Across the Ages (Across the Ages Book One) (4 page)

FIVE

BIRTHDAY PRESENT

ONCE ALL
of the guests had gone, Lucy said goodnight to Dashel at the door, followed by her mother and father at the foot of the stairs.

“Aren’t you coming to bed? You’ve had a busy night,” her mother said sweetly.

Lucy knew why. She’d done her duty. Their family would no longer be destitute. Her father would avoid prison. “I’m not ready for this night to be over,” she said.

Her father patted her shoulder awkwardly. “You’re a woman now. You can make your own choices.”

She’d wanted to say, “If that’s the truth, then I’d like to break my engagement with Dashel and try to find my true love.” Instead she eyed her father, knowing the only reason he showed any kindness at the moment was that she’d saved him. “Thank you, Father.” She leaned in and gave him an even more awkward hug. Then she watched her parents climb the steps and retire to their bedroom. She rested a hand on the wooden banister, wondering if perhaps she should just go upstairs. She was exhausted, but she was also restless and she still needed to see her grandmother.

Debating a moment longer, she turned and went to the kitchen. It was a cozy room. Inviting. The fire in the stove was heating a pot of water. Lucy guessed it was for tea. Her mother allowed the staff to reuse old tea bags.

Harriet’s mother, Gwen was the cook. She, Harriet, and two of the serving girls, hired to help during the family’s stay in London were leaning over a plate of leftover desserts. Lucy watched as Gwen took a bite of a raspberry cake and leaned back.

“It’s so good.” She held out the rest. Harriet took it and popped a bite in her mouth. “Huh?”

“It’s delicious.”

“My turn,” one of the girls Lucy didn’t know said.

Gwen slapped her hand. “I saw you sneaking lemon tarts earlier tonight, Ava. You’ve had enough.”

Ava pouted, but Gwen paid her no mind. She turned to the other girl, who seemed overly shy. “Sabrina, would you like to try one?”

“If’n the misses catches us, I’ll be turned into the streets.” Sabrina eyed the sweet with yearning, but didn’t take it. Her hands wrung together nervously.

“Go ahead, Sabrina.” Lucy stepped into the kitchen and made her way over to the group. Ava and Sabrina froze. They hadn’t learned the rules yet. The Earl and Lady Channing were strict, but Lucy, her grandmother, Ellen and Beaufort treated the staff like family.

“Miss Lucy. How was your party?” Gwen asked as she brought Lucy into a hug.

Gwen was a big woman, in stature as well as girth, but her eyes sparkled with joy and there was always a smile on her round face.

Lucy hugged her back. “It was lovely, Gwen. The food was scrumptious.” To prove her point she picked up a raspberry tart and set it on her tongue. “Mmmmm.” She glanced at Sabrina. Then picked up another and urged Sabrina to take it.

“No, mum. I’m not hungry.”

Harriet laughed. “If’n the mistress offers you a sweet, tell her no, just as you did. But this is Lucy. She was protecting me from a furry mouse earlier this evening.”

Gwen interrupted her. “Harry, why must you be such a chicken?”

“Those were my thoughts,” Lucy said after she swallowed. She winked at Harriet, then faced Sabrina. “What my scaredy-maid said is true. As long as you are honest,” she gave Ava a quick look.

“Sorry, Miss.” Ava gazed down at her hands apologetically.

Lucy nodded, then continued to Sabrina, “I consider you family.”

Sabrina glanced at Harriet and then Gwen. They both nodded. A large smile crept across Sabrina’s overly freckled face and reached all the way to her hazel eyes.

“Give it a try.” Lucy held out the tart again.

Sabrina took it and did as she’d seen Lucy do. She set it on the tip of her tongue. Then closed her eyes.

Harriet and Ava started to laugh.

Tears fell down Sabrina’s cheeks.

Concerned, Lucy asked, “Do you hate it? If you don’t like it spit it out.”

Sabrina shook her head, chewing. When she finally swallowed, she opened her eyes and said, “Miss, thank you. It was wonderful. But more than that, thank you for being kind.” She cried harder.

Lucy glanced at Harriet who shrugged. Gwen smiled. Lucy took Sabrina in her arms, hugging the tall girl. “You’re welcome.”

SIX

ODD LOCKET

AFTER TWO
more tarts and some hot chocolate, Lucy said goodnight, left the kitchen and climbed the steps. Every creak sounded like banging pans in the quiet house. She tiptoed to her grandmother Agatha’s room, knocked and then pushed the door open. Her grandmother was asleep, her jaw slightly open.

The room was decorated to her grandmother’s tastes, with lots of purple and lace. Peppermint, a scent unique to her grandmother permeated the room.

Lucy wanted to turn around and walk out. Her grandmother looked so peaceful sleeping in her oversized bed, but Lucy had promised. Taking a few steps forward, she said, “Grandmother.”

The woman stirred, her eyes blinking open. Then she smiled. “Lucy, so good of you to come.” Her grandmother threw back her covers and swung her bare feet over the side of the bed as she sat. She wore a white nightdress and her long dark hair was down, cascading around her shoulders. The effect made her look much younger.

“Why don’t you stay in bed? I’ll retrieve whatever you need.”

Her grandmother waved the comment away. Her cane was next to her bed, but she didn’t take it. She went over to her desk where silk scarves draped over the mirror, covering most of it. The table was covered in powders, salts, cosmetics, and perfumes.

The locket her grandmother wore swung back and forth as she walked. It seemed she even wore the locket to bed.

“Is there something I can help you find?” Lucy asked, worried her grandmother might fall over and Lucy wouldn’t be able to help her up.

“You needn’t worry about me, dear.” Her grandmother sat and pulled open a drawer. Inside was a leather journal. The leather was light, and a matching strap tied it closed. Her grandmother took it out and handed it to Lucy. “Happy birthday. You’re going to need this.”

“Oh?” Lucy pressed it to her nose. She loved the smell of leather. “Thank you so much. I love it. But, why will I need it?”

Her grandmother stood. “Trust me. After what I’m about to tell you, you’ll know why.” She shuffled toward her bed. Lucy followed close behind lest her grandmother lost her balance.

“Lucy, dear, would you bring my smelling salts? I’m feeling a little dizzy. They will help.”

Lucy turned to get the jar of salts. She picked it up and heard a thud from behind. Turning, she saw her grandmother was on the floor. “Grandmother!” She hastily put down the salts and the leather journal, then ran to grandmother’s side. Her grandmother lay slumped with her face buried beneath her hair. Lucy gently pushed the hair off her face. “Grandmother,” she said softly.

Her grandmother moaned.

“I’m going to get help.”

Before she could get to her feet, her grandmother grabbed her hand.

“Don’t bother, dear. Just help me into bed.”

Lucy hesitated.

“Please. I’m an old woman and should’ve grabbed my cane. Nothing is broken.”

“Yes, Grandmother.” Lucy took her grandmother’s outstretched hands and helped her to her feet. Then she wrapped an arm around the old woman’s waist and led her to the bed. Grandmother Agatha leaned forward, getting in and Lucy pulled the covers over her. “Thank you, Lucy.” Her grandmother smiled, but closed her eyes.

“You’re welcome.” Lucy was unsure what to do next. “Did you still want the salts?”

“No, I’d better rest. I’m very tired. We’ll finish our talk on the morrow.”

Lucy bent over her grandmother and kissed her forehead. “Goodnight.”

Her grandmother mumbled something incoherent.

Lucy snuffed the light and carefully made her way to her room. Harriet was there, waiting. “Sorry to keep you up so late,” Lucy said, sitting in front of her mirror.

Harriet came over. “Glad t’ be o’ service.” She began removing the daisies from Lucy’s hair and set them on the table. “Is Lady Agatha well?”

“I think so,” Lucy answered, worried.

“Tis my hope she is.” Harriet took the final daisy from Lucy’s hair. “After you left the kitchen Sabrina tol’ us tonight was the first time she tasted a sweet. It was also the first time an employer had treated her like more than a mangy dog.” Harriet’s face was full of adoration. .

“Well I hope she gets to try many more,” Lucy said.

“You realize what’s happened, don’ you?”

“What?” Lucy asked, watching Harriet’s face in the mirror.

Harriet brushed out her long hair. “Tis obvious she worships you.”

“Well isn’t that how you feel too?” Lucy teased.

Harriet smiled. “Sometimes I think of you as the sister I had that died. She was strong willed, arrogant, but had a heart of gold. That is you, Miss.”

“Thank you, Harriet.”

Her maid lowered her head. “Have I offended you?”

Lucy came around the chair and hugged her. “No. Not at all. And I hope you know how grateful I am for all you do.”

“Yes’m.” She curtsied, then spun Lucy so she could help her out of her dress and into her nightclothes. When Lucy was ready, Harriet turned down her covers. “Would you like a brick tonight?”

Lucy situated herself and pulled the covers under her arms. “No, thank you.”

“Very well. Good night.” Harriet snuffed the lights.

“See you in the morning.”

***

Lucy woke up to the sounds of shouting. Harriet rushed into the room and pulled open the thick drapes. “It’s your grandmother, Lucy. Get up.” Harriet ran to the closet and pulled out a primrose day dress.

Lucy put it on as quickly as possible.

Harriet hooked it up and then grabbed the matching shoes.

Lucy ran to the door.

“Wait, your hair!”

“Not now.” Lucy sprinted to her grandmother’s bedroom. Inside the family doctor was talking to Lucy’s mother and father quietly. Ellen and Beaufort were on the other side of the room holding each other. Lucy went over to her grandmother’s bed. She looked peaceful, her hair fanned out around her. Her face soft. She looked asleep. Lucy reached out and touched her grandmother’s forehead, but her grandmother was cold. So cold.

“She’s dead, Lucy. Granny died,” Ellen said through her tears. Beaufort, trying to be brave, just nodded. His lips were pinched tight as if he couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t cry if he opened his mouth.

Lucy sank to the floor. “What happened?”

“Get off the floor, Lucy. It is unbecoming of a lady.”

Lucy heard her mother, but she couldn’t move. Her grandmother had been the most important person in her life and now she was gone. Lucy’s heart hurt. Ached like someone had reached inside her chest and squeezed. How was it possible her grandmother had died? Why had it happened? Her grandmother had told her not to get help last night. Had she known she was going to die? The pain inside Lucy’s body escalated. The squeezing got stronger. If the invisible hands gripped any tighter, her heart would surely burst.
Grandmother. Grandmother. Grandmother.

“I’ll help her.” Dashel came over and lifted Lucy into his arms.

Lucy knew she was crying. She could feel the tears running down her cheeks. Taste the saltiness on her lips.

“Shhhh, I’ve got you.” Dashel carried her over to the chaise and lay her down.

“What’s Dashel doing here?” Kathryn asked.

“I sent Patrick to fetch him, mother,” Ellen said, wiping at her tears with the back of her hand. “I had a feeling Lucy would need him.” A sob escaped her throat.

That snapped Lucy out of her sorrow. “Shut up, Mother. How dare you speak about Grandmother that way?” The instant of anger quickly transformed back into sadness. “She was wonderful, kind, and caring.”

Her mother’s face softened slightly. “Yes, she was.”

The sentiment surprised Lucy and she took her mother’s hand. “She really was.”

Dashel took Lucy’s other hand and patted it. “I’m so sorry, Lucy.”

SEVEN

COUNTESS OF VEGA

IT WAS
the perfect day for a funeral. Thick clouds covered the sky. The air was chilly and a slight drizzle fell, as though the whole of the Earth cried over the death of Lady Agatha too.

The clergyman, Grant Miller officiated the services, which were held in the small church on the Sothersby estate two weeks after Agatha’s death

The church had originally been built in the mid-seventeen hundreds and rebuilt after a fire two decades ago using thick stone and mortar created from a mixture of mud, rock and hay. Inside the ground was hard-packed dirt. Twenty rows of pews, ten on each side with a throughway down the middle, took up most of the space. The pews were made of oak that had been sanded and covered in lacquer to make them shine. A stained glass window shaped like a cross let in some of the somber afternoon light. Candles burned in candelabras beneath the window and lined the wall behind the pulpit. Huge sprays of flowers stood on either side of the deep cherry wood casket while a spray of hothouse roses covered the top.

After a prayer, Ellen and Beaufort sang a haunting hymn. His tenor combined with her soprano and melded together beautifully. The song brought the entire congregation to tears. Seth, Lucy’s uncle said a few words. Lucy had only met him once. He spoke softly about when he’d been younger and it struck Lucy how different he looked from her mother. His hair was the color of the setting sun, a red-orange. Freckles covered his face and hands. Lucy guessed the freckles were everywhere.

No one from her deceased husband’s side of the family came. It was strange. How could they not come? Lucy didn’t even know whether Agatha’s husband had had siblings.

After Seth finished the priest spoke about life and death and the afterlife. He told the congregation that Agatha watched over her family.

Lucy wanted to believe him, but she didn’t.

When the service ended, the casket containing the remains of Agatha Polenska, the Countess of Vega was taken to the family’s cemetery and placed in the ground.

Lucy couldn’t stop crying. She was grateful Dashel was there.

Once the last guest left, Dashel took Lucy’s hand. “Why don’t you come back to the house? It’ll be dark soon and you’re wet-through.”

Lucy used a handkerchief Dashel had given her to dab at her swollen eyes. Her cloak and mourning dress were indeed soaked through and damp her feet were numb with cold, but she wasn’t ready to leave. “Go ahead. I want a few moments alone with my grandmother. Then I’ll be along shortly.”

Dashel kissed her hand before taking his leave.

She nodded, releasing his hand.

As the sun set a thick mist rolled through the gravestones. It swirled around her feet like ghosts.

“Grandmother?” she whispered. The mist seemed to respond to her voice and grew thicker, moving up past her waist. The sound of a bird calling made her skin prickle. There was a crack, like someone stepped on an old stick. She turned toward the sound as a figure rose out of the mist and came toward her. “Is that you?” Lucy asked.

She wasn’t afraid. The idea of ghosts had never terrified her. While in school she’d heard plenty of ghost stories, but they hadn’t seemed frightening, just sad. “Talk to me. You said you had so much to tell me.”

The apparition came closer and Lucy squinted against the darkening sky. She couldn’t tell whether it was a man or woman.

“I’m here, Grandmother,” she called, raising a hand.

As the form grew closer, she realized it was much too tall to be her grandmother. It also walked after the manner of a confident man. A big man. Bigger than any she’d ever seen. As it moved the form appeared to steal the light, bringing an impenetrable darkness.

When the figure was ten feet away, it stopped and looked around as though searching for something. Lucy could make out fingers, definition on its shoulders and chest. It turned again to face her. Twin lights of blood red flashed in the otherwise empty eye sockets.

Lucy began to tremble, her feet frozen in place.

It lifted one arm, pointing at her and she feared her terror would drive her mad.

The figure opened its mouth and darkness flew out like blackbirds, heading toward her. Lucy had never been a fainter, but now seemed like an appropriate time. Her knees dropped to the ground. A sob broke through the stillness. Her hands clenched the mud and her hair fell into her eyes.

“Leave her, Apep,” a being said as it grew from the ground.

Lucy raised her head. Wiping her eyes with the back of her sleeve she saw a woman hovering off the ground. She was dressed in a spring green dress that tied at the waist and had long auburn hair that danced like sunlight. 

“Hathor,” the dark being responded.

“Who are you?” Lucy tried to ask, but she felt her body falling.

In the distance someone called her name.

“I’m here,” Lucy said.

Arms surrounded her body and she was being lifted. “I’ve got you.”