Chapter 18

Chapter Eighteen

Ebony really liked Kitty and Annie. They were really kind women, and she couldn’t tell that there was eight and ten years between them in age. They laughed as if they were naughty children.

She’d never eaten so well in her life. A silver tureen filled with potato and leek soup had been delivered to Kitty’s room with fresh bread. Ebony almost wanted to steal some of the bread for later but she knew the kind Alcott family would not let her or Ellen go hungry.

While they had been enjoying their lunch, Annie measured Ebony’s waist so that she could alter the dress. She’d told Ebony that she would allow an inch as she was very thin and her figure would no doubt change with regular meals. Annie’s hands sewed flawlessly as she cut the stitches and removed material to narrow the waist on the gown. Ebony was excited to wear something so fine. Annie and Kitty didn’t know how lucky they truly were.

At the conclusion of their meal, the door opened. Ebony’s first thought was ‘more food?’ but instead, three small children hurried in. The first, a boy. He looked to be about three years old and there was no denying his parentage. He was James’ son. His hair was dark brown and was untidy and thick. His eyes were the colour of beautiful sapphires and his smile was very cheeky. The two girls who followed him were identical twins. They still walked like toddlers and looked to not be quite two years old. Their hair was the same colour as the boy’s but it hung in perfect little curls. Ebony envied them. Their eyes were much lighter too, the same colour as their mother’s. Their outfits were colour coordinated – pink and yellow.

“Hello!” Annie exclaimed as both she and Kitty opened their arms to the children.

“Aunt Kitty!” cheered the boy as he was scooped up by Kitty.

“Aunt Annie!” the girls chimed as Annie stooped to their level and cuddled them.

“We were wondering when you’d come to see us. Did you grow some more, young man?” Kitty asked the boy.

“Oui!” he said proudly in French.

“I see maman is improving your French daily,” Annie commented. “Ebony, these are James and Alice’s children. This strapping young man is Jack, but Alice calls him Jacques. And the pink one here is Juliette and the yellow one is Madeleine.”

Ebony thought they had very pretty names.

For the next few hours, they played with the children. It really reminded her of how she used to spend time with Celeste when she was really young.

It was late afternoon when it was time to go back to the practice. She was wearing the gown and it felt like feathers against her skin. It was still a little loose around her waist but she did want to vanquish her bones and look like a soft, healthy young lady.

Her hair had been tamed … to the best of Kitty and Annie’s ability. They’d twisted it into a loose bun and fixed it with silver hairpins. A few loose curls had been left hanging either side of her face. Not much could be done for her bruised skin, but regardless, she felt rather pretty.

She was helped into the carriage by a footmen who proceeded to bow his head to the ladies. Was it always like this? Were they royalty?

“Don’t they tire of it?” Ebony asked Annie and Kitty. “Waiting on you, I mean.” Growing up, nobody she knew ever had a servant. They simply couldn’t afford it. The house called Ethridge was filled with them.

“Some do, I suppose.” Kitty nodded. “But not our servants. Papa is a good master. Fair, and he always helps if he can. He respects them, so in turn he too receives respect, loyalty and devotion. That is the difference between our house and many others.”

“He is a good man, your father,” Ebony realised.

“The best.” Annie smiled. “He understands the common man, you see. He was raised by farmers and learned to work for what he had. That’s where your Celeste is, on our grandmother’s farm in Yorkshire. It’s ever so pretty in spring with all the wildflowers about.”

Celeste would be enjoying herself then. She liked being outside. “Your mother seems very lovely too,” Ebony added.

“Mama has a special patience for those who’ve walked the hard road,” Kitty said mysteriously.

“Mama knows what it’s like to be a victim herself. But it’s not our story to tell. I’m sure she will speak to you in due course,” Annie concluded.

The rest of the journey’s conversation was taken up by both Kitty and Annie talking about their children and husbands. Kitty was very upset and angry at the fact that her husband, the Admiral of the Fleet, William Aubrey, was to set off for a journey in two months’ time and she couldn’t do a thing about it.

“I’m going to be an absolute mess on the docks,” Kitty said simply. “You both shall have to hold my hands so as I don’t jump in the water and swim after his ship. HMS Scarlet it’s called. Sounds like a whore’s name if you ask me.” She pouted.

“It’s the name of the ship, not a woman on board.” Annie laughed.

“Same difference,” Kitty snapped. She folded her arms across her chest and frowned. “I can just see a pretty, young thing in the Americas with ivory skin and no scars just charming the slacks off of him.”

“You know that’s ridiculous,” Annie said at the same time as Ebony asked “What scars?”

Ebony couldn’t see any scars.

“I know,” she sighed, accepting the reality. Ebony didn’t know her husband’s character but Annie seemed certain that an affair was completely preposterous. “I’ll just miss him ever so much. I have a scar along here.” Kitty drew an imaginary line along the bottom of her stomach. “My sister, Little J, the doctor you met, she had to cut Millie out of me. She saved us both.”

“She’s certainly incredibly talented. But I’ve never heard or seen a female doctor before. Is it a London thing?” Ebony asked.

“No, it’s all be hushed up. Papa’s influence had a lot to do with it. Basically it was a huge, secret charade in which Little J masqueraded as a man to attend university. When the powers that be found out, they allowed her to graduate but they wouldn’t acknowledge her as a student nor was she allowed to attend the graduation ceremony. She’s a doctor without any school records.” Annie looked out the carriage window and smiled. “Ah, we’re here,” she announced.

The three women climbed out of the carriage and entered the medical practice soon after. Harrison’s door was closed and she could hear voices inside that led her to believe he was with a patient. They three walked directly up the stairs and saw that virtually everyone, bar Little J, had left for the day. She wondered where Ellen had got to.

“Hello, little brother,” Kitty chirped as they opened the door.

Henry was still lying down in the bed, though his head was propped up with pillows. He smiled widely as he saw Ebony and she felt the blood rush to her cheeks.

‘How humiliating?’ she thought.

“Don’t you look beautiful?” Little J said kindly as she motioned for Ebony to turn. Ebony reluctantly obliged.

“Thank you,” she said bashfully.

“Where is everyone, Little J?” Annie asked.

“Mama took the children, Papa, James and Joseph have gone back to work and your friend Ellen has gone back to the opera house for a little while. She told me she would return so have no fear.”

“Little J, Annie, might I have a private word?” Kitty asked, attempting to be subtle. The woman was about as subtle as a cannon.

“Of course,” Little J replied.

“Of course.” Annie nodded, though her tone was knowing.

The three sisters followed each other out of the room and the door was closed behind them.

“Sorry about them,” Henry apologised. “They mean well.”

“They’re all lovely,” Ebony said sincerely. “Ever so kind and considerate of someone like me.”

“Someone like you?”

She joined him at his bedside and sat down in the chair. “I’m not exactly the type of girl that a family like yours befriends,” she replied. She knew that his family was different though. Respectful and nice. No wonder they invoked loyalty from their servants.

“You’re my friend,” Henry said simply. “Disregard the rest. I certainly will. Besides, I’m fairly certain my sisters are ready to adopt you.”

Ebony laughed lightly. “How are you feeling?” she asked, sounding a little more serious.

He was now wearing a loose shirt over his bandaged torso. He looked down at it though and sighed. “I shall be here for a while,” he said sadly. “Little J has to make sure that no infection gets into my wound. Once it’s healed a little more I shall be able to sit up and then perhaps stand. Would you be willing to wait to travel to Yorkshire? I should so very much like to escort you.”

“I’d like that,” she replied with a smile. “From what I hear, my sister is very much attached to you.”

“She’s a special girl,” he said. “Much like her sister.” Ebony blushed again and cursed her silly cheeks. “I like it when your cheeks turn red,” he commented.

“The shoe is now on the other foot, I suppose. I remember how nervous you were when we first met and now I am the wreck. What happened?”

“Things change. I think perhaps my quest has given me the confidence to go after what I want,” he said simply. “As I’ve never done before. Miss Seaver …” he began but they were interrupted by the sudden opening of Henry’s door.

Ellen burst into the room with a wide smile on her face. “I’m so sorry to interrupt, but I bring the most wonderful news!” she exclaimed. She immediately claimed Ebony and pulled her to her feet.

“What is it?” Ebony demanded to know. “Tell me immediately.”

“I went to the opera house to see everyone, to let them know we are alright, and when I arrive I find out that a Mr Herbert Spencer has taken over as producer,” Ellen said excitedly.

Ebony did not recognise the name, though she commended Mr Spencer for acting quickly. “Should I know him?”

“You certainly should now. He brought with him legitimate contracts and contacts and has given every cast member and crew person twenty pounds in advance to sign a contract tying them to the production for a year to tour Europe – can you believe it?” Ellen’s smile grew wider as she spoke. She was clearly ready to sign a contract. And so she should. She was a talented seamstress. “And what’s more? Mademoiselle Georgette Sinclair has returned to France now that Vernon’s threat is no longer on her head so the part of Elvira is open to the most famous singer in England – you!”

“He wants me?” Ebony repeated.

“Only you.” Ellen beamed. “He would consider no other. I was to find you and bring you to him immediately. He has your contract ready and your twenty pounds. Come on,” she urged.

It was all that she could have dreamed of. To be paid to sing on stage. To be celebrated and applauded. But there was a word that held her back – was. Her priorities had changed, her dreams had changed. She had Celeste … and Henry. She caught his eye in that moment and she saw a mixture of dear and hope. Fear that she would leave and hope that she would stay. He needn’t worry. “Once upon a time I would have jumped at the chance,” she told Ellen. “But I’ve sung Elvira for a long time. It is time for another star to step into the light. There will be other parts. For now my place is here. Please tell Mr Spencer that I am so grateful for his thinking of me but that I must decline. I’ll miss you, my friend.”

Ellen’s face fell and her eyes became teary. She threw herself into Ebony’s arms and hugged her tightly. “It won’t be long before we meet again. I shall have to change my address at the Met for the summons. We shall see each other at the trial. It won’t be the same without you. Promise me we shall work together again, do not give up singing, it would be a great sin to put aside such a gift.”

“You would have to kill me to make me stop.” Ebony smiled. “You deserve this, Ellen, you deserve to have this chance. We shall work together again in time. I promise you.”

“And your son shall be looked after, Miss Winterberry,” Henry said, disturbing their embrace. “I’ve not forgot my promise. An Eton education shall be afforded to your Freddie.” He smiled kindly at her.

Ellen could not hold back the tears then. “Oh, bless you!” she exclaimed and quickly placed a kiss on his cheek. “You must take care of her. Promise me you will. I implore you.”

“Have no fear, she will be well looked after. I wish you the best of luck,” he said sincerely.

Ellen took a few steps towards the door. “I cannot persuade you?”

“No,” Ebony said firmly. “I’ll sing again but not today.”

Ellen blew her a kiss and then disappeared out the door.

“Why did you do that?” Henry demanded. “That is a wonderful opportunity for you.”

Ebony shrugged with a small smile on her lips. “I suppose I was Elvira for so long, I should like to be just Ebony for a time. It is like you said, things change.”

---

Hope you liked it :)

Might not be an update until Tuesday as classes start up again on Monday :(

Really, really annoying game of netball today. Off the court I'm a delight :) But on the court I mean business. I play Goal Keeper which is one of the primary defense positions and we had a fill in player today as a couple of girls couldn't play. She was about 20 years older than me and I appreciated her filling in but the woman spoke to me on court as if I hadn't been playing netball since I was 6 years old. She spoke to me like I was a child and in actual fact was behaving like one on court. Whenever the umpire called her up she'd throw the ball away in a huff and I'm thinking 'Jeez, have the hissy fit off court please.' Ugh, don't have time for dictators in netball :P

But on a happier note --- I remember when I was 5 years old in 1999 I went to visit my mum's best friend in hospital as she'd just had a baby - Natalie Emma. And tomorrow Natalie turns 14! One year I made gingerbread men, probably about 10 years ago, and they were disgusting! But little Natalie loved them so I've made them for her birthday ever since. This year they don't look half bad :P

Also, I just wanted to ask - I've been seriously thinking about publishing this series and I've been researching how to do it on the iBooks store (as I don't think a publishing company would give a 19yo the time of day) and I need a credit card to start an account --- so will it be worth be applying for a credit card? Would you buy this series (bearing in mind it will be properly edited with things added etc)? Let me know :)

Vote and comment :)