Lady Louisa did her best to calm her inner turmoil as she saw the Hendricksons’ house come into view. Really, the only other county estate she had to compare it to was Wintercrest Manor. Naturally, it was not as vast as Isabella’s home. Lady Louisa had no memory of her own family’s county estate, as she had not been there since her early childhood.
Mentheith House, as she had learned it was named, may not have been the vast estates of Wintercrest, but it had its own charm. It was a simple house that looked worn with age. Along the front was a wall of ivy, climbing and twisting amongst the windows.
Exiting the carriage that had brought her thus far, she was surprised to see that no one stood outside to greet her. They had to have heard the clamor of wooden wheels and hooves clacking on the dirt road’s pebbles. There was no other property nearby; they would know that it was none other than her arriving. She could smell the pungent odor of the pig barn just to the left of the house and hear the whinny of their horse in a stable.
For the most part, she found the countryside refreshing and invigorating. She had experienced so much in just her short ride there, that she couldn’t even imagine how much more the country might have to offer.
She waited patiently as the coachman removed her chest from the top of the carriage. Lady Louisa wondered if she should walk up to the chipping blue-painted door and knock. Before she could raise her hand, however, the door opened and an elderly-looking footman came out.
“You must be Lady Louisa,” he said in a quaking voice while bowing. He was very unkempt compared to her own footmen. His clothes were unclean, his nails dirty, and his hair flowing free in cobweb wisps.
“I am,” Lady Louisa responded timidly, brushing the dust of travel off her grey muslin dress with her leather traveling gloves.
“I am Johnson, the head butler,” he said, moving over to her luggage.
He promptly took the hat box from her hand and laid it on top of the chest in order to carry them both. Lady Louisa hesitated for a moment. He seemed far too old to be doing such hard work.
“I thank you for your kindness, Mr. Johnson, but perhaps there is another that could take my things inside? I fear it may be quite significant in size and weight.”
“That’s very kind of you to worry after me, m’lady, but I promise you I am quite capable, and the only one available.”
“You could not possibly be the only one in such a house?” Lady Louisa inquired.
It may have been of humble size compared to Wintercrest, but even her own London house had a butler and two footmen.
“There are three others, m’lady. However, during the day they are to tend to the fields of the property and see to the animals. I promise you that we do our best to be sufficiently staffed with what we have. Lady Hendrickson has her own lady’s maid and two for the use of her daughters, Miss Hendrickson and Miss Mary.
You will be happy to know that the services of one will be devoted solely to you for the duration of your visit.”
“Oh, I see,” Lady Louisa said.
She hadn’t meant to seem presumptuous or rude. Really, she was just surprised to hear the estate was staffed with so few people. She hadn’t expected that.
“I am thankful for my aunt's willingness to see to my comfort. Perhaps I will be received by her shortly so that I may express my gratitude in person?” Lady Louisa asked, doing her best not to seem rude again.
“Lady Hendrickson will receive you in the drawing room this afternoon,” Mr. Johnson informed her as he hoisted up her chest.
She followed behind him promptly, not wishing him to have to tarry for her any more than needed as he struggled into the house. She did her best to study the surroundings as they made their way up to her room.
Most of the walls were darkened with the black soot of time. Even the portraits on the wall were barely recognizable. If, however, one overlooked the general disrepair of an old home with limited resources to maintain it, the house seemed rather comfortable and inviting.
Mr. Johnson led her up the stairs and down the hall past several doors. Soon the hall became narrower, and the ceiling seemed to brush against Mr. Johnson’s head. He didn’t seem much taller than Lady Louisa herself. She was sure he was taking her through the main sleeping area and into the servants’ quarters.
“Forgive the tight space,” Mr. Johnson said as he opened the first door in the narrow hall. “The estate can’t afford guest rooms.”
He pushed open the door and walked in, setting down her trunk. Lady Louisa entered after him. In the room were two simple beds with drawers between them. Next to the door was a simple washbasin stand; the only other fixture in the room was the large window with the blue shutters. Lady Louisa noticed that they matched the color of the front door.
One of the beds had a fine quilt while the other’s was threadbare. She guessed that the room was meant for the female servants. She walked forward to look out the window. Lady Louisa gasped at the sight.
In front of her lay the vastness of the property, with a beautifully clear lake in the distance. She could see one of the footmen working in a field below, as well as several gardens in disrepair. Since they were facing the back the house, she guessed those were the kitchen and medicinal gardens. Lady Louisa hoped that she could explore them thoroughly, for she dearly loved to learn about plants, their therapeutic properties and health benefits.
“What a beautiful view,” Lady Louisa commented.
“Yes,” Mr. Johnson said with a huff as he set down her chest at the edge of the bed with the fine quilt. “Madam is kind enough to afford us our own rooms on the estate, but with your coming, Bess was quick to volunteer hers. She knew how breathtaking the view is. Your ladyship will be even more impressed in the evening. The sun sets just there,” he moved forward and pointed over to the lake.
“It is a most spectacular view as it reflects in the water,” he said with a soft smile.
“I am most grateful for your sacrifice on my behalf, and Bess’ as well.”
“Well,” he said, scratching his stubbled chin in embarrassment, “we are more than happy to oblige.”
“There is plenty of room, however. I don’t mind sharing the space with Bess.”
“Oh, no, m’lady. We wouldn’t have it that way.”
Mr. Johnson excused himself from the room, and Lady Louisa reflected on the odd things that had happened since arriving at her aunt’s house. To start with, were the butler's final words. He spoke as if he and the other servants would not have allowed such a thing as that which she suggested.
Surely her aunt had other guests visit her. Did she make them all stay in the servants’ quarters?
Lady Louisa did her best not to contemplate too much on the strange beginning of her little visit and instead prepared to meet her aunt. She felt overly nervous for this first meeting. It was odd that her aunt had not been present at her arrival.
After freshening up and changing into a rose silk dress, Lady Louisa felt ready to meet her aunt. She wanted to make a great first impression, for she had a feeling the success of her visit would largely depend on it.
Her dress was a little creased from its time in the trunk; she hoped her aunt wouldn’t hold this against her. Not to mention her hair was still a bit worn from the two-day ride from London. She had hoped that Bess might appear and help her get it done.
Usually, she wouldn’t have cared much about her looks, but today seemed to be the day that putting her best foot forward really counted. She retraced her steps back down the hall and stairs not entirely sure which room was the drawing room she was meant to go to.
Luckily, just as she descended the stairs, a maid with a tea tray appeared around the corner.
“Could you perhaps point me to the direction of the drawing room as it appears you are also headed that way?” Lady Louisa asked.
The maid smiled kindly at Lady Louisa and nodded. Without another word, Lady Louisa fell in step behind the maid. She paused for just a moment before the door, as the maid walked in, clinking cups and teapot in hand.
Lady Louisa hesitated as she peeked into the room. She could see three ladies already seated. Lady Louisa could only assume it was her aunt and two cousins. She took a deep, steadying breath. Finding her stomach full of knots, she made her way into the room.
She stood before her aunt and cousins without introduction as the maid set down the tray. All three pairs of eyes looked at her rather skeptically. She felt like crumpling against the wall.
“I suppose punctuality is not something practiced or taught by my sister, the Dowager Countess,” Lady Hendrickson said, looking reasonably bored with her niece.
“Forgive me, Aunt Sarah. I wasn’t told where or when you were expecting me.”
For a beat, silence filled the room. Lady Louisa was waiting for some kind of response and her aunt seemed to relish the awkwardness it was causing her.
“Indeed,” Lady Hendrickson finally said. “You have quite a familiar tone with someone you are meeting for the first time.” She let out a long breath of distaste. “I suppose you should take a seat. I would rather not have a garden statue in the middle of the room.”
Lady Louisa tried to laugh it off as if her aunt meant it as a joke. Her stone-cold face told her otherwise. Lady
Louisa had a feeling that mending any bond between the two families, or even creating a friendship between her two cousins, was going to be significantly harder than she had first hoped for.
“I expect you will be needing an introduction,” Lady Hendrickson said with a raised brow.
Lady Louisa couldn’t believe how much her aunt reminded her of her own mother in looks. Perhaps it was the fact that Lady Hendrickson was completely garbed in black, as her mother had also chosen to do since her own husband's death.
It was more than that, however. Though Lady Hendrickson looked vastly more worn with age, and had a roundness that her mother was altogether lacking, it was still possible to pick out their similar blue eyes and matching golden hair. Unlike her mother who, even in her darkest times, had a glow in her eyes, Lady Louisa ’s aunt only seemed to have a face full of disdain and unhappiness. The lines of her displeasure ran deep along either side of her still plump cheeks.
“I think I can figure out names,” Lady Louisa said as pleasantly as possible as she took a seat in a high-backed chair. "You must be Miss Elisabeth Hendrickson, and you Miss Mary,” Lady Louisa said turning to each of her cousins. She did her best to take note of the fact that Lady Hendrickson didn’t seem to care for familiar terms between relations.
Though Mary gave her a soft smile, Elisabeth seemed to share in her mother’s expression of abhorrence. It was easy to see that not only was her aunt going to be a difficult person to win over, but her daughters would be as well.