THE MAGIC TOUCH (Historical Romance) (13 page)

“Then you must tell him, Constance,” said Prudence, lifting her teacup to her lips. Over the top of it her eyes smiled at Hope.

“I will when I have the opportunity.” Constance cut into her bacon. “The show yesterday was fun. Is there the possibility of another one soon?”

“Beaumont is going away,” replied Prudence. “
But I shall arrange a concert as you suggested if that is agreeable to you.”

“I am looking forward to it. Especially Stevenson’s perf
ormance.” Constance grinned and glanced up at Stevenson who looked as if he were almost going to smile.

After breakfast, Hope sat in the morning room chatting to her mother and aunt. She knew Beaumont would call soon and was feeling anxious. Perhaps she should excuse herself and go out into the garden so she could avoid him. Yes, that was the best thing to do.
Before leaving the house she picked up one of Uncle Eustace’s books, although she was sure she would be unable to concentrate knowing Beaumont was close.

There was a slight chill in the air and Hope was glad of her shawl. Why had she bothered to wear the ruby red dress?
But Mama had been very complimentary about it and had thanked Aunt Constance for introducing her to the dressmaker. Mama had such an easy way about her; she was very gracious despite her impetuousness. The birds were singing and the sun was making an appearance now. Her aunt’s garden was quite beautiful. Hope sat on a seat under a tree and waited for the time to pass, trying not to think how she would survive without Beaumont’s visits to look forward to. She opened the book to look at the illustrations of Pompeii and Herculaneum. A piece of paper fell out and, knowing it was quite the wrong thing to do, Hope smoothed it out. Having finished reading the unsent letter, she tucked it back inside the book, closed her eyes and became lost in thought.

“I find you at last.” The voice shook Hope from her reverie. She turned to see Beaumont very close by. He had a serious look and seemed rather formidable today. “Both Prudence and Constance know I’m here. In fact it was their idea I came to find you. For some reason
they found they had something important to discuss and couldn’t accompany me outside.”

Hope knew her mama had plotted the meeting, but the two of them colluding was more than she could understand.

“May I?” Beaumont indicated the grass next to her.

“Please.” As Beaumont settled himself she took a deep breath. “There is something you must read. But before you do so, I have a question. In what regard did you hold Uncle Eustace?”

“He was a remarkable man. He quietly worked to help people less fortunate than himself. He wanted no reward, not even praise. Your aunt was unaware of many of his good works. The one regret of his life was that he and Constance remained childless. If I were to mould myself on someone it would be Eustace.”

Hope passed him the note. “It is a note written by my uncle to you. Whether he ever intended sending it we will never know.”

Beaumont read aloud. “My dear friend, Mr Beaumont, I am writing with some words of advice. You have many virtues, but you have one major failing. You have taken onto your shoulders the sins of another man, a man you barely knew. You must cast aside the guilt you feel and concentrate on those activities you do best. I know you have worked hard to improve the conditions for your workers in your family mill and have already built bathhouses and almshouses. I am confident you will continue with this work as you have a worthy heart. If I had been blessed with a son I hope he would have resembled you. Yours in highest regard, Eustace.”

Hope watched his face as Beaumont folded the paper and handed it back to her. She
was unable to determine his feelings. After an interminable silence he said, “He is right, as you were yesterday evening. My feeling of unworthiness is a fault I must overcome.” He took a deep breath. “And now, Hope, tell me your plans.”

Hope didn’t want to think of the immediate future when Beaumont would be away, but tried to sound cheerful. “I expect Mama and I will have some adventures before she returns to Papa
and I will continue to teach the maids and anyone else who wants to join the lessons. Although, I did notice that quite a few of the servants were reading the more difficult passages I had written on the pamphlet. Some are reasonably well educated.”

“Indeed they are. I wonder how we could help them.” Beaumont leapt to his feet and reached
down to grab her hand and pull her up to face him. “A lending library at my house. That must be what I set up next. I have heard of it before where benevolent employers provide a lending library for their servants. What do you think, Hope?” He grabbed her and twirled her round in a foolish dance.

“I think it is an excellent idea.”

“My library won’t be solely for my own servants, but for the employees of all my friends and acquaintances.”

“Your house will be perfect. In fact…”

“Go on.”

“Nothing.”

“Please, I’d like to hear what you have to say,” Beaumont insisted.

“
I had a similar thought when I visited your home dressed as Richard. It’s the ideal setting from what I could tell.”

“
When I saw you looking round I imagined you despairing at its untidiness.”

“No, I liked the atmosphere very much. But it seemed as though the rooms could be put to good use and you have
plenty of books.”

“I think the drawing room will make an excellent
library. I never use it. Will you help me set it up?”

“I’d like that very much, but haven’t you forgotten something? You are going to Yorkshire later today.”

“Aah, now
I
have something to show
you
.” Beaumont pulled a letter from his pocket and waved it under her nose. “There is no need for you to read it, but the problems my manager was encountering have been solved. It is unnecessary for me to go now although I would like to visit shortly.”

“You could set up a
library there for the workers.”

“Another good idea.
I believe fate is working to keep us together. The receipt of the letter from my manager was timely. And having postponed my journey I have the opportunity to know you better by spending some time with you, if that will please you. I do not think your mother will disapprove. In fact I have a feeling she might view me as a potential suitor.”

“Shouldn’t I have a say in that matter?” asked Hope. It was more than she dared wish for, but she didn’t want to appear eager. Also, she was a little vexed that she might not be consulted on the subject. She was aware Mama and Beaumont were capable of anything.

“Of course you should,” replied Beaumont in an even tone. “Might this convince you?” Hope felt his breath on her face and his features became indistinct as he moved nearer to her. The touch of his lips was gentle yet passionate. She responded to him without a care in the world knowing she wanted to be with him forever. “My darling Hope. Forgive my forwardness. I know it’s contrary to decorum, but when I’m with you I can’t help my actions.”

Hope let out a ripple of laughter. “Dear Beaumont, you don’t observe protocol with anyone! You please yourself.” When no reply came, she felt fooli
sh. What had she said to offend him now? His face had grown serious, but he didn’t distance himself from her. “What is it? What have I said that is wrong?”

Beaumont shook his head,
his hair brushing Hope’s face. “Nothing at all! You referred to me as ‘dear Beaumont’. I am deeply moved and honoured.” His forehead lightly touched hers and it seemed as if a jolt of something powerful leapt between the two of them.

The following days passed quickly in a hive of activity. Hope was exhausted by her physical labours. She had taken on the task of sorting Uncle Eustace’s books into some semblance of order suitable for the purposes Beaumont and she had in mind. Aunt Constance had been most willing for the books to be put to good use and was taking
a lively interest in the process. Some of the time she got in the way and held up the process by chatting about some of the titles. Hope didn’t mind; she was delighted her aunt was drawn to the subject. It was good to hear her reminiscences, but it meant the task took a great deal longer than expected. As Hope climbed up and down the library steps to retrieve volumes, Constance took some of them from one pile and placed them onto the other without realising she was doing anything untoward. Prudence understood and at last managed to persuade her sister-in-law to take a turn around the garden.

“The fresh air will do us both good,” she declared, taking Constance’s arm. “Also I
want to ask you about your dressmaker. Do you suppose she has the time to make a gown for me? I will need something special for the concert. Most of my clothes are still in Italy.” Prudence steered Constance from the room, turning to raise her eyebrows at her daughter.

“Thank you,” mouthed Hope, smiling broadly. It seemed to her that she had a constant smile on her lips these days. She wiped a hand across her forehead an
d rearranged the piles of books.

It was a hard job
to consider which works would be more suitable for the factory workers and which for the more educated servants. It was easier to discern the needs of the unschooled. The contents of Uncle Eustace’s library had nothing suitable for them. Hope decided she would devise her own books. It would give her a great deal of pleasure to do so, but she despaired of having the time and energy to fulfil the undertaking. To her surprise Edna entered the room. She was a welcome sight.

“Have you come to help?” Hope enquired.

“I still have unexpected duties. Mr Stevenson and the cook are taking an inventory of various things to ensure we have enough provisions for the concert.”

“Is it an awful lot of extra work for you all?” asked Hope. She hadn’t considered the implications
for the staff. Now she was horrified at her lack of thought.

“Oh no, my lady, we are quite excited by it.”

“I am Hope, remember?”

Edna looked about her. “I wasn’t entirely sure you were alone. Outside your rooms I think I should call you by your title.”

There will always be this divide, thought Hope. There would never be a time when people addressed each other by their Christian names with no consideration of what position they held in a household. She noticed something in Edna’s hand. “What have you there? Is it for Mama or Aunt Constance? If so, they are in the garden.”

“No,
Mr Stevenson said it’s a letter for you.” Edna handed Hope the envelope and hurried off.

Glad of a brief respite, Hope sank into a chair and opened the stiff white envelope. The writing was unfamiliar to her and she couldn’t guess who had communicated with her. It took at least two readings for her to comprehend the information in the letter. When she did, it
required all her will power to stop herself from screaming aloud and running around the room. Her article about the importance of literacy for the magazine had not only been accepted, but there was a payment as well. She would willingly have forgone the emolument just for the pleasure of seeing her work in print and knowing someone thought it was good enough to be included in a publication. It would be unseemly to return the money, so she would put it towards the lending library.

The contents of the letter gave Hope renewed
vitality and she tackled the job in hand with fervour. By the time her mama and aunt returned, she had sorted the piles of volumes she would like to keep. Now she had to find a way to transport them to Beaumont’s house; it would be his job to take them to his factory.

“I shall ring for tea,” said
her aunt. “You seem to have disturbed quite a bit of dust from the shelves, Hope. It will be a good opportunity for a thorough clean in here.”

“I don’t wish to give the maids more work,” said Hope. That had not been her intention at all. “I believe
they have additional labour because of the concert.”

“Nonsense,” said Constance. “They always cope admirably.”

Stevenson appeared at the door. “Excuse me, Your Grace, but you have a visitor. Lady Padstock has arrived with her daughter.”

“We shall come at once,” said Constance. “Please serve tea in the
drawing room.”

After greetings all round the women were soon comfortably seated.

“I have been hearing rumours from my lady’s maid that some very strange events have occurred here,” Lady Padstock said, before sipping her tea.

“Strange?” Constance asked. “Possibly not the word I would have used. My niece and Beaumont have simply opened my eyes to possibilities I would never
have thought of. I can say with all honesty that I am happy and that my dear Eustace would be delighted with my new found happiness, the magic lantern show, the reading lessons and the lending library we are setting up together.”

Hope grinned when she heard her aunt include herself
so closely.

“Now, my dear,” Constance
continued, “I heard a rumour myself. It is that Isabella rather flouted etiquette at your ball and danced almost every dance with James Henderson.”

Isabella blushed and
looked down at the floor.

Lady Padstock
puffed out her chest. “Indeed, it is true. However, I have some news for you. That is the reason for our visit. The Honourable James Henderson has asked for Isabella’s hand in marriage.”

Hope smiled at Isabella. “I
am delighted and wish you and James a long and joyful union.”

“I am delighted too.” Constance fiddled with her wedding ring. “I wish you all the happiness Eustace and I shared, but if you only have half you will
be blessed.”

Hope’s mama rose and kissed Isabella on the cheek. “It is wonderful news and I too wish you every happiness.”
Seated again, she added, “It worked then.”

They all turned to
her.

“I mean dancing with him for every dance worked. Possibly one should not follow the rules of etiquette. What do you think Hope?”

“Oh, Mama, I don’t even know what they are because you have never taught them to me properly. You have let me be unchaperoned with Beaumont, but nothing terrible has occurred.”

“Oh, my dear, is that true?” Lady Padstock looked alarmed.

“Yes, we have become friends. I would happily follow Isabella’s example and dance every dance with him.” She had said too much, but she was prepared to shock Lady Padstock even more. “And I have had my hair cut short. Look.” She tugged the false hair pieces from her own hair. “It was so that I could dress as a man.” Hope wondered if she’d gone too far with her confession as Lady Padstock looked about to have an attack of the vapours.

As soon as her mother was restored,
Isabella stood up and walked round Hope studying her hair. “It is really very elegant. I believe that one day more women will wear their hair in that fashion. And how easy it will be to care for. Oh, Hope, you can’t imagine how happy I am.” She clasped Hope’s hand. “I am so in love with James and I am pleased I was right about Beaumont. I told you after our ball he had grown fond of you.”

“I too cou
ld see what was happening. I have always been fond of him in spite of his unorthodox ways, but I did not want you, Hope, to become involved with him because I was not sure how your parents would feel,” sighed Constance. “Many people find him brusque and difficult. I was responsible for your wellbeing while you were in my house. I didn’t want to incur your parents’ wrath.”

“I am very h
appy for him to marry you, Hope.” Her mother smiled at her.

“Has he asked?” Lady Padstock enquired.

“No, no, he has not. Please, let us not speak any more of Beaumont.” Hope felt embarrassed and confused. “Tell us your wedding plans, Isabella. There must be many things to think of.” Hope was content listening to Lady Padstock and Isabella talk of the preparations for what was to be a grand affair.

Somewhat unsettled by her confessions, Hope turned to her diary
.

I am unsure what came over me. Why did I show Lady Padstock my hair and why ever did I admit to dressing as a man and why did I tell her I had been unchaperoned with Beaumont? At least neither Aunt Constance nor Mama chastised me for my honesty. In fact we have had a very pleasant time together and my aunt is in fine form and has been laughing. The only sadness I have felt today is that I have not seen Beaumont. Maybe tomorrow. Or shall I visit him with the books as my excuse?

* * *

As soon as Hope heard that her mama was taking Aunt Constance to visit an exhibition the next afternoon, she begged to be allowed the loan of the brougham and a footman to carry the boxes of books.

Beaumont grinned
as he ushered her into the drawing room. “Look! What do you think? I have rearranged it all and there are new shelves to hold the books. And here I have tables for people to sit at.”

“It is quite
marvellous, a transformation. I have brought the books from Aunt Constance. Some are for the library here and some are to go to Yorkshire. They are all labelled so you will know what is for where.”

“Thank you and pleas
e thank Constance too. Have a seat.” He pulled out one of the upright chairs for her. “There is something I wish to ask you.”

Hope wasn’t prepared to let her feelings soar. Beaumont was too involved in his good works to be thinking of
romance. “Before you ask me your question I have something important to tell you. I have received an acceptance letter and a payment for the writing I sent to the magazine.”

“Congratulations. That is marvellous news and will be an inspiration to all your pupils. You must se
nd off some more work. Now may I ask my question?”

Hope nodded and tried to stay calm.

“When I thought of the idea of a lending library you said you had a similar idea when you first visited my home. I would be interested to know what it was.”

“It seemed a good
place to set up a school.”

“We have schools.”

“I suppose I mean a learning establishment for people who are working and want improvement, not for children.”

“Hope, you can’t imagine how I wished you to say that. You echo my thoughts perfectly. That’s exactly the concept I had. I wasn’t sure how I could imp
lement it, but if you are to be my partner then it cannot fail.” His smile bore into Hope’s eyes and she felt her lips lift in a besotted smile. To be Beaumont’s partner would be simply wonderful.

Pulling herself round, she said, “Are we to have a school at the expense of a library here? Or can the two work jointly?”

“I think jointly, do you?” Beaumont didn’t wait for a reply as he continued, “The people who come to the library to read books might find themselves drawn to our lessons. We could encompass so many people. It is a dream I should delight in fulfilling. Hope, you have no idea how indebted I am to you.”

“Truly, I have done nothing. Except collect a lot of books.” Together they surveyed the boxes which had been stacked up neatly i
n the room across the hallway.

“I will organise some tea and then we must make plans. If you have the time to spare, that is.” Beaumont stood up and then sat down again. “I’m not usually bewildered, but I confess I feel dazed
with all that is happening, or about to happen.”

“It’s all right, Beaumont. We’ll take it one piece at a time. You
attend to tea and I’ll start to make notes if you have a pen and some paper.”

“Of course.” Beaumont opened a drawer in a desk which had been pushed against a wall and withdrew
paper and a pen. “Here you are. I won’t keep you waiting long.”

When Beaumont returned, Hope had quite an impressive list of things which needed to be done. “They aren
’t in any especial order, I simply wrote down my thoughts,” she said, handing him the page. “Ah, tea, just what I need.” She brought the cup to her lips and sipped at it. “Oh my goodness!” She hastily returned the cup to its saucer and bit her lip. It would not do to be rude, but the tea was truly unappetising.

“What’s the matter? I am not used to
preparing tea.” Beaumont peered into the cups. “It looks a little darker than normal. Did I put in too many leaves?”

“
You
made this?” Hope was astounded. She had imagined the housekeeper to be in the kitchen, but she had seen no sign of any staff at Beaumont’s house today.

“Of course. Not very competently apparently.” He took a sip and screwed up his face as he swallowed. “I think we would do better to follow Prudence’s example and have whisky.”

“Well, I don’t,” stated Hope, firmly.

Beaumont
laughed, sat down beside her and together they discussed the notes Hope had made.