CHAPTER THREE

After Win left, Josephine turned to Uncle Roderick. “Oh, Uncle. How exciting! I never dreamed we’d be invited for something so special. Do you think I’ll fit in with this sort of group?”

“Absolutely, Josephine. Why ever wouldn't you? You’re a remarkably fetching young lady. We can’t have you spending the rest of your days clipping roses and reading Jane Austen. You’ve reached the age where more exciting things lie in store for you.”

“Is that why you’re willing to make the journey to London?” she asked, following her uncle as he went into their neat but tiny kitchen.

“Yes, certainly. You’ll soon turn eighteen, my dear. Your parent’s left quite a large sum of money in trust for you, and also for Andrew. It will be soon be yours.” Uncle Roderick poured them each a cup of tea. “I want to see you have the best life has to offer. I know what your parents’ wishes were. You’ve a level head on your shoulders, and you belong in elite society. The money is there for you to have whatever you desire.”

Josephine accepted the china teacup from her uncle, and the two of them sat at the little kitchen table.

“Oh, my, how grand!” she said. “My life is going to change a great deal, isn’t it?”

“Yes, undoubtedly. But it’s important for you to continue making wise choices. You’ve been raised properly and taught all of the etiquette one needs to take a place among the best people in society. Just remember you have a sweet, naive way about you. Don’t lose it, Josephine. Be yourself. You needn’t try to change into somebody else.”

Josephine added a couple sugar cubes to her tea and stirred the steaming liquid. “No, never, Uncle.” She shook her head. “I have no intention of reinventing myself. My fondest dream is to have a small, quaint cottage with a thatched roof and a charming garden. I have no desire to find myself in a position where I oversee a great house like Winthrop Manor. I don’t wish for a title. I’d like to meet a very special man and fall in love. Then all I want is a simple, quiet life.”

“My dearest Josephine. Your dream is a realistic one. Nevertheless, there’s the possibility of other options. I have a suspicion Lord Winterdale has more than a passing interest in you. What would you do if that were the case?” He raised an inquiring brow and took a sip of his tea.

“Uncle! Lord Winterdale and me? I can’t conceive of such a thing. I’m sure his parents have much loftier goals for him. I can’t picture myself as part of his world. Of course, he’s extremely attractive and seems very kind.” She sighed, thinking about just how very handsome he was. “What lady wouldn’t find him desirable? But marriages must be more than love matches in his world. One’s cultural upbringing matters greatly. I haven’t the faintest knowledge required to oversee a great house like Winthrop Manor.”

“You’ve never even seen it. Make your decisions based upon reality. You may find yourself very comfortable and at ease in his home.”

Josephine gave a very unladylike snort. “That, dear uncle, is a dream, I fear. The elite classes are very susceptible to inflexibility and are prone to look down upon others who weren’t raised in their aristocratic world. I think I'll find myself ill at ease in such a setting, where I suspect few if any other women would accept me. Even when I was younger, it was obvious who was raised in an aristocratic setting and who wasn't. The gentry are prone to look down upon those of us who’ve had refined but simple upbringings.”

“Well, let’s attend the dinner at Winthrop Manor, and see how you feel after that. You have every attribute a member of the gentry would be seeking. I should feel proud to show you off in any setting. I suspect the same is true of Lord Winterdale. At any rate, we’re speculating about a future that may never become reality. First and foremost, I want you to marry for love. You’re well-placed, financially, and will want for nothing. You needn’t seek a husband on the basis of a need for security.”

Josephine nodded. “I’m very happy to hear that, Uncle, for I cannot imagine marrying a man I didn’t love with all of my heart, and he must feel the same way about me.” Now that she knew she needn’t worry about money, she felt much better about her future. Regardless of what happened, she needn’t rush into anything.

“You’ll have to excuse me now, Josephine.” Uncle Roderick pushed back his chair and got to his feet. “I’m going to write a letter to Andrew and tell him of our invitation. I think it would be wonderful if he could find time to make a short journey home. We see him so seldom.”

Josephine finished her tea, then stood to clean up their dirty cups. “Yes, do try to persuade him to pay us a visit. I would love to have him by my side when we visit Winthrop Manor.”

“I’ll do my best. In the meantime, you must decide which garments you’re going to take with you on our journey to London.”

On Friday evening, Josephine and her uncle found themselves ensconced in a splendid, two-bedroom suite at the Savoy Hotel in London. Josephine had never been exposed to such luxury. The baths were marble with mahogany-encased tubs, and the walls were covered with white silk fabric. The down mattresses were covered in linen sheets and pale-green silk comforters, which matched the draperies that fell to the floor in lovely puddles of shimmering silk.

Josephine felt as though she’d been transported to another land. She couldn’t imagine Uncle Roderick having been willing to pay the exorbitant price for such overwhelming luxury. She’d not enquired as to where they’d be staying, for she was all but certain his answer would be the name of a small, out-of-the-way hotel in a not-very-upscale neighbourhood. When he gave the name of the Savoy Hotel to the taxicab driver, she’d had to stifle a gasp. Never having been inside that spectacular London hotel, she certainly had heard a lot about it. Andrew had once told her of having taken tea there with a favourite young lady he’d wished to impress.

After they unpacked their rather unsophisticated belongings, they made their way to the River Room, where Josephine ate the best dinner she’d ever consumed in her life. She ordered Beef Wellington, and Uncle Roderick had Lobster Newberg, nearly causing Josephine to topple her off the chair.

“Uncle, I’ve never known you to spend so freely before. I’m completely astounded. Andrew will never believe we’re partaking of such grandeur,” Josephine exclaimed.

“I thought it time for you to begin to learn about the finer things in life. I’ve chosen to subsist on a very simple budget, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have the means to live differently. I’ve spent very little of the money I’ve earned through the years. Believe it or not, I have a great amount invested. I own thousands of acres around Winthrop-on-Hart.”

Josephine sat up straight in her chair, eyes wide in surprise. “Surely, you cannot be serious? I had no idea, Uncle. You’ve always been so frugal.”

Suddenly, Josephine felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to see her beloved brother Andrew leaning over to give her a kiss on the cheek.

“Andrew! You darling. How did you know where we were? I’m so thrilled to see you. It’s been forever. Are you staying long?”

“Slow down, baby sister. Uncle wrote and told me your plans. Surely you didn’t think I’d miss out on something so grand?” Andrew pulled out a chair and joined them at the table. “I assume you’re here in London to find a gown, Josephine. I’m here on the same mission. I’ve outgrown my evening attire, so it’s time to refurbish my wardrobe. I’ll be searching for employment soon, so I’ve a need for suits, shirts, ties, and the like. This occasion at the neighbour’s near the village sounds rather upscale. How did you meet the son of an earl, Josephine?”

“I was clipping my roses when he came riding by on a spectacular horse. He’s recently had it sent from Ireland, with plans to run him at the Ascot races in June. We chatted, and the next thing I knew, he was inviting Uncle and me, and you, if you’re able to make the journey, to a lovely dinner party at his parents’ home, Winthrop Manor.”

“What a bit of luck! Will there be other guests?”

“Oh, yes. His sister, Elisabeth, a brother, Oliver, a widowed neighbor lady, and a chum of his from school who is now a physician. I don’t know if he’s included anybody else. It sounds divine.” Josephine glanced at her brother. “Would you like to order something? Are you hungry?”

Andrew nodded toward her plate. “That looks delicious, but I’ve already eaten. However, a good cup of coffee would be nice.” He smiled. “So what is the required dress for this function?”

“Formal, but not too flamboyant. I’m sure you know, after three years at Oxford.” She looked to her uncle. “Uncle Roderick, do you think you could go find our server and ask for a cup of coffee for Andrew?”

Uncle Roderick nodded and excused himself.

“I have a good idea about what’s required,” Andrew said in response to Josephine’s inquiry.

Uncle Roderick returned a few seconds later and resumed his seat. “Your coffee will be here momentarily. I ordered an entire pot, just in case.”

Andrew nodded. “Thank you.” He grinned at his uncle. “Roderick, you’re looking fine. Are you here on a shopping expedition, too?”

“Yes, I haven’t anything suitable to wear. Of course, I’m also here to keep a keen eye on our Josephine. This will be her first formal gown. I know she’ll look spectacular, but I’m going to make certain she chooses correctly.”

“I rang your office and was surprised to hear you were at the Savoy,” Andrew said. “I expected a much more down-market hotel. What’s become of you?”

Roderick laughed. “Oh, in my younger days, I was well-versed in the best of everything. However, I was always a country boy at heart. Thelma adored the English countryside, so we made our home there. It’s been a good life, and a profitable one.”

“Profitable?” echoed Andrew. “For some reason, I’ve never thought of it in those terms.”

“I’ve invested in a great amount of land over the years. Thousands of acres, in fact. Now, land costs have increased enormously. I suspect someday there will be a building boom in many of the rural areas. My land should be of enormous value when that time arrives. It’s already increased many times over.”

Their server arrived, carrying a large tray that held a coffee carafe and three large mugs. She set the carafe and mugs on the table, and then she filled each cup three-quarters of the way full. “There’s cream and sugar,” she said, nodding toward the sterling silver set on the table. “Will there be anything else?”

Roderick looked around the table before addressing the woman. “No, I think we’re fine for now. Thank you.”

The server nodded and walked away.

Andrew picked up the conversation again. “I had no idea you had accumulated so much wealth, Uncle. You’ve always lived so thriftily.”

“Yes. I explained all of this to Josephine. I have, indeed, been prudent when it came to finances. Then, of course, your parents left that substantial estate for the two of you. Josephine will get her portion when she turns twenty-on, as you did, Andrew. So the time has come when you’ll both be taking control of your own money. I believe I've taught both of you to be properly cautious with your funds.” Uncle Roderick paused and took a sip of his coffee. He nodded at Andrew. “Naturally, I expect that you’ll want to live an up-scale life, but I truly do hope you won’t be too extravagant. Your trust has grown into a fortune. It can be of more value if you’re sensible. Invest wisely, and find a suitable wife who understands your motivations. Live in a fine style, Andrew, but always keep in mind that emergency’s do occur in life. I want you to be prepared in case of dire need.”

“I understand what you’re saying. My father taught me well, and so have you. You needn’t have concern. I know the value of a pound. I’m also very much in favour of charity.”

“Yes, I am, too.” Josephine nodded. She chewed and swallowed another bite of the delicious, tender beef, then said. “So many people aren’t as fortunate as we are.”

“Yes, I’ve known young men at Oxford who haven’t a clue as to how much it costs to live. I don’t ever intend to become one of those people. Josephine,” Andrew said, pointing at her with his teaspoon, “you have to have the same vigilance.”

“I agree, but I had no idea that we were in such an exceptional financial situation. Don’t worry, I have no intentions of squandering my inheritance on foolishness. I’ve never been one to fritter away money. Just because I’ve now learned that I’m worth substantially more than I ever dreamed, that doesn’t mean I intend to forget its importance. You needn’t worry about me. I have a very levelheaded side when it comes to finances. Uncle knows my dreams. They’re really quite modest. A charming cottage surrounded with flowers in a lovely wooded setting. I assume I’ll marry someday, but I’m in no hurry for that step. Finding a gentleman who shares my dreams probably won’t be easy, especially if he should learn that I’m in a healthy financial position. There are a lot of men who can’t be trusted. I’m well aware of that.”

“Good for you, sister. Promise me that when that day comes, you’ll talk everything over with me. I want to make certain you find the love you deserve.”