August melted into September and the days seemed longer than ever. My niece Isabella was happy to have more of my attention but I could only play for so long before I needed another distraction. Freddie offered painting lessons but I was happy with my sketching. Painting would only remind me of Emily and all the times we sat together trying to capture a scene, her with a paintbrush and I would use my pencils.
One day I overheard Freddie trying to convince his wife, Patience, to invent something to help cheer me. Her reply was curt, "Marriage is a fact of life, she needs to realize that." The words haunted me for days. Why must we get married? I thought to myself as I lay in bed one evening. Then it came to me that I was the last of our family and I had no prospects. What would be my fate? A spinster? Isabella's governess? My sleep was fitful that night.
I did my best not to look forlorn and tried to take more enjoyment in my day to day life. I happily accepted any offer to play when Isabella asked and I went through several sketchbooks drawing the different flowers in our garden. I think I almost convinced myself that I was doing well until it was the eve of the fourth anniversary. Four years from the day that we received news of our parents' ship being lost at sea. Every year we set the table for our entire family and took our respective places as when we were all together. Yes, over the years the company has become more sparse, but with only three of us at the table, it was shockingly depressing. I barely said a word through the meal.
"Darling," Freddie said as he finished his dessert, "what if we have your sister come for a visit?"
"Hmmm," Patience thought for a moment, "I suppose I could write her tonight. Any particular reason for this sudden delightful idea?"
Freddie cleared his throat and I was sure that he nodded in my direction, "It might be nice to have some younger people around . . . "
"For me you mean," I muttered as I stared at my trifle.
"Well, you are close to the same age, are they not?" he asked looking across the table to his wife.
"Yes," Patience replied. I could hear it in her voice that she was not as keen on the idea as she was before realizing it was for my benefit. "Faith just turned seventeen recently."
"I think it would be a splendid idea," he smiled as he stood, "don't you?" I shrugged and kept my eyes on my dessert. I heard Patience drop her spoon hard against her tea cup and then she left the room. "Yes," Freddie sighed, "perhaps Faith can bring some happiness with her into this house."
It wasn't until the week of Isabella's birthday that Freddie breached the topic again, "Any word from your sister?" he asked Patience one night in the drawing room.
"No, nothing yet," she said working her needlepoint steadily.
"Hmm, I would have thought she'd love to visit," Freddie said taking a turn around the room. He stopped at the picture window where I was sitting and when I glanced at him, he had a warm smile waiting. "I think you and I should take Isabella into town tomorrow, Margaret. It would do you both some good to go for a ride." When I went to decline with a shake of my head he continued, "Actually that wasn't a request. We will make a day of it."
The next day Isabella was excitedly twirling in the hall waiting for me, "Come, Auntie Margaret, we got to town!" She was so happy that she could barely get the words out as she took my hand.
I remained quiet during the carriage ride as Isabella pelted her father with questions and he listed all of the shops they were going to explore. I thought to myself of how wonderfully devoted my brothers were to their wives and families. If I could somehow find such a man, I would truly be blessed.
"I was thinking that we could see if there were going to be any dances," Freddie spoke up and caught my attention.
"I'm sorry?" I asked.
"Dances . . . social gatherings where young people enjoy music and dancing," he explained as if I were a simpleton.
"I know what dances are, Freddie," I said shaking my head and looking out the window.
"Well, they're wonderful places for meeting people. What do you think?" he smiled at me.
"Perhaps, but I wouldn't know anyone . . . "
"That would be the point," he said grabbing his daughter who was standing on the seat to look out the window, "If this one was older I'd suggest a party."
I sighed loudly, I knew he was trying to help. "We can look," I agreed. That seemed to make him happy and we continued the drive in silence except for sporadic questions from Isabella.
Our day in the village was quite nice, the sun was shining and there weren't many people in the streets so we strolled leisurely. We checked out several shops and stopped for some pastries. Once Isabella began to yawn it was time to head home but not without her picking out a birthday gift. As I held her and the newly acquired doll, Freddie spoke with the merchant before joining us. "I'm sorry, Magpie, but no dances coming up," he apologized as he took his sleepy daughter into his arms.
"That's okay," I gave a weak smile, "I'm sure there will be soon."
"Perhaps," he breathed as we climbed into the carriage, "I'll ask Patience to write to Faith again."
"No, Freddie," I sighed.
"Why not? It's a wonderful idea! You're practically the same age and . . . "
"Patience does not like the idea," I whispered.
"That's too bad for her, she should want her sister to visit . . . "
"It's not that," I said looking at my reticule in my lap, "It's because it's for me."
"That's nonsense!"
"Is it? She's never been fond of me," I said looking up at him.
He thought for a moment, "She used to dote on you, if you remember."
"That was a long time ago," I smiled, "before you had to look after me."
"Don't think like that," he said reaching out and taking my hand, "She does care for you, she's just . . . " he let the words fall and looked over at his sleeping daughter. "Patience does care for you," he repeated.
The rest of the drive was quiet and I was glad for it. Occasionally I looked across at my brother and he was lost in thought. His hand gently cradling Isabella against him as she slept with her doll wrapped in her arms. His usual happy demeanor was gone and instead he wore a plaintive expression. Part of me wanted to know what was plaguing his thoughts, but then I had been enough of a burden lately so I kept silent.
When we returned home Patience was anxiously awaiting our arrival, sitting expectantly in the parlor, "I have wonderful news!" she chirped. It must truly be exciting news for her voice to be in that octave.
"Is your sister coming?" Freddie asked kissing her on the cheek as she brandished two letters in her hand.
"Of course not," she quipped before catching my eye, "well, you see she's going to London for the Season so she's busy preparing."
"But that's more than a month away, does she need all that time?" Freddie asked as the governess, Mrs. Fletcher, came to take Isabella up to her room.
"Darling, only a man would say such a thing," Patience tried to chuckle as she swatted him with the letters.
"Well, then what's all of this wonderful news?" I heard him ask as I took off my bonnet and went to sit in the picture window with a book.
"London!" she admonished, "My family will be in London and I wish to visit while they're there."
"I'm sure we can make arrangements," Freddie smiled looking at me.
"I meant to go alone," she quickly added, "to spend time with them. You see my parents will be leaving for Egypt shortly and have no idea when they plan to return."
"What about Isabella?"
"She will be fine with you and Mrs. Fletcher . . . " Freddie fell into a chair and wiped his hand across his forehead. "Darling, I don't ask for much," Patience began again, "I think it would be good for me."
Freddie sounded defeated, "Fine," he said.
"And the other news comes from your uncle, he's inviting the entire Ashbrook family to his estate for the Christmas season next year," she said handing him the letter.
"Really?" Freddie said sitting up and looking over the invitation, "It's been ages since we've all been together," he breathed. "Do you think you'll make that celebration, dear?" I could hear some contempt in his voice as he turned to his wife.
"Of course," she said sickeningly sweet, "Why would I miss a chance to visit with Lord and Lady Ashbrook?"