Forever Phoebe by Chalon Linton
Chapter 10
Franklin determined today was the day he would locate Nathaniel Thurston. If Miss Jamison and Miss Vane were willing to aid him in hiring his staff, he could do his part. He rode Chipper to the Blue Goose Inn, but the proprietor had not seen Thurston since Franklin’s last visit. Franklin sat at a table, ordered a drink, and contemplated his next move.
A light crowd filled the taproom. Chatter varied from crop yield and weather to the war with America to the atrociousness of the pink satin–lined seats in Lady Granby’s new carriage. Franklin’s ears perked when he heard mention of Ravencrest. He carefully observed the patrons until he found the table conversing about his estate.
Picking up his glass, Franklin walked to where three young men sat talking and laughing between bites of warm stew. “Mind if I join you?” he asked.
The smallest of the three turned a skeptical eye on Franklin, but the broad lad with a thick neck slapped his hand near an empty seat. “Here ya are.”
Franklin sat and introduced himself. The man who’d welcomed him to the table rubbed a hand down his cheek. “I suppose you heard us rambling on about yer estate.”
Franklin waved his hand. “I’d just as soon answer any questions you have. And I thought you lot might be able to help me.”
This caught their attention. “How can we be helpin’ you?” the smallest man asked.
“I’ll soon be hiring servants to work at Ravencrest,” Franklin began. “Of course, I’ll first need to hire a butler. Do any of you know where I can find Nathaniel Thurston?”
The men both looked at their companion, a lanky fellow whose dirty shirt matched the color of his hair.
“Do you know him?” Franklin asked.
The lanky man’s head slowly bobbed. “He’s me brother.”
Finally, Franklin had a lead. The man before him did not speak or act with the decorum required of a butler, but Franklin did not believe Mason had made the recommendation in vain. “Will you take me to see him?”
“You mean to hire him?” Thurston leaned his arms forward on the table.
“I need to interview him first to be sure, but my hope is that he can start work right away,” Franklin said.
“What about his missus?” Thurston asked.
“I’m in need of a host of servants. I’m sure we can find a position for Mrs. Thurston as well,” Franklin said. “If you are looking for work, we might find you a place too.”
Thurston puckered his lips, then bobbed his head again. “I’ll take ye.”
Franklin left his glass on the table and stood. “I’m obliged to all of you.” He tossed enough coins on the table to cover their meals and followed the lanky Thurston brother outside.
Franklin led Chipper, and as they walked out of Halsham, he learned that Nathaniel’s younger brother was George. Since Mrs. Mason’s dismissal of Nathaniel, the family’s circumstances had turned dire. They oft foraged for mushrooms and herbs in the forest and ate watery porridge.
George led Franklin several miles away to a small cottage tucked among a thicket of trees. The yard was tidy, and a column of smoke rose into the sky. A man with the same dusty-brown hair as George stood chopping wood. When he saw Franklin approach, he swung the axe into a wooden round and walked over to them.
Franklin introduced himself. “Franklin Everly, heir to Ravencrest.”
“Nathaniel Thurston. How do you do, Mr. Everly?” Thurston bowed succinctly. “May I be of service?”
Franklin immediately noticed Thurston’s concise speech. The man did not slouch as George did but held himself erect. Franklin’s initial impression convinced him Thurston would suit well. “I am in need of a butler and wondered if you might consider the position.” Thurston placed his hands on his hips and looked toward the cottage. Franklin realized he had not vocalized the entirety of his offer. “I am also in need of maids, kitchen staff, and even a housekeeper. I hoped Mrs. Thurston might consider coming to Ravencrest as well,” he said.
The muscles in Thurston’s face relaxed, and he may have even cracked a smile. “Would you like to come inside, Mr. Everly?”
It did not take long for Franklin to conclude his business. The Thurstons seemed ideal, and they agreed to arrive at Ravencrest the following week. George handed Chipper’s reins to Franklin.
“You should come around as well, if you’re needing work.” Franklin handed George his card. “Show this at the door and ask to see me.”
“The front door?” George asked with skepticism.
“Your brother will be the one to greet you.” Franklin chuckled. “You may inquire wherever you are most comfortable.”
He swung himself into the saddle and rode away whistling a happy tune. Another item he could check off his list. Two items, as Mrs. Thurston had agreed to fill the role of housekeeper.
Ravencrest sat on the north side of Halsham, and Thurston’s cabin was on the opposite side of town. Franklin urged Chipper into a canter and turned toward the main road. Fortune had blessed him today, though he did not fancy sharing the news with the Gladstones. He cut around the east side of Halsham and slowed Chipper to a trot.
Ahead, on the road, a woman bent over near her horse. Franklin neared and recognized Miss Jamison’s bright-orange hair sneaking out from beneath her bonnet. Anticipation at seeing the lady mixed with concern as Franklin slowed Chipper to a stop and dismounted. “Miss Jamison, may I be of assistance?”
She turned from her examination of Sundance’s hoof. She stood straight and brushed her gloved hands together. “She’s thrown a shoe.” Miss Jamison planted one hand on her hip, and with the other, she brushed the hair from her face and tucked it up beneath her bonnet.
“You are alone?” Franklin asked. He could not fathom that Jamison would allow his sister to ride unaccompanied after all he had heard of the mysterious kidnappings.
Miss Jamison’s cheeks heated, and her hands fell from her hips. “I sent the groom ahead to hire a carriage and return with help.” She ducked her head. “I shall be intolerably late.”
Franklin clicked his tongue but said nothing more on the subject. Though he worried over Miss Jamison’s safety, he felt it best to address the issue at another time. “Where are you headed?” he asked.
“To run your errand.” Miss Jamison turned and reached again for Sundance’s hoof.
“Pray tell, what errand have I sent you on?” Franklin walked Chipper to a nearby tree and tied him off.
“I’m due at the vicarage, where Hannah and I are to make visits with Mrs. Hughes to hire your housemaids.” Phoebe dug her finger into the center of Sundance’s hoof and pulled out a chunk of hardened dirt. She tossed it aside, then straightened again. “It was all I could do to convince Geoffrey to allow me to go with only a groom, and now he’ll be insufferable.” Phoebe brushed her hands against the folds of her skirts. “I shall have to take her to the blacksmith and send word to Mrs. Hughes that I am delayed.” Her brow furrowed with frustration, and Franklin thought the lines above her nose were adorable.
“Perhaps there is an alternative.” He touched her elbow, then dropped his hand away. “Allow me to help . . . as you are on my errand.” Franklin couldn’t help but grin.
Phoebe stopped her bustling, and for the first time since Franklin had come upon her, she looked squarely into his eyes. She was flustered and upset, her chest heaved, and her eyes burned with emerald fire. Franklin could do naught but stare. She was beautiful, even in her frustration, and he wanted to freeze the picture, even if only for a moment.
“What do you propose?” Miss Jamison lifted her chin.
Franklin waited a few seconds more as the euphoria of the moment filtered through him. “I shall take you to the parsonage so you can make your appointment with Miss Vane and Mrs. Hughes.”
“You would then have your maids hired, but what of Sundance?” Phoebe motioned to her horse.
“I’ll have the blacksmith replace the lost shoe and bring Sundance to the parsonage, where she will be waiting upon your return.” Franklin had no reason to hurry home. He could easily assist in this task.
The wrinkle on Miss Jamison’s forehead began to soften. “And Geoffrey? What do you plan to tell him?”
“Nothing?” Franklin said, to which Miss Jamison’s eyes raised in doubt. “I am able to escort you from here. You may tell him what you wish, but he shall not hear a peep of it from me.”
Miss Jamison considered Franklin. “You give your word?”
“On my honor.” Franklin held a fist to his chest and gave a small bow.
“Very well. I can buy the groom’s silence easily enough.” Miss Jamison walked Sundance to where Chipper stood and secured her horse’s reins to the back of Chipper’s saddle.
Franklin watched in amused curiosity. Miss Jamison moved to stand squarely before him. “Heft me up,” she directed. “We’ll pass through Halsham, so it would be best to leave Sundance with the smithy on our way. You may come back and retrieve her after you drop me at the vicarage.”
“As you wish, m’lady.” Franklin bowed again and stepped forward, settling his hands on Miss Jamison’s waist. She weighed no more than a spring breeze. She gasped when he lifted her to the saddle, an airy sigh that Franklin felt in his toes. He mounted behind her and reached his arms around her waist to take the reins in hand. “Ready?” he asked.
When Miss Jamison nodded, her bonnet bumped against Franklin’s chest. He turned Chipper in the road, and with Sundance following behind, they started for town. Even sitting sideways on the saddle, Miss Jamison fit easily inside Franklin’s arms. Chipper’s steady cadence rocked them both side to side. Miss Jamison’s shoulders knocked into Franklin’s arms, and she stiffened.
“I sorely appreciate your efforts to assist me,” Franklin said. “Your entire family has been most welcoming.” Given their slow pace, they would be sharing Chipper’s back for the next twenty minutes. He hoped to put Miss Jamison at ease. “Tell me about your parents.”
Miss Jamison continued staring at the road before them. “Father is gentle, and Mother can be quite fierce. They balance each other nicely.”
“Your brothers, then, are a combination of both?” Franklin asked.
He could barely hear Miss Jamison’s laugh, but her shoulders shook with joviality, and she relaxed a bit. “My brothers love to tease, especially me, but Father will not hesitate to put them in their place when they’ve gone too far.” Miss Jamison turned to watch a squirrel scuttle up a tree as they passed.
Franklin could see the pert tip of her nose around the brim of her bonnet. “And what of your personality?” he asked.
“I’m determined, like my mother, and . . . well . . . I can’t claim any of Father’s tenderness.” Miss Jamison faced forward again.
“There I must disagree.” Franklin had no hesitation contesting her claim.
Miss Jamison spun her shoulders and faced Franklin. Her eyes lit brightly, like the silver green tops of the pine trees when they were touched by autumn’s first frost. “Pardon?”
Franklin stared into the alluring green. “I refute your claim,” he said softly.
A belittling smile split Miss Jamison’s lips. “You and I, sir, have been acquainted for only a handful of days. Are you certain you dare comment on my character?” She leaned a tad closer. “You remember I have three elder brothers who will defend my honor against the smallest slight?”
Franklin inched forward the tiniest bit. His breath mixed with Miss Jamison’s, and he whispered, “As they should.” He inhaled the air between them, sat straight, and at normal volume, continued. “But my conscience will not allow you to spread falsehoods, so I shall take my chances with your brothers.” Miss Jamison’s bottom lip pulled into a pout, and Franklin wanted to release his grip on the reins so he might press her lips back into a smile.
She said nothing, but neither did she turn back around. Her chest rose and fell, and Chipper sauntered forward.
Franklin smiled. “Do you recall our first introduction?”
Miss Jamison scoffed. “Don’t be absurd. It was only a week ago. Certainly, I remember.”
“You worried for your friend. And, from what I understand, even left the festivities early to tend to her.” Miss Jamison’s gaze fell to her lap. Franklin leaned to the side until he could regain eye contact with her. “That simple act of compassion tells me a great deal, Miss Jamison.” Franklin made certain she was listening. “I’d wager you exhibit both your mother’s ferocity and your father’s compassion, for I myself have seen both.”
Moisture gathered in Miss Jamison’s eyes, and panic flooded Franklin’s chest. He hadn’t meant to make her cry. What a muddle! She blinked quickly and returned her gaze to Chipper’s mane.
Franklin sat stunned. Had he been insensitive? He’d only wished to point out the benevolence he’d witnessed in Miss Jamison’s actions. His fists tightened around the reins as he revisited the conversation and considered where he’d misstepped.
They said nothing more until they reached the smithy. Franklin lifted Miss Jamison down from the saddle. Her feet had barely touched the ground when she turned away without so much as a thank-you, marching off to find the blacksmith. Despite his chagrin at the awkward turn of conversation, Franklin couldn’t help but smile. Miss Jamison was peppery indeed—hot one minute, warm the next, sparking ember and low-burning coals. He thoroughly regretted bringing tears to her eyes, yet he also appreciated the spontaneity of not knowing what to expect from the lady.
He thought it best to wait with Chipper until her return. After a few minutes, the blacksmith walked out with Miss Jamison. He untied Sundance and led her to a rudimentary stall. Miss Jamison finally acknowledged Franklin. “I’ve kept Miss Vane and Mr. and Mrs. Hughes waiting long enough. Shall we be on our way?”
Franklin lifted her once again to Chipper’s saddle and swung himself up behind her. They left Halsham and turned toward the vicarage.
Miss Jamison no longer appeared gloomy. The air stirred with a medley of birdsong, and the whispered breeze mixed with the clouds overhead. Franklin guided Chipper down the narrowing path.
“Do you have someone to escort you back to Primly Park once you have completed your visits?” he said.
Miss Jamison’s bonnet bobbed as she nodded. “Our task shall require the majority of the afternoon. When Paul—he’s one of our grooms—finds I am no longer waiting on the roadside, he will know to come and escort me home.”
Franklin nodded, then said, “When I came upon you, I’d just come from Thurston’s cottage. He has agreed to serve as butler, and his wife will take the position of housekeeper. She may assign the girls as she sees fit and hire more if the need arises.”
Miss Jamison looked steadily forward. “That is good news indeed,” she said loud enough for him to hear.
“I can only hope Mrs. Mason does not shun me for hiring him,” Franklin said. At the mention of Mrs. Mason, Miss Jamison stiffened again. “It was Mason himself who offered the recommendation.”
Miss Jamison did not reply. She remained stiff and quiet. All Franklin had done was mention Mason and his assistance.
He pulled Chipper to a stop near the flowering hedge leading to the front door of the vicarage. Miss Vane stepped out to greet them. Franklin dismounted and assisted Miss Jamison. Then, without looking back, she called her thanks to him.
He stood dumbfounded as Miss Jamison grabbed Miss Vane’s arm and dragged her back across the threshold. He had counted their chance meeting as fortuitous, but it seemed Miss Jamison did not agree with his assessment. Chipper nudged Franklin’s arm as he considered what had gone wrong. Had he offended the lady in some way? There was naught for Franklin to do but retake his saddle and ride away.