Epilogue
Everybody was rushing through the house. The fire was already lit up, the dust had long disappeared, and the plates and cutlery were carefully placed on the table. Everything was good to go.
‘I hope for everybody’s sake that the house is cleaner than a fresh river’s water.’ Shouted the butler of the Cavendish family. He walked around the house cautiously, checking every detail. But the house looked perfect.
‘They are coming.’ A voice screeched. Without the butler’s order, everybody rushed outside, forming a perfect line, to greet the family. The butler was pleased with the perfect line and stood right at the beginning of it, just like a proud father would.
‘Good morning, everybody!’ greeted Archibald Cavendish, the Earl of Essex. His wife, Helene followed him closely and greeted the household’s staff. Their older children waited for their turn, as always, following the rules. Caroline, the eldest daughter stepped out of the carriage, and Sophia, the middle child followed. Angeline, the youngest, peaked outside, then jumped too. Her laughter filled the morning air, while her nanny hurried to pick her up. A muttered ‘I am sorry.’ was heard from Nanny Mary.
‘How was your holiday, sir?’ asked the butler. The staff disappeared as soon as the short discussion began, proceeding with their day-to-day work.
‘Very well. We enjoyed it’ answered Count Archibald.
‘And we are ready for the start of the season. Scotland was amazing, but I missed home.’ added Countess Helena, then headed inside with the girls.
‘Any news, Hugo?’ Archibald continued the discussion. ‘I hope everything went well while we were out.’
‘Yes, My Lord. Everything was and still is fine. Curious thing, somebody is moving in at the river’s household. I even saw the job announcements. Looking for a butler in the newspaper... what a thing.’ Scoffed Hugo.
‘Oh, really.’ Said Lord Archibald. ‘I will look into it.’ As it was expected, everybody went inside. The luggage was carried inside, under the careful supervision of Hugo.
Caroline sighed as she entered her room. Her room was neat and tidy; ready to use. She loved being home and chasing her thoughts. Caroline plopped herself on the bed and closed her eyes. Her sandy blonde hair was covering her eyes, offering her a bit of shade. Sleep has almost taken her when somebody knocked on her door. It was her and Sophia’s lady’s maid, Esther. ‘Come in!’ hesitated Caroline.
‘Welcome home, Lady Caroline! Your mother asked if you want to have lunch a little bit earlier. At 12, perhaps?’ Esther waited patiently for an answer, but Caroline did not move at all. She just wiggled her shoes off and rolled over.
‘I do not think I have a choice, Esther.’ Replied Caroline. ‘But say yes, of course. Whenever she wants to have lunch, we have lunch.’
Caroline wasn’t really keen on keeping traditions and eating all the time together was kind of boring for her already. She changed her dress, combed her hair, and went downstairs to have the promised lunch. Her sister, Sophia, was already waiting for her at the door, holding Angeline’s hand. Unlike her sister, Sophia had long curly chestnut brown hair and very dark brown eyes. Even though the sisters weren’t too much alike, there is a well-known explanation for it. Helene had the blonde hair in the family, and Archibald preserved the chestnut brown hair. The curls were probably from her grandmother, Archibald’s mother, who also had curly hair. Angeline was a fine combination of her parents, with her dirty blonde and wavy hair.
The table was filled with thin slices of bread and freshly baked buns, blueberry and raspberry jam, cottage cheese, camembert, a very appetizing pumpkin soup, and a small fruit basket. Archibald and Helena sat down, and their children followed. Now they were waiting for the head of the house, Archibald, to start. Indeed, he did. He took a sip of water and began his speech.
‘There is a new family in the area, as you may know by now. They moved into the property near the river. I thought it is nobody’s land, but here we are. Having neighbours. What a thing...’
‘Oh, papa, don’t be so shocked. We live in a modern world. Everybody can move wherever they want.’ Added Sophia. ‘We will not have to invite only relatives anymore. It is company. I am grateful.’
‘He is not shocked, my dear. He is surprised. Since your grandmother’s death, we didn’t have any neighbours. It is new for me too.’ Said lady Helene reassuring his beloved husband while reaching to pat his shoulder. He caught her hand gently and kissed it. ‘Your mother knows what I am thinking.’ replied Archibald.
‘We are not really neighbours. You might be overreacting a little bit. There is a twenty-minute ride with the carriage. So, it is not that close. We won’t be affected, whoever they might be.’ Caroline was always very opinionated about everything. She was ready to be different. She was born to be different. Her mother’s opinion was that she is too educated, and it went to her head. Lord Archibald agreed with her wife, but he knew that she would know how to choose the right husband in the near future.
Mister Hugo Clark, the butler, came in with the newspaper at the end of the lunch, and Lord Archibald read it to the family, amazed: Our community welcomes the Villiers family. They are coming from Scotland to start a new life. Opening positions: footman, lady’s maids, housekeeper.
Lord Archibald closed the newspaper and placed it back on Mr. Clark’s tray.
‘Please, have a look around and get me more information about them. It feels strange to know nothing about them and they live so close to us. ’
‘Not so close.’ added Caroline.
‘Maybe we know them from Scotland. I genuinely hope so. Otherwise, we need to accommodate them, and I am not so keen on that.’ said her father, ignoring her note.
‘It sounds like we have to host a welcome dinner.’ Cheered Helena. ‘Poor them, they don’t even have staff for a proper dinner.’
A few days later, Lady Helena wrote a sophisticated letter to their neighbours, inviting them to dinner in two weeks’ time. She made sure to invite all the proper families, so they feel welcome. In the back of her mind, though, all she wanted was to impress the intruders.
Dear Villiers family,
I hope this letter finds you in the best of health and spirits. It is with immense pleasure and honour that I extend an invitation to your family to a grand dinner party to be held at my residence on the 12th of September starting at 18 o’clock, honouring you as new members in our area.
As a cherished member of our esteemed circle, your presence would greatly enhance the splendour of this occasion. The evening promises to be a celebration of refined conversation, delectable gastronomy, and the conviviality of esteemed company.
Please inform me at your earliest convenience of your acceptance, as it would greatly assist in organizing the affair. Additionally, kindly notify me of any dietary restrictions or preferences you or any member of your family may have, so that suitable provisions can be made.
I eagerly anticipate the honour of your esteemed presence at this soirée, and I am certain that the evening will be one that lingers fondly in our memories for years to come.
With warmest regards,
Helena Cavendish, Countess of Sussex.
