The Spells of Paradise

Chapter 4: A New Family in Charge

"Perhaps we shall sit in on one and see for ourselves what they are all about," Beatrice cackled.

"Americans aren't too fond of strangers in their homes," Lucy reminded her. "Least of all those of our kind."

"Oh, please, spare me!" Beatrice scoffed as they walked by a fruit stand. "What on Earth do those sorry sods have to be so bitter about? They won the war, did they not?"

James laughed at that, and Lucy forced one out as well.

They stopped by the fruit stand and gushed over the assortment of fresh produce for a while. As they did that, Lucy ran into a few old friends from childhood, though it took a few moments for them to recognize her.

"I swear on my life, we were all wondering who this beauty from the city is!" Felicity Davenport, the wife of one of her father's former judges, laughed. "My goodness, Lucy, you have blossomed! Your father would be so proud, God rest his honorable soul. How is your mother?"

Lucy grimaced and cleared her throat. "She... Well..."

Truth was she had no idea, as she had not seen much of her mother these past few years. Lydia had visited her, but said nothing of it. Especially after their father's loss, their mother had retreated far more into herself, and had all but disappeared. For all Lucy knew, she was already dead.

"Lucy?" Mrs. Davenport frowned. "Is something the matter, dear?"

"My mother and I have not spoken in a long time, Mrs. Davenport," Lucy finally answered honestly. "She's been to herself mostly. And my father's death..."

"Say no more, my dear," Mrs. Davenport said hastily. "Ever since your mother took you and your sister to London, I saw how that deteriorated old Magistrate Quincy. It looked like the soul of him was ripped from his body to be apart from Abigail! They were quite in love."

No, Lucy thought bitterly. They were not.

After Mrs. Davenport left, James came up to Lucy and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Are you alright?"

Lucy nodded and smiled, turning to him. "Yes, shall we go?"

James frowned, but sighed and gestured down another road leading away from the market. "Very well."

Beatrice came up to them, biting down on a small apple with a look of utter content on her face, the stack of papers still in her arms. For some reason, she refused to hand them over to anyone else. "I shall say it now: I love the country!"

That makes one of us...

XXX

The Donaldson home was a sizeable estate, about half the size of Dawn-Bridge. It was nestled in the trees, with a generous gate standing guard. One of the doors was ajar, and there was a round fountain in the middle of the courtyard, which was running. Among the frame of autumn leaves falling, it was a rather ethereal sight. There was a chirping of birds as they approached the house, and James watched as Lucy craned her neck to look up at the treetops, where the autumn colors were the most vibrant.

James led Lucy and Beatrice up the courtyard path and to the threshold of the large front doors. He didn't hesitate to knock and stood back patiently. He dared not turn his head to see the look on Lucy's face. Merely seeing her again was hard enough, it made his insides churn, and all he wanted to do was take her in his arms and hold her close. She was quite possibly the most beautiful woman in the world, and he wanted to show her that. He wanted to spoil her with flowers and jewels and the finest silks. He wanted to pamper her and treat her like royalty. Lucy Quincy was the one he had been waiting for all his life, his dear childhood friend and sweetheart.