With Love, Louisa by Ashtyn Newbold
Chapter 2
Apair of navy blue eyes met Louisa’s over the rim of her teacup. “You wish to leave Larkhall?”
She swallowed the scalding liquid, nearly choking as she did. Compose yourself. Now was not a time for appearing inept. If she could not swallow her tea properly, then she most certainly could not travel across England on her own. “Yes. That is indeed my plan. I have already written to my aunt in Yorkshire and she has sent her reply. It was brief, but she did confirm that I was welcome at Benham Abbey.” Her voice was softer than she intended. No matter how hard she tried, she could not sound anything but timid, especially when being questioned by Matthew. She was still surprised that her aunt had written back at all.
She unfolded the letter from her lap, showing the one sentence to Matthew. Once again, she was reminded of the horrendous penmanship. Her aunt was quite advanced in years, so that could excuse part of it.
“What ghastly writing,” Matthew muttered, echoing her thoughts. “But I suppose it is indeed an invitation.” Was it relief she saw in his eyes? Or perhaps a mixture of relief and worry? Matthew sat up straighter, interlocking his fingers in his lap from where he sat across the tea table from her. The long case clock in the corner of Larkhall’s Peacock drawing room ticked five times before he spoke. “Are you certain you wish to leave?
“Yes.”
“I will not have you travel there alone if that’s what you mean.” Matthew’s gruff voice was inarguable. Ever since his younger sister Bridget had married a few months before, he had seemed to replace her presence in the house with Louisa, treating her as he had always treated his younger sister—as if she were fragile and in constant need of protection.
He was not wrong; to travel to Folkswich alone would be extremely daft and improper, but what other choice did she have? Louisa didn’t belong at Larkhall any longer. She had been Bridget’s companion, but now Bridget was living across the country as the new mistress of Thorncarrow. Louisa’s parents had died years before, her stepfather was in debtor’s prison, and her sister Alice was married as well. Louisa couldn’t bear the thought of being an inconvenience any longer. Not at her sister’s home, not at Larkhall.
Matthew knew as well as Louisa that rumors had already begun circling town about what a young lady like Louisa was doing at Larkhall. Soon Matthew’s younger brother, his wife, and their two children would be moving to a house of their own. With only Matthew’s elderly aunt in the house, it would appear to all the gossiping mouths of society as though Louisa was some sort of mistress of Matthew’s. She couldn’t bring that sort of suspicion and disrepute upon a friend who had been so generous toward her.
“Do you mean to suggest you would accompany me there? You’re not actually my brother, Matthew.” Louisa’s eyes fluttered down to her lap. Surely he understood what she meant by that. The two of them traveling together alone would be equally frowned upon as if she went alone.
“I am the closest thing to your guardian.” Matthew leaned back on the sofa, his long legs stretching out in front of him. “And the closest thing to your brother. During your time here at Larkhall you have become something of a sister to me regardless of whether or not you view me with the same sentiment.” He gave a half smile. “My conscience would not be clear if I sent you across England on your own. No matter what you think, you are welcome here. Do not feel as though you have to leave.”
“I do.” She cleared her throat, trying to excuse the quick way her words spilled out. “I do have to leave.” She had burdened his reputation long enough already. “I thank you for your hospitality these months since Bridget was married, but I do not belong here any longer. You know that. I must find my own way before you begin inviting suitors to dine with us in an attempt to marry me off.” She cast him a knowing smile. He had done the same to his sister before she was married, but fortunately Bridget had possessed the cleverness to fend off all his suitors of choice. Louisa didn’t know if she would have the same ability to fend off a man like Bridget had so effortlessly. It would require a boldness of speaking and confidence that Louisa lacked.
Matthew gave a low chuckle. “I suppose I do have a propensity to do that.” He paused for a long moment, his smile fading. “I must see that you are well cared for one way or another. Marriage would be the best way to secure a comfortable future for you.”
There was a time that Louisa had wanted to marry Matthew. When she and her sister had first visited Larkhall, it had been their goal—to secure husbands and comfortable futures for themselves. Louisa’s heart, however, had quickly abandoned the effort. Love was all she would marry for, especially now that she had seen both her sister and Bridget married so happily and so madly in love with fine gentlemen. There was nothing Louisa wanted more and nothing she wouldn’t sacrifice for it. She and Matthew were like siblings, and at times she even considered him a fatherly figure, one who would protect her as no one ever had before.
She did feel at home at Larkhall. That was why it was so difficult to leave behind.
“I would be willing to fund your Season,” Matthew suggested. “You could then find a suitable husband rather than live with an aunt you have never even met.”
“That is too generous, Matthew.” Louisa shook her head fast. “You have shown me enough kindness already.”
“Is there such a thing as enough kindness?” He cocked one eyebrow.
She sighed. “At times too much kindness can make me feel rather helpless. I should like to feel capable of creating my own plans and executing them properly.”
Matthew seemed to relent, fixing his dark blue eyes on hers with a sigh. “Well, if you would like to execute them properly, you must not travel to Folkswich alone.”
In the hallway beyond the open drawing room door, the children of Matthew’s brother Oliver chased one another, their giggles echoing. Their governess, Margaret, hurried behind them, her pale cheeks flushed from chasing the children, straight blonde hair sticking out both sides of her cap. She was only a few years older than Louisa, and the two had become dear friends, especially since Bridget had left Larkhall.
Margaret paused in the doorway, her eyes flooding with curiosity. She gave a quick curtsy before interrupting the conversation. “Pardon me, but did I hear you speaking of Folkswich?”
Matthew turned, giving a nod. “Louisa intends to travel there alone. Am I so ridiculous to persuade her against it?”
Margaret gave a visible swallow, shaking her head. “Oh, no, dear Louisa. That is a long journey.” She paused. “I made the journey alone when I first came here, and I would not recommend that.”
Alone? Louisa shifted, studying Margaret’s downcast gaze. Margaret was rarely caught without a smile, but something appeared to be troubling her now. Her fingers twitched around her skirts. Her blue eyes lifted, and her lips parted. Before she could speak, a soft crash sounded in the hallway. It was followed by a shriek of laughter.
Margaret’s expression transformed to one of concern, and she excused herself with a quick curtsy, darting down the hallway toward the children.
Louisa laughed under her breath. “Poor Margaret has her hands quite full. I ought to go help her.” She made to stand, but Matthew stopped her.
“I worry for Margaret as well,” he said in a heavy voice. “Oliver has found a house to rent in Bath. He and Julia and the children will be moving soon. My brother seems to have the same desires as you—being unwilling to stay here and accept my kindness.” Matthew looked down, lowering his voice. “They haven’t yet told Margaret that they will be unable to afford keeping her on as governess once they move away from Larkhall.”
Louisa’s gaze traveled out to the hallway, her heart sinking. From what she had learned of Margaret’s past, she was in straits just as dire as Louisa’s. She had nowhere else to go. Perhaps it would be off to a workhouse for both of them. It would be better to go with a friend. Louisa bit her lower lip, resisting the idea. No. She was wise enough to find a different solution. So was Margaret.
“Perhaps Mrs. Crauford would like a companion? It would allow Margaret a place to stay.”
Matthew laughed under his breath. “I did think of that, but for you. Unfortunately, my great-aunt feels that to have a companion would deem her unable to keep herself entertained, which was an insult to her pride. In truth, I think she will miss you once you leave Larkhall.”
Louisa’s heart stung. How could she be missed in a place as grand as Larkhall? She was like a fleck of dust, floating around the house without reason. All that fleck of dust could do was cause inconvenience. “Fortunately, my great-aunt seemed to appreciate the idea of me coming to stay with her.” Louisa thought back to her aunt’s letter. Had she seemed appreciative? She had been direct and brief, and that was all. Though Louisa would not admit it to Matthew, the thought of traveling to Yorkshire set her stomach twisting in knots.
Overwhelmed by her thoughts, she decided she would be better off fretting over the problems of someone else rather than her own.
“I will go assist Margaret with the children.” Louisa excused herself from Matthew’s presence with a bow, walking into the hallway.
Margaret stooped over a broken vase on the floor, one hand pressed against her forehead. Strands of her straight blonde hair clung to her reddened face. She exhaled slowly in exasperation before she noticed Louisa’s approach. She quickly put a smile on her face. “I suppose I will be sent packing after this.” She gestured at the vase that was now a pile of shards on the floor.
Louisa swallowed. Little did Margaret know that she was to be sent packing, but for other reasons.
Louisa stooped down to help Margaret gather up the blue shards, carefully pinching them and piling them on the nearby corridor table so as not to cut her hands. “I don’t think the Northcotts would dismiss you for a vase.” Louisa scowled at the floor.
Margaret was silent for a long moment before speaking. “I wish I could accompany you to Folkswich. My parents live there, you see. My parents and my three little brothers.” Longing stole over her features. “I haven’t seen them in a very long time.”
“I had forgotten you were from Yorkshire.” Louisa sat back on her heels, pausing her work for a moment. Her mind raced. “Perhaps—perhaps you can accompany me there. I am certain Matthew would take the journey with us, but it would not be so improper if you traveled with us. Then you could visit your family.”
A spark of hope entered Margaret’s eyes before she blinked it away. “Oh, no. The children need me here.” Her gaze flickered to the children who still played riotously in the corner. “I must earn my wages. I’m afraid my family cannot persist without them.”
A heavy stone of dread dropped through Louisa’s stomach. When would Oliver and Julia tell Margaret that she would be excused? It did more harm than good to keep it from her. Difficult conversations were necessary at times. As much as Louisa wished she could tell her, it was not her place.
“Have you considered seeking employment closer to your family?” Louisa asked. “Now that you have experience and a very reputable reference, perhaps you could find a position in Yorkshire.”
“How could I leave Susanna and Cecil?” She laughed. “I adore them, despite their mischief.” Coming to her feet, she dusted off her skirts.
It took all of Louisa’s strength to hold her tongue. Matthew, who must have been eavesdropping from the other room, made a sudden appearance behind her, his tailcoat catching in the corner of her eye. It was not entirely Matthew’s place to tell Margaret either, but he didn’t seem to care for such matters. In fact, he wasn’t often one to abide by rules at all.
“You ought to come to Folkswich,” Matthew said.
Margaret looked down. “I—I do not see how that would be possible.”
“Oliver and Julia are moving to their own home soon. Julia’s inheritance will only provide them with enough to live on, not enough to afford the expense of a governess. I know Oliver intended to inform you of that matter soon.”
Margaret’s face lost its color. Louisa inched closer to her, touching her forearm in an attempt to comfort her.
Matthew’s voice softened, as if he were recognizing his tendency to speak too bluntly. “I will accompany you both to Folkswich and ensure you are well recommended for a position near your family before I return to Larkhall. I promise.”
It seemed as though Margaret had lost the ability to speak—or breathe for that matter. She stared down at her feet, her shoulders slumping before she appeared to compose her thoughts. “I could not ask so much of you.”
“You did not ask, did you?” Matthew gave a soft smile. “It is an offer, one that you would do well to accept.”
Margaret’s shoulders straightened, and she gave a firm nod. “I would be most grateful for your assistance. And to come to Folkswich.”
“Home.” Louisa gave her arm a soft squeeze. “It shall be my home soon too. You will have to tell me all that I have to look forward to about the place.”
Worry still etched itself in Margaret’s forehead. Perhaps she didn’t yet understand the significance of a promise from Matthew. He would look after them both as he would his own sisters. They had nothing to fear.
Louisa took a calming breath, repeating those words in her head. Yes. She had nothing to fret about. So long as her aunt was even just the smallest part kind and hospitable, she would be quite content.
