The Widows of Spencer Hall part 8

PG rating

I own nothing and expect even less

For Chely

There was a lot that Olivia wanted to talk about with her brother. Not even Emma at her most enchanting could keep her mind otherwise occupied. Lunch couldn't come fast enough.

She hated that Ava had been brought to tears worrying about her future. Olivia had Natalia make sure that cook was fixing all of Sam's favorites for lunch. That his favorite ale was being served. Olivia wanted him as happy and as comfortable as possible.

With Olivia on edge, Natalia was keeping her distance. It was better not to upset her with something that normally she would enjoy. She sent the girls outside to the pond with a picnic lunch.

Finally it was time for lunch. Olivia met Rebecca in the dining room and they waited together for the new lord to arrive. Rebecca poured them each a small glass of port to calm their nerves. All of their live's could dramatically be changed today. Rebecca was thinking that Sam had not changed all that much. He was late as usual.

Sam finally arrived. He came bursting through the door laughing at his manservant. Sam smelled like he had just been out in the stables. Poor Danny was trying to get him to at least take off his boots.

Rebecca reacted before she thought about what she was saying and who she was saying it to.

"How dare you come in this house with muck on your boots! Take them off at once!" Sam's head turned towards his mother and the smile fell off his face. Rebecca realized what she had done, but stood her ground.

"I don't care if this house is now your's. I will not let you or anyone else treat it like a stable. Now sit down and let Danny take those dirty boots off. Then he will have to clean up the mess you've trampled though the house." Sam had a guilty look on his face. The same one he had when he got into trouble when he was a child. He sat in the nearest chair and allowed Danny to remove his boots.

"I'm sorry mother. Please forgive me. Of course you are right. I need to treat this house and all that live and work in it with the respect they deserve. Come let us sit at the table and enjoy our lunch." Olivia was very pleased with her brother's response to their mother. Some of the tension she was carrying lifted from her shoulders.

"Where were you when you received word of father's death, that it took so long for you to travel home?" Olivia smiled at her brother letting him know she was interested in his travels and not berating him for being gone so long. Sam got a huge smile on his face.

"I was in this tiny little country at the top of India. It's called Nepal. It beautiful there near the top of the world. I would like to return one day, but I fear there are too many other places I have not seen yet. I don't think I will go back to one I have already seen." Sam paused as his food was placed in front of him. He noticed it was a favorite from his childhood. Roasted rabbit stuffed with wild mushrooms. He took a deep breath in of the savory aroma.

"That's really what I want to talk to both of you about. This smells wonderful." Sam took his first bite of lunch. Olivia could really see the boy she remembered, still there as he ate.

"I have never wanted to be lord of the manor. I need to see all of the world that I can. I'll only be here until I can round up a team and then I'm off again." Sam waited a moment to let that information sink in for his mother and sister.

"Mother, I am giving Spencer Hall to Olivia. She must always allow you to run the house as you see fit." Rebecca got tears in her eyes, but made no sound. She was so happy to have her daughter home for good.

"I have heard many stories about father's choice for Olivia's husband. He was a cruel and evil man. The stories I hear about his eldest son are no different. Olivia deserves to live out the rest of her life as she sees fit. Olivia as lord of the manor so to speak, you will handle all the business that I would have handled. I will send for money as I need it. I will visit when I can. Olivia you may marry anyone you choose or you may remain a widow. You will choose the husbands for your daughters. Even if I were staying I would have given you that chore." Olivia almost fell off her chair in relief. This was far better then anything Olivia could have hoped for. All she could do was smile.

The rest of lunch was spent hearing about Sam's travels and where he was hoping to go next. He told his stories so well, Olivia felt as though she was almost there with him. He promised to show the family the sketches he had made of the people and landscapes he had seen.

As soon as lunch was over, Sam excused himself. He went to find Danny and apologize for his behavior. Rebecca went to the kitchen to chat with cook about dinner. Olivia went to find Natalia and then Ava. She wanted to tell them both the good news together.

Olivia found Natalia in the main hall dusting. She came up behind Natalia and put her arms around Natalia's waist. Olivia lifted her off the ground and spun them both around.

Natalia was shocked at first, then relaxed when she heard Olivia giggle. Olivia set Natalia down on the floor and turned her around and kissed her hard on the lips. Laughing and giggling the whole time.

"Well my lady, that must have been some lunch. You went in meaner then a bear and you come out giggling like Emma. Tell me what brought about such a dramatic change?" The smile on Olivia's face dropped. She got a guilty look on her face.

"You're right. I was meaner than a bear this morning. I apologize for my bad behavior. What ever I was feeling, I shouldn't have taken it out on you. You, my beautiful Natalia always deserve better treatment than that." Natalia leaned in and kissed Olivia gently on the lips.

"All is forgiven and soon to be forgotten. Tell what made you so happy, you were giggling like Emma?" Olivia got her smile back. It was so bright and happy, Natalia couldn't help but smile too.

"Where is Ava? The news is so good. I want to tell you both at the same time. The news is far better than I could have ever dreamed of!" Natalia grabbed Olivia's hand.

"Come, Ava and Emma are down by the pond. I sent them out of the Hall this morning when tensions were so high. They should be on their way back by now. We can meet them in the middle." Olivia and Natalia headed off for the pond hand in hand. They did meet up with the girls about half way to the pond.

"Mother is everything alright? You never like to go to the pond and see the ducks." Olivia took Emma out of Ava's arms and put the three year old on the ground. She wrapped her arms around Ava and started to spin Ava around.

"Everything is better than just alright! Everything is absolutely wonderful. All our fears were for nought! I don't have to married again, ever! I get to choose your husband for you. You will have a say in who I ultimately choose. Natalia, I never have to leave here again. You never have to worry about anything again." Olivia and Ava were dancing around. Olivia had picked up Emma and was dancing with her. Tears from laughter and relief ran down both Olivia's and Ava's faces.

"This is wonderful news my lady. How are all these things so?" Olivia handed Emma off to Ava. She took Natalia's hands and started to twirl her around. Finally they both got to dizzy to remain standing and both fell to grass giggling like little girls.

Olivia waited until she had her breath back and her head was clear, to explain everything Sam had said durning lunch. Without saying it directly, Sam was allowing them to stay together and make a life together.

Now it was Natalia's turn to squeal like a child.

TBC