
well, I'll just have to assume, for the purposes of this story that times
are somewhat more liberal than that, but that pregnancy is still something
of a delicate issue!]
Liverpool, November 1937.
Eliza laughed as her two-year old daughter ran unsteadily after her older brother. Ben would be three in only a few weeks time, and Eliza was silently wondering where the past few years had gone. The business had taken off and this only meant Edward spent even more time at work, although he didn't neglect his wife or his children. Money was beginning to flow again, and the long lines of unemployed and homeless were finally beginning to diminish somewhat. And Colonel Gracie reported similar occurrences back in America. However there was something else for him to worry about: he was convinced that Hitler planned war and that his family were in danger in England. He begged Edward to come home, but Edward refused. The business was going well, the family was happy and established, and he didn't want to uproot them all now. Besides, he thought his father's concerns about war were pointless. If Hitler wanted to attack wouldn't he have done it by now he wrote to his father only the other month?
"BENNY! BENNY!" Screamed Margaret. "Mummy want!"
Ben stopped and glanced at his mother. "You want this mummy?" He asked holding his toy ship towards her.
Eliza laughed. "I think she means she wants it Benjamin sweetie." She explained.
"Excuse me Ma'am, the master's home." Jessica said coming into the nursery.
Eliza nodded and got to her feet. "Well then I shall have that word with him Jessica. And don't look so worried. You should know by now that he is a fair man."
"I know Ma'am, but there are plenty of other servants out there wanting work. Especially down in London!" Jessica said, wringing her hands.
"While I am gone can you please get the fire going a bit more?" Eliza asked. "I just don't have the knack with them, and lord knows I've never felt winters as cold as over here."
"But you get winters in America don't you Ma'am?" Jessica asked, pulling the blinds shut as she went to the fire. In the winter it got dark in the afternoon, something which had unnerved Eliza at first, but now after a few years there she was used to it.
"Of course, but not like this. Even our autumns are warmer than summers here." Eliza explained.
Jessica nodded politely and went to tend the fire. Over the years Eliza had come to value Jessica immensely. As a general rule English servants were their own people, showing none of the great loyalty many back in America did. Anything that the servants happened to overhear, or oversee was fodder for gossip. Servants didn't come to work immaculate like in America, nor did they speak well like many American ones. However Jessica was an exception to the rule, and the thought of losing her made Eliza shake at the prospect of going through the whole process trying to find a good servant again! But, as Eliza, had told Jessica it was the 1930's and things were far more liberal than they had been awhile back.
"Edward, I want to talk to you." Eliza said, entering her husband's study, where he was pouring himself a brandy.
"I want to talk to you too." Edward replied, and Eliza noted his hand was trembling slightly.
"Whatever is the matter sweetheart?" Eliza asked, coming to his side. "Not troubles with the business?"
"No, no, the business is fine." Edward replied, taking a large sip of his drink. "On November 5 Hitler held a conference in the Reich Chancellery during which he basically revealed his plans for the acquisition of something he calls "Lebensraum" or more simply living space, for the German people at the expense of other European nations. In his mind Germany has "a tightly packed racial core" and is therefore entitled to "greater living space than in the case of other peoples." He then said history had proved that expansion could only be carried out by breaking down resistance and taking risks. Basically his primary objective at the moment is to seize Czechoslovakia and Austria in order to protect Germany's eastern and southern flanks, and to also capitalize on the present and future military and political problems of France and England."
Eliza frowned slightly. "Are you saying Hitler wants to go to war with us?"
"I guess he wants more space, and he's prepared to fight anyone who stands in his way. But of course the French and the English, being the two more powerful countries in Europe currently, won't just let him, and they'll fight back." Edward said, wiping his brow. "I don't know Eliza, but things could get pretty bad around here. I'm completely prepared to book passages back to America for you and the children."
Eliza bit her lip. "And you?"
"Well I'd stay here. At the moment I don't believe there is any danger, and we've got the business and house to consider." Edward replied.
"Edward, do you remember what I said to you when you asked me how I felt about moving over here?" Eliza asked.
Edward thought carefully, and then shook his head.
"I said Edward, my home is with you. As long as I am with you I don't care if I am in America or England."
Edward smiled slightly. "Even if there is danger?"
"Especially if there is danger. But I thought you said there was none." Eliza replied.
"There is none at the moment, but Hitler's plans are ominous!" Edward admitted.
"Well I guess we wait and see what happens. But Edward, we are not going anywhere at the moment." Eliza assured him.
Edward put his arms around her and held her tightly for a moment. He still often wondered how he'd managed to find someone like Eliza. Granted she wasn't exactly a society lady (they only attended very few social occasions in England), but she was a good wife, a good person, and a good mother. Edward could ask for no more. And in his eyes she was perfect.
"Now," He said, drawing away from her reluctantly. "You said you had something to tell me also?"
"Oh right." Eliza said. "I don't know how to say this so it's best I come out and say it- Jessica is expecting."
"She is?" Edward repeated confused. "She doesn't look it, and I didn't even know she had a fellow." He'd become quite British in some of his words and actions since they'd arrived in England, but this bothered Eliza none.
"Well she isn't showing yet." Eliza explained. "And the fellow is someone named Sam. I met him the other day and he seems nice. He works as the chauffeur for the Nordstram's up the road and when he found out Jessica was expecting he was more than prepared to do his duty and marry her."
"Good, good. Many men would want nothing to do with the girl or the baby, especially seeing as how money can still be quite tight." Edward said. "He must be a decent enough fellow."
"Indeed!" Eliza replied eagerly. "The thing is Edward I'd hate the thought of having to lose Jessica, as would the children. You know what servants are like here and in London. We'd likely never find anyone as good as Jessica! I know English societal tradition dictates that if a servant is going to have a child they should be made to leave, but I don't want Jessica to leave. When she and Sam marry she can still live with him and work here during the day. Of course she'll need some time off for the baby, but then she can come back..Can't she?"
Edward smiled. "Of course she can. I wouldn't want to deprive you of that help. And as for the baby, well it's only natural right? Some people might talk, but when have I ever cared about that? Stuff English society and their snobbery."
Eliza raced over to hug him again. "Oh thank you so much Edward. Jessica will be delighted. She's been stressing terribly over this."
Edward laughed. "Am I that bad?" He teased. "We must give her and Sam a wedding present too. Let the English toffs choke on that hmmm?"
Eliza had to laugh as well. "And I thought you were becoming one of them too!" She said with a shake of her head. "I best go tell Jessica this right away. Stress is not good for expectant mothers."
Back in the nursery Eliza informed Jessica of the entire conversation regarding her and Jessica's face broke into a huge smile.
"The Master is probably better than any other master in this country!" She declared upon hearing it all. "Other servants would be turned out without a worry in the world to the family simply because of how other people would view the family allowing a servant who was expecting to remain."
"I know." Eliza said. "I always thought American society was snobby, and it is, but it's got nothing on society over here. With aristocrats, nobility, and then just plain rich people there are too many strict rules to follow."
Jessica nodded, not really sure what to say to this.
"Anyway, we better get the children to bed and then you can go home. I am sure you want to tell some people some good news?" Eliza said, and the two of them went to get the children ready for bed.
As Eliza tucked the children in and kissed them goodnight she wondered whether or not she was doing the right thing staying here? But surely Hitler wouldn't be stupid enough to think he could take on France and England, and even stupider to think he could take over the countries. She felt for the poor people in the countries closer to Hitler though, how terrible would it be to know you could be invaded any day and not have an army enough to put up a winnable fight? And then another thought occurred to her. Cal hadn't wanted Melanie and the children to leave, but they had, and then Cal had killed himself. Whilst there was no chance Edward would do that, Eliza still knew it would be very painful for him to be separated from them, and painful for her. No, she wasn't leaving his side.
Liverpool, November 1937.
Eliza laughed as her two-year old daughter ran unsteadily after her older brother. Ben would be three in only a few weeks time, and Eliza was silently wondering where the past few years had gone. The business had taken off and this only meant Edward spent even more time at work, although he didn't neglect his wife or his children. Money was beginning to flow again, and the long lines of unemployed and homeless were finally beginning to diminish somewhat. And Colonel Gracie reported similar occurrences back in America. However there was something else for him to worry about: he was convinced that Hitler planned war and that his family were in danger in England. He begged Edward to come home, but Edward refused. The business was going well, the family was happy and established, and he didn't want to uproot them all now. Besides, he thought his father's concerns about war were pointless. If Hitler wanted to attack wouldn't he have done it by now he wrote to his father only the other month?
"BENNY! BENNY!" Screamed Margaret. "Mummy want!"
Ben stopped and glanced at his mother. "You want this mummy?" He asked holding his toy ship towards her.
Eliza laughed. "I think she means she wants it Benjamin sweetie." She explained.
"Excuse me Ma'am, the master's home." Jessica said coming into the nursery.
Eliza nodded and got to her feet. "Well then I shall have that word with him Jessica. And don't look so worried. You should know by now that he is a fair man."
"I know Ma'am, but there are plenty of other servants out there wanting work. Especially down in London!" Jessica said, wringing her hands.
"While I am gone can you please get the fire going a bit more?" Eliza asked. "I just don't have the knack with them, and lord knows I've never felt winters as cold as over here."
"But you get winters in America don't you Ma'am?" Jessica asked, pulling the blinds shut as she went to the fire. In the winter it got dark in the afternoon, something which had unnerved Eliza at first, but now after a few years there she was used to it.
"Of course, but not like this. Even our autumns are warmer than summers here." Eliza explained.
Jessica nodded politely and went to tend the fire. Over the years Eliza had come to value Jessica immensely. As a general rule English servants were their own people, showing none of the great loyalty many back in America did. Anything that the servants happened to overhear, or oversee was fodder for gossip. Servants didn't come to work immaculate like in America, nor did they speak well like many American ones. However Jessica was an exception to the rule, and the thought of losing her made Eliza shake at the prospect of going through the whole process trying to find a good servant again! But, as Eliza, had told Jessica it was the 1930's and things were far more liberal than they had been awhile back.
"Edward, I want to talk to you." Eliza said, entering her husband's study, where he was pouring himself a brandy.
"I want to talk to you too." Edward replied, and Eliza noted his hand was trembling slightly.
"Whatever is the matter sweetheart?" Eliza asked, coming to his side. "Not troubles with the business?"
"No, no, the business is fine." Edward replied, taking a large sip of his drink. "On November 5 Hitler held a conference in the Reich Chancellery during which he basically revealed his plans for the acquisition of something he calls "Lebensraum" or more simply living space, for the German people at the expense of other European nations. In his mind Germany has "a tightly packed racial core" and is therefore entitled to "greater living space than in the case of other peoples." He then said history had proved that expansion could only be carried out by breaking down resistance and taking risks. Basically his primary objective at the moment is to seize Czechoslovakia and Austria in order to protect Germany's eastern and southern flanks, and to also capitalize on the present and future military and political problems of France and England."
Eliza frowned slightly. "Are you saying Hitler wants to go to war with us?"
"I guess he wants more space, and he's prepared to fight anyone who stands in his way. But of course the French and the English, being the two more powerful countries in Europe currently, won't just let him, and they'll fight back." Edward said, wiping his brow. "I don't know Eliza, but things could get pretty bad around here. I'm completely prepared to book passages back to America for you and the children."
Eliza bit her lip. "And you?"
"Well I'd stay here. At the moment I don't believe there is any danger, and we've got the business and house to consider." Edward replied.
"Edward, do you remember what I said to you when you asked me how I felt about moving over here?" Eliza asked.
Edward thought carefully, and then shook his head.
"I said Edward, my home is with you. As long as I am with you I don't care if I am in America or England."
Edward smiled slightly. "Even if there is danger?"
"Especially if there is danger. But I thought you said there was none." Eliza replied.
"There is none at the moment, but Hitler's plans are ominous!" Edward admitted.
"Well I guess we wait and see what happens. But Edward, we are not going anywhere at the moment." Eliza assured him.
Edward put his arms around her and held her tightly for a moment. He still often wondered how he'd managed to find someone like Eliza. Granted she wasn't exactly a society lady (they only attended very few social occasions in England), but she was a good wife, a good person, and a good mother. Edward could ask for no more. And in his eyes she was perfect.
"Now," He said, drawing away from her reluctantly. "You said you had something to tell me also?"
"Oh right." Eliza said. "I don't know how to say this so it's best I come out and say it- Jessica is expecting."
"She is?" Edward repeated confused. "She doesn't look it, and I didn't even know she had a fellow." He'd become quite British in some of his words and actions since they'd arrived in England, but this bothered Eliza none.
"Well she isn't showing yet." Eliza explained. "And the fellow is someone named Sam. I met him the other day and he seems nice. He works as the chauffeur for the Nordstram's up the road and when he found out Jessica was expecting he was more than prepared to do his duty and marry her."
"Good, good. Many men would want nothing to do with the girl or the baby, especially seeing as how money can still be quite tight." Edward said. "He must be a decent enough fellow."
"Indeed!" Eliza replied eagerly. "The thing is Edward I'd hate the thought of having to lose Jessica, as would the children. You know what servants are like here and in London. We'd likely never find anyone as good as Jessica! I know English societal tradition dictates that if a servant is going to have a child they should be made to leave, but I don't want Jessica to leave. When she and Sam marry she can still live with him and work here during the day. Of course she'll need some time off for the baby, but then she can come back..Can't she?"
Edward smiled. "Of course she can. I wouldn't want to deprive you of that help. And as for the baby, well it's only natural right? Some people might talk, but when have I ever cared about that? Stuff English society and their snobbery."
Eliza raced over to hug him again. "Oh thank you so much Edward. Jessica will be delighted. She's been stressing terribly over this."
Edward laughed. "Am I that bad?" He teased. "We must give her and Sam a wedding present too. Let the English toffs choke on that hmmm?"
Eliza had to laugh as well. "And I thought you were becoming one of them too!" She said with a shake of her head. "I best go tell Jessica this right away. Stress is not good for expectant mothers."
Back in the nursery Eliza informed Jessica of the entire conversation regarding her and Jessica's face broke into a huge smile.
"The Master is probably better than any other master in this country!" She declared upon hearing it all. "Other servants would be turned out without a worry in the world to the family simply because of how other people would view the family allowing a servant who was expecting to remain."
"I know." Eliza said. "I always thought American society was snobby, and it is, but it's got nothing on society over here. With aristocrats, nobility, and then just plain rich people there are too many strict rules to follow."
Jessica nodded, not really sure what to say to this.
"Anyway, we better get the children to bed and then you can go home. I am sure you want to tell some people some good news?" Eliza said, and the two of them went to get the children ready for bed.
As Eliza tucked the children in and kissed them goodnight she wondered whether or not she was doing the right thing staying here? But surely Hitler wouldn't be stupid enough to think he could take on France and England, and even stupider to think he could take over the countries. She felt for the poor people in the countries closer to Hitler though, how terrible would it be to know you could be invaded any day and not have an army enough to put up a winnable fight? And then another thought occurred to her. Cal hadn't wanted Melanie and the children to leave, but they had, and then Cal had killed himself. Whilst there was no chance Edward would do that, Eliza still knew it would be very painful for him to be separated from them, and painful for her. No, she wasn't leaving his side.