The night of Jacqueline’s birthday was a wonderful celebration. Happily, both Isabella and Mrs. Murray had joined the family and the birthday girl for a beautiful celebratory meal.
The duke was still unwell and in a lot of pain. Therefore, he was not able to join in on the festivities.
After dinner, the whole party retired to the drawing room for presents and, more importantly, Jacqueline’s performance at the pianoforte for the family.
“A new dress for my doll,” Jacqueline exclaimed as she took out Isabella’s modest gift. “Merci, Mademoiselle Watts,” she said, hugging her governess.
“That turned out so lovely,” Lady Wintercrest said, “you really have a talent for embroidery.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Isabella responded shyly.
Spending the last two days with the family for meals had created a more comfortable atmosphere for Isabella in the home.
“Well, are you going to play for me now, Jackie?” Lord Bellfourd asked as he tickled his niece.
Jacqueline giggled, then got up to take her governess’ hand. The walked over and sat down at the piano together, as they had so often in the school room over the past few months.
Isabella began by playing a sweet melodic undertone. Waiting for her time to enter, Jacqueline plunked away at her memorized keys in the right order to make the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
Once the song was done, the room burst into applause. Jacqueline got up and curtsied just as Isabella had taught her to do.
Isabella noticed Mrs. Murray in the corner dabbing at a stray tear.
“Awe, Nursie,” Lady Abigail said affectionately. “Are you getting all soppy eyed on us?”
“Ach, no. It’s just a fine thing to have a wee lass so willing to take music lessons. Much more enjoyable than say, cleaning marmalade off the pianoforte,” she added with a teasing tone.
“It was only the one time,” Lady Abigail replied. “I don’t think my governess was anywhere near as wonderful as Isabella. I am sure I would have been proficient at it, if I had such a magnificent tutor.”
The night ended with a plate of petit fours and tea before everyone retired to their respective rooms. Isabella happily held onto Jacqueline’s hand as she skipped her way up the massive stairs to her room, with Mrs. Murray on her other side.
Over the last few months, Isabella had watched Jacqueline blossom from a quiet child to a joyful little girl. Isabella hoped that her presence had helped Jackie feel more comfortable in making Wintercrest Manor her home.
After depositing the little girl to bed with her nurse, Isabella retired to her own room. She had received a letter just that morning from Louisa and was excited to sit down and read it before bed.
My dear Izzy,
I hope that my letter finds you well.
The season is in full swing now, and I can scarcely find time to have a quiet evening at home. Typically, this would be an exciting time.
I fear that without you here, I perceive things to be rather dull. I am often dreading our various dinner engagements and dances, knowing that I will not have you there to make it all the more enjoyable.
I did have a pleasing chance encounter that I thought I might share with you. It was at an event held by the Earl of Cunningham. I am sure you know why I was most especially dreading this engagement.
Mother insisted that Colton and I attend. So, with great reluctance, I went. It was there that two marvelous happenstances occurred.
The first, I was introduced to The Marquess of Bellfourd. He was kind enough to recognize my name in meeting, and asked if I was the friend you spoke to his sister about. Once I confirmed it was correct, I spent a greater part of the night in conversation with the gentleman.
It was a pleasant time, spent reminiscing about some of my fondest memories with you. Lord Bellfourd even danced with me- twice! I do think, for the most part, it was to keep himself otherwise engaged.
I am sure you can only imagine the scene that followed the heir of a dukedom with no current attachments.
I must admit that one of the interested parties was none other than Lady Lydia. This is what brings me to my second occurrence. While Lord Bellfourd was yet talking to my brother, Lady Lydia came to join in the small party we had formed.
I am sure I don’t have to remind you how awful she was to me as a child at Mrs. Mason’s school. I still don’t think I could ever forgive her for dipping my hair in ink during our lessons. Life was undoubtedly horrid with Lady Lydia before you joined our school.
Well, Colton was well aware of who Lady Lydia was, and how she had tormented me as a child, and when she came to join our group, he went out of his way to not include her in the conversation.
Apparently, this didn’t deter her, as she seemed to have some connection to Lord Bellfourd’s family.
Lord Bellfourd and Colton were discussing the Marquess’ time as a captain in the Royal Navy. I am sure you can guess that Colton was enthralled by his tales, wishing that he, too, could have a taste of adventure. Lady Lydia took the opportunity to comment to Lord Bellfourd on his “bravery, when surely other men would shrink at such dangerous settings.”
Now, you know I am not one to often speak up and say what I think, as you are so frequently courageous enough to do, but Colton, on the other hand, never shies away from a situation.
My dear brother looked Lady Lydia right in the eyes and said, “I dare say a sign of true character and bravery is when one stands up to their persecutors and refuses to let their taunting dishearten and run them away from the battle.”
Of course, Lord Bellfourd did not entirely grasp his meaning, but both Lady Lydia and I did. She rose up quite shamefully and excused herself from our company.
I know that my brother can be a very trying tease at times, but I don’t think I could have ever been prouder to call him my sibling than at that moment.
I hope that, in some way, it made Lady Lydia think on the harsh way she treated not only me, but so many others as a child. I fear, though, that a lady of her personality will always find the need to bring others down to make herself feel all the better.
I do hope that you are still getting on well in your new home. You must write back to me soon and tell me all about your pupil’s reaction to her birthday gift. You were always an excellent hand at embroidery and I am sure that it was a beautiful treasure to behold.
I hope that someday our paths do cross again but until then, you shall remain my dearest long-distance friend.
Louisa
Isabella smiled down at her friend's words as she read them over a second time. She missed Louisa terribly. It wasn’t until she saw the smudge of ink on the third read through that she realized she was crying.
If she thought long and hard about it, there wasn’t much she could say with certainty that she missed about her life back in London. Louisa was one of the few people her heart dearly ached to see again.
Isabella drifted off to sleep that night with a single thought in her head. Perhaps, one day, she would be reunited with her sincerest, most faithful friend.