God's Country

Part Sixty-Four

'Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.'

Matthew 7:14

Elizabeth Buckingham probably understood Claire Munroe better than Claire herself could ever imagine. For a start, they were both more or less the same age. Miss Ford, Elizabeth's beloved guardian, who would be looking after dear Claire once Elizabeth had married Peter Munroe, told her that there was only eighteen months between them, a similar gap to the one between Elizabeth and her own stepmother. So Elizabeth could appreciate what Claire was thinking about her. But they were similar in so many other ways as well. Both had lost their mothers. Both had been sent off to boarding school and both were the daughters of nascent politicians. They had so much in common, and Elizabeth dearly hoped that they would soon become friends, although she fully expected their relationship to be awkward at first. Claire had only just been saved of course. She would need patience, encouragement and guidance to help her adjust to her new life. Elizabeth knew that it was her duty to be a good wife to Peter Munroe, the man her father had chosen for her, and part of that duty would be to help Claire settle. Miss Ford would be in charge of them both, of course, but Beth was desperate to help her prospective stepdaughter. Miss Ford was her angel in disguise. Beth found that she relied on her so much and she had been so relieved when she was told that Miss Ford would come with her after her marriage.

In many ways, she had been more concerned about that than she had been at her father's decision concerning her future. Maidens were always well-prepared for their betrothals, and in their private moments Henrietta and Georgina often day-dreamed about who their father's would choose for them one day. Elizabeth had learned her lessons well, and without ever really considering it, she expected her father to choose her husband for her as the logical next stage of her new life. He had saved her once, and it was his duty as her father to settle her for the rest of her life with someone who would keep her in God's love. She did not think it strange any more. It was a maiden's duty to honour and obey her father in all things. Her life was in Meadvale, or at least within the Church, as she realised that her fiancé's role would require her to live in London some of the time, and maybe in his constituency of Reigate as well, although that was almost halfway between Westminster and Meadvale. She was blessed in God's love, and although Mr Munroe was older than her, her father had told her that she deserved a mature man who would treat her kindly and love her as he did. Mr Munroe was his friend and trusted advisor, and he said they would always be close to each other as a result. Her father was always thinking of her, and she just had so much to thank him for. She was a maiden; she did not question her father's decisions. She had done that before and she had been proved wrong and he was the Prime Minister. She did not need her lessons to tell her that she should be proud of him. The world was changing and, as he said, she would help show others the way. So she needed to help Claire Munroe find the same happiness that she had found in God's love.

"Such a very pleasant garden...and quite private," Elizabeth commented, linking arms with Claire, their cloaks and skirts billowing together as they stepped down off the terrace. Miss Ford was being kind, probably because Broomwaters was such a secure and private place. It was a mild afternoon, and the guardian had let the girls leave the house with their cloaks open, allowing them the use of their arms, although they were both wearing their mittens and mantles. No veils or muzzles though, because it would be nice for them to talk, and to get to know each other. "It is so nice to be able to get out in the fresh air together, dearest Miss Munroe."

"Yes Miss Buckingham...my eyes are really enjoying it," Claire responded rather coldly and less intimidated by Elizabeth than she had been by Miss Ford earlier in the day. If their first encounter had been a battle of wills, Claire was well aware that she had lost the fight in no time. She had intended to argue, to refuse to cooperate, if not actually physically resist, to make her stupid father change his mind, but something about the guardian made her lose her nerve. Her transformation had been an astonishing experience. She had not just been forced to change her clothes. It was as if the determined young woman had stripped away her entire persona before miraculously turning her into something else, someone else.